Are you looking for a laptop for AutoCAD? If you’re finding a laptop to run CAD programs, then surely you are prepared with the budget you have to spend on a high-end machine. All professional architects use software like AutoCAD, 3D Max, Revit, and Solidworks. To run such types of heavy applications, you need a high-end configuration laptop that suits your needs.
In this buying guide, we have created a list of the best laptops for AutoCAD and 3D modeling with a powerful processor, RAM, high storage, and full HD display. We’ve spent countless hours searching and came up with these shortlisted eight powerful machines to get your work done.
Before discussing the list, let’s proceed to the buying guide to finding the best AutoCAD laptops of 2021.
Important things to consider before buying a good laptop for AutoCAD work
As you’re going to spend your hard-earned money to buy these high-end laptops, it is important to check a few things on a laptop for CAD works. Apart from graphics and processors, you also need to check its RAM, storage, battery, and overall performance so that you’ll get a better user experience for CAD, 2D or 3D modeling work. So, let read them in detail…
Processor –
To run AutoCAD, it is necessary to have a fast processor that can run AutoCAD and other related heavy software seamlessly. We recommend the latest 10th generation Intel Core i7 or i5 processor because they are faster than their predecessors. However, 8the gen Intel’s Core i7 processor is also reliable if you’re on a limited budget.
Graphics –
For AutoCAD, you don’t need a gaming graphics card but a decent graphics card that delivers a smooth workflow while running these applications software. If you’re working with complex 3D models, a laptop with AMD or Nvidia Quadro GPU series would be wise to spend your money on.
RAM –
To run the intensive software, we’d not recommend you to buy anything below 8GB. If you can spend more, try to 16GB or higher RAM, if you are a heavy multitasker and working on 3D modeling and rendering.
Storage –
For AutoCAD, an SSD is highly recommended to make your machine faster and a lot more responsive. You can choose the amount of storage based on your budget and requirements. And, if you don’t have enough money for a high storage SSD, you can buy a laptop with an extra empty slot for it.
Display –
The display is another important factor to consider for AutoCAD laptops. You can not use a laptop with 11″ or 13″ for AutoCAD or 3Ds Modelling. We’d recommend you to go with 15″ or 17″ laptop with 1080p or higher resolution.
Now, you know the important things to check before buying the laptop for yourself. Let’s proceed to the list of the best laptops to run AutoCAD. We’ve listed laptops from $600 to $3000 budget laptops so that you can choose any of them based on your budget.
Top 8 Best Laptops for AutoCAD
1. Acer Aspire 5 Cheapest Laptop for AutoCAD
Acer Aspire 5 is one of the high-end laptops from Acer which is available at an affordable price rate. The laptop features a 15.6-inch full HD display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. With IPS technology, it delivers bright images from a wide viewing angle. The laptop is powered by the 10th gen Intel Core i5 processor paired with 8GB of RAM making it good for multitasking.
As far as the storage is concerned, this laptop offers 512GB of solid-state drive which is faster than a conventional HDD. The graphics on this laptop are handled by 2GB of NVIDIA GeForce MX250 dedicated graphics which improves the overall performance. The laptop also got a long battery life of 10-hours which makes it capable of most of the demanding tasks. Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 is the best budget laptop for CAD and 2D modeling.
Hardware Specifications of Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575G-57D4 | |
Processor | 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10210u Processor (Up to 4.2GHz) |
RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
Storage | 512GB SSD |
Display | 15.6” Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-lit IPS Display |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce MX250 with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 |
Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
Battery Life | Up to 10-hours |
Weight | 3.97 lbs |
2. Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch) Best MacBook for AutoCAD
If you’re a Mac lover and looking for buying the best MacBook for CAD works, we recommend you to check this New MacBook Pro with touch bar. This MacBook Pro comes with all the essential features so that you can use this laptop for AutoCAD, 3Ds Max, Video/Photo editing work, etc. It comes with a 16-inch full HD retina display along with a resolution of 3072 x 1920 pixels. It is powered by the latest 9th gen Intel Core i7 6-Core processor paired with 16GB of RAM to handle multitasking work smoothly.
As far as the graphics on this notebook is concerned, it comes with 4GB of dedicated AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics which gives you more power, no matter whether you’re doing your AutoCAD work, playing games, or watching movies. The laptop weighs only 4 pounds and offers you up to 10 hours of battery backup for continuous usage. Overall, this 15-inch MacBook Pro is ideal for AutoCAD and other CAD works.
