My freshman year (2 years ago) I ended up buying an $1100 laptop off Amazon with a i7 7700HQ and 1050 ti (4GB). This was plenty of hardware for my solidworks (similar to CAD) class. My issue with all of the laptops that Clemson recommends are that you are paying almost twice as much for a slim, sleeker laptop. I'm not gonna lie, it is nicer to have a laptop like this though. I have a very nice Desktop (which I also had in my dorm in RiSE), so I sold my bulky, heavy gaming laptop and bought a $350 laptop and a $80 SSD specifically for class and couldn't be happier. I should also note I'm in IE, not ME.
I also want to explain that, in my solidworks class, A LOT of people had Macbooks, of all things. Clemson has a server or something that you can connect to to run Solidworks. I'd assume this is the same for CAD, but wouldn't be sure? If I had known this I never would have wasted my money on that first "gaming" laptop.
I also just found this laptop on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-IPS-Type-R7-3750H-GeForce-TUF505DU-EB74/dp/B07QQB6DC1
I believe this laptop will outperform any that you have listed above. I'm actually shocked how good this laptop looks, and slim as well.
You guys have helped me so much!
So the insurance payment came through and it is a LOT more than I expected. I am having a hard time deciding what to get! So I can get this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QQB6DC1/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_y2ZQEb7BJVE99
Or I can get a loaded up Mac Pro or Mack air. The only difference is the pro has a 2.8GHz i7 processor with boost up to 4.7 The air has 1.2GHz i7 boost up to 3.8
Now. Mac is going to be the easiest for me to get. It lasts a long time, I had my old one for 6 years and I’ve only been thinking about upgrading for the last few months. It also has the best value if I decide to sell it. All my electronics are Apple. I have an iPad and an iPhone. My external storage is all coded to Mac.
PC is half as expensive. I will have to completely start over with rebuying programs and reinstalling everything.
I can’t decide!!! The amount the insurance is paying out is almost exactly the price of the MacBook Pro.