Best laptops for AutoCAD, budget laptops and workstations for running AutoCAD in 2020

AutoCAD is a very popular tool for 2D and 3D modeling, especially among architects. If you’re an architect or a graphic design student looking for a laptop for AutoCAD, you’re on the right page! Not only we will help you choose the best laptop for AutoCAD, but also find the right laptop for your needs.

AutoCAD is a resource intensive application, so you’ll need a powerful laptop in order to run the program smoothly. Laptops like this are usually quite expensive; but simply getting the most expensive laptop money can buy does  not always guarantee the best performance when it comes AutoCAD.  In addition to that, and if you’re on a limited budget, it’s better to narrow down your needs and focus on the components that mater the most when working with AutoCAD, in order to get the best hardware for your money. In this article, we will guide you through some of the things you should consider to run AutoCAD and similar applications on a laptop. And if you are on a budget, finding a good budget laptop for AutoCAD isn’t impossible, we’ve selected some good options for you!

What to look for when buying a laptop for AutoCAD?

Let’s first start with the official system requirements for AutoCAD 2020:

As you can see, AutoCAD is pretty heavy when it comes to the processor, RAM, and graphics card. And it goes without saying that you need a good display too. So, let’s look at each component closely and see why it’s important when buying a laptop for AutoCAD.

Processor (CPU): AutoCAD, and CAD software in general is quite heavy on the processor, and to choose the best laptop for AutoCAD, you should get a laptop that has a processor with a high single core speed. AutoCAD remains a single threaded application; this means that the program cannot utilize more than one core when running,  and thus, even if your processor has multiple cores, it’s the single core performance that matters. According to Autodesk, AutoCAD and AutoCAD for Mac only support multi-core technology in very specific areas of the product, like 2D regeneration and MentalRay rendering. And if you don’t know what Single threaded or Multi threaded mean, here is a quick refresh: When it comes to processors, there are mainly two things to consider, the clock speed or frequency measured in Ghz (number of operations the CPU can do per second) and the number of cores (the number of physical cores the CPU contains).

To get a good laptop for AutoCAD, check the base clock speed of the processor. It is recommended to get at least an 8th gen Intel core I5 processor, and preferably one from the “H” series, which usually have higher clock speeds.”U” processors are also good, and thanks to turbo speed, they can reach high frequencies too. If you will be doing more complex CAD modeling, then consider getting an i7 or even a mobile work station with an Intel Xeon.

Graphic Card (GPU): If you are going to work on 3D models, getting a faster GPU is recommended. While Autodesk’s certified graphic cards like the NVIDIA Quadro series can be costly, you don’t actually need a dedicated graphics card to run AutoCAD. However, getting a dedicated GPU will greatly benefit your workflow and performance. Most gaming laptops can also run AutoCAD with no issues, so if you’re also into gaming, consider a laptop with a dedicated GTX 1060. If you’re more into doing complex 3D designs, use AutoCAD on a professional scale, or if you want the maximum performance you can get from a laptop, then you should consider looking into mobile workstations. Mobile Workstations usually come with Nvidia Quadro cards, and they are the go to choice if you’re a professional, or if you want the best performance you can get. These cards are usually certified by Autodesk, and the Cards’ Drivers  have been tested and optimized by Autodesk’s teams, in order to improve performance. This is also very important, if you want to use other programs, such as Solidworks, which requires you to have a certified graphics card in order to access support.

RAM:  When choosing a laptop for AutoCAD, and CAD modeling in general, RAM quantity is a very important factor. Autodesk recommends a minimum of 8GB of RAM, but it’s recommended to get a laptop with at least 16GB of RAM (or a free slot to add more RAM later). Having more makes multitasking easier, since most users will be running AutoCAD simultaneously along with Photoshop, or web browser, which will usually eat up 2-3 gigs of RAM.

