SolidWorks is a computer-aided design and engineering computer program. It is one of the most popular and useful 3D CAD modeling platforms today.
It was released in 1995 and became popular in less time. In 2013, according to a publisher, more than 165,000 companies were using SolidWorks. Also, at that time, more than two million engineers and designers were using SolidWorks, which was part of those 165,000 organizations. And in 2019, its usage has become doubled.
There are many alternatives to SolidWorks, like FreeCAD, Fusion 360, and Onshape, but no one can beat SolidWorks.
So, to use this frequency-oriented software, you must have a high-end laptop. If you are looking for the best laptop to run SolidWorks, then go through our list, where you will find the seven best machines for SolidWorks.
Best Laptops for SolidWorks Comparison [year]
- MICRO-EDGE HD TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY - Reach out and control your PC with just pinch, tap, or swipe, for a totally intuitive experience with flicker-free, 1366 x 768 resolution visuals
- AMD RYZEN PROCESSOR - Experience acceleration for your work and creativity in a laptop powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 processor and boosted with incredible battery life
- AMD RADEON GRAPHICS - Experience high performance for all your entertainment whether it's games or movies
- STORAGE AND MEMORY - 128 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD performs up to 15x faster than a traditional hard drive; and 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM memory is power efficient and provides speedy, responsive performance
- WINDOWS 11 HOME IN S MODE - Experience the most secure Windows ever built with added protection against phishing and malware
- Effortlessly chic. Always efficient. Finish your to-do list in no time with the Dell 15, built for everyday computing with Intel Core i5 processor.
- Designed for easy learning: Energy-efficient batteries and Express Charge support extend your focus and productivity.
- Stay connected to what you love: Spend more screen time on the things you enjoy with Dell ComfortView software that helps reduce harmful blue light emissions to keep your eyes comfortable over extended viewing times.
- Type with ease: Write and calculate quickly with roomy keypads, separate numeric keypad and calculator hotkey.
- Ergonomic support: Keep your wrists comfortable with lifted hinges that provide an ergonomic typing angle.
- SPEED OF LIGHTNESS — MacBook Air with the M4 chip lets you blaze through work and play. With Apple Intelligence,* up to 18 hours of battery life,* and an incredibly portable design, you can take on anything, anywhere.
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 — The Apple M4 chip brings even more speed and fluidity to everything you do, like working between multiple apps, editing videos, or playing graphically demanding games.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers the same incredible performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- A BRILLIANT DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display supports 1 billion colors.* Photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp.
- Exceptional Performance and Productivity: Experience smooth and responsive performance powered by a new, more powerful 8-Core Intel Core 3 processor N355, 8GB memory and fast 128GB UFS storage. Enjoy extended productivity thanks to exceptional battery life and the support of Copilot, your everyday AI companion.
- Copilot in Windows - your AI Assistant: Do more, quicker than ever across multiple applications with the centralized generative AI assistance of Copilot in Windows Accessible with a single touch of the Copilot Key
- Immersive Visuals: With its narrow bezel design the 15.6" 1080p Full HD IPS display is perfect for casual web browsing and watching movies or streaming, allowing for a sharp, detailed view of what's in front of you. And with Acer BluelightShield, lower the levels of blue light to lessen the negative effects of blue light exposure.
- User-Friendly by Design: Seamlessly connect or charge your devices through dual full-function USB Type-C ports, while Wi-Fi 6 and HDMI 2.1 connectivity enhance your digital experiences to be faster, smoother, and more enjoyable.
- Unlock More with AcerSense: Intuitive device control is available at the touch of a button with AcerSense, which manages battery life, storage, and apps for optimal performance. Acer TNR solution and Acer PurifiedVoice enhance your video calling experience to a new level of clarity and quality.
- MICRO-EDGE HD TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY - Reach out and control your PC with just pinch, tap, or swipe, for a totally intuitive experience with flicker-free, 1366 x 768 resolution visuals
- AMD RYZEN PROCESSOR - Experience acceleration for your work and creativity in a laptop powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and boosted with incredible battery life
- AMD RADEON GRAPHICS - Experience high performance for all your entertainment whether it's games or movies
- STORAGE AND MEMORY - 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD performs up to 15x faster than a traditional hard drive; and 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM memory is power efficient and provides speedy, responsive performance
- GET A FRESH PERSPECTIVE WITH WINDOWS 11 HOME - From a rejuvenated Start menu, to new ways to connect to your favorite people, news, games, and content—Windows 11 is the place to think, express, and create in a natural way
- Superior Performance Processor: Equipped with Intel N150 CPU (3.6GHZ high-frequency) and Intel GPU, as well as 16GB DDR4 SO-DIMM RAM and 512GB M.2 2280 SSD, multitasking parallel without delay, and stable operation in complex scenes.
