9+ Best Laptops for SketchUp 2023 | Unrivaled Guide & Products Overview

Are you an architect or an interior designer looking for the best laptop for SketchUp? Which laptop is better for using SketchUp? Choose the best computer equipment to install and use with SketchUp.

Certainly some professions such as architecture, interior design, urban planners, landscapers, industrial designers, etc. They require laptops with very specific characteristics and to be able to carry their computer equipment with them.

So we are going to see a wide selection of laptops that combines mobility with power in equal parts.

In the following article I recommend which laptop to buy in 2023 for the use of SketchUp and VRay, most of them with great exclusive discounts and prices from $ 300 to $ 4,000.

It is important to do a preliminary search to help you choose one team or another according to the use that you are going to give it. If you use apps and applications like AutoCAD, SketchUp, VRay, Photoshop, Illustrator, Maya 3D, Revit, 3D Studio Max, Rhino, Blender, etc. it is important that you know which is the best

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Best Laptops for SketchUp

When it comes to laptop selection, SketchUp requires high-end computing resources, including a powerful processor with exceptional single-core performance, reliable GPU (preferably with Ray-Tracing support), considerable RAM to maintain and handle better workflows. , and decent storage support for managing projects, 3D designs, migrations, warehouses, and renders with ease. Apart from that, an excellent screen with a slimmer bezel is perfectly suited to the most expressive and conceptual 3D modelers.

Minimum and recommended laptop requirements For SketchUp

The system requirements entered by our expert take into account the basic and optimal features. However, in most cases, the minimum set of specs caters to students or basic 3D modelers, while the recommended specs take modeling, visualization, rendering, simulations, and official system requirements into account.

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Best Laptops for SketchUp | Comparison Table 2023

Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Best Laptops for SketchUp | 2023 Products Overview

Product Overview:

The Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen 13.4 inch FHD Thin and Light Laptop is a top-of-the-line computer designed for productivity and performance. With its silver color, this laptop is stylish and modern.

The laptop features a 13.4-inch Full HD (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display, providing a crystal-clear, high-resolution viewing experience. The laptop is powered by an 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1185G7 Processor with 12MB Cache and a maximum speed of 4.8 GHz, ensuring smooth and fast performance.

In terms of memory and storage, the Dell XPS 13 9310 is equipped with 16GB of 4267MHz LPDDR4x RAM and a 512 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, providing ample space for all your important files and applications. The laptop also features Intel Iris Xe Graphics with shared graphics memory, ensuring smooth and high-quality graphics performance.

The laptop is also equipped with Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (2 x 2) Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connectivity. In addition, the laptop comes with Alexa built-in, making it easy to use voice commands to perform various tasks such as checking your calendar, creating lists, playing music, and more.

Furthermore, the laptop comes with 2 Year On-Site and 6 months Dell Migrate, making it easy to move your files and settings from your old PC to your new Dell. The laptop also comes with a free upgrade to Windows 11 when it becomes available.

Product Overview:

The HP Chromebook 14 is a lightweight and versatile laptop designed for remote work, school, entertainment, and everything in between. With its 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) display, images appear crisp and clear, providing an enjoyable viewing experience. The micro-edge, anti-glare screen is perfect for use in different lighting conditions.

Under the hood, the Chromebook is powered by an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, which provides lightning-fast processing power for games, music, and video streaming. The laptop also features Intel UHD Graphics 600, which enhances your visual experience even further. With 4 GB of RAM, you can quickly access your documents, and with 32 GB of eMMC storage, you can securely save your work.

The Chromebook runs on the Chrome operating system, which is known for its seamless navigation and ability to handle multiple tabs and programs simultaneously. With a battery life of up to 13 hours and 30 minutes of wireless streaming, you can work efficiently from the comfort of your own home office without worrying about battery life.

The HP Wide Vision HD camera with integrated dual array digital microphones allows for clear and vibrant video chats. You can connect to the internet with ease thanks to the Wi-Fi 5 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.0 combo. At just 3.24 lbs, the Chromebook is highly portable and can be taken wherever you need to go.

