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Aside from the comparatively high price, the only other issue to watch out for is software compatibility.

Best laptop for architects overall

1.

Someone drawing interior design plans on paper.

Our benchmarks also showed that loading times were excellent.

you’re able to upgrade the specs on the M2 Pro model up to 32GB memory.

Besides the high cost, the only real downside to opting for a MacBook Pro is that of compatibility.

Apple MacBook Pro on a white background

Other popular programs like Autodesk 3ds Max are Windows only.

Read our fullApple MacBook Pro 16-inch review

Best architecture laptop for graphics performance

2.

Razer Blade 16

TheRazerBlade series are actually high-end gaming laptops.

Razer Blade 16 on a white background

Unlike the MacBook, this laptop comes with anIntelCPU.

The Blade 16 is actually highly customizable.

In other words it can handle both4K120Hz (UHD+) and 1080p 240Hz (FHD) content natively.

Dell XPS 13 Plus on a white background

The Razer Blade 16 can be customized with a variety of graphics cards.

This should be sufficient for any modern CAD/modeling software.

High processing power is also assured by maxing out the DDR5 RAM to 32GB.

MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) in use in a studio

Naturally powering a high-end graphics card is a drain on the battery.

Read our fullRazer Blade 16 review

Best laptop for architects on a budget

3.

Integrated graphics re provided via Intel Xe.

Razer Blade 16 (2023) on a desk

Our first tests revealed the CPU is actually around a third faster than the previous model.

Our reviewer had no trouble downloading and playing the resource-intensive first-person shooter Valorant.

This is balanced out by fast charging via Thunderbolt 4.

The Dell XPS 13 Plus photographed on a wooden desk.

The biggest draw for architects starting out is this model is relatively powerful and reasonably priced.

These are resource-hungry apps, after all.

Before buying, confirm to read independent reviews and check benchmarks like system performance and battery life.

Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop:…

Companies like Apple and Amazon offer a certified refurbished program.

For extra savings, we’re tracking thebest laptop for AutoCAD deals, too.

Therefore, the CPU (central processing unit) is the most important part of a laptop.

Dell XPS 13 Laptop - w/…

The better the CPU, the faster your rig handles 3D modeling and Adobe programs.

At a minimum, you will need a 4-core processor with at least a 2.4 GHz clock speed.

We recommend at least a 6-core processor to handle multi-threaded architecture tasks.

Dell

RAM

RAM is a very important component as it dictates how many programs your laptop can run simultaneously.

Storage

Look for laptops with solid-state drives (SSDs) rather than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs).

SSDs provide faster data access, resulting in quicker file loading times and improved overall system responsiveness.

Graphics performance and dedicated GPU

A dedicated graphics card is a must for architecture.

Many architecture programs like Rhino and Revit use GPU hardware acceleration to achieve the best performance.

2 GB is the minimum it should have, but more is better.

That will give you adequate color accuracy for your drawings and renderings.

A 4K screen will look the best and have the best color accuracy.

And if you take a lot of pictures, an SD card slot is something to consider.

This allows for seamless connectivity with external devices and simplifies data transfer between devices.