Architecture has a lot of tough criteria for laptops. Internals capable of running specific software and for producing renders are a prerequisite. More specifically, the RAM and graphics paired with a similarly powerful CPU are needed if you want to be productive at your job or studies.
That’s why we’re recommending the top laptops of this year that are powerful enough to run programs like Smartdraw, ensuring that no time is wasted. Apart from the powerful internals, which many laptops have, we’ve also prioritized longevity and build quality. If spending a lot of money on a laptop is inevitable, you may as well focus on getting something that lasts.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is the flagship laptop for convenience and portability. This sleek laptop offers tablet-like functionality while still providing sufficient power to handle architectural software such as AutoCAD or SketchUp. If you opt for the highest upgraded Surface Pro 6, you will receive an upgraded i7 processor (i5 in other models), a 512 GB Solid-State Drive, and 16 GB of RAM. These upgrades help ensure that you have the processing power to handle these computing-intensive software, and prevent slowdowns that might occur in lower models of the Surface Pro 6. If you’re an architect who’s constantly on the go, then this sleek laptop is the ideal choice for you.
MSI P65 Creator
MSI‘s P65 Creator has been designed specifically for architects and designers. This laptop is built with the latest Intel i7-8750H processor, 32 gb of RAM, a GTX 1070 8gb dedicated graphics card, and an excellent 144hz anti–glare display. This laptop is designed with performance in mind, while still maintaining a relatively lightweight and slim profile. By featuring a dedicated graphics card rather than the traditional integrated graphics card, you gain a significant improvement in processing power for graphics-intensive software like AutoCAD. Overall, this laptop is a standout in terms of performance, and its 15.6-inch display makes it an excellent choice for architects seeking a new laptop.
Gigabyte AERO 15 OLED XA-9US5130SP
Hands down the GIGABYTE Aero15 OLED offers architects the power and elegance needed to create and display designs, 3D projects and present concepts/models to clients. The AERO15 OLED by GIGABYTE Notebooks was created with design in mind, the powerful Intel i9 CPU paired with Nvidia RTX studio GPU is the only laptop available calibrated to ensure greater stability and optimal performance. The world’s first AI laptop, the AERO15, comes equipped with Microsoft Azure AI to enhance power usage with the click of a button, no more tweaking the power use settings. The deep learning of Microsoft Azure AI goes beyond configuration of power, it learns how the user operates individually ensure optimal performance regardless of workflow style. This makes more room for Nvidia RTX Studio’s onboard AI to tackle the per application use helping users reduce repetitive tasks to free up design time. Each AERO15 unit is calibrated to ensure a color safe environment right out of the box with X-rite Pantone ensuring ADOBE RBG is right on target. All of the enhanced performance calibration ensures the ultimate creator laptop experience, enhanced further with the stunning OLED display, offering design professionals the perfect platform to create and present their work to clients with stunning results.
Alienware M15-15.6″ FHD Gaming Laptop
I recommend Alienware for architects seeking excellent performance for 3D modeling and rendering. A high-performance graphics card and a large screen size are two key elements that make an effective laptop for these purposes. Many gaming laptops may fit the bill here, comparing specs alone. What I like about Alienware is it’s combination of excellent graphics with fast processor speed. It’s relatively sleek and has a good assortment of ports and plugs for working at home, in the office, or when visiting clients. Plus, the glowing LEDs don’t hurt anything when it comes to swag points.
Dell Inspiron 15 5000
This sleek Dell laptop is a 2-in-1 system, so it can work seamlessly between workflow and presenting to clients. The screen is large, but the overall body is lightweight and easy to throw in your bag on your way out of the office. There’s a good amount of storage on the SSD, so you can store files directly on the drive or upload larger files to the cloud to review later. For presentations outside of the office, it’s hard to beat the versatility of a 2-in-1 laptop system. As a final bonus, this laptop includes an HDMI port, allowing you to connect to clients’ in-office TVs if you’re presenting to a larger group.
ASUS VivoBook – F510UA-AH55
This ASUS budget laptop comes in slightly over $500 but has a nice balance of features, power, and performance. It’s not the fastest on the market, and its graphics performance may not be able to handle 3D renderings or video animation. However, if you’re an old-school user who prefers working in 2D CAD drafting, this laptop would undoubtedly meet your needs. It’s thin, lightweight, and features a variety of access ports for a flexible workflow. It utilizes a solid-state hard drive and features a generous 1 TB storage capacity, providing ample space for all your files.
