hi[:D] on october i gona start learning archit

[argol]

hi:D
on october i gona start learning architecture in college and i was wondering if a tablet pc is a good way to go instead of a normal notbook?
the idea to use a tablet for skatching sounds really interesting, but can a tublet also be used for havy software, like 3d studio max or autocad?
i dont want to buy one an then realize i cant use it for other stuff[xx(]

[richardl]

For sketching, drawing and notes I would say emphatically that a tablet PC would be an excellent choice. Tablet PC and architecture and design have obvious synergy. Take a look at Corel Grafigo and Alias|Wavefront Sketchbook Pro.

But I think you would not be very happy using a tablet PC for heavy duty CAD and visualization software. Technically you could run 3ds max on a tablet like the Toshiba (it is within the minimum requirements). But it is not well suited. 3ds max really wants the fastest computer you can throw at it. And even a mediochre desktop machine will blow the doors off of a tablet in terms of performance.

The other problem is that the tablets have only mediochre 3D graphics accelleration if any at all. (For example the Toshiba only supports 3D accelleration in landscape mode and not in portrait mode.)

CAD and 3D programs generally want lots of screen real estate. I've run 3ds max on an older 12" XGA res laptop and it was very cramped. I'm currently running 3ds max on a dual AMD Athlon desktop system with two 1280x1024 displays.

For a tablet you might look at software like SketchUp. I've not tried it on my tablet, but it seems like it would be a good fit.

Autodesk has a design sketching tool that would probably be a good fit for a tablet too.

[richardl]

For sketching, drawing and notes I would say emphatically that a tablet PC would be an excellent choice. Tablet PC and architecture and design have obvious synergy. Take a look at Corel Grafigo and Alias|Wavefront Sketchbook Pro.

But I think you would not be very happy using a tablet PC for heavy duty CAD and visualization software. Technically you could run 3ds max on a tablet like the Toshiba (it is within the minimum requirements). But it is not well suited. 3ds max really wants the fastest computer you can throw at it. And even a mediochre desktop machine will blow the doors off of a tablet in terms of performance.

The other problem is that the tablets have only mediochre 3D graphics accelleration if any at all. (For example the Toshiba only supports 3D accelleration in landscape mode and not in portrait mode.)

CAD and 3D programs generally want lots of screen real estate. I've run 3ds max on an older 12" XGA res laptop and it was very cramped. I'm currently running 3ds max on a dual AMD Athlon desktop system with two 1280x1024 displays.

For a tablet you might look at software like SketchUp. I've not tried it on my tablet, but it seems like it would be a good fit.

Autodesk has a design sketching tool that would probably be a good fit for a tablet too.

[richardl]

For sketching, drawing and notes I would say emphatically that a tablet PC would be an excellent choice. Tablet PC and architecture and design have obvious synergy. Take a look at Corel Grafigo and Alias|Wavefront Sketchbook Pro.

But I think you would not be very happy using a tablet PC for heavy duty CAD and visualization software. Technically you could run 3ds max on a tablet like the Toshiba (it is within the minimum requirements). But it is not well suited. 3ds max really wants the fastest computer you can throw at it. And even a mediochre desktop machine will blow the doors off of a tablet in terms of performance.

The other problem is that the tablets have only mediochre 3D graphics accelleration if any at all. (For example the Toshiba only supports 3D accelleration in landscape mode and not in portrait mode.)

CAD and 3D programs generally want lots of screen real estate. I've run 3ds max on an older 12" XGA res laptop and it was very cramped. I'm currently running 3ds max on a dual AMD Athlon desktop system with two 1280x1024 displays.

For a tablet you might look at software like SketchUp. I've not tried it on my tablet, but it seems like it would be a good fit.

Autodesk has a design sketching tool that would probably be a good fit for a tablet too.

[richardl]

For sketching, drawing and notes I would say emphatically that a tablet PC would be an excellent choice. Tablet PC and architecture and design have obvious synergy. Take a look at Corel Grafigo and Alias|Wavefront Sketchbook Pro.

But I think you would not be very happy using a tablet PC for heavy duty CAD and visualization software. Technically you could run 3ds max on a tablet like the Toshiba (it is within the minimum requirements). But it is not well suited. 3ds max really wants the fastest computer you can throw at it. And even a mediochre desktop machine will blow the doors off of a tablet in terms of performance.

The other problem is that the tablets have only mediochre 3D graphics accelleration if any at all. (For example the Toshiba only supports 3D accelleration in landscape mode and not in portrait mode.)

CAD and 3D programs generally want lots of screen real estate. I've run 3ds max on an older 12" XGA res laptop and it was very cramped. I'm currently running 3ds max on a dual AMD Athlon desktop system with two 1280x1024 displays.

For a tablet you might look at software like SketchUp. I've not tried it on my tablet, but it seems like it would be a good fit.

