Hi Bjarmi
I would agree with Oyvind on this. VW does what you need for cnc and laser cutting, and I do find that the mechanical module doesn't really offer that much that is really machine design specific. Lots of bolts and bearings (alot of which I get from the internet anyway) but not 3D dimensioning or 3D contraints or collision/interference of moving parts. I'm sure it's coming and I hope it's in VW2010, it would be welcomed by many I'm sure.
I have used both Inventor and solidworks and both are really good at what they do. Although having said that I've been using 3D scans of body parts lately and there are some somethings that VW can do that Inventor won't (like extracting complicated nurbs surfaces from a mouth!)
My problem is the cost comparison. I in my opinion you get alot for you money with VW and it covers a much wider gamut. I am also (dare I start another PC/Mac silliness) a Mac user so unless I run Windows on my Mac or by a seperate system, VW is the best for what I do.
Guy