- 8000mAh Large Battery: large battery capacity, but also intelligent adjustment of power consumption, light office to reduce energy consumption, running large software can also be stable output. Ultra-long battery life, whether dealing with documents, video conferencing, or playing games, it can say goodbye to the anxiety of running out of power.
- 18.5 inch IPS Ultra Sensitive Screen: Bigger, wider and clearer visual effects, 1920*1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, accurate color, no tearing of the screen, and clear rendering of dynamic scenes. Every frame is immersive and immersive.
- Reliable Connectivity & Clear Interaction:Stable Network Communication: Equipped with an RJ45 interface integrated with anti-interference technology, which enhances the stability and dependability of the entire network system.
- Smooth Visual & Audio Experience: Features a 2.0-megapixel front camera, making it easy to have video calls with colleagues or family; comes with a built-in DMIC microphone that ensures clear audio and delay-free communication; paired with dual 8Ω/1W speakers, it delivers immersive surround sound for a more pleasant entertainment experience.
- MICRO-EDGE HD DISPLAY - Enjoy your entertainment with the great quality and high-definition detail of 1 million pixels, plus a non-reflective anti-glare panel for less glare while you're outside
- INTEL PROCESSOR N100 - Get the performance and graphics you need with an Intel processor at the affordability you want to connect, learn, and play anywhere
- INTEL UHD GRAPHICS - Smoothly stream 4K content and play your favorite games
- STORAGE AND MEMORY - 128 GB Universal Flash Storage gives you faster speeds and lower power consumption while on the go; and 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM memory is power efficient and provides speedy, responsive performance
- CHROME OS - Chromebooks run Chrome OS, the Google-designed operating system that has never had a virus, automatically keeps everything up to date, and has apps for anything
- SLIM. LIGHTWEIGHT. READY TO GO: The all-new slim design is perfect for busy lives on the go.
- SKILLFULLY DESIGNED. MILITARY TOUGH: Built with premium craftsmanship to withstand the occasional drop or ding.
- ALL-DAY, ALL-IN-ONE CHARGING: Power through your school day – and beyond – with a long-lasting 12-hour battery.¹
- 3X FASTER THAN THE PREVIOUS GENERATION OF WIFI: Crush your schoolwork in record time with Wi-Fi that’s three times faster than the previous generation of Wi-Fi.
- YOUR PHONE AND CHROMEBOOK WORK BETTER TOGETHER: Easily transfer files between devices, and control your phone right from your Chromebook.
- TOP PERFORMANCE, SLEEK DESIGN: Experience smooth multitasking and speedy performance with the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook, perfect for work or play on the go
- POWERFUL PROCESSING: The Intel Celeron N4500 processor's impressive capabilities ensure seamless operation and swift responsiveness
- VIVID VISUALS WITH IMMERSIVE CLARITY: Vibrant visuals on the 15.6" FHD 1920x1080 display deliver crisp images and sharp details for an enhanced visual experience
- AMPLE STORAGE FOR YOUR DIGITAL WORLD: Enjoy convenient access to your files and applications with 64GB of eMMC storage, which provides space for documents, photos, videos, and more
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS: Stay connected with a range of ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, that offer plenty of plug-ins for your accessories
- WINDOWS 11 HOME IN S MODE — All the power of Windows 10 with enhanced security and performance with a redesigned look — complete with new tools, sounds, and apps exclusively from Microsoft. Every detail has been considered, coming together to bring you a refreshing experience on your PC.
- 15.6” FHD DISPLAY — 1920 x 1080 60Hz display brings beautiful visuals to life with 220 nits peak brightness.
- INTEL CELERON N4500 PROCESSOR — The newest Intel Celeron processors offer amazing video conferencing abilities, faster wireless connectivity, improved overall application and graphics performance, and long battery life. Experience unmatched balance of performance, experience, and value for education and entry level computing.
- INTEL HD GRAPHICS — Intel HD Graphics provides basic to moderate graphical performance for a variety of computing tasks, including multimedia playback, web browsing, and light gaming.
- 4GB DDR4 MEMORY — To run apps, tabs, and everything else you need.
- 【High-Speed RAM & Ample Storage】: Configure your system with up to 36GB Memory for ultra-smooth multitasking and performance. Choose up to a 2TB PCIe M.2 SSD for blazing-fast boot times and generous storage capacity to easily handle large files and demanding applications.
