8 best laptops for architects to unleash your imagination

by Milan Stanojevic

Deputy Editor

Last update:October 28, 2020

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While these are some of the best laptops for architects, there are many more such laptops available in the market that suit your needs.

Just check on the minimum requirements for an architecture laptop, then add your needs on top of those, and you have yourself a great machine.

Minimum requirements to consider when choosing laptops for architects

The minimum hardware requirements to check for when finding the best laptops for architects include, but are not limited to:

• Intel Core i7 or newer processor:
• 16 GB minimum (or more) System RAM for better performance
• Hard Drive (storage) of 512 GB SSD or 750 GB/7200 RPM minimum (or more)
• 15” monitor/display
• A Video Adapter or graphics card with 512 MB VRAM, or more
• Windows 10 Pro (not Home) operating system
• A Windows compliant (100%) sound card
• Network adapters: Wi-Fi included; wired Ethernet adapter with Ethernet cable for faster connections
• External Hard Drive for backups, should be at least the same size as the internal drive, or more
• Warranty service of 3 years for onsite parts, labor, or third party damage/loss

The minimum software requirements to check for when finding the best laptops for architects include, but are not limited to:

• Microsoft Office 365
• Autodesk AutoCAD 2017 or later version (not LT)
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• MultiFrame

With these in mind, you’re well on your way to selecting the perfect laptop to use or get for architecture.

Extra tips for choosing the best laptops for architects

Here are some extra tips to help you when choosing a laptop for architects based on the specifications:

1. Processor

This determines the performance of your laptop, hence the need for an Intel Core i7 at the very least, for the best performance.

No one wants to work on blueprints or make sketches of models with a sluggish laptop.

2. RAM (storage)

The reason that 16GB RAM is recommended is that you need a lot of memory especially with the kind of projects you work on in architecture.

Most of the time, laptops for architecture come with 8GB RAM, which is enough if you don’t have other apps running, but you’re better off with 16 GB.

3. Hard drive storage

The minimum requirement for laptops for architects is 512GB of hard drive storage, but this also depends on your budget. Either way, it is recommended for architectural use.

This also includes the type of storage, where solid-state drives are preferred over HDD type of storage.

With SSD storage, you get higher storage capability, which means you get faster speeds, higher performance, and easier maintenance of your laptop.

4. Graphics card

You cannot look for a laptop for architects without considering the graphics card.

You can opt for the cheaper option which is an integrated graphics chip, or go with the recommended NVIDIA GEFORCE graphics card, which are strong, durable, and deliver amazing performance.

There’s also the NVIDIA Quadro and FirePro, which deliver better stability for your graphics, especially in rendering 3D models.

These two are pricey though, so unless you really have to, then you can go with the NVIDIA GEFORCE.

5. Display

This is one of the top considerations when choosing laptops for architects because you want to know how you will view your blueprints and sketches.

The screen display also determines the intricate details you get to view as you work, so it’s a big deal really.

Check on the resolution, which is simply the pixels, so a good resolution could be anything from 1920×1080 to 3200×1800.

Check also the panel type, the best-known being IPS which delivers better contrast and angles for viewing. Brightness is important especially when you’re working in the outdoors, so anything between 260-330 nits works.

Finally, check the color accuracy because you need a laptop that shows things as they will look, especially when working on clients’ projects.