Laptop selection for Autodesk Fusion 360🔗︎
A shift towards GPU utilisation🔗︎
Historically, Fusion 360 primarily relied on the CPU for its processing needs. However, recent updates have introduced significant GPU acceleration capabilities. This shift has dramatically improved performance across various functionalities:
- Rendering: GPU acceleration significantly speeds up the rendering process, allowing for faster visualisation of complex models and scenes. This is crucial for designers who need to quickly evaluate their designs and make informed decisions.
- Simulation: Certain simulation tasks, such as stress analysis and fluid dynamics, can now leverage the power of the GPU, resulting in faster computation times and more efficient simulations.
- Graphics Performance: Overall graphics performance has seen a noticeable boost, leading to smoother interactions, more fluid navigation, and a more responsive user experience.
The Role of High-Performance Mobile Workstations🔗︎
The integration of GPU acceleration aligns perfectly with the rise of powerful mobile workstations. These portable machines, equipped with dedicated GPUs and high-performance processors, provide the necessary horsepower to fully utilise Fusion 360's GPU-accelerated features. This enables designers and engineers to:
- Work on the go: Perform demanding tasks, such as rendering and simulation, while away from their desks, increasing productivity and flexibility.
- Collaborate seamlessly: Share designs and work remotely with colleagues, ensuring everyone has access to the latest updates and can contribute effectively.
- Improve design cycles: Accelerate the design process by quickly iterating on designs and evaluating different options, leading to faster time-to-market.
In Summary🔗︎
The combination of GPU acceleration and high-performance mobile workstations has transformed Fusion 360 into a more powerful and versatile tool for designers and engineers. By offloading computationally intensive tasks to the GPU and providing the necessary processing power on the go, these advancements have significantly enhanced the user experience and streamlined the design workflow.
Gaming GPUs V. 3D design🔗︎
While gaming GPUs like Nvidia GeForce are powerful, specialist GPUs for 3D design offer several advantages. They prioritise features crucial for professional workflows, including error correction and stability, often utilising ECC (Error Correcting Code) memory to ensure data integrity. Furthermore, they are optimised for specific software and workflows, delivering superior performance and compatibility with industry-standard applications. These specialised features come at a premium, making them more expensive than gaming GPUs.
NVIDIA's latest Ada Lovelace architecture enhances both gaming and professional applications, offering advancements in ray tracing, AI processing, and overall performance.
Discrete vs. Integrated GPUs
- Discrete GPUs are separate components from the CPU, typically installed on a dedicated graphics card. They offer significantly higher performance for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and 3D modelling.
- Integrated GPUs are built into the CPU itself, providing basic graphics capabilities for everyday tasks like web browsing and video playback. They consume less power and are generally more affordable but offer significantly lower performance compared to discrete GPUs.
AutoDesk Certified GPUs🔗︎
Autodesk have verified a large selection of hardware and their associated drivers. The list is published here.
Mobile workstations🔗︎
Table🔗︎
The following table lists currently available laptops that can be classified as mobile workstations. Each laptop is scored on key elements:
- Price
- CPU
- GPU
- Memory
- Disk size
- Physical weight
- Physical size
- Brand experience*
Note
*Brand experience is my own personal experience over many years using HP, Dell and Lenovo devices. I consider their reliability, user experience and customer care.
Chart🔗︎
The following chart presents the data in a dual y-axis chart to provide a cost/score relationship.
Device highlights🔗︎
Lenovo Thinkpad P16s🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023-11-15 |
| CPU | Intel Ultra 9 185H (14th Gen) |
| GPU | Intel Arc A370M |
| Memory | 64GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 1.82 kg |
| Score | 155 |
| Price | £2,459.99 |
The Lenovo Thinkpad P16s offers a balance of performance and portability. It is equipped with a powerful 14th Gen Intel Ultra 9 185H processor and dedicated Intel Arc graphics, suitable for demanding tasks like CAD modeling and data analysis.
Further details...