- 【Comprehensive Connectivity by Lenovo】: Stay connected with a versatile selection of ports, including SD-Card Reader, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C, HDMI-in 1.4, HDMI-out 2.1, and a headphone/microphone combo jack. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth combo ensure fast and reliable wireless connectivity for all your devices.
- 【Ready for business】: Keep your data secure with a hardware TPM security chip. And when you need to step away from your desk, simply secure your desktop using the built-in lock slot or padlock loop.
- 【Miscrosoft Powered Windows 11 with Accessories】 : Run the latest applications with Windows 11, offering a user-friendly and efficient experience. The package includes both white wireless US English keyboard and mouse, completing your setup with Dell’s renowned attention to quality and style.
- Effortlessly chic. Always efficient. Finish your to-do list in no time with the Dell 15, built for everyday computing with Intel Core 3 processor.
- Designed for easy learning: Energy-efficient batteries and Express Charge support extend your focus and productivity.
- Stay connected to what you love: Spend more screen time on the things you enjoy with Dell ComfortView software that helps reduce harmful blue light emissions to keep your eyes comfortable over extended viewing times.
- Type with ease: Write and calculate quickly with roomy keypads, separate numeric keypad and calculator hotkey.
- Ergonomic support: Keep your wrists comfortable with lifted hinges that provide an ergonomic typing angle.
- FHD IPS DISPLAY - Watch movies, edit photos, and enjoy everything else in your digital world with vibrant, crystal-clear images with 178-degree wide-viewing angles
- INTEL CORE PROCESSOR - The 13th Generation Intel Core processor advances real-world computing and delivers more ultra-efficient multitasking for your busy days. That’s the power of Intel Inside
- INTEL IRIS XE GRAPHICS - Integrated graphics levels up your creating, gaming, and entertainment with impressively crisp, stunning visuals
- STORAGE AND MEMORY - 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD performs up to 15x faster than a traditional hard drive; 16 GB DDR4 RAM memory boosts memory with higher bandwidth
- GET A FRESH PERSPECTIVE WITH WINDOWS 11 HOME - From a rejuvenated Start menu, to new ways to connect to your favorite people, news, games, and content—Windows 11 is the place to think, express, and create in a natural way
- READY FOR ANYWHERE – With its thin and light design, 6.5 mm micro-edge bezel display, and 79% screen-to-body ratio, you’ll take this PC anywhere while you see and do more of what you love (1)
- MORE SCREEN, MORE FUN – With virtually no bezel encircling the screen, you’ll enjoy every bit of detail on this 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) display (2)
- ALL-DAY PERFORMANCE – Tackle your busiest days with the dual-core, Intel Celeron N4020—the perfect processor for performance, power consumption, and value (3)
- 4K READY – Smoothly stream 4K content and play your favorite next-gen games with Intel UHD Graphics 600 (4) (5)
- STORAGE AND MEMORY – An embedded multimedia card provides reliable flash-based, 64 GB of storage while 4 GB of RAM expands your bandwidth and boosts your performance (6)
- 【Performance-Driven Efficiency】The ACEMAGIC laptop is powered by the latest 12th Quad-Core processor (4C/4T, 6MB cache, up to 3.4GHz), delivering enhanced multitasking capabilities and improved graphics performance. Designed to elevate your computing experience, this traditional laptop ensures seamless performance for both everyday tasks and more demanding applications.
- 【16GB RAM & 512GB ROM】Equipped with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a fast 512GB M.2 SSD, this windows laptop delivers up to 50% better performance than DDR3 models, ensuring smooth system operation and efficient handling of personal files. With expandable storage options—supporting a 128GB TF card and upgradable to 2TB SSD—you’ll never run out of space for your important documents and media.
- 【Stunning Full HD Display】Experience stunning visuals on the 15.6-inch thin-bezel display, which offers an expanded screen area for a more immersive Full HD experience. The slim design fits a larger screen into a more compact body, making the laptop sleek and portable. A front-facing webcam, perfectly centered above the screen, ensures convenient access for photos and video calls anytime.
- 【Stay Connected Anytime, Anywhere】The laptop computer is equipped with a versatile array of ports, including HDMI Type A x1, USB 2.0 x1, USB 3.2 x2, Type-C (Data) x1, 3.5mm Headphone jack x1, 128GB TF Card Socket x1, and Type-C DC Jack x1. Lightning-fast 802.11ac WiFi offers download speeds up to three times faster than previous generations, while Bluetooth 5.0 ensures stable, reliable connections to all your wireless devices—whether you're streaming, gaming, or working.
