When you’re working on top-notch 3D modeling software and CAD programs like SolidWorks, you are required to have the best laptop for SolidWorks that guarantees total reliability and top performance.
SolidWorks is a program for Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE).. It is one the first companies that offers 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design Software) to run on desktop PCs. The company has launched a range of products since the nineties including SolidWorks2024 for CAD and 3D-modelling.
When you look at the system requirements page, picking the right laptop for SolidWorks doesn’t seem too tricky. The website suggests going for a 64-Bit Intel or AMD CPU, ensuring you have at least 16 GB of RAM, and opting for an SSD to get the best performance possible.
At first glance, it seems like many laptops would work fine with SolidWorks. But things get trickier when you consider graphics cards and GPUs. Not all of them are fully compatible with every feature of SolidWorks. So, it’s important to dive deeper and make sure your laptop has the right graphics capabilities for your needs.
Thankfully, SolidWorks has got your back with a page listing officially certified devices and graphics cards that are compatible with its products. We’ve shortlisted some of the best laptops for SoilidWorks for you to consider. However, since different SolidWorks products have different requirements, it’s wise to reach out to the company before making a purchase. This way, you can ensure your device is fully compatible with the software you’ll be using.
What are the Range of CAD (SolidWorks) and its Functionality:
As mentioned earlier, SolidWorks is an essential tool for designing mechatronic systems from start to finish. Here are some of its key functionalities:
- 3D modeling
- Prototyping
- Detailing Drawings
- Sheet Metal Fabrications
- Complex Shapes
- Mechanical Routing
- Static Simulation
- Direct Part Editing
- Plastic & Cast Part Design
- Welded Structures
- Large Assembly Design
- Assembly Mechanisms
- Hole Alignment
- Animations
- Detailing Drawings
- Convert 2D to 3D
- Collision Detection
- 3D Walk Through
- Mould Tool Design
- 3D Output for 3D CAM
Brief Review of 04 Best Laptops for SolidWorks:
The experts have shortlisted 4 best laptops for SolidWorks, one of the most popular and used computer program for designing and engineering-related tasks. As we have already covered the best laptops for AutoCAD, this blogs is purely related to SolidWorks software.
1. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
SPECIFICATIONS
| CPU | Intel Core i7-11370H at 1.3GHz, quad-core, 12MB cache, turbo up to 4.8GHz |
| Graphics | NVIDIA RTX A2000 Ada |
| GPU RAM | 8 GB |
| Screen | 14.4-inch QHD (2,400 x 1,600) touch |
| Storage | 1TB SSD (PCIe, NVMe, M.2), expandable up to 2TB |
| Dimensions | 12.72 inches x 8.98 inches x 0.746 inches (32.3 cm x 22.8 cm x 1.9 cm) |
| Price | $3599 |
As we’ve mentioned before, SolidWorks is basically a computer program for CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) and CAD (Computer-Aided Designing). So, you need to have a laptop where logic and functionality could meet aesthetics and the best option for that is none other than Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. Let’s disclose more about this laptop:
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is equipped with the powerful 11th-Gen Intel Core i5-11300H CPU. This processor is designed to handle CAD applications with ease. So, you can rejoice knowing that you’re all set to dive into SolidWorks for both your current and future projects with this laptop.
The clock speed of Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is 3.1GHz at 35W that is very good to run SolidWorks smoothly on a laptop. Moreover the AI hardware acceleration feature of this laptop adds more efficiency to this laptop.
Now as far as Its Graphic card is concerned, all of the models of Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio contain the NVIDIA RTX 2000 series of cards. The earlier Studio laptop model features 4GB of VRAM, while the latest version, uses the ‘Ada’ variant, comes with 8 GB of non-ECC VRAM. Interestingly, the absence of error correction can actually be beneficial, as it enhances the GPU’s ability to handle continuous heavy workloads efficiently.
Absolutely! The Microsoft Surface Studio Laptop earns its title as ‘The Best Laptop for SolidWorks’ with good reason. Its impressive features can cut your challenges in handling engineering and design projects in half. For instance, its sleek 14.4” touchscreen allows you to break free from limitations, transitioning from laptop to tablet mode. It’s like being the ‘Pablo Picasso’ of your design and engineering ideas, painting them with unparalleled creativity and precision.
2. Acer Predator Helios 300
SPECIFICATIONS
| Standing screen display size | 15.6 Inches |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920×1080 Pixels |
| Processor | 4.6 GHz core_i7 |
| RAM | 32 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 4.6 GHz |
| Hard Drive | 512 GB SSD |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060$3599 |
| Chipset Brand | NVIDIA |
It’s not very easy for an average laptop to cope with the system complexity of SolidWorks without high-end CPUs and GPUs. Although Acer Predator Helios 300 is popular with eSports enthusiasts, it is also a right for SolidWorks where you can run it smoothly and create your product designs, prototypes and final product.
Acer Predator Helios 300 is equipped with the powerful Intel Core i7-11800H processor, So with this laptop you’re geared up and ready to tackle any demanding task head-on. With eight cores and sixteen threads, you’ll breeze through complex engineering and design work on SolidWorks with remarkable speed and efficiency. Say goodbye to sluggishness, monotony, and endless iterations—this powerhouse processor ensures you stay productive and focused, even when faced with the most challenging projects.
