Hey All,

I am new to Solidworks, and want to invest in a laptop that will run Solidworks without any serious limitations (I am fine with less-than-optimal-speed or quality, just as long as all features run).  I am considering a refurbished Asus: i7, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD, Intel HD 3000 Graphics Card.  It run Windows 7 Home Premium, and I have been hearing that only Windows 7 Professional is compatible with Solidworks.  Is this true?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230824

I am also looking at a Lenovo W530 mobile workstation.  This is clearly a superior machine, but it is also costlier.  Also, it has slightly less GB of HDD, (500 vs 750).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834312354

I have heard the terms 'rendering', 'simulation' and 'Realview'.  To what do these refer, and would both systems be able to do these?