Best Laptop for SolidWorks for Construction Professionals

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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SolidWorks is software that you have encountered, especially if you are in the design and construction industry. It is a Computer-Aided Design(CAD) tool used to derive or create 2D and 3D designs using integrated technology. Architects, Engineers and Construction professionals may use this software when planning, envisioning and modeling designs and prototype development of products.

Being a heavy software, you need to run this software on the best laptop for SolidWorks. Using an incompatible machine will result in slow processes, lagging and even crashing your computer. Choosing the best laptop for SolidWorks will depend on your level of expertise in the program and the projects you intend to work on.

Best Laptops for SolidWorks

1. ApoloMedia Laptop Computer 15.6'' HD Display

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The ApoloMedia Laptop Computer 15.6’’ HD Display has been observed to be the best when it comes to SolidWorks. Built for speed and stability, it comes with specifications to run most heavy workouts such as 3D modeling and CAD software.

It has a 15.6-inch HD display to provide sharp imagery which clearly renders detailed designs. Its performance with a fast Intel i7 processor, 16 gigabytes of Ram and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics card makes it capable of executing simulation and assembly processes. The 512GB SSD outcome in fast booting and adequate storage space for projects while multiple USB ports and HDMI result in better compatibility.

The ApoloMedia Laptop features a good hardware and a good set of options, so this solution can be considered as perfect for SolidWorks professionals. It might not be the lightest or have the longest battery life but it stands tall in performance and dependability. It’s a laptop designed to cater for the need of 3D modeling with accuracy and keeness.

Pros:

  • Performance: The Intel i7 processor and 16GB RAM handle SolidWorks effortlessly, even for intricate models and simulations.
  • Graphics: The dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics card provides smooth, high-quality rendering.
  • Storage: A 512GB SSD enhances speed and provides sufficient space for CAD files and software.

Cons:

  • Battery Life: Intensive tasks reduce battery performance significantly, requiring frequent charging.
  • Portability: Slightly heavier than competitors, making it less ideal for frequent travel.

2. NIMO 15.6 FHD Laptop

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The NIMO 15.6 FHD Student Laptop is the best laptop for students and workers especially using the SolidWorks or any high demanding applications. Featuring 15.6 inch Full HD screen, this laptop provides distinct and sharp image of the product in the process of designing, especially in SolidWorks.

Its operational system W7 64Bit works on the Intel Pentium Quad-Core Nt100 processor and 16 GB RAM allowing it to run multiple applications simultaneously efficiently and manage some moderate graphical designing jobs. To solve the said problems the use of an SSD of 1TB is highly recommended in order to reduce lag time and to provide sufficient space for large files in order to boost productivity.

The NIMO 15.6 FHD Laptop; has 15.6 inches Full HD display, Intel Pentium Quad-Core N100 Processor, 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD helps a student to store more data, operates faster and give a better display to the users who work on SolidWorks.

Pros:

  • Powerful performance
  • Large storage: With a 1TB SSD, users have plenty of space to store large SolidWorks files, projects, and more.
  • High-definition display: The 15.6-inch Full HD screen makes viewing models and drawings highly detailed.

Cons:

  • Not ideal for heavy rendering tasks: While it’s suitable for basic to moderate use, users working with complex simulations may experience performance limitations.
  • Limited graphics performance

3. Morostron Portable Laptop

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Morostron Laptop 16-Inch 8GB DDR 256GB SSD Portable Laptop for SolidWorks is one of the most suitable products ideal for users who need stable performance for design and engineering. Because of this configuration, it is evident that this laptop’s main forte is to deliver applications such as SolidWorks with ease, hence making operations a breeze.

The novelty Morostron Laptop is equipped with an 8Gb DDR RAM that will allow seamless switching between different windows for performing the design and 3D modeling tasks in SolidWorks in parallel. It comes with 256GB SSD for fast boot and file access but for big projects, you may need more space.

