If you are into 3D modeling for any application – be it civil and mechanical engineering, architecture and interior design, or even film and video game design – you probably know about SketchUp and Revit. So what are the best laptops for running Sketchup and Revit? Read on for our review.
These are serious programs, so they demand substantial computing specifications to run effectively. The more powerful your machine is, the more efficiently you can create and render your work.
While an average laptop might often not be ideal for SketchUp and Revit, there are well-performing machines out there that can do the job well.
Beyond the necessary specifications that you should be looking at – things like processing speed, RAM, and storage capacity – some more specific specs that you need to consider include a quality video card and reliable heat-reduction capacity (as 3D processing puts a strain on the ability of a laptop to cool).
Table of Contents
What Are The Revit Laptop Requirements?
The official list of requirements recommended for Sketchup and Revit laptops are as follows:
- Intel i5 or i7 Series processor or AMD equivalent with SSE2 technology (2.0+ GHz).
- 8+ GB of RAM (the more, the better)
- Comes with Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit Enterprise (or Apple iOS equivalent).
- 3D class video card with 1 GB of memory or higher.
You will get away with more basic modeling with slightly lower specifications, but if you have the above, you will surely run these programs with ease.
Best Laptops For Running Sketchup And Revit In 2023
To make the search for an ideal 3D modeling laptop a little easier, we compiled the ten best Revit-certified laptops in 2023 (and related programs as well) in this list, complete with descriptions, pros, cons, etc. Investing money in higher-end setups can be daunting, so hopefully, this overview can guide aspiring engineers and architects.
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Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop PC
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Great cooling system
- Widescreen
- The metal exterior shows all fingerprints
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Asus ROG Strix Hero II Gaming Laptop
- Excellent graphical capabilities for the price
- Lightweight and thin for its hardware (good build)
- This laptop has a good battery life
- Fans are loud if running heavy-duty software
- It contains some bloatware (which can be removed for better performance).
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Dell Precision 5570 15.6" Workstation (2022 Model)
- Truly excellent 3D design specifications
- Lightweight
- Refurbished models are more prevalent on Amazon (though they can be purchased directly from Dell).
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Apple MacBook Pro M2 Chip
- Excellent graphical capabilities
- Aesthetic design and sharp display
- Adapters are required for charging outside of a power block
- As with many Apple products, it is on the expensive side.
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HP Stream 14-inch Laptop, Intel Celeron N4000
- 1 TB Cloud Storage
- Office 365 For One Year
- Fast Performance
- Smaller Screen Size
Its latest 7th generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor will run Zwift smoothly and seamlessly anytime. The 2.8GHz goes as far as to 3.8GHz with TurboBoost technology. The laptop comes with Windows 10 Home 64-bit already installed.
Another thing that helps its multitasking ability is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics chip. It has 6GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM.
The screen on this one is 15.6" full HD with a maximum resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. It's a widescreen display that makes Zwift look that much better, thanks to the well-balanced contrasted and sharpness of the colors.
Predator Helios comes with 16GB DDR4 DRAM memory and 256 GB SSD. In addition, it features an extra empty hard drive slot that's expandable and suitable for 2.5" hard drives.
Overall, the battery holds up to 7 hours, depending on the apps and games you use. The iron-red backlit keyboard lights up the keys and the touchpad edge. Though this isn't as crucial for virtual cycling, it comes in handy when playing other games.
This laptop from ASUS is another beast of a computer encased inside a slim and lightweight build. With an Intel i7 Core capable of 2.8 GHz of processing power, 16 GB of RAM (which can be upgraded), and 1 TB of hybrid drive storage space, it is a wonder that this can all fit inside a 5.6-pound machine that is only 0.9" thin!
It shines for running programs like Sketchup or Revit in the graphical capabilities. It features a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphics card with 4 GB of memory, which will run these programs efficiently and quickly.
The ROG STRIX comes with Chrome OS (if you are looking for a Windows alternative) and an estimated 9 hours of battery life. All in all, you cannot go wrong with this thin and light machine.
The following setup is another reliable option for running Sketchup, Revit, and similar programs. The Intel i7 Core processor with up to 3.90 GHz processing speed is lightning fast. The 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD storage space are also sufficient to meet the recommended requirements for these programs quickly.
Slightly improving on the above offer from Dell is the NVIDIA Quadro M1200M graphics card, which has an incredible 4 GB of dedicated graphical memory. In addition, the 15.6" UltraSharp wide-view display is a reasonable size and comes complete with antiglare protection.
At only 3.92 pounds and with an estimated 11 hours of battery life with each charge, you should find that it supports your work throughout the day. It is a premium workstation-class laptop and is priced accordingly.
No list would be complete without a trusty MacBook, and the Pro variant from the Apple family is one of the best laptops for Revit if you have the budget. Its specifications are well worth the price.
The Intel i7 2.6 GHz 6-Core processor is at the top of its class, and the 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage space are enough to run any graphical rendering programs efficiently.
Apple is known for highly aesthetic products, and the Space Gray color and thin and light build give this setup a truly professional appearance. In addition, the retina display makes images appear sharp and clear (with additional help from the Radeon Pro 555X or 560X graphics card with 4 GB of video memory).
It has long battery life and four Thunderbolt USB-C ports for accessory compatibility. Overall, it is a fast machine with all of the qualities that users expect from Apple.
This laptop is the ultimate combination of style, value, and productivity. With Office 365 and 1 TB of cloud storage, you'll have all the tools you need for work, school, and play right at your fingertips. And the best part? It won't slow you down.
This nimble device delivers the essential productivity and entertainment you want without any lag time. Plus, with Office 365 for one year, you'll have full access to Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access, and 1 TB of OneDrive Storage.
It's like having your own personal assistant that never sleeps. So why wait? Upgrade to this laptop today and experience the ultimate in functionality and connectivity.
Running 3D Modeling Programmes On A Mac.
Can SketchUp Run On A Mac?
You can run SketchUp on a Mac providing the OS is current. SketchUp does provide support for Mac version OS 10.13, 10.14, and 10.15. Earlier versions are no longer supported. You’d need a Macbook Pro over a Mackbook Air due to the higher specs in the Pro.
Can Revit Run On A Mac?
Despite a common belief that it can’t, there is now a way for Revit to run on a Mac. You can download a free program called Frame to host the program; this solution has been around for a while now.
Conclusion
3D modeling is difficult, but working with inadequate equipment does not overcomplicate it. Invest some money in a proper workstation to make your job easier and more efficient. Hopefully, this overview has provided excellent starting points for those looking to run software such as Sketchup or Revit on a new laptop.
If you still need help deciding, our favorite is the MacBook Pro due to its stylish design, high-performance specs, and lightweight.
Further Reviews
- Best Portable Monitors
- Ten Of The Best Adjustable Sit Stand Desks
- Best Monitors For Graphic Designers
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