To seamlessly run Autocad and Revit, you will need to get a laptop that runs on top-grade computing power, ultra-fast SSD storage, generous RAM, a multi-core CPU with high-speed GHz, and exceptional graphics card. In this article, let’s get into:
Laptop key considerations Best laptops for Autocad and Revit Buyer’s guide and recommended specs
Let’s start looking into the top laptop specifications to look for Revit and Autocad rendering!
Key Considerations for Autocad or Revit Laptop
Before introducing some of the best laptops for Revit and Autocad, it’s important to note that not everyone will look for the same laptop specs to run these programs. A student testing the waters of design will only need minimum specs compared to a licensed architect or engineer.
1 Key Considerations for Autocad or Revit Laptop1.1 RAM1.2 CPU1.3 Storage1.4 Display1.5 GPU2 Best Laptops for Autocad and Revit: Specifications, Pros & Cons3 Best Laptop Autocad and Revit with 4K Display: Gigabyte AERO 153.1 CPU3.2 GPU3.3 RAM 3.4 Storage3.5 Display3.6 Battery Life, Ports, and Peripherals 4 Best 2 in 1 Laptop for Revit and Autocad: Asus Vivobook K5714.1 CPU4.2 GPU4.3 RAM 4.4 Storage4.5 Design and Display4.6 Battery Life and Ports 5 Best Laptop for Revit with Large Monitor: HP Envy 17T5.1 CPU5.2 GPU5.3 RAM 5.4 Storage5.5 Design and Display5.6 Battery Life, Ports, and Peripherals6 Best for Engineering Students: Acer Aspire 76.1 CPU6.2 GPU6.3 RAM 6.4 Storage6.5 Design and Display6.6 Battery Life and Ports7 Buyer’s Guide: Recommended Specifications for the Best Laptop for Autocad or Revit7.1 CPU7.1.1 Considering Clock Speed vs. Multi-core Processors7.1.2 For Modeling and Drafting7.1.3 For Rendering7.2 Storage7.2.1 SSD or Solid State Drive7.2.2 HDD or Hard Disk Drive7.3 RAM7.4 GPU7.4.1 Integrated Graphics Card (Intel HD)7.4.2 Dedicated Graphics Card7.4.3 Workstation Graphics Card7.4.4 GPU for Students vs. Professionals7.5 Display7.5.1 Finish: Matte vs. Glossy7.5.2 Resolution8 Final Verdict – Best Laptop for Autocad and Revit
Here are the key considerations when looking for a new laptop for your building projects. We’ll get more into the details in our Buyer’s guide!
RAM
One of the first things you need to consider is RAM. Especially if you can see yourself rendering many 3D projects and complicated details, you need to get RAM that won’t slow down your workflow. Students should get at least 8GB of RAM, while professionals should get at least 16GB for their laptops to perform well.
CPU
Multi-core CPUs and high clock speeds will dictate how fast your laptop performance will be. Specifically, the more cores you have and the higher your clock speed, rendering will be faster.
Storage
When it comes to storage, SSD will give you much more reliable and long-lasting performance than HDD. While it’s likely that you’ll be getting SSD storage with newer laptop models, this is one of the first thighs you should check when buying a laptop for Autocad or Revit.
Display
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to get a laptop with the highest resolution to run Autocad and Revit. However, you will need to think about the type of monitor that will give the least amount of eye strain. Some considerations to think about are the size of the screen and finish.
GPU
While it’s not necessary to get the most expensive GPU, you need to get a graphics card to keep up with your projects. If not, you will get a laptop that often lags and ends up disrupting your productivity. In our buyer’s guide, learn what type of graphics card is best for you: integrated, dedicated, or workstation graphic cards.
Best Laptops for Autocad and Revit: Specifications, Pros & Cons
Best Laptop Autocad and Revit with 4K Display: Gigabyte AERO 15
If you’re a professional designer, architect, or engineer with a career highly dependent on Revit and Autocad, switch to the powerful AERO 15 by Gigabyte. Aside from running these two programs with ease, you can also multitask and work on other BIM software like Edificus, Archicad, Enscape, and more!
