New Computer

Which CAD program ?.  That choice dictates a Windows or Mac, as WYSIWYG and AutoCad are Windows only, where as Vectorworks is either.  If ALL of the legacy ETC programs are required - Expression Off-Line, Net2 Config Editor, Unison Light Manager, etc,.  that that too dictates a Windows machine and at that point you might do better getting a souped up business machine with a 15" screen, as opposed to paying for the 17 with lesser components.

That said, my first work laptop a few years back was an HP with Win XP Pro and a 17" screen.  I reasoned that the wider screen would be better for doing CAD (Vectorworks).  A few years of use, as well as all those years of lugging around a beast, as well as the reduced battery life due to the larger screen and I ended up with a 15" HP business notebook as the replacement.  I do not miss the larger screen on the laptop and for the price difference between a 15 and a 17 you can purchase a 21" LCD monitor, maybe 2. Did I say that I have no issues using VW on a 15" screen ?, and that I do not miss the bulk and weight of the 17" ?.

Steve B.

Vectorworks 2010 - They like the NVIDIA Quadro FX cards but not the NVS versions. All their standards have changed with since 2009.

Yes all the legacy programs are required - I have local clients with Expression, Net 1 and Net 2, serial ports and of course lots of Unison. Then there are the ones I haven't heard from yet. When the phone rings I have to be ready.

I am debating the 17" $creen. While I use external monitors (old 17") in the office, I don't stay in the office. I agree VW on a 15" is OK but far from nice. Oddly what I miss on a larger system is the num pad. And one more dangly carry along is just about as irritating as a big machine. I have to admit being tempted by an iPAD-if it had a phone, and a clunky laptop. Lots of ways to spend money!

My current machine is a Dell E6500, 15" 4GB ram, 2.5GHz. but it can be very slow when working with large (20-50MB) files. So we are going to pass it down to a production guy who does less CAD and doesn't have a laptop.

For several Legacy applications you will need Windows XP, for example on a virtual machine.

A real serial port isn't strictly necessary, but you will need to do some testing with the various USB > Serial adapters to find one that works correctly with 3-pin serial as on pretty much all our products.

For several Legacy applications you will need Windows XP, for example on a virtual machine.

A real serial port isn't strictly necessary, but you will need to do some testing with the various USB > Serial adapters to find one that works correctly with 3-pin serial as on pretty much all our products.