- 【ACEMAGIC Care For You】Enjoy peace of mind with unlimited technical support and a 12-month of repair for customers. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.
- 【Designed to Do More with Less】MALLRACE LX15PRO Gaming Laptop Computer equipped with AMD Ryzen 7 5000 Series (8 Cores 16 Threads, max turbo to 4.3 GHz,)based on the ZEN 2 architecture, it offers a 35% performance increase compared to the previous AMD Ryzen 5 5600U. which creates a very smooth experience for your visually home entertainment,Web browsing,photo/video editing(PS,PR,AI,etc.)and light gaming(CSGO,PUBG,DOTA 2,LOL,etc.)
- 【The performance beast is ready to roar】This MALLRACE AMD Ryzen 7 laptop comes with DDR4 16GB RAM, (upgradable to 64GB),giving you enough power and storage to game, create and enjoy, as well as a 512GB M.2 2280 NVMe solid state drive (Maximum support up to 2TB) that unleashes performance.
- The Power to Make Waves】When it comes to processing, When it comes to processing,AMD Radeon Graphics Integration delivers powerful graphics processing while delivering a brilliant visual experience with lifelike graphics and incredibly fast performance. Whether you're playing games, editing multimedia projects, or handling productivity tasks, the LX15PRO computer laptop delivers the power and versatility to enhance your computing capabilities.
- 【Extensive & Premium Connectivity】Designed for ultra-fast running, MALLRACE AMD Gaming Laptop is equipped with webcam × 1, USB 3.2 × 2, HDMI × 1, Type_C (full function) × 1, 3.5mm audio/microphone × 1, TF card holder × 1, Type_C DC jack × 1. Enjoy higher speeds with Wi-Fi 6, compatible with the 802.11ax standard and up to 3x faster than Wi-Fi 5.
- 【All-Day Power 】Equipped with a 54.72Wh high-capacity lithium-ion battery and advanced power management features, the MALLRACE LX15PRO can be fully charged in just 2.5-3 hours, meaning you can take your MALLRACE gaming laptop computer anywhere and shine wherever you like, making it perfect for traveling and on-the-go use.
- ➤【AMD Ryzen 5 & Radeon Graphics】Powerful Performance for Work and Play. Powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 7430U (6 cores, 12 threads, up to 4.3 GHz) and AMD Radeon Graphics, this HP laptop handles everything from multitasking and video calls to photo editing and streaming with ease. Enjoy smooth, reliable performance — perfect for both work and school
- ➤【Upgraded Speed & 32GB】Fast, Smooth, and Ready for Anything. Enjoy ultra-fast performance with up to 32 GB DDR4 RAM and a 1 TB NVMe SSD. Start your laptop in seconds, switch between apps without lag, and store all your files, photos, and projects with ease. The large SSD ensures quick load times — keeping everything you need right at your fingertips
- ➤【Vivid 17.3" Full HD Display】Big, Clear, and Easy on the Eyes. Enjoy stunning clarity on the 17.3-inch Full HD screen, perfect for browsing, presentations, or streaming your favorite shows. The anti-glare display helps reduce eye strain, while the extra screen space makes multitasking smoother and more comfortable
- ➤【Windows 11 Home with AI Copilot】Your Smart Assistant for Everyday Tasks. Preloaded with Windows 11 Home, this laptop offers strong security, easy management tools, and smooth productivity. The built-in AI Copilot helps you summarize information, organize tasks, and create content faster — like having a smart assistant right at your side
- ➤【Keyboard & Mouse Combo Accessory】Everything You Need, Right Out of the Box. Stay seamlessly connected with Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.4 · USB-C · USB-A · HDMI ports. The HP True Vision HD camera and dual microphones deliver clear, crisp video calls. Plus, it comes with a Redragon wireless keyboard and mouse combo, so you can set up your workstation and get started instantly
- SPEED OF LIGHTNESS — MacBook Air with the M4 chip lets you blaze through work and play. With Apple Intelligence,* up to 18 hours of battery life,* and an incredibly portable design, you can take on anything, anywhere.
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 — The Apple M4 chip brings even more speed and fluidity to everything you do, like working between multiple apps, editing videos, or playing graphically demanding games.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers the same incredible performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- A BRILLIANT DISPLAY — The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display supports 1 billion colors.* Photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp.
- FOR HOME, WORK, & SCHOOL – With an Intel processor, 14-inch display, custom-tuned stereo speakers, and long battery life, this Chromebook laptop lets you knock out any assignment or binge-watch your favorite shows..Voltage:5.0 volts
- HD DISPLAY, PORTABLE DESIGN – See every bit of detail on this micro-edge, anti-glare, 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) display (1); easily take this thin and lightweight laptop PC from room to room, on trips, or in a backpack.