CPU
The AERO 15 boasts an insanely powerful Intel Core i7-10870H chipset with a maximum clock speed of up to 5GHz! This hexacore processor allows architects, electrical, mechanical, and civil engineers to manage detailed workflows, precise structural analysis, and 3D models.
GPU
With the RTX 3060 GPU in the equation, all users can ensure seamless 3D simulations and rendering.
RAM
Complex designs are a piece of cake with the Gigabyte AERO 15. Thanks to its 6GB VRAM, users can handle intricate and detailed textures and workflows with ease. Aside from that, it also has a 16GB RAM that’s reliable for multitasking and extensive design documentation. While this RAM size is enough to run a project with a file size of up to 650MB with zero issues, what’s great about the AERO 15 is that you can always update the RAM size (up to 64GB) if you need it.
Storage
The AERO 15 has 512GB SSD storage, a high-speed unit that can store and retrieve hundreds of Revit and Autocad imports with ease. An SSD this massive also ensures that your Widows 10 Pro OS will boot up in no time.
Display
One of the main selling points of the AERO 15 for engineers is the OLED and 4K UHD display. The 15.6-inch OLED screen is a great asset, especially if you see yourself drafting multiple reinforcement, MEP, and intent models. The 4K display is an excellent choice for professionals working on 3D models.
Battery Life, Ports, and Peripherals
Another great thing about this professional laptop is its durable RGB backlit keyboard and high-speed wireless standards, including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. Professionals can also use the NAHIMIC 3 surround sound system and an HD webcam for the best collaboration and video conference experience ever. The laptop also comes with a wide array of ports and jacks, including RJ 45, 3 USB 3.2, mini DP, HDMI 2.1, Headphone/Microphone combo jack, DC-in Jack, UHS-II SD card reader, and Thunderbolt 3. Let’s focus on the last two: The Thunderbolt jack boasts a 40 GBS speed, about eight times faster than your regular USB 3.1 port. The card reader, on the other hand, boasts speeds of up to 300MB/s, that’s 12 times fast for your average SD port at 25MB/s. It’s on the heavier side at 4.5 pounds, but the battery life is a disappointment for some, averaging only 6 hours at most If you’re looking for one of the most powerful professional laptops for architects and engineers. Get one of the top high-performing laptops: GIGABYTE AERO 15, one of the best laptops for Revit rendering and 3D modeling.
Best 2 in 1 Laptop for Revit and Autocad: Asus Vivobook K571
Are you wondering what 2 in 1 laptop is best for Autocad and Revit? Here’s your answer–– the Asus Vivobook K571, a highly dependable laptop for professionals. Suppose you’re a mid-level architect or contractor that depends on Revit and other BIM sources for a living. In that case, you can rely on this 2-in-1 storage laptop to provide you with opportunities to create complex designs and manage team collaborations.
CPU
You can’t find a laptop at this price point with a processor as powerful as the Intel Core i7-10750H. This hexacore CPU ensures that you can run BIM resources and carry out all your planning, designing, and construction tasks without any problems
GPU
You also get a mid-range GTX 1650 GPU that’s great for standard parametric formats, 3D visualization, and a whole array of conceptual design-specific tools. With its 4GB video card, you can rely on this laptop to allow seamless detailing on Autocad and Revit.
RAM
Thanks to its 16GB RAM, you won’t have any problems working on diverse projects and team collaborations. Mid-level professionals will be happy enough with this much memory that will allow the handling of multiple projects and multitasking without any lags.
Storage
As for storage, the Asus Vivobook K571 boasts a dual-storage module that ensures you can store as many projects as you want without affecting system performance. Its 1TB HDD was designed to hold all your static projects, while the 256GB SSD is enough for Windows 10 to support various BIM, Sketchup, and CAD software without any problems.
