TheRailwire

General Discussion => 3D Printing => Topic started by: peteski on December 04, 2018, 03:30:40 PM

Title: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: peteski on December 04, 2018, 03:30:40 PM
I don't buy new computer hardware and I'm not planning on it. But if I wanted to run some serious CAD software will a laptop's hardware have enough power/capability to run it?  I'm thinking (and hoping) that one of the slightly older high performance gaming laptops (like Dell/Alienware maybe?) will be powerful enough to handle CAD software.  Ideas?
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: wcfn100 on December 04, 2018, 03:51:08 PM
Probably depends on the software.

Jason
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: DKS on December 04, 2018, 03:57:15 PM
FWIW, I had a Dell semi-high-end laptop from 5-6 years ago, and it ran SketchUp with no problem. But SketchUp isn't exactly a full-blown CAD app, so this may be apples and oranges.  Obviously YMMV.

BTW, what's your objection to getting a desktop? Price/performance ratio only increases every day, so there could be bargains galore to be had. About the time I ditched the laptop, I got a high-end HP tower, and it'll handle anything I throw at it. Very glad I did.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: peteski on December 04, 2018, 04:12:12 PM
FWIW, I had a Dell semi-high-end laptop from 5-6 years ago, and it ran SketchUp with no problem. But SketchUp isn't exactly a full-blown CAD app, so this may be apples and oranges.  Obviously YMMV.

BTW, what's your objection to getting a desktop? Price/performance ratio only increases every day, so there could be bargains galore to be had. About the time I ditched the laptop, I got a high-end HP tower, and it'll handle anything I throw at it. Very glad I did.

I run Sketchup 8 on an old (circa 2004) AMD Athlon 2.5GHz with 1Gb memory and Nvidia GeForce 6200 512Mb tower running XP without problems (although my drawings are simple).
Why not a tower?  I have no room for (already have a tower PC which I need to keep) it and I also really like the portability of a laptop.  Today's laptops (even not the newest generation) are quite powerful, and I'm hoping that they can handle my hobby CAD excursions.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: MK on December 04, 2018, 04:37:23 PM
Absolutely!  About 3-4 years ago I was using Dell M series laptops to run professional proprietary CAD and 3D modeling software in the dental industry.  They were behemoths compared to normal laptops of the day.  I think they had Intel i7 processors and like 20-24GB RAM.  Easily achievable without mortgaging the house now a days.

I used it to import 3D laser scanner files, CAD and solids modeling, generating STL and various files for the 3D printers and CNC machines.

A quick search shows they are now obsolete and no longer manufactured but Dell shows these as replacements.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebooks/sf/precision-laptops

Here's a screen capture that I found online.  I can't post any of my stuff due to NDA.  That's a titanium implant bar on a jaw.

https://lmtmag.com/products/new_nobelprocera_products
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: peteski on December 04, 2018, 04:54:48 PM
Thanks Mike!
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: Lemosteam on December 04, 2018, 05:32:01 PM
@peteski , At work I run full blown Catia and Teamcenter applications on a Dell Precision 7000 series Win 10, see MK's link.  Runs FLAWLESS (but we have an IT team dedicated to automatic updates, etc. 

I can tell you the three most important things:  SSD (can be as small as 128 gig if you don't overload it with apps), Graphics card and driver, and most important, memory.  As much as you can fit in there.  I think we run at least 12G of memory.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: wcfn100 on December 04, 2018, 05:36:59 PM
But Pete wants something from the 90's.

Jason
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: DKS on December 04, 2018, 05:38:31 PM
...and most important, memory.  As much as you can fit in there.

This.

But Pete wants something from the 90's.

LOL!
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: Wolf N Works on December 04, 2018, 05:46:24 PM
If you find an older gaming laptop, they are usually loaded with better CPU, Graphics card and memory.. I have an older MSI Dragon 2. I7 cpu, SSD and regular HDD plus 32gb ram. Works like a champ for CAD
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: John on December 04, 2018, 05:47:02 PM

I used it to import 3D laser scanner files, CAD and solids modeling, generating STL and various files for the 3D printers and CNC machines.

A quick search shows they are now obsolete and no longer manufactured but Dell shows these as replacements.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebooks/sf/precision-laptops

Here's a screen capture that I found online.  I can't post any of my stuff due to NDA.  That's a titanium implant bar on a jaw.

https://lmtmag.com/products/new_nobelprocera_products

you probably printed my last set of  teeth :)
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: CodyO on December 04, 2018, 05:54:50 PM
@peteski

I can tell you the three most important things:  SSD (can be as small as 128 gig if you don't overload it with apps), Graphics card and driver, and most important, memory.  As much as you can fit in there.  I think we run at least 12G of memory.