- ALL-DAY PERFORMANCE – Reliably tackle all your assignments at once with the quad-core, Intel Celeron N4120—the perfect processor for performance, power consumption, and value (2).
- 4K READY – Smoothly stream 4K content and play your favorite next-gen games with Intel UHD Graphics 600 (3) (4).
- MEMORY AND STORAGE – Enjoy a boost to your system’s performance with 4 GB of RAM while saving more of your favorite memories with 64 GB of reliable flash-based eMMC storage (5).
- [16GB RAM + 628GB Storage (128GB UFS+ 500GB Ext)] Reams of high-bandwidth 16GB DDR4 RAM to smoothly run your games and video-editing applications, as well as numerous programs and browser tabs all at once. Non-volatile 128GB UFS storage handles multiple read and write requests simultaneously; power gating increases power efficiency. Enjoy additional portable storage with 500GB external drive.
- [13th Gen 4-Core Intel N150 Processor] 13th Gen Intel N150 (Up to 3.6 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 6 MB L3 Cache, 4 cores, 4 threads). Save time and increase productivity with powerful performance and smooth multitasking. Access fast web applications, edit photos and videos, and get the responsiveness you're looking for.
- [14 Inch HD Display] Watch videos and create colorful presentations in excellent, high-definition quality rendered with 1 million pixels. The anti-glare panel lets you enjoy time outside without glare on your screen. HP True Vision 720p HD camera with integrated dual array digital microphones. Online Class, Google Classroom, Remote Learning, Zoom Ready.
- [Windows 11 Home in S Mode] Experience the most secure Windows ever built with fast boot times, increased responsiveness, and added protection against phishing and malware. (You can EASILY switch to regular Windows 11 Home: Open Microsoft Store > search and select "Switch out of S Mode" > select "Get".)
- [6-in-1 HubxcelAccessory with 1-Year MS Office 365] HubxcelAccessory includes wireless earbuds, 64GB SD card, USB extension cord, HDMI cable, mouse pad, and wireless mouse. Free Microsoft Office 365 Personal 1-year subscription included Al Powered Copilot. For Home, Student, Professionals, Small Business, School Education, and Commercial Enterprise.
Best Laptops for SolidWorks Reviews [year]
Acer Aspire E15 Laptop – Best Budget Laptop for SolidWorks
- 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U Processor (Up to 3.4GHz)
- 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-lit IPS Display
- 8GB Dual Channel Memory & 256GB SSD
- Up to 15-hours of battery life.Adapter: 65 W
- Windows 10 Home
Processor: If you are looking for the best laptop to run SolidWorks, then this Acer Aspire E15 is ideal for you. It is featured with an 8th generation Intel Quad-Core i7-8550U processor with 1.8GHz clock frequency and hyper-threading. This clock frequency can go up to 4.0 GHz.
Its clock rate will help you to do modeling, and its four cores will assist you in drawing and simulation tasks.
RAM: It comes with 8GB RAM that is ideal for simple parts, page drawings, and assemblies. But it is expandable up to 16GB to deal with multi-sheet drawings and convoluted parts along with large assemblies.
GPU: The laptop comes with NVidia GeForce MX150 GPU with 2GB dedicated GDDR5 VRAM.
Storage: Its 256GB SSD storage is not great, but still, you will be able to open and save assemblies quickly as compared to HDD.
Display: Its 15.6-inch screen with Full HD (1920 x 1080) LED-lit IPS display is ideal for SolidWorks.
Battery: The laptop offers up to 15 hours of battery life.
Ports: There are two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, an HDMI, one USB-C 3.1 port, an SD card reader, and a headphone/microphone combo jack.
Our Opinion:
This laptop is best for SolidWorks simulation and multiple-sheet drawing. It has a fast processor and is ideal for the mid-range workload. Also, its screen resolution is ideal for SolidWorks. Its storage capacity is limited.
Microsoft Surface Book 2 – Best Portable Laptop for SolidWorks
- Microsoft Surface Book 2 Features a 7th generation Intel Dual Core i5 Processor, 256 GB of storage, 8 GB RAM, and up to 17 hours of video playback
- Includes an Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated GPU; Full size SDXC card reader
- The fastest Surface Book yet, with 2x more power. Aspect ratio: 3:2, contrast ratio: 1600:1
- Vibrant PixelSense Display: now available with an improved 13.5" touchscreen
- Four versatile modes of use and new USB C port
Battery: Microsoft Surface Book 2 is another best machines that you can purchase for the completion of your SolidWorks projects. It is a 2-in-1 machine that has an amazing battery life of up to 17 hours.
