7 Best Laptops for Fusion 360 in 2023

If you are an engineering student, architect, or product designer, you’ll need a laptop for Fusion 360 and other 3D modeling software. A reliable and well-performing machine that can run the software without lags is a must. 

But how do you choose the best laptop for Fusion 360? The answer is a bit more complicated than a single laptop model — because there is no one-size-fits-all. Before making a purchase, there are several factors to keep in mind. 

This article will help you when researching and buying a new laptop for Fusion 360. After exploring the system requirements and specs, we’ll take a deep dive into some of the best options available. Who knows, after going through this article, you might just find your perfect match. 

Intrigued? Then, let’s explore.

Minimum & Recommended System Requirements

We understand you are here to find the best-suited laptop for Fusion 360. But before you jump to the list, it’s important to know what system specs you need to run Fusion 360 without performance throttling or any compatibility issues. 

So, here we go!

Note: The below-listed specifications may vary from the ones on the official Fusion 360 page. This is because we prefer to suggest based on our testing. Anything less than the minimum spec criteria will throw errors and might give you sluggish performance, which you don’t want! Try to pick a machine that comes with more or less recommended specifications.

Top 7 Laptops for Fusion 360

Alrighty, so here’s our mix of the best laptops for Fusion 360 and many different users.

1. Best for Productivity: Lenovo - Slim 7i

Lenovo - Slim 7i

• CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-12700H
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB SDD
• Display: 16-inch QHD (2560 x 1600)
• GPU: 4GB Intel Arc A370M
• Battery: Up to 6 hours

$633.00

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Slim 7i is a newer Lenovo laptop that happens to be great for Fusion 360. Besides impressive specs, this laptop is also touchscreen and very sleek, sealing the deal with a very reasonable price.

Fusion 360 relies mainly on the CPU, and Slim’s 12th Gen. i7 is up to the task. I did both design and manufacturing with no hiccups or lags.

Intel’s new Arc GPU isn’t that common — but it has nice capabilities for both gaming, content creation and 3D modeling. It’s comparable to NVIDIA RTX 30-series, and, in line with that, I was able to render the workspace pretty fast. 

As for RAM, I would have preferred a little more. If you’re a student or a young professional, 16GB will be enough, but for pros, I’d upgrade it to at least 32GB.

Lenovo’s hi-res WQXGA display is bright, vivid, and responsive. Personally, I don’t recommend a touchscreen for Fusion since a touchscreen lock can get you stuck in Fusion’s orbit mode. But if you’re a student or want to take notes, Lenovo’s panel feels excellent.

I do like the design — Slim feels sturdy, compact, with super-thin bezels and a comfy keyboard, which is a signature thing of Lenovo’s.

Battery life could have been better. I got around 5-6 hours of juice, which isn’t bad, but it’s far from what I got with LG Gram and MacBooks.

Overall, though, if you want productivity coupled with a touchscreen, the Lenovo Slim 7i is a great laptop for Fusion 360.

2. Best from Apple: MacBook Pro M2

MacBook Pro M2

• CPU: 3.5GHz Apple M2 12-Core
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 16.2-inch XDR (3456 x 2234)
• GPU: Integrated Apple 19-Core
• Battery: Up to 15 hours

$2,648.75

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If budget is not the issue, MacBook Pro M2 is a fantastic laptop for Fusion 360. It’s a powerful machine with a gorgeous display and exceptional portability.

The M2 chip works well with most demanding applications, and Fusion is no different. I’ve enjoyed the lag-free workflow on a MacBook, with pretty good anti-aliasing and shadows.

16GB RAM may not sound like much, but over the years I’ve learned not to pay too much attention to MacBooks’ RAM. My MacBook Air M1 with only 8GB RAM performed way better than some 16GB RAM Windows laptops, and this still holds true for higher RAM.

What I will say is that MacBooks have some of the best displays on the market. Super hi-res, liquid Retina display feels great to work with, and it’s one of the rare panels that doesn’t cause me eye strain.

MacBooks are well-known for their portability — my Pro M2 easily pulled 15+ hours of work, even with heavy apps like Fusion 360. Plus, at 4.7 lbs, I really had no problem carrying it around (remember, this is a 16” machine).

Still, I know that some people find the macOS too much hassle, and I can somewhat relate to that. So if you don’t want to bother figuring things out, I’d go for a good Windows laptop instead. And let’s face it, MacBooks aren’t cheap. But for the price you pay, you get a Fusion 360 laptop that will serve you for several years, and excel at performance.

3. Best Mid-Range with Dedicated GPU: ASUS TUF Dash 15

ASUS TUF Dash 15

• CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-12650H
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SDD
• Display: 15.6-Inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 6GB NVidia GeForce RTX 3060
• Battery: Up to 7 hours

$1,154.71

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Lots of gaming laptops work really well with 3D modeling, and ASUS TUF is one my favorites. This Fusion 360 laptop has great specs, a smart design, and a neat display.

Underneath the hood, there is a 12th Gen. i7 and a dedicated RTX 3060, which is a great pairing for Fusion. I got pretty good results even with larger projects, with hundreds of components. And, seeing that RTX 3060 is a dedicated GPU, the rendering of the workspace went really fast.

