MacBook Pro for AutoCAD

[GMF75]

Hello

I am an Electrical Engineer and recently my Dell Inspiron 15-5548 was stolen so I am in the market for a new laptop. I've been very interested in buying a MacBook Pro 15 Retina just because they seem to last a long time-so I've been told- My question is: Is it really that good? I use AutoCAD all the time for Electrical Systems design only, I turn off the Graphics Accelerator every time I install it an a Windows Laptop because I really don't need it for the type designs I do. basically I just draw lines and symbols on architectural plans and that's it. I also use Microsoft Office all the time. My Dell 15-5548 had a Core i5 with 1 TB HDD and 8GB RAM. So in short. Do you recommend a MacBook Pro 15 Retina 

[suchamoneypit]

You would probably run into a lot of problems trying to use other related software in the field if you use Mac, and the macbook isn't that powerful. The thought of doing CADD on a macbook gives me nightmares.

[GMF75]

Thank you very much

So wich laptop would you recommend?

[suchamoneypit]

Just now, GMF75 said:

Thank you very much

So wich laptop would you recommend?

Whats your actual budget? 

 

Also, if you don't quote someone or do @suchamoneypit by doing @[name] I will never see your response. Only saw yours because I kept thread open.

[GMF75]

Sorry about that @suchamoneypit, I'm new to this

I have a budget of about $2000 dlls.

[gtx1060=value]

9 minutes ago, GMF75 said:

Hello

I am an Electrical Engineer and recently my Dell Inspiron 15-5548 was stolen so I am in the market for a new laptop. I've been very interested in buying a MacBook Pro 15 Retina just because they seem to last a long time-so I've been told- My question is: Is it really that good? I use AutoCAD all the time for Electrical Systems design only, I turn off the Graphics Accelerator every time I install it an a Windows Laptop because I really don't need it for the type designs I do. basically I just draw lines and symbols on architectural plans and that's it. I also use Microsoft Office all the time. My Dell 15-5548 had a Core i5 with 1 TB HDD and 8GB RAM. So in short. Do you recommend a MacBook Pro 15 Retina 

i would buy a thinkpad - used or brand new - new ones cost a lot for a decent model but they do have quadros - used ones like the w541 that cost 3 grand 2 years ago would now only cost about 1000 dollars for a grade b to a quality - what's your maximum budget and what area do you live in, ill search craigslist for it

[Electronics Wizardy]

1 minute ago, GMF75 said:

Sorry about that @suchamoneypit, I'm new to this

I have a budget of about $2000 dlls.

Id probably go with something like a dell xps15(or 5510), e3510, 7510

 

Thinkpad t460p, p50

[The Sloth]

6 minutes ago, GMF75 said:

Thank you very much

So wich laptop would you recommend?

i am a macbook owner and i can tell you macbook pro 15 inch 2013 can handle cad vary well i am a mechanical engineer. i would recommend you GS63VR 6RF STEALTH PRO because osx is incomparable with lots of software also for the price its quite a stretch  

[AkiraDaarkst]

19 minutes ago, GMF75 said:

Hello

I am an Electrical Engineer and recently my Dell Inspiron 15-5548 was stolen so I am in the market for a new laptop. I've been very interested in buying a MacBook Pro 15 Retina just because they seem to last a long time-so I've been told- My question is: Is it really that good? I use AutoCAD all the time for Electrical Systems design only, I turn off the Graphics Accelerator every time I install it an a Windows Laptop because I really don't need it for the type designs I do. basically I just draw lines and symbols on architectural plans and that's it. I also use Microsoft Office all the time. My Dell 15-5548 had a Core i5 with 1 TB HDD and 8GB RAM. So in short. Do you recommend a MacBook Pro 15 Retina 

First of all, just be aware that there seems to be too many retarded morons on this forum who hate Apple.  After all, the crowd here is mostly PC/Linux oriented and a ton of gamers.  Else they're just too poor to afford Apple, hence the hate.

 

OK, now in all seriousness, which specific model of the 15 inch MacBook are you considering?  Also, do you use any software that does not have a version which can run on OSX?  Sure people will claim that there are non Apple machines out there that will get you better hardware specs, however there are many things about a MacBook Pro that can hardly be beaten by non Apple portable laptops.  Battery life, OSX performance (because Apple optimizes the OS for the hardware), has a PCIe SSD drive that's considered one of the fastest on the market (yes the connection is proprietary), security and almost no frequently annoying OS updates that require you to restart your machine.

