Laptop for Engineering?

[darkslash_323]

Hi,

My friend is looking for a new laptop and he'll be using it mainly for engineering/graphing programs, such as googlesketchup, sap2000, matlab etc. and also a bit of gaming.

I'm thinking a dedicated GPU is better for the graphing programs, than a integrated one.( Correct me if I'm wrong)

What I'm not sure about is the choice of CPU. Debating between, Core 2 Duo, i3, or the Phenom II Triple Cores.

Budget is around $700-$800 USD

I was looking at these:

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220753

http/www.circuitcity.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6420884&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220612


Any suggestions is appreciated and thanks in advance!

 

[Shadow703793]

If you really can wait a few months, I suggest you do so as Sandy Bridge will be out and will have better performance than any of the CPUs mentioned and possibly will have better graphics performance than low end dedicated graphics: http/www.anandtech.com/show/3871/the-sandy-bridge-preview-three-wins-in-a-row

 

[darkslash_323]

I think my friend wants to purchase the laptop before school starts, because his old one BSOD on him and doesn't work anymore. So between those 3 cpus, which one would be better for his use?

Thanks