Finding the best laptop for AutoCAD is easier than you might think. The software is CPU-intensive and in most cases can run without a dedicated graphics card.
In other words, it will utilize the processing power of your CPU mostly to run at full capacity. However, a set of complimenting specs is required for a laptop to function smoothly and deliver a satisfying and smooth operating experience.
We have a list of such laptops which are best configured to run AutoCAD. So, what is the best laptop for AutoCAD?
This article will help you to choose the best laptop for AutoCAD available in the budget market. We will try to list a number of machines that can qualify as the best laptops for AutoCAD users so that you can easily choose the optimum machine that suits your needs.
Keeping the aforementioned points in mind, we have made an effort to choose the best-configured laptops available. Here is a list of laptops that you can choose from depending on your requirement and usage.
Our Top Picks Of The Best Laptops For AutoCAD
Razer Blade 15
Editor’s Choice
Processor: Intel Core i7
Graphics Card: RTX 3060
Lenovo ThinkPad
P53 Workstation
Processor: Intel Core i7
Graphics Card: Quadro T1k
MSI GL65 Leopard
Ultra Slim Laptop
Processor: Intel Core i7
Graphics Card: RTX 3060
Running AutoCAD smoothly has been the first priority but it is always good to have a little bit of extra power in your computer.
System Requirments For AutoCad Software
Having a laptop that has low specs isn’t going to run AutoCAD. So before getting your hands on a laptop you should always look for the system requirements of the CAD software. Whereas, all of the laptops that I chose for you are the best ones for AutoCAD. So here are the system requirements for AutoCAD.
Best Laptops For AutoCAD
1. Razer Blade 15
| CPU: | Intel Core i7-10750H 6 Core 5.0GHz |
| GPU: | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 |
| Memory: | 16GB |
| Storage: | 512GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 8 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 |
The Razer Blade 15 is a basic gaming laptop. It snatched the prize of the no 1 windows laptop for tech support this year.
That means that you will not have any problems with your operating system. Robust operating system support is crucial for the best laptop for AutoCAD.
The 10th gen processor is the latest gen in the market by Intel and leaves little to be desired in terms of raw processing speed.
The machine is powered by an NVidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU which is more than enough for the graphics requirements for AutoCAD.
Not only that, the GPU along with a 144Hz Full HD screen makes for a visually striking gaming experience should you feel the need for it.
The memory is a regular SSD (512 GB). SSD memory is much faster when compared to the regular SATA hard disk and it has a positive input to your laptop’s overall processing speed.
When you couple the latest CPU and SSD memory with the 16 GB DDR4 RAM, you get a fluid user experience.
The Razer Blade 15 is included in our list of best laptops for AutoCAD because it not only qualifies for the job, it is overqualified. Even you can use this best laptop for photo editing.
Any AutoCAD user will be happy to obtain this laptop, which will not only act as your work laptop, but it can also run the latest games with reasonable FPS and graphics.
Achieves your desired processing speed for AutoCAD.
Fast memory speed.
A slim design.
Blazing fast graphics card.
Your desired resolutions.
Average battery life.
2. Lenovo ThinkPad P53 Workstation
| CPU speed: | 4.50GHz |
| GPU: | Integrated |
| Memory: | 32GB |
| Storage: | 1TB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 6 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 pro |
The Thinkpad P53 Workstation is a professional laptop by Lenovo, specifically designed to be an office-optimized laptop.
This Laptop has been the best for AutoCAD for years due to the nature of the job. The processor for Thinkpad is the Intel i7, 9th gen processor.
Although it is a tad bit low in performance when compared to the latest 10th gen, it is more than enough to qualify as the best laptop for AutoCAD users.
When we look at benchmark performance, the 9750H has a 7% less clock speed when compared to 10th gen processors. However, this loss is not significant enough to cause problems while operating even the most toll-taking software.
It is equipped with a professional Quadro T1000 graphics card. Although it has fewer CUDA cores when compared with the consumer variant, it still outperforms the requirements for the best AutoCAD laptop.
However, the T1000 does not have the ray tracing feature. This may cause a slightly less realistic gaming experience, but AutoCAD users do not need to worry about that as it is almost 40% more power efficient in comparison to the consumer variant.
The system is laced with 32 GB DDR4 SODIMM RAM designed for notebook computers. The RAM coupled with the 9th gen processor by intel makes for a smooth working experience.
