Until quite recently, most architects, engineers, and other 3D design professionals would rely on a desktop PC to produce plans for employers and clients. However, there has been a growing need for these professionals to get out of the office and into the field, which has made laptops a more essential piece of kit in their toolbox. AutoCAD is a very useful piece of software for these professionals, allowing them to produce two- and three-dimensional designs along with improving their workflow.
If you use this program on a regular basis for your job, then there are a few things to consider before choosing the right laptop for you.
Processor
If you do a lot of 3D work, then you will need a processor with a fast speed. The processor is the ‘brain’ of the computer, so you’ll need to look for one that’s designed for AutoCAD and similar programs, like these from Lenovo.com. A quad-core processor is a good option as the files will run faster and smoother, which gives you the ability to do a larger amount of work in a shorter period of time. If you have more money to spend, then a high-end quad-core processor is a great idea. However, there are lots of mid-range or even budget-range processors that can work just as well.
Graphics Card
When getting a laptop for AutoCAD, you’ll need to think about the graphics card. This doesn’t need to be the high-end type of GPU that you’d get for a gaming laptop. However, you will need to get a graphics card that is dedicated rather than integrated, which will improve graphics and help render images faster. Along with this, it will also help to boost the laptop’s overall performance, by taking the load off the CPU.
RAM
The amount of Random Access Memory or RAM that is installed on the laptop will have a big impact on its performance. 8GB of RAM is usually enough for basic CAD applications. However, if you are going to be running a lot of demanding and high-performance CAD programs and apps, then you may want to consider going for more RAM – around 16GB is usually enough.
Storage
There are both SSD (solid state drive) and HDD (hard disk drive) options for your AutoCAD laptop. For 3D rendering tasks, SDD is the most recommended option as it offers a faster reading and writing speed compared to an HDD while improving the laptop’s performance. Which one you go for will mainly depend on your needs and your budget. However, if you want to improve the speed and performance of your laptop, an SSD is the best option to choose from. If you decide to go with an HDD, then you should go for a faster one that operates at 7200RPM or higher to ensure that you can access files quickly.
With laptops becoming more and more essential for professionals that use AutoCAD and similar programs, it’s important to know what you need to look for when choosing the best device for you.
