CAD software’s are in demand, and related tasks are becoming more intensive. That means they require more power and memory. CAD software and the type of work you want to do demand hardware and software that gives the best performance. Keeping this in mind, we have highlighted the importance of memory, processor, software, and storage in your laptop that should be your considerations while buying a laptop for AutoCAD. After this, this article enlists the best laptops for AutoCAD. This article is an all-in-one where you will get the list of best laptops to run AutoCAD and recommendations and considerations that you should be aware of if you want to buy the best laptop for AutoCAD.
Minimum Specifications:
Before jumping on the list of best laptops for cad, let’s first throw light on the considerations.
1: Processor:
Being the heart of a laptop, it is responsible for all computing tasks. The power and performance of your computer largely depend upon the processor. Prominent names in the processor market include Intel, Ryzen, and RyzenThreadripper CPUs, etc. But the famous name is the Intel series. Speaking, the processor should be your first consideration while buying a laptop. It helps better perform CAD-related computing tasks.
2: Cores and Threads:
Another consideration that is important to be kept in mind is cores and thread. With the advancement of technology, single and dual-core processors are rare. The most commonly used processors these days have more than four cores. Fast processing and multiple operations demand more cores hence past processing. Moreover, newer rendering software such as blender, Vray, or Maya is generally multithreaded. In this case, a processor with more cores will be better. In short, the more the cores, the better the performance will be.
3: RAM:
Usually called, physical memory allows you to open programs of different numbers and sizes at one time. As modern software becomes more complex and hardcore, there is a need for colossal memory to let you open more than one program at one time. For example, 8GB RAM and 16GB RAM are the minimum requirement for 2D CAD and 3D CAD, respectively. But here, a common misconception we all have heard about is that more RAM means your laptop will run fast. This is incorrect. More RAM means that you have more space to work on more enormous datasets before Windows begins to use the virtual memory. So, RAM is an important thing to be kept in mind while buying AutoCAD laptops.
4: Graphics Card:
It is generally believed that the most demanding graphics cards are made primarily for CAD-related computing tasks. That is not right. Laptop for home use, laptop for professional use, and using multi-application at one time are some factors to consider when deciding on a GPU. The former is recommended to purchase a gaming-grade card, while the latter to buy a professional card. It is challenging to suggest what to go for, but as a typical rule, remember that the GPU should have at least 4GB of VRAM.
Top Picks:
Best Laptops for AutoCAD:
As we have discussed above, buying a laptop to run cad requires many things to be kept in mind. Let’s review the best laptops for AutoCAD to handle more mainstream CAD software with the standard type of workflow.
• Dell 15.6 inch Gaming Laptop:
The first laptop that comes into the list of the best laptops for AutoCAD is the Dell 15.6 inch gaming laptop. As Dell is a brand to trust, this model is the best laptop for AutoCAD. This AutoCAD laptop has a quad-core Intel i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics card that comes to the configuration of this laptop for AutoCAD makes this best AutoCAD laptop to handle CAD software with ease. Moreover, 8GB DDR3 RAM and 256GB SSD add another attractive factor in this best laptop to run AutoCAD. This good laptop for AutoCAD also comes with the preinstalled Windows 10 OS. In short, this best laptop for cad is a complete package that will not disappoint you and will run 2D/3D CAD software with comfort.
• MSI GL72M:
In the league of professional laptops, MSI has earned its name with its reliability, and this best computer for AutoCAD is no exception. With Intel i7 quad-core processor and a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, this laptop that can run AutoCAD is a good option for 2D/3D CAD software. Moreover, there comes 8GB DDR4 RAM with this best cad laptop. Although the graphics card is of little memory, this deficiency is made up of an additional 1TB HHD. Preinstalled Windows 10 OS further enhances the performance of this cad laptop. Except that, look, and grace of this best laptop AutoCAD is appealing. The look of this laptop AutoCAD is as attractive as its performance. Such is an appeal of this laptop for cad that fulfills all AutoCAD laptop requirements. So, the best laptop for AutoCAD, answer to this question lies in the mode MSI GL72M.
