With the right laptop, you can make your architecture coursework and work as a professional more efficient.
Our experts have researched, reviewed, and provided a list of laptops for architects that are perfect for both school and work.
It includes Dell XPS 15, HP ZBook Studio G5, and more!
The world is changing faster than ever before due to technological advancements in many fields including architecture.
As an architect or architectural student, you need a laptop that is powerful enough to handle all of your needs with ease so you can stay focused on what matters most: designing!
Luckily there are a variety of excellent choices available in today’s market so it doesn’t have to be difficult choosing one based on features such as battery life
- Best Laptop for Architecture and Design – Expert’s Favourite
- Buying Guide for the Best Laptop for Architecture Students and Architects
- Review of the Best Laptop for Architecture Students and Professionals
- 1. New Dell XPS 15
- 2. HP ZBook Studio G5
- 3. Acer Aspire 7 Laptop
- 4. ASUS ZenBook S Ultra Slim Flip Laptop
- 5. Dell G5587-7866BLK-PUS G5 15 5587 Gaming Laptop
- FAQs on the Best Laptop for Architecture Students and Architects
- Final Thoughts on the Best Laptop for Architecture Students and Architects
The truth is, a below-average laptop would frustrate your efforts either as an architecture student or as a professional. There are a lot of reasons for this. Like designers, architectural students have to create tons of projects, both personal projects and assignments.
Now, the Projects are pretty elaborate in that they require specific Software for different functions. This software are necessary as they help build your projects as an architecture student.
Depending on the scope of your projects, you’ll need Software for modelling like Grasshopper, multimedia software like Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, some animation software like Autodesk, etc.
Regardless of the software your project pushes you to adopt, you’ll need a solid, high-power laptop to run them smoothly. Without a reliable laptop, you won’t get anything done.
To save you from the headache, we’ve gathered a list of great laptops that’ll help you execute your tasks as an architecture student efficiently.
Ready to ditch your old laptop and step into the era of performing tasks with ease? Then, this piece is for you. Let’s dive in together.
Best Laptop for Architecture and Design – Expert’s Favourite
| NAME | PROCESSOR | RAM | DISPLAY | STORAGE |
| New Dell XPS 15 | 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H | 16GB DDR4 RAM | 15.6-inch UHD+ Touchscreen 16:10 display, 3840×2400 Pixels | 1000 GB Flash Memory Solid State |
| HP ZBook Studio G5 | 8th Generation Intel Core i9 i9-8950HK | 16 GB RAM | 15” in-plane Switching (IPS) Technology | 256GB |
| Acer Aspire 7 Laptop | 9th Gen Intel Core i5-9300H | 8GB DDR4 RAM | 15.6″ Full HD IPS Display, 1920 x 1080 Widescreen LED-backlit | 512GB NVMe SSD |
| ASUS ZenBook S Ultra Slim Flip Laptop | 11th Generation Core i7-1165G7 | 16GB RAM | 13.3” 4K UHD OLED Glossy Touch Screen 3840 x 2160 resolution | 1TB PCIe SSD + TPM |
| Dell G5587-7866BLK-PUS G5 15 5587 Gaming Laptop | 8th Gen Intel Core i7 | 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM | 15.6″ LED Display, 1920 x 1080 Pixels Resolution | 128 GB Flash Memory Solid State |
Buying Guide for the Best Laptop for Architecture Students and Architects
It’s not enough to know these laptops. You need to know the features that qualify them as the best laptop for architects for quite a few reasons.
But first, understanding these features helps you know what these laptops can do; you know their strength. With solid knowledge and an understanding of these features, you’ll use them to your advantage, maximizing these functions.
Ready to enlighten yourself about these factors the best laptop for architecture students should have? Let’s get down to business then.
CPU and Processor Speed:
The Central Processing Unit and processor speed of a system are similar in their functions. Generally, they work to boost the speed of your laptop.
First, the CPU determines how fast you can finish your task, and it is linked to the clock speed of your laptop. Now, you’ll need a laptop with high clock speed to fulfill tasks on time.
The clock speed is measured in GHz, and it’s crucial to the operation of the Software on your laptop. Some of the Software you’ll use to execute your architecture-related projects are heavy files that can only run smoothly on the best laptop for architecture students with high clock speed.
When shopping for laptops for your architecture tasks, look out for clock speeds that start from 3GHz. A 3GHz clock speed laptop or more prevents Software for modelling, etc., from lagging whenever you launch them on your laptop.
There’s also the place of the processor speed. The processor speed of your laptop depends on the processor it has. While there might be a lot of processor speed on the market, look out for best laptop for architecture students with either intel core or AMD Ryzen processors for your architecture journey.