Storage:  You probably already know it, but whenever you have the choice, choose a laptop with a Solid State Drive (SSD). For AutoCAD, an SSD will bring a huge boost to performance, boot times, and app launching times. SSDs are more expensive, compared to traditional hard drives; and that’s why their storage capacity is still limited. So if you need more storage capacity, consider getting a laptop that has two drives (SSD+HDD), or simply using an external drive for your files.

Display:  There are three main things to consider when buying a laptop for CAD work: the screen size, screen resolution, and color reproduction. This is a matter of personal preference, but AutoCAD, it is recommended to get a laptop with at least a 15 inch screen and Full HD resolution. Smaller 13 inch laptops have the advantage of being more portable, but unless connected to a bigger external monitor, doing your modeling work on a 13 inch laptop will involve a lot of zooming around. Laptops with IPS displays are also recommended, since IPS panels do a much better job at reproducing colors, and have better viewing angles. IPS is the go to option for designers.

Best laptops for AutoCAD:

Now that you know what to look for in a laptop to run autoCAD, as well as other 3D modelling programs such as Inventor,  Revit, Solidworks, or Fusion 360 ; let’s check out some of the best laptops for AutoCAD we’ve selected for you. This list will be updated regularly, so if you have a question or suggestion, feel free to ask us in the comment below!

• Acer Nitro 5 AN515-54-5812

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First on our list, we have the Acer Nitro 5 AN515-54-5812. This affordable laptop is not only great for gaming, but it’s also one of the best budget laptops for AutoCAD you can get at this price range.  It comes with a 9^th Gen Intel Core i5-9300 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB NVMe SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card, with 4GB of video memory. The Nitro 5 is a very good choice for students, who want a laptop for college. When it comes to running AutoCAD, this laptop does a pretty good job for its price. Thanks to the powerful i5 processor, and dedicated graphics. The I5-9300H has a base clock speed of 2.4Ghz, and goes up to 4.1Ghz in Turbo Speed; it has a very good single core performance, which improves performance when working in AutoCAD. The GTX 1650 is also capable of handling CAD software just fine. Unless you’re doing complex 3D projects in AutoCAD, this laptop is more than enough.

There are a few more good things about the Nitro 5, such as the 15,6 inch Full HD display, which now features an IPS panel. And although it’s not the brightest screen out there, it’s a huge improvement over the last generations, and the picture quality is noticeably  better. And if you find yourself needing more RAM or storage space, don’t worry! Because the Nitro 5 has space for an additional RAM stick, and also a free 2.5” drive bay for installing a second SSD.  The Nitro 5 is also easy to upgrade.

There are plenty of connectors in the Nitro 5, including 3 usb ports, 1 USB-C port, HDMI,  and Ethernet.  It also comes with WIFI 6, which helps improve the network and Wifi Speed; if you have a compatible Wifi 6 Router.

In terms of build quality, the Nitro 5 is entirely made of plastic. It feels durable and well built for what you pay for.  The keyboard is nice, and it’s also backlit. The design is probably the only thing to dislike about this laptop; because while some people would find those red trims and aggressive angles cool, others might find them simply toy-like.  I personally think the looks of the Nitro 5 are not too much of a compromise, considering its performance, and price. So if you’re a student and need a pretty cheap laptop for AutoCAD, the Nitro 5 could be the ideal laptop for you!

• Lenovo Ideapad L340

  

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Just like the previous one, the Lenovo Ideapad L340 is a remarkable budget gaming laptop. The L340 comes with a 9^th gen I5-9300H processor, 6GB of DDR4 RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card. The L340 is not only good when it comes to playing your favorite games, it’s also capable of running AutoCAD with no lags or issues.  If you’re a college student and want a laptop for AutoCAD and Engineering software,   and especially if you want something that looks a little bit more professional , then definitely consider the Ideapad L340.

In terms of build quality, the L340 is solid well built. The chassis is made of plastic and metal. The keyboard is very nice, as expected from Lenovo, and you can easily type on it for a long time comfortably. It’s also backlit, which helps a lot when typing in a dark environment.

Connections are quite good, with two standard USB 3.0 ports, one USB-c (3.0) port, one HDMI-Out port, and ethernet RJ-45 port.

• Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 15IMH05

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 15IMH05 was recently released, and although there aren’t many reviews about it out there, it’s actually one of the best laptops at this price range. This laptop features a 10th gen i5-10300H processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia GTX 1650Ti graphics card. The new i5-10300H processor is very powerful, and easily rivals the previous gen’s i7 processors, when it comes to single core performance. The 1650Ti is also slightly more powerful than the regular 1650, and although both cards have 4GB of video RAM, the 1650Ti outperforms the 1650 by about 15%.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 15IMH05 is reasonably priced, and offer a ton of performance for the money. It’s a great laptop for running AutoCAD, as well as other 3D modelling programs, such as fusion 360, Revit, or Solidworks.

The chassis is mostly made out of hard plastic, but the design is actually very clean and helps give the Ideapad 3i a more premium look. There’s also a good amount of ports, including 1 USB-C port, 2 USB3.0, HDMI, and Ethernet.

In case you might need more performance, you can also add a second RAM stick, as the 8GB model featured here has a free RAM slot. There’s also a free 2.5 inch drive bay.

The display quality is quite good considering the price range. The Ideapad 3i features a full HD 15,6 inch display. It’s an IPS display, with good viewing angles and deep contrasts. However, it’s not the brightest display out there, nor the most color accurate. So, if color accuracy is important to you, better look into another laptop. But overall, the Ideapad 3i is definitely one of the best laptops for AutoCAD you can find at this price range.

• HP Pavilion 15-dk0042nr

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The HP Pavilion 15-dk0042nr is another great budget laptop for AutoCAD. Under the hood, there is an 9th generation i5-9300H processor, 12GB of RAM, a 512GB Solid state drive  and a dedicated Nvidia Geforce 1650. The Pavilion 15-dk0042nr is an ideal choice if you want a laptop for multitasking, gaming, and of course AutoCAD. Thanks to the extra RAM, capable processor and graphics, this laptop can even handle some complex 3D projects.

This laptop also has plenty of ports: 3 usb ports, 1 USB C port, HDMI, Ethernet, and card reader.

The display is quite good, and has a full HD resolution. Colors are vivid, and viewing angles are excellent thanks to the IPS panel.

• Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-52-710B
  

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The Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-52-710B is a quite a name when it comes to powerful laptops. Powered by a 9th  generation Intel core i7 9750H hexa core processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, a 512GB solid state drive, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM,  the Helios 300 is a perfect choice is you are looking for a laptop for running AutoCAD, as well as video editing, or gaming. The i7-9750H is and excellent processor for CAD work, with a speed of up to 4.5GHz in turbo mode, and a single thread rating of 2526; in addition to that, you’ve got an excellent graphics card, and a good amount of RAM. You can also add more RAM, and an extra M2 SSD if you need storage capacity.

The Helios 300 PH315-52-78VL  sports a 15.6 inch IPS display, at a Full HD resolution. The screen is very beautiful, and offers excellent viewing angles. It also has a matte finish and doesn’t suffer from reflections too much.

The build quality on the Helios 300 is also very impressive, with a solid metal body and contained weight/dimensions for a gaming laptop: the Helios 300 weighs 5.07 lbs and is 14.23 x 10.01 x 0.9 inches .

• Lenovo Legion Y540

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The Lenovo Legion Y540 is another powerhouse that offers a very good quality/price ratio. It has everything to run intensive applications such as AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup… and it’s capable of running most current games in high settings. Thanks to a 9^th Generation Intel quad core i7-9750H processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB M2 SSD + 1TB HDD, and a dedicated Nvidia GTX 1660Ti graphics card, the Legion Y540 delivers the ideal balance between epic  performance and practical portability. It’s a great laptop for architecture and engineering students, who look for a laptop that not only can handle demanding 3D modelling applications, but one that can also be used for gaming.

From the outside, nothing tells you that the Lenovo Legion Y540 is a gaming laptop, you won’t find any red accents, weird design, or an RGB keyboard. It’s good news, for those of you who want a a more professional looking laptop.

