Replacing my Workstation with a Laptop?

[dtownsend]

My current workstation is a Dual Xeon 2.8ghz 2 GB RAM nvidia quadro fx 3400/4400. I use AutoCAD 04 with CG Survey 7, ArchiCAD 9 and NavisWorks 3. We will be adding more software. Our newest machines are Dual Core with 4 GB of Ram and whatever the best graphics card is at the time of ordering.

 

It is time for me to have my workstation replaced so I suggested a laptop for field use...The problem is I can find one that will beat our new machines that we are ordering. Alienware had the highest amount of RAM at 3GB but the cpu they are offering with that config sucks...p4 3+ghz.

 

Any suggestions. Thanks

[AJLynn]

You probably won't be too impressed until they start shipping laptops with Core Duo CPUs. If you can hold out... probably one to three months... you'll be seeing laptops from companies like Dell, Boxx, Alienware, or Lenovo with dual cores and QuadroFX or FireGL video.

 

I'm pretty sure Apple was actually the first to announce Core Duo machines, they have them in the new iMac and a notebook that will be available in March or so with an ATI x1800 (which might be a good way to go if we can get a definite yes on running Windows on it).

[dtownsend]

Dual core duo means 2 dual core processors correct?

 

Alienware already has one with just plain dual core.

[AJLynn]

Core Duo is a dual core version of the Pentium M. I believe Alienware is currently using AthlonX2 desktop versions in their dual core laptops. The AthlonX2 is probably faster, but the Pentium M is a notebook CPU for a reason - it uses a lot less CPU power. The AthlonX2 notebooks are really meant to be carried to where you'll be working then plugged in, the Core Duo will be useful for running on battery power.

[dtownsend]

Core Duo is a dual core version of the Pentium M. I believe Alienware is currently using AthlonX2 desktop versions in their dual core laptops. The AthlonX2 is probably faster, but the Pentium M is a notebook CPU for a reason - it uses a lot less CPU power. The AthlonX2 notebooks are really meant to be carried to where you'll be working then plugged in, the Core Duo will be useful for running on battery power.

 

We can order 2 batteries haha.

[AJLynn]

We can order 2 batteries haha.

 

Then you might as well go for it - an AthlonX2 laptop ought to be fast enough for all your needs (especially if you can have some more power in the office for net renders).

[bytor]

We can order 2 batteries haha.

Then you will essentially have a ups and backup in the bag. I have a BOXX Tech. GOBox 2300 with a HT P4 3.6 Ghz. processor / 3 Gb RAM / Nvidia Quadro FX Go 1400 and I love it! But..........the thing sucks so much power if you are doing anything at all - the battery essentially becomes a ups that will keep you going for 15 min. to half an hour when the power drops out. Do not plan on doing much from the battery if you get something comparable.

 

My experience with M processors in the past is that the tradeoff for batterly life is less than stellar performance when using Graphics/VIZ/CADD applications that like the juice. I do not have an opinion, and have not seen any reviews regarding the Core Duo setup.

 

If you are looking to replace your desktop with a workstation class machine - you can do it with one of these newer power laptops, but be forewarned about the battery life issue as well as heat and weight considerations. Laptop probably isn't an appropriate name because your legs will get tired due to the heft of these machines, and you will possibly scortch your thighs with the heat that they can put out!

 

As a replacement though for a desktop that gives you the ability to relocate to another desk or your dining table on the weekend, they are great. They just don't have the portability of the notebook class machines.

Sorry for the long winded reply - hope it helps ypu choose!

Dean

[pailhead]

I think that you should check Sager instead of alienware. Its cheaper and has better tech support ( a lot of people complained about alienware's).

Do you really need 3gb ram on a laptop, i think two should be more than enough.

 

BOXX, Sager, Alienware and god knows how many other brands all use the same laptops - Clevo.

 

For example the goboxx is the same as that 5.7kg alienware (dunno its code) and sager 9890 or 9750 (x2 version).

 

Sager 9890 and 9750 are true desktop replacement systems but i don't really see the point in getting those.

I own a 5720, with a pentium m 2.26, 2gb ram, and a 100gb pata 7200rpm harddrive. This pentium m is as fast as a full pentium 4 at 3.7ghz, but its cooler and consumes less battery. Infact the only difference there is between 5720 and 9890 is the 9890's ability to house two hdd thus allowing for RAID setup, and the ability to house two optical drives, but i don't really need all of that in a laptop.

 

9750 is the only dualcore laptop currently available, but its still robust and heavy - same as 9890. When duo centrino comes out it will be the best solution IMHO, since pentium m is the most efficient mobile solution.

[Greg Hess]

Inital benchmarks by an owner of a 1.83 ghz Duocore dell showed that his new laptop was rendering at the same speeds as his dual 3.0 Xeon workstation in 3dsmax using Vray.

 

One would assume (based on this limited data) that a dual 2.0 ghz duocore would probably be roughly equivilant to a dual 3.2 xeon. Remember to ignore megahertz unless its the same cpu family. Megahertz is only indicative of performance within a set processor family. Once you switch architectures, you can no longer use ghz/mhz numbers to extrapolate performance data.

 

ie a 3.2 ghz Pentium IV Northwood is Faster then a 3.0 ghz Pentium IV Northwood.

 

However a 3.2 ghz Pentium IV Northwood is about the same speed as a 2.2 ghz (3500+) Athlon 64.

 

Since I'll have my hands on a duocore 2.0 ghz laptop with 2 gb of ram in a week or so, I'll try to contribute benchmarks so we can figure out where it stands performance wise.

[Brian Cassil]

Nice to have you back Greg.