Need a notebook....

[Rebecca]

Hi guys,

At the risk of exposing my complete ignorance of computer brands' pro's &con's, could someone give me a little advice about choosing a notebook? I'll be starting a bachelors in architecture this fall in England (though I am american). I am eyeing a 15" apple powerbook G4, I know some love apples and some don't...... what about autocad? other programs I'll need in the future? any info will help,

thanx,

Rebecca

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

if you need autocad start looking at windows machines. ....if you like the powerbook just because it looks nice, then try the sony Z1 laptop. the image quality blows the powerbook out of the water. i have been drooling over it ever since i played with one at microcenter. it is the nicest looking screen i have seen ob a laptop, and it is sleek and sexy looking to boot. although it is low on the video ram. truthfully, if you are on this board, and are looking at laptops, you need a powerful workhorse, not a powerbook or a Z1. ...i am not sure everything that is out there, but in our office we have been buying Toshiba Satellites, and they have been great for cad and 3d. powerful work horse. ..also, toshiba is eliminating the 17" model because it is not selling well. i heard rumor that you can pick one up for around $1700 new on clearance price. these machines look nice, but beware, they are heavy, and will give you shoulder cramps if you carry them around all the time. but almost any workhorse laptop is heavy. you can find powerful laptops from all the top manufacturers, but i think the toshiba is a steal for the clearance price. ...on the other hand a Z1 only weighs about 4lbs.

 

basically look for 512 ram a 3mhz processor, and 64 or 128 video card. ....i am sure other will have better input, i just felt like typing.

 

http://www.vaio.net/models/notebooks/z1/

 

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/pc/pc_cf_prodChassis.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0735934189.1080907978@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdadcldllhghicgfkceghdgngdgli.0&comm=ST&plin=Portables&pfam=Satellite&pmod=P25

[angelo]

Rebecca,

 

Unfortunately, it's a cold world out there where AutoCAD is king. All of their products (including Architectural Desktop, Revit, and MAX/VIZ) ONLY run on windows.

 

If you are thinking of working in the states, and you don't know these programs, it's going to be harder to find a job.

 

The powerbook is a beautiful machine and it's one of the best product designs ever (for a laptop). However, it won't run AutoCAD, and it does have some problems with heat. The speakers also leave a lot to be desired.

 

Find out what your school uses for software, so you can work on stuff at home (or in the park). If they are running formZ, VectorWorks, or ArchiCAD, you are home free on the mac.

 

If not, do look at the Toshiba, HP, and Dell laptops. Again, if you are doing 3D, portability isn't going to be what you’re looking for--high processor speed and a big graphics card.

 

I work on both a toshiba and tibook, so let me know if you have further questions.

 

Have fun in England!

 

Cheers,

Angelo