TOP PICK 
RUNNER UP
Model
BLW's Score
91
89
87
85
83
MSRP
$1,999.77
$2,399.00
$1,349.95
$580.00
$999.77
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7 2.2 GHz
Intel Core i7 8750 2.2 GHz
Intel Core i7 3.5 GHz
Intel Xeon 2.8 GHz
2.3 GHz Intel Core i7
RAM
16GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
8GB DDRD
Hard Disk
512GB SSD
512GB SSD
512GB SSD
256GB SSD
256GB SSD
Display
15.6'' FHD (1920 x 1080)
15.6'' 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
15.6'' 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
13.3'' FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
15.6'' FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
Nvidia GeForce GTX1050Ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
Nvidia Quadro M2000M
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050
OS
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 7 Pro
Windows 10 Home
Weight
4.6 pounds
4.2 pounds
3.9 pounds
5.9 pounds
5.1 pounds
Battery Life
5 hours
6 hours
7 hours
13.2 hours
5 hours
TOP PICK
Model
BLW's Score
91
MSRP
$1,999.77
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7 2.2 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
512GB SSD
Display
15.6'' FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
OS
Windows 10
Weight
4.6 pounds
Battery Life
5 hours
RUNNER UP
BLW's Score
89
MSRP
$2,399.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7 8750 2.2 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
512GB SSD
Display
15.6'' 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Graphics
Nvidia GeForce GTX1050Ti
OS
Windows 10
Weight
4.2 pounds
Battery Life
6 hours
Model
BLW's Score
87
MSRP
$1,349.95
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7 3.5 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
512GB SSD
Display
15.6'' 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
OS
Windows 10
Weight
3.9 pounds
Battery Life
7 hours
Model
BLW's Score
85
MSRP
$580.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Xeon 2.8 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
13.3'' FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Nvidia Quadro M2000M
OS
Windows 7 Pro
Weight
5.9 pounds
Battery Life
13.2 hours
BLW's Score
83
MSRP
$999.77
More Information
Processor
2.3 GHz Intel Core i7
RAM
8GB DDRD
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
15.6'' FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050
OS
Windows 10 Home
Weight
5.1 pounds
Battery Life
5 hours
If you're looking for a new laptop to run a program such as AutoCAD, then you surely need to be prepared with the budget since these kinds of laptops require high-end specifications.
There are also few other applications that are used by AutoCAD users such as 3D Max, Revit, Adobe 3D modeling and Solidworks. These are the programs mostly used by architects, and we have done all the research to find the best laptops for AutoCAD.
For running such applications, you will need a laptop with a powerful processor, enough storage space, and good Memory. Here in this guide, you can choose any laptop that suits you, and we have made sure all these laptops are extremely reliable and powerful for your needs.
Mostly architects used to go with Desktop PC, but nowadays almost every architect has to go to their client and showcase their work. Of course, that's not possible with desktop, and that's the first reason we decided to create this guide to finding the best AutoCAD laptops.
What to look for in an AutoCAD Laptop?
First of all, you need a processor that's as fast as possible, and currently, we recommend an 8th or 8th generation i7 Coffee Lake processor for the best performance.
Next thing to look for is surely the RAM which should be at least 8 GB and to run the machine smoothly we recommend going with 16 GB of RAM since you will have to do a lot of multi-tasking.
Another important thing to consider is the graphics; of course, you don't need a gaming graphics card but a decent GPU that'll be able to handle the rendering tasks. The display size of your laptop is another important factor that needs to be considered.
You can't use a mini laptop with an 11-inch display for such tasks, and that is why we suggest going with something that's around 15 to 17 inches.
Our Top Picks for Best AutoCAD Laptops
1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus
Specs:
The ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS is a great laptop for using AutoCAD, but it might not be affordable for everyone. It will cost you somewhere around $1800, and it features super high-end specifications such as 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor and 16 DDR4 RAM.
Most of the AutoCAD laptops usually offer top-notch hardware, but this one comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPU which is way better than any other notebook in this guide. It also includes a fast 512GB NVMe SSD.
Well, that's plenty of space for any architect to store the files for at least a couple of years. On top of that, it features a 15-inch full HD 144 MHz IPS display and of course a backlit keyboard. Its battery can keep it turned on for around 5 hours without the need for a plug.
Even though it's able to handle all of the latest games, it will be able to run programs like AutoCAD, Sketchup, TurboCAD Pro, ProgeCAD and DraftSight with ease. While it's designed for playing games, it packs a lot of power that can be used to run such applications.
2. ASUS ZENBOOK PRO
Specs:
The ASUS Zenbook Pro is another great laptop for AutoCAD. We have also listed it in our guide of best gaming laptops under $1500, and it can effortlessly handle all kinds of applications.
This particular laptop from ASUS promises to deliver the performance like no other machine in such price range. Its insides include Intel Core i7-8750HK processor, 512 GB SSD, 16 GB LPDDR4 RAM and NVIDIA GTX1050Ti graphics card.
