Dear forumers, I would like to ask for your advice regarding laptop choices, as I've never ever owned a laptop before in my life, but due to recent circumstances, I'm forced to purchase 1.

Here are my questions :

1) Which laptop brand is more reliable, as in doesn't breakdown often or overheat or spoils easily due to handling problems? Dell, HP, Toshiba, Asus, Sony, Apple.....

2) What laptop specs or model is more suitable for Autocad and Autocad Revit usage? I presume it requires more emphasize on the graphics and the ram.

3) As it is used primarily for autocad draughting, what monitor size is more suitable? I personally liked it to be the bigger the merrier, but mobility is also an issue, or else, don't even bother considering a laptop, rite?

4) Budget around RM 3-4k, as I don't expect it to be the best there is in the market, just average with more emphasize to draughting works will do.

5) Is it cheaper to buy laptops in Malaysia or Singapore, excluding the transportation expenses factor?

Thanks in advance for the productive information.

1. Different brands offer different categories of notebooks i.e. budget, premium, business etc. Of course the budget ones will not be as reliable as the premium and business ones. And of course the premium and business ones will not be as cheap as budget ones even though the specs might be similar. If you have the money, go for premium-line or business line notebooks. Otherwise, extend the warranty coverage for your notebook for peace of mind, just in case it breaks down. Also, whether a notebook lasts or not depends on a little bit of luck (just like all other electronic devices), and also on how the user takes care of it

2. Not really familiar with AutoCAD, but the rule of thumb is to have more RAM and CPU power; and if you're doing 3D stuffs, then a good GPU will help too

3. Yeah, the larger, the more workspace, usualyl a 15.6" notebook with FullHD display is recommended for your type of usage.

4.
Can consider these two
Lenovo
Ideapad Y500, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M + (1920x1080)@RM3799, 4GB, 500GB, W8; GN36 exGPU, 170W AC adapter
Ideapad Y580, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GTX660M + 1920x1080 @RM2999[JBL], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB/W8, backlit keyboard, 2 yrs warranty
* use remaining money to extend warranty to 3 years on-site.
* upgrade RAM to at least 8GB
* if you are going for the Y580 (relatively older), you still have the money to upgrade to a SSD

5. It is cheaper to buy in Malaysia, regardless of whether you are Malaysian or Singaporean
But do take note that local warranty coverage and international coverage works differently oh

If you are still unsure, check out the links in my siggy

My gf tried using my Y580 for her Autocad works, so far so good, the Full HD screen did make her job a lot easier

5. Singapore - GST.
2. Are you a professional? If yes, most pro using Autocad will tell you that the apps is optimised for OpenGL. So within your budget, you may want to look for laptop that come with Nvidia NVS / Quadro , AMD FirePro GPU. These type of GPU come with driver that optimised for OpenGL. (whereas the consumer line up of GPU is mostly optimised for directx).

Thanks all, I got lots to research on ur comments.

do take note laptops with professional graphic cards often falls into the business category and costs a bomb even for one with half decent performance...

these GPU are essentially the same ones that we see in the consumer market, the only difference is in the driver optimized for difference purposes... professional GPU drivers are designed with stability an power efficiency, while consumer GPU drivers are tuned for performance instead... u can probably find modded drivers or perhaps modded VBIOS on the Internet to suit ur work...

it's best that u read the fine prints on AutoCAD and see which type of GPU is more suited... but with OpenCL and GPGPU being a mainstream now, it probably doesn't really matter much now...

i am an architecture student. i used to have sony vaio F series and due to over rendering causing my mobo to fried twice

my advice get a laptop with a good heat discharge. autocad manly using open GL and it's about the smoothness of ur autocad when in drafting

revit mainly using the processor

since u have budget limit, u can consider
1. Lenovo Y580. a friend of mine using it has no issue with it except that it's get noisy when rendering
2. Alienware M14x around 5K
3. Mac Book ( are overprice according to your budget )

hope it helps peace.

Yup, as Astria sifu said, the NVS/Quadro/FirePro GPU is normally found in business class laptop.

The side benefit is this type of machine normally has better built quality (more solid case, some have internal roll cage, better warranty support (vs consumer line)), use matte screen, have docking port (which ease charging, connect to external keyboard / mouse / HDD, multiple displays ...)

So if you are a professional and budget allow, it's worth while to check them out.

Otherwise, just look for laptop with i7-3xxxQM CPU with decent GPU, and FHD screen (this give you more work space) within your budget. For example:
Dell
Inspiron 15R (Special Edition), i7-3612QM + AMD HD7730M + (1920x1080; anti-glare) + 32GB SSD + 1TB HDD(5400rpm)@RM3199, 8GB,backlit keyboard optional, W7HP/W8
Vostro 3560, i7-3632QM + AMD HD7670M + 32GB SSD + 750GB(7200rpm) HDD + (1920x1080)@RM3209[2.57kg], 8GB, W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 13 2012, 02:45 PM

Wow, thats alot to digest. Thanks all for the informative facts. Thank you.

