Greetings Bob & list--

> -----Original Message-----
> From: bobwarasila <[log in to unmask]>
[snip]
> I'm trying to help my son who runs a small architecture firm decide if he should
> upgrade some desks to high end laptops as replacements for desktops.  These
> machines would be loaded with AutoCad or AutoCad LT depending on who uses them.
> His IT person is recommending DELL Precision M70 with a 2.13GHz CPU, 2 GB RAM
> and a FX Go1400  256 MB graphics card.
[snip]

and from Mr. Marty.....

>  Wouldn't it make more sense to have one or two laptops available for those who
> travel and need this computing power on the road?  If most of the employees work
> is done at their desk with only occasional travel, an extra $600 per employee
> may be kind of wasteful.  For each desktop you buy you save $600 over a laptop,
> so it would be possible after 6 desktops to use $3700 to buy a laptop to be made
> available to traveling employees.
---------end original posts-----------
Mr. Marty's cost/benefit comments are certainly 'spot on'. On the hardware
component of the issue, the configuration sounds robust enough to handle
the software mentioned, with one possible exception; the hard disk. Even
the newest laptops tend to have "slower" hard disk subsystems, and that
could become an issue when much rendering of graphic work needs to occur.
I would think that in this CAD context that a SCSI (up to 320 MB/sec.) or a
fast SATA RAID hard disk configuration would be preferable (rarely, if ever, seen in notebook computers). In addition, the notebook will also be generating a good bit of heat, and may not be as long-lived as one might hope, especially given the cost.

Just my $.02, but I hope it helps.

Paul Shippert
Library Media Specialist
Margaret Brent Middle School
-----------------------------------
and I'm hovering like a fly
waiting for the windshield on the
freeway." Genesis
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