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Any computer boffins on here?
designer - 8/12/24 at 12:26 PM

I want to set up my old Autocad software on a stand alone PC, to be used for laser cutting layouts only and WiFi to send them; nothing more.
I have a decent VDU, so I'm thinking about a mini computer and an old Windows system.

Any recommendations?

coyoteboy - 8/12/24 at 12:46 PM

I picked up a 40 quid used NUC (fujitsu q920) and it runs pretty much my whole house using VMs, a windows 10 and a Linux plus 2 linux containers. It did need a WiFi USB dongle though.

[Edited on 8/12/2024 by coyoteboy]

Sam_68 - 8/12/24 at 04:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by designerI want to set up my old Autocad software...


First thing is to check the Windows compatibility and system requirements of whatever version of AutoCAD you want to run. On the one hand, there will be minimum hardware requirements. On the other, some older versions of AutoCAD simply won't run on later versions of Windows.

Then check Windows compatibility with any other software (for your CNC laser cutter, or whatever).

SteveWalker - 9/12/24 at 10:33 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Sam_68
quote:
Originally posted by designerI want to set up my old Autocad software...


First thing is to check the Windows compatibility and system requirements of whatever version of AutoCAD you want to run. On the one hand, there will be minimum hardware requirements. On the other, some older versions of AutoCAD simply won't run on later versions of Windows.


And older versions of Windows may not run on newer PCs.

I occasionally use an old Autocad (2000i LT) on a modern (Windows 11) machine, by running Windows XP as a virtual machine.