System76 Serval 17" laptop for Onshape

STEG

Hi everyone!
Anybody using a System76 Serval 17" laptop with Onshape? Looking to buy one but if someone can give me feedback about the hardware and the company, I would really appreciate.
https://system76.com/laptops/serval

jnewth_onshape

I'll throw my hat in.

System76: Great hardware, linux-first, _ok_ build quality (plasticky). Because they are linux-first, theyve done the legwork to get all the drivers to work (a chronic pain with linux laptops imo). But hard to beat the value/money.

Your particular config has a 4060. Even in mobile that's a good gpu. I have the same and anecdotally it's the equivalent of my desktop super 2070, no slouch (just old, like me). For Onshape needs, you are bringing a thermonuclear warhead to a really angry beer pong match. 

Bump to 32GB. This is a serious machine - need the RAM to match. I, personally, would also buy the most powerful gpu offering (the 4070).

Your config is coming in for me around $2400 USD. For that sort of money, I myself would buy a slightly pricier x16 alienware:
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/gaming-laptops/alienware-x16-gaming-laptop/spd/alienware-x16-r1-laptop/wnx16r1cto011?ref=variantstack
But keep in mind:
1. i love windows. no, really. Visual Studio Pro (not me, the software).
2. i play games. though valve has done herculean service improving gaming linux for everyone so maybe that matter less these days?
3. Build quality matters a ton to me. I touch the thing everyday - laptop needs to feel premium, need a great keyboard. Not emphasized in System76 machines.

Any which way you go: You're looking at a good machine.

STEG

Thank you @jnewth_onshape for your answer.

Here are my thoughts about your post:

1. I'm a self-employed senior mechanical designer and will use it during my next 2 months travel next summer.
2. Linux isn't a problem for me, I already had a linux (Ubuntu) computer and loved it.
3. I don't play games.
4. I will have 32Gb RAM.
5. My actual desktop has a GeForce RTX 3060 and I didn't see its limits yet.
6. Alienware doesn't have a numerical keypad.
7. The Alienware has a 16" display instead of the 17" for the System76.
8. The Alienware is much more expensive (3600$ CAD) than the System76 (3200$ CAD) in Canada.
   

For a Dell computer similar to the System76, I was looking at a XPS 17 9730:

https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/laptops-ultrabooks/xps-17-laptop/spd/xps-17-9730-laptop/caexchcto9730rpl03?dbp=1&view=configurations&configurationid=e054904b-ed79-401b-9e09-6615606937d1#features_section

jnewth_onshape

It'll be hard to beat the System76 on price.

I used to have an XPS 15" and loved it. Windows (10 at least) really works well with a touchscreen.

I don't use a keypad, but to me the keyboard is the thing you touch the most with a computer so it should be a delight to use and exactly what you want. XPS keyboard is great (but from the screenshots, no numpad either). 

Three additional considerations, if you'll be traveling with your kit: Battery, weight, and the size of the charging brick. Nobody posts photos of the bricks! (I looked at the XPS - it sells with their 130W charger which is the one I have. Small and slim). Anecdotally I think Linux does better than Windows on power consumption.

One of the huge advantages of Onshape is that hardware matters a lot less because lots of computational heavy lifting is on the backend, so you just need some RAM and a decent GPU and you're cooking.

Good luck! Post of photo of your new machine when you get it!

nick_papageorge073

Completely different, but have you considered a MacBook Air? I have one for Onshape, and love it for its portability. It maxes out at 24GB ram, which is the version I got. I have not had it go to swap memory in a year of using it for OS dayjob work. It comes in 13.3" and 15.3" screens. The build quality is excellent. Highly recommend. The power supply is only 35 W and tiny. It's 1,899 USD with 15" screen, 24GB ram, 512 GB SSD. I've had a bunch of Dell laptops provided by work over the years, and the Apple laptops are just so much nicer in every way, IMO. Especially the trackpad.

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-air/15-inch-midnight-apple-m3-chip-with-8-core-cpu-and-10-core-gpu-16gb-memory-512gb#

(of course I like Mac...)

STEG

@nick_papageorge073
Thank you for your answer.

Personally I try to get as far as possible from Apple products (I had in the past) and I don't want to start a debate on this but shortly, this is the opposite of having a Linux laptop. Your answer might help some people to consider an Apple laptop and this is great from you.


@jnewth_onshape
I don't use the touch pad, I use a 3 buttons mouse.

Portability is not a concern for me since I will use it in my travel trailer during my trip so the weight won't be an issue.

Also, I requested System76 to perform a Compatibility check (https://cad.onshape.com/check) on the Serval with the RTX4060 and the RTX 4070 and they should come back to me today with the results. I will then be able to compare it with my desktop RTX 3060.


I'll post here when my decision is made and I have the new laptop.