Pls dun go for dell inspiron and those laptop which heat dispatch is not really good. From your budget i would recommend you to get Asus G55VW, Lenovo Y480 or Lenovo Y500. These laptop should serve you well even with the latest Revit 2013. I had try the revit 2013 with Asus G55vw its work awesome and yet the performance is great. Since the G55vw only got 1 graphic card so it would not limit the performance by optimus firmware and make your laptop easy to perform and yet the cooling system is great even when rendering it nearly no sound and you wont feel the heat is the main issue. While for Lenovo I havent try both but the spec for y580 is almost similar and y500 is higher while connected with sli. If you dun mind the warranty issue go for asus or lenovo make you stay away from warranty issue. I doubt that with the performance of Y500 should work very well for revit just that i not sure about the cooling system on it.

Wow, looks like everyone has their points, yet there are certain disagreements in terms of models, but 1 model suggested has been praised by all that stands out.

Lenovo Y500.

I shall check it out very soon. Thanks all, and keep the advices coming. Tq

1. You should highlight G55VW battery performance suck big time since it could not utilise Nvidia Optimus to switch to Intel HD 4000. Btw the Intel HD 4000 always come with the CPU, it is just that G55VW could not utilise it. So in fact, G55VW owners are paying for something which they could never use.

2. If you think so call Dell Inspiron thermal profile is bad, you have it coming with Y580 (I am an owner of Y580). At its stock configuration, the whole left side of the keyboard could become very uncomfortably hot even under normal usage.

3. Do you even know if Revit or Autocad can utilise Nvidia SLI? I am not sure personally (but I think chances is NO). If indeed Revit and Autocad could not utilise SLI, then TS is wasting money buying the ultrabay GPU that come with Y500.

4. How you ever seen G55VW user sending in the machine for service and have to wait for week / month (s) to get it back? If TS is a professional, that is not acceptable down time.

I am not in any ways related to Dell, btw. But good warranty support service beat so call "quality" any time of the day.

1. Yes regarding the battery performance for the G55VW is consider as normal to me as even i use lenovo y480 currently with Intel HD graphic, it do increase the time frame of using with battery but still depend on usage. let say both laptop use to render with battery only, i doubt the time frame will almost the same. FYI I own Asus G55VW previously as well.

2. Its not i think. I own 3 unit of Dell Inspiron previously as well. So i know how it work when under heavy use especially during rendering. One of the unit inspiron 15r do melt the rubber feet on the palm rest which use to protect the screen from contact with keyboard. And I do diagnostic the laptop and the temp up to 92c yet dell claim that it not yet over the warranty limit. Pls dun said that this unit faulty only. In fact each inspiron outside do feel warm on palm rest with power on for display only. So the cooling system really bad. So it not just wat i think. While for Y580 I not really sure coz i never own it but from the unit of my friend i do feel the heat as mention. however i cant give much comment as i nvr own it.

3. I not sure the revit can support the SLI or not. But in the previous version it do cannot support but not sure about now as many ppl are trying for it. Even it not support the sli, TS still can use only single graphic to render as with lenovo y480 gt650m it also feel great with the render speed just a bit slower than Asus G55VW GTX660m. So this purchase should not a wasting instead a big step toward future technolgy.

4. Pls do not prejudice toward the Asus G55VW based only on others ppl complain and comment. For every single product of every brand it do hv its own risk and luck of the buyer as well. Even the good quality support but the machine always broke down, it still a bad case. And regarding the Asus warranty it does hv some problem but sometime it also depend n the part availability. My uncle hv asus laptop screen broken but got part on that time thus it get the laptop back after 2hr only. And my tablet docking problem i also can get back within 2 week. So it all depend on luck and be smart on check with them from time to time it will get the product back on time.

I had deal with these warranty issue for few brand,
Asus, yes its slow on sometime but its depend on the part availability

Lenovo, Yes, its shorter time but its also need to depend on the parts and also sometime may up to a week. so almost similar with asus. Just that asus preoder part need to take 3 week times of it normal procedure.

Dell, the best warranty i had but if taking inspiron with heat problem and it will cause damage to other parts as well. Yes they can change to you nx day business but every single part spoil in order to claim for nx u need to wait a week for nx part. This is a rule. Unless you pay extra for premium service. How I know these becoz i own XPS previously as well with premium service so that i know.

The recommendation that i suggest to the TS is maily based on the experience that i had with those laptop so it not just based on think and only read others ppl comment. I do feel and touch the machine. So recommend TS with a generous mind. Pls I not mean to offence, I just want to clarify my suggestion to TS

regarding pt 2), u should ve insisted that the laptop is "uncomfortably hot"... keep bugging them without a precise description of the issue... merely tell them "too hot" is good enough... as long as the CPU is unable to boil water, no laptop maker will mark it as faulty since the CPU is designed to handle up to 100C...

being dumb at the right time is necessary when dealing with warranty service staff, especially with remote diagnostic like Dell's... the more vague ur description is, the less information they get, the less accurate their diagnostic, the more likely they'll send a technician...