It’s equipped with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, which can be summed up in three words: flawless, impressive, and matchless. With this powerhouse GPU at your fingertips, you can expect smooth performance with stunning visuals, making your SolidWorks experience truly exceptional.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card is built with NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and AI-specialized Tensor Cores which becomes very useful for drafters, engineers, interior designers etc. It provides top notch visual experience for SolidWorkks projects.
And let’s not forget its ‘Ray Tracing’ feature, which delivers immersive and lifelike graphics that truly enhance your experience. It’s an impressive addition that brings your projects to life with stunning realism. So, if you’re looking for a laptop that not only excels in performance but also delivers unparalleled visual quality, the Predator Helios 300 with its Ray Tracing feature is definitely worth considering.
3. HP ZBook Studio G9 Mobile WorkStation
SPECIFICATIONS
| CPU | Intel Core i7-12800H vPro |
| Graphics | NVIDIA RTX A3000GPU |
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Screen | 16″ WQUXGA LED UWVA Anti-Glare 120Hz DreamColor (3840×2400) |
| Storage | 2 TB PCIe-4×4 2280 NVMe TLC SSD |
| Dimensions | 4 x 9.52 x 0.75 inches (35.6 x 24.2 x 1.9 cm) |
Hewlett Packard’s ZBook Studio line is renowned for its portability while delivering the kind of processing prowess typically reserved for desktops. There are multiple configurations on offer. The specifications mentioned above are for the model we tested.
Given the substantial cost of our test model, it’s noteworthy that there’s a version with the RTX A1000, priced lesser than over $1500, but its VRAm will be 4 GB. You can also go for the GeForce RTX 3060 with 6 GB of VRAM to save $1052. These graphics cards are also certified as compatible with SolidWorks.
This model features the best possible display: 3840×2400 resolution (16:10 aspect ratio), matching the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio’s 120Hz refresh rate. It’s perfect for rendering complex digital images.
The 2 TB SSD offers generous storage for SolidWorks tools and designs; however, opting for a 1 TB SSD can save you $630.
From official product specifications, we discerned the starting weight for this model is 1.73 kilograms, but with the enhanced display, hard drive, and 64 GB of DDR5 RAM in this setup, it’s likely to be marginally heftier. Nonetheless, even at approximately two kilograms, it remains a fairly portable device.
However, for fieldwork, the battery performance of this model may prove disappointing. Our tests revealed that even after an hour of moderate usage, the charge diminished by 25%.
4. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation
SPECIFICATIONS
| CPU | 13th Generation Intel Core i5-13600HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Screen | 6″ WQUXGA (3840 x 2400), OLED |
| Storage | 2TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 (Expandable up to 2 x 4TB) |
| Dimensions | 14.33 x 10.47 x 1.19 in (36.4 x 26.6 x 3 cm ) |
The mobile workstation series of Lenovo is primarily designed to offer performance that is higher and above that of an average laptop, which is the exact reason why it is a perfect fit for SolidWorks projects.
The model that was tested consists of the NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada GPU. It has a huge 16 GB of VRAM, that is perfect for CAD and 3D modelling. Other than that there are multiple configurations available but if 12 GB of VRAM is enough for you you can go for RTX 3500 or 4000, that could save you around $2,000 in the process.
The model that was reviewed by experts included the OLED display, which really impressed the experts while reviewing. Its makes it easy to see even in the day time with bits 400 nits brightness. So, P16 would be ideal for graphical projects.
There are many variations of RAM available. The tested model included 64GB of DDR5 RAM but can be upgraded to 128 GB for around $500 extra.
Now for storage, the system actually supports up to two SSDs.The tested model consists of a 2TB drive but you can actually choose a configuration with up to 2 x 4 TB drives.
The disadvantage we have with this laptop is its weight. The ThinkPad P16 weighs 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg and is 1.2 inches thick which is heavier than other mobile workstations. You can get laptops with lower weight and prices than this one. We would suggest to opt for this laptop only if you really need to get the most out of the graphics card as this is one of the most powerful laptops.
Best Laptop For SolidWorks: FAQS
What are the minimum specs for running SolidWorks on a laptop?
The requirement to run SolidWorks on a laptop depends upon the complexity of the project. SolidWorks can work easily on a modest system with basic configurations only if you are making small drawings. For the larger and complex work it requires more advanced specifications.
But when it comes to the minimum requirement to run SolidWorks here it is in the following specification required:
1. 3.3 GHz Intel Core i5/i7 or equivalent AMD processor.
2. 8 GB RAM
3. 1 TB SSD
4. NVIDIA RTX A1000 GPU (4GB VRAM)
We recommend contacting SolidWorks before buying a laptop for downloading any software.
Should I select more cores or a higher clock speed in a processor?
SolidWorks primarily relies on single-threaded operations, though it does require multiple cores for rendering and simulation tasks. Therefore, it’s advisable to prioritize a higher clock speed over a higher number of cores or threads.
What is the best laptop to run Solidworks?
If the budget allows, Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is the best laptop to run SolidWorks among the recommended laptops.
Hassan is a digital marketer with a passion for technology. He writes about laptops, PC components, and gaming hardware, offering valuable insights and simplifying complex concepts. Whether you’re upgrading your gaming rig or looking for the best tech tools, Hassan’s articles help you make informed decisions and stay updated with the latest trends.