Product Overview:

The Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is a 15.6 inch laptop that comes with a Full HD IPS Display. It is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor that has a clock speed of up to 3.5GHz and comes with Vega 3 Graphics. The laptop comes with 4GB DDR4 memory and a 128GB SSD. The keyboard is backlit, making it easy to type in low-light conditions. The laptop comes with Windows 10 in S mode, offering enhanced security and streamlined computing experience.

The laptop has a sleek silver design and weighs in at 3.97 pounds. It has a full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS display, which provides stunning visuals and a clear display. The AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics card provides smooth and efficient graphics performance for your everyday needs.

The laptop has a number of connectivity options, including a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, and a HDMI port that supports HDCP. The 802.11ac Wi-Fi provides fast and stable internet connection, while the backlit keyboard allows for easy typing in any lighting conditions. The laptop also provides up to 7.5 hours of battery life, so you can work on-the-go without worrying about running out of juice.

The maximum power supply wattage for the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is 65 Watts, and it comes with an integrated card description. It is important to note that products with electrical plugs are designed for use in the US, and may require an adapter or converter for use in other countries. Before purchasing, it is important to check the compatibility to ensure that the laptop will work in your location.

Also Read: Best MSI Gaming Laptops

Product Overview:

The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop that features a 11.6-inch HD display, a MediaTek MT8173C processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. It runs on Chrome OS and has a Blizzard White color. The Chromebook C330 is a sleek and stylish device, measuring less than 1-inch thin and having a weight similar to that of a hardback book. This makes it easy to carry around and use for day-to-day computing and multimedia, both online and offline.

The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is easy to use and requires no setup. Simply log in with a Google account to access your emails, maps, documents, and photos, which are stored in the cloud. This device also offers built-in virus protection and has a long battery life, making it a reliable and secure choice for users.

The Chromebook C330 includes a variety of USB ports for effortless connectivity, as well as a built-in camera, allowing you to stay in touch with friends and family. It also has Bluetooth 4.2 capabilities.

Product Overview:

The MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop is a powerful and versatile laptop designed for gamers, students, and professionals. The laptop features a 15.6" 144Hz FHD 1080p display that delivers true-to-life images with a high refresh rate so that you can see every frame of the game. The display is perfect for gaming, watching movies, or working on visual content.

The laptop is powered by an 11th Gen. Intel Core i7 processor which delivers high performance with cores and can take on any games and applications with ease. The MSI Stealth 15M is also equipped with a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, which is capable of delivering exceptional graphics performance for playing today's most popular games.

The laptop is designed to be thin and light, making it easy to carry around for gaming, studying, or work. The laptop's slim design doesn't compromise on performance, as it is equipped with MSI's exclusive Cooler Boost Technology that ensures optimal thermal dissipation. The laptop features state-of-the-art fans and heat pipes that provide the necessary airflow for gaming.

The Stealth 15M features a wide range of I/O ports, including Thunderbolt 4, which supports power delivery and up to 40Gbps of data transfer, and USB 4.0. This makes it possible to connect to a wide range of devices, including external storage, displays, and more.

Product Overview:

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a sleek and elegant laptop designed for both personal and professional use. It is available in a 13.5-inch touch screen, making it easy to navigate and interact with your applications. With a weight of just 2.79 pounds, the laptop is light and easy to carry, making it an ideal choice for people who are constantly on the move.

The laptop comes in four rich tone-on-tone color combinations - New Sandstone, Matte Black, Cobalt Blue, and Platinum. It features the latest Intel Core i5 processor, which provides improved speed and performance, making it two times faster than its predecessor, the Surface Laptop 2. The laptop also comes with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB solid state drive, providing ample storage space for your files and applications.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 comes with a variety of ports, including USB-C and USB-A, making it easy to connect to displays, docking stations, and other accessories. With up to 11.5 hours of battery life, you can enjoy all-day power on the go, and fast charging capabilities allow you to go from empty to a full battery in just about an hour.