Lenovo Thinkpad P14s🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023-09-01 |
| CPU | Intel Ultra 9 185H (14th Gen) |
| GPU | Intel Arc A370M |
| Memory | 64GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 1.31 kg |
| Score | 187 |
| Price | £2,278.00 |
The Lenovo Thinkpad P14s is a compact and lightweight workstation ideal for professionals on the move. It boasts a powerful 14th Gen Intel Ultra 9 185H processor and dedicated Intel Arc graphics, making it capable of handling demanding workloads despite its small size.
Note
This laptop has a 14.5" display.
Lenovo Thinkpad P16v (G1)🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2024-01-15 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS (Zen 4) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada |
| Memory | 32GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.2 kg |
| Score | 224 |
| Price | £2,207.99 |
The Lenovo Thinkpad P16v features a powerful AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS (Zen 4) processor and NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada graphics, delivering exceptional performance for demanding creative and engineering applications.
Note
This laptop has an AMD CPU as opposed to Intel.
Lenovo Thinkpad P16v (G2)🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023-11-15 |
| CPU | Intel Ultra 9 185H (14th Gen) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3000 Ada |
| Memory | 64GB |
| Storage | 2TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.95 kg |
| Score | 230 |
| Price | £3,989.01 |
This Lenovo Thinkpad P16v model boasts a more powerful configuration, featuring a higher-end 14th Gen Intel Ultra 9 185H processor and NVIDIA RTX 3000 Ada graphics, contributing to its higher score and price.
Further details...
HP ZBook Power G11🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023-09-01 |
| CPU | Intel Ultra 9 185H (14th Gen) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada |
| Memory | 32GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.12 kg |
| Score | 244 |
| Price | £2,339.99 |
The HP ZBook Power G11 offers a robust and reliable platform with a powerful 14th Gen Intel Ultra 9 185H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada graphics, making it suitable for a wide range of demanding professional workloads.
Further details...
HP ZBook Fury G11🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023-09-01 |
| CPU | Intel i9-14900HX (14th Gen) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada |
| Memory | 32GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.35 kg |
| Score | 281 |
| Price | £3,443.99 |
The HP ZBook Fury G11 is a high-performance mobile workstation designed for professionals who require maximum performance. It features a powerful 14th Gen Intel i9-14900HX processor and NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada graphics, capable of handling the most demanding tasks with ease.
Further details...
Dell Precision 7680🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023-09-01 |
| CPU | Intel i9-13950HX (13th Gen) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada |
| Memory | 32GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.6 kg |
| Score | 283 |
| Price | £3,347.26 |
The Dell Precision 7680 is a high-performance workstation built for demanding workloads in fields like engineering, architecture, and media production. It features a powerful 13th Gen Intel i9-13950HX processor and NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada graphics, ensuring smooth performance even under heavy loads.
Note
This laptop uses the older 13th generation i9 CPU. The 14th generation CPU has some significant improvements.
Lenovo Thinkpad P1🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023-11-15 |
| CPU | Intel Ultra 9 185H (14th Gen) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada |
| Memory | 64GB |
| Storage | 2TB SSD |
| Weight | 1.83 kg |
| Score | 289 |
| Price | £3,899.50 |
The Lenovo Thinkpad P1 offers exceptional performance and portability. It features a powerful 14th Gen Intel Ultra 9 185H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada graphics, making it suitable for the most demanding professional applications.
Further details...
HP ZBook Power G11🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023-09-01 |
| CPU | Intel Ultra 9 185H (14th Gen) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3000 Ada |
| Memory | 64GB |
| Storage | 2TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.12 kg |
| Score | 293 |
| Price | £2,879.99 |
This HP ZBook Power G11 configuration features a higher-end graphics card and more RAM compared to the previous Power G11 entry, resulting in a higher score and price.
Further details...