^
1. What I meant was G55VW, no matter what TS use it for, always utilise the GTX660M CPU. For a gaming rig setup, this may not be an issue, since gamers see it coming. Of course other laptops equipped with discrete GPU, when the GPU kick in, will suffer the same drain in battery performance. In the odd chance that TS use the laptop for less demanding task that Intel HD 4000 could handle (check email, eg), laptop that utilise Nvidia Optimus is more ideal for battery performance.

3. I check Nvidia SLI website. Revit and Autocad is not in the application list. Y500 is ~RM800 > Y580, and a big part of this is for the ultrabay GPU. My point is RM800 could buy TS a lot of things, and should not be wasted on something one could never utilise (it's not an investment in technology if you could not use the technology).

4. I am not prejudice against Asus. God know how many Asus model I like and seriously comtemplating to buy. But the fact is Asus warranty support service is inconsistent. So any owners is buying a "negative" lottery, one don't want to strike, but the chance is higher than 4D (the 3 years mulfuction rate that Asus so proudly listed on its product catalog is 15%).

My suggestion to any professional: If you are relying on your laptop to make a living, good warranty support service is one of the most important consideration in your purchase dicision. Go to any reputable corporation in Malaysia which IT department is worth their salt. You will only find Dell, Lenovo, HP (less so). If a user could not afford lengthy down time, these are the brand that is able to provide the professional level of warranty support service.

Lenovo, by the way, already offer onsite service to consumer. It does not come standard. Buyer has to specifically ask for it during purchase.

If TS is a student or the machine is not be used to make a living, by all means consider the models you suggest.

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Added on December 15, 2012, 8:27 amGood one, astria sifu. Playing dumb and ignorant is a great strategy

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 15 2012, 08:28 AM

put it short, get a business laptop... even a humble Dell Vostro wins in warranty compared to Alienware...

Yes indeed! You are right. By doing this the chance of getting a technician is more than the detail description of the issue. Great So if TS getting a Dell laptop remember to use this strategy!

1. I get what you mean. But just that even with a simple task the laptop still able to stand for some hour so for myself should not be a problem. However this is up to personal on how they going to use their laptop. Yet the single card design just similar to the previous technology where those day laptop only equip with single graphic card. So in the previous already did, why not today and the G55VW come with 8 cell battery so it should hv longer time frame. No matter how, this is very subjective issue when come to personal.

2. Yes. What you said is correct. It just that we put up the option for the TS to choose. Even It cannot support in Autodesk but it still can use in other software. At the same time it still a very powerful laptop even without the SLI support in certain software. On your suggestion on Y580 is definitely correct but it still depend on TS which model to choose.

3. Haha. The way you describe the Asus warranty is great and fun!
Anyhow its the truth of warranty support that provided by ASUS, all depend on luck so TS. Pray before you buy the Asus laptop.

4. Its a great suggestion! If can afford for those premium level with premium warranty support laptop band, please go for it! It will worth the price.

So TS might get his decision on which laptop to buy. Just let us know in the future on which laptop you get. Maybe not the one we recommended, but it still a great choice.

Its great that can discuss here with sifu.

Yes, Lenovo Thinkpad should be great as well!

as far as i am aware, SLi (and CrossFire) are only used in games so far... just look at the business laptops, none of them offer multi-GPU solution, for 2 very obvious reasons: performance-per-watt drops drastically, and inconsistent performance...

unless, u re looking to build sth like a server farm to crunch data, but by then u will need a Tesla already...

Actually, I'm less of a gamer but more into draughting, such as autocad or photoshop and stuff, which requires higher ram capacity, which needs a better processor to support it, with the help of a good graphics system and eventually displayed on a considerably wide and clear screen. lol

I see. But so far I used all the software that you mention, with the increase performance in CPU and GPU do help a lot. Especially when i compare a i5 and i7 laptop, the rendering and processing speed is differ a lot. While for the graphic card, many ppl would said that it not that important but i do see the difference when the upgrade of GPU. For instance a GT540m compare with GT650m both with same CPU and ram, the processing speed for autoCAD, revit, sketch up, photoshop, etc, the speed had increase a lot. So i think that GPU also play a very important role in this field as well other than CPU and ram. Perhaps the balance in between these would be more suitable.

Maybe instead of recommend you the model directly, I would like to recommend you with the spec

CPU- Go for i7, i5 would not that convenient when dealing with heavy file load.
Ram- At least get 8GB ram but if can up to 12GB is preferable
GPU- In the current trend, get at least performance with GT650m and above. Below this might not worth for the value and hard to fulfill your need and may cause you to change your laptop in short time frame.
HDD- You can try to upgrade to SSD. Even with all high spec CPU, GPU, ram but with a normal rpm HDD, the performance would be affect very much. If possible, look for laptop that provide 2 HDD slot. Another option is swap with your optical drive.
Screen- Look for FHD, it will maximize your window space especially many ppl like to use autocad with latest mode and not classic work space, those interface take up a lot of space. With FHD, it become neat and small so even with 15 inch, you still have a lot of work space. Or you may connect to external monitor. But for this field, at least get a laptop with 15inch and above is better

basically these are the need of spec for this field. So good luck in your hunting. Btw, you are studying or working?