buying new laptops

[6600gt]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

I'd second Billfred suggestion to go with a new Macbook from Apple, as with Parallels 3 and a copy of Windows XP, you will now be able to run everything from intense 3D gaming to Inventor and CAD on your Macbook. When you aren't working on writing code or designing robot parts, you can utilize iLife (which comes free with every Mac) for all your personal and family stuff.
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The regular MacBook won't be doing any intense 3D gaming with Intel integrated graphics. The lack of a dedicated graphics will hurt most 3D applications. The fact that it can only have a max of 64mb of video memory(shared) is quite limiting for future use.

[Pavan Dave]

Originally Posted by 6600gt

The regular MacBook won't be doing any intense 3D gaming with Intel integrated graphics. The lack of a dedicated graphics will hurt most 3D applications. The fact that it can only have a max of 64mb of video memory(shared) is quite limiting for future use.

Not into macs, but I have to hand it to them. They have a FARRRRRR SUPERIORRRR graphics system which is why MOST professional photographers and videographers use macs [and why I think Windows put out vista to try to catch up].

Peace.

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by Pavan

Not into macs, but I have to hand it to them. They have a FARRRRRR SUPERIORRRR graphics system which is why MOST professional photographers and videographers use macs [and why I think Windows put out vista to try to catch up].

Peace.

Perhaps Intel Macs are different, but my 15" G4 1.5Ghz Powerbook doesn't play that well with 3D games. It's all right when the screen is relatively empty to reasonably full, but once you start piling up the units, you enter slideshow mode. I have 1 gig of ram and 64 megs of video ram. Luckily Starcraft is 2D.

How exactly is their graphics system "far superior?" I've never actually looked into it. What is the hardware difference that makes them so much better?

[6600gt]

Originally Posted by Pavan

Not into macs, but I have to hand it to them. They have a FARRRRRR SUPERIORRRR graphics system which is why MOST professional photographers and videographers use macs [and why I think Windows put out vista to try to catch up].

Peace.

Yes, they much better software rendering that the Vista. Mac have a better integrated system. A nice monitor and Photoshop will result in similar quality on Windows.

I have to give it Apple for having everything "out of the box".

But the fact is that the hardware is the same. Thus, when you require serious hardware acceleration you won't have it, at least when he uses Inventor on windows.

[GMAdan]

Well when i had the same problem i went to the safe side. I wanted mostly to run Inventor and not have to worry how many parts are in the assembly. So what i looked for the ISV certified label. So i went with the Dell M90 mobile workstation. It runs inventor 11, Solidworks, and 3dmax with no problems. But they do come with a hefty price tag. I got mine from their outlet and it runs like new and it cost me 1,500. I think that is a good price for 17'' screen with Intel core 2 duo, 80gb HD, 1gb ram, and Nvida 256mb QuadroFX graphics card.

but if you are looking into apple products i would look at the Pro books if you want to run inventor and the other programs on it. but I think the mac books would work fine as long as you have the 2 gb of ram

[chaoticprout]

Just picked up the new Santa Rosa MacBook Pro, if you're willing the spend the extra cash, they're def, worth it.

~Mike

[JagWire]

i've been running a Macbook Pro with bootcamp for a little over 9 months now. I absolutely love it. It runs Inventor fine, not a workstation class CAD system, but considering i've now got both a mac os, and windows on one computer... i'll take the slightly distorted graphics in inventor. the graphics aren't bad by any means, just not as smooth as what i've seen on real CAD machines. It does everything I ask it to, well, unless i do something crazy in inventor... i have a bad habit of crashing things. i don't know about the new laptops, but with mine battery life is a bit of an issue. i get probably 2-3 hours on average under OS X, but it drops significantly while running windows... though i should probably mention that i haven't updated the bootcamp drivers for it... that might have something to do with it...

[Tapoore]

I'd recommend a Dell Inspiron. Although I've had mixed success with Dell laptops in the past, I'm very impressed with the one I have now.

Specs.
Dell Inspiron 6400
Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 running @ 2 GHz 667 FSB
2 gigs of DDR-2 667 mhz
nvidia geforce go 7300 (128mb discreet, 128mb shared)
DVD burner
bluetooth
1680 x 1050 screen (very nice)

All for ~ $1500

Handles Inventor 11 very well as well as graphics intensive games (BF2, BF2142). Having the RAM matched to the FSB speed is recommended.