{"id":874,"date":"2016-06-26T12:33:27","date_gmt":"2016-06-26T12:33:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/picknotebook.com\/blog\/?p=874"},"modified":"2023-04-12T08:02:43","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T14:02:43","slug":"best-laptop-architecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/picknotebook.com\/blog\/best-laptop-architecture\/","title":{"rendered":"Best laptop for Architecture: 6 best laptops and how I found them (2017 Autumn Update)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the world of architecture, finding the best laptop for the job<\/strong> can be challenging. As someone who has been a part of the industry, I know how frustrating it can be to have to work on a machine that can't keep up with your workload. That's why I created this guide to help you navigate your way through the confusing maze of specifications and technical terms to find the best laptops for architects<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Whether you're an architecture student or a professional, the demands placed on your laptop are high. You need a machine that can run complex design software, manage multiple applications at once, and handle rendering and 3D modeling with ease. With so many different brands and models on the market, it can be tough to know where to begin.<\/p>\n

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In this guide, I'll break down what you should look for when shopping for a laptop for architecture, including the essential components that make a machine suitable for demanding tasks. I've also included some handy tips<\/strong> that will help you get the most out of your new laptop. So, let's dive in and get started!<\/p>\n

Processor for architecture<\/h2>\n\"architecture\n

When it comes to choosing a laptop processor for architecture, there are several factors to consider, including performance, battery life, and budget. Let's take a closer look at what's new in the laptop processor market, why a fast CPU is essential for architecture, the differences between processor families and series, and how to identify the best processors.<\/p>\n

What's new in the laptop processor market?<\/h5>\n

The laptop processor market is continually evolving, with several new chips released in recent years. Apple's ARM-based M1, M2, M2 Pro, and M2 Max chips offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life, while AMD has captured 20% of the laptop CPU market with its latest 7th-generation Ryzen processors. Meanwhile, Intel's 12th and 13th-generation Core processors provide different value propositions depending on your needs.<\/p>\n

Why do you need a fast CPU for architecture?<\/h5>\n

The processor is the limiting factor in most architecture applications, such as Archicad, Revit, and the various skews of AutoCAD. Without a fast CPU, you may experience lag and slow rendering times, which can hinder your workflow and productivity.<\/p>\n

Differences in processor families and series.<\/h5>\n

When choosing a processor, it's essential to understand the differences between families and series. For example, if you're looking for a fast processor, look for an H-series processor. Meanwhile, for a balance of performance and battery life, go for Intel's P-series or AMD's U-series. Finally, Intel's U-series chips offer the most extended battery runtimes but have lower performance than any other mainstream processor line.<\/p>\n

How to identify which processors are best?<\/h5>\n

I use Cinebench and PassMark scores as a proxy for performance since they are well-known industry standards. However, if you're an engineering-type architecture, then a more tailored SPECapc benchmark for Solidworks could be used. Additionally, understand that extremely portable laptops (ultrabooks) will have slower processors, more limited graphics, and less heat dissipation capacity. So, unfortunately, your laptop may struggle to achieve its full potential.<\/p>\n

Table of recommended processors, grouped by price bracket.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Price Range<\/th>\nRecommended Processor<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Minimum<\/td>\ni5-1240P; Ryzen 5 6600U<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recommended<\/td>\nRyzen 7 6800H; i7-12650H<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
High-end<\/td>\ni9-12900H; Ryzen 9 6900HX<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In conclusion, when choosing a laptop processor for architecture, choose a processor family based on your budget and a processor series based on your priorities. Keep in mind that a fast CPU is essential for architecture applications, and extremely portable laptops may not achieve their full potential. With these tips and recommendations, you'll be able to make an informed decision and find the best processor for your needs.<\/p>\n

Deciding on a graphics<\/h2>\n\"laptop\n

As an architect or BIM professional, a capable graphics card is essential for running 3D modeling and animation applications. Unfortunately, relying on the graphics card model name is no longer a sufficient way to determine its capabilities. Laptop OEMs now decide the exact wattage of GPUs instead of Nvidia's Max-Q label, resulting in varying performance levels even among laptops with the same GPU.<\/p>\n

