Time to Stop Using Desktop PCs as CAD Workstations

When I talk to CAD Professionals and get feedback on blogs like this, I’m a bit surprised how many individuals are stuck using business Desktop PCs as CAD workstations. In this day and age, when the cost of CAD workstations has come way down from the $10,000 price level of 20 years ago, this seems to be a case of “Penny wise, pound foolish”. The benefits of a real workstation are so compelling that it makes little sense, financial or otherwise, to try and dress up a desktop for serious CAD work.

The technology differences are compelling, but so too are other aspects of use. It’s worth exploring the issue to end this trend once and for all. Read full article »

New Deadlines, Old Workstations – A Bad Combination

The productivity of CAD professionals is tied closely to the capability of their tools, particularly their workstation. In fact, there are few professions that have such high correlation between the tools and the output. This puts a needed focus on just what tools CAD pros are using.

In addition to the regular demands of the design work, organizations today are finding that they are moving ever faster, with quicker product development schedules and shortened time frames for completing key tasks. Simply put, everything needs to happen faster and more efficiently. This is why I believe that maximizing the productivity of the workstation is essential to meeting these challenges. Read full article »

Why You Should Attend SolidWorks World 2012

Hopefully, your significant other will understand your need to hone your CAD skills and get a good dose of peer motivation at SolidWorks World 2012, set for February 12–15 at the San Diego Convention Center. But just to be safe, the good folks who organize this performance-enhancing event are offering some special deals on Valentine’s Day treats. Read full article »

RELATED RESOURCE

Implementation Case Study: SolidWorks Performance Gains on WorkStation Configurations

Getting the most out of SolidWorks includes upgrading your software and having the best hardware configuration to support it. Here’s an example of the types of gains you can see from better hardware setups.

Workstation or Desktop: Which Is Right For CAD/CAM

With so many choices on the market for computer systems to run your CAD/CAM software how do you decide which is best?  This is a problem that many 3D and 2D CAD/CAM designers and their IT staff have to think about.

First, you should look for a system that you can afford and which meets your needs, like the Lenovo ThinkStation.  You don’t want to pay for a system that has more power than needed.  However, if you choose a system that doesn’t provide the power needed productivity, efficiency, creativity and satisfaction will diminish.

So how do you decide?

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16 Things to Look for in a Mobile Workstation for CAD

Way back in 2011, an unscientific Cadalyst survey revealed that 11 percent of respondents used mobile workstations for CAD and 8 percent used standard PC notebooks. 2012 is sure to be a year when these stats shoot up, so it might be time to think about getting a mobile CAD machine that can optimize your performance on the road.

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