9+ Best Laptops For Architecture Students | Unrivaled Guide 2022

Are you looking for the best laptops for architecture students? This is the article for you.

Point blank question: you too, every time you have to choose a new computer to create architecture, you don’t know what to do and you rely on the opinion of your “expert” friend, who may not have the faintest idea of ​​what the actual requirements are. a PC for architecture?

Yet to think of it is something quite strange: we practically live in symbiosis with our PC, but often we have no precise idea of how functions a computer and how to choose one suitable to our needs.

Until a few years ago I myself was part of this large group: the most I dared to do was comb through computer forums … without understanding a damn of what was written and taking for granted the choices made by someone else.

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I’m a lot nerdier today than I was then, and if I had the notions I have now at the time, I would probably have saved myself more than a hasty purchase.

In short, after years of research and in-depth analysis, I have decided to condense what I have learned on the subject.

Today I will reveal to you everything you need to choose a computer to do architecture without blundering.

In addition, I will show you in detail the role of each component in a PC to make architecture, and how these components are exploited by the software you use in your work or in your studies.

There is a lot of meat on the fire, so I would say don’t waste any more time and get started.

Come on, let’s go!

Best Laptops For Architecture Students 2022

The key to building a good computer for architecture lies in identifying the type of use you will make of it, defining usage scenarios and software to be installed in the most specific way possible.

For example, AutoCAD, the Adobe Suite, and perhaps Rhinoceros and SketchUp for modeling, don’t need an ultra-powerful workstation.

For this type of use, a computer for making medium-high-end architecture is all you need: for example, the budget configuration that you can see at the end of this article constitutes an excellent compromise between cost and performance and will be able to accompany you in your studies and workshops without batting an eye.

However, as the projects become larger and more complex things get complicated and, especially in the professional sphere, real vampires of resources such as 3D Studio Max and Revit come into play.

Let’s understand, a computer for making mid-range architecture already meets the minimum requirements of these two applications, and for relatively simple jobs it is still a valid option … but keep in mind that as the complexity of the projects increases, the use of resources increases exponentially.

In particular, Revit, being broadly a database management system, must continuously calculate the relationships between the different elements of the project: a task strictly linked to the processing speed of the processor.

3D Studio Max for its part, in addition to the computing power, draws enormous benefits from dedicated video memory to ensure a smooth and well-functioning viewport even in the presence of millions of polygons on the screen.

Both software requires a large amount of memory: Revit consumes an amount of system memory equal to about 20 times the size of the open file (not counting the memory consumed by each open view), and 3D Studio Max is just as expensive, especially for linked scenes imported from Revit and being rendered.

In short, this is where you should start aiming for a workstation.

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Best Laptops For Architecture Students | Comparison Table

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How to Choose The Best Laptops For Architecture Students | Unrivaled Guide

Having made this necessary premise, let’s dive into the heart of the article and see together how to choose the components of a computer to make architecture!

Wait, I have an idea! What if I buy a Mac?

Here I have to be objective, and I will tell you without too many words.

If you are considering buying a new computer for architecture, my advice is to opt for a PC instead of a Mac.

Apple has significant limitations, especially in terms of hardware performance.

Regarding the software aspect, the absence of 3DS and Revit for Mac affects above all in high-profile professional realities, in which the Autodesk Suite is in a monopoly position. However, alternatives exist and are well established, both in BIM, thanks to Archicad, and in the architectural visualization sector, in which Cinema4D defends itself more than well (and indeed, in some respects, it works even better than 3DS Max).

Unfortunately, the hardware offered by Apple in iMacs and Macbooks, in addition to not being geared for use in professional environments, has exaggerated prices when compared to its PC counterparts. And indeed, Apple is very lacking in customizing the computer to suit your needs.

Always consider that the price of a Mac includes design, a fantastic Retina monitor, the added value of the brand (which ensures greater resale to second-hand), the assistance and stability of the operating system, while for a PC there is to take into account the assembly and the time spent searching for the components at the best price.

However, it is undeniable that a Mac is much more difficult to upgrade than a PC and that the range of hardware components offered by Apple is far too limited for the ever-changing needs of the architectural design industry.

