Choosing a PC on a budget

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Hello

My old PC has failed me, so I have to buy a new one (laptop).

I need to use Solidworks 2021 (assemblies, realistic renderings with the photoview 360 tool), Illustrator and Photoshop. I don't play games, the other uses I could make of it are office automation, internet and watching series.

The problem is that I don't have a very big budget and therefore I can't afford a PC with a certified graphics card like Nvidia Quadro. I spotted two computers with integrated graphics cards that could perhaps do the trick:

-Honor Magicbook 16 : 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, AMD Ryzen ™ 5 4600H processor, 100% sRGB screen, AMD Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics card

-Lenovo Yoga 7i (configurable): 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor , 100% sRGB screen, Intel® Iris® Xe graphics

Is this likely to be a problem for the assemblies on Solidworks? Or realistic renderings (but I've already seen the Lenovo manage to do them)? What about Photoshop?

Basically, which one would be better between the 2?

Thank you in advance!

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Hello personally,

 

See best  answer in this post. It's pretty much within your budget.

link

Cdlt

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Thank you YP69

Indeed, the computers offered are cheaper than most on the Internet but still much more than my budget which cannot exceed 1000 euros...

That's why I would like to choose between the 2 computers presented (Honor and Lenovo)  which still look decent, and take the "least worst"

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I am not convinced by your choice.

It all depends mainly on the use you want to make of Solidworks. Size of the assemblies, number of parts....? How often you use it.

Uncertified graphics cards are often a problem.

 

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I'm a student, so I have a few fairly intensive projects during the year but it's very punctual, the rest of the time I don't use it.

They are small assemblies with small dimensions (small objects of about 20 pieces to give an idea).

I was wondering if one of the processors or graphics cards in the computers I offered slightly outperformed the other for this kind of use?
But if it really doesn't fit, I might go and have a look at the refurbished ones.

 

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Hello @Stedf,

If your choice is limited to the two models you indicate, then select the Lenovo for its more powerful processor. It may be suitable for the use of SolidWorks that you describe (modest assemblies...).
The main limitations of these two machines:
- graphics cards: they may quickly show  their limits in video editing or photo editing, or in realistic rendering in SolidWorks. With extended processing times;
- RAM of only 8 GB: it is acceptable if there is a dedicated video memory. This isn't always the case with integrated graphics;
- the SSD disk limited to 256 GB. A capacity of 512 GB would be preferable.

For the type of use you're considering, a dedicated graphics card will be more appropriate than the integrated chipset. Without going as far as the pro models, certified but very expensive, there are more efficient GeForce GTX model nvidia cards (for laptops), without problem with SolidWorks, with a dedicated fast memory, capable of supporting high resolutions (as a student, think about a possible use in a dual screen or with a video projector).
Be careful on this last point with ultra-portable PCs, check that they offer an HDMI or DisplayPort video output.

A quick examination of the (plethoric) offer on the internet allows you to find PCs of this type for a price close to 1000 €. An example by following this link of a machine supposedly intended for "gamers", but which seems to me to suit your needs. There are others.

Happy searching...

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Perfect, thank you very much for all these clarifications m.blt, it makes my research easier!