AutoCAD is a powerful software program used by architects, engineers, and designers to create detailed 2D and 3D drawings. However, running AutoCAD requires a high-performance laptop with the right specifications.
In this guide, we will be reviewing the best laptops for AutoCAD to help you find the perfect one for your needs.
Top Picks for Best Laptops for AutoCAD
Our Top 5 Recommendations The best laptops for AutoCAD are those that are specifically designed to handle the demands of the software.
These laptops have powerful CPUs, graphics cards, and enough RAM to run the software smoothly. Here are our top 5 recommendations for the best laptops for AutoCAD:
Dell XPS 15
This laptop has a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, making it ideal for running AutoCAD. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | Dell |
| Series | XPS9500 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Color | Silver |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB |
| CPU Model | Core i7 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 |
MacBook Pro 16-inch
This laptop has a 9th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M graphics card, making it a great choice for running AutoCAD. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | Apple |
| Model Name | MacBook Pro |
| Screen Size | 16 Inches |
| Color | Silver |
| Hard Disk Size | 512 GB |
| CPU Model | Core i9 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Operating System | Mac OS |
| Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
HP Spectre x360
This laptop has a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics card, making it ideal for running AutoCAD. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | HP |
| Series | HP Spectre |
| Screen Size | 13.5 Inches |
| Color | Nightfall Black |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB |
| CPU Model | Core i7 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro |
| Card Description | Integrated |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel |
ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX701
This laptop has a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card, making it perfect for running AutoCAD. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storage.
| Brand | ASUS |
| Series | GX701GX-XB78 |
| Screen Size | 17.3 Inches |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB |
| CPU Model | Core i7 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 |
| CPU Speed | 2.6 GHz |
Lenovo ThinkPad P53
This laptop has a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA Quadro T1000 graphics card, making it ideal for running AutoCAD. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | Lenovo |
| Series | Lenovo Thinkpad |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
| CPU Model | Core i7 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Hard Disk Description | SSD |
| Resolution | 1080p |
| Item Weight | 5.51 Pounds |
Key Factors to Consider
When Choosing a Laptop for AutoCAD When choosing a laptop for AutoCAD, there are several key factors to consider. These include the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage.
- CPU: AutoCAD requires a powerful CPU to run efficiently. Look for a laptop with at least an Intel Core i7 or i9 processor.
- GPU: AutoCAD also requires a powerful graphics card. Look for a laptop with a dedicated graphics card from NVIDIA or AMD.
- RAM: AutoCAD requires a lot of RAM to run smoothly. Look for a laptop with at least 16GB of RAM.
- Storage: AutoCAD requires a lot of storage space. Look for a laptop with at least 512GB of SSD storage.
Best Laptops for AutoCAD Under $1000
If you’re on a budget, you can still find a great laptop for running AutoCAD. Here are our top picks for the best laptops for AutoCAD under $1000:
Acer Aspire 5
This laptop has an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and an AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics card, making it ideal for running AutoCAD. It also has 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | Acer |
| Model Name | Aspire 5 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Color | Silver |
| Hard Disk Size | 256 GB |
| CPU Model | AMD Ryzen 5 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 8 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Special Feature | Backlit Keyboard |
| Graphics Card Description | Integrated |
Lenovo IdeaPad L340
This laptop has an Intel Core i5 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, making it a great choice for running AutoCAD. It also has 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | Lenovo |
| Series | Ideapad L340 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Color | Black |
| Hard Disk Size | 512 GB |
| CPU Model | Core i5 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 8 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce |
HP Pavilion 15.6
This laptop has an Intel Core i5 processor and an Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics card, making it suitable for running AutoCAD. It also has 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | HP |
| Model Name | Pavilion |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB |
| CPU Model | Core i5 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 8GB |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Graphics Card Description | Integrated |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Radeon Graphics |
Best Laptops for AutoCAD Under $1500
For those looking for a more powerful laptop for running AutoCAD, but still with a budget, here are our top picks for the best laptops for AutoCAD under $1500:
Dell G5 15
This laptop has a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, making it perfect for running AutoCAD. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | Dell |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Color | Black |
| Hard Disk Size | 512 GB |
| CPU Model | Core i7processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 |
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G GA502
This laptop has an AMD 8-Core Ryzen 9 5900HS processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, making it ideal for running AutoCAD.
It also has 40GB of RAM and a 2TB PCIe SSD for storage.
Machine intelligence built into the potent AMD Ryzen 9 processor anticipates your needs. With 8 cores and 16 threads, experience genuine responsiveness for peak performance.
| Brand | ASUS |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Color | Eclipse Gray |
| Hard Disk Size | 2 TB |
| CPU Model | Ryzen 9 |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 40 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA |
| CPU Speed | 3 GHz |
Acer Predator Helios 300
This laptop has a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card, making it ideal for running AutoCAD. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | Acer |
| Series | Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-54-760S |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Color | Black |
| Hard Disk Size | 512 GB |
| CPU Model | Core i7 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Special Feature | Multi-touch Gesture |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
Best Laptops for AutoCAD Under $2000
For those looking for the ultimate laptop for running AutoCAD, here are our top picks for the best laptops for AutoCAD under $2000:
Razer Blade 15
This laptop has a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, making it perfect for running AutoCAD. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | Razer |
| Series | Blade 15 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Color | Black |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB |
| CPU Model | Core i7 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Card Description | RTX 3070 Ti |
| CPU Speed | 4.8 GHz |
MSI GE75 Raider
This laptop has a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, making it ideal for running AutoCAD. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage.
| Brand | MSI |
| Series | GE75 Raider 10SGS-222 |
| Screen Size | 17.3 Inches |
| Color | Black |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB |
| CPU Model | Core i7 processor |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
This laptop has an Intel Core i9 12900H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, making it ideal for running AutoCAD.
It also has 16 GB DDR5 of RAM and a 1TB SSD of storage.
A quick 15.6″ FHD/300Hz IPS type display with a 3ms response time lets you see everything.
| Brand | ASUS |
| Series | ROG Strix SCAR 15 Gaming Laptop |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Color | Off Black |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB |
| CPU Model | Core I9 12900H |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Card Description | RTX 3070 Ti |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti |
Frequently Asked Questions about Laptops for AutoCAD
Can I run AutoCAD on a MacBook?
Yes, you can run AutoCAD on a MacBook. The MacBook Pro 16-inch we recommended earlier is a great choice for running AutoCAD.
Is an SSD necessary for running AutoCAD?
Yes, an SSD is necessary for running AutoCAD. An SSD provides faster access to files and can significantly improve the performance of AutoCAD.
How much RAM is required for running AutoCAD?
AutoCAD requires at least 8GB of RAM to run smoothly. However, 16GB or more is recommended for best performance.
Do I need a dedicated graphics card for running AutoCAD?
Yes, a dedicated graphics card is necessary for running AutoCAD. A dedicated graphics card provides the necessary power for running the software’s 3D features.
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve reviewed the best laptops for AutoCAD to help you find the perfect one for your needs.
We’ve provided our top picks for different budget ranges, and discussed the key factors you should consider when choosing a laptop for AutoCAD.
Remember to consider the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage when making your decision.
Whether you’re a professional architect, engineer, or designer, or just someone who needs to use AutoCAD for a project, we hope this guide has helped you find the perfect laptop for your needs. Happy shopping and happy designing!