Which laptop to buy?

[coolhandchris]

I need a laptop for cad/cam software. Programming for my CNC, software layout for photo rendering and for digital templating and measurement using a faro arm type device.

My current setup is a macbook pro running the following hardware-

Intel Core Duo
Processor Speed: 1.83 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 2 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz

Chipset Model: ATY,RadeonX1600
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)

It runs all the software just fine, but I am tired of dual booting into xp and would like to use this macbook as a backup instead of the main computer. Most of this software was made during the era of single core processors, the digital measuring device has a serial cable, so the software for it is rather simple. My cad cam software doesn't run too well on my old desktop, which is a p4 2.4 ghz with 1.5g of ram. It has whatever onboard video a 500 dollar dell would have come with in 2003.

I am looking into one of the following laptops

http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LQ1YNG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LQ1ZOE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LS9J5Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I am open to other suggestions, but will probably buy an asus due to the warranty that includes accidental damage. I will be buying from amazon because I have a gift certificate and store credit there.

Is there a significant difference between the p6200 v i3 v i5?
This will also be a mobile computer for taking onsite digital measurements, so battery life would be nice, but isn't necessary, because all site have some sort of power. I just don't like dragging extension cords.

Thanks for your help.

 

[cbrunnem]

can i ask why xp? all three laptops i have had in the last few years have supported xp but you might want to look at this xp will stop being supported in 2014. http/www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-xp-desktop-gadget-countdown,12639.html

so you might take that into consideration. the HP EliteBook 8740w would be better than any mac book pro you could buy as it has a workstation gpu that excels in cad programs unlike gaming gpu's. they are made for cad programs. also that gpu has better gaming performance too.

 

[coolhandchris]

My main software is expensive and it is made for XP. To update it is really expensive and I don't need or want to update it( I have a very new version of it, just prior to 7 release). Some people have been able to install it on Vista, no one(except me, we loaded it on a backup computer and were able to get it to work, but it is a major pain. It was 32 bit win 7 ultimate) has been able to do it on Win 7.

It doesn't work on 64bit win 7. The company will have a release for that later this year, but I don't want to spend money to upgrade it to an operating system I have no interest in using. These computers are just for work, I really don't care what the newest OS has, because I am not going to use them.

The other software for controlling my faro arm device is only for xp. Maybe they will update it, maybe they won't. If I get a couple years out of the device, I will be happy with the purchase since I bought it for pennies on the dollar.



Cliffs: Software compatibility issues

 

[coolhandchris]

I got the 1st i3 and it runs everything smoothly. Had to change the hard drive mode for xp to work, but it works.

 

[coolhandchris]

Best answer selected by coolhandchris.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar