AutoCAD is one of the most commonly used computer-aided design software that can help you create several different technical drawings and designs. It is a powerful and versatile tool that can be used as a 3D modeling and 2D drawing program. You can use it to create drawings, floor plans, technical illustrations, renderings, or maps. It’s also a key reason why architecture students need the best laptops on the market for their courses.
AutoCAD’s interface comprises the Command Prompt and a drawing area that displays your drawings. The site can be zoomed in or out, rotated in 3D, and panned. Text and images can be added to your design using AutoCAD commands. It has many tools, including sketching, editing, rendering, modeling, and drafting. These tools can be used individually or collectively to quickly produce high-quality drawings, designs, and images.
It is a well-established application with a large user base around the world. It provides efficient solutions for various industries, including architecture, mechanical, civil engineering, construction, and many more. AutoCAD was introduced in 1982 and has since evolved into a powerful design tool. It is constantly being upgraded to meet the changing needs of its users.
AutoCAD is one of the most versatile and powerful 2D & 3D designing software available today. It supports almost 28 languages and is used by over 3 million users worldwide.
Due to its nearly limitless power from a design standpoint, the proper hardware is tricky. You need to be focused on computers that have higher specs than most of your classmates due to the graphical rendering that is needed.
5 Factors To Consider In Choosing The Best Laptop For Autocad
1. Screen size
The laptop you choose’s display size is an essential factor to consider. Considering the resolution of your screen, it is best to go for a computer with a screen size of at least 15.6 inches since the solution of this screen size gives you an accurate view of your CAD designs while they are being rendered by AutoCAD software. It is also essential to consider your screen’s resolution since it indicates the clarity of your view, and the quality of the screen resolution determines the quality of your CAD designs.
2. Processor
The processor in your laptop should be powerful enough to handle the tasks you need it to perform to utilize its maximum potential. Ideally, a computer with an Intel or AMD processor will provide superior performance and processing speed. For doing CAD designing, AMD processors are optimal since they’re highly favored for running AutoCAD software. It is also essential that your laptop’s processor is compatible with the software you intend to use. For example, if you are using AutoCAD, it is best to go for a computer with an Intel processor.
3. RAM
The RAM in your laptop should be enough to handle the tasks that you need it to do without running out of memory. It reduces the wait time and makes your computer more efficient. For example, if you are doing CAD designing in AutoCAD and have millions of objects, running out of memory will eventually cause your computer to slow down or crash, losing all of your work and wasting time and resources. It is ideal to go for a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM since this is the minimum requirement of AutoCAD.
4. Graphic card
The graphic card in your laptop determines the quality of its video output and the speed and quality of its rendering, allowing you to work more efficiently and effectively. Ideally, a computer with an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card will provide you with a powerful performance and faster processing speeds essential for AutoCAD software. It is also important to consider getting a laptop with at least four gigs of DDR5 RAM; an integrated graphics card will be enough if you are not working on professional projects using AutoCAD. It is also vital that your laptop’s graphics card is compatible with the software you intend to use. For example, if you are using AutoCAD, it is best to go for a computer with an NVIDIA graphics card.
5. Hard drive storage
The hard drive capacity in your laptop should be large enough to accommodate your CAD designs, drawings, and projects. Ideally, having a hard drive capacity of at least 2TB will give you uninterrupted use of your computer and the ability to save all of your files without sacrificing storage space and slowing down your computer speed. It also allows you to migrate your projects from the laptop to a server, cloud, or storage device to share and backup your work. It is also essential to consider the type of hard drive in your laptop since some varieties are better suited to store certain types of files over others.
Suppose you are a designer and need to ensure that your work is safe and secure and you have the power to work wherever, whenever, then the best laptops for AutoCAD are a great choice. You can decide whether you want MacBook Pro or Windows 10 laptop; however, be sure you understand how to carry out your work safely. Also, be sure you can work when you want to and not on your computer. Autodesk, which manufactures AutoCAD software, is one of the oldest software programs (along with Google Earth), which lets people work on interactive 3D images and drawings. This software has allowed designers worldwide to create, manipulate and save their pictures; these drawings have been created using CAD software and many people now use Autodesk’s AutoCAD software to create their designs. The design, graphics, or architectural profession is a field that is all about creativity; you need a laptop that allows you to create incredible designs while efficiently creating them. All this can be done when you have a high-quality laptop with the right software. Ideally, you will want to go for a computer with great hardware and high-quality software that is also compatible with your needs.
Best Laptops To Run AutoCAD
1. Dell XPS15 -L502X
A powerful laptop for business, Dell XPS15-L502X is a 15.6″ beast with stylish curves and an even more powerful configuration to match. It comes with an Intel Core i7 2640M processor accompanied by the RAM capacity of 8GB DDR3L SDRAM and the high-end NVIDIA GeForce GT555M graphics card, which is designed to render the graphics at their optimum level. This machine has a massive storage space of 750GB which can be augmented even further through its easily accessible hard disk compartment and an extra optical drive for the DVD RW recorder. If you are an AutoCAD user and need a fast, powerful yet elegant laptop for your business, the XPS15-L502X is a pick worth considering.
2. Lenovo ThinkPad P52s
ThinkPad P52s is a 2-in-1 Windows 10 laptop with a redesigned Precision series keyboard. This laptop has a superfast Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB RAM, and SSD storage that easily handles your everyday computing needs. It also comes with an additional RAID storage option in the form of two M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe drives which add 16x faster storage speeds to the overall performance of this machine. The 3K display and Intel UHD 620 graphics provide a better quality viewing experience and clarity than other laptops within a similar price range. It also comes with Dolby Atmos sound and a new touch fingerprint reader for added security. The ThinkPad P52s weighs just 3.95 pounds and has a battery life of 14 hours which is ideal for traveling professionals.