• HP Omen:
Another laptop that makes its place in the best laptops AutoCAD is HP Omen. HP, with this best laptop computer for AutoCAD, has not disappointed its customers. If you have intensive CAD software computing tasks, this laptop to run AutoCAD is a good option. The best features of this best computer for AutoCAD are 128GB SSD for boot drive along with 1TB HDD and its large display of 17.3 inches. In addition to this, this best laptop for AutoCAD and Revit has an Intel i7 7700HQ processor, which has four cores, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050i 4GB graphics card, and 8GB DDR4 RAM that make this best computer to run cad an appealing choice.
In addition to this, the backlit keyboard and FHD IPS display add beauty to one of the best laptops for cad software, HP Omen. Preinstalled Windows 10 OS also comes with this best AutoCAD computer. This would not be wrong to say that this cheap laptop for AutoCAD is truly for CAD software and is one of the best AutoCAD computers.
• Razer Blade:
This 14 inch Razer blade laptop is one of the best laptops for cad work. This drafting laptop comes with an Intel Core i7 processor with four cores and 6GB of NVIDIA GeForce VRAM. Another appealing factor of this one of the certified laptops is its storage with 16GB DDR4 RAM and 256 GB SSD. Moreover, this laptop for cad design has preinstalled Windows 10 OS that enhances the speed and performance of this best laptop for cad-cam. Thus, this laptop for cad and 3D modeling can handle graphics-intensive tasks such as simulation and rendering without the sweat.
• Dell Inspiron Gaming Laptop:
Dell is dominant in the market of professional laptops that has earned its name due to affordability and performance. Dell Inspiron gaming laptop is one of the best cad laptops. This Dell laptop for AutoCAD is equipped with preinstalled Windows 10 OS. Moreover, the very dell AutoCAD laptop is armed with an Intel i7 7700HQ processor with four cores. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 4GB graphics fulfill the requirements required for CAD software-related computing tasks.
8GB DDR4 RAM with 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD add another appealing factor in this dell AutoCAD. In addition to this, this cheap laptop for AutoCAD comes at an affordable price. If you have a limited budget, this AutoCAD best buy is within the range. When it comes to port connectivity, there are many port connections in this pc for AutoCAD. In short, all these features along with low price make this best pc for AutoCAD one of the best computers for cad program.
• Lenovo ThinkPad P50 and P51:
In the modern-day computer market, Lenovo has made its name the most reliable professional laptop brand. So, the Lenovo P50 and P51 are no exception to this, making them the best computers for cad. Be it AutoCAD graphics card requirements, AutoCAD GPU requirements, AutoCAD software requirements, AutoCAD 2020 system requirements, or AutoCAD recommended specs, and all are available in this best computer for Autodesk inventor. This best desktop for AutoCAD comes with an Intel Xeon processor with four cores, 4GB NVIDIA Quadro VRAM, and 16GB DDR4 RAM. In addition to this, preinstalled Windows 7 professional and 256GB SSD are other attractive features of this 3D design laptop.
However, ThinkPad P51 is an upgraded version of P50 with slight changes. 32 GB DDR4 RAM, Windows 10 OS, 512GB SSD, and fingerprint reader have upgraded features of this AutoCAD computer. In short, these two models fulfill AutoCAD recommendations and are 3D capable laptops.
• ASUS ROG Zephyrus S:
Another laptop that fulfills AutoCAD minimum requirements with ease and is a good laptop for the latest AutoCAD is ASUS ROG Zephyrus S. This laptop for SketchUp is the best computer SketchUp. Like ThinkPad laptops, this AutoCAD desktop computer has all the requirements for AutoCAD like NVIDIA AutoCAD, Autodesk inventor specs, AutoCAD multithreaded, AutoCAD video cards, Microsoft AutoCAD, civil 3D system requirements, CPU for cad, best GPU for cad, Autodesk certified graphics card or AutoCAD civil 3D 2018 system requirements.
