Top laptop for CAD, AutoCAD and 3D modelling in 2022
Work with AutoCAD and other 3D modeling software on the best laptop.
Anyone who needs computer-aided design software for their job should still prioritize buying the finest laptop for CAD in 2022. This includes engineers, architects, and even students aspiring to work in such fields.
In the past, desktop PCs were used for intensive CAD work. But today's laptops are tremendously powerful, and many of them can run demanding CAD software with ease. As a result, you are no longer confined to a desk and may work pretty much anywhere. These days, when many of us are adopting a hybrid style of working and dividing our time between working from home and the office, this is especially crucial.
CAD software is quite demanding in terms of features, so you need to make sure you invest in a laptop with powerful enough components to keep up with your projects - no matter how complex they may be.
When choosing a new laptop, we make sure that the best CAD laptops have top-notch components to get things done quickly. This includes a large amount of RAM, a multi-core processor, and even a separate graphics card for more complex tasks.
Another crucial factor is having a large, pleasant screen, along with battery life. We made sure that these laptops have adequate battery life to survive a work day without you needing to charge them, providing you more freedom while working, even though the strong components in these laptops prevent you from getting crazy battery lives.
Due to the rising cost of living, however, not all of us can afford really expensive laptops for CAD work. The good news is that there are also some excellent value options available, allowing you to work on your projects without spending a lot of money. Therefore, we made sure to include a variety of laptops in our guide that fit a variety of budgets.
01. MacBook Pro-inch (2021)
The best laptop for CAD ever made
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor: Apple M1 Pro or Max chip
RAM: 16-64GB
Screen: 14 or 16 inchesResolution: 3024 x 1964
Storage: 512GB-8TB
Weight: 3.5lbs
(Image credit: Future)
The MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) is the greatest laptop available right now for CAD, and it performs brilliantly.
This is the most potent laptop Apple has ever made, running macOS Big Sur on Apple's own eight-core M1 Pro or Max processor with up to 64GB RAM. In our evaluation, we discovered that it was easily able to run resource-demanding 3D modeling programs like Maya, 3DS Max, and Fusion 360 alongside AutoCAD. Also take note that you can run iOS here, allowing you to access the AutoCAD mobile app if it will improve your workflow.
The MacBook Pro's battery life is the longest of any Mac ever, lasting up to 17 hours. When working intensely in AutoCAD, you'll presumably get less sleep than that, but you'll definitely make it through a workday without needing to take a break. Additionally, you'll gain access to the most stunning, ultra-high resolution screen and up to an incredible 8TB of storage.
This laptop is the Rolls Royce of MacBooks, and it might be too much for many people's needs. You won't find a better premium Apple laptop, though, if you're ready to spend the price. For more information, see our evaluation of the MacBook Pro 14-inch.
02. MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022)
A more affordable laptop for CAD
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M2 with 8-core CPU
Graphics: Integrated 10-core GPU
RAM: 8GB – 24GB
Screen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 display with P3 and True Tone technology
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Dimensions (H x W x D): 30.41 x 21.24 x 1.56 cm
(Image credit: Future)
If the 14-inch MacBook Pro mentioned above is too pricey, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is a fantastic substitute. The M1 Pro and M1 Max continue to dominate, but a new model with the brand-new M2 chip is now available. The M2 is a superb performer in its own right and runs CAD programs without any problems.
Additionally, the new 13-inch MacBook Pro offers an unusually extended battery life. We've tried it out for ourselves, and it really works well. You can work all day and still have battery life. As a result, you may work while traveling, visit clients, and much more without being concerned about needing to plug it in.
03. Honor Magicbook 16
The best laptop for CAD at a budget price
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
RAM: 16GB DDR4
Screen: 16.1-inch
Resolution: FHD (1920 x 1080)
Storage: 512GB SSD
(Image credit: Future)
The Honor MagicBook 16 is evidence that getting a fantastic laptop for CAD doesn't have to cost a fortune. This is the perfect computer for engineering and architecture students who want something to work on because it has excellent specifications thanks to AMD and a large 16.1-inch screen with a high refresh rate.