 

So I recommend you make your decision mainly on whether you use applications that cannot run on OSX.  Other than that, MacBook Pros are wonderful machines.

[Marinatall_Ironside]

Here's what I can tell you: 

Spoiler

For iMac vs. Windows, I keep saying this to everyone (Internet and IRL): It doesn't matter anymore! The software has changed so much to the point where the only thing that matters now is you. Use whatever you prefer or what you've got.

 

There's nothing an iMac can do better than a Windows computer, and vice versa. Each has their pros and cons, and all you have to do is bite the bullet. Hell, even my graphic arts teacher who has worked in the graphics design industry, and he knows there's nothing an iMac can do better than a Windows computer. And everyone has their own way of doing things, like I have my own way of doing my graphics design and 3D content creation. Is it any better or worse? No. It's just my personal approach and I still plan on sticking to it until time changes.

 

To elaborate on the the professor point, I asked him "What can an iMac do that a Windows computer can't do?" And he answered "Nothing." He even elaborated on how companies like Pixar Animation Studios has their own way of doing things and even production companies like Electronic Arts, Blizzard Entertainment, Crytek, DreamWorks, Lionstar, and 21st Century Fox, all have their own way of getting the job done. Just because one company has their own way of doing things doesn't make it "industry standard"

 

If you want any advice from what I said, just use whatever you prefer, because at the end of the day, a tool is a tool, and will get the job done.

[GMF75]

Thank you @gtx1060=value, @Electronics Wizardy, @nerdslayer1 for your advice

@AkiraDaarkst I am looking the MJLQ2E/A. The ones just announced didn't catch my eye because I think I would be paying more for less

I would be installing Windows on it for one program that only runs on windows-it uses SQL Server-  and would be partitioning no more than 50GB of disk space for that program alone, other than that I have no problem with software

[AkiraDaarkst]

2 minutes ago, JurunceNK said:

Here's what I can tell you: 

  Reveal hidden contents

For iMac vs. Windows, I keep saying this to everyone (Internet and IRL): It doesn't matter anymore! The software has changed so much to the point where the only thing that matters now is you. Use whatever you prefer or what you've got.

 

There's nothing an iMac can do better than a Windows computer, and vice versa. Each has their pros and cons, and all you have to do is bite the bullet. Hell, even my graphic arts teacher who has worked in the graphics design industry, and he knows there's nothing an iMac can do better than a Windows computer. And everyone has their own way of doing things, like I have my own way of doing my graphics design and 3D content creation. Is it any better or worse? No. It's just my personal approach and I still plan on sticking to it until time changes.

 

To elaborate on the the professor point, I asked him "What can an iMac do that a Windows computer can't do?" And he answered "Nothing." He even elaborated on how companies like Pixar Animation Studios has their own way of doing things and even production companies like Electronic Arts, Blizzard Entertainment, Crytek, DreamWorks, Lionstar, and 21st Century Fox, all have their own way of getting the job done. Just because one company has their own way of doing things doesn't make it "industry standard"

 

If you want any advice from what I said, just use whatever you prefer, because at the end of the day, a tool is a tool, and will get the job done.

That statement about OSX and Windows having few differences is certainly true, to a degree. 

 

Yes there are still some software out there (I'm not including games) that are sort of exclusive to one or the other, but many of those exclusives also have similar alternatives that will work on the other OS.  Case in point is Microsoft Visio (while the core MS Office tools have both Windows and OSX versions) which only runs on Windows and is a software I used quite a lot during my MSc Comp Sci and Software Engineer school days and during the 10 odd years I worked as an ICT professional, when I switched over to using MacBooks as my portable workstations I found a software called OmniGraffle that works on OSX that does almost the same things.  These days, there isn't any software that runs exclusively on Windows that I miss, and I use a Windows machine as a desktop workstation and MacBook Pro as the portable workstation running the same or similar applications.