Hardware Specifications of Apple 16″ MacBook Pro | |
Processor | 9th Generation 6-Core Intel Core i7 Processor (Turbo up to 4.5GHz) |
RAM | 16GB RAM |
Storage | 512GB SSD |
Display | 16″ FHD Retina (3072 x 1920) Display |
Graphics | AMD Radeon Pro 5300M Graphics with 4GB of GDDR6 |
Operating System | macOS Mojave |
Battery Life | Up to 11-hours |
Weight | 4.3 lbs |
3. Acer Predator Helios 300 With Core i7 Processor
Acer Predator Helios 300 another budget laptop for AutoCAD and Solidworks. It’s difficult to beat this high-end laptop in terms of performance, design, and portability. It comes with a very slim design and brushed metal finish which makes it a premium machine. The laptop packs with the Intel Core i7-10750h processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of fast SSD storage.
To provide a better experience, this laptop offers 6GB of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 dedicated graphics card. The laptop comes with a 15.6-inch full HD display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels which is an ideal option for AutoCAD as well as graphics designing. It offers a battery backup of 7-hours of normal usage and weighs just 5 pounds. If we consider budget and performance, then Acer Predator Helios 300 is the best laptop for 3D modeling you can buy right now.
Hardware Specifications of Acer Predator Helios 300 | |
Processor | 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 4.5GHz) |
RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
Storage | 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD |
Display | 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 with 6GB GDDR6 memory |
Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
Battery Life | Up to 7 hours |
Weight | 5.07 lbs |
Also Read: Best Laptops For Engineering Students
4. HP Zbook 15V G5 Portable Workstation for CAD
The HP Zbook 15V G5 is the best 2-in-1 mobile workstation laptop which is packed with powerful configurations. It is the latest release from HP which keeps the power for doing extensive CAD works on the go. It comes with a 15-inch full HD touchscreen display with Ambient Light Sensor which adjusts brightness automatically depending on the light level.
The laptop is powered by the Intel Core i7 8th generation processor paired with 32GB of RAM and a massive 2TB of a solid-state drive with 2TB of the hard drive for peak performance. The graphics on this laptop are handled by Nvidia Quadro P600 with 4GB of dedicated memory. Apart from that, the laptop offers 16-hours of long battery life which makes the HP ZBook G5 one of the best laptops for AutoCAD. Moreover, this high-performance laptop packs a punch at a low cost that makes it perfect for students who are prepping for a career in engineering.
Hardware Specifications of HP Zbook 15V G5 | |
Processor | 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 4.1 GHz) |
RAM | 32GB DDR4 |
Storage | 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD+2TB HDD |
Display | 15.6″ diagonal FHD LED UWVA Touchscreen Ambient Light Sensor (1920×1080) Display |
Graphics | NVIDIA Quadro P600 (4 GB GDDR5 dedicated) Graphics |
Operating System | Windows 10 Professional |
Battery Life | Up to 16-hours |
Weight | 4.72 lbs |
5. Lenovo ThinkPad P53
Lenovo ThinkPad P53 is one of the best 15-inch workstation laptops you can buy right now. It is a highly recommended laptop for professionals as well as business people who work on highly intensive software like AutoCAD and 3D modeling. The laptop packs with the 9th gen Intel Core i7 processor coupled with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.
It also includes Nvidia Quadro T2000 graphics which is highly recommended and specially designed for CAD work only. With a 15-inch UHD display, this laptop offers clear and accurate colors with wide-viewing angles. This laptop is also great in terms of battery life which runs up to 14.5-hours for continuous usage. However, the laptop weighs 8.5 pounds, which might not be a good choice for you if you’re looking for a portable workstation laptop to run AutoCAD.
Hardware Specifications of Lenovo ThinkPad P53 Laptop CAD, 3D Modeling & Rendering | |
Processor | 9th Gen Intel six Core i7-9750H Processor (Turbo up to 4.5 GHz) |
RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
Storage | 512GB SSD |
Display | 15.6″ 4K UHD (3840×2160) LED Backlight anti-glare Display |
Graphics | NVIDIA Quadro T2000 Graphics with 4GB GDDR5 |
Operating System | Windows 10 Professional |
Battery Life | Up to 14.25-hours |
Weight | 8.5 lbs |
Related: Top 10 Best 17 Inch Laptops
6. CUK MSI WS65 Mobile Workstation Laptop
MSI is one of the popular brands in the laptop industry. Whether it’s a gaming laptop or a laptop for Solidworks, MSI remains the top priority of professionals. This MSI WS65 is a high-configuration Workstation laptop powered by an Intel 9th gen Core i7 processor paired with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD which helps in faster boot-up times and data access without creating noise.