Coming to specs of this cheap laptop with the graphics card, it comes with Intel Core i7-8750H, NVIDIA GeForce GTX1070, and Windows 10 Home as OS. These features make this budget laptop with a graphics card suitable for CAD software and other related tasks. Moreover, 16GB DDR4 and 512GB SSD allow you to open more than one program at one time. However, the battery is a shortcoming of this budget cad workstation. But overall performance and specs make this model the best pc for cad.
• ASUS TUF FX505DT:
While making the list of best AutoCAD computers, you cannot miss the name of ASUS TUF FX505DT. Asus has made this best computer for drafting very appealing. This AutoCAD system requirements laptop is armed with AMD Ryzen 5 R5-3550H and Windows 10 Home OS preinstalled. These two make this best cad computer run fast and satisfy 3D designers. Moreover, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card is the best graphics card for AutoCAD.
In addition to this, a 15.6-inch full HD display with a resolution of 1920*1080 pixels is another attractive factor of this 3D modeling laptop. However, everything has a weakness. The same goes with this best cad pc. Battery life is something you have to give the sacrifice of when you buy this fastest laptop. Even with all this, this auto laptop has all the AutoCAD specifications and an HD cad computer that is suitable for simulation and rendering.
• Acer Nitro 5:
In making the AutoCAD workstations list, Acer Nitro 5 will be included as Acer is a name of reliability and is the top laptop maker, this 3d card workstation. Unlike other models and brands that struggle as far as the battery is concerned, this best laptop for fusion has a battery life of 8 hours. That means that you can use this best pc for graphics design, even for the latest AutoCAD. The system requirements for AutoCAD are met by Intel core i5-9300H and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, the best graphics card for graphics design. This workstation laptop possesses the best GPU for cad. When it comes to memory and storage, 8GB DDR4 and 256GB SSD ensure multi-programming in this best computer for 3d rendering. Windows 10 Home OS also comes with this AutoCAD laptop. In look, this best laptop AutoCAD is as good as its performance.
For example, a 15.6-inch full HD display with a maximum resolution of 1920*1080 pixels and a comfortable backlit display are attractive features of this best cad laptop. However, portability can be an issue of this best AutoCAD computer due to its heavy weight. That is why carrying this best computer for Autodesk may be troubling. But this sacrifice is less prominent for what you are getting in this drafting laptop. In short, this model is suitable for CAD software and is the best computer for cad work.
Wrapping Up:
To pen off, we can say that drafting software applications like AutoCAD and high-end design are intensive tasks that require laptops with more power and performance. For buying a laptop for these hardcore computing tasks, you should keep in mind specific considerations like storage, graphics card, CPU and battery life, etc. The laptops reviewed above are AutoCAD system requirements laptops with AutoCAD computer recommendations. So, whether you are an engineer, designer, or real estate developer, any of the laptops mentioned above can be used for your CAD software.
Best laptop for AutoCAD-a buyer’s guide
AutoCAD is the most popular software used by engineers, architects, and designers. It is one of the oldest tools in the business and has gained the trust of millions of professionals worldwide.
The tool is used for different types of interface customization. It is used to make 3D models, 2D drawings, shaping objects, and much more. You need a capable laptop to take full advantage of AutoCAD.
This article has been written to help you pick the best type of laptop for AutoCAD without making any unnecessary expenses. The goal is also to help you make AutoCAD designs faster and improve your productivity in the long run.
5 things to look for in a laptop for AutoCAD
The first piece of advice for you is to never rely on the minimum requirements of software like AutoCAD. Just because the minimum requirement is low doesn’t mean you can use the software properly.
If you follow the minimum requirement of AutoCAD, you will be frustrated. The software will stutter and may crash while you operate it. Hence, the following guide outlines the recommended setup for extracting the best performance out of AutoCAD. We always recommend laptops that can deal with 3D so you can future-proof your computer and increase versatility.