Yes toss in a SSD or a M.2 drive and as much RAM as you can fit. Old gaming laptop, Dell Precision or a HP Zbook would all fit the bill.

Modern hardware is awesome and prices keep getting better.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: Chris333 on December 04, 2018, 06:10:40 PM
Would you believe I've never used a laptop in my life.   :facepalm:  Heck I've only visibly seen 2. (both at work)
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: DKS on December 04, 2018, 06:13:39 PM
Would you believe...

Yes.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: peteski on December 04, 2018, 06:14:20 PM
Would you believe I've never used a laptop in my life.   :facepalm:  Heck I've only visibly seen 2. (both at work)

Think of your smart phone as a laptop. The line between laptops, tablets, phablets, and smart phones is getting really blurred.  :)  Laptop is a portable computer, and so are all those other devices.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: Chris333 on December 04, 2018, 06:17:01 PM
Mobile device is really only good for killing time at work  :P

When I'm on vacation for a week I don't touch my phone and the data bar graph goes flat.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: CodyO on December 04, 2018, 06:17:43 PM
Would you believe I've never used a laptop in my life.   :facepalm:  Heck I've only visibly seen 2. (both at work)

damn, I`ve literally used over a 1,000 laptops doing initial setups and configs
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: Chris333 on December 04, 2018, 06:46:12 PM
I must revise my statement. I've seen 3, not 2.

My boss used to bring one to work to watch movies on. He had a mouse and speakers plugged into it and always had to prop it up so the fan could get air or it would shut down.

If I ever had one I would at the very least have a mouse for it.

The other 2 I've seen. One came with a new console at work to re-set it, never needed to use it. It sits in a drawer (maybe I should check to see if someone stole it yet).

The other one was a guy at work would brought it in for me to "fix" I just had him download Malware Bytes and run it. So he fixed it his self.



I could see why people would need one I just never had a use.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: peteski on December 04, 2018, 07:24:21 PM
Mobile device is really only good for killing time at work  :P

When I'm on vacation for a week I don't touch my phone and the data bar graph goes flat.

So you do all the Internet browsing on a home PC?  I thought you've surfed the Web, and even accessed TRW on your smart phone.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: Chris333 on December 04, 2018, 07:37:58 PM
So you do all the Internet browsing on a home PC?  I thought you've surfed the Web, and even accessed TRW on your smart phone.

I do...at work...like right now.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: garethashenden on December 05, 2018, 09:50:20 AM
I have a fairly basic Toshiba laptop from 2013, it was something like $550 new. It runs Solidworks just fine. You can’t do much else at the same time, but it works.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: peteski on December 05, 2018, 03:56:14 PM
I have a fairly basic Toshiba laptop from 2013, it was something like $550 new. It runs Solidworks just fine. You can’t do much else at the same time, but it works.

But how fast does it repaint the screen when you are rotating the view of something more complex than a cube (like a tank car for example)?  Is it pretty much in real time, or there is a big lag while the image gets repainted?

That sounds like maybe even my current laptop (Dell Latitude  E6410, IntelCore i5 M560 2.67GHz quad core, 4Gb RAM, Intel HD graphic adapter) might work.  Just add more  memory.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: MK on December 05, 2018, 04:59:20 PM
Peteski, your laptop with an i5 processor will work.  But 4B won't cut it like you said.  Go 8GB or even better, 16GB.  memory is cheap now a days.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: narrowminded on December 05, 2018, 06:54:29 PM
Go for it, Pete.  If you're not applying all sorts of texture and finish, that is both clumsy, distracting, and of no use to your design, you'll probably do fine with as little as 4Gb of ram.  That is the minimum recommended for my Turbocad 19 PRO.  It has run just fine on my old T60 with 4Gb.  Are you going to be trying to jockey every floor, door, and bathroom faucet in a 100 story office building?  And then do simulated walk throughs?  If not, it'll draw what you want for modelling just fine.  And then, worse case and it's actually troublesome, you can add some ram. 8)
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: peteski on December 05, 2018, 06:55:48 PM
Peteski, your laptop with an i5 processor will work.  But 4B won't cut it like you said.  Go 8GB or even better, 16GB.  memory is cheap now a days.

