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]
- 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)
- SPEED OF LIGHTNESS — MacBook Air with the M4 chip blazes through work, homework, and creative projects. With Apple Intelligence,* up to 18 hours of battery life,* and an ultralight portable design, it’s the perfect gift for someone on your list.
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 — The Apple M4 chip delivers even more speed and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. Ideal for someone on your holiday list looking to be more productive and creative than ever.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, create, and express yourself—all with groundbreaking privacy protections.* It’s the perfect present for those who value getting things done.
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers the same incredible performance whether it's running on battery or plugged in,* making it a reliable holiday gift for on-the-go students and professionals.
- 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—something the people on your shopping list will appreciate every day they use it.
- 【Exceptional Storage Space】Equipped with DDR4 RAM and eMMC Solid State Drive, runs smoothly, responds quickly, handles multi-application and multimedia workflows efficiently and quickly.
- 【Processor】Intel Celeron N4500(2 Cores, 2 Threads, Max Boost Clock Up to 2.80Ghz, 4MB Cache). Intel UHD Graphics 600. This 14-inch laptop is also equipped with Windows 11 S, which makes your work or study easy and convenient.
- 【Tech Specs】1 x USB-C 3.0. 2 x USB-A 3.0. 1 x HDMI. 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack. 1 x SD Card Reader. Wi-Fi. Windows 11 S, 1-Year Microsoft Office 365, Bluetooth. Up to 11 hours and 30 minutes battery life. HP Imagepad with multi-touch gesture support. HD Audio with stereo speakers.
- 【Designed for the Office】With Windows 11, Intel UHD Graphics 600, Bluetooth. Up to 11 hours and 30 minutes battery life. HP Imagepad with multi-touch gesture support. HD Audio with stereo speakers, it ensures a stylish and innovative look, excellent portability, and is suitable for daily work and play. It is a great choice for businesses, offices, or students.
- 【Make the most out of your 365】Bring your ideas to life.Your creativity now gets a boost with Microsoft 365. Office - Word, Excel, and Power Point - now includes smart assistance features that help make your writing more readable, your data clearer and your presentations more visually powerful. 1 -Year subscription included.
- 【15.6" HD Display】14.0-inch diagonal, HD (1366 x 768), micro-edge, BrightView. With virtually no bezel encircling the display, an ultra-wide viewing experience provides for seamless multi-monitor set-ups
- 【Processor & Graphics】Intel Celeron N100, 4 Cores & 4 Threads, 1.10 GHz Base Frequency, Up to 2.60 GHz Burst Frequency, 4 MB Cahce, Intel UHD Graphics 600, Handle multitasking reliably with the perfect combination of performance, power consumption, and value
- 【Ports】1 x USB 3.1 Type-C ports, 2 x USB 3.1 Type-A ports, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, and there's a microSD slot
- 【Windows 11 Home in S mode】You may switch to regular windows 11: Press "Start button" bottom left of the screen; Select "Settings" icon above "power" icon;Select "Activation", then Go to Store; Select Get option under "Switch out of S mode"; Hit Install. (If you also see an "Upgrade your edition of Windows" section, be careful not to click the "Go to the Store" link that appears there.)
- 【Premium Lenovo with Performance CPU】: Experience lightning-fast responsiveness with the Lenovo 2025 Most Recent Release laptop,Powerful CPU. With clock speeds up to 2.1 GHz, it delivers seamless multitasking and unparalleled productivity.
- 【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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Intel Celeron N4120: 4 Cores & Threads, 1.1GHz Base Clock, Up to 2.6GHz Boost Clock, 4MB Cache, Intel UHD Graphics 600. The perfect combination of performance, power consumption, and value helps your device handle multitasking smoothly and reliably with four processing cores to divide up the work.
- 14" HD Display: 14.0-inch diagonal, HD (1366 x 768), micro-edge, anti-glare. See your digital world in a whole new way. Enjoy movies and photos with the great image quality and high-definition detail of 1 million pixels.