Processor: It comes with an 8th generation Intel Quad-Core i7-8650U processor. Its clock speed can boost up to 4.2 GHz.
Its higher clock speed helps you to deal with designing, modeling, drawing, and drafting, no matter whether you are a student or a professional. Also, its 4-cores allow you to work with rendering and simulation.
RAM: Its 16GB RAM is ideal for working with large assemblies.
GPU: The laptop features NVidia GeForce GTX 1050 GPU with dedicated 2GB GDDR5 graphics memory.
Storage: It comes with PCle NVMe based 1TB SSD drive. It is the fastest drive technology you can get. With this type of SSD and 1TB storage capacity, you will be able to open larger assemblies in no time.
Display: The system comes with a 13.5-inch wide touchscreen with PixelSense display and pen input (3000 x 2000 pixels). Its screen size is smaller than the Acer Aspire E15, but its resolution is mind-blowing.
Modes of Use: You have four different modes of use. There is a laptop mode, tablet mode, studio mode, and view mode.
Ports: There are two USB Type-A ports, one USB Type-C port, an SD card reader, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and two Surface Connect ports.
Our Opinion:
With the decent build quality and robust performance, this laptop is recommended for SolidWorks. Its fastest SSD is the best feature that can turn things around too quickly. Its battery drains while in sleep mode.
Lenovo ThinkPad P50 – Best Workstation Laptop for SolidWorks
- Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 Quad-Core Processor (4 cores, 2.8 GHz up to 3.70 GHz, 8MB SmartCache) with vPro Technology
- Nvidia Quadro M2000M 4GB GDDR5 | 256 GB SSD M.2 Opal2 | 16GB DDR4 (MAX 32GB)
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) IPS | Backlit Keys | FingerPrint Reader
- Thunderbolt 3 Type-C | 4xUSB3.0 | RJ-45 | Mini DisplayPort | HDMI
- Pre-installed Windows 7 Professional 64-bit upgradeable to Windows 10 Pro
Processor: This Lenovo ThinkPad is the best workstation laptop for SolidWorks. It is only designed for professionals. So, if you are a student, then this laptop will not suit you. It is featured with a high-end 2.8 GHz Intel Quad-Core Xeon E3-1505M v5 processor. With Turbo Boost technology, its clock speed can boost up to 3.7 GHz.
Display: The laptop has a 15.6-inch widescreen with Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display. This screen resolution is ideal for SolidWorks.
RAM: With 16GB DDR4 RAM, you can easily and quickly load complex models and drawings in your SolidWorks software. For large assemblies, this RAM size is recommended. But you can also upgrade your RAM up to 32GB.
Storage: It comes with a 256GB SATA III SSD that is not the fastest drive like the PCle NVMe, but still, you can easily handle medium-sized assemblies. Also, you can upgrade your SATA III to PCle NVMe without any problem.
GPU: The system is powered by a professional NVidia Quadro M2000M graphics card. It comes with a 4GB GDDR5 RAM size.
Battery: You can use the laptop for 7 hours before the need for charging.
Ports: There is an SD card reader, four USB 3.0 ports, Mini DisplayPort, a headphone/microphone combo jack, one Thunderbolt 3 Type-C port, RJ-45, and HDMI, and an AC port.
Our Opinion:
Its processor and graphics card will surely enhance your working experience on SolidWorks. Also, its SATA III SSD is the second-fastest drive in the market that is also upgradeable. Its build quality is not up to the mark.
MSI WE72 7RJ-1032US Laptop – Best Laptop for CAD and 3D Modeling
- Intel Core i7 2.8 GHz
- 32GB (16G*2) DDR4 2400MHz
- 512GB M.2 SATA
- 17.3-Inch Screen
- Operating System: Windows 10
Processor: Another best workstation laptop that you can buy to run SolidWorks is the MSI 17.3 laptop. It is powered by a 2.8 GHz, 7th generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor. Its clock frequency can boost up to 3.8 GHz. This processor is 8-10% faster than i7- 6700HQ.
RAM: Its 32GB DDR4 RAM is great for multitasking. This 32GB is divided into two 16GB RAM slots. With this RAM, you can handle extremely complex parts, very large assemblies, and simulations.
GPU: The laptop comes with Quadro M2200 GPU with 4GB GDDR5 RAM. This graphics card is better than what Lenovo ThinkPad is offering.
Storage: The 512GB SATA III SSD reads and writes data fast. Its storage capacity is double that of the Lenovo ThinkPad P50. But for much faster performance, you can upgrade to PCle NVMe.