That is why the Thinkpad is one of our choices for the Best AutoCAD laptop and you will not regret getting your hands on this laptop.
Comes with the best processor.
Performs according to your expectations.
Professional design, resembling professionals.
All required ports as you expect.
Resolutions meets your requirments.
Entry-level memory.
No Thunderbolt 3 port.
3. MSI GL65 Leopard
| CPU speed: | 5.0GHz |
| GPU: | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 |
| Memory: | 16GB |
| Storage: | 512GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 5 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 |
The GL65 Leopard is a gaming laptop powered by the latest Intel Core i7 10th Gen processor. As we have already mentioned, AutoCAD is CPU intensive. That means it puts a load on your processor than the graphics unit.
Having the latest Intel tech available in the market is definitely the reason leopard has made it into our list of Best laptops for AutoCAD.
The roaring 10th gen CPU will complete all your software and multitasking requirements and still have spare processing power available. That is why the leopard is one of our choices for the best laptop for AutoCAD.
It has a dedicated graphics processor which is also one of the tops of the line available in the market. The RTX 2070 is equipped with the latest Turing architecture and Ray tracing tech.
This is again overkilled for the AutoCAD users. However, the latest games will be running smoothly at high FPS and the laptop will barely breathe while running the AutoCAD. It is always safer to have more power in your hands when we are talking about the best laptop for AutoCAD.
The 512 GB SSD transfers data through the NVMe protocol, which means it has an almost 6 times higher output ratio than a regular SSD.
Couple that with the 16 GB DDR4 RAM and your laptop doesn’t even flinch while running multiple software along with your AutoCAD. You will have a smooth experience and will definitely agree with our list of best laptops for AutoCAD with this computer.
One of the latest Gen Processors.
The exterior is ergonomic.
Display is crisp and clear.
Number of different connectivity ports.
Smooth overall performance.
Poor battery life.
4. Alienware M15 R3
| CPU speed: | 5.1GHz |
| GPU: | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 6GB GDDR6 |
| Memory: | 16GB |
| Storage: | 512GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 4 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
Alienware has always been known for its high-end gaming laptops. The M15 boasts to be the thinnest Alienware laptop available in the market, with almost all top-of-the-line specs.
The CPU is the latest 10th Gen Intel i7 processor with 4 multithreading cores maxing out at a stunning 5.1 GHz of clock speed.
This makes it faster than any traditional processor which would need 8 cores and still won’t match the power of 10th gen i7.
That is why the M15 is our choice for the best laptop for AutoCAD. In addition to being the best in tech, the M15 is sleek looking with an alloy-built body making it very lightweight. The alloy finish gives it a very sleek and modern look.
The graphics card is the GeForce RTX 2060, also equipped with ray tracing and the latest Turing architecture.
Needless to say, the latest names in the gaming market will be running without a hitch in the M15.
Again, the graphics card is overkill for just running the AutoCAD software but you will not mind having the power to spare when working with laptops.
The M15 has an M.2 SSD memory. M.2 bypasses the southbridge while working on your computer. In simple words, it is almost 10 times faster than the regular SSD. When you add 16 GB DDR4 RAM to the equation, you get the formula for a smooth-sailing laptop that is up to the task of multitasking and high-end gaming.
The M15 is overqualified to be on the list of best laptops for AutoCAD. But, that is exactly what the user would prefer.
Stylish with nice ergonomics.
Performance of higher level.
The latest hardware is packed inside.
New Gen connectivity ports.
Clear display with acceptable brightness.
The battery life is worst.
5. Acer Predator Helios 300
| CPU speed: | 5.0GHz |
| GPU: | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB |
| Memory: | 16GB |
| Storage: | 512GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 6 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
The Predator series by Acer is as much of a gaming series as the Alienware by Dell. Needless to say, any gaming laptop would be one of the best laptops for AutoCAD, but with the Predator Helios 300, we have more reasons for you.
The CPU is the latest in the market an Intel Core i7 10th Gen processor, it just doesn’t get any better than this if you want to stick to Intel.
The processing speed of up to 5 GHz would leave no room for wanting more for you when it comes to AutoCAD.
Predator Helios has also got the cosmetics covered.
It has an RGB backlit keyboard that can be customized to not only different colors, but you can also light up different sections of the keyboard as per requirement. Maybe not relative to AutoCAD users, but style does have its space.