The full HD 16 inch screen provides a clear picture that goes a long way in brining out the details and color when designing. There is a steady and efficient processor which serves as the source of energy for this laptop hence the ability to execute various tasks. The laptop is also sleek and very light to carry due to its compact size; it is therefore ideal for business persons who require it in different locations.

Pros:

  • Powerful 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, ensuring fast operation and sufficient storage.
  • 16-inch display delivers sharp, vibrant visuals ideal for design work.
  • Lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry for on-the-go professionals.
  • Excellent value for money compared to similar laptops in the market.

Cons:

  • Limited storage with the 256GB SSD may require external drives for large files.
  • The graphics performance may fall short for high-end rendering tasks.

4. OTVOC Laptop 15.6 inch Windows 11

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The OTVOC Laptop 15.6 inch Windows 11 is a well-rounded machine that provides you with a good performance/price ratio in terms of both storage space and display quality, which can be sufficient for productivity and design tasks such as SolidWorks. The Intel Celeron N5105 Quad-Core processor runs it at up to 2.9GHz thus, to support multiple processes and the efficient execution of applications.

Notable hardware includes 16GB RAM that can be upgraded to 32GB as well as 512GB NVMe SSD, expandable to 4TB for storage of large files and resource-heavy software. It boasts 15.6” FHD IPS display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, HDMI, Type-C, RJ45, HDD and many more. The laptop supports Windows 10 and 11, so users with a preference in operating systems can choose their preference.

Pros:

  • The Celeron N5105 processor and 16GB RAM handle tasks like SolidWorks reliably. 
  • Expandable NVMe SSD storage up to 4TB is ideal for large projects.
  • The FHD IPS screen offers sharp visuals and wide viewing angles.
  • Multiple ports, including HDMI and Type-C, ensure seamless device integration.

Cons:

  • The Celeron N5105 may struggle with extremely resource-intensive tasks compared to higher-tier processors.
  • The build quality might not match premium laptops in its class.

5. Lenovo 2023 Laptop IdeaPad

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We recently had the opportunity to test the Lenovo 2023 Laptop IdeaPad, and it quickly proved itself as an outstanding option for construction professionals. With its robust design and impressive performance, this laptop meets the rigorous demands of our industry.

The Lenovo IdeaPad comes equipped with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. This combination ensures smooth multitasking and fast load times for heavy applications like CAD software. The 15.6-inch Full HD display provides crisp visuals, while its lightweight design makes it portable enough for daily site visits. Additionally, the laptop features multiple USB ports, HDMI output, and a fingerprint reader for enhanced security.

In terms of performance, the IdeaPad excels in running demanding software seamlessly. We noticed no lag even when running multiple applications simultaneously. The cooling system is efficient, preventing overheating during long work sessions. Overall, the Lenovo 2023 Laptop IdeaPad is an impressive machine that we wholeheartedly recommend to our fellow construction professionals.

Pros:

  • Built to withstand the bumps and drops of a construction site.
  • Long battery life

Cons:

  • The keyboard layout could take some getting used to

How To Choose the Best Laptop for SolidWorks

SolidWorks is a heavy and multilateral software with multiple hardware requirements. Therefore, the choice of the laptop to buy will significantly depend on its intended purpose and workload.

Due to the many competitive laptop brands on the market, it may not be easy, especially for a new design and construction professional, to narrow down to the required specifications. Fortunately for you, we have researched and come up with a list of features to consider before buying the best laptop for SolidWorks.

1. Processor

The processor or CPU is the heart of any laptop. It represents the power and productivity of the machine while performing daily tasks. Modeling, Drawing and Simulations need a high clock frequency to increase performance. The clock speed or clock frequency refers to the duration your laptop can take to complete calculations. The higher the clock rate on the CPU, the faster your device will perform the calculations.

SolidWorks requires a multi-core processor with a minimum of 3 gigahertz(GHz) and 2-4 cores. Therefore, the best laptop for SolidWorks needs to have multi-core processors. This helps the machine to carry out various activities at a fast rate. In addition, a laptop with a multi-color processor performs better than one with a single or dual-core processor. Therefore, a Core i7 or i9 processor is recommended for optimum performance.