- Memory & Storage: 4 GB LPDDR4x & 64 GB eMMC Storage. Adequate high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once. An embedded multimedia card provides reliable flash-based storage.
- Ports:2 x USB 3.0 Type-A，1 x USB 3.0 Type-C，1 x HDMI，1 x Headphone Jack
- Chrome OS: Chromebook is a computer for the way the modern world works, with thousands of apps. Enjoy the seamless simplicity that comes with Google Chrome and Android apps, all integrated into one laptop. It’s fast, simple, and secure.
- 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.
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE: Equipped with an Intel Core i3 processor, featuring up to 4.4 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 8 cores, and 8 threads, ensuring efficient and powerful multitasking capabilities.
- LARGE DISPLAY: 17.3-inch HD with 1600 x 900 resolution and 250 nits brightness provides an immersive, interactive experience for work, entertainment, and creative tasks.
- FAST CONNECTIVITY: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure ultra-fast, stable wireless connections, perfect for video calls, streaming, and file transfers without lag.
- PREMIUM PORTABILITY: Sleek Natural Silver design, weighing just 4.6 pounds and measuring 0.81 inches thin, combines style with easy mobility for professionals and students on the go.
- All In The Detail : The essential HP laptop has a beautiful brushed full-size keyboard with 10-key number pad. The HP 17.3 laptop i3 features Wide Vision 720p camera + digital microphones, delivering clear and detailed image for video chats. Work and play non-stop with long battery life and HP Fast Charge. The large laptop hp computer is one place for all.
- 【Make the most out of your 365】Bring your ideas to life.Your creativity now gets a boost with Microsoft 365. Office - Word, Excel, and Power Point - now includes smart assistance features that help make your writing more readable, your data clearer and your presentations more visually powerful. 1 -Year subscription included. Or Lifetime Office 365 for the web allows users to edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents online at no cost, as long as an internet connection is available.
- 【14" HD Display】14.0-inch diagonal, HD (1366 x 768), micro-edge, BrightView. With virtually no bezel encircling the display, an ultra-wide viewing experience provides for seamless multi-monitor set-ups. The storage capacity is 64GB hard drive, which includes a 64GB onboard drive.
- 【Processor & Graphics】Intel Celeron N4120, 4 Cores & 4 Threads, 1.10 GHz Base Frequency, Up to 2.60 GHz Burst Frequency, 4 MB Cahce, Intel UHD Graphics 600, Handle multitasking reliably with the perfect combination of performance, power consumption, and value.
- 【Ports】1 x USB 3.1 Type-C ports, 2 x USB 3.1 Type-A ports, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, and there's a microSD slot
- 【Windows 11 Home in S mode】You may switch to regular windows 11: Press "Start button" bottom left of the screen; Select "Settings" icon above "power" icon;Select "Activation", then Go to Store; Select Get option under "Switch out of S mode"; Hit Install. (If you also see an "Upgrade your edition of Windows" section, be careful not to click the "Go to the Store" link that appears there.)
- Operate Efficiently Like Never Before: With the power of Copilot AI, optimize your work and take your computer to the next level.
- Keep Your Flow Smooth: With the power of an Intel CPU, never experience any disruptions while you are in control.
- Adapt to Any Environment: With the Anti-glare coating on the HD screen, never be bothered by any sunlight obscuring your vision.
- Versatility Within Your Hands: With the plethora of ports that comes with the HP Ultrabook, never worry about not having the right cable or cables to connect to your laptop.
- High Quality Camera: With the help of Temporal Noise Reduction, show your HD Camera off without any fear of blemishes disturbing your feed.
- REMOTE WORK READY - Work efficiently from the comfort of your own home office using the HP 14" Chromebook.
- CLEAR IMAGING - Images appear crisp with the 14" HD (1366 x 768), micro-edge, anti-glare (1) display.
- LIGHTNING FAST PROCESSING - Games, music, and binge watching are taken to new heights with Intel Celeron N4000 (2) processing power and Intel UHD Graphics 600 (3).
