Small Firm Exchange

I have had success going to Dell and configuring a Precision mobile workstation that meets Autodesk's minimum hardware requirements for the applications.  I agree with Mr. Sisson that 32 gb of ram is a better configuration.  I usually start with a configuration slightly less than i want and add to it -- it is much easier to add to a preconfigured station than deduct from one.  You will find prices ranging from $1400 to multiples of that.  I usually end up spending right around $2000 with a permanent license of Acrobat included for a computer I typically keep for 4 years.  The AIA member discount at Dell will pay for the sales tax plus a little more.  There is always free 2-day shipping if you create an account.  The "rewards' on your new account can be used about a month later to purchase a docking station and monitors.  Despite the pleasure of having a portable solution, I still go to my desk with two large monitors, scanner, printer, etc. when the day gets more involved. 

If you can fit it into your budget, Dell's ProSupport plans can be convenient --- I just had the loud fans on my station replaced in my office in 15 minutes time with next day service.   I think that adds about $150 for 3 years.  Good luck!

Michael,

how do you compare the precision workstation to the xps line?  also, what steps do you take to enable the aia discount?  I am looking at Costco for a dell xps  i7-13700 w/64gb ram, 2tb hdd + 1tb ssd for $1,399.97 or xps i7-14700, 64gb, 2tb ssd for $1,999.  Not sure if these links but appreicate any suggestions/recs

https://www.costco.com/dell-xps-tower---13th-gen-intel-core-i7-13700---geforce-rtx-4060ti---windows-11.product.4000224876.html

https://www.costco.com/dell-xps-tower---14th-gen-intel-core-i7-14700---geforce-rtx-4060ti---windows-11.product.4000260298.html

thanks,

Larry

I have had success going to Dell and configuring a Precision mobile workstation that meets Autodesk's minimum hardware requirements for the applications.  I agree with Mr. Sisson that 32 gb of ram is a better configuration.  I usually start with a configuration slightly less than i want and add to it -- it is much easier to add to a preconfigured station than deduct from one.  You will find prices ranging from $1400 to multiples of that.  I usually end up spending right around $2000 with a permanent license of Acrobat included for a computer I typically keep for 4 years.  The AIA member discount at Dell will pay for the sales tax plus a little more.  There is always free 2-day shipping if you create an account.  The "rewards' on your new account can be used about a month later to purchase a docking station and monitors.  Despite the pleasure of having a portable solution, I still go to my desk with two large monitors, scanner, printer, etc. when the day gets more involved. 

If you can fit it into your budget, Dell's ProSupport plans can be convenient --- I just had the loud fans on my station replaced in my office in 15 minutes time with next day service.   I think that adds about $150 for 3 years.  Good luck!

Larry,

I think the preconfigured hardware from Costco, Best Buy, etc will work fine and I used the XPS line for several years.  The Precision line is "certified" by Autodesk and XPS is not.  I didn't even realize that until Autodesk tech support used that as an unknown variable when we were having an application error.  For the extra cost vs risk of losing billable hours in that kind of argument, I started buying the Precision line.  Its Dell support line is better too with shorter waits and dedicated staff.  The only way to really compare costs is to configure a Precision machine online and look at the retail source XPS.

Getting the AIA discount is a bit convoluted.  Log into your AIA membership and search for Dell Discount.  A page with Hertz, Avis, UPS, Fed Ex, and Dell comes up.  Click on that link and enter your email address to get discount codes emailed to you.  (I guess non-members used AIA discount codes).    I just checked and current discounts are 10% off Optiplex, Latitude, Precision, and PowerEdge lines and networking accessories.  5% off Inspiron, XPS, Alienware, and Vostro.  Also, 5% off Displays and Client Peripherals.

Their rewards program is another percent or two to apply to future purchases and can be useful when you want to get a monitor or docking station.  Sometimes, mine expire unused.  I hope this helps.