Its 15-inch touchscreen 4k UHD display is the best treat for your eyes and comes with 3840 x 2160 resolution. It packs all the necessary as well as latest ports including Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 with Type-C and USB 3.0. It also comes with one full year of International warranty as well as one year of accidental protection.
Battery life is also great for a laptop with these specifications. It includes a high capacity battery that can provide up to 9.5 hours of battery life.
3. DELL XPS 15
Specs:
Here comes another one of the high-budget laptop for AutoCAD. It's as powerful as other machines on this list, but when it comes to design, it's very slim and measures less than 0.7 inches.
It's known for its UHD display with InfinityEdge Touchscreen along with the resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels. The display is very helpful for AutoCAD users, and it also includes 6th generation Intel Skylake Core i7-6700HQ processor, 512 GB SSD, 16 GB DDR4 RAM and NVIDIA GTX 960M graphics card.
Dell's XPS series has gained a lot of popularity within very less span of time, and most of their notebooks are fast, powerful and portable. I understand it might not be affordable for everyone, but when it comes to programs like AutoCAD, you simply can't work on budget machines.
It features a chiclet keyboard along with smooth touchpad, and we highly recommend it to those who want a powerful yet portable PC. That being said, it can handle intense games as well and is a perfect choice for travelers and everyday users.
4. LENOVO THINKPAD P50
Specs:
The Lenovo Thinkpad P50 is a different laptop that is rarely seen at anyone. It's mostly recommended for professionals as well as businessmen that require a lot of power for their programs such as AutoCAD.
It's also used by some well-known professional gamers as it packs enough power and good GPU to handle all kinds of games. It comes with Intel Xeon E3-1505MV5 processor, 16 GB DDR4 RAM and 256 GB of SSD.
It also includes NVIDIA Quadro M2000m GPU which is pretty expensive if you want to buy it separately. On a conclusive note, it's the best laptop in its budget range and is incredibly fast while running on Windows 10.
Multi-tasking is never going to be an issue for anyone, and it's undoubtedly the best mobile AutoCAD workstation laptop for architects. You can expect it to run just about any high graphical game or intensive program without ever bothering about the formal requirements. It might be a little heavy to carry around, but it's a great performer and like no other device.
5. ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop FX504
Specs:
The ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop FX504 a very reliable laptop for programs like AutoCAD. Even though we have listed it in the last spot, it's among the best high-performance laptops.
It features and 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8300H processor, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, a 1 TB FireCuda Hybrid Drive and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU. It boasts a unique and stylish design that can't be compared with any other PC in this guide of best AutoCAD laptops. Its 15-inch full HD touchscreen display is an ideal option for architects as well as graphic designers.
Other than AutoCAD users, we also recommend it to home users that require a notebook for their regular use. It offers a great design with powerful specifications including a backlit keyboard rated at 20-million keystroke durability and an anti-dust cooling system.
It comes with pre-installed Windows 10 Home and is surely a decent option for gamers. Hence, it's clearly not the most powerful notebook for using AutoCAD, but it's definitely above average.
6. MSI GE75
Specs:
AutoCAD is no lightweight - you’ll need to get a fast and spacious computer if you want it to run at full effectiveness. MSI laptops are known for being all that and more; even their gaming models, built to somewhat lower standards than their content creator machines, are often filled with exceptionally powerful components that make them the natural choice of anyone who will need computer power to spare on a regular basis.
Even from the outside, this computer is already something to see; it has an extra-large 17.3” diagonal screen, giving the user plenty of room to open and peruse multiple windows even with larger fonts. The ports include a new USB Type-C port, full-size HDMI output, and an integrated memory card reader; an HD webcam is built into the top edge of the screen as well, allowing you to easily conference and collaborate with other members of your team.
As appealing as that might be, it’s what’s under the hood of this laptop that makes the biggest impression; storage, to start with, is provided by a massive terabyte solid state drive. Solid state drives are measurably faster than conventional hard disk drives at nearly every task, and having such a large one built into your computer right out of the box will save you time booting u, running programs, and connecting expansion storage.
The memory is no slouch either - Intel Core i7 processors running 32 gigabytes of RAM are well beyond what you need for even the heaviest of gaming titles, and AutoCAD should run smoothly from the get-go. If that isn’t enough, you can always rely on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card to free up some computing power.
There’s only one thing that might make an AutoCad user do a double-take on this laptop - the price. At well over 1500 USD, it can easily be beyond the reach of most users, and those on a budget are unlikely to spare it even a glance.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an architect or a student, you now know what kind of laptop you need. Remember that AutoCAD needs a laptop with great graphics processing specifications and plenty of memory.
You should also prefer going with a laptop that comes with pre-installed Windows 10 rather than an older operation system version.
So that’s it for us, it’s your turn now to tell us what laptop you think is best for AutoCAD.