- SECURELY SAVE YOUR WORK - With 32 GB eMMC storage (4), saving important documents is made simple. Plus, quickly access your documents with 4 GB of RAM.
- LONG-LASTING BATTERY LIFE - Enjoy up to 13 hours and 30 minutes of wireless streaming (5) depending usage.
- 【2-Year Warranty | U.S.-Assembled | 90-Day Returns】Your satisfaction is our top priority. Our laptops come with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty and include 90-day hassle-free returns and exchanges. Our dedicated support team is ready to resolve issues or arrange replacements quickly. With partial U.S. assembly and strict quality checks, you can rely on long-lasting reliability.
- 【65W USB-C PD Fast Charger Included】Enjoy the convenience of a 65W PD fast charger and a 6.56-foot USB-C cable. A 15-minute charge gives you 2 hours of use—making travel simpler. This versatile charger also powers your iPad, phone, camera, and more, so you travel lighter and skip charging anxiety.
- 【Upgradable RAM for Seamless Multitasking】Say goodbye to frustrating lags. This NIMO laptop features 8GB DDR4 RAM, ideal for students juggling dozens of research tabs or professionals running multiple business apps. The expandable RAM slot lets you easily upgrade memory on your own, ensuring your laptop keeps up with future needs and keeps your work running smoothly.
- 【Blazing-Fast SSD for Ample Storage】Get instant access to everything you need. With a powerful 256GB PCIe SSD, this laptop offers lightning-fast boot-ups and file transfers. It’s perfect for creators storing large video files, or students and business users managing massive project data.
- 【Vivid 15.6" Full HD Display】Enjoy stunning visuals with the 15.6" Full HD (1920x1080) IPS anti-glare display. Its 85% screen-to-body ratio and micro-edge design deliver vibrant visuals, precise color accuracy, and crisp details. The durable metal A-shell blends sleek style with long-lasting protection.
- 【High-Level Performance】Unleash your creativity and productivity with this Dell computer laptop. Featuring an Intel 10-Core i5-1334U processor (surpassing the i7-1250U), it effortlessly handles multitasking, business applications, and demanding student projects with smooth.
- 【Immersive 15.6" FHD Touchscreen】Enjoy crystal-clear visuals on the anti-glare micro-edge display. Its slim and lightweight build makes it a perfect small laptop for school, travel, and daily use. Whether presenting, gaming, or editing videos, this Dell laptop offers an engaging and portable viewing experience.
- 【Productivity on the Go】With a upgraded 16GB RAM & 512GB PCIe SSD. This laptop computer offers ample storage for files, media, and apps. Its energy-efficient design ensures all-day battery life, supporting productivity anywhere. Whether you're a student or professional, this device is a top laptop for college students and beyond.
- 【Next-Gen Connectivity with AI Support】Stay ahead with WiFi 6 and built-in Copilot AI, enhancing your efficiency whether you’re working on group projects or managing tasks. This business laptop is optimized for modern workflows, making it a smart choice. It’s more than a laptop for college students
- 【Windows 11 Pro】Get started immediately with Windows 11 Pro already set up and secured. This Dell laptop combines robust performance with everyday portability, making it suitable for video editing, studying, and professional use
- 1.1 GHz (boost up to 2.4GHz) Intel Celeron N5030 Quad-Core
- 4GB DDR4 System Memory; 128GB Solid State Drive
- 11.6" HD (1366 x 768) Multi-Touch Display
- Combo headphone/microphone jack - Noble Wedge Lock slot - HDMI; 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Windows 11 Pro
- Operate Efficiently Like Never Before: With the power of Copilot AI, optimize your work and take your computer to the next level.
- Keep Your Flow Smooth: With the power of an Intel CPU, never experience any disruptions while you are in control.
- Adapt to Any Environment: With the Anti-glare coating on the HD screen, never be bothered by any sunlight obscuring your vision.
- Versatility Within Your Hands: With the plethora of ports that comes with the HP Ultrabook, never worry about not having the right cable or cables to connect to your laptop.