The Turing architecture ray tracing enabled RTX 2060 is a 6 GB dedicated graphics card which is good enough for most of the modern games being developed today.
It would run the heaviest games with a high fps and is optimized for a gaming experience. Although not much needed, the GPU is also one of the reasons for having Helios 300 in our list of best laptops for AutoCAD.
The RAM is a dual-channel DDR4 with 16 GB of memory. Dual-channel means that it has more than one access point for the computer.
In other words, which means simultaneously more memory can be accessed giving it a boost over single-channel RAMs.
When you combine that with the NVMe SSD hard drive (512 GB), it just does not get any better than this. With this processing power, it is definitely one of our choices for the best laptop for AutoCAD.
Decent from the outside.
Powerful enough to crush anything.
Much better on the display side.
Keyboard and touchPad are exactly what you need.
Again, the battery life is below average.
A little on the heavy side.
6. Dell Gaming G3 15 3500
| CPU speed: | 5.0GHz |
| GPU: | Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 Ti |
| Memory: | 16GB |
| Storage: | 512GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 7 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
The G3 from Dell is an entry into a mid-level gaming laptop. But that classification is mainly due to the dedicated graphics card.
The CPU is the latest Core i7 10th Gen with 4 multithreading cores. There isn’t much else that Intel can offer you when it comes to raw processing speed in the consumer market.
Multithreading means that instead of the traditional single thread per core, it has 2 threads making it equivalent to an 8 core traditional processor.
Now let us talk about the dedicated GPU. It has the GeForce GTX 1650 Ti. The GTX series is not equipped with the latest ray tracing technology; moreover, the card only has 4 GB of memory.
However, this does not make it a bad choice for a laptop for AutoCAD users. The only thing the entry-level GPU would restrict is the high-end gaming experience. If you are on a budget, The G3 15 3500 would still be one of the best laptops for AutoCAD.
The memory is a regular SSD and you get 512 GB of it. It may not be as fast as the NVMe or M.2, but it can certainly fulfill the requirements for AutoCAD users and still have room to spare.
Combine the fast SSD memory with 16 GB DDR4 RAM and you get the formula for a powerful laptop with top-of-the-line processing speed. You will not even notice a lag running multiple tasks on this beast and that is why it is part of the best laptop for the AutoCAD list.
Overall, the 10th Gen latest processor and the SSD memory would run your programs like a breeze and you won’t even notice the difference in routine activities.
Even while running AutoCAD you should be able to multitask quite easily. So overall, if you have a strict budget and don’t wish to pay extra dollars for GPUs, G3 would also be one of the best laptops for AutoCAD.
Achieves your desired CPU speed for autoCAD.
Designed decently from the outside.
Awesome memory.
All Ports are available.
Keyboard and touchpad.
The battery life isn’t in favor of Dell G3.
7. Lenovo Ideapad L340
| CPU speed: | 2.4GHz |
| GPU: | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 |
| Memory: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 512GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 6 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 |
The Ideapad L340 by Lenovo is what you would call a budget or entry-level gaming laptop. However, what qualifies as an entry-level in the gaming world has all the necessary firepower to be one of the best laptops for AutoCAD.
If you are operating on a tight budget, it only makes sense that you let go of the extra processing power that is available to you to make the laptop more affordable.
The processor for Ideapad is the relatively older Core i5. However, it is still the 9th gen processor and houses more than enough firepower to make AutoCAD run like a breeze.
Despite being a Core i5, 9300H is equipped with the same 4 multithreading cores and is considered one of the high-end processors for laptops.
It has a benchmark score of 69 against the i7, the 10th gen’s score of 76, which is still pretty high when you talk about processing power.
In other words, the processor is one of the reasons Ideapad L340 is one of the best laptops for AutoCAD if you are on a relatively tighter budget.
The GPU is GeForce GTX 1650, an entry-level graphics card that will allow you to play most new games at a decent graphics setting and fps.
However, it does not have the Ray tracing technology. Your visuals may not be breathtakingly alive but still above par.
The GPU, however, does not affect the running of AutoCAD much, and any user would find it to be one of the best laptops for AutoCAD.
The memory is using NVMe technology and there is 512 GB of it. Making it almost 6 times faster than a normal SSD, coupled with a high-end processor, and all your routine work on your laptop will be going without so much as a hitch.
