Advice on new computer

[Moontanman]

I am considering a new computer, $500 to $600 range, I am wondering what the groups thoughts are on Desk Top vs Lap Top, I would eventually like to do CAD like drawings of Aquarium designs as well as things like space craft or buildings to illustrate my stories maybe some you tube type videos

Most of what I want to do is writing stories and social media.

Thoughts of the group?

[fiveworlds]

The desktop vs laptop argument has been going for a while.

 

Desktops

1. Generally have better cooling which can increase the life of a computer.

2. Tend to be easier to repair (without specialist tools)

3. Any old screen with a hdmi/vga port will work.

4. All in all can be far more powerful for instance my computer has 10 terabytes of hard drive (started with 1TB) space now and the maximum ram for a windows 7 machine. I can easily get a new part when I have the money or even when an old play-station goes bust (I am using 2 old play-station 3 hard drives).

 

Laptops

1. Are portable.

2. Can be used in bed.

3. Have a battery and so can be taken anywhere. (You can usually replace the batteries 8 Duracell (AA) in the battery pack cheaply to buy the battery pack can be expensive)

4. Generally require specialist tools to repair (alienware etc)

5. Have bad cooling.

 

As far as performance is concerned though for ordinary everyday tasks you won't notice much difference anymore. That is because computers are actually more than powerful enough to run most everyday tasks at the moment. What I mean is that in recent years programs haven't really been using much more power while cpus have gotten way faster. The evidence of this is where you have one computer running 8 or 9 instances of a game on multiple screens multiplayer. I would recommend getting a laptop with a graphics card though.

Edited March 5, 2016 by fiveworlds

[StringJunky]

You should be able to get a serviceable 15.4" laptop (my preference) for what you want it for, for $300-400 dollars. You need to budget for a CAD program, which is in the $200 - $500 range for amateur/semi pro level, it seems - the NanoCAD looks worth investigating. That''ll add up to about $600:

 

CAD software: http://www.computeraideddesignguide.com/top-five-affordable-cad-software-packages/

 

Laptop specs for CAD: http://www.computeraideddesignguide.com/what-best-laptop-for-autocad/

 

I would forget about trying to find a free CAD... you get what you pay for. I think a free one would be next to useless and frustrating.

Edited March 5, 2016 by StringJunky