The laptop has got a 15-inch full HD NTSC thin-bezel display with 1920×1080 pixels of resolution which gives sharp and beautiful colors. As far as graphics on this laptop are concerned, it comes with 6GB of powerful Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000 dedicated graphics. With a weight of just 4.1 pounds and a 0.70″ thin design, you can travel effortlessly anywhere. With 14-hours of long-life battery, it’s a great laptop for AutoCAD and 3D modeling work.
Hardware Specifications of MSI WS65 Mobile Workstation Laptop | |
Processor | Intel 9th Gen Core i9-9880h Hexa Core 6-Core Processor (Turbo up to 4.8 GHz) |
RAM | 32GB DDR4 2400MHz |
Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD |
Display | 15.6″ Full HD (1920×1080) NTSC Thin Bezel IPS Display |
Graphics | NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 6GB GDDR5 Graphics |
Operating System | Windows 10 Pro |
Battery Life | Up to 14-hours |
Weight | 5.03 lbs |
MSI WS75 9Tk-002 Thin and Light Mobile Workstation for CAD
If you’re looking for the latest and powerful mobile workstation from MSI, then we have got something for you. The MSI WS75 is the latest release in workstation laptops which is the perfect laptop for CAD and both 2D and 3D modeling.
The laptop has an interesting set of specifications like NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000, 9th gen Intel Core i7-9750h processor, with a 32GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD. You’ll be amazed to see that all these powerful specifications come in a lightweight design that weighs just 5 pounds. Check price at Amazon
Also Read: Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000
7. ASUS ROG Strix G15 Recommended Laptop for CAD & 3D Modeling
This is a great laptop from Asus which is slightly cheaper than the previously mentioned laptops in this buying guide. The ROG Strix G15 comes with a 15-inch full HD display with an ultrafast 240Hz refresh rate making it a reliable laptop for AutoCAD as well as gaming. The laptop is powered by the Intel 10th Gen Core i7 six-core processor that makes it more convenient and efficient for 2D and 3D modeling.
It is also equipped with 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD which is great for running multiple applications at the same time without any lagging issue. As far as graphics are concerned, it is packed with Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 graphics with 8GB of dedicated VRAM for a silky smooth workflow. The Strix G15 has an ergonomic RGB backlit keyboard with a full array of keys which gives it an excellent feel. All in all, this is the best choice if you are looking for a powerful and budget-friendly laptop for AutoCAD or 3Ds Max work, then ASUS ROG Strix G15 is an ideal choice for you.
Hardware Specifications of ASUS ROG Strix G15 Gaming Laptop | |
Processor | 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 5.0GHz) |
RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
Storage | 1TB PCIe SSD |
Display | 15.6” Full HD (1920×1080) IPS-Type Display |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 8GB GDDR6 |
Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
Battery Life | Up to 7 hours |
Weight | 5.28 lbs |
Also Read: Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $2000
8. Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro Workstation Laptop
This is another great 17-inch workstation laptop on our list which is packed with an Intel Core i7-9750H processor with a clock speed boost up to 4.7GHz. It also features 64GB of RAM and Nvidia Quadro M2200 graphics make it a powerful machine for CAD works. For storage, this laptop offers 2TB of massive solid-state drive storage which boots your laptop fast and stores all the data and files.
Apart from this, it comes with a 17-inch full HD anti-glare display which gives you a better and flawless visual experience on a large display. The laptop also offers an RGB color backlit keyboard which allows you to play games with customizable keys. Moreover, this laptop offers a long-lasting battery backup of 14-hours which lets you stay productive for a long time without worrying about its charging. Overall, Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro is a great laptop to run all CAD software including Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, AutoCAD, Revit, etc.
Hardware Specifications of Asus ProArt StudioBook Laptop For Auto CAD & 3D Modeling | |
Processor | Intel Core i7-9750H Six-Core Processor 2.6GHz (up to 4.5GHz) |
RAM | 64GB DDR4 2400MHz |
Storage | 2TB NVMe PCIe SSD |
Display | 17.0″ Full HD (1920×1200) NanoEdge matte Display |
Graphics | NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 with 6GB GDDR6 VRAM |
Operating System | Windows 10 Pro |
Battery Life | Up to 14-hours |
Weight | 5.30 lbs |
Picking the one ‘best laptop for CAD’ would be unviable. It all depends on your own experience and usage whether a machine is the best fit for you or not. With a premium display, high-end graphics, fast processor, it perfectly sums up what best laptops for AutoCAD should offer.
We think our short review of the best workstation laptops will help you to find the best machine. If you still need any suggestions or guidance related to the laptops, feel free to ask and leave a comment below.
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