7 Best Laptops For CAD in 2023

Has your old CAD machine finally kicked the bucket? Or perhaps you’re going off to college to study engineering, architecture, or other similar fields. In either case, it’s time to set yourself up with a new laptop capable of handling demanding CAD applications. 

But how do you pick the best laptop for CAD? Finding the answer might be a bit more complicated because there is no single best choice for everyone. So before making a purchase, you need to carefully consider various aspects. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the most important things to watch out for when buying a new CAD laptop. Not only that, we’ll go over some of the best options available right now. 

Excited? We know we are.

Minimum & Recommended System Requirements

Before we head over to the reviews, it’s important to understand the system requirements a good laptop for CAD should pack. Bear in mind that the minimum and recommended requirements may vary with different CAD applications.

In light of this, we made this article based on our standard testing criteria with some of the most favored apps among CAD users. So whether you’re looking for a good laptop for AutoCAD or the best options for SolidWorks, picking a machine with our recommended specs sheet has you covered.

Top 7 Laptops For CAD

In previous articles, we reviewed specifically Fusion 360 laptops and the best choices for SketchUp. With this one we went for a more general approach, considering these and other popular CAD applications as well. 

So, let’s check out the laptops.

1. Best Overall for CAD Work: Sager 2023 NP8875D

Sager 2023 NP8875D

• CPU: 2.2 Ghz Intel Core i9-13900HX
• RAM: 32GB DDR5
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 17.3-inch QHD (2560 x 1440)
• GPU: 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$1,679.00

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If you haven’t heard of Sager before, you should know it’s a great laptop for AutoCAD — sturdy, elegant, with impressive specs and great performance-to-price ratio.

Sager houses the latest CPU and GPU on the market today. When I tested it, it performed like a beast across a range of CAD tools. Whether you’re using AutoCAD, Revit, or Fusion 360, you can expect smooth performance with no lags.

Performance is usually one thing, but the visual output quite another. Sager is one of the few gaming laptops with a very color-accurate, 17.3” QHD panel, which makes it great for color-sensitive work, e.g. interior design.

The initial RAM and storage setup is quite good — and if you want, you can upgrade them. Personally, I don’t see the need unless you work on super-complex projects, but it’s nice to have the option.

Although it’s a gaming laptop, Sager brings in a breath of sleek professionalism. I love the polished chassis as much as the comfy, tactile, backlit keyboard.

Do bear in mind, however, that this is a big laptop. 6 pounds is hardly unusual for this size, though a battery life of around 5 hours means you’ll have to bring a charger to the office as well.

Overall, though, Sager is one capable laptop for CAD, which comes at a very reasonable price. If you don’t mind the weight, it will pay off handsomely.

2. Best Mid-Range Option: MSI Thin

MSI Thin

• CPU: 2GHz Intel Core i7-12650H
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
• Battery: Up to 7 hours

$845.00

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Not every CAD laptop has to come with an exorbitant price. MSI Thin GF63 offers a lot for the asking price, not in the least bit the performance and high build quality.

In my tests, MSI Thin worked really well with the CAD tools. This is due to the newest 40-series GPU and a rocking 12th Gen. i7, that blend together to produce fast renders and snappy workspace.

Of course, 16GB RAM doesn’t hurt either, although I’d consider upgrading it to at least 32GB if you plan on working in Revit.

MSI Thin’s display is crisp, precise and fast. I was actually surprised by how good the image was, since gaming laptops often lack contrast and color accuracy. Just make sure to connect it to an external monitor for color-sensitive work.

Another selling point for MSI has to be Thin’s portability. At 4 lbs, this 15.6” laptop feels very light and I had no problem carrying it around. Add to that an average 7-hour battery life, and it’s quite easy to take the machine to the office — or campus.

The thing with MSI is that it’s a sturdy and strong laptop, but the design may feel a little outdated. I don’t find it a big deal — in fact, I’d imagine the neutral chassis might work well in an office.

If you don’t mind the design and thick bezels, though, MSI Thin is a laptop that will perform well across CAD software, and last you a good number of years.

3. Best for Students: Acer Nitro 5

Acer Nitro 5

• CPU: 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5-12500H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 6 Hours

$693.00

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Ideally, if you’re a student, you’d get one laptop for CAD tools that will follow you through college years. Acer Nitro 5 promises just that — with future-proof specs, affordable price tag, and great keyboard.

Nitro lineup has been known for years to maximize performance — with an H-processor and strong dedicated graphics card, this laptop can handle pretty much any CAD platform. I got consistently good results in AutoCAD, Revit, and Fusion 360, close to much more expensive configurations.

The main bottleneck in performance is the RAM, but you can easily upgrade it to at least 16GB.

I always like to mention Nitro 5’s design as well — this is a well-built, strong laptop, with a gorgeous and tactile, signature-red keyboard. In other words, it’s more than likely to survive an occasional bump or tumble.

