Best laptop for ArchiCAD 11

[Anonymous]

I am just in the process of purchasing 11 (my first edition I have been a AutoCAD user). I would be grateful for any feedback on the best Laptop, I know Mac's are great but I do not have the time right now to deal with other software changes. I also need the Laptop in a hurry so I reluctant to build one from Dell (takes at least 10 days).

I will mostly be using in a docking station hooked up to full keyboard and monitor in the office but want the Laptop for working from home, presentations, and overseas work.

Would be grateful for advice on an "out of the box" option up to say US$3,000 including accessories.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Tom wrote:

b.trenga wrote:
I am comletely bias, i use and love my MacBookPro but our office is still straight windows.

So use Bootcamp.

...and, as pointed out in this article:

http://www.aecbytes.com/tipsandtricks/2007/issue22-WinonMac.html

there are two inexpensive ways to move your entire Windows installation over to the Mac.

Karl

[Erich]

Be aware that Bootcamp is currently a beta (not that I have seen any problems with it in use) and will expire shortly when Lepoard, the next Mac OS comes out. Bootcamp will cpme built into Lepoard at that time and I think I have seen information indicating that Bootcamp will need to be purchased to continue use with Tiger, the current Mac OS.

[Anonymous]

Erich wrote:
...and I think I have seen information indicating that Bootcamp will need to be purchased to continue use with Tiger, the current Mac OS.

With all the improvements coming in Leopard I don't see why anyone would buy Boot Camp for Tiger rather than upgrade.

[Anonymous]

Matthew, Karl, and others...
I'm a long time listener, first time caller... I own AC but use it infrequently.
I have these questions after reading thru this thread. And please, I'm not calling any one "wrong" with their recommendations, but I'm not sure I follow the reasoning here (besides the obvious Mac endorsements).

Reading thru Tom W's ArchiWiki article on "What system to buy," and other Gaphisoft specs, and ArchiTalk, and knowing a little about AC 11, etc., it would seem to me that most of the recommendations of a dual core machine and 64-bit and Vista, etc., (and these are what you are going to find at TigerDirect and other common vendors at the moment), really only address the future of computing and not the present Needs with regards to AC (because of where AC places the demands on a system).

If a software like AC, editions 7 - 11, is: processor intensive, relys on a minimum RAM of 2 GB (to be productive and happy), 251 mb+ video card memory, with everyone recommending a big screen and high resolution, ... and gaming systems have in the past been best for this application, wouldn't the logical laptop system choice still be something like a single P4 processor, something over 3gHz, with 2 to 4 RAM, and a proven video card?

Plus, HP's seem to have slightly lower screen resolutions even today. Maybe not the best laptop for a desktop replacement... although it should be acknowledged that most people use additional monitors and workstations.

Overall I mean to say, the high end gaming laptop of 2005-06 is still best, is it not (when considering the current 2007 demands of the software)?

Please discuss.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Philip wrote:
...wouldn't the logical laptop system choice still be something like a single P4 processor, something over 3gHz, with 2 to 4 RAM, and a proven video card?.

For AC 11 (and earlier) work only, no rendering, no networking and not running concurrent programs often (single tasking) - perhaps so.

But, I suspect most people looking at a laptop for 11 would plan on keeping it for a couple of years. AC 12 should arrive in May 2008, AC 13 in May 2009 - if GS keeps to their accounced 12 month release cycle.

Anyone doing any renderings will benefit from multiple processors today. LW in ArchiCAD can use two. Artlantis, C4D, etc can utilize all that you have, making quad or 8 processors interesting to that group (especially when Leopard arrives with better processor management). Multiple processors can speed up background ArchiCAD(s) updating drawings for layouts, too.

So, I don't disagree with you if someone is buying a used machine that they expect to have a life of a year or so. But, I don't think the single processor machine would 'future proof' the purchaser of a new machine as both the user's expertise and the software develops over time.

Just an opinion.

Cheers,
Karl

[Anonymous]

Karl wrote:

Philip wrote:
...wouldn't the logical laptop system choice still be something like a single P4 processor, something over 3gHz, with 2 to 4 RAM, and a proven video card?.

For AC 11 (and earlier) work only, no rendering, no networking and not running concurrent programs often (single tasking) - perhaps so.

So, I don't disagree with you if someone is buying a used machine that they expect to have a life of a year or so. But, I don't think the single processor machine would 'future proof' the purchaser of a new machine as both the user's expertise and the software develops over time.

Well indeed, "future" seems to be the operable word then... very tough to predict, AC just as tough, and price points for multi-core machines even when released on the mass market, maybe even tougher yet.

You did read the situation well in advance Karl; I was thinking of picking up a nice NEW single processor machine at around 3.4 - 3.8 GHz from a liquidator that could be used to run AC for a project or two I have coming up. I wasn't expecting a lot of multi-tasking nor have I really gotten into the rendering side of BIM yet. So I'm glad to hear that for these applications this might be a good path.

Still contemplating.

[Dennis Lee]

From my experience, Intel Core2Duo 2.4 Ghz outperforms P4 3.4 so much, I really can't see why anyone would buy a P4 chip.

It may be because I usually have outlook and internet explorer open simultaneously with AC. But seriously, who doesn't have couple other programs open when they are working on archicad?

[Anonymous]

Dennis wrote:
From my experience, Intel Core2Duo 2.4 Ghz outperforms P4 3.4 so much, I really can't see why anyone would buy a P4 chip.

Ditto!

My OLD MacBook Pro with a 2.16GHz CoreDuo (not Core2Duo) is noticeably faster than 3+GHz P4's, Pentium-M laptops, and (as I recall) even Pentium-D workstations. I don't know if this is just the improved architecture, the dual processor or both.

The dual processor is an advantage even without Photoshop, Word, Excel or other programs running concurrently with ArchiCAD since there are always system processes and usually mail clients, web browsers and the like going on. Quads and Eights are still more about the future (and a few esoteric programs now) but the dual has immediate, significant advantages.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Matthew wrote:
... Quads and Eights are still more about the future (and a few esoteric programs now) ...

I don't know that I would call Artlantis or video rendering 'esoteric', but of course what's 'esoteric' depends on what is one's 'meat (or tofu) and potatoes'... 😉

Karl

[Anonymous]

Karl wrote:

Matthew wrote:
... Quads and Eights are still more about the future (and a few esoteric programs now) ...

I don't know that I would call Artlantis or video rendering 'esoteric', but of course what's 'esoteric' depends on what is one's 'meat (or tofu) and potatoes'... 😉

Karl

It's been a long time since I've done any serious (ie. photo) rendering. You're right about the meat and potatoes (or fish and vegetables). The stuff I've been doing lately is pretty esoteric in a whole different direction.