I intend to get an inexpensive Windows lap top over the weekend to run Vectric V carve. Couple of questions: Does Vcarve do the layout as well as the toolpath? Will it run OK with 8GB of ram? (most of the laptops in my price range have 8GB). Lastly, if none of this made sense let me know. We are a Mac household and this will be my first Windows adventure in probably 25 years (PS, I'm not looking forward to it). The one I have my eye on right at the moment is an Intel 5 core (or something like that) and runs Windowss 11 home.

OK found this-

 

Vectric's V-Carve software requires a 2 GHz or faster multi-core x86/x64 CPU, 2 GB of RAM, and at least 700 MB of hard drive space for installation. It runs on Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 and needs a 1024 x 768 or higher display resolution. While a dedicated GPU isn't mandatory for the minimum specs, a more powerful card with 2 GB of dedicated RAM and OpenGL 3.3 or later is recommended for the best performance, especially for 3D features. 

Minimum requirements

Operating System: Windows 7, 8/8.1, 10, or 11

CPU: 2 GHz Multi-Core X86 or x64

RAM: 2 GB

Hard Drive Space: 700 MB for program installation (7.7 GB if including all tutorials and clipart)

Display: 1024 x 768 resolution 

Recommended for better performance 

CPU: A faster processor like an Intel Core i5 or i7 is recommended for smoother operation.

RAM: 8 GB or more is suggested for better performance with modern applications.

Storage: A Solid State Drive (SSD) will significantly speed up performance.

Graphics Card: A dedicated GPU with a minimum of 2 GB of RAM and support for OpenGL 3.3 or newer is recommended for 3D features.

Display: A monitor with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 or higher is ideal for a more spacious and detailed work area. 

 

Here's a video for running on a MAC

 

Thanks, Lew. I'm aware of those simulator programs for Macs that run Windows; I just don't think I won't to try that. I', not a computer geek, running something native is hard enough. One thing I noticed about processor speed, some of them quote a variable, as in "up to 3.4 GHz, or sometimes "1.3 to 2.5Ghz". Any idea what that means?

Edited November 28, 2025Nov 28 by Fred W. Hargis Jr

I'm the same "in reverse" about relying on simulators for Mac to Windows. From the quick scans I read, folks are running the Vectric V carve software on older computers with integrated graphic cards.

Well, the clock speed threw me a curve. I found one that has the needed speed (an HP) but it was about $100 more than i wanted to spend. I put it in the cart, I have until the end of the day to pull the trigger.

1 hour ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Well, the clock speed threw me a curve. I found one that has the needed speed (an HP) but it was about $100 more than i wanted to spend. I put it in the cart, I have until the end of the day to pull the trigger.

what speed did the first one have?

 

The first one had a clock speed of 1.7 GHz. The second one had a clock speed of 4.3 GHz. I went ahead and ordered it.It's an HP with an AMD processor and I really wanted to stay with an Intel but this one will work for what I want (I hope). Both of them met all the other specs, thanks for your help.