Display: It comes with a 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display. With 1920 x 1080 screen resolution, you will be able to view sharper visuals.
Battery: If we talk about its battery life, then your laptop can only work for about 5 hours with a fully charged battery.
Ports: Two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, a USB-C Gen 2 port, Mini DisplayPort, and a headphone/microphone combo jack.
Our Opinion:
Its amazing RAM size is the most appealing thing about this laptop. Its processor and GPU are also quite powerful. In a nutshell, it is the best machine for CAD and 3D modeling. It is quite an expensive product. Also, its fan makes noise.
HP Omen 17.3-inch Gaming Laptop – Best Laptop under $1500
Display: HP Omen 17.3 is a gaming laptop, but it will not disappoint you when working on SolidWorks. It has a 17.3-inch widescreen that comes with FHD (1920 x 1080) WLED-backlit display featuring IPS and anti-glare technology.
Processor: If we focus on its processor, then it comes with a 2.8 GHz Intel Quad-Core i7-7700HQ processor (6MB Cache). Its clock speed can go up to 3.8 GHz. The higher clock speed helps the processor to do faster calculations, and the HQ label assists in handling large assemblies quite well.
RAM: The HP Omen comes with 12GB DDR4 SDRAM. Its RAM size is not on the higher side as compared to Microsoft Surface Book 2, but still, you can work with small assemblies. One RAM slot is 4GB, and another slot is of 8GB.
GPU: It comes with NVidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti with dedicated 4GB GDDR5 RAM.
Storage: It features a dual-storage option. One is the 1TB HDD, and the second one is the 128GB SSD. The combination of a hard disk drive and a solid-state drive will help you a lot when working with SolidWorks. Also, its SSD is PCle NVMe based, which is the fastest drive in the market.
Ports: The laptop is equipped with an SD media card reader, two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, an HDMI, RJ-45, and a microphone/headphone combo jack.
Battery: Its battery life is up to 5 hours.
Our Opinion:
Overall, its performance is quite satisfactory. It has a fast processor, and its dual storage option is the best inclusion. Its battery life is short. Also, its cooling system is not up to the mark.
Alienware AW17R4-7003SLV-PUS Gaming Laptop – Best Laptop under $1800
- 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ (Quad-Core, 6MB Cache, up to 3.8GHz w/ Turbo Boost)
- 8GB DDR4 at 2400MHz included; 32GB Maximum
- 256GB SSD (boot)+ 1TB 7200RPM SATA HDD; No optical Drive
- 17.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Anti-Glare 300-nits Display with Tobii IR Eye-tracking
- Windows 10 Operating System; Silver
Processor: This gaming laptop from Alienware comes with a 7th generation Intel Quad-Core i7-7700HQ processor (6MB Cache). With Turbo Boost technology, its clock frequency can go up to 3.8 GHz. It is a gaming laptop, but it doesn’t mean you can’t run SolidWorks properly. It meets all the specifications recommended for SolidWorks.
GPU: If we talk about the graphics processing unit, then it is NVidia GeForce GTX 1060. It comes with 6GB GDDR5 graphics memory.
RAM: With 8GB DDR4 RAM, you can create simple parts, assembly, and drawings.
Storage: The laptop is featured with dual storage options like the HP Omen 17.3. There is a 1TB hard disk drive and a 256GB solid-state drive.
Display: The system comes with a 17.3-inch screen. With an FHD display featuring IPS and anti-glare technology, you will be amazed by the quality of the visuals.
Battery: When fully charged, you will be able to run your laptop for up to 6 hours.
Ports: It is featured with three USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI 2.0, one Thunderbolt 3, and a Mini DisplayPort.
Our Opinion:
The dual-storage option is the best inclusion. It runs faster and smoother. Overall, its performance is quite decent. It is a heavyweight product. Also, it heats up quickly.
Dell i5577-5335BLK-PUS Inspiron 15 Gaming Laptop – Cheapest Laptop for SolidWorks
- 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ Quad Core (6MB Cache, Base Frequency 2.8 GHz, Max Turbo Frequency up to 3.8 GHz)
- 16GB, 2400MHz, DDR4; up to 32GB (additional memory sold separately) [16G2D]
- 512GB Pie Solid State Drive , No Optical Drive option
- 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED-Backlit Display
- Windows 10 Home 64-bit English
Processor: The Dell Inspiron 15 is another gaming laptop that can run SolidWorks. It is equipped with a 7th generation Intel Quad-Core i5-7300HQ processor (6MB Cache) with up to 3.5 GHz.