Processor
The laptop processor is the most important consideration for AutoCAD. The faster the processor, the better the results.
The clock speed and the number of cores are the crucial things to consider before buying a laptop for AutoCAD. Laptops with over 2.4 GHz of clock speeds and 4-core/6-core processors are recommended. You can go beyond that but not below that. A 2-core processor with less than 2.4 GHz of clock speed will be able to handle basic AutoCAD operations, not the complex ones.
Intel processors are the most popular ones amongst AutoCAD users. Core i5 and Core i7 processors beyond 8th gen will do great. If you cannot afford an i7 processor, just take a Core i5. It will be good enough for the job. But we don’t recommend going below 7th gen.
Alternatively, you can use AMD processors. AMD Ryzen 5 & Ryzen 7 series processors have excellent performance. You can consider them for AutoCAD as well.
RAM
The RAM is the next most important thing on our list. You should get decent performance from a DDR4 8 GB RAM. But if you want the best and a smooth AutoCAD performance, 16 GB RAM is recommended. A higher amount of RAM will make things easier when you multitask.
If you’re a professional and do a lot of extensive work on AutoCAD, a 32 GB RAM can be ideal. But we don’t recommend exceeding that limit (going up to 64 GB).
GPU
The GPU is one of the most important parts of a laptop for AutoCAD. You will need a dedicated graphics card for AutoCAD. But it doesn’t mean you need a high-end graphics card that is used to play high-end games.
So, decent dedicated graphics with minimal VRAM will easily deal with the software and do the renderings you need. Make sure the graphics card has 2 GB RAM at least(4 GB RAM recommended), whatever the model is. You will be able to get faster renderings with a higher amount of VRAM.
Display
The laptop display comes next in our list of priorities. You will spend a lot of time developing designs. You don’t want your hard work to go in vain because of a poor display. The display needs to be color accurate as much as possible, have good resolution, and reduce the damage done to your eyes after hours of working.
You need a wide viewing angle and a high-resolution display for a good experience. The laptop size should be at least 13-14 inches. You can also use a good external monitor if your laptop doesn’t have a decent display.
We recommend a full HD display at least. A 4K panel will give you the best experience. You will love the high resolution. But it’s also expensive. You can get an OLED display or at least an IPS panel with a Full HD display if you are a bit low on budget.
Storage space
You will need a good storage system with ample space to store all your AutoCAD files. You need to have an SSD because it is the fastest type of storage currently. SSDs load software way faster than HDDs. You will have a much smoother experience. You don’t want to miss that. If you have a low budget, settle for 128/256 GB of SSD storage.
However, 128/256 GB will not be enough. You can get additional HDDs for the extra space you need. It will save you a lot of money but will get the job done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CPU-focused or a GPU-focused laptop for AutoCAD?
You will need a CPU-focused laptop for AutoCAD. A basic GPU model will easily run the AutoCAD operations smoothly. But an average processor will not be able to deal with AutoCAD smoothly. So, when you buy a laptop for AutoCAD, make sure it has a powerful processor and a decent GPU.
How much RAM do I need to support AutoCAD?
Like we said earlier, do not rely on the minimum requirements. Get yourself an 8 GB RAM laptop. If possible, go beyond that. An 8 GB DDR4 RAM should be enough. But if you want a future-proof computer and want a better experience, you can go up to 16/32/64 GB of RAM. Some laptops have extra RAM slots. You can upgrade them later.
What does the GPU do in a laptop for AutoCAD?
Most modern laptops come with integrated GPUs. These are good enough for 2D rendering and modeling. But if you want 3D support, you must get a laptop with a dedicated GPU. A dedicated GPU will support advanced features like Ray Tracing, Photorealistic Rendering, Mesh modeling, etc. Your type of usage will determine the type of laptop you need.
Final Words
Hopefully, you have found this article useful. Leave a comment below if you have any questions. We will try to get back to you. Thanks for reading, and good luck buying the best laptop for your AutoCAD projects.