Plus, with 5.5 lbs and 6 hours of juice, it’s a reasonably portable 15.6” laptop that will last throughout a day at the campus.

Oh, and by the way, if you like to play AAA titles between classes — you can. This is a gaming machine, after all.

Though Nitro 5 does get a little hot every now and then, it’s nothing a good cooling pad won’t solve.

If you’re up for upgrading the RAM, and don’t mind a somewhat heavier device, Nitro 5 is a great budget gaming laptop for CAD and college years.

Watch our Acer Nitro 5 Review

This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.

4. Best from Apple: Apple MacBook Pro 16 M2

Apple MacBook Pro 16 M2

• CPU: 3.5GHz Apple M2 12-Core
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 16.2-inch Retina XDR (3456 x 2234)
• GPU: Integrated Apple 19-Core
• Battery: Up to 20 hours

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It would be impossible to talk about laptops for CAD and not mention MacBook Pro 16 M2. This device comes with an amazing CPU/GPU combo, gorgeous display, and great battery life.

Apple’s M2 chip and GPU do wonders for the CAD workflow. Based on my findings and tests, MacBook Pro benchmarks for Fusion 360, Inventor and, of course, AutoCAD are amazing.

The workflow is that much easier with a wonderful 16” Liquid Retina display, that’s hi-res, super color-accurate and easy on the eyes.

Plus, we all know that not many laptops can come close to MacBooks in terms of build quality and portability. The battery life REALLY lasts 15-16 hours, which I find insane for a laptop this powerful. And the whole thing weighs less than 5 lbs. Crazy.

MacBook Pro is a sleek, high-end laptop made of aluminum. Besides Lenovo, I favor Mac’s keyboards above all else. The keys are tactile, large, and feel amazing for work.

The downside? If you rely on Revit (and many interior designers are switching to it), it still does not have a native MacOS platform, though there are workarounds.

However, if you’re ok with the OS and the price, only a handful of CAD-approved laptops are as efficient and future-proof as MacBooks.

5. Mobile Workstation: Lenovo ThinkPad P16

Lenovo ThinkPad P16

• CPU: 2GHz Intel Core i7-12800HX
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX A1000
• Battery: Up to 7 hours

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Maybe you need a CAD laptop for work in tougher environments, like construction sites. Or you just like the power a workstation brings. If that’s the case, you should check out Lenovo’s ThinkPad P16.

Lenovo’s workstations are known for their almost indestructible build: P16’s chassis is sturdy, strong, military-grade, and scratch-resistant.

Beneath the well-guarded body lies a powerful HX processor and a dedicated RTX A1000 graphics card. In my tests, this NVIDIA’s card worked amazing — it’s a GPU specifically designed for visualization, 2D and 3D modeling, and photorealistic ray-tracing. Loved the results.

And a 16”, hi-res (3840×2400) WQUXGA display does more than justice to the performance power. The panel is super-bright, color-accurate and it felt great to view and arrange assets on it.

Add to that one of the best keyboards and trackpads on the market — next to MacBooks’ — and this is a strong 3D soldier to have on your troops.

Granted, it’s a bulkier fellow, at 6.5 lbs, but I’m guessing you wouldn’t want a weakling on a construction site. Still, if you take it to the office every day, it may be worth noting this.

Overall, if you’re looking for a mid-range CAD workstation, Lenovo ThinkPad is a no-brainer. Although somewhat heavier, it goes hard on performance and the visual aspect.

6. Top Contender High End Machine: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16

• CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i9-13980HX
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 1TB SDD
• Display: 16-inch FHD (1920 x 1200)
• GPU: 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
• Battery: Up to 8 Hours

$1,699.99

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ASUS is known for serious gaming laptops, and Strix Scar happens to be a top-of-the-line laptop for CAD as well. This gaming maestro’s got the power, the battery life and the display of our best picks.

Scar smokes many workstations and gaming laptops thanks to its internals: a 13th Gen. Intel’s i9 HX processor and a crazy-good RTX 4070 leave no room for error. I was blown away with the speed and performance Strix Scar effortlessly develops in AutoCAD and Revit.

This type of performance is translated onto a color-accurate and fast, 16” IPS display. I love the contrast on this thing — I thought it’s a great panel for designers and architects who use CAD because of how crisp it feels.

Unlike many gaming beasts, Strix Scar is pretty portable. Sure, 5.5 lbs isn’t the lightest of laptops, but coupled with an 8-hour battery — this is a very good option when you’re traveling or commuting.

And the design is fun, at least to me. I like Scar’s RGB lights because they bring in that je-ne-sais-quoi you’d expect from a gaming laptop. Make no mistake though: the laptop will be noticed.

Another thing going for it is the cooling system. Scar does occasionally get hot, but far less than its competitors.