With a design that will make you think of a MacBook but without the hefty price tag, it's also among the best-looking laptops you can buy for this low price. Although it has enough capability to run your preferred CAD programs and runs Windows 11, more complicated designs may put a little too much strain on this laptop because it lacks a dedicated graphics card.
Because of its poor battery life, you should also bring its charger with you at all times. Since Honor is a Chinese firm, you might need to browse around if you're based in the US because it might be challenging to find its products there at times.
04, Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
Apple's latest is a great CAD laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M2
Graphics: Integrated 8-core /10-core GPU
RAM: 8GB – 24GB
Screen: 13.6-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,664 LED-backlit display with IPS technology
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches (30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13cm; W x D x H)
The new Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022) is a fantastic substitute for the more expensive MacBook Pro versions, and CAD software runs on it with good performance despite its lower price.
The most recent edition features a completely new design that is lighter and slimmer than ever before, as well as a larger, brighter screen that is perfect for CAD work.
Even the most complex CAD projects can be loaded up and worked on without difficulty owing to the new M2 chip from Apple, which is a powerful piece of silicon with integrated graphics and unified memory (which can now be customized up to 24GB).
The MacBook Air (M2, 2022)'s battery life is outstanding and, in our tests, lasted more over 16 hours. As a result, you can work on this all day long without worrying about being plugged in.
The fact that it is somewhat more expensive than the previous model means that it is not as good a value for the money, so it's not all good news. Read our comprehensive MacBook Air (M2, 2022) review to learn more.
05. LG Gram 17 (2021)
The best laptop for CAD with a big screen
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7 (2.8 GHz)
RAM: 8GB-16GB
Screen: 17 inchesResolution: 2,560 x 1,600
Storage: 256GB
All of the laptops we've so far reviewed had screens that were of a medium size. However, perhaps you'd prefer to view your CAD designs on a larger screen so you can pay closer attention to all the little details? If so, allow us to recommend the LG Gram 17, which has a 17-inch screen.
This WQXGA IPS panel is enormous and gorgeous, with rich, deep blacks and vibrant, nuanced colors. Additionally, you receive the high degree of detail you require while working with complex 3D models with a resolution of 2,560 x 1600.
With the 11th Generation Intel Core processor, 8–16GB RAM, and Intel's integrated Iris Xe graphics, it also performs well overall. So you can expect a slick, quick, and responsive experience whether you're using AutoCAD or another 3D modeling program. We were incredibly impressed by the LG Gram 17's weight when reviewing it. The idea that large-screen computers need to be heavy and unwieldy is refuted by this great laptop.
06. MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Still the best value Apple laptop for CAD
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor: Apple M1 (3.2Ghz)
RAM: 8GB-16GB
Screen: 13 inchesResolution: 2,560 x 1,600
Storage: 256GB-2TB
You may require the MacBook Pro's superior power if you're managing demanding CAD projects that are large and complex. Although the more recent (and more expensive) MacBook Air with M2 is now also available for purchase, for the majority of CAD designers, the less priced MacBook Air (M1 2020) will be more than adequate for your needs. Apple is still selling this model.
There are some minor performance trade-offs with the earlier M1 MacBook Air. For instance, the RAM of the MacBook Air can only be increased to 16GB, as opposed to the 64GB of the MacBook Pro 14-inch and the maximum 24GB of the new MacBook Air. Similar to that, the battery life is only 15 hours as opposed to 20.
Although the MacBook Pro 14-inch is far more powerful, we discovered that the MacBook Air can still run any CAD or 3D modeling software available today. As a result, if money is a concern, the MacBook Air should be your first choice.
07. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
A unique Windows 11 laptop that's great for CAD
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core H
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti laptop GPU
RAM: 16GB or 32GB
Screen: PixelSense Flow 14.4in 2400 x 1600 touch display
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is a terrific option if you're searching for something a little unique.
It not only has a stunning, adaptable design, but it also boasts a fantastic PixelSense touchscreen that will make your work seem just stunning. Additionally, the display has a quick refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Due to its stylus compatibility, that touch screen in particular will be of appeal to many people (although you have to buy the stylus separately).
There is also a lot more to like. Any CAD application runs smoothly because to its superb keyboard and powerful specifications, which include cutting-edge integrated graphics from either Intel or NVIDIA, depending on the configuration you choose. Additionally, the battery life is really excellent. Overall, it's a wonderful demonstration of Windows 11.