Mike Schneider

Michael,

how do you compare the precision workstation to the xps line?  also, what steps do you take to enable the aia discount?  I am looking at Costco for a dell xps  i7-13700 w/64gb ram, 2tb hdd + 1tb ssd for $1,399.97 or xps i7-14700, 64gb, 2tb ssd for $1,999.  Not sure if these links but appreicate any suggestions/recs

https://www.costco.com/dell-xps-tower---13th-gen-intel-core-i7-13700---geforce-rtx-4060ti---windows-11.product.4000224876.html

https://www.costco.com/dell-xps-tower---14th-gen-intel-core-i7-14700---geforce-rtx-4060ti---windows-11.product.4000260298.html

thanks,

Larry

I have had success going to Dell and configuring a Precision mobile workstation that meets Autodesk's minimum hardware requirements for the applications.  I agree with Mr. Sisson that 32 gb of ram is a better configuration.  I usually start with a configuration slightly less than i want and add to it -- it is much easier to add to a preconfigured station than deduct from one.  You will find prices ranging from $1400 to multiples of that.  I usually end up spending right around $2000 with a permanent license of Acrobat included for a computer I typically keep for 4 years.  The AIA member discount at Dell will pay for the sales tax plus a little more.  There is always free 2-day shipping if you create an account.  The "rewards' on your new account can be used about a month later to purchase a docking station and monitors.  Despite the pleasure of having a portable solution, I still go to my desk with two large monitors, scanner, printer, etc. when the day gets more involved. 

If you can fit it into your budget, Dell's ProSupport plans can be convenient --- I just had the loud fans on my station replaced in my office in 15 minutes time with next day service.   I think that adds about $150 for 3 years.  Good luck!

thanks for your guidance.  surprised no one else has chimed in.  There are so many variations of the precision line, wouldn't even know where to start so sticking with xps, especially with Costco's return policies seems to make most sense for me at this stage.

Larry,

I think the preconfigured hardware from Costco, Best Buy, etc will work fine and I used the XPS line for several years.  The Precision line is "certified" by Autodesk and XPS is not.  I didn't even realize that until Autodesk tech support used that as an unknown variable when we were having an application error.  For the extra cost vs risk of losing billable hours in that kind of argument, I started buying the Precision line.  Its Dell support line is better too with shorter waits and dedicated staff.  The only way to really compare costs is to configure a Precision machine online and look at the retail source XPS.

Getting the AIA discount is a bit convoluted.  Log into your AIA membership and search for Dell Discount.  A page with Hertz, Avis, UPS, Fed Ex, and Dell comes up.  Click on that link and enter your email address to get discount codes emailed to you.  (I guess non-members used AIA discount codes).    I just checked and current discounts are 10% off Optiplex, Latitude, Precision, and PowerEdge lines and networking accessories.  5% off Inspiron, XPS, Alienware, and Vostro.  Also, 5% off Displays and Client Peripherals.

Their rewards program is another percent or two to apply to future purchases and can be useful when you want to get a monitor or docking station.  Sometimes, mine expire unused.  I hope this helps.

Mike Schneider

Michael,

how do you compare the precision workstation to the xps line?  also, what steps do you take to enable the aia discount?  I am looking at Costco for a dell xps  i7-13700 w/64gb ram, 2tb hdd + 1tb ssd for $1,399.97 or xps i7-14700, 64gb, 2tb ssd for $1,999.  Not sure if these links but appreicate any suggestions/recs

https://www.costco.com/dell-xps-tower---13th-gen-intel-core-i7-13700---geforce-rtx-4060ti---windows-11.product.4000224876.html

https://www.costco.com/dell-xps-tower---14th-gen-intel-core-i7-14700---geforce-rtx-4060ti---windows-11.product.4000260298.html

thanks,

Larry

------------------------------
Larry Goldberg AIA Member Emeritus
larry goldberg architect, aia, ncarb
morganville, nj

Original Message:
Sent: 06-21-2024 06:26 PM
From: Michael J. Schneider AIA
Subject: Computer system reccomendations

I have had success going to Dell and configuring a Precision mobile workstation that meets Autodesk's minimum hardware requirements for the applications.  I agree with Mr. Sisson that 32 gb of ram is a better configuration.  I usually start with a configuration slightly less than i want and add to it -- it is much easier to add to a preconfigured station than deduct from one.  You will find prices ranging from $1400 to multiples of that.  I usually end up spending right around $2000 with a permanent license of Acrobat included for a computer I typically keep for 4 years.  The AIA member discount at Dell will pay for the sales tax plus a little more.  There is always free 2-day shipping if you create an account.  The "rewards' on your new account can be used about a month later to purchase a docking station and monitors.  Despite the pleasure of having a portable solution, I still go to my desk with two large monitors, scanner, printer, etc. when the day gets more involved. 

If you can fit it into your budget, Dell's ProSupport plans can be convenient --- I just had the loud fans on my station replaced in my office in 15 minutes time with next day service.   I think that adds about $150 for 3 years.  Good luck!

I would encourage you to explore HP Firefly 16" laptops. They are light and powerful.

For these menu rich software, having that extrascreen is most important feature for me.

Happy Exploring