Laptop CPU power

Hi

Could you offer some advice on laptop processing power.

I have a work colleague in the UK who is considering a 17" Sony Vaio
laptop for a variety of tasks, CAD (2D mostly) and image manipulation
among them.

We both realise that the Sony is not the speediest beast in the
marketplace but lightness and portability are important issues to him,
and aesthetics if the truth be known

The main question I suppose is can the Vaio handle CAD without choking
to death and are there any good alternatives? Bearing in mind that all
out speed isn't the only issue – just as long as it doesn't grind to a
halt. We are probably talking of CAD files in the 3 to 8Mb range

TIA for any help

Tim

 

The main question I suppose is can the Vaio handle CAD without choking

I think that system pretty much stopped being an issue at around 800MHz for
a desktop unit running AutoCAD. For this office.

Not sure what drives the boss to get new laptops every couple years. But I
don't think she has ever complained about the AutoCAD abilities of them. She
does not buy cutting edge.

I don't know how the VAIO in question specs out, but guessing that w/ the
large screen, it isn't a low end model. I think yer man'd be fine.

The "image manipulation" is a bit of a harsher issue. Just what kind of
image manipulation? Dressing digicam pics up for the web or mailing home?
Preparing vodka advertisements for Cosmo? Two very different areas. Probably
well able to handle both, but for the latter - don't skimp on RAM.

OK, I go look it up...

You didn't specify, so I'm looking at the "A Series".

They look pretty beefy. My feeling and general concensus in -equip is that
there shouldn't be any problem for purchaser w/ the requirements as
outlined.

 

As long as you're running one of the VAIO's with an INTEL processor, 800MHz or
better, you'll be OK with AutoCad. My VAIO FX190 runs Mechanical Desktop
without difficulty. It's not as snappy as my dual Xeon 3GHz workstation, but I
can travel and comfortably use this machine.

If, however your Sony machine is one of the minis, with CRUSOE processor, you
can forget it. Too bad - these were attractive, well-made machines, but that
processor just couldn't hack it.

Hope this helps

G Faris