Granted, there could have been more RAM, but TUF’s DDR5 is a lot faster than DDR4 — and it shows. Still, if you need more, you can upgrade.

TUF’s display is a hi-res panel with a high refresh rate, and I love that it’s elevated above the deck, since it makes it easier to focus on work. Like most gaming laptops, the 144Hz doesn’t have the best color accuracy, but the QHD version is great in this regard.

The laptop looks very sturdy and elegant. The military-grade body weighs only 4.4 lbs, which is quite light for a machine this capable.

Most ports are on the left side, so if you use lots of peripherals, this might be an issue. On the flip side, you do get a very good port selection.

Overall, I thought TUF Dash 15 was a super-versatile laptop, for both Fusion 360 and other demanding tasks. And the price definitely sweetens the pot.

4. Affordable Business Option: HP ProBook 250

HP ProBook 250

• CPU: 1.8GHz Intel Core i7-1255U
• RAM: 64GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Battery: Up to 8 hours

$919.00

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Finding a good business-looking laptop for Fusion 360 is no easy task, but HP ProBook delivers — with good overall performance, classy design, and great portability.

The 12th Gen. i7 is more than capable of running Fusion 360, but you might have your doubts about the integrated GPU. Hear me out — not only is Intel Iris the most capable iGPU on the market, but Fusion 360 isn’t that hard on GPU, to begin with. The only time I noticed a slight lag was when working on really complex assemblies.

However, this laptop has 64GB RAM, which is a lot — and this amount of RAM cuts through workload like butter.

Design-wise, if you want a classy office laptop, this is it. HP ProBook comes in a black elegant chassis, with a polished HP logo, and feels great to the touch.

With 4.48 lbs of weight and 8 hours of battery life, the machine is easy to carry around, and I was able to get a whole workday with it.

The display is hi-res but I do wish it was a little brighter. So, for detail-sensitive work, I usually plug in the external monitor.

Like most HPs, the keyboard on ProBook is compact and feels nice when typing. The backlight is visible, though I did mistype here and there because of a relatively weak backlight.

Overall, however, HP ProBook is a sophisticated workhorse and a great, affordable office laptop for Fusion 360.

5. Best for Students on a Budget: Lenovo Ideapad 3i

Lenovo Ideapad 3i

• CPU: 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5-1235U
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 14-inch FHD (1920×1080)
• GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Battery: Up to 6 hours

$619.99

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If you need a budget laptop for Fusion 360 and your studies, the IdeaPad 3i might just be the thing. This affordable laptop brings a strong processor, solid portability, and great keyboard.

The IdeaPad 3i sports the same Intel Iris GPU from the HP ProBook above, coupled with a 12th Gen. i5 processor. I was able to run light-to-mid tasks in Fusion 360 with no lags, though heavier applications will require more firepower.

Take into account that the laptop has 16GB RAM, which means that it might stutter with large assemblies and industrial uses. However, if your coursework revolves around planning, designing and simulating single products — even the complex ones — you’ll do fine.

I like the size of the IdeaPad — 3.5 lbs feel very easy to carry, and a 14” form factor fits into any backpack. Although it’s plastic, the chassis feels quite sturdy.

When it comes to battery life, you can get by with 5-6 hours. Depending on your college obligations, this might or might not be enough, so do bring a charger.

All my IdeaPads get loud from time to time. It’s not a consistent whirring — more like the fans turn on just to clearly let me know they’re there. It’s not a bad thing, but I wouldn’t do heavy-duty tasks in, say, the library.

Still, with a bright 14” display and really comfy keyboard, the IdeaPad 3i is a laptop that will get you through Fusion 360 and many other apps.

6. Best Eco-Friendly Fusion Laptop: Acer Aspire Vero

Acer Aspire Vero

• CPU: 1.7GHz Intel Core i7-1255U
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Battery: Up to 9 hours

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Say you find yourself somewhere between the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i and HP ProBook on this list — and you care about ecology. If that’s the case, Acer Aspire Vero might be the best pick for Fusion 360.

Humming with a 12th Gen. i7 and Intel Iris, Vero strikes a pretty sweet balance between the price and performance. An i7 is a great CPU for Fusion, and my work on this laptop ran really well — and faster than the IdeaPad.

Still, the 16GB RAM is no match for HP’s 64GB RAM, though this can be upgraded.

Aspire Vero’s design is pledged to ecology — the chassis is made from recycled plastic, and it feels very sturdy. Personally, I like the gritty texture with green speckles, but that may not be your cup of tea.

I’ll give bonus points to Acer for pulling a display like the one on Vero — a very color-accurate, IPS panel looks amazingly crisp and vivid, though a little more brightness would have been nice.

Moreover, with 3.88 lbs of weight, this laptop is light and easy to carry around, whether to the office or campus.

The battery life is solid — I got easy 7-9 hours with Vero, which is ok, but far from the advertised 13.5 hours.

Overall, Acer Aspire Vero is one of the laptops for Fusion 360 with great value for money and a top pick for students and young professionals.

