Can laptop PC be successfully used for running CAD software?

[garethashenden]

But how fast does it repaint the screen when you are rotating the view of something more complex than a cube (like a tank car for example)?  Is it pretty much in real time, or there is a big lag while the image gets repainted?

That sounds like maybe even my current laptop (Dell Latitude  E6410, IntelCore i5 M560 2.67GHz quad core, 4Gb RAM, Intel HD graphic adapter) might work.  Just add more  memory.

I have 6 Gb RAM and it does just fine. It takes a while to open Solidworks, but once it’s open everything works fine.

[Lemosteam]

I have 6 Gb RAM and it does just fine. It takes a while to open Solidworks, but once it’s open everything works fine.

@garethashenden , Do you work with assemblies or just a part at a time,  Some assemblies can eat that memory quickly.  If not, yes you are correct.

[garethashenden]

@garethashenden , Do you work with assemblies or just a part at a time,  Some assemblies can eat that memory quickly.  If not, yes you are correct.

I’ve done some, but not large numbers of parts. I didn’t notice it being significantly slower. To be honest it’s been a while since I’ve done much CAD work recently, so some of this is from memory.

[jagged ben]

The right specs on a laptop will have no problem running CAD, but you'll need an external mouse with a scroll wheel, if not a trackball, to be serious about being productive.   A larger external screen helps too, but is less necessary.

[peteski]

The right specs on a laptop will have no problem running CAD, but you'll need an external mouse with a scroll wheel, if not a trackball, to be serious about being productive.   A larger external screen helps too, but is less necessary.

Thanks.

I hate those little G-spots on the keyboards and touchpads on laptops - only use them when I hold them on my lap.  Otherwise, I always have a mouse attached. I also have a Bamboo tablet which I will likely use with a CAD program.

I can also run multiple screen displays: 2 on a standalone laptop, and more when it is on its docking station.