To judge GPU performance, 3DMark provides an apples-to-apples comparison of their performance potential, while SPECviewperf and SPECapc offer industry-specific tests. Although professional-grade GPUs unlock additional features and performance for double-precision floating-point calculations, their high cost is not worthwhile for most architects.<\/p>\n

Here are some GPU recommendations based on different price ranges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Price Range<\/th>\nRecommended GPU<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Minimum<\/td>\nRTX 3060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recommended<\/td>\nRTX 3070; RX 6800M<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
High-end<\/td>\nRTX 3080<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Don't settle for integrated graphics as they are not ideal for architectural applications. Choose a laptop with a dedicated graphics card that fits your budget and performance requirements.<\/p>\n

My storage recommendations for architecture<\/h2>\n\"architecture\n

When it comes to choosing the right laptop SSD for architecture, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Let's take a closer look at what you need to know.<\/p>\n

The Evolution of SSDs<\/h5>\n

It's worth noting that SSDs have come a long way in recent years. Nowadays, HDDs and even SATA SSDs are no longer commonplace. Instead, PCIe M.2 (usually NVMe) SSDs are becoming the standard. Since most laptop manufacturers have already ditched the SATA interface in favor of PCIe over M.2 (or soldered flash storage), we can ignore SSD performance limitations for the most part. Storage speed is no longer a factor constraining laptop choice.<\/p>\n

Storage Capacity<\/h5>\n

Storage capacity is the first and primary concern. You should already be able to make an educated projection of your storage capacity requirements. As a rule of thumb – try getting 1 TB. That's a good starting point for a mid-range laptop. Budget laptops (< $900) typically come with 500 GB, while high-end (~$2k+) options may offer 2 TB of storage.<\/p>\n

Multiple Drives and External Storage<\/h5>\n

For most, a single large internal SSD with an external archive and a backup drive should be sufficient. Nevertheless, the best laptops for architecture tend to have at least an option for a 2nd drive. That's especially common in sizeable workstation-type desktop replacement notebooks. Unfortunately, this usually means an unoccupied M.2 slot.<\/p>\n

External storage for project archives and backups is practically mandatory for any professional. No matter how much storage your laptop has, it's still a naive practice to keep all your work on a single machine – accidents happen.<\/p>\n

Storage Performance Tests<\/h5>\n

While I'm a big fan of performance benchmarks, SSDs are no longer the bottleneck for most lines of work, so we can mostly ignore this aspect, at least for laptops for architecture.<\/p>\n

Recommended SSD Configurations<\/h5>\n

Here's a table of recommended SSD configurations depending on your budget:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Budget<\/th>\nRecommended Storage Capacity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
< $900<\/td>\n500 GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$900 – $2k<\/td>\n1 TB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
> $2k<\/td>\n2 TB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Ultimately, when choosing the right laptop SSD for architecture, storage capacity is king. Look for a laptop with a large enough internal SSD to meet your needs, and supplement that with external storage as necessary.<\/p>\n

Picking a good display<\/h2>\n\"architecture\n

When it comes to choosing the right laptop display for architecture, there are a few key factors to consider. First and foremost, size and resolution are important. Full HD is still the most common resolution and is perfectly suitable for professional work. However, now is the best time to get a QHD or even a UHD (sometimes labeled as "4K") laptop since prices have come down, and application scaling support for ultra-high resolution has caught up in essentially all professional CAD and BIM applications.<\/p>\n

Next, consider the panel type. IPS panels are preferred by professionals due to their wide viewing angles and accurate color representation, but TN panels may be suitable for those on a budget. VA panels are somewhere in between, while OLED is considered the cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of display panels.<\/p>\n

Refresh rate doesn't matter much for architecture work, so instead, pay attention to brightness, contrast, and color gamut. For architecture, aim for at least 300 nits of brightness, 90% Adobe RGB color space coverage, and a wide-gamut space such as P3 or Rec.2020.<\/p>\n

In terms of price brackets, here are some recommendations:<\/p>\n