Specifically, buy a laptop with either intel core i5 or i7. If you can break the bank, you’ll enjoy using a core i7 or RMD Ryzen 7 processor. For instance, you’ll have more fun running 3D modelling software or rendering on core i7.
GPU:
The laptop’s graphics processing unit (GPU) is another feature that architecture students should consider. When you need to perform animation tasks, the GPU feature of your laptop comes out to play.
Here’s a riddle for you. What do Vectorworks, ArchiCAD, Revit, 3ds Max, or Rhino all have in common? They require massive graphics cards to function smoothly.
If you attempt to run any of these programs on laptops that lack a dedicated graphics card, it will likely crash. Hence, before you invest in any best laptop for architecture students, check that the graphics card is, at least, a 2GB dedicated graphics card.
There are quite a few good graphics cards on the block. They are any NVIDIA model or Radeon. If your graphics card is any of these two and they offer a 4GB dedicated graphics card, you’re in for a treat.
You’ll freely run any software for modelling, animation, etc. Specifically, NVIDIA Quadro is perfect for rendering. The easiest way to get a the best laptop for architecture students with a great graphics card is to get a gaming laptop.
Operating System (OS):
Think of the operating system of your laptop as the manager. You have to be careful of the OS you choose majorly because of the Software you’ll need to run on your system.
Not all Software designed for architectural projects is compatible with your laptop’s OS. That means your OS can prevent you from running essential Software on your system.
There are quite a few types of OS. The most common is the Windows OS. As a result, manufacturers release a lot of architectural Software for Windows OS. Hence, you’ll rarely encounter problems with compatibility on Windows OS.
Also, laptops forged with Windows OS are reasonably priced. However, quite many people prefer other Operating systems like macOS to Windows for a couple of reasons.
For starters, MacOS is simply brilliant and beautiful. It is also easy to use and has a vast number of apps. Nevertheless, Software like Revit only has a version for Windows laptops.
But you can still run Windows software on macOS. Run a parallels program on your MacOS to run Windows programs.
Storage Space:
Knowing the storage space of the laptop you use for your architecture tasks is crucial. The reason is that the projects you’ll embark on as an architecture student require many high-quality images, videos, etc.
Automatically, the overall size of your project files would be pretty significant. As a result, they would consume a lot of space on your laptop in no time. That’s why it’s essential for the laptop you purchase to have a lot of storage spaces.
Now, when it comes to laptop storage spaces, there are two kinds of storage spaces that come with laptops in laptops. The first is the Hard Disk Drive, also known as HDD, and Solid-State Drive, SSD.
SSDs are better compared to HDD storage spaces basically because SDDs are the fastest storage spaces that exist. You’ll experience increased speed with SDDs while loading and working with architectural Software like AutoCAD, etc.
Trust me, when working on architectural Software, speed is a feature you do not want to ignore. Anyway, while HDD isn’t bad, it sure isn’t the best laptop for architecture students as it could slow down your speed. Let’s also not forget that SSDs preserve your battery life.
RAM:
The RAM on your laptop also fosters the smooth operations of software you need to carry out your architecture task. The programs on your system determine how well programs run on your laptop.
While rendering and using your architecture software, you’ll notice these tasks, and the Software would consume the RAM space on your laptop. Hence, you don’t want to use a laptop with 4GB RAM or less.
You’d find it challenging to run your programs. When considering the RAM space on your laptop, look out for RAM spaces of at least 8GB or 16GB.
You can opt for laptops with higher RAM. It grants you the liberty to run your apps and multi-task conveniently; however, if you do more animation and rendering, use best laptop for architecture students with at least 16 GB RAM.
But let’s not forget, higher RAM equals smooth and blissful operation. Feel free to get a laptop with higher RAM. Laptops with higher RAMs are usually high-performance laptops, and you’d enjoy using them.
Screen Size and Resolution:
As an architecture student, nothing beats the pleasure you derive from working on a laptop with a bigger and wider screen. It spells out all the details embedded in your project while you work. It’s best to opt for a screen size of 15”.
It widens your perspective. A wider screen allows you to maximize your screen quickly.
You can have your toolbars and palette nest in the corner of your screen while you work on your workspace area in another part of the screen. Feel free to opt for the best laptop for architecture students with a 17” screen. The bigger, the better.
But there’s a price to pay for the big screen size. Laptops with a big screen are usually bulky and heavy. Perhaps it’s because of the screen size.
Another feature you have to look out for is the screen resolution. The best screen resolution for architecture students is 1920 x 1080 resolution.
You can opt for 4k resolution as it would enhance your experience with the laptop. The colours would be vibrant, clear and crips, revealing every detail in the images, animation, etc., that you create.
Battery Life and Weight:
While the ideal weight for the best laptop for architecture students is 3 lb, feel free to get a laptop that weighs a lot more, significantly when the functions like larger screen size, etc., adds to its weight.