Ok, I said mine! I hope you now have the necessary elements to make an informed choice between Mac and PC 🙂

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The CPU: calculation speed without getting lost in the choice.

The choice of processor (or CPU, Central Processing Unit) is probably the toughest undertaking in building a computer to make architecture. Let’s be honest, it’s not that all those numbers, acronyms, and letters are really user-friendly, quite the opposite!

First, you need to know that the processor market has contended between two big companies: Intel and AMD. Although the latter has not been able to compete with Intel since 2006, especially with regard to the performance of top-of-the-range processors, the first days of March 2017 marked an epochal turning point in the CPU market, as well as the return in AMD style.

Yes, because March 2017 was the month of the launch of Ryzen 7 processors, which have in effect revolutionized the desktop PC market thanks to a new hardware architecture launched at unbeatable prices if compared with the same performance as those practiced by Intel.

But before we talk more about the new Ryzen 7 processors, let’s first take a look at the differences between Intel processors and shed some light on the meanings of acronyms and technical terms in the CPU world.

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Intel processors

Intel offers 3 other processor families besides Core: Celeron, Pentium, and Xeon.

The first two are designed above all for PCs used for daily and domestic use and do not reach the levels of complexity and performance required in a computer to create architecture, guaranteed instead by the Core family.

The Xeon family is dedicated to workstation CPUs, designed for extreme workloads and for applications that need as many cores as possible (i.e. multiple physical processors in the same CPU working in parallel). With the necessary distinctions (which we will take a look at shortly), the rendering operations should be carried out on a CPU with as many cores as possible.

The processors of the Core line are divided, in turn, into the Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 families.

The numbers are just a conventional indication of the model’s performance and have nothing to do with the processor’s technical specifications. The higher the number that defines the model, the better the performance of the processor in question: an i7 will be more powerful than an i5 which, in turn, will be more powerful than an i3.

The Core i3, the cheapest model of the Core range, is aimed at users without too many pretensions. They are ideal for home and office use: web browsing, social networking, Office suite and use of basic multimedia content . These CPUs have two cores and use Hyper-threading technology … ok, maybe I’m getting too complicated! For the moment, just know that Hyper-threading technology allows the processor to organize the operations performed by a single core more efficiently . The ‘ Hyper-threadingis a godsend in rendering, video editing and for all those applications that use multiple cores at a time. Ah, before you ask me, the answer is yes: most of the software you use on your computer to make architecture use multiple cores at the same time 😉

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If the i3s are not the best for a computer to do architecture, some models of the Core i5 line are a good compromise between performance and cost and are the best choice for those who want to build a gaming PC. Most desktop versions of these processors are equipped with 4 physical cores and are able to automatically decide if it is necessary to concentrate the CPU power in a single core at the expense of the others (for example, when we use applications that use only one core ) through Turbo Boost technology. These processors also have dedicated graphics memory for low-power basic operations but do not take advantage of hyper-threading.

We arrive at the Core i7, dedicated to professional use and much more expensive. All i7 line processors exploit Hyper-threading; depending on the model, they have from 4 to 8 physical cores and support the insertion of a number ranging from 2 to 8 RAM memory banks. In short, in the i7 line, there is a variety of very different processors that, generally, have better-integrated graphics, a more efficient Turbo Boost, and, above all, a better cache. The cache of a processor is used to temporarily store the data used most frequently to speed up the most common operations, and it is a very important specification when considering the purchase of a new CPU (not only in a computer to make architecture!).

Finally, the Core i9 is at the top of the range of the desktop offer proposed by Intel. The processors of the i9 line from the tenth generation onwards have from 8 to 10 physical cores, with a maximum frequency of 5.3 GHz. They are a strange beast because they are placed halfway between consumer and professional use, without being neither one nor the other, while for gaming …  well, they are definitely exaggerated and are in effect wasted in that type of segment.

Ok, are you still there? Now take a deep breath: if the thing seemed complicated to you up to now, you should know that each line contains several models, each with its base frequency, the frequency reachable through Turbo-boost (if enabled), your cache, and a specific number of cores and threads (these two numbers coincide if Hyper-threading is not supported) …

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“Have mercy on me, now I have more confusion than before!”

