Recommendations requested for new computer specs

[Guest EnvisionMan]

To all,

 

I am planning on buying a new computer in the next couple months. I would appreciate any recommendations on what is ideal for running the following simultaneously with the least lag:

- AutoCAD 2014

- Multiple web browsers

- Revit

- Sketchup

- Google Earth

- Silverlight (for city GIS systems)

- plus a few other minor things like Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, etc.

 

I do not play video games, so I don't need it optimized for that.

 

I want to spend under $2500.

 

I need it in a laptop, and prefer a 17" screen.

 

I would prefer a solid-state drive, for at least the boot drive. Any strong advantages to making the entire drive solid state?

 

Thank you in advance for the advice. I have been designing on AutoCAD since 1997 and have never really had an optimal machine. I would like that to change.

 

Thanks!

[ReMark]

Build the computer talked about in this thread that was posted recently and you will have no problems at all. Cost: just over $1700.

 

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?84601-New-Build-amp-Review-i7-4770K-32GB-DDR3-1866-GTX-770-2GB&highlight=computer+build

[Guest EnvisionMan]

Nice specs... I wonder if there is a laptop that can have all that. I require the portability... haven't been able to use a desktop for the last 6-7 years.

 

Thanks!

[ReMark]

Then you want to look at Xi Computers. Laptops made specifically with CAD users in mind. They also ship without all the junk (ex. - trial programs and utilities) that some manufacturers like Dell put on them.

 

http://www.xicomputer.com/products/welcome.asp?Content=notebooks&homepage=click

[BlackBox]

FWIW -

 

I've historically used Dell Precision mobile workstations over the past several years without issue... Great performance, but I'd advise you get the 15" in lieu of the 17" I used - just too big, IMO (I used a dock & 20" monitors at home too).

 

I recently changed employment, and just purchased my new Dell Precision T3600 (desktop) and love the performance gains over the prior laptops... Hex-Core Intel Xeon 3.2Ghz, 500GB SSD, 32GB RAM, 3GB NVIDIA Quadro K4000, and dual 24" monitors... Makes my inner-geek happy, happy, happy.