Recommended Inexpensive Laptops for running CAD software

They have just introduced a Pentium M Celeron cpu which only has 512k L2 system cache -- the original Pentium M Banias chips 1.0-1.6mhz had 1mb L2 cache and the current Dothan Pentium M's have 2mb L2 system cache.

They are introducing these, as well as selling Pentium M Celerons, etc to get under the $1,000 mark but you are losing much of the performance of the chips with any Celeron cpu.

For Autocad, that is a big no no.

You also should have dedicated video RAM for Autocad and no notebooks under $1,000 have this either (they have shared/integrated video RAM0.

You can get great discounts on the HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 series (see X1000forums.com and hpshopping.com) that can get you down close to the $1,000 price range if you order a small 4200rpm hard drive now, the smallest Dothan Pentium M cpu (1.6mhz 725), 256mb RAM (add your own 512mb PC2700 RAM stick later for under $100 at retail when on sale), etc. These can be ordered with 32mb or 64mb dedicated video RAM.

Currently, you can get a $100 custom order rebate on any HP or Compaq notebook through 12/1/04, a 6% hpshopping APP student discount (if you are a college student), a 3% Fatcash portal discount (order through the Fatcash portal site to hpshopping) and there are other discounts at certain times you can see at X1000forums.com.

"For Autocad, that is a big no no."

We still have a few P3 1.0 GHz desktops running Autocad. These laptops can surely outperform this?

Bob