I don't think BCIT allows Remote Desktop access, it's not JUST for CAD, it's for other programs too. Also don't I need a good laptop to access the Remote Desktop? I also don't think I can use the library's computer and go into remote

Why would you need a good laptop to access it? Your accessing another computer. That has nothing to do with performance of the laptop. What matters is the how fast your computer will render and the upload performance of the connection.

What you will need is a laptop that has and awesome Ethernet card. Otherwise going wireless will depend on the quality of the connection and wireless card.

her bf isn't financing it.. he's buying it, and she's paying him back.

also, i wouldn't recommend at 17". you dont want to be carrying that around..

Using remote access is not a good idea. So instead of getting a decent laptop you're recommending her to buy a fast and powerful desktop, a laptop to remote in, AND upgrade her internet access?

AutoCAD doesn't allow for remote access yet. So she can't do that either. I'm at BCIT as well, if you need rooms to work in with AutoCAD wander over to SW3, usually fairly empty at night.
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I wouldn't say that. Being able to work remotely is probably the best thing you can do in this situation. If she's able to establish this much ground work (I assume she has a PC already capable of performing CAD work in the first place), she wouldn't need a decent laptop, any laptop will do, with a decent resolution anyways.

However as per roastpuff

Remote access isn't a viable option otherwise he/she would have done so as well.

This is some complicated stuff..I just want a laptop to work at school while I have lab time. I can't really use my home computer either because I'm running an old processor *according to my friend* which lags like crazy and takes long to render an image

If you are going to buy a W series think pad buy it from the EPP site and save a few $.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...D0&action=init

more info here: [Comp] Lenovo ThinkPad & IdeaPad - EPP Discounted with coupons - no min!! - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

Also why not ask one of the instructors on what type of laptop to get?

Some deal with imac/apple and some uses desktop. Ones that I've asked when I was first taking autocad, they just say find a good processors and a good graphics card. =/

Check out the Y580 that i mentioned. great processor, great video card at a decent price.

The Sager NP6350 is also a great laptop at a great price:
Reflexnotebook.ca is your Source for the Sager NP6350 (Clevo W350ETQ) in Canada

upgrade to i7 for $70, and it comes with a GTX660M video card, which should be fast enough for you

First off, I have no idea what kind of specs are needed for your course.

Since I doubt you know about BCIT Library's loan services, allow me to suggest:

You can go to SE14 (Library), and burrow a laptop with your student card. The loan time is for 3 hours.

No spec listed

Good luck and better hurry. Being handicapped at BCIT isn't much fun.

also OP are you actually RENDERING files or animations or just pure ACAD design

if the answer is YES, Rendering sequences and stuff, you want as good as a CPU as you can get

if the answer is PURE ACAD DESIGN, you want as good as a GPU as you can get

I create floor plan/3d from scratch..I forgot to mention that I use revit and might use vector works in the future. These programs I have to select materials/finishes for the design..if that matters then I render it..so what u said for the second one?

Try and see if you can get aDelfl Vostro 3560 a deal. They seem pretty decent and since it is a business class laptop the build quality is much much better and also service is better as well.

i was originally going to suggest this one...

Acer Aspire TimelineX 5830T-6486 w/ Core i5-2450M, 8GB, 500GB, DVD+/-RW, 15.6in HD, Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit at Memory Express

but after reading through, it seems the model before (4830tg-6576 which is what i have) seems like it might fit your needs more.
but i think you'd have to buy one second hand or something =\

mind you, i don't know much about these things anymore so i may not be of any help

I wouldn't even think of buying computer today, laptop or desktop, that doesn't have an SSD in it.

I*t depends on how much storage you need. 128GB or even 256GB won't be enough for some people.

These are bit out of budget but since you'll be using it for awhile better to spend a bit more now. They're both 15" difference being a 1920 screen vs 1366 and bluray vs dvdr. AutoCAD really works better with the professional type of graphics cards like Quadro and FireGL. The Dell Precision are great since they use those cards but they start at $1300.

Here's some from Lenovo with Nvidia GTX660m 8GB RAM and Core i7

$949
Laptop Computers | IdeaPad Y Series | Y580 | Lenovo | (CA)

$849
Laptop Computers | IdeaPad Y Series | Y580 | Lenovo | (CA)

Here's a Lenovo with Quadro but at $1187
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...C5707478FDCCD0

Then get an external USB 3.0 drive. SSD is the biggest speed difference you can get right now. You should at least have one of those Momentus drives but not having an SSD is the stone age now.

SSD's will help with load times but I don't think it will help with render times.

An SSD is not a requirement for someone on a budget that needs CPU/GPU power for school projects.

At the OP's budget, it's pretty much whatever you can afford. No, you can't get a decent machine because your requirements are too high. But you could just live with a slight wait in rendering, right? Go make a coffee.

Samsung NP530U4C-S02CA Intel Core i5 3317M 6GB 1TB 14in GT620M DVDRW WLAN Win7 HP Ultrabook

$799.99+tax. Core i5, 6GB of ram, 1TB hard drive, GT620M. It's an average machine that runs your software at an average speed.

My GF graduated from the interior design program @ BCIT a few years ago.

Here's how I would rank what you need:
1. Screen size & Resolution
2. CPU
3. GPU

If weight or size is not a concern for you get a 17.3" screen and the highest resolution you can find. Small and light is nice and portable but trying to use AutoCAD/sketchup/revit/vectorworks on a 13.3 or 14" screen? :heckno:
i5 processor (i7 will be out of your price range)
Something better than an integrated GPU.

Here's what I would take a look at:
Option 1:
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ.../10225906.aspx
Screen: 17.3" 1600x900
CPU: i5 3210
GPU: 7670m
$699.99 (exclusive of taxes, unfortunately)

Option 2:
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ.../10232361.aspx
Screen: 15.6" 1366x768
CPU: i5 3210
GPU: GT630
$599.99 (exclusive of taxes).

The Lenovo I posted is a better deal overall. For $50 more she'd be getting an i7, more ram, and a faster graphics card. Cost would be the extra weight of about a pound more.

Probable even cheaper on the EPP site.