I'm looking for suggestions on what to look for in a laptop, or a specific model to be able to take full advantage of Autodesk Inventor and its suite of simulation, FEA and design optimization software as well as a moderate level of gaming. I'm looking to learn right now and buy in the next month or two (roughly $2000 max budget).
I do a lot of work with a local FIRST Robotics Competition team involving very quick production of CAD models and drawings in a very time sensitive period as well as design simulation and optimization in the off-season. I need something that's not going to lag on me in Inventor during the production of large assemblies during the season and during number crunching FEA sessions in the off-season. I need to know what parts of the laptop hardware to look to for to keep me running smooth and productive. It also needs to be able to travel with me to and from my house and the high school, hence the need for a laptop.
With the fact that it is a laptop in mind I know it is not going to be a beast at gaming but I would like to keep it in mind for more leisurely times of the year. I do plan on saving up a good chunk of change to build a desktop gaming rig late next year but I would like something now-ish that can carry me for a few years with some mobile power, both for CAD heavy days and gaming heavy days.
Thank You.