Design and Display
If you’re wondering what the best laptop for gaming and work is, these specs will answer your question: The Vivobook features a 15.6-inch 1080p Full HD display with an 80% screen-to-body ratio. It offers an overall refresh rate of 120Hz and a wide-view display of 178-degrees, great for gaming, viewing parametric designs, and rendering in real-time! You can rest assured that you won’t have any issues with frame drops. Even better, you won’t have to worry about working long on this laptop, thanks to its ASUS IceCool Technology. This unique internal design addresses all uncomfortable heating issues by preventing heat build-up under the palm rests. What’s more, the Vivo K571 features a Dual-fan cooling system coupled with a rear-vent design that ensures users stay comfortable even after hours of use.
Battery Life and Ports
The Vivobook offers reliable Wi-Fi AC support and an extensive collection of high-speed USB ports, including USB 3.0, Type-C, Type-A, and HDMI. However, this laptop might not be the best for work trips and traveling due to its low 5-hour battery back-up. If you’re looking for a stylish mid-level work and gaming laptop, the Asus Vivobook K571 offers reliable features thanks to its powerful processor, dual storage module, and seamless GPU.
Best Laptop for Revit with Large Monitor: HP Envy 17T
If you’re a mid-level architect or contractor looking to invest in a laptop with a large display, a powerful processor, and good battery life, check out the HP Envy 17T. Considering its serious specifications, the HP Envy 17T is one of the most budget-friendly laptops for mid-level professionals!
CPU
The HP Envy 17T is powered by the Intel Core i7-1065G7 chipset, with a maximum speed of 3.9GHz. Remember that this is a single-core processor, so it’s reliable for construction modeling and precise rendering of 2D projects.
GPU
Thanks to the combination of its powerful processor and GeForce MX330 GPU, professionals can handle most projects by allowing seamless fabrication, splitting, and more. Even better, this laptop’s requisite hardware makes it easier for professionals to collaborate with partners, such as structural engineers, on specific models that require specific fabrication and steel detailing.
RAM
Users will love HP Envy’s high-speed 16GB RAM that works great for collaborations and third-party extensions. With this much memory, you can easily handle projects, render, and export to fabricators without giving up your multitasking habits.
Storage
There’s no need to worry about multitasking because this laptop is powered by Windows 10 Pro and coupled with 1TB SSD storage explicitly made for running multiple programs and multitasking. With 1TB SSD, users can store as many projects, layouts, designs, and materials as their heart’s desire! This storage size is perfect for running Windows 10 seamlessly and quickly.
Design and Display
While it’s not the lightest laptop on our list, you can definitely say that this 6.02 pound and 0.76-inch laptop packs a punch when it comes to design and display! The massive 17.3-inch WLED 1080p touchscreen is a massive gift to all design professionals. In fact, this display has an 86% screen-to-body ratio! It ensures that you’ll never miss the fine details, even when you’re working on complex projects with the highest level of detail. The super-fine FHD WLED multi-touch-enabled edge-to-edge glass promises only the finest user experience. Professionally handle all your models with its durable backlit keyboard, ergonomic lifting hinge, responsive touchpad, and powerful speakers.
Battery Life, Ports, and Peripherals
As you can expect from a top-performing laptop for professionals, the HP Envy 17T offers diverse connectivity options, including W-Fi 6 standard and Bluetooth 5.0 standard. When it comes to ports, you get access to Type-C and Type-A ports, plus an HDMI slot for external displays. Another unique feature of the HP Envy 17T is its comprehensive security. Ensure that your confidential projects and files are safe with the responsive fingerprint reader, webcam kill switch, and microphone mute button. Battery life can reach up to 10 hours on standard use but expect it to take a considerable hit after hours of continuous Revit or Autocad use. Mid-level fabricators, architects, and contractors can find a reliable work laptop with the HP Envy 17T. You won’t need to look for a laptop with a better touchscreen display and ultra-fast performance. Its additional safety and privacy features also make the HP Envy 17T unique and desirable.
