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[bachikarn]

Does anyone have any experience with the software?

I am majoring in engineering this year so I am going to need a laptop that can run the program. I know the website (www.ptc.com/partners/hardware/current/proe.htm) lists all the graphics cards that are compatible but I haven't seen many laptops with those types of graphics cards. I have heard that other 'gaming graphics cards' can indeed run the program. I would rather have a gaming oriented graphics card that can run Pro/E. Can the Quadro and FireGel run games just as well as their gaming counterparts? Any advice on what to get would be most appreciated.

 

[Blatz]

I've never spec'd a Pro/e Laptop, but my Athlon64 computer with a GeForce6800 GT 128MB RAM runs Solidworks and Catia V5 excellent. I've often wondered what the difference between "workstation" and "gaming" video cards are. Never really figured it out though. Being a student, I doubt you'd run into anything a later generation system couldn't handle.

 

[draven]

I'm actually working in industry as a Biomedical Engineer (with a Mechanical background), and constantly use Pro/E, Solidworks, and Inventor. However, I'm actually heading back into school this year and had the same question, since I wanted a laptop that was good for modeling on-the-fly if needed. This board is pretty good for information:

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=91766&highlight=Quadro

It talks about the Dell M70 and its uses for gaming as well as 3D modeling. The main thing I would take heed of its compatibility with packages you'll use.

In any case, I just wimped out and didn't get a M70. Reason being, my experiences have been that any class/professor that requires modeling typically has solid tricked out workstations available, which I'd definitely rather use than a huge, bulky laptop specifically meant for modeling. My own two cents is if you're looking for a desktop replacement, buy a desktop (especially if you're doing graphics-intensive stuff like gaming or modeling). It'll be cheaper in the long run to upgrade if needed, and your joints will thank you in a few years.