SSD or HDD - Autocad Main Use

Gumbo

Guys, I’m on the lookout for a new laptop.

Main use is Autocad 2018.
Currently using a 2010 Inspiron 15 Intel pentium T4400 iirc so I know most new laptops will be a major improvement.

I’ve kinda settled in i5 8th generation. 8gb ram min. After that it’s just whether to go for SSD or hard drive.

Currently on my
Laptop is all my music, photos and Autocad work (which I also have backed up on an external hard drive).

If I go SSD then 256gb seems logical but I’ll be stuck for space considering my current 1tb set up.

Will a SSD be noticeable to me? Is it worth the hassle
Of having to rearrange where I have all my files currently saved and thus back up?

Gumbo

Considering this one : https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/lenovo-v330-intel-core-i5-8250u-8gb-256gb-ssd-15.6-inch-windows-10-laptop-81ax00cbuk/version.asp?switchc=e

mordeith

Ideally you would want a dual drive laptop. One SSD for the OS and programs, and a standard HDD for data. Not sure how common they are off the shelf. I got mine configured on PC Specialist.

heroics

TBH I don't think I could go back to a non SSD laptop/PC

Do you have to carry it about much? What size screen etc. As mordeith above said if you could get a dual drive laptop would solve your issue. Just not sure if you would get one within your budget.

quick search here

Alanstrainor

An SSD is a must IMO. It is the single biggest performance booster on any computer. It will make it seem like night and day in comparison to your old computer. It will turn on in 10 seconds flat, programs will open instantly and saving large projects will be extremely quick.

Added to this, SSDs have started to fall in price significantly. You can now buy 512GB SSDs for under 100eur (both M.2 and SATA). Some systems do have dual slots for these, meaning you could potentially have a large HDD (1 or 2TB say), and an M.2 SSD 256GB in size for your files.

If it were me I think I would prefer this Dell:

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/laptops/inspiron-15-5000/spd/inspiron-15-5570-laptop?view=configurations

I believe this has both an M.2 and SATA, so you could add an SSD if and have the best of both worlds.

Gumbo

Alanstrainor wrote: »

An SSD is a must IMO. It is the single biggest performance booster on any computer. It will make it seem like night and day in comparison to your old computer. It will turn on in 10 seconds flat, programs will open instantly and saving large projects will be extremely quick.

Added to this, SSDs have started to fall in price significantly. You can now buy 512GB SSDs for under 100eur (both M.2 and SATA). Some systems do have dual slots for these, meaning you could potentially have a large HDD (1 or 2TB say), and an M.2 SSD 256GB in size for your files.

If it were me I think I would prefer this Dell:

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/laptops/inspiron-15-5000/spd/inspiron-15-5570-laptop?view=configurations

I believe this has both an M.2 and SATA, so you could add an SSD if and have the best of both worlds.

Which one Alan, the link brings up 3 configs.

thanks.

Edit - I assume its the 799 one as that's i7 -8550U and it has 128GB SSD and 1tb HDD.

Alanstrainor

kceire wrote: »

Which one Alan, the link brings up 3 configs.

thanks.

Edit - I assume its the 799 one as that's i7 -8550U and it has 128GB SSD and 1tb HDD.

Sorry, I was actually trying to stay in budget with the 599 one with only a HDD. With the idea that an SSD could be added. The i5 processor would be enough for you I would say.

Gumbo

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Sorry, I was actually trying to stay in budget with the 599 one with only a HDD. With the idea that an SSD could be added. The i5 processor would be enough for you I would say.

Agh I see, it does state

Seismic storage: Your laptop offers multiple storage options for responsive performance and plenty of backup, including up to 2TB HDD, 256GB SSD and dual drives.

So it would actually be cheaper to add an SSD myself.

Gumbo

OK, last post on this thread, promise, just that the lads have been so helpful.
I'm buying something over the weekend.

I've narrowed it down to the following :

HP Pavilion 15 - 128GB SSD & 1TB HDD
I'm unsure about the Ryzen 5 Processor. Is it on par with the i5 8th Generation?


Brand New Dell XPS 15

Donedeal ad and the buyer wants payment into his AIB account, all in €830 delivered to Dublin. Cracking machine but the whole donedeal thing. If he was local i'd go and buy without hesitation.


Dell Inspiron 15 5000

Could possibly get this for €619 with the trade in but my current laptop is 2010, and they say 2011 is the cut off point, but how would they know? Don't need the 2TB if im honest, so could get one direct from Dell for €599 with just the 1TB HDD.

Thanks guys

Alanstrainor

The Ryzen CPU isn't bad, but it's not as fast as the i5 8250u. Now I don't know terribly much about these CPU's, and they are quite new. It might not be a complete right off, but if it was my money I'd be leaning towards the new Dell with the i5 8250u.

That XPS is fishy. Bank transfer of 800 quid just pray to the gods it arrives? Maybe if you were going out and collecting in person and got to check it out thoroughly. But otherwise I'd be very wary about that. In fact I would definitely not go consider it for myself...

If it were me, I'd have the Dell, from Dell. I wouldn't want to mess around with trading in my old laptop tbh. I'd rather keep these things...

Gumbo

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The Ryzen CPU isn't bad, but it's not as fast as the i5 8250u. Now I don't know terribly much about these CPU's, and they are quite new. It might not be a complete right off, but if it was my money I'd be leaning towards the new Dell with the i5 8250u.

That XPS is fishy. Bank transfer of 800 quid just pray to the gods it arrives? Maybe if you were going out and collecting in person and got to check it out thoroughly. But otherwise I'd be very wary about that. In fact I would definitely not go consider it for myself...

If it were me, I'd have the Dell, from Dell. I wouldn't want to mess around with trading in my old laptop tbh. I'd rather keep these things...

I've just noticed that the Dell in Curry's is different to the Dell online. Theres no DVD drive in the Currys version but there is in the Dell store version. Also, one of the HDD is 7200rpm and the oher is 5400rpm.

mordeith

kceire wrote: »

I've just noticed that the Dell in Curry's is different to the Dell online. Theres no DVD drive in the Currys version but there is in the Dell store version. Also, one of the HDD is 7200rpm and the oher is 5400rpm.

As there is no optical drive in the Curry's one you wouldn't be able to add a SSD afterwards. I'd take a slower HDD and a SSD over a faster HDD and no SSD.

Alanstrainor

mordeith wrote: »

As there is no optical drive in the Curry's one you wouldn't be able to add a SSD afterwards. I'd take a slower HDD and a SSD over a faster HDD and no SSD.

Just for clarity here. The one direct from Dell, with the DVD drive has an M.2 slot for an SSD. So it is possible to have an SSD, HDD and DVD drive all at the same time.

Now here's where my confusion is now. The Dell is a Inspiron 15 5570 model with a DVD drive. Now what is the model number without? I don't see it for sale from Dell, and I can't find it googling around. It's worth knowing to find whether this model has a M.2 slot... which I would consider important.

Gumbo

To throw a spanner in the mix.

The HP above with i5 8th generation and 256ssd for 509 sterling through the employee scheme through a friend. Would this sway you?

https://store.hp.com/UKStore/Merch/Product.aspx?id=4AX54EA&opt=ABU&sel=NTB