- High Quality Camera: With the help of Temporal Noise Reduction, show your HD Camera off without any fear of blemishes disturbing your feed.
- 【Worry-Free Warranty for Your Peace of Mind】We stand behind NIMO laptop quality. Your purchase includes a comprehensive 2-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 90-day hassle-free return policy. We know buying a new laptop is a major decision—so we’ve got you fully covered. Our dedicated support team is ready to address any concerns, ensuring a smooth, worry-free ownership experience right from day one.
- 【Effortless Speed, Seamless Performance】Powered by the 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake-N100 processor (up to 3.4GHz boost), the NIMO Laptop delivers reliable, long-lasting performance. With 4 cores and 4 threads, it handles multitasking with ease—whether streaming, working, or gaming. Built for durability and efficiency, it keeps productivity and entertainment smooth, from editing documents and running apps to binge-watching your favorite shows.
- 【Upgradable RAM for Seamless Multitasking】No more frustrating lag. This NIMO laptop comes with 4GB DDR4 RAM—perfect for students juggling dozens of research tabs or professionals running multiple business apps. The expandable RAM slot lets you easily upgrade memory on your own, so your laptop can keep up with future demands and ensure your work always flows smoothly.
- 【Blazing-Fast SSD for Ample Storage】Access everything you need instantly. Equipped with a 128GB PCIe SSD, this laptop boots in a flash and transfers files at lightning speed. It’s ideal for creators storing large video files, or students and business users managing extensive project data. The upgradable SSD slot gives you the freedom to expand storage anytime—so you’ll never stress about running out of space.
- 【Immersive Visuals | Ultimate Viewing Comfort】Enjoy sharp clarity on a 15.6" FHD anti-glare display (1920×1080), featuring an 85% screen-to-body ratio and ultra-slim bezels. Built to reduce eye strain while delivering vibrant, true-to-life colors, it’s perfect for designers, professionals, and everyday users alike—great for work and leisure.
- Customers enjoy the HP 15.6" FHD Laptop for its budget-friendly price, lightweight design, and user-friendly interface. It is suitable for basic tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and watching videos. Designed to make short work of everyday tasks, including schoolwork and light gaming, this laptop features an Intel N100 processor (up to 3.4 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 6 MB L3 cache, 4 cores, 4 threads).
- The 15.6" (1920x1080) 250nits Non-Touch Anti-glare, 45% NTSC display has a thin bezel, which provides a comfortable viewing space for your videos, photos, and documents. Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics. Connect with friends and family via the HP True Vision 720p HD camera with temporal noise reduction and integrated dual array digital microphones.
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3; 1 USB Type-C 5Gbps signaling rate (supports data transfer only and does not support charging or external monitors); 2 USB Type-A 5Gbps signaling rate; 1 AC smart pin; 1 HDMI 1.4b; 1 headphone/microphone combo.
- Operating system: Windows 11 Home English (64-bit) provides a calm and creative space where you can pursue your passion through a fresh experience. Full-size, soft grey keyboard with numeric keypad ensures that typing is supremely comfortable. Perfect for remote work, online learning, and personal projects with efficient performance and connectivity.
- 【Processor】Intel Celeron N4120 (up to 2.6 GHz burst frequency, 4 MB L2 cache, 4 cores, 4 threads) Ultra-low-voltage platform provides maximum high-efficiency power to go.
- 【Display】14" diagonal, HD (1366 x 768), micro-edge, BrightView, 220 nits, 45% NTSC impressive color and clarity, Anti-glare Energy-efficient WLED screen.
- 【Premium HP RAM】Experience improved multitasking with higher bandwidth thanks to HP 4GB RAM. This ultracompact memory system is ideal for mobile devices and applications, providing enhanced storage capabilities, streamlined data management, quick boot-up times and support for high-definition video playback.
- 【Operating System】Windows 11 in S mode, 64-bit. You May Switch Windows 11 Home S Mode to the Regular Windows 11 Home.
- 【Office 365 for one year】Get full access to Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access, and 1 TB of One Drive storage for 1 year.
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.