As an architecture student, you should focus more on the function your laptop can offer you. Nevertheless, there are light laptops you can use. But you won’t be able to run heavy architecture Software.
Nevertheless, unless you’re confident you’ll need some of this software, you can buy lighter laptops.
The battery life of your laptop is essential. Running much Software on your laptops would drain your battery faster. So, it’s good to have a laptop with a solid battery life that can last for hours.
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Review of the Best Laptop for Architecture Students and Professionals
1. New Dell XPS 15
The New Dell XPS 15 embodies the majority of what architecture students need in a laptop. For starters, it has 16: 10 displays equipped with a 4k Ultra HD+. As a result, you’ll have fun watching the crisp, clear images that the TV produces. Of course, the screen is a touchscreen too.
A further upgrade to this laptop is the bezel-free chassis design that is thin but noticeable. If you’re curious about the screen size, it is a 15.6-inch screen. Although not a 17”, you’ll have fun executing your architecture project work on it.
Still, on its ability to deliver impressive crisp, clear and detailed images, Dell equips this version of the XPS 15 with the gaming graphics card. It uses the Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti with 4GB GDDR6, one of the best gaming graphics cards. You’re in for a treat with this laptop from Dell.
Although equipped with the perfect display quality, the downside is that the screen could release too much blue light that could be dangerous to your eyes.
But the Integrated eye-safe display technology would guard your eyes against possible eye damage, and the display is equivalent to watching an OLED TV.
Now, it gets better when you realize that the Operating system is the Windows 10 pro. You’d enjoy a seamless and smooth working operation.
2. HP ZBook Studio G5
One of the first things that’ll blow your mind about this laptop is that it comes with one of the most powerful processors. With a Core i9 i9-8950HK coupled with 16GB RAM, the laptop would render tasks and launch Software almost at the speed of life.
It redefines what seamless and smooth workflow means. Now, you can maximize the RAM you get from this laptop. It’ll get you a discrete GPU and 32GB of DDR4 RAM. You can further configure the RAM to give you a 64RAM.
Based on its overall design, this laptop is ultra-slim. It’s like holding a MacBook Pro in your hands. For display, HP used the UHD DreamColor Display.
Along with the 600nits of brightness, HP has the display of this laptop right where you need it to be. In addition, you’ll get a treat from the Adobe RGB coverage that HP sets at 100%.
When we investigated the display screen technology that HP deployed, it was the in-plane Switching (IPS) Technology. IPS display tech produces top-notch results when it comes to the image quality it delivers. For instance, you’ll get a crisper, clearer image quality that keeps you glued to what you’re working on.
3. Acer Aspire 7 Laptop
Suppose you’re looking for another gaming laptop that can double as a laptop to run your architectural applications, and as a gaming laptop, here’s one for you with a 9th generation Core i5 9300H NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti. It delivers optimum processing speed that’s just right for your architectural programs. You’d quickly launch and smoothly run every architecture software.
It is excellent for multimedia tasks such as animation. Don’t worry; the 8GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory and the 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD provide you with more than enough memory storage for your projects. The clock speed is set at 2.4GHz. But with the help of turbo boost technology, you can get it to 4.1GHz.
Acer did a little thing with the display of this laptop. With a full HD LED-backlit, IPS display, your images while creating your animation or other architecture tasks either as an architectural professional or student, produces the same image detail that you’ll get when playing games on this laptop.
To further boost the graphics quality of this laptop, it has a 4GB GDDR6 VRAM dedicated graphics card that encourages high-quality images.
It has a 15.6-inch screen that helps you to multi-task.
4. ASUS ZenBook S Ultra Slim Flip Laptop
This laptop is another excellent option for architecture students and professionals. It is everything you could wish for in a laptop for architecture.
For starters, the design impresses you without trying. Although it has a 13.3-inch screen, it complements this screen size with a sleek and lightweight design. So, while you might not be able to multi-task a lot with this screen, you’d enjoy carrying a lightweight and elegant design laptop around in your backpack.
Asus outdid itself with the display quality as it deploys 4K UHD OLED with a display resolution of 3840 x 2160 for your viewing pleasure. It gives you an excellent viewing experience while you work. Let’s not forget to mention that the screen is a Glossy Touch Screen.
Asus further enhances your viewing experience with the ultra-slim 4-side NanoEdge bezels. Trust me; you’ll enjoy every bit of the screen’s features. With 11th Gen Intel Core i7, performance is optimized.
The Intel Iris Xe graphics contribute to how vivid the graphics of this laptop is. The maximum memory space and fast-charge feature give you the best performance you’ll ever need in a laptop for your tasks.