[AkiraDaarkst]

3 minutes ago, GMF75 said:

Thank you @gtx1060=value, @Electronics Wizardy, @nerdslayer1 for your advice

@AkiraDaarkst I am looking the MJLQ2E/A. The ones just announced didn't catch my eye because I think I would be paying more for less

I would be installing Windows on it for one program that only runs on windows-it uses SQL Server-  and would be partitioning no more than 50GB of disk space for that program alone, other than that I have no problem with software

If you're a student you can save some money with the student discount.  If you're not a student, register as a business user and you can get a 10-15% discount.  At the Apple Store.  I don't know about the regulations where you live, but where I live I just went to the Apple Store and they asked me if I was a business customer, I said yes, filled out the necessary form and got it.  Didn't need to show any proof that I owned a business.

[GMF75]

Thank you @JurunceNK

That's why I am so hesitant to choose, normally that's my way of thinking but now that i can afford one I am very interested.

[The Sloth]

3 minutes ago, AkiraDaarkst said:

If you're a student you can save some money with the student discount.  If you're not a student, register as a business user and you can get a 10-15% discount.  At the Apple Store.  I don't know about the regulations where you live, but where I live I just went to the Apple Store and they asked me if I was a business customer, I said yes, filled out the necessary form and got it.  Didn't need to show any proof that I owned a business.

it has iris pro is decent at best but for the price its not something that has a lot of power remember the 650m macbook pro retina would do better then iris pro  

[gtx1060=value]

8 minutes ago, GMF75 said:

Thank you @gtx1060=value, @Electronics Wizardy, @nerdslayer1 for your advice

@AkiraDaarkst I am looking the MJLQ2E/A. The ones just announced didn't catch my eye because I think I would be paying more for less

I would be installing Windows on it for one program that only runs on windows-it uses SQL Server-  and would be partitioning no more than 50GB of disk space for that program alone, other than that I have no problem with software

are you going to be going into database administration or BI? That's what i do and my entire company uses thinkpads for it - i know you said CAD but since you mentioned SQL server, that thing's a beast and needs a lot of ram and cpu power to run if it's in a vm - 16 at least -12's stretching it - and you need at least an i7 4790 vPro

[Marinatall_Ironside]

Just now, AkiraDaarkst said:

That statement about OSX and Windows having few differences is certainly true, to a degree. 

 

Yes there are still some software out there (I'm not including games) that are sort of exclusive to one or the other, but many of those exclusives also have similar alternatives that will work on the other OS.  Case in point is Microsoft Visio (while the core MS Office tools have both Windows and OSX versions) which only runs on Windows and is a software I used quite a lot during my MSc Comp Sci and Software Engineer school days and during the 10 odd years I worked as an ICT professional, when I switched over to using MacBooks as my portable workstations I found a software called OmniGraffle that works on OSX that does almost the same things.  These days, there isn't any software that runs exclusively on Windows that I miss, and I use a Windows machine as a desktop workstation and MacBook Pro as the portable workstation running the same or similar applications.

Which you're right. You still have exclusives that there is no alternative for. And sometimes one program can do something that another can't do, even though they'll let you do the same thing already.

 

For me, personally, I use all of my Adobe software on a Windows computer and I can make the same exact thing with the exact quality on it that I would have otherwise done on an iMac. My point is that what matters now is the person working the keyboard and mouse with these two important questions: Are they creative? Are they familiar with the software and OS we use? If so, then that's the person we're looking for.

 

Just like with the Nikon vs. Canon debate, you can't determine what picture was taken with what just by looking at it.

 

Here's a quote from Roberto Blake, a graphic designer

Quote

Ultimately, it’s up to each person to choose the tools they feel help them get their job done and will be reliable. Quality tools are quality tools regardless of the brand.

Those of you who are photographers in your spare time may remember there are similar debates between Canon and Nikon users, but at the end of the day you can’t tell if a picture was shot on one or the other just by looking.

The same is true of design work. The “Real Designers Use Mac” argument dies the moment you are shown quality work, regardless of what device was used in its creation

And here's a good read on that argument here.

 

If I had any wishes to any of these Apple bashers, it is that they can recognize that there's people here that prefer one thing over another. Like I can recognize there's people that prefer Apple, even though they're not the best priced, but if I can help them, I will.

[AkiraDaarkst]

24 minutes ago, GMF75 said:

Thank you @JurunceNK

That's why I am so hesitant to choose, normally that's my way of thinking but now that i can afford one I am very interested.

