Laptop code auto-cad and the like

vbuggy

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2005
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I guess it depends on how well you want things to run - so you need to gauge what your actual power needs are. The Probooks are fairly solid machines, but the Elitebooks are my favourite all-purpose workhorses.

Not sure how much refurbished prices differ but when buying new, Dell's Precisions come in at significantly below HP's comparable-spec notebooks, and they also have a more consumer-friendly design - but I think you get what you pay for. You may want to look at refurb M4700 perhaps.
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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You do want an i5 not i3/pentium, so you get turbo boost.

For Visual Studio, any i5 with 4+ GB of RAM should be fine. For VM use, you should plan to upgrade to 6-8 GB RAM. I've never used AutoCAD.

Check the RPM of the hard drive when comparing builds -- for your use a 320-500 GB with 7200 RPM is much better than a 750 GB at 5400 RPM.