3. Lenovo Y700 15 Inch
The Lenovo Y700 is one of the few laptop computers with 15-inch screen size, making it easier to handle than its smaller counterparts. This laptop has an Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor running at 2.60 GHz with a turbo boost speed of 3.50 GHz. It also has an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M with 4GB GDDR5 memory and 16GB DDR4 2133 MHz RAM. This laptop supports up to 32 GB of extra RAM and carries a superfast 256 GB M2 SSD storage, making it perfect for CAD design. The Lenovo Y700 has a 15-inch full HD display that provides accurate color rendition while providing a clear view of your designs, making it ideal for creating technical drawings using AutoCAD.
4. Apple MacBook Pro Retina
One of the most famous brands for laptops today, Apple Mac’s new MacBook Pro 15 inch is designed to make your computing experience a lot more convenient and easier to handle. The device comes with a Retina display that produces bright colors, sharper details, and a better viewing experience. It is equipped with a fingerprint scanner and dual built-in mics, which enhance the overall clarity of calls you receive while enhancing your voice quality on the other side. This laptop has an Intel Core i7 processor running at 2.5 GHz and an optional AMD Radeon R9 M370X. It is equipped with 16GB LPDDR3 RAM and 1TB PCIe-based flash storage, efficiently upgrading up to 2TB of storage capacity.
5. Asus ZenBook Pro
The Asus ZenBook Pro UX501VW-US71 Professional Ultrabook is a 2-in-1 laptop that runs on an Intel Core i7 processor with a turbo boost speed of 3.50 GHz and 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics card. This laptop supports up to 64GB of extra RAM and incorporates the SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port, which provides much faster data transfer speeds. The Asus ZenBook Pro has a 512GB SSD drive and a 2TB HDD. This laptop has a 15.6-inch full HD display that provides higher resolution clarity and supports other external screens like an Ultra-high definition screen and 4K screen.
6. Dell Inspiron 15 3567
The Dell Inspiron 15 3567 is an affordable laptop from Dell which is designed to handle your everyday computing needs and provides you with the functionality of creating technical drawings using AutoCAD software with ease. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor running at 2.5 GHz along with 8GB DDR3 RAM and a 128 GB M.2 SSD that gives it a fast performance, making it ideal for CAD designing. The laptop has an optional full HD touch screen display and supports up to 2TB of storage capacity. The Dell Inspiron 15 3567 weighs only 3.7 pounds and has a battery life of 14 hours, making it perfect for traveling professionals.
7. Asus Taichi 31.5 Inch
Asus Taichi 31.5 Inch is a premium laptop with a touch screen display. It is designed to handle the demands of your everyday computing needs and provide robust performance for CAD designing and rendering tasks. It’s a 3-in-1 device, allowing you to use it as a laptop, tablet, or tent mode at your convenience. The Asus Taichi 31.5 Inch comes with an Intel Core i7 processor running at 2.6 GHz along with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M graphics card, and 2TB HDD storage capacity. It also incorporates the USB 3.1 Type C and USB 3.0 ports which provide faster data transfer speeds with lower power consumption. The high-end display of the Asus Taichi 31.5 Inch comes with a resolution of 3,200 x 1,800 pixels and an anti-glare feature that provides you with a clearer view of your designs.
8. MacBook Pro 13 Inch
With its powerful performance and fast processing speeds, the MacBook Pro 13 Inch is a laptop worth your attention. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor running at 2.5 GHz along with 16GB RAM and an optional AMD Radeon R9 M370X. However, if you need more storage space, you can easily add up to a maximum of 1TB of SSD storage using the built-in SD card reader. The MacBook Pro 13 Inch has a fingerprint scanner and two built-in mics, enhancing the clarity of calls you receive while enhancing your voice quality on the other side. The MacBook Pro 13 Inch weighs just 3.9 pounds and has a battery life of 10 hours, making it highly portable and ideal for traveling professionals.
9. MSI WT72-6QN Inch
One of the most powerful mobile workstations, MSI WT72-6QN Inch, has an Intel Core i7 processor running at 2.60 GHz and 32GB of DDR4 RAM, NVIDIA Quadro M5000M graphics card, and a 2TB HDD. It has an optional Nvidia Quadro M5000M graphics card, a USB 3.0 port, and a USB 2.0 port which gives it the ability to operate in CAD software that supports the video cards integrated into these ports, making it perfect for CAD designing of 3D objects. The MSI WT72-6QN Inch has an anti-glare display, thus giving you a better view of your designs. It also supports up to 4 x 1 TB hard drives and has an SD card reader so you can easily save your files without compromising their storage space.
10. HP Envy m6
One of the most powerful mobile workstations, the HP Envy m6 comes with an Intel Core i7 processor running at 2.60 GHz along with 32GB of DDR4 RAM and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 850M graphics card. The HP Envy m6 supports up to 1TB of hard drives and has an optional SD card reader that allows you to save your files without compromising storage space. The display of this laptop comes with an anti-glare screen that gives you a clearer view of your designs and a 3,200 x 1,800-pixel resolution making it ideal for working on technical drawings using AutoCAD.
11. Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E910
The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E910 Linch is one of the most powerful mobile workstations, which comes with many components to make it look like an upgrade from a desktop PC. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor running at 2.53 GHz along with 32GB DDR4 RAM, NVIDIA Quadro M5010M graphics card, and a 1TB HDD storage capacity. The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E910 Linch supports up to 1TB hard drives and has an optional SD card reader that allows you to save your files without compromising your storage space.