The RAM is only 8 GB but is more than enough for routine requirements including AutoCAD. In short, on a tighter budget, L340 would be your choice for the best laptop for AutoCAD.
Comes in low budget.
Performs butter smooth for CAD.
Good design.
Good display.
More connectivity options.
The battery life is terrible.
8. ASUS TUF Dash Premium Laptop
| CPU speed: | 4.1GHz |
| GPU: | GeForce RTX 3050Ti |
| Memory: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 512GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 8 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
TUF is the ASUS equivalent of Ideapad L340. It is classified as an entry-level gaming laptop. However, it is still housing more than enough processing power to be one of the best laptops for AutoCAD.
Our users on a budget will appreciate a pick that does not have much processing power to spare but is lighter on the pocket.
Core i5 – 9300H is benchmarked very close to the Core i7 processors being a 9th gen itself. For all intents and purposes, it is a high-end CPU in the market and you will not have any complaints while running any routine job or software, including AutoCAD.
The CPU has a max clock speed of 4.1 GHz while processing and won’t leave much to be desired.
The GPU is a GeForce GTX 1650 without the latest ray tracing technology but still has enough power to run most of the latest names in gaming relatively smoothly on a reasonable graphics setting.
Ray tracing technology allows light sources in your game to react more realistically and cast realistic light and shadows.
But even without ray tracing, 1650 is a Turing architecture-based GPU and will give you reasonable performance.
That being said, it has no noticeable effect on being one of the best laptops for AutoCAD.
The laptop has 8 GB of DDR4 RAM. The latest names in performance are equipped with either 16 GB or 32, but that is for high-end users running their laptops on peak performance.
8 GB DDR4 RAM is still reasonable space and speed to run your laptop smoothly. Couple that with the SSD memory (512 GB) and you will find that your laptop fulfills all of your routine work requirements without cause for concern.
Acceptable battery life.
Runs AutoCAD smoothly.
Attractive design.
Great resolutions.
Good connectivity options.
A little heavy.
9. Acer Swift X 14
| CPU: | AMD Ryzen 7 4.4 GHz |
| GPU: | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti |
| Memory: | 16GB |
| Storage: | 1TB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 6 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
The Acer A515 55G is an entry-level laptop when you talk about the gaming world. However, when you look at routine requirements and software running, the A515 is an adequately powered laptop that can easily be one of the best laptops for AutoCAD.
The entry-level gaming tag is major because of the GPU. It is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 4.4GHZ processor.
The Ryzen 7 has the almost equal performance to the 1035G1 when you look at the benchmark tests.
However, the power consumption of the new latest gen CPU is a significant 66 percent lower than the 10th gen 9300H. It does have some complicated performance statistics that would require a little too much detail to discuss.
In other words, the processor would do its job smoothly without much of a problem. Since AutoCAD is CPU-intensive software, it is one of the best laptops for AutoCAD.
Even with one of the latest-gen of processors, the rest of the combination of specs makes it a little easier on the pocket.
The graphics card is the relatively upgraded NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti. The RTX 3050 is built on the Pascal architecture which is newer than the latest Turing.
When we talk about games, it is an entry-level GPU and may be able to run mid-level games on reasonable graphics settings, but, in terms of software running, it will smoothly manage AutoCAD.
The 16 GB DDR4 RAM coupled with the faster NVMe hard disk (1TB) makes for a very smooth running experience.
With boot-ups under 5 seconds flat and reasonable multitasking on heavy software not being a problem, for our budgeted users, the Acer Swift X 14 is one of the best laptops for AutoCAD.
Good resolutions.
Never lags.
Decent design.
Number of ports.
Unsatifying battery life.
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Conclusion
To conclude, AutoCAD is one of the most diverse software in the market, facilitating most of the engineering disciplines in their practical work. Mechanical engineers can build engines, electrical engineers can map their circuit boards, and much more. In terms of smooth functioning and running, it is more dependent on the processor or the CPU than anything else on your laptop. Even though the major deciding factor on whether AutoCAD runs smoothly would be the CPU, the processor alone cannot account for 100% smooth functioning.
It needs complementary efforts by other working parts like memory and RAM to deliver a satisfying operating experience. In other words, it is the collective harmony created by the different specs working together that make a laptop worth its price.
