SolidWorks is a leading 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software that professionals and students alike use for various engineering and design tasks. When it comes to running such a resource-intensive application, the choice of laptop becomes crucial.
1. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is a versatile and powerful laptop designed to cater to the needs of professionals. It stands out with its unique design and impressive performance, making it a top choice for SolidWorks users.
Specifications
- Processor: 1.3GHz Intel Core i7-11370H quad-core
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX A2000 Ada with 8GB RAM
- Display: 14.4-inch QHD touch-screen with the 2,400 x 1,600 resolution
- Storage: 1TB SSD, which can be expanded up to 2TB
Performance & Features
The Surface Laptop Studio’s display supports 3.84 million pixels, ensuring detailed and vibrant visuals. Its 120Hz refresh rate is ideal for rendering and other graphic-intensive tasks.
The laptop’s battery life is commendable, with the original model lasting around 11 hours and its successor boasting about 19 hours of battery life.
2. HP ZBook Studio G9 Mobile WorkStation
Hewlett Packard’s ZBook Studio range is renowned for its blend of portability and raw power. Designed to deliver the performance of a desktop machine, it’s a favorite among professionals requiring high computational power.
When it comes to CAD modeling, the required performances is the same of even higher when compared to 3D modeling.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i7-12800H vPro
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX A3000 with 12GB RAM
- Display: 16″ WQUXGA LED UWVA Anti-Glare 120Hz DreamColor with a resolution of 3840×2400
- Storage: 2 TB PCIe-4×4 2280 NVMe TLC SSD
Performance & Features
The ZBook Studio G9 is equipped with a graphics card equivalent to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, making it a powerhouse for graphics-intensive tasks. The high-resolution display ensures sharp visuals, while the 2 TB SSD provides ample storage space.
However, potential users should note its relatively short battery life.
3. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation
Lenovo’s ThinkPad series is synonymous with performance and reliability. The P16 Mobile Workstation is no exception, designed specifically for tasks that demand exceptional computational power, such as SolidWorks.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i5-13600HX
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5000 with 16GB RAM
- Display: 16″ WQUXGA OLED with a resolution of 3840×2400
- Storage: 2 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4
Performance & Features
The ThinkPad P16’s OLED display shines with 400 nits of brightness, making it suitable for graphical projects. The laptop supports up to two SSDs, offering flexibility in storage.
However, its weight and bulk might be a consideration for those prioritizing portability.
4. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a top-tier laptop that offers a blend of performance and affordability. It’s particularly suitable for SolidWorks users who require high computational power without breaking the bank.
Specifications
- Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
- Display: 16″ WQXGA
- Storage: Up to 1TB M.2 2280 SSD PCIe and #2GB RAM
Performance & Features
The Legion Pro 7i stands out for its elite performance, making it one of the best laptops for SolidWorks under $3,000. With 32GB of RAM, it ensures smooth multitasking, and the powerful graphics card makes it ideal for rendering and other SolidWorks tasks.
5. ASUS Rog Strix G16
The ASUS Rog Strix G16 is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on performance. It meets all the requirements of SolidWorks, making it a popular choice among students and professionals alike.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i9 24-Core
- GPU: GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB GDDR6)
- Display: 16″ 2560 x 1600 IPS Display
- Storage: 32GB DDR5 RAM + 1TB SSD
Performance & Features
Despite its affordable price tag, the Rog Strix G16 offers reliable performance for SolidWorks applications. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 chip ensures smooth graphics rendering, and the ample RAM ensures efficient multitasking.
6. Dell XPS 15
Dell’s XPS series is known for its premium build and top-notch performance. The XPS 15 is a testament to this legacy, offering a blend of power and elegance.
Specifications
- Processor: 3th Gen Intel Core i7
- GPU: Arc A370M Graphics with 4GB GDDR6
- Display: 15.6″, FHD+ 1920×1200, Anti-Glare, 500 nit
- Storage: 16 GB: 2 x 8 GB, DDR5 and up to 2TB RAM
Performance & Features
The XPS 15 is slightly pricier than some of its competitors but offers an upgrade in memory and storage. It’s ideal for SolidWorks users who require a balance of performance and storage.
7. Acer Predator Helios 300
Acer’s Predator series is renowned for its gaming prowess, but the Helios 300 stands out as a versatile machine suitable for both gaming and professional tasks like SolidWorks.
Its robust build and impressive specifications make it a favorite among professionals and students.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i7 processor
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD display
- Storage: 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD
Performance & Features
The Helios 300 is designed for performance. The high-refresh-rate display ensures smooth visuals, especially during rendering tasks. The laptop also features Acer’s custom cooling technology, ensuring it remains cool even under heavy load. The RGB-backlit keyboard and customizable lighting profiles are added bonuses for those who appreciate aesthetics.
8. MSI WS66 Workstation
MSI is a brand synonymous with gaming, but the WS66 Workstation is tailored for professionals. It combines the power of a workstation with the portability of a laptop, making it ideal for SolidWorks users on the move.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i9
- GPU: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000
- Display: 15.6-inch 4K
- Storage: 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
Performance & Features
The WS66 is a powerhouse. The 4K display is a treat for the eyes, especially for design and rendering tasks. The laptop also boasts a long battery life, making it suitable for those who work on the go.