Well don't limit your options to only MacBooks, but personally I am still having a hard time finding a comparable non-Apple laptop that is thin, lightweight, can be used as a workstation, and with such a good construction quality that's durable. And I've come to enjoy using OSX a lot more than Windows.

 

The first time I bought an Apple portable, it did take me a short while to get used to the slightly different keyboard layout and shortcuts but now I've gotten used to them so much that I find the keyboard shortcuts on Windows to be frustrating even though I never stopped using Windows.  And the track pad on the MacBooks... so fantastic that I am now finding it slow and frustrating to use a mouse on my desktop.

 

Also, Apple warranty and service (at least where I live and for my experience, could be different in another country which may not have strong consumer protection laws) is much better than any I've ever had from Asus, Dell, HP and even Compaq (one of my first ever laptops was that brand and I miss it).

 

19 minutes ago, nerdslayer1 said:

it has iris pro is decent at best but for the price its not something that has a lot of power remember the 650m macbook pro retina would do better then iris pro  

I think all 15" versions have a dedicated GPU.  It's the 13" versions that only come with the iGPU.

 

16 minutes ago, gtx1060=value said:

are you going to be going into database administration or BI? That's what i do and my entire company uses thinkpads for it - i know you said CAD but since you mentioned SQL server, that thing's a beast and needs a lot of ram and cpu power to run if it's in a vm - 16 at least -12's stretching it - and you need at least an i7 4790 vPro

If you're talking about the full SQL server, perhaps, but a with Windows VM using VMware on my MacBook Pro I was able to run SQL server lite and Oracle Applications Express (APEX) fairly well.

[AkiraDaarkst]

6 minutes ago, JurunceNK said:

Which you're right. You still have exclusives that there is no alternative for. And sometimes one program can do something that another can't do, even though they'll let you do the same thing already.

 

For me, personally, I use all of my Adobe software on a Windows computer and I can make the same exact thing with the exact quality on it that I would have otherwise done on an iMac. My point is that what matters now is the person working the keyboard and mouse with these two important questions: Are they creative? Are they familiar with the software and OS we use? If so, then that's the person we're looking for.

 

Just like with the Nikon vs. Canon debate, you can't determine what picture was taken with what just by looking at it.

 

Here's a quote from Roberto Blake, a graphic designer

And here's a good read on that argument here.

 

If I had any wishes to any of these Apple bashers, it is that they can recognize that there's people here that prefer one thing over another. Like I can recognize there's people that prefer Apple, even though they're not the best priced, but if I can help them, I will.

I didn't disagree with what you said, I was just letting the OP know that there are still some exclusives, but many of which alternatives are available, and of course there are some which do not have alternatives (though so far I am not or no longer using any software that has no alternative, aside from games which I can understand from an economic perspective).  I also agree that what matters more is the person who is using the machine rather than the software being used.

 

An example of software that is exclusive to Windows is 3Ds Max, fortunately there is Autodesk Maya which runs on OSX and Windows.  But I think 3Ds Max was easier to use than Maya, but I'm not complaining because I no longer use those programs anyway.

 

I'm a professional photographer and cinematographer now, I know about the foolishness of trying to debate Nikon vs Canon vs whatever else.  End of the day, it's the final product that matters more than what tool was used.

[The Sloth]

1 hour ago, AkiraDaarkst said:

Well don't limit your options to only MacBooks, but personally I am still having a hard time finding a comparable non-Apple laptop that is thin, lightweight, can be used as a workstation, and with such a good construction quality that's durable. And I've come to enjoy using OSX a lot more than Windows.

 

The first time I bought an Apple portable, it did take me a short while to get used to the slightly different keyboard layout and shortcuts but now I've gotten used to them so much that I find the keyboard shortcuts on Windows to be frustrating even though I never stopped using Windows.  And the track pad on the MacBooks... so fantastic that I am now finding it slow and frustrating to use a mouse on my desktop.

 

Also, Apple warranty and service (at least where I live and for my experience, could be different in another country which may not have strong consumer protection laws) is much better than any I've ever had from Asus, Dell, HP and even Compaq (one of my first ever laptops was that brand and I miss it).

 

I think all 15" versions have a dedicated GPU.  It's the 13" versions that only come with the iGPU.