5. Dell G5587-7866BLK-PUS G5 15 5587 Gaming Laptop
You asked for a solid laptop for architects and students in the architecture field, and Dell responded with this powerhouse laptop. It presents you with an 8th
Generation Intel Core i7-8750H Processor with 6-core for maximum performance. The architecture programs won’t lag when you launch and use them.
The 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM prevents Software from crashing when you launch them. With a 128 GB SSD, you’ll have a lot of storage space to save a lot of your projects as you go.
You’ll most likely not run out of storage space in a while. Thanks to the Windows 10 OS, you’ll be pretty much unstoppable when it comes to productivity.
For the love of crisp and clear images while gaming and working, this laptop deploys the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti. Coupled with the 4GB GDDR5 Graphics memory, they make a deadly combo.
FAQs on the Best Laptop for Architecture Students and Architects
What Kind of Computer Do Architects Use?
The HP Z8 Workstation is a supercomputer that can handle the most complicated calculations and process massive amounts of data on the fly. It includes world-class workstation components, including the most memory capacity available.
Do Architects Use Mac or PC?
Unlike other knowledge workers, Architects will typically use two operating systems: Microsoft Windows and Apple’s Mac OS. But because there are far more computers available at a lower price, Windows is the most popular operating system among architects and students.
Is Intel Core i5 Good for Architecture?
The Core i5 is a mid-range processor that is typically used in most standard laptops. It’s quite strong, but if you have a lot of applications running at once, it may struggle. Entry-level: In architecture terms, it’s probably not powerful enough to consider for an architecture student.
Is Macbook Air Good for Architects?
If you can stick to programs like AutoCAD, ArchiCad, Vectorworks, Sketchup, Rhino, and the like that are available for Mac OS, you’ll be fine. Because of the reduced graphics card and restricted expansion ability in the Mac Mini and Macbook Air, these computers aren’t suitable for CAD work.
Is 14 Inch Laptop Good for Architecture?
If you’re an HP fan and want the best architect’s laptop from this firm, the HP ZBook 14 G2 is ideal for you. With AMD FirePro M4150 1GB GDDR5 graphics card, the visuals are amazing. This laptop has a Full HD LED-backlit display with great graphics. It’s undoubtedly one of the finest laptops.
Which laptop is best for architecture students?
The laptop that is best for architecture students is
What kind of laptop should I buy for architecture?
The kind of laptop you should buy for architecture is
How much RAM do I need for architecture?
For architecture, you need a RAM of at least 16 GB. 32 GB is the recommended RAM you should get. 1 TB SSD is the minimum hard drive, but an external hard drive is recommended for data backup. If you have a secondary drive, make sure it’s not an internal HDD since they are much slower than SSDs.
Is MacBook good for architecture students?
Yes, MacBook is good for architecture students. The MacBook’s sandblasted body minimizes the aesthetic impact of scratches and dents, making it a great choice for those who value build quality. If you prioritize build quality, Mac may be your best option.
Final Thoughts on the Best Laptop for Architecture Students and Architects
Regardless of what decision you make about buying laptops online, remember to take into account your specific uses when making your final purchasing decision!
Buying an architecture-specific laptop will likely cost more than other models but their features may outweigh any additional expenses incurred by having it tailored to meet all of your requirements.
While MacBook Pro, Microsoft Surface Book and all the other high-end laptops qualify as part of the best laptop for architecture students, professional designers and architects, the other laptops we reviewed match up to their levels.
So, if you want to explore high-end laptops from other brands, we’ve got you covered with this list. Trust me when I say that investing in any of the laptops on this review would leave you a happy architecture student or architect, who enjoys smooth workflow on these systems.
I hope you found this information to be helpful in deciding which laptop is the best for your needs. The Dell XPS 15 has been my personal choice because of its durability, long battery life, and lightweight design.
If you are looking for something that mimics the Macbook Pro but is less expensive, go for HP ZBook Studio G5. If you want a touchscreen display that can double as a tablet, then the ASUS ZenBook S Ultra Slim Flip Laptop might suit your needs better.
We carefully handpicked the best of the best laptop for architecture students that’ll simplify your architecture journey. We hope that you’ll have fun creating magic with these laptops.
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AUTHOR
Charee Oisamoje is the founder of CanadaWiz. She leads the editorial team, which is comprised of subject matter experts that aim to create well-researched, highly detailed content related to studying, working, immigrating, and settling/living in Canada as a newcomer.
Charee's personal experiences as a Canadian immigrant and her professional competencies make her uniquely qualified on the subject matter.
With extensive educational credentials, she is an expert at collecting details, verifying facts, and making complex subjects easy to understand. 
MBA in Finance MScIB CCEA (#CCG 271) CPA Candidate ✔️CIP ✔️BSc Accounting
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