Best Laptops for CAD

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The best CAD laptops are excellent investments for engineers, architects, and students. Numerous CAD programs are very demanding, so make sure the computer you purchase is up for the challenge. A powerful computer speeds up your work and provides a more pleasing experience than a low-powered computer.

This means splurging a bit more money on a laptop with more power is worth it. As a result, we’ve thoroughly researched the best laptops for CAD and found Dell XPS 15 is the overall best laptop for CAD. This article will also examine other top laptops that can run Autodesk’s AutoCAD sufficiently. 

Review Of the Best Laptops For CAD

1. Overall Best CAD Laptop – Dell XPS 15 

Key Features:

• 15.6″ FHD+ display
• 16GB RAM
• 9th Generation Intel Core i5 processor
• 256GB SSD storage

The Dell XPS 15 is the overall best CAD laptop. You can run the AutoCAD software effectively if you have a powerful processor. This laptop’s camera placement is stunning. This laptop features a 16:10 inch display with an appealing edge-to-edge view.

Furthermore, you can use Dolby Vision to take advantage of HDR content’s dynamic range and see colors you’ve never seen before. This machine can run AutoCAD software efficiently thanks to its generous 16GB of RAM and 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor.

Pros:

• Impressive performance 
• Outstanding display 
• Comfortable to use

Cons:

• Expensive

2. Best Budget CAD Laptop – Acer Aspire 5  

Key Features:

• Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor
• 8GB RAM
• 15.6″ FHD display
• 512B storage

Don’t worry if the Dell XPS 15 is out of your price range. This laptop is significantly less expensive while still capable of running CAD software efficiently and reliably. This machine is a capable performer with an 11th Gen Intel processor clocked at 4.2GHz and 8GB RAM. Furthermore, with 512GB of storage, you’ll have plenty of room to save all of your designs. In addition, the battery life of up to 9 hours is quite remarkable for a budget laptop.

Although the Acer Aspire is a standard size of 15.6″ is and has FHD resolution, the overall picture quality reflects the laptop’s budget price. Additionally, the contrast, viewing angles, brightness, color accuracy are worse than those on more expensive laptops on the list.

However, this may not be an issue if you aren’t working on colorful designs and simply want to create standard diagrams with CAD software. In that case, we’d call the Acer Aspire 5 the best budget CAD laptop available.

Pros:

• Affordable price 
• Good performance 
• Good sized screen
• Portable design

Cons:

• Sub-par display quality

3. Best Powerful CAD Laptop – MacBook Pro  

Key Features:

• 16GB RAM
• Apple M1 Pro chip processor
• 14″ Liquid Retina XDR display
• 1TB SSD storage

This is the most powerful MacBook Apple has ever created, running macOS on Apple’s 8-core M1 Pro chip with 16GB of RAM. The MacBook Pro can adequately run AutoCAD and 3D modeling software such as Maya, Fusion 360, and 3DS Max. It’s also worth noting that iOS can run on the MacBook, and you can launch the AutoCAD iPhone app on the Mac.

Also, this laptop has the longest battery life of any MacBook, lasting up to 16 hours. If you’re working intensely in AutoCAD, you’ll almost certainly get under 16 hours of battery life, but the battery life will undoubtedly last a whole day on a single charge. You’ll also get the most stunning, high-resolution display.

The MacBook Pro is one of the most powerful Macs ever made, and its specs might be too much for many people’s needs. However, if you’re searching for a high-end Apple computer and can pay a premium, you won’t find a better option.

Pros:

• Incredible performance 
• Huge battery life
• Stunning liquid retina display
• Portable design

Cons:

• Expensive 

4. Best Large CAD Laptop – LG Gram 17

Key Features:

• 17″ IPS display
• 16GB RAM
• 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor
• 2TB SSD storage

So far, all of the laptops we’ve featured have standard-sized displays. But what if you prefer viewing your designs on a larger screen? We recommend this computer, which has a 17-inch display. The laptop features an IPS display that is large and stunning, with vibrant and nuanced colors and rich blacks. Furthermore, this machine features a sharp resolution which produces impressive details required when working on complex 3D models.

Thanks to the 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, and 16GB RAM, it’s a strong performer overall. So, whether you’re using AutoCAD or another 3D modeling program, you can expect a responsive, smooth, and quick experience. Furthermore, this laptop is impressively lightweight. This excellent laptop debunks the myth that large laptops must be large and bulky.

Pros: 

• Light for a large laptop
• Excellent display
• Powerful performance

Cons:

• Keys may get hot when over-heated

5. Best Convertible CAD Laptop – HP Spectre X360 

Key Features:

• 13.3” LED display
• 16GB RAM
• 11^th Gen Intel Core i7 processor
• 512GB SSD storage

Touch support and mobile apps support are available in CAD programs such as AutoCAD. As a result, you might be searching for a convertible computer. You can then switch between laptop and tablet mode, giving you multi-functionality. We recommend this laptop if you’re searching for something that fits this bill. First, it’s highly convertible, and the screen can rotate 360 degrees.