Good to know. Thanks Mike!  I was mostly worried whether the video card will be up to the job, that was why thought a gaming laptop would be good choice. But when I get to the point I start paying with CAD software, even if my current laptop is not up to the task, I can look for a more powerful laptop.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: peteski on December 05, 2018, 06:58:52 PM
Go for it, Pete.  If you're not applying all sorts of texture and finish, that is both clumsy, distracting, and of no use to your design, you'll probably do fine with as little as 4 megs of ram.  That is the minimum recommended for my Turbocad 19 PRO.  It has run just fine on my old T60 with 4 megs.  Are you going to be trying to jockey every floor, door, and bathroom faucet in a 100 story office building?  If not, it'll draw what you want just fine.  And then, worse case and it's actually troublesome, you can add some ram. 8)

4 Megs?! Oh mam Mark, you are showing your age!  :D I had a PC in the '90s which had 1Mb of RAM (4x256k SIMMs). I later upgraded it to 4Mb (4x1Mb SIMMs), and later to 16Mb (4x4Mb SIMMs)!  It was a 486DX2-66MHz PC.  :)

I know, 4Gb.  :D
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: narrowminded on December 05, 2018, 07:02:16 PM

I know, 4Gb.  :D

Megally, giggley, whatever it takes.  But I AM serious.  You'll be fine with what you've got. Certainly to get started with some modelling projects. 8)
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: MK on December 05, 2018, 10:46:03 PM
But how fast does it repaint the screen when you are rotating the view of something more complex than a cube (like a tank car for example)?  Is it pretty much in real time, or there is a big lag while the image gets repainted?

That sounds like maybe even my current laptop (Dell Latitude  E6410, IntelCore i5 M560 2.67GHz quad core, 4Gb RAM, Intel HD graphic adapter) might work.  Just add more  memory.

Peteski, your laptop can only go up to 8GB.  According to Dell:

Dell Latitude E6410 has 2 DIMM slots. The system accepts a memory capacity ranging from 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB. The memory type accepted is DDR3 1066 MHz only. The computer supports a maximum of 8GB* of memory when installed with two 4GB DIMMs.

You might be able to find another 4GB DIMM to match the one that's already there.  Each DIMM runs about $40 +/- on the market.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: peteski on December 06, 2018, 03:13:38 AM
Peteski, your laptop can only go up to 8GB.  According to Dell:

Dell Latitude E6410 has 2 DIMM slots. The system accepts a memory capacity ranging from 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB. The memory type accepted is DDR3 1066 MHz only. The computer supports a maximum of 8GB* of memory when installed with two 4GB DIMMs.

You might be able to find another 4GB DIMM to match the one that's already there.  Each DIMM runs about $40 +/- on the market.

Thanks for doing the research Mike!
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: narrowminded on December 06, 2018, 04:53:53 AM
4 Megs?! Oh man Mark, you are showing your age!  :

OK, I broke down and fixed mine. 8)  And yours. ;)
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: garethashenden on December 06, 2018, 12:23:32 PM
But how fast does it repaint the screen when you are rotating the view of something more complex than a cube (like a tank car for example)?  Is it pretty much in real time, or there is a big lag while the image gets repainted?

That sounds like maybe even my current laptop (Dell Latitude  E6410, IntelCore i5 M560 2.67GHz quad core, 4Gb RAM, Intel HD graphic adapter) might work.  Just add more  memory.

I have 6 Gb RAM and it does just fine. It takes a while to open Solidworks, but once it’s open everything works fine.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: Lemosteam on December 06, 2018, 12:43:04 PM
I have 6 Gb RAM and it does just fine. It takes a while to open Solidworks, but once it’s open everything works fine.

@garethashenden , Do you work with assemblies or just a part at a time,  Some assemblies can eat that memory quickly.  If not, yes you are correct.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: garethashenden on December 06, 2018, 01:42:26 PM
@garethashenden , Do you work with assemblies or just a part at a time,  Some assemblies can eat that memory quickly.  If not, yes you are correct.

I’ve done some, but not large numbers of parts. I didn’t notice it being significantly slower. To be honest it’s been a while since I’ve done much CAD work recently, so some of this is from memory.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: jagged ben on December 06, 2018, 10:59:57 PM
The right specs on a laptop will have no problem running CAD, but you'll need an external mouse with a scroll wheel, if not a trackball, to be serious about being productive.   A larger external screen helps too, but is less necessary.
Title: Re: Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?
Post by: peteski on December 07, 2018, 12:49:30 AM
The right specs on a laptop will have no problem running CAD, but you'll need an external mouse with a scroll wheel, if not a trackball, to be serious about being productive.   A larger external screen helps too, but is less necessary.
Thanks.

I hate those little G-spots on the keyboards and touchpads on laptops - only use them when I hold them on my lap.  Otherwise, I always have a mouse attached. I also have a Bamboo tablet which I will likely use with a CAD program.

I can also run multiple screen displays: 2 on a standalone laptop, and more when it is on its docking station.