Ok, I’ll stop! But before moving on to the next paragraph, one last effort, and a little trick to orient yourself among the dozens of models proposed by Intel and not get lost in the choice.

Each model of the Core line is marked with a standard abbreviation. Let’s take two of the most popular processors in the i7 line for example:

Understanding how the Intel numbering system works gives you the advantage of understanding broadly what a processor offers and being able to easily compare it with the rest of the models in its line.

First, the suffix i followed by the number indicates the line to which the processor belongs (in this case, the i7 line).

After the dash, a 4-digit number appears. The first digit indicates the generation of the processor. At the moment, Intel is starting to release 7th generation processors codenamed Kaby Lake, so depending on your budget, you might decide to wait for the full range of Kaby Lake processors to hit the market or take advantage of the drop in prices of 6th generation processors ( Skylake). In this case, our i7-6700K belongs precisely to the 6th generation.

The last three digits identify the processor model. You can use this number to compare products belonging to the same line. Quite simply, the higher the performance, the higher the model number: for example, an i5-6600 will perform better than an i5-6500.

Finally, in some cases, it is possible that the 4-digit number is accompanied by one or two letters. K means that the processor multiplier is unlocked ( unlocked), namely that it is possible to manually change the frequency of the CPU speed within certain limits. This operation is called overclocking and is not recommended for inexperienced users. The presence of a letter T indicates that the processor is optimized for consumption.

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Furthermore, in the CPUs dedicated to notebooks, it is also possible to find the abbreviations H, HQ, HK, and U: the presence of an H indicates that the processor contains a dedicated high-performance graphics unit, Q indicates that the processor is a quad-core (i.e., it has 4 cores ) and the U indicates less performing processors which, using less power, improve battery life.

If you want more info on the processor to install in your next computer to do architecture, Intel provides ARK, which is an invaluable database of product specifications.

AMD processors

As I mentioned at the beginning of the paragraph, in March 2017 AMD released the highly anticipated line of Ryzen 7 processors. The range includes the 1800x, 1700x, and 1700 models, all three equipped with 8 cores and 16 threads.

Without going too deeply into the hardware characteristics, the fundamental difference between these three processors lies in the speeds of the individual cores of each model, respectively 3.6, 3.4, and 3.0 GHz. All Ryzen 7 processors, take advantage of a technology called Precision Boost, capable of increasing the clock according to the needs of the application used up to respectively 4.0, 3.8, and 3.7GHz.

In addition, CPUs ending with the suffix X, even allow you to exceed the frequency limit outlined by Precision Boost in the presence of adequate cooling, thanks to XFR (Extended Frequency Range) technology.

Thanks to their 8 cores, these CPUs look excellent for a workstation and for making the most of thread-hungry applications, such as to render engines. But the strength of the Ryzen 7 line lies in its incredible price/performance ratio: just think that these CPUs are practically on par with the sixth-generation Intel CPUs of the same range… at a fraction of the price! Where an Intel 6900k processor (8 cores and 16 threads ) is nowhere to be found for less than 1000 $, a Ryzen 1800xis available for just over 500 $. The 6900k offers slightly better performance in applications that use a single core, but the differences are almost imperceptible to the average user.

Being equipped with a new architecture, Ryzen CPUs are not yet 100% optimized for all applications, mainly due to Intel’s monopoly that has lasted over 10 years, which has forced application developers to focus only on one type of architecture. However, it is only a matter of time before the new AMD CPUs can really be used to their fullest.

As for me, I am convinced that they are already an extremely valid purchase and absolutely to be considered for the configuration of a computer to make architecture.

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RAM: let’s dispel some myths.

The purpose of RAM in a PC is to store information in the short term, making it available for quick access. All applications running on your computer to do architecture will occupy a certain amount of space in RAM, to store temporary data relating to ongoing operations and open documents.

The space available in RAM is measured in GB, just like hard drives. Very often we tend to think that adding more RAM to a PC can make it more responsive, but unfortunately, it is not that simple. Let’s say that, as long as the PC has enough RAM to keep the data of all the applications in use without becoming saturated, there is no need to increase the amount.

