Specs for Architects

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stephekaterina

Member
Hi there,
I'm not hugely informed when it comes to computers/laptops but I am reaching out for any advice on laptop/desktop specifications that are important when purchasing a computer to carry out architectural work, this will include CAD programmes, rendering programmes, and adobe programmes as well as the usual Microsoft office etc.
I am conflicted between getting a laptop or a desktop, I love using a desktop with two monitors but I also like the idea of being able to take a laptop with me. My budget is £2k so I want to know that I can get device that will do all I need it to as well as futureproofing, I want to know that it will last for a good few years before an upgrade is needed.
Any help and advice is greatly apprieciated
Thanks
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
stephekaterina said:
Hi there,
I'm not hugely informed when it comes to computers/laptops but I am reaching out for any advice on laptop/desktop specifications that are important when purchasing a computer to carry out architectural work, this will include CAD programmes, rendering programmes, and adobe programmes as well as the usual Microsoft office etc.
I am conflicted between getting a laptop or a desktop, I love using a desktop with two monitors but I also like the idea of being able to take a laptop with me. My budget is £2k so I want to know that I can get device that will do all I need it to as well as futureproofing, I want to know that it will last for a good few years before an upgrade is needed.
Any help and advice is greatly apprieciated
Thanks
Click to expand...
Hows about what's called a Desktop Replacement (DTR) which is a laptop but with desktop grade CPU's. They're a little heavier than a normal laptop and don't have very good battery life, but they're very powerful plus you can still connect external monitors and keyboard and mouse (just use a USB dock) when you're at home.

As an example of the laptop:

Chassis & Display
Nova Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 3900 12 Core CPU (3.1GHz-4.3GHz/70MB CACHE/AM4) Monster CPU for productivity
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 16GB) Plenty of RAM for rendering and CAD
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2070 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1 Decent GPU horsepower to help with rendering and CAD
1st Storage Drive
2TB Samsung 860 QVO 2.5" SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (upto 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW) Fast SSD as storage drive
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W) Main OS and program drive
2nd M.2 SSD Drive
256GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (1900 MB/R, 1100 MB/W) Scratch drive for rendering
Memory Card Reader
Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Nova Series 4 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
2 Channel High Def. Audio + SoundBlaster™ Cinema
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0 Very fast wifi
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.2 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.2 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT The type C port also carries Display Port out, so you can use a type c dock which will carry audio, display and data all through the one port
Keyboard Language
15" NOVA SERIES UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001] You may need pro if you need to connect to a work domain.
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Chassis
Clevo NH55AFW (8GB RTX-2070, 144Hz N7, Blank KB)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days

Price: £1,910.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/nova-15/VgTf9qtn!H/
 
S

stephekaterina

Member
Thank you for advice here. I didn't know about DTR's but I think you might be onto a better solution for what I need it for. Its also useful to see the specs you have suggested. Is there anything I should be aware about when choosing a laptop to ensure that programmes I want to use will be compatible? I know that some of the CAD software I use aren't compatible with macs for example.
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
stephekaterina said:
Thank you for advice here. I didn't know about DTR's but I think you might be onto a better solution for what I need it for. Its also useful to see the specs you have suggested. Is there anything I should be aware about when choosing a laptop to ensure that programmes I want to use will be compatible? I know that some of the CAD software I use aren't compatible with macs for example.
Click to expand...
Mac is a different operating system, so you have to have software written for that OS. This is a windows machine, any windows software will work on any windows machine.
 
S

stephekaterina

Member
Hi there,I wanted to know what other laptop you might recommend which I could look at options to up the graphics card and also the ram?
I've spoken to a fellow colleague and they've recommended looking at the options to increase these. Thanks
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
stephekaterina said:
Hi there,I wanted to know what other laptop you might recommend which I could look at options to up the graphics card and also the ram?
I've spoken to a fellow colleague and they've recommended looking at the options to increase these. Thanks
Click to expand...
We can only work to a budget. If that's still 2k, then you can't get more within the budget?
 
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