However, CPUs with Intel Core i3 or i5 are good for SolidWorks software, as long as the clock frequency is above 3.3Ghz. In addition, keep in mind that reducing the load on the processor can significantly improve its performance. Ways of minimizing the load include utilizing big assembly modes and lessening in-context references.

2. RAM

The RAM is also another key factor to consider. It refers to the temporary or short-term memory to store data from files or projects you are working on as the processor needs it. The CPU processes data stored in the RAM.

The minimum recommended RAM to run SolidWorks is 16GB. If your laptop has 8GB RAM, you will need to work on smaller to medium models to avoid lags. However, 32GB RAM is more suitable if you are a professional handling large models and simulations. This is because 3D designs need huge amounts of fast RAM, preferably DDR4 RAM.

3. Battery Life

SolidWorks involves working on your laptop continuously for several hours. As such, a machine with a long-lasting battery will be more efficient. In addition, the number of cells a battery has will give you an idea of how long the battery will last. Ideally, it would be best if you looked for a laptop with a good battery backup of at least 6 hours.

4. Hard Drive Storage

The hard drive storage is also known as ROM. Drawings, Graphics and Data Management are all core parts of running SolidWorks that require adequate storage. For this reason, an SSD of at least 512GB is recommended. Traditional hard drives like 128GB or 256GB tend to fill up quickly and result in low data processing and reduced performance.

If your laptop has inadequate storage space, you may consider a PCIe NVMe SSD drive to offer greater performance compared to a SATA SSD. This will allow the data to be stored effectively without jeopardizing the performance. In addition, having an extra ROM of 1TB HDD is useful.

5. Operating System

The operating system runs applications on a laptop by managing hardware resources. SolidWorks laptops need to be powerful to deal with complex processes and models. As such, Windows 10 64-bit is supported and recommended for running this software. This Operating System guarantees you optimum performance.

6. Graphics Card

SolidWorks is a modeling and rendering application that requires a graphics card that is capable of computing. Unfortunately, a laptop's graphic card is embedded on the motherboard and cannot be removed or updated. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that the graphics card on a laptop is compatible with the latest versions of SoundWorks before making a purchase.

The GPU you will require will depend on your level of experience and the projects you are working on. You may need either consumer cards or workstation cards, but be sure to research both options beforehand. Examples of Consumer cards include AMD and Nvidia graphics cards.

In addition, a gaming laptop card like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti will work well for Soundworks. Nvidia Quadro graphics card is a great workstation card. However, make sure that SoundWorks approve it.

7. Display

You will be working on your laptop for long hours, meaning that the quality of the display is important to consider. High resolution, brightness adaptiveness, color gamut, panel type and contrast level are some metrics that you can use.

SolidWorks tasks are mostly visual. For example, a high-resolution display offers sharp and clear visions, while an IPS panel provides better viewing angles, improved color visibility and increased display quality.

Here's also our review on best laptop tables for bed if you're looking to use your laptop anywhere ( more so in bed ).

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Laptop for Solidworks

1. How much RAM is required for SolidWorks?

16GB is the minimum RAM required to run SolidWorks software. However, it is always best to get a laptop with a higher RAM or an expandable RAM to support large assemblies.

2. Which graphics card is best for SolidWorks?

The best laptop graphic cards for SolidWorks software are AMD Radeon Pro Series or NVIDIA Quadro. These cards provide greater performance and stability, especially when viewing 3D models.

3. Is a gaming laptop good for SolidWorks?

Ideally, gaming laptops are good for running SolidWorks. However, to render visual models, a CPU or GPU is applicable. For this reason, Graphic gaming cards like NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti will work well. However, the downside of gaming graphic cards is that they do not provide optimum performance for SoundWorks.

Therefore, SoundWorks recommends using a Workstation CAD to guarantee a smooth experience. You will notice, though, that the internal hardware of gaming GPUs and workstation cards is almost the same.

4. Which laptop is best for AutoCAD and SolidWorks?

The Razer Blade 15 is the best laptop for SolidWorks and AutoCAD.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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