The Full HD 15,6 inch display is excellent, and it’s also very responsive, thanks to the 144 Hz refresh rate. The bezels around the screen are also very minimal, resulting in a smaller footprint, and more immersive experience.

• MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062

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We’re moving towards to the most higher end laptop on this list, and the MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062 is one of the best laptops available in this category right now. The MSI GL65 is a reasonably priced mid-sized desktop replacement which offers great value for the money.  What makes the MSI GL65 a good laptop for AutoCAD is the fact that it doesn’t sacrifice the performance, in order to look slimmer or Ultrabook like. This laptop features an Intel Core i7-10750H processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia RTX 2070. The i7-10750H has a base clockspeed of 2.60GHz, and can go up to 5GHz in turbo mode. This processor comes with 6 physical cores, and the single core performance is also excellent. It’s an excellent laptop for running AutoCAD, and you can even tackle complex projects.

The build quality is excellent, and the keyboard is very nice. This laptop is a very good investment if you want something that you can rely on for a few years. It’s also upgradable, you can add up to 64GB of RAM, and there is a free 2.5″ HDD/SSD slot.

The display is also another great feature on this laptop. It’s a gorgeous 15,6 Full HD IPS display which produces vibrant pictures and deep contrasts. It also has a 144Hz refresh rate, which great for gaming. Overall, the MSI GL65 is an ideal laptop for those looking for a desktop replacement.

• Dell XPS 15 7590

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The Dell XPS 7590 is the first thing that comes to mind if you’re looking for an ultrabook that combines style, power, and minimal footprint. If you need a slim and lightweight, yet powerful laptop for AutoCAD, then the XPS 7590 has what it takes. It features a 8th gen Intel Core i7-9750H , 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia Geforce 1650 graphics card. At only 4 lbs and 0.7 inch thickness, the XPS 9570 is undeniably one of the best ultrabooks in its category, with the perfect mix between performance, value, design, and battery life.

Not only does the XPS 7590 pack plenty of power to tackle all your multitasking needs, but it also comes with a gorgeous 15.6 inch IPS display at 4K resolution. It is one of the best displays in its category, offering wide viewing angles and excellent color accuracy, at 100% adobe RGB. The XPS 7590 also has thin bezels, which help reduce the device’s footprint despite having a 15,6 inch display.

• MSI GS66 Stealth 10SE-039

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Just like the XPS 15,  the MSI GS66 Stealth 10SE-039 offers top specs in a small chassis. This laptop is an excellent choice for those looking for a slim laptop that offers incredible performance where ever they go. Powered by a 10th gen Intel i7 10750H processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics card. This powerhouse of a gaming and productivity machine is an excellent laptop for AutoCAD,  as well as other 3D modelling software.

The GS66 is well built, with its matte black metal chassis, and low profile design. It’s sturdy, yet lightweight, which makes a perfect laptop for carrying around.

The display is another advantage of the MSI GS66. It’s a 15.6 inch , full HD IPS display, with 240Hz refresh rate. Not only is that great when gaming, but it also makes the laptop fell more responsive when browsing, or doing your daily tasks.

Battery life is also excellent, considering the specs. You can easily squeeze out 8 hours of use before you need to charge the laptop again. This laptop is equipped with 99,9 Whr battery; which explains the great battery life.

• MSI GS75 Stealth

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The MSI GS75 Stealth is one of the most powerful laptops on this list. Featuring an Intel i9-10980HK processor, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia RTX 2080 with 8GB of video memory; the MSI GS75 is well equipped to handle all of your AutoCAD work.

The included i9-10980HK processor, is one of the most powerful processors found on consumer laptops, with a base clock speed of 2.40GHz, and up to 5.3GHz in turbo mode. This octa core processor score more than 3000 points in single core benchmarks, which makes it ideal for running AutoCAD. But that’s not all, because thanks to the 17,3 inch display, you’ll also be able to really multitask and split the screen to run two programs alongside.