Best for Engineering Students: Acer Aspire 7
The Acer Aspire 7 is one of the most affordable heavy-duty design laptops. It’s a great starting laptop for serious undergrads hoping to enter the professional world. Engineering and design students can confidently demand a lot from this device with its powerful CPU, GPU, and generous storage.
CPU
The Aspire 7 from Acer uses a standard Intel Core i5 9300 chipset. This processor is definitely powerful enough to reach a clock speed of up to 4.1GHz, more than enough for your average student. These specs are good enough for component-intensive modeling and your standard MEP fabrication.
GPU
The main selling point of the Aspire 7 for most mechanical students is the GPU. Its GTX 1650 graphics card boasts great computing power that enhances rendering quality for complex Revit processes and layers.
RAM
As for RAM, the Aspire 7 houses only 8GB of system memory. While this surely isn’t enough for a professional, most students can make the most of 8GB RAM without any problems. However, remember that while you can run Revit or Autocad on this laptop, you should refrain from opening too many applications at once.
Storage
The Acer Aspire hits back with some serious storage –– 512GB SSD storage! This is a lot for engineering and design students who need to make extremely comprehensive models. This storage size also works great for Windows 10 OS.
Design and Display
If you plan on staying in front of your laptop for hours on end, Acer’s 15,6-inch screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels is easy on the eyes. With its WLED-backlight, you can be assured of efficient battery power. The lightweight model weighs only around 4.7 pounds, even with its durable chassis.
Battery Life and Ports
You’ll also love its ergonomic backlit keyboard, efficient dual-band wireless AC standard, and Gig Ethernet support. Even better, you can rely on this affordable laptop to support multiple USB ports and an HDMI slot, perfect additions for collaborations and presentations. However, battery life is only about 8.5 hours on standard use. If you’re using Revit or Autocad extensively, it will be difficult to get at least 5 hours on the Acer Aspire 7. Engineering and design students looking for an entry-level laptop can rely on the Acer Aspire 7. It’s the best laptop for Revit if you want to get the best value for your money for standard yet reliable specs.
Buyer’s Guide: Recommended Specifications for the Best Laptop for Autocad or Revit
With all the amazing laptops to choose from, finding the best one for you can be complicated. Aside from comparing the brand, you need to consider a few factors regarding hardware to ensure that you get a laptop with great performance. Remember, the best laptop for you will depend on what type of work you will be doing on your laptop. If you are a student who will only be producing some basic projects, you’ll be happy with the minimum system requirements to run Autocad or Revit. However, professionals should look for more advanced system requirements, that is, our recommended system requirements. Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements for Revit and Autocad laptops: We’ve also done our research to bring you our top recommendations for Revit and Autocad hardware specifications:
CPU
For Revit and Autocad to run smoothly on your laptop, you will need a powerful processor. In fact, getting a powerful CPU is much more important than getting an expensive RAM or graphics card to improve performance. The number of core processors affects the performance of Revit and Autocad, and a higher clock frequency means being able to perform more functions per minute. Ideally, if you have the budget, a CPU with a quad-core processor and the highest clock speeds will provide the best performance!
Considering Clock Speed vs. Multi-core Processors
Keep in mind that you should always choose clock speed over a number of cores. Single-core processors with higher clock speeds will perform better than multi-core CPUs with lower clock speeds. While Revit software is mostly dependent on processor speed (GHz), it still does depend on multi-core processors for visuals, especially the latest versions of Revit.
For Modeling and Drafting
For these functions, first, focus on getting a CPU with a higher frequency, then consider the number of core processors. High-end non-workstation laptops have a maximum of 4.2GHz from Intel Core i7 processors, but you can settle for a clock frequency of 3GHz without any problems. Professionals that are used to taking very large design projects should go for processors for: 8th, 9th, 10th Gen Intel Core i7 CPUs or 3rd, 4th Gen Ryzen 7 have clock speeds beyond 4.2GHz. These heavy-duty processors have a quad-core. Students can find versatility with Intel Core I5 CPUs (8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th Gen) or Ryzen 5 CPUs (3rd, 4th Gen). Intel Core i5 with 3GHz is good for 2D projects.
