Autodesk/AutoCAD laptop help!

So I run a macbook pro 13" mid 2010 and I am thinking of soon upgrading for the use of said programs (AutoCAD/Autodesk) since I know my laptop wont really cut it. The Max I was thinking of spending was around 700-800 USD but I have no idea what to buy... what would you guys recommend? I was thinking on going with either asus or msi with an i5 and hopefully an invidia GT 850m.

 

Thanks!!!  

AutoCAD really doesn't use a whole lot of resources unless you're making huge and/or complex drawings. My drafting class a couple years ago was using AutoCAD 2011 on old Dell desktops. The only issue we ever ran into was it starting to lag when AutoCAD was open with two models in Inventor being edited.

Dell Specs (Roughly)

  • 2.6 or 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo
  • 4 GB DDR2 RAM
  • Windows XP (32-bit)
  • NO graphics card

All that powering an old CRT monitor.

 

And I'm looking at the minimum requirements for AutoCAD 2015 and they aren't that high. Even the recommended specs only list 8 GB of RAM. I think pretty much anything with at least 2 cores at 2 GHz and 6 or 8 GB of RAM would work fine.

Trade up your macbook for a newer model.

I learned AutoCAD on a 486 intel heh, Good times. I can confirm 2010 really isn't resource heavy..

I want to move into windows.. i even run it as my primary OS on my macbook now

thanks! yeah well Im just trying to get one that will last me around my extra 3 years of college. thats why I was thinking of something beefier and something that as you brought up wont lag once I get into complex models.

You could always build a desktop and remote desktop from your laptop when you're away, you'd probably end up getting more for your money.