The robust build and sleek design make it both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
9. Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition
Razer is a brand known for its gaming laptops, but the Blade 15 Studio Edition is a testament to their prowess in the professional segment. Tailored for creators and engineers, it offers a blend of power and elegance.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- GPU: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000
- Display: 15.6-inch OLED 4K touch
- Storage: 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
Performance & Features
The Blade 15 Studio Edition stands out with its OLED display, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The touch functionality adds an extra layer of convenience. The laptop also features Razer’s custom cooling solution, ensuring optimal performance even under heavy loads. The CNC aluminum chassis gives it a premium feel and ensures durability.
10. ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17
The ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 is designed for professionals who demand the best. With its impressive specifications and sleek design, it’s a top choice for SolidWorks users.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Xeon
- GPU: Quadro RTX 3000
- Display: 17-inch NanoEdge
- Storage: 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
Performance & Features
The StudioBook Pro 17 is a performance beast. The large display offers ample workspace, making it ideal for design and modeling tasks. The laptop also features ASUS’s custom cooling technology and a durable build, ensuring longevity.
11. HP Omen 17
The HP Omen 17 combines the power of a gaming laptop with the capabilities required for professional tasks. Its robust build and impressive specifications make it suitable for SolidWorks.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i9
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 GPU
- Display: 17.3-inch Full HD
- Storage: 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
Performance & Features
The Omen 17 is designed for performance. The high-refresh-rate display ensures smooth visuals, especially during rendering tasks. The laptop also boasts a customizable RGB-backlit keyboard and a sleek design, making it a favorite among professionals and gamers alike.
12. Dell Precision 7550
The Dell Precision 7550 is a mobile workstation designed for professionals. It offers a blend of power, portability, and durability, making it ideal for SolidWorks users.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i9
- GPU: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000
- Display: 15.6-inch 4K
- Storage: 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
Performance & Features
The Precision 7550 stands out with its 4K display, ensuring detailed and vibrant visuals. The laptop is also ISV certified, ensuring compatibility with professional software like SolidWorks. The robust build and long battery life make it suitable for professionals on the move.
How Demanding is SolidWorks?
Due to its extensive features and capabilities, SolidWorks can be quite demanding on computer hardware, especially when working on complex models or simulations. In that matter, don’t rush with your decision and be sure to compare different models and make the right choice for your needs. Here are some highlights of several models that will help you make a more accurate analysis.
| Laptop Model | Best Feature | Why Perfect for SolidWorks? |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | Unique Design & Impressive Performance | Versatile with robust performance for rendering |
| HP ZBook Studio G9 Mobile WorkStation | Desktop-level Power in a Portable Form | Raw computational power for complex designs |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation | OLED Display with 400 nits Brightness | Vibrant visuals for detailed designs |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 7i | Elite Performance under $3,000 | Blazing fast with high RAM for multitasking |
- SolidWorks is primarily a single-threaded application, meaning it often uses just one core of the CPU. Therefore, a higher clock speed is more beneficial than having multiple cores. However, some tasks like rendering and simulation can utilize multiple cores.
- For general modeling tasks, a fast quad-core processor is usually sufficient. For more intensive tasks like simulations, a higher-end CPU with more cores can be beneficial.
- While consumer-grade GPUs (like NVIDIA’s GeForce series) can run SolidWorks, professional-grade GPUs (like NVIDIA’s Quadro series or AMD’s Radeon Pro series) are recommended as they are certified and optimized for the software.
- Insufficient RAM can lead to slower performance, especially when working with large assemblies.
- For optimal performance, a high-speed NVMe SSD is ideal.
- RealView Graphics, a feature in SolidWorks, provides advanced shading, reflections, and scene views. It requires a certified GPU to function.
FAQs
Can I run SolidWorks on a Mac computer?
Officially, SolidWorks is not supported on macOS. However, Mac users can run SolidWorks by using a virtual machine (like Parallels Desktop) or by setting up a dual-boot system with Windows using Boot Camp. It’s essential to ensure that the Mac hardware meets the system requirements of SolidWorks when using these methods.
How often should I upgrade my hardware for optimal SolidWorks performance?
It’s recommended to evaluate your hardware every 2-3 years. As SolidWorks releases new versions annually with enhanced features, having up-to-date hardware ensures you can leverage these improvements without performance issues. However, the exact frequency might vary based on your specific projects and performance needs.
Are integrated graphics cards suitable for running SolidWorks?
Integrated graphics cards, like Intel’s HD Graphics series, are not recommended for SolidWorks, especially for 3D modeling and simulations. While they might handle basic tasks, dedicated and certified GPUs provide better performance, stability, and support for advanced features.
Does SolidWorks benefit from multi-monitor setups?
Yes, using multiple monitors can enhance productivity in SolidWorks. Users can spread the workspace, view multiple windows simultaneously, or dedicate one screen for modeling and another for reference materials, tool palettes, or simulations. SolidWorks supports multi-monitor setups, allowing for a flexible workspace.
Summary
While SolidWorks can run on mid-range hardware for basic tasks, professionals working on complex projects or utilizing advanced features will benefit from investing in high-end, certified hardware to ensure smooth and efficient operation.