My first post Paul so I hope this is the correct way to do it.

http://www.mysolidbox.com/

If you do not want to build a computer yourself this link is a US company
that uses Dell products and sets them up specific for Solidworks.
They use 64bit Windows7 but they remove all unnecessary junk, use up
to date drives, workstation graphics, etc. The net result is a
tested configuration at cheaper than Dell prices. I assume if they
work well with solidworks they will work well with most cad. I wish
we had this service in Australia. I have looked at most of the cad
products mentioned. Rhino and Alibre are great for the price but if
you are younger or still building a career, one consideration is
that skill with a programs like Inventor, Solidworks or Pro Engineer
can take you places, get you that promotion, maybe lead to a
completely different way of making a buck. They will all take time
to lean, which is the really expensive part. Some have the potential
to help you in more ways than just the project you have in mind,
right this minute.

Ideal computer: Powerful desktop plus mobile computer capable of
communicating with desktop via net. Meaning that you can use the
power of the desktop on the laptop/notebook, just depends on how
good your eyesight is.

Cad software prices are nearly twice the price here in Australia
even with a relatively competitive dollar over the last 12mths or
so. I think it has something to do with us being the first to take
the Americas Cup out of the US. Perhaps if you win it back cad
prices may drop here.

Steve from AU

We got it back. Ironically organized by a guy that supplies Linux software.
It was an Aussie that skippered the boat. Thanks for the help guys.

Oracle Racing helmsman 30-year-old Australian James Spithill.

USA was fitted with a sail which dwarfs the largest wing sail ever
produced previously. Towering nearly 225 feet above the deck the boat
cannot sail under the Golden Gate bridge.
The BMW Oracle team says it is 100 percent bigger than a wing on a
747 airplane (102ft). This was a massive  undertaking,said Tim
Smyth, who, along with Mark Turner, oversaw the rigid wing
construction team. He pointed out that from a design standpoint,
they were in uncharted territory, as building a wing sail of
this size was something new for all of us."

Paul Lamar

CUBIC $$$. You have to love us Canuks at the Olympics. Eh.

Dale Davies