And speaking of the display, it’s easily one of the best you can find on a laptop. With it’s thin bezels, and excellent picture quality, the GS75 comes with a 300Hz refresh rate display. Which is great for gamers.

There is also a wide variety of ports, including 3 USBs, USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, Ethernet, and a minidisplay port.

Best Mobile workstations for AutoCAD:

In this part of the list, we’ve selected some of the best mobile workstations for AutoCAD.  AutoCAD as well as other 3D modelling programs run more than fine on consumer and gaming laptops; but if you’re a professional, or if your projects require a certified hardware, then investing in a mobile workstation is ideal.

A mobile workstation is a notebook computer with high-end computing features not typical of the notebook. Designed for professional users, mobile workstations can handle intense graphic applications and faster processing. They are however bulkier and heavier than regular notebooks, and also more expensive.

Below are some of the best workstation laptops for AutoCAD:

• ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 W700G3T-XH99

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First, we have the new ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17. This 17 inch laptop was specifically designed for engineers and architects in mind. It features an Intel Xeon E-2276M processor, 32GB of RAM, a 2TB PCIe SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000. This mobile workstation is great for 3D artists, engineers, programmers,  and of course, it’s a great machine for running AutoCAD.

The display is also excellent, with full HD resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio. It’s color accurate, with 8-bits color depth and almost 97% DCI-P3 color gamut. The laptop is also easy to carry despite the 17 inch display. The laptop is also very well built, and feels sturdy and durable. It also passed the MIL-STD 810G military standard for reliability and durability.

There’s also a wide number of ports, including 3 USB ports, 1 USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 port, HDMI, and a card reader. There is no Ethernet port on this laptop.

• Lenovo ThinkPad P53

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The Lenovo ThinkPad P53 is the perfect workstation laptop for designers, engineers and power users. Thanks to its strong configuration, the P53 is one of the most recommended workstations for AutoCAD and 3D modeling. It comes with a Quad core Intel i7 9750H processor, 32GB of RAM (up to 64GB), a 512GB m.2 SATA SSD + 2TB HDD, and a professional NVIDIA Quadro T2000 with 4 GB GDDR5 VRAM. There is no need to mention that the ThinkPad P53 is on Autodesk’s certified hardware for AutoCAD.

The ThinkPad P53 is also a perfect choice if you’re a professional multimedia creator; the P53 has one of the best IPS displays on a laptop. The model we recommend here has a 15.6inch display running at 4K  resolution. Viewing angles are almost perfect, and color reproduction is simply impressive.

• Lenovo ThinkPad P73

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The Lenovo ThinkPad P73 is like a bigger and more powerful version of the P53. Designed with enterprise users in mind, this lapotp features a powerful intel i9-9880H processor, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB PCIe SSD, and an Nvidia Quadro RTX 4000 graphics card. The P73 performs well with most tasks, and the NVIDIA Quadro video card lets you work smoothly with design programs, such as AutoCAD, Solidworks, and 3ds Max.

The P73 also excells when it comes to build quality, configurability, reliability, and warranty; which are critical points for professioanl users. It’s built to last, and offers plenty of ports for connecting other devices

• MSI WS65 9TL-685

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MSI might be powerhouse when it comes to gaming laptops, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t cater to enterprise customers. Featured here, is the MSI WS65 9TL-685, which is a powerful 15,6 inch workhorse with plenty of distinctive features. The WS65 actually borrows its design from MSI’s slim gaming laptops, but packs a professional Nvidia Quadro RTX 4000 graphics card. The MSI WS65 also combines an i9-9880H, to 32GB RAM and a blazing fast 512GB nvme SSD. This configuration is more than enough to tackle even complex AutoCAD 3D shapes with no issues.

Another point which makes the MSI WS65 a recommended workstation for AutoCAD is the display. The laptop comes with a big 15,6 inch Full HD IPS panel that does an excellent job, with 100% of the srgb color gamut.

The WS65 is also one the best looking workstation laptops out there; it’s also very slim and easy to carry, being under 5lbs.