7. Best Budget Laptop: HP ENVY x360

HP ENVY x360

• CPU: 2.0GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5825U
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SDD
• Display: 15-inch FHD Touch (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Radeon RX Vega 8
• Battery: Up to 11 hours

$635.00

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Who said you couldn’t have a budget laptop for Fusion 360 AND a convertible at that? HP Envy x360 is one such machine with a touchscreen panel.

Envy packs a Ryzen 7 CPU and AMD Radeon graphics. It’s not the strongest combo out there, but it worked great with light and medium Fusion workload. If you’re working with heavy assemblies and super-complex simulations, I’d still go for the Intel i7.

Nevertheless, the display looks amazing — I love the deep blacks and contrast on this machine, along with a responsive touchscreen that supports both pen and touch features. Since this is a convertible, the display flips back 360°.

Plus, the body feels light, so it’s another portable laptop that you can take anywhere. Though you’ll probably need a proper laptop bag, since this is a 15.6” machine.

Design-wise, Envy resembles HP ProBook with a sleek and polished business look.

The biggest concern, when it comes to running Fusion 360, is the 8GB RAM. An occasional lag or stutter did occur, so I’d upgrade it to at least 16GB RAM (a RAM stick is around $50).

However, with a solid battery life of 6-8 hours, I’d say HP Envy has a lot going for it.

Overall, if you want a touchscreen budget laptop, some corners have to be cut. In case you’re a student or a young professional, HP Envy x360 will serve you a good number of years.

Buying Guide for Laptops for Fusion 360

Before we get our hands on the best laptops for Fusion 360, let’s discuss 7 things to look out for:

1) Pick a Powerful Processor

Fusion 360, like other CAD software, relies heavily on the CPU. So look for something with higher clock speeds and more core count (6-8).

If your budget allows, getting a laptop with at least a 12th Gen. Intel Core i7 or an AMD Ryzen processor is the best option. However, you won’t go wrong with a lower-tier Intel Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen 5 Processor as a more budget-friendly solution.

2) Get Enough RAM and Storage

The creators of Fusion 360 recommend at least an 8GB RAM laptop, and yes, it should be enough to run the application with simple projects. However, it seems like 16GB RAM is the gold standard for most users these days, and it’s a good starting point if you want a future-proof laptop.

On the other hand, professionals might want to consider at least 32GB RAM or more.

3) Get and SSD storage

As for storage, you don’t need much space for installing Fusion 360, and since it is a cloud-based software, massive storage is not essential. Just consider getting a laptop with an SSD for faster data access and better overall performance.

4) Consider a Dedicated GPU

While Fusion 360 is not as heavy on the GPU, you’ll still benefit from a dedicated graphics card for tasks like rendering, 3D visualization, simulations, and complex assemblies. Sure, laptops with a dedicated GPU are more expensive, but you’ll see from our list that they don’t have to cost a fortune either.

However, if you are going for a cheaper solution, picking a laptop with the integrated Intel Iris Xe is still a solid choice.

5) Get a High-Quality Display

For Fusion 360 and other 3D software, getting a display with good color accuracy is super important if you want your designs to appear as intended. Of course, the resolution is also important, but any decent laptop would come with at least an FHD display, so you don’t need to dwell on it too much.

Besides color accuracy, you should pick a size (14 to 17 inches) that suits your preferences. Larger displays are always better for creative work since they provide more workspace, but they are also less portable.

6) Set Your Budget

Before checking out the recommendations, it’s essential to decide how much you’re willing to spend on your next laptop for Fusion 360. While high-end laptops offer exceptional performance, there are more affordable options that can still handle the software very well.

7) Think about Portability and Battery Life

Last but not least, if you are a student or someone who needs to work on the go, picking something lighter and with long battery life is crucial. Don’t worry, our list of carefully selected picks offers laptops with phenomenal portability and battery life.

FAQs about Laptops for Fusion 360

Still have questions? Let’s answer some of the most common queries about Fusion 360 laptops.

Verdict

We went through some of the best laptops for Fusion 360, carefully selected to meet the needs of different types of users. There is hardly a definitive answer to what makes the best laptop for Fusion 360 since there are many considerations to keep in mind. 

The ultimate decision depends on your personal needs and preferences. So you need to ask yourself what is important to you and how you plan to use the laptop. 

Let’s narrow it down a bit: 

• If you’re an avid Apple user looking for exceptional performance and portability, the MacBook Pro M2 is a fantastic option. 
• As a more affordable option with impressive specs and cool features, the Lenovo - Slim 7i makes an excellent productivity laptop. 
• Finally, if besides 3D software, you also want something that can handle gaming, we recommend going for the ASUS TUF Dash 15.

If you are interested in a wider range of 3D modeling, exploring laptops for game development and design might be a good idea. 

Finally, our list consists of more or less affordable options that can run Fusion 360 properly. If you’re looking for exceptional performance and the best visual experience money can buy, gaming laptops with 4K displays are worth checking out.  

Did you find what you were looking for? Or did we leave some things unanswered? Let us know in the comment section below.