For Rendering
As for rendering, your laptop will mostly depend on its multi-core processors for smooth performance. Students can opt for Intel Core i5 8th Gen or Core i7 7th gen HQ quad-core processors. As for professionals, they will definitely need at least an Intel Core i7 quad-core processor or an Intel Xeon processor. These will ensure that Intel Core i7 processors are ultra-fast, especially if you’ll need to process 3D projects.
Storage
Not many people will think that storage is the second most important component to think about after your CPU! Storage helps to speed up your laptop even more than your GPU. Why is storage so important?
3D design software comes with a library of materials for your products. These include fixtures, textures, surfaces, lighting, and many more. As you can expect, this will take up a significant amount of memory that can potentially slow down your computer. Especially if you’re a professional, you’ll most likely create your own materials to use in this software. This will further drive up your need for competitive storage.
All these data translate to huge file sizes that need to load so that you can get your program up and running quickly. To put it simply, your storage will allow you to write and read files quickly. There are two types of storage you can choose from:
SSD or Solid State Drive
If you’re looking for better storage speeds to improve performance, you will be far better with SSD storage. SSD reads almost 17 times faster than HDD. They’re also more resistant to physical damage, especially if you love to lug around your laptop. SSDs come in huge sizes, ranging from 256 to 512GB for laptops. This is huge for students, but thankfully, SSD is becoming more affordable for everyone.
HDD or Hard Disk Drive
However, note that SSDs are more expensive and offer less storage compared to HDDs. Hard Disk Drives are 17 times slower than the fastest SSD, but they can give you more storage space. Even 1TB to 2TB HDD come relatively cheap. Storage needs for Students v.s Professionals Most undergraduate students won’t use up more than 4GB for Autocad and Revit for their whole stay in college. However, if you attend a 3D software academy, you will probably need more:
128GB for 2D models 256GB for 3D models
For professionals, you will definitely need at least a 500GB SSD if you’ll only rely on a single storage unit. However, a combination of SSD and HDD is also good: such as 256GB plus a 1TB HDD.
RAM
Another consideration to ensure that your laptop runs smoothly on Revit or Autocad is RAM size. Adding more links and details to your models means that you will need higher RAM. In short, you will need a much larger RAM for 3D projects compared to models with just simple shapes. Failing to get the proper RAM will slow down your computer and affect your productivity. For running Autocad, you will need at least 8GB RAM. For running large 3D modes, you will want 16GB RAM. In the same way, students are more likely to need 8GB RAM only for both 2D and 3D models. Professionals working on large projects should invest in 16GB RAM. It’s not likely that you will need a larger RAM of 32GB to 64GB, even if you’re a professional. In any case, RAM is simple and affordable to upgrade, so you can always upgrade this part of your hardware if you come across any problems.
GPU
Another difficult decision to make about your laptop is the graphics card you will work with. Choosing the wrong GPU can result in frustrating delays that will mess up your work process. Here’s what you should know, though: your 3D games are even demanding on your GPU compared to your design software! A high-end GPU will only go as far as to improve your viewports, meaning: panning, rotating, orbiting, and zooming. Great graphics cards can transform complex models and allow you to view your projects seamlessly in 3D. A well-chosen graphics card will be responsive and will avoid any work delays due to flickering, lagging, and the like. If you are wondering if GPU affects rendering, it will be noteworthy to mention that it is the number of core processors, not the GPU, that is responsible for cutting down rendering time. Now, you might be wondering what type of graphics card works best for Revit or Autocad. Let’s go over your three options:
Integrated Graphics Card (Intel HD)
Intel HD cards may save you thousands of dollars since laptops with these graphics cards only cost around $599. However, you should know that integrated graphics cards aren’t ideal for large projects. Your laptop will likely lag or freeze up if you try to zoom or rotate 3D models. If you only work on up to 50MB projects, you might be able to get away with a Core i5 processor coupled with 8GB RAM and disabled hardware acceleration. While students are more likely to work with integrated graphics cards without a problem, ask your adviser or professors if they recommend it.