Autodesk has a design sketching tool that would probably be a good fit for a tablet too.

[argol]

damn...
so i guess i'll wait till those tublets will be better equiped on the 3d side:-(

[argol]

damn...
so i guess i'll wait till those tublets will be better equiped on the 3d side:-(

[argol]

damn...
so i guess i'll wait till those tublets will be better equiped on the 3d side:-(

[argol]

damn...
so i guess i'll wait till those tublets will be better equiped on the 3d side:-(

[outeast]

argol-

having gone through architectural school myself I would have to inform you now that AutoCAD and 3d studio max are not going to be on your horizon soon. Architecture school will be more freehand and conceptual learning and design.
The heavy duty 3d graphics will be done on big desktops like the last respondents system. That will be commonplace for several years to come. Laptop speeds may increase, but the screen area for 3d will be the same.

Our architectural firm is only buying tablets for laptop user. We still buy desktops for production work, but we have seen the value added with the tablet. The speed I have in this Toshiba is great for all areas of my work. It handles AutoCAD with no trouble, sketchup is a great program and also works well on the machine. The laptop style tablet is great for all around computer work as well. The added media slots on the Toshiba are great for integrating digital camera images.

The bottom line is this. For heavy duty production and 3d work you need a desktop workstation. For all around tablet/laptop is great and light weight

The one down side is that the Toshiba has limited resolution sizes. It will not do the higher rates and sizes on larger monitors. This may be a fixed in the near future. A 8-9 pound laptop with built in cdrw and 15 “ screen would have the higher graphics cards.

[outeast]

argol-

having gone through architectural school myself I would have to inform you now that AutoCAD and 3d studio max are not going to be on your horizon soon. Architecture school will be more freehand and conceptual learning and design.
The heavy duty 3d graphics will be done on big desktops like the last respondents system. That will be commonplace for several years to come. Laptop speeds may increase, but the screen area for 3d will be the same.

Our architectural firm is only buying tablets for laptop user. We still buy desktops for production work, but we have seen the value added with the tablet. The speed I have in this Toshiba is great for all areas of my work. It handles AutoCAD with no trouble, sketchup is a great program and also works well on the machine. The laptop style tablet is great for all around computer work as well. The added media slots on the Toshiba are great for integrating digital camera images.

The bottom line is this. For heavy duty production and 3d work you need a desktop workstation. For all around tablet/laptop is great and light weight

The one down side is that the Toshiba has limited resolution sizes. It will not do the higher rates and sizes on larger monitors. This may be a fixed in the near future. A 8-9 pound laptop with built in cdrw and 15 “ screen would have the higher graphics cards.

[outeast]

argol-

having gone through architectural school myself I would have to inform you now that AutoCAD and 3d studio max are not going to be on your horizon soon. Architecture school will be more freehand and conceptual learning and design.
The heavy duty 3d graphics will be done on big desktops like the last respondents system. That will be commonplace for several years to come. Laptop speeds may increase, but the screen area for 3d will be the same.

Our architectural firm is only buying tablets for laptop user. We still buy desktops for production work, but we have seen the value added with the tablet. The speed I have in this Toshiba is great for all areas of my work. It handles AutoCAD with no trouble, sketchup is a great program and also works well on the machine. The laptop style tablet is great for all around computer work as well. The added media slots on the Toshiba are great for integrating digital camera images.

The bottom line is this. For heavy duty production and 3d work you need a desktop workstation. For all around tablet/laptop is great and light weight

The one down side is that the Toshiba has limited resolution sizes. It will not do the higher rates and sizes on larger monitors. This may be a fixed in the near future. A 8-9 pound laptop with built in cdrw and 15 “ screen would have the higher graphics cards.

[outeast]

argol-

having gone through architectural school myself I would have to inform you now that AutoCAD and 3d studio max are not going to be on your horizon soon. Architecture school will be more freehand and conceptual learning and design.
The heavy duty 3d graphics will be done on big desktops like the last respondents system. That will be commonplace for several years to come. Laptop speeds may increase, but the screen area for 3d will be the same.

Our architectural firm is only buying tablets for laptop user. We still buy desktops for production work, but we have seen the value added with the tablet. The speed I have in this Toshiba is great for all areas of my work. It handles AutoCAD with no trouble, sketchup is a great program and also works well on the machine. The laptop style tablet is great for all around computer work as well. The added media slots on the Toshiba are great for integrating digital camera images.

The bottom line is this. For heavy duty production and 3d work you need a desktop workstation. For all around tablet/laptop is great and light weight

The one down side is that the Toshiba has limited resolution sizes. It will not do the higher rates and sizes on larger monitors. This may be a fixed in the near future. A 8-9 pound laptop with built in cdrw and 15 “ screen would have the higher graphics cards.