“This last statement of yours sounds like a super cazzola to me. But if my PC is running slow how do I know if I need more RAM or not? “

Thanks to the Task Management panel! Pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL and clicking on the Task Manager you can call up the Task Manager in Windows. Moving to the Performance tab this interface will appear (in my case, it’s the Windows 10 interface). If during a session of an average use of your computer to do architecture, the memory used is equal to the memory available in the PC, then it is time to add extra RAM.

A PC for everyday use or gaming does not need more than 8GB of RAM. And what about a PC for architecture? In the case of an architecture computer, since you will almost certainly find yourself generating very large files and working on multiple notoriously RAM-hungry applications such as Revit and 3D Studio Max at the same time, I recommend that you initially aim for 16GB.

Fortunately, RAM is among the cheapest upgrades for a PC and is easily expandable as files get heavier. Just think that in my job I find myself daily working with extremely complex Revit files linked in 3D Studio Max and even 64GB of RAM is tight on me at times!

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GPU: the eye also wants its part

What is the function of the video card in a computer for an architect? Basically, the so-called GPU ( graphic processing unit) in a PC for an architect improves the performance of the operations performed in the viewport (rotation and movement of views, preview with shadows …) in all 3D and CAD applications we use. Additionally, the Adobe suite harnesses the power of the graphics card to make some operations smoother. Not a little! Especially if you are working on a particularly complex 3D model, a suitable GPU can help you save a lot of time.

And not only that: some render engines, instead of relying on raw CPU power, take full advantage of the GPU. For example, Lumion, one of the most intuitive and popular software for creating animations, uses the GPU to process frames. The same real-time preview as V-Ray (V-Ray RT) harnesses the power of the graphics card.

So there is no escape: the GPU is a component that you will have to carefully evaluate in the construction of your computer to make architecture. But the good news is that you don’t need a stellar or particularly expensive video card to get a smooth viewport.

Ok, here we need a good time explaining it for the layman. There are two broad categories of GPUs on the consumer market: gaming GPUs (Nvidia GTX and AMD Radeon) and workstation GPUs (Nvidia Quadro and AMD FirePro). Well, hold on tight because I’m about to reveal to you the secret that GPU manufacturers don’t want you to know: the hardware architecture used in the generally more expensive professional GPUs and in the “cheap” gaming GPUs … is exactly the same.

“Huh? So why this distinction? Aren’t you saying bullshit to me and you’re part of the gaming graphics card lobby? “

As much as I am an avid gamer myself, this is not the case! The main difference between gaming cards and workstation cards is that the latter has additional functions for creating high-level content and is built according to the most stringent quality criteria.

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More importantly, the Quadro and FirePro GPUs support certified drivers from application developers, including Mum Autodesk. This driver certification process is quite expensive for manufacturers… although a certain combination of GPUs, drivers, and software may not work perfectly, and the risk of glitches is always around the corner. Above all, this does not mean that gaming graphics cards do not equally support Autodesk applications, as they are programmed to be supported by as many hardware configurations as possible. The result is that a lot of professionals use gaming graphics cards on their workstations.

This trend is even more understandable by looking at the cost/performance ratio, from which quite shocking data leaps to the eye. Take for example the previous generation of video cards (final prices for the new Quadro have not yet been released) and compare the top of the gaming range, the GTX Titan X, with the Quadro M6000: the first available at around 1000 $ and the second at $ 5000. Well, these benchmarks tell us that the performance of the two GPUs is virtually identical, and in some cases, the Titan X even outperforms its workstation counterpart.

So, in conclusion, choosing a workstation GPU in a PC for an architect only makes sense in extremely specific and highly professional situations: a good gaming card will completely cover your needs.

Depending on your needs, you can decide the budget to assign to the graphics sector: for not too complex viewport jobs, I recommend you choose an Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti or an Nvidia GTX 1060, probably the solution with the best cost/performance ratio. If, on the other hand, you want to ensure excellent performance even in the years to come, use rendering engines that exploit the GPU or work on extremely complex models, you could consider investing in an Nvidia GTX 1070 or even an Nvidia GTX 1080, excellent choices also for GPU driven rendering.

