You need a high-quality CPU and graphics card to run all those apps and processes simultaneously. Storage is also crucial because you need lots of space for your design files, while screen size and resolution must meet the demands of the architect’s eye.
So, let’s take a look at seven of the best laptops for architects.
Q: What Should I Look for in a Laptop for Architects?
A powerful processor is the first thing architects and architecture students should be looking for. Core i5 is the minimum; however, even that may struggle to run many apps together seamlessly. Core i7 and above is much more preferable. Ryzen equivalents and Apple M1 Pro and Max are also up to the task.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is one of the best-performing graphics cards available. Teamed up with a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 14-Core processor and 32GB of RAM, the Razer Blade Pro 17 is one seriously high-performing laptop.
Visuals are brought to life seamlessly on this machine with a 144Hz refresh rate on the 4K UHD display. You can immerse yourself in this spectacle on the 17.3-inch screen while precisely animating your designs.
On the downside, its size leads to it being on the heavy side, making it a little cumbersome to transport from job to job. Additionally, due to the power of the machine, the battery life isn’t great. Therefore, you will likely need to charge it at some point during your working day.
This development is terrific news for architects, especially when you consider the MacBook’s remarkable battery life. You can couple that with the fact that many apps used by architects not previously available on Macs are now accessible. However, some apps, such as Revit, still don’t have a native Macintosh version. Thankfully, you can overcome this by installing Windows using Parallels or the UTM app.
The high-resolution screen and the option to upgrade the storage to a colossal 8TB makes this machine perfect for your architectural needs. However, although the M1 Pro chip performs well enough for most designers, if you’re an architect that needs your MacBook to go a few extra miles, choosing the M1 Max chip will ensure this.
The large screen is coupled with a resolution of 1080p, meaning that it also passes the test of the architect’s eye, but only just. The screen size does help, but you will have to forego the 4K UHD resolution found in more premium laptops.
All this does mean that it is lighter and less bulky than other similar laptops. Therefore, transportability won’t be much of an issue. Battery life is also a little better than other laptops suitable for architects. However, at 5.5 hours, you will still need to conduct a charge during your working hours.
The 64GB of RAM allows intensive creative apps to run smoothly and simultaneously. At the same time, components such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card and the 11th-Generation Intel Core i7-11800H processor give this unit a powerful performance, and heavy workloads are not a burden.
Architects will find that the 17-inch touchscreen with its 4K UHD resolution will enable accurate designs. It has a 16:10 aspect ratio and an immersive edge-to-edge view, a significant plus for those making intricate technical designs. Another draw is the 4TB SSD storage; ample enough space for those unlimited and hefty design files.
On the other hand, at 720p, the webcam offers only average-quality video calls with coworkers. Furthermore, while not excessively heavy at 5.5 pounds, it may be a little too burdensome for some. However, with seven hours of battery life, it could go a whole working day without needing to be charged until you get back home.
The usefulness of the ScreenPad Plus depends on how you use it. One handy way is to utilize it for all your communication apps and social media. You can Keep Slack, Messenger, and whatever else you use in the same place while using the main screen for all your architectural focus. On the other hand, the ScreenPad can be used as a screen extension whenever you need it, and it is also compatible with many significant design apps.
Aside from this great feature, the Asus ZenBook ticks all the necessary performance boxes. The Intel Core i9-11900H is a terrific processor, and when combined with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card and 32GB of RAM, you’re looking at a high-performing laptop.
The primary screen size is good at 15.6 inches, and the 4K OLED ultra HD NanoEdge touch screen offers brilliant and immersive images. These specs mean that you can perform all your architectural tasks smoothly, and with the precise Asus active pen helping you with complex projects, you have the cherry on top.
There are a couple of drawbacks, though. One is the weight. At almost 12.5 pounds, it won’t slip inconspicuously into your bag. Another is the placing of the touchpad. Lefties find it quite problematic with it sitting on the laptop’s right.
Performance-wise, the 11th Generation Intel Quad-Core i7-1165G7 enables the seamless use of CPU-intensive apps, while the Intel Iris Xe graphics card is excellent for artistic processes.
Design-wise, the device can quickly convert into tablet form with an easy fold, although at 13.3 inches, the screen size may be a little petite for some. However, the QLED screen offers brilliant contrast and produces high-quality imagery for rendering those complex visuals, although not in 4K UHD. It also automatically regulates its brightness based on your lighting conditions.
Some minor points to consider are that it doesn’t include a stylus pen, and gentle fan noise is consistently present.
However, if you feel you need something even more powerful, you can upgrade the specs to an even more premium and extreme model.
Architects will find this machine well-suited to their needs, and it will give a satisfying performance for years to come. They will be confident in the knowledge that this laptop is capable of handling pretty much anything thrown at it. The icing on the cake is that it is a good machine for after-work gaming or chilling out to music with the outstanding Dolby Atmos speakers.
On the downside, the screen resolution isn’t quite 4K UHD, but it is still impressive enough to make those finely detailed designs.
RAM and storage are also essential. 8GB of RAM could work out okay, but 16GB and above is the recommendation. 500GB is the minimum for storage. However, like RAM, the more, the better.
Q: Is a Laptop or PC Better for Architecture?
Architecture is an on-the-go industry. You need to travel from site to site and job to job. Architecture students must travel from their accommodation to the university and around campus. Architects need mobility, so a laptop is the best option.