Overall, if you want an amazing workhorse for the whole range of CAD tools, Scar is your best bet.

7. Cheapest Option: HP Victus 15

HP Victus 15

• CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-12450H
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SDD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$699.99

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If you’re just starting out with CAD, and need an affordable laptop, HP Victus 15 might be the best solution. The compact design, elevated panel and a solid overall portability are just a few things I appreciate in this machine — not to mention the price.

If you’re used to blocky HP models of olden days, you can forget about them with Victus. It’s a sleek, elegant and polished laptop that will work great for any office or classroom.

On the lower deck, there’s a full-size keyboard — the numpad is particularly useful for switching viewpoints.

Display is clearly separated from the bottom portion of the laptop, and I quite like that for visual work, because it lets me focus on the task at hand.

Speaking of tasks, HP Victus runs on a 12th Gen. i5 and a GTX 1650. This GPU is an entry-level card, but still a dedicated one. I noticed an occasional lag with complex components, though nothing too worrying.

What I would do here is upgrade the RAM to 32GB — it will make things easier for you.

The whole machine weighs around 5 lbs, which is ok for a 15.6” laptop. I got around 5 hours of battery, so overall, Victus is easy to carry around, provided you bring a charger.

However, at this price, it’s hard to find a better laptop for CAD. HP Victus is a great choice if you’re on a budget, but still want a sleek laptop for mid-tier CAD work.

Buying Guide for CAD Laptops

CAD applications require a capable device in order to perform smoothly. So before making a purchase, it’s essential to take a few key considerations in mind. 

1. Pick a Powerful CPU/GPU Combo 

CAD applications require a capable CPU with multiple cores and high clock speed.

For professional-level work and future-proofing, look for something featuring the latest generations of Intel Core i7 processors or the i9 series. 

If you’re looking for a more budget option, choosing an Intel Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen equivalent is still a solid choice. 

For faster 3D rendering and improved Real-Time-Visualization, invest in a well-performing dedicated GPU. That being said, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series are currently the best on the market but also the most expensive. If those are out of your budget, choose a laptop featuring some of the previous generations of NVIDIAs dedicated GPUs. 

2. Don’t Forget About RAM and Storage 

Working on large CAD projects requires a significant amount of RAM. That’s why we recommend going for at least 16GB. However, for professionals who work on complex 3D models with countless pieces, 32GB or more is preferable. 

As for the storage, more is always better since large CAD projects can stack up pretty quickly. But more importantly, picking something with an SSD is vital for faster loading times and better overall performance. 

3. Pick a High-Quality and Color-Accurate Display 

A higher resolution is beneficial for a more detailed visual experience, but any modern laptop these days will come with at least an FHD, which is good enough. 

If you want to invest in a higher-resolution display (QHD/UHD), it’s totally up to you. Just keep in mind that those draw much more battery life and can get super-expensive. 

There is also plenty of variety to choose from in terms of size. Whether you pick a small 14-inch or a large 18-inch display it should go along with your your needs and preferences. But whatever you decide, make sure the color accuracy is on point for a precise visual representation of your designs. 

4. Select a Properly Cooled Laptop 

Power-hungry components draw a lot of heat, especially with demanding CAD applications. To avoid performance issues and overheating, look for a laptop with an efficient cooling system. 

Generally, powerful gaming laptops and workstations from popular brands come with decent cooling mechanisms. But it’s always a good idea to check the user reviews, just to be on the safe side. 

5. Consider Portability and Battery Life 

If you’re a student or a professional who often works on the go, you should consider picking a more portable device with decent battery life. 

Unfortunately, powerful laptops equipped with high-end components are usually large and heavy. But as you’ll see from our list, there are some rare gems with a great balance between power and portability. 

6. Define Your Budget

Last but not least, to save you the time of going over countless models you can’t really afford, it’s a good idea to define your budget. Once you decide how much you are willing to spend, the pursuit of the best suited-laptop for your needs and preferences becomes a bit easier. 

FAQs about Laptops For CAD

Verdict

When it comes to selecting the best laptop for Computer-Aided Design, there aren’t any certain parameters to rely on. The first step to selecting the best-suited laptop for your needs is defining your budget, so you can know which of the recommended options are within your reach. 

After you’ve set your budget, think about performance, display, portability, and the other things we discussed in our buying guide. 

Since there is no one-size-fits-all, each of the mentioned laptops in the list serves a purpose, based on your skill levels, budget, and preferences. 

If you still can’t decide, here is a quick recap: 

• Best Overall: Sager 2023 NP8875D
• Best for Students: Acer Nitro 5
• Best from Apple: Apple MacBook Pro 16 M2
• Best Mid-Range: MSI Thin

Still haven’t found the perfect machine for your needs? Perhaps you’d like to take a tour through our ultimate laptop buying guide. 

Finally, if you’re into more general 3D work, our list of best laptops for 3D modeling has you covered.