What about AMD? Radeon and FirePro are great graphics cards, but when it comes to GPU rendering and compatibility with some 3D modeling software they are still a notch below Nvidia products and are only starting to regain ground in recent times. For this reason, in this article, I have decided not to analyze AMD GPUs.

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Storage: long life to SSDs (but the hard drive is not dead).

Are performance and speed particularly important to you? Then the purchase of an SSD is a practically obligatory investment, especially in a computer for architecture. But let’s take a step

back: solid-state drives (SSDs) are storage devices that use circuits to store data. The difference with hard disk drives (HDD) is substantial since these are based on magnetic or optical storage devices, combined with mechanical parts.

Until 5-6 years ago, SSDs were still not very popular and extremely expensive. Fortunately, the range of solutions on the market today is much wider: replacing a mechanical hard disk with a new SSD has become a simple upgrade within the reach of anyone to give new life to a system of a few years ago, as well as an obligatory choice. into your next architecture computer.

The difference between HDD and SSD is abysmal, and it is particularly evident in the startup and execution times of the operating system, applications, and loading files.

However, the storage space of an SSD is still not as cheap as that of an HDD: for an average quality 1TB drive, like this Crucial SSD, the expense is no less than 250 $. If we move towards the top of the range of the SSD market, such as the Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 1TB, prices soar well beyond $ 450! This price is also due to the fact that the Samsung 960 EVO is among the first SSDs to use the M.2 interface. Thanks to this type of connection, SSDs are mounted directly on the motherboard, and no longer need to be connected to it via cable (the SATA interface).

So how do you take advantage of the speed of an SSD while keeping a decent amount of storage space in your nice, brand new architecture computer? By combining a small SSD with a good old HDD, using the former for the operating system, the applications you use most frequently, and the files of your work in progress, and dedicating the mechanical hard disk to storage and less used applications. 256GB for your next computer’s SSD by architecture is a good compromise, although the best cost/performance ratio is usually found in 512GB models.

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Are performance and speed particularly important to you? Then the purchase of an SSD is a practically obligatory investment, especially in a computer for architecture. But let’s take a step back: solid-state drives (SSDs) are storage devices that use circuits to store data. The difference with hard disk drives (HDD) is substantial since these are based on magnetic or optical storage devices, combined with mechanical parts.

Until 5-6 years ago, SSDs were still not very popular and extremely expensive. Fortunately, the range of solutions on the market today is much wider: replacing a mechanical hard disk with a new SSD has become a simple upgrade within the reach of anyone to give new life to a system of a few years ago, as well as an obligatory choice. into your next architecture computer.

The difference between HDD and SSD is abysmal, and it is particularly evident in the startup and execution times of the operating system, applications, and loading files.

However, the storage space of an SSD is still not as cheap as that of an HDD: for an average quality 1TB drive, like this Crucial SSD, the expense is no less than 250 $. If we move towards the top of the range of the SSD market, such as the Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 1TB, prices soar well beyond $ 450! This price is also due to the fact that the Samsung 960 EVO is among the first SSDs to use the M.2 interface. Thanks to this type of connection, SSDs are mounted directly on the motherboard, and no longer need to be connected to it via cable (the SATA interface).

So how do you take advantage of the speed of an SSD while keeping a decent amount of storage space in your nice, brand new architecture computer? By combining a small SSD with a good old HDD, using the former for the operating system, the applications you use most frequently, and the files of your work in progress, and dedicating the mechanical hard disk to storage and less used applications. 256GB for your next computer’s SSD by architecture is a good compromise, although the best cost/performance ratio is usually found in 512GB models.

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To close … My Final Words:

This intensive Best Laptops For Architecture Students Buyer’s Guide has finally come to an end! Although today I have focused mainly on desktop PCs, the information I have shown you in the post will be essential in the next article, when I will explain how to choose a laptop for architecture. Surely you will have some questions that are still in your head: the comments below are the best place to express your doubts;)

Especially if you are an off-site student or a young professional who moves to Italy or abroad, you know very well how important it is to have a laptop with you with which you can work efficiently.