RAM: It comes with 8GB DDR4 RAM, but you can upgrade it up to 32GB according to your needs.
GPU: If we focus on its graphics card, then it is NVidia GeForce GTX 1050 with 4GB GDDR5 RAM.
Storage: It is featured with 256GB SSD storage.
Display: It has a 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) LED-backlit display with an anti-glare panel.
Battery: Its battery can last up to 7 hours.
Ports: There are three USB 3.0 ports, RJ-45, HDMI, Micro SD card reader, and microphone/headphone jack.
Our Opinion:
It is an inexpensive machine that students can easily purchase. Its expandable RAM, fast processor, and decent storage capacity make it one of the preferred laptops. There is no IPS technology, and it has average battery life. Also, it has some bloatware.
Buyer’s Guide
Here we are going to tell you about those things that you must look at when buying the best machine to run SolidWorks. So, what are those things? Take a look.
Processor
The first thing that requires your consideration is the processor. But here, you have to focus on both the clock speed and the number of cores.
It is necessary to have a processor with a higher clock frequency because SolidWorks is a frequency-oriented application. With higher frequency, your laptop will be able to perform calculations much faster. Almost every task, such as part assembling and modeling, rotating models, saving assemblies, and so on, needs calculations. And faster calculations can only be done if the clock speed is on the higher side. Make sure that the clock speed of the processor is at least 3 GHz.
And for smooth simulation and rendering, the processor must have multiple cores. Make sure that the number of cores is at least four.
RAM
The second most important thing to consider is Random Access Memory. It is the short-term memory of the computer from where the CPU retrieves data of the current file or project. With large RAM, you will be able to handle large-size assemblies, and multiple sheet drawings and will multi-task well.
For simple and small assembly and drawings, 8GB of RAM is enough. But to handle complex drawings and models and large assemblies, 16GB is recommended. For professionals, 16GB to 32GB is ideal, and for extreme creators, 64GB would be suitable.
Storage
Solid-state State Drives are much faster than traditional Hard Disk Drives. SSDs are now becoming preferable day by day. Also, CAD works are highly recommended. So, there is no need to go for HDDs when you have the fastest drive available in the market at reasonable rates.
An SSD will help you to launch your SolidWorks app and open your assemblies much faster as compared to HDDs. The fastest drive in SSDs is the PCle NVMe which can open larger assemblies much faster. But SATA III is also not a bad option. That is also faster than HDD.
If you are going for HDD storage, make sure it is 1TB, and if you are selecting SSD storage, then it must be at least 256GB. Otherwise, 512GB SSD is recommended.
Graphics
SolidWorks is not compatible with every graphics card, or you can say not all the graphics cards support SolidWorks. Therefore, always try to go with a GPU that is compatible with SolidWorks. The selection of the card also depends on the demands of your projects.
If you are professional, then you must have a high-end graphics card, or you can also select a workstation card. Nvidia GeForce and AMD Radeon have various high-end graphics cards that you can consider.
And if you are a student, then you can go for a consumer card.
FAQs
Are gaming laptops suitable for SolidWorks?
Yes, there are some gaming laptops that you can buy to run your SolidWorks software without any problem. In our list, we have mentioned three gaming laptops that are suitable for SolidWorks.
But here is one thing you should keep in mind all graphics cards are not compatible with SolidWorks software, so you should check the graphics card of the laptop to make sure it is compatible with SolidWorks.
Is it necessary to have a dedicated graphics card to run SolidWorks?
No, it is not necessary to invest in a dedicated GPU, but with an integrated graphics card, you will face problems while rendering. Therefore, it is better to go for a dedicated GPU rather than an integrated one.
Can you run SolidWorks on Mac?
No, you can’t run SolidWorks on Mac; it is only built for Windows. Therefore, we haven’t added any MacBooks to our list.
Is it necessary to have a high-resolution screen for SolidWorks?
No, it is not necessary. A Full HD display is enough for SolidWorks.
What specifications do I need to run SolidWorks 2019?
- Windows 7 (64-bit) or Windows 10 (64-bit) – Keep in mind that Windows Home editions don’t support SolidWorks.
- A quad-core processor is recommended with at least 3.3 GHz clock speed
- Minimum 16GB RAM, but 32GB is recommended
- Must be SSD with at least 20GB free space
- NVidia Quadro P600, P1000, P2000, and P4000; AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100, WX 4100, and WX 5100 graphics cards are considered the best ones. Keep in mind your NVidia GPU must be from Quadro, P, and GP Series. Also, you can have GV and RTX Series GPUs from NVidia and WX Series from AMD Radeon.