Dedicated Graphics Card
If you are working on larger files of up to 100MB to 700MB, you should consider getting a dedicated graphics card. You don’t have to shell out all your money for an expensive workstation card that runs for about $3,000. You can settle for gaming cards! Ask your tech-savvy gamer friends: gaming cards can keep quality high and prices because of the massive competition in the market. However, there are still some disadvantages to getting a gaming card:
Not all compatible with Revit and Autocad You might need additional customer support from your laptop manufacturer or AutoDesk You might encounter a few bugs, but they’re still worth the price compared to workstation cards.
Just as long as you review the gaming card you go with, you should be alright. It will be best to stick with 9th to 10th generation cards, similar to workstation cards. Another thing to consider is VRAM or dedicated video memory. Keep in mind that More vRAM will mean bigger models.
Workstation Graphics Card
This type of graphics card is costly, but they’re beneficial for some CAD software. Some of the advantages are:
Fewer bugs and glitches Official support from AutoDesk Can run plugins and additional features Guaranteed compatibility
GPU for Students vs. Professionals
If you are a student or if you will be working on small projects only, these graphics cards will be good options for you:
NVIDIA MX350 NVIDIA MX250 GeForce GTX 1050 GeForce 1050Ti AMD Radeon RX 55X (540, 550, 555, 560).
For larger projects, you’ll want to invest in these:
GeForce GTX 1050Ti GeForce GTX 1650 GeForce GTX 1060 NVIDIA GeForce 1660Ti AMD Radeon 580 AMD Radeon RX5500M RTX 2060
While not many people will need the level of power offered by the last two options on our list, some professional engineers and architects might find them worth it.
Display
Contrary to what most people think, Autocad and Revit aren’t as taxing on your graphics card as you’d think! You don’t need to invest in the most expensive displays with the best contrast and brightness. All you need to consider is resolution and display. You should also consider getting a larger screen size if you’ll be working a lot. But even then, most laptops with a good CPU and GPU will come with adequate display specifications. Still, you should think about these factors to minimize eye strain and improve resolution:
Finish: Matte vs. Glossy
A matte display is generally preferred if you will be working in front of your computer a lot. It will protect your eyes from distracting reflections when you work in bright locations. You can even opt for an IPS display to get better viewing angles.
Resolution
The other factor to keep in mind for display is resolution. Keep in mind that Revit doesn’t do well with 768p or 900p resolution. Aside from being expensive, 2k and 4k resolutions don’t work well with either. A Full HD 1080p display is a good choice for Autocad and Revit users.
Final Verdict – Best Laptop for Autocad and Revit
If you rely on Revit and Autocad for a living, you will want to invest in a reliable laptop that can keep up with your design, rendering, and fabrication needs. Whether you’re an engineer, designer, architect, or you’re still a student, you will know how hard it is to find a laptop that offers powerful and high-speed performance at an affordable price! From this article, I hope you are able to tell what specifications to look for in your new laptop! While professionals and students will definitely have different needs, remember to keep these factors in mind:
CPU RAM Storage GPU Display
From our comprehensive research at PCWebopaedia, we found four laptops that engineering, design, and architecture students and professionals will love:
For professionals looking for a high-end and ultra-reliable laptop, we recommend the high-performing Gigabyte AERO 15. Mid-level professionals will love the versatility and security offered by the reliable HP Envy 17T For mid-level engineers, contractors, and architects looking for a laptop at an affordable price, go for the Acer Aspire 7 If you’re a student or entry-level professional looking for a gaming and work laptop at an affordable price, go for the Asus Vivobook K571.
There you have it! We hope you find the best laptop for Autocad and Revit based on YOUR needs. Happy rendering!