 

If you're talking about the full SQL server, perhaps, but a with Windows VM using VMware on my MacBook Pro I was able to run SQL server lite and Oracle Applications Express (APEX) fairly well.

no one version of the 15 inch comes with intel iris pro 

[Pendragon]

1 hour ago, AkiraDaarkst said:

MacBook Pros are wonderful machines

depends. missing ports. overheats. poor expandability. proprietary connectors. glued batteries. and I own one. They aren't the wonderful things you make them out to be. 

 

1 hour ago, JurunceNK said:

What can an iMac do that a Windows computer can't do?"

Game without overheating.

 

1 hour ago, AkiraDaarkst said:

Battery life, OSX performance (because Apple optimizes the OS for the hardware), has a PCIe SSD drive that's considered one of the fastest on the market (yes the connection is proprietary), security and almost no frequently annoying OS updates that require you to restart your machine.

Battery life yes.

OSX performance, depends what program. Excel runs like dogshit on macs past a thousand lines. 

PCIE SSD speed is literally irrelevant for the majority of the people unless you actively transfer large amounts of data. If you look at tests comparing "slow" SSD drives, there is no visible difference in day to day use. 

Security. *cough* bullshit *cough*, frankly I think nobodies security is airtight (lenovo spyware looking at you), it's up to the end user to do it. 

OS updates????? you can configure it on Windows to update and install when turning off or something you know. 

 

1 hour ago, AkiraDaarkst said:

And the track pad on the MacBooks... so fantastic that I am now finding it slow and frustrating to use a mouse on my desktop.

No. Yes they are the BEST in the laptop market by a mile, but I'll take a mouse anyday. 

 

1 hour ago, AkiraDaarkst said:

Also, Apple warranty and service (at least where I live and for my experience, could be different in another country which may not have strong consumer protection laws) is much better than any I've ever had from Asus, Dell, HP and even Compaq (one of my first ever laptops was that brand and I miss it).

100% agree. Apple support in general is excellent

 

1 hour ago, GMF75 said:

I would be installing Windows on it for one program that only runs on windows

My advice is never do that. Macs like horseshit on Windows. Especially the ones with dGPUs (which you will be targetting cause quad core). Apparently on the new macs, people are having issues installing win10. Drivers for Windows on Macs have never been good. You lose tons of functionality. The amazing trackpad turns into an average one that still feels good, but is pretty useless. Battery life takes a MASSIVE hit on dGPU, and your Mac will exist in a state of perpetual heat cause you can't stop using the dGPU on Windows.

[Dackzy]

dude get a windows laptops, unless you really need to do something that a macbook only can do. For your budget I think that you could get a P50 with a quadro and that would help a lot in autocad. You can also give dell outlet a look.

4 hours ago, Pendragon said:

Game without overheating.

I think you missread what he said

Quote

What can an iMac do that a Windows computer can't do?

A iMac would overheat so fast

[Marinatall_Ironside]

On 11/2/2016 at 6:03 PM, AkiraDaarkst said:

I didn't disagree with what you said, I was just letting the OP know that there are still some exclusives, but many of which alternatives are available, and of course there are some which do not have alternatives (though so far I am not or no longer using any software that has no alternative, aside from games which I can understand from an economic perspective).  I also agree that what matters more is the person who is using the machine rather than the software being used.

 

An example of software that is exclusive to Windows is 3Ds Max, fortunately there is Autodesk Maya which runs on OSX and Windows.  But I think 3Ds Max was easier to use than Maya, but I'm not complaining because I no longer use those programs anyway.

 

I'm a professional photographer and cinematographer now, I know about the foolishness of trying to debate Nikon vs Canon vs whatever else.  End of the day, it's the final product that matters more than what tool was used.

Apologies if I didn't get the notification earlier, but thanks for the clarification, and I did appreciate you pointing out the software exclusives which I neglected to put in my first post here

[AkiraDaarkst]

13 hours ago, JurunceNK said:

Apologies if I didn't get the notification earlier, but thanks for the clarification, and I did appreciate you pointing out the software exclusives which I neglected to put in my first post here

No problem.

[Guest lilbman]

You're freaking kidding me right?

 

Workstation things on their 'Pro' level computer? Ha!