Blender help/ Advice

for a "sculpting" program, look into Sculptris - it is put out by Z-Brush and pretty easy to get a grasp of - and it is free to download.
You start with a ball of virtual clay, and push, pull & poke it to sculpt your piece - almost like working with real clay.

Blender is, without a doubt, a very versatile program, but has a rather steep learning curve.
I use it a lot for making modifications to existing stl files, and for creating 3d logos from a picture - not so much for sculpting things, but I am not really that good with it, either. I have a decent grasp of the basics, but nothing really advanced.

can you add memory to your existing laptop or is it maxed out? Might be a cheaper way to go for short term if you can add to what you already have - just a thought. my current desktop isnt much more than your laptop - except in the memory department... 64 bit dual core 3.0mghz processor, but I have 12gig of RAM installed - makes a world of difference.

I haven't done any clay sculpting since I was play-do age, LOL (waaaay back when..) but picked up on Sculptris pretty quickly. it is fun to play with. Havent actually tried printing anything made in it yet...one of these days...

Blender is definitely a powerful program, and it will do so much more than I have even tried to do with it - I have barely scratched the surface as far as that goes. but I can do some pretty cool logo stuff with it... this is one for a local cheese company (intended to be a multicolor print, thus the different heights)...

created from this pic of their logo..

I have also done some school logo stuff on a couple of my brain teaser puzzles for people...

Valparaiso University

U of M

and a high school in Minnesota

the bases of the puzzles were created in 123D Design - to add the logo, I first create the 3d logo in Blender, then import a copy of the base to Blender, scale the logo to fit and join the 2 together.

LOL, only certain parts of it.

Back when I had a corporate gig, I used the expensive commercial modeling programs. Now I are self-employed, I'm using strictly freebies. As it happens, when it comes to organic shapes, I rough them out in Sculptris and finish them in Blender (though I think I'm the only person I know with that workflow!). The free tools aren't quite as functional as the paid tools, but for what I'm doing, the difference is vanishingly small.

Blender, like all full 3D programs, has an incredibly steep learning curve. Just remember, for your purposes, you only care about mesh modeling. Don't get off in the weeds with lighting or animation or anything!

complicated objects in Sculptris will eat memory as well, the more polygons you create (every time you "sculpt" something, it creates more polygons), the slower it will run.

In all honesty, I think Blender will probably run better than Sculptris will on your humble laptop.

Memory is going to be your biggest limiting factor. the more you can utilize, the better off you will be

Well I did it  i set up a class 10 sd card as an accelerator chip effectively doubling computer memory and I downloaded sculptris to learn. Some of the tools  are intuitive but seems like little steps are the key try to do too much in a mouse click and things can go sideways fast.
I really need to get back into  DRSB (Drawing on the right side of the brain. I learned to draw years ago but need some practice. Retrain the eye and mind.
I am thinking setting up a track ball as well.

Tin

I did watch a bunch of videos awhile back does not seem to scary . but I have heard the warnings to stay focused and stay off the rabbit trails.

the track ball I have is a hand me down not sure if the switches work may need a rebuild  but it does have a scoll wheel built in.

ah, yeah, that one is a bit different than mine... I use the Logitech marble mouse (ball is on top & operated by fingers, not thumb). I went that route because of carpal tunnel problems - easier on the hand.   It does have it's limitations, but I have learned to deal with them.

yours will be much more compatible having the scroll wheel.

FWIW - Blender is great for tweaking existing stl files - I haven't really found anything else that will do what it does (maybe Meshmixer? but not well enough versed in that yet to make a good comparison)

I used to use Logitech MX Revolution, which I think is probably one of the best all-round mice ever made, but lately the battery couldn't hold a charge even for a day.

So what does one do when the battery needs replacement... one buys another mouse.  The mouse I got is the Razer Ourboros. 

This is also a wireless mouse, but can also be used as a wired mouse, by simply unplugging the USB cord from the charging dock and plugging it directly into the mouse.  This particular mouse is aimed at gamers, but I think it's awesome for just about anything, including accurate drawing and CAD work.  It's also very configurable not only in terms of button assignments ans such, but in terms of ergonomics.  It has side plates like wings that give it a very "planted" feel, the palm rest can be moved back and forth to stretch the length, and can also be raised to suit your hand position.

All this and it looks like a transformer spaceship.  Check it out, I highly recommend it.

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-mice/razer-ouroboros

I use a Wacom digitizer tablet for Photoshop, Illustrator and other programs like it, I also use touch pads like the Apple Magic Pad, and of course mice.

But I never could get the hang of using a trackball.  To me it always felt uncomfortable.

they do take a little getting used to, but once you do, it is very hard to go back to a regular mouse. I used our laptop when I went back to school and had a mini mouse for it - that felt awkward for me, LOL.

I have used a trackball for so long now it has become second nature

this is the one I use: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/trackman-marble
works for both left & right handed folks and the slim profile saves space (i have a small desk for one computer) I find I have excellent cursor control when working in Photoshop, and other programs, and it is quite easy on my hand. I also have a Kensington version that was given to me that is very similar hooked up to the printer computer, but it has a wider/shorter base (not as comfortable). May pick up another Logitech to replace it.

the one that Tin has, has more functionality than mine, but I find that style awkward to use.

what kind of computer/OS are you trying to run it on? I have no problems on my Win7 machines (have 2 computers, both with Sculptris installed)