HP ZBook Fury G11🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023-09-01 |
| CPU | Intel i9-14900HX (14th Gen) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada |
| Memory | 32GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.35 kg |
| Score | 281 |
| Price | £3,827.99 |
The HP ZBook Fury G11 is a high-performance mobile workstation designed for professionals who require maximum performance. It features a powerful 14th Gen Intel i9-14900HX processor and NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada graphics, capable of handling the most demanding tasks with ease.
Further details...
HP ZBook Studio G11🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2024-08-14 |
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 165H |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada |
| Memory | 32GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 1.73 kg |
| Score | 307 |
| Price | £3,419.99 |
The HP ZBook Studio G11 offers a balance of performance and style. It features a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 165H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada graphics, making it suitable for creative professionals. Weighing in at only 1.73 kg and 19mm thick, it is ideal for those who require a powerful yet portable machine.
Note
This would be my choice as it has the best performance-to-weight ratio. However, portability is a key consideration for me.
HP ZBook Fury G11🔗︎
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2023-09-01 |
| CPU | Intel i9-14900HX (14th Gen) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada |
| Memory | 64GB |
| Storage | 2TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.35 kg |
| Score | 328 |
| Price | £5,099.99 |
This high-end HP ZBook Fury G11 model is designed for professionals who require maximum performance. It features a top-of-the-line 14th Gen Intel i9-14900HX processor, high-end NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada graphics, and ample RAM and storage, contributing to its highest score and price in this list.
Further details...
Conclusion🔗︎
My advice? Buy the best workstation you can afford.
My past experiences with Dell have been mixed. While my Precision 7780 was initially powerful, it suffered from significant reliability issues: two motherboard replacements and four docking station failures in 5 years. Though Dell has since revised the docking station, the 7680 model also presents challenges, including random shutdowns and a faulty delete key.
My history with Lenovo hasn't been stellar either. Despite improvements like the corrected FN and CTRL key locations, past experiences, like a motherboard failure on an SL500 2 days outside of warranty, have left me hesitant to return to the brand.
Conversely, my HP Elitebook 8770w, over ten years old, continues to function well (aside from a dead battery). Even my old HP Spectre X360, with its soldered-on 8GB RAM, remains useful.
While I can't speak to the current state of HP's workstations, my past experiences strongly favour them. HP's perceived lack of aggressive sales tactics might contribute to lower market share, but my personal experience suggests their products prioritise long-term durability and reliability. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but I believe investing in the highest quality workstation you can afford will likely yield the best long-term value.
Money-Saving Tips for Buying an HP Workstation
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Negotiate Directly: Don't solely rely on the online price. Contact HP sales directly by phone. Even a simple enquiry can often lead to discounts, as I recently experienced when securing an 8% discount on an online quote. This tactic may be even more effective for businesses.
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Consider Upgrading Components Yourself: While less common now, upgrading components like memory and storage yourself can often save money. Purchase higher-capacity components from reputable third-party vendors at competitive prices. HP still offers a custom configuration website, but it may not always be the most up-to-date or competitive (1).
- 🙋♂️ At time of writing, the
Configure your workstationbutton is missing.
- 🙋♂️ At time of writing, the
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Be Cautious with Configuration Changes: Modifying the base configuration after purchase can impact your warranty coverage. HP may require the system to be returned to its original state for hardware-related support. Carefully review the HP warranty terms and conditions before making any post-purchase modifications.
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Avoid downgrading the OS: Modifying the operating system from its original installation can violate Microsoft's EULA (1).
- 🙋♂️ EULA = End User License Agreement. In short, even if you have a genuine copy of Windows Enterprise, a new computer must still be supplied with Windows. Even if it's Home Edition. Also, there is a limit to the number of cores supported by certain editions, meaning advanced Workstation editions.
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Dell Outlet: It is worth noting that Dell Outlet can have some terrific bargains. Unfortunatly, HP does not offer the same for the UK market although they do have an eBay shop.
It is always worth shopping around. It is possible to pick up off-the-shelf spec'd workstations from a variety of online retailers.
Note
All prices include VAT.