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.
5 Best Laptops for SolidWorks
1. Apple 2022 MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chip
- STRIKINGLY THIN DESIGN — The redesigned MacBook Air is more...
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 — Get more done faster with a...
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal...
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day and into the night,...
- BIG, BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display...
MacBook Air M2 also comes with an impressive 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display enabling it to give clear distinction and bright colors that come in handy when reviewing blueprints and design files. From any location its 1080p FaceTime HD camera and enhanced microphone system guarantee crisp and clear virtual meetings. The M2 chip with 8-core CPU presets and up to 10-core GPU copes well with simultaneous computations, such as rendering the models a designer creates and multitasking. Also, the specially constructed all aluminum body is quite light, at only 2.7 pounds thus; it can easily be transported between different working stations and the office.
As they are limited in ports overall, the MacBook makes up for it in flexibility with the connection to external drives and peripherals. In conclusion, 2022 MacBook Air with M2 chip can be considered as a highly effective, long-lasting laptop suitable for construction professionals.
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2. ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2024)
- READY FOR ANYTHING - Jump right into the action with Windows 11,...
- SWIFT MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask faster with 8GB of...
- NEVER MISS A MOMENT – Keep up with the pros thanks to the fast...
- BLOW AWAY THE COMPETITION – The TUF is equipped to handle its...
- MILITARY GRADE TOUGHNESS – In order to earn the TUF Gaming...
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2024) is a perfect pick for construction workers as it is a durable and fast laptop for design programs and site use. Considering it was specially designed for hard usage, it is perfectly suitable for construction sites without compromising the units’ performance.
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 has a 15.6-inch FHD, which, with a 144Hz single refreshing frequency, is excellent for analyzing high-resolution project models. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen™ 5 7535HS processor and with NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2050 graphics coprocessor it can render 3D models and run CAD software effectively. The 8GB DDR5 RAM and 512GB PCIe® Gen4 NVMe™ SSD are resourceful in managing load time.
However, some users may consider upgrading their RAM for multitasking. Wi-Fi 6 compatibility guarantees high speed access to the Internet when working in severe conditions.
In general, I have come to like this aspect of the laptop in terms of build quality as well as visuals, and its performance when it comes to processing work; it is a worthy investment for construction professionals who desire portability.
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3. AOC Laptop Computer with N97 Processor
- 【HIGH PERFORMANCE LAPTOP】This AOC laptop powered by N97...
- 【16GB DDR4 & 512GB SSD EFFORTLESS MULTITASKING】This AOC...
- 【RICH AND COMPLETE CONNECTIVITY PORTS】This AOC laptops...
- 【15.6" FHD IPS SCREEN】This AOC Laptops come with 15.6" 1080P...
- 【AOC WORRY-FREE CUSTOMER SERVICE】This metal-clad portable...
This laptop is powered by a N97 processor which is very powerful and can work with speeds of up to 3.6GHz thus enabling one to work with different applications at the same time without any sign of lagging. The screen size is 15.6 inch full HD which gives good clarity to the display and it is necessary for display based software such as CAD. We are provided with 16GB of RAM and this is good enough to handle busy tasks while the 512GB SSD is ample space to store other large documents, plans and software among others. It is designed to work with Windows 11, meaning you get all the modern features within the program.
The AOC Laptop also stands tall in features like processing speed to handle tasks and graphics to give construction expert professionals what they need. Whether handling plan proposals or evaluating data this laptop meets our standards and gives amazing results. In conclusion, we consider the AOC Laptop as a useful tool in our business activities.
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4. Jumper Laptop, 4GB DDR4 RAM 128GB SSD, Office 365 1-Year Subscription
- Powerful Ultrabook: Celeron 2-core Processor 5205U, base...
- 1 Year Office-365 Subscription: An ideal laptop for basic home...
- Stable Operation: 4GB high-speed DDR4 memory, 128GB SSD storage,...
- Portable and Durable: 15.6 inch HD screen, weighs only 3.5-pound...
- Multifunctional Connection: 2 stereo speakers, fast connection to...
Construction professionals require a laptop that is able to hold up to the stress of their work, and the Jumper Laptop has 4GB DDR4 RAM and 128GB SSD making it an ideal candidate for the job. The main benefit is that it is small, compact and therefore a,very portable tool that can be taken to construction sites but still offers the power needed for most operations.
The Jumper Laptop has a thin and portable frame and comes with 14 inch Full HD screen oganized for viewing construction plans. Comes in with Windows 10 that facilitates easy compatibility with other standard software within various organizations. Moreover there are variety of ports for communication like USB 3.0 port, HDMI port, and headphone jack port, which seems to offer the ability to do many activities.
In terms of performance, Jumper Laptop offers an optimal performance for general uses such as emailing, writing on documents, and perusing the web. We’ve discovered that it is able to handle programs like SolidWorks fairly well given the fact that it will not be handling many resource intensive programs at the same time. In summary, this laptop is suitable for construction workers who are always on the move and do not want to spend a lot of money on a good laptop.
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5. Lenovo 2023 Laptop IdeaPad
- Upgraded Seal is just opened for upgrade only, we can provide...
- 【Display】15.6" diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080)
- 【RAM & Storage】16GB DDR4 RAM 512GB SSD
- 【Tech Specs】1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen...
- 【Operating System】 Windows 11 Home. Windows 11 Pro - Get all...
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.
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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.
