Laptop/tablet for CAD/CAM MasterCAM, SolidWorks and CNC programming

[Rennadrel]

Basically, I am looking at something that will be capable of rendering 3D models in programs like MasterCAM and SolidWorks design suite, but has a long enough battery life that it will be efficient for writing CNC programs on the go.

Requirements for MasterCAM and SolidWorks is a minimum 8 GB of memory, 16 is ideal. CPU must be 64 bit and support SSE2 but since that has been a standard since the P4, it shouldn't matter. Ideally a dedicated GPU with a minimum 2GB of memory. I don't know if there are Quadro based tablets, but that is the recommended video card series. Preferred 500 GB of storage on an SSD. Must have USB for mouse support and expandable storage like microSD is fine.

[twiddler]

ThinkPad W550S would be my pick but note that I do not own one. I currently use a T450S and had a T430 prior. ThinkPads are reliable, durable, and professional grade products. Everyone loves their keyboard and long battery lives. Mine lasts 20 hour flights to Hong Kong in software development environments and I think it's advertised as 19 hours. Yours should last less considering that you work in CAD environments It isn't the looker but it gets the job done.

[Kuntantee]

Don't get ASUS K series, the touchpad is not suitable for programming. It's a pain in the ass if you are not working with a mouse, which sometimes happens.

[Diber]

Mornin' mate,

My past 3 laptops have been MSI's and I've never had a problem with them. They also have a workstation series specifically for CAD/Solidworks design.

http://ca.msi.com/product/workstation/

With that said, I do CAD and solidworks just fine on my older GT70 (with a GTX880 in it) and on my new GS70 (GTX970 in it).

Good luck!

[Rennadrel]

My concern is that the Lenovo's weigh a lot. Carrying around a 7 pound laptop plus a tool box with tools in it isn't going to be easy. I know some people at work are using company bought Surface Pro 4 tablets and running the programs we use fairly easily, so if that is an option then the Surface Book might be a better choice. Price wise they are all going to be similar anyway.