08. Razer Blade 17 (2022)
An incredibly powerful laptop for CAD
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 12th-generation Intel Core i7
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
RAM: 32GB DDR5
Screen: 17.3-inch QHD, 240Hz, G-Sync
Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
The Razer Blade 17 is an excellent laptop for CAD work that requires a lot of power. While Razer is best known for its gaming hardware, laptops like the Blade 17 are equipped with some of the best and most powerful parts currently available. One such component is Nvidia's top-of-the-line laptop GPU, the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, which isn't just great for gaming but also simplifies difficult CAD projects.
Although it is incredibly pricey, you get some of the best mobile technology currently on the market for your money. For those that want a lot of power, this is an excellent creative workstation thanks to its excellent build quality and magnificent 17-inch screen.
09. Acer ConceptD 7
A powerful laptop for CAD and 3D modelling
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor: Intel Core i7-9750H (4.5GHz)
RAM: 32GB
Screen: 15 inchesResolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Storage: 1TB
If 3D modeling is your primary passion, the Acer ConceptD 7 is what we advise. In our review, we discovered that it could handle even the most demanding 3D software because of its six-core Intel i7 processor, which has a 4.5GHz clock speed, and its substantial 32GB RAM. Thanks to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics technology, graphics are also fluid, quick, and responsive. Even though it isn't Nvidia's most recent GPU, this one is still a powerful graphics card.
The screen has a 4K (3,840 x 2,160) resolution, making it as detailed as you could ever want. Additionally, the display is vivid and brilliant, Pantone verified, and supports the entire Adobe RGB color space. With these features, the Acer ConceptD 7 is a fantastic bargain and a wonderful option for professional 3D modelers.
10. Dell XPS 17 (2021)
The best big-screen laptop for CAD
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Up to 11th Generation Intel Core i9-11980HK
Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
RAM: Up to 64GB DDR4-3200MHz
Screen: 17.0" FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit – 17.0" UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit
Storage: Up to 4TB M.2 PCIe NVMe
When using CAD software, having a lovely, huge screen with a high quality may be really helpful. It will provide you more workspace and allow you to wow clients and coworkers with your projects. Because of its amazing 17-inch UHD+ screen with HDR, which is brilliant, vibrant, and comfortable to work on, the Dell XPS 17 is a laptop that is worth considering.
Another example of how a large-screen laptop need not be massive and unwieldy is the Dell XPS 17. This laptop is incredibly thin and light, and it has the same stylish appearance as the Dell XPS 13 and XPS 15 models that are smaller. Along with some strong hardware, it also includes an Nvidia RTX GeForce 3060 graphics card, 11th generation Intel Core processors, and up to 64GB of RAM.
Can all laptops run AutoCAD?
AutoCAD, a program created by Autodesk for computer-aided design and drafting, will be required to be used by almost everyone involved in CAD. It has been around since 1982 and is essentially the industry standard for all the professions we've discussed. It is used to generate both 2D and 3D drawings. The following are the prerequisites for the most recent version of AutoCAD:
‣ Processor: 2.5GHz (3+ GHz recommended)
‣ Memory: 8GB (16GB recommended)
‣ Disk space: 10GB
‣ Display: 1920 x 1080 resolution
What laptop is best for CAD?
The most ideal laptop for running AutoCAD has the most recent Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processors, but how powerful a machine do you actually require in daily life? That really relies on the type of CAD work you're performing.
You'll likely be OK with reaching the minimum standards if you're a student working on reasonably straightforward assignments. However, if you work in CAD professionally, you could require a more potent processor. Generally speaking, you will have to spend more money on larger, more sophisticated projects. especially if you want your laptop to use 3D modeling programs other than AutoCAD. Naturally, in general, the more power you require, the more expensive it will be.
🔥 BONUS:
My3d.Cloud
Is a cloud-based collaboration platform for Architects and Contractors who uses 3D laser scanning and 3D modeling in their work.
We have created this platform to improve project delivery and collaboration experience. Thanks to it, users get the opportunity to increase the loyalty of their customers, and in turn, customers get time savings and maximum convenience.
More about My3d.Cloud