Firstly, it’s a convertible, and the screen can rotate 360 degrees.  It can also be used in tent mode for presentations. Secondly, this laptop offers powerful performance with the most recent Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB RAM, which allows you to run resource-intensive 3D modeling software. 

However, the 13.3” touchscreen’s resolution is less remarkable than others featured on the list. A free, rechargeable and high-quality stylus also come with the package. The HP Spectre X360 is the best convertible CAD laptop available.

Pros:

• Quality stylus included 
• Powerful processor 
• Portable and convertible design
• Good battery life

Cons:

• A bit pricy
• Stiff touchpad
• No HDMI ports

Things To Consider Before Buying A Laptop For CAD

Processor

AutoCAD is primarily a single core application, and aside from 2D regeneration, there is very little in AutoCAD that requires multiple cores. However, this does not render a multicore processor obsolete for AutoCAD. Even though this is a single-core application, we recommend a 4-core processor with a high clock speed.

Bear in mind that multiple cores will allow you to leave plenty of room on your laptop for other applications like Zoom, Spotify while still allowing AutoCAD to run smoothly. Autodesk recommends a minimum clock speed of 2.5 GHz, but this is only adequate for small 2D drawings up to a few MBs; you’ll need a faster CPU for a larger data set.

Even though clock speed is an important consideration when choosing a CPU, it is not the only factor. The CPU’s build architecture is also essential. For example, a newer CPU with a lower clock speed will outperform an older one with a higher clock speed due to the CPU architecture that efficiently processes data. 

However, if you choose a CPU from the same generation, always opt for one with a higher clock speed. Another factor to consider when purchasing a processor is the type and size of cache memory. Another factor to consider is overclocking, which is the extra speed your CPU can achieve when performing intensive tasks if it is adequately cooled. However, not all CPUs can be overclocked. 

RAM

The amount of RAM determines the number and size of concurrent programs that can be open simultaneously. Although AutoCAD can work well with 8GB of RAM for 2D drawings and some 3D components. We recommend at least 16GB of RAM for optimal use and future-proofing of the laptop.

Suppose your CAD software requires more RAM than your laptop has installed. In that case, Windows will redirect the allocation to virtual memory (a section of the hard disk configured to emulate the computer’s RAM), allowing you to continue working but making designing sluggish and slow.

So, if you only work with larger file sizes, upgrading to 32 GB or more RAM is appropriate, but for standard CAD designs, 16 GB is perfect. RAM is relatively affordable these days, and you can buy a computer with 8GB RAM and upgrade it to your preference.

A common misconception is that adding more RAM will instantly make your laptop run faster. However, this isn’t the case. If your computer has 32GB RAM, but your programs only use 9GB of RAM, the laptop will perform the same as if you had 16GB or 64GB RAM installed. More RAM means that you have more breathing room to work on larger datasets before Windows starts using virtual memory. 

Graphics Card 

As previously stated, AutoCAD is a single core application heavily reliant on the processor for performance, but it also uses the GPU in some areas. A dedicated GPU will significantly improve performance, particularly 3D rendering and complex 3D model designs.

We advise you to avoid integrated graphics if your work requires complex 3D modeling and rendering. Even if you only work with 2D drawings, you should avoid integrated GPUs because they are not upgradeable.

An Autodesk-certified graphics card, such as the NVIDIA Quadro, will work well with the CAD software, and we recommend at least 4GB of VRAM. So, if your job requires you to work with 2D drawings, we recommend opting for an entry-level dedicated GPU rather than splurging on high-end GPUs.

Hard Drive

We recommend never using a hard disk drive (HDD) as the boot drive; instead, use a Solid-State Drive (SSD). This is because hard disk drives are larger and have more moving parts. Solid-state drives, on the other hand, have no moving parts and thus are generally faster and more stable. 

SSDs are generally classified into two types, either SATA or PCIe. A SATA SSD is a good investment if you’re on a tight budget because, despite the higher latency and slower data transfer rate, it’s still much faster than an HDD. However, choose a PCIe SSD for the best performance because it’s much quicker than its counterpart.

Cooling Vents and Ports

These may not appear significant, but they make a difference in performance. Cooling is essential for the GPU and the CPU, so look for a computer with a functional heat vent design. Ensure that these vents are not obstructed and that they are cleaned regularly. At higher temperatures, you’ll notice a drop in CPU performance. We recommend purchasing laptops with at least one type C and USB 3—X port.

Conclusion

We have covered five of the best laptops for CAD. We recommend thoroughly assessing the specifications to ensure that you’re getting a laptop that meets your needs and budget. Here is our final verdict on the best laptops for CAD:

1. Best Overall CAD Laptop: Dell XPS 15
2. Best Large CAD Laptop: LG Gram 17
3. Best Budget CAD Laptop: Acer Aspire 5 

Frequently Asked Questions