Brand new to GIS, what laptop should I purchase?

ChloeCola

Hi, I’m not sure if this post is appropriate as it is not related to an error or troubleshoot issue, however, I would really appreciate some input on what kind of laptop I should buy as a brand new GIS user. I currently do not have a computer so I am okay with investing although I would like to keep my purchase under $1,000.

I am taking an introductory GIS course but I know that I will be using GIS in my masters and later on in my career. So what affordable laptop do you all recommend for a new GIS user who would also like to use the laptop for other purposes like school?

DanPatterson

ArcGIS Pro 3.4 system requirements—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

This lists the requirements to run ArcGIS Pro. "Recommended" should be considered the bare minimum and if you have any work involving imagery and/or deep learning, then you need a more powerful machine.

If you happen to be in a store, key in the above link on a display model. There is a link

Verify your computer's ability to run ArcGIS Pro.

which would give you a first hand assessment if the machine at hand is able to.

Otherwise, you can compare the specs manually or consider a desktop.

... sort of retired...

BobBooth1

If you plan to do Deep Learning in ArcGIS Pro on the machine, see this tutorial:

https://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/get-ready-for-deep-learning-in-arcgis-pro/

You will want a GPU that has at least 8GB of dedicated GPU memory, and it must support CUDA (an NVIDIA technology).

You might look at gaming laptops (I got a mid-range gaming laptop that has worked well for me) and if you are on a budget of $1000, you might check out one or two year old refurbished gaming laptops, or refurbished workstation-class laptops. Sadly, these laptops tend to be heavy.

Another option, as Dan suggested, it to go with a desktop form-factor (which will be more expandable and offer higher power to price ratio).

BobBooth1

Also, many universities have cloud computing setups, so you can remote-desktop connect to a cloud machine that has the capacity to run GIS software from a less-capable machine. Check with your department, your library, or your IT folks.

BobBooth1