The laptop runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system, and it comes with integrated graphics, thanks to the Intel Iris Plus graphics coprocessor. Additionally, the laptop is Climate Pledge Friendly, making it an eco-friendly option for people who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

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Product Overview:

The Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-54-760S Gaming Laptop is a high-performance device designed for gamers and demanding users. It is equipped with an Intel Core i7-11800H processor, which features 8 cores and 16 threads, ensuring fast and smooth multitasking and gaming performance. The laptop also features the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with 6GB dedicated GDDR6 VRAM and support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, which delivers stunning graphics and immersive gaming experiences.

The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS LED-backlit display offers an incredibly fast refresh rate of 144Hz and a response time of 3ms, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming. The laptop also boasts 16GB DDR4 memory and a 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, providing ample storage and fast data transfer speeds.

In addition, the laptop comes with the Intel Killer DoubleShot Pro, which lets you use Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time, and gives you total control over priority traffic for maximum speed, throughput, and control. The 5th Generation AeroBlade Fan with 89 blades ensures efficient cooling and reduces throttling for sustained performance. The laptop also features DTS:X Ultra sound technology, providing high-end surround sound through the dual speakers and an authentic audio experience when using headphones.

The laptop is equipped with a range of ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, Mini DisplayPort 1.4, Ethernet, and a headphone/speaker/line-out jack, making it easy to connect a range of accessories. With Alexa Show Mode, the laptop can be used as a full-screen interactive experience that features rich visuals and allows you to talk to Alexa from across the room.

Overall, the Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-54-760S Gaming Laptop is a powerful and versatile device that delivers exceptional performance and functionality for demanding users and gamers. It comes with a one-year international travelers limited warranty and has a battery life of up to 6 hours. Please note that products with electrical plugs are designed for use in the US and may require an adapter or converter for use in other countries.

Product Overview:

The Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 is a high-performance laptop designed for professionals who demand the best in terms of performance and versatility. It features a 15.6-inch 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen display with a glossy finish and a second, innovative 14-inch 4K matte touchscreen called the ScreenPad Plus. This unique feature allows users to extend their desktop and multitask in new and exciting ways by splitting windows and apps between both displays.

The ZenBook Pro Duo is powered by a 9th generation Intel Core i7-9750H Quad Core Processor, which can reach speeds of up to 4.5 GHz, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card for smooth and fast performance. It also features 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD for fast storage and quick load times.

This laptop is also equipped with a detachable palm rest and an ASUS active stylus pen, making it easy to switch between laptop and tablet modes. The built-in IR camera allows for facial recognition sign-in with Windows Hello, and the laptop also features Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting to other devices.

The ZenBook Pro Duo has a sleek and stylish design, featuring a celestial blue color and an exclusive ErgoLift design that improves the typing position, optimizes cooling, and enhances audio performance. It also has extensive connectivity options, including HDMI, USB Type-C with Thunderbolt, and Gigabit-class Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for fast and reliable internet connectivity.

Product Overview:

The Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop is a high-performance laptop designed for gaming enthusiasts. It features a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor with 6 cores and a maximum turbo frequency of 5.0GHz, providing the ultimate level of performance. The laptop is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, a blazing-fast supercharger that can handle the demands of today's most popular games.

The laptop features a 15.6" Full HD thin bezel display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, providing incredible performance and smooth visuals. The compact and durable CNC aluminum unibody frame houses all this powerful hardware in a compact footprint, measuring just 0.78" thin.

In terms of connectivity, the Razer Blade 15 is fully loaded with a webcam, wireless-AC, Bluetooth 5, and two USB Type-A and two Type-C ports, offering ample options for connecting to other devices and accessories.

Overall, the Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-performance gaming laptop with a sleek and compact design. Note that products with electrical plugs are designed for use in the US and may require an adapter or converter for use in other countries.

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Things to Consider While Choosing Laptop For SketchUp | Unrivaled Guide 2023

SketchUp with SketchUp Pro is done through a set of processes that must be able to be supported by our pc or mac. We are going to see what options the market offers us since there are no computers created specifically for architects, but we will be able to know, based on their technical specifications, if they will be useful or not to carry out our daily work.

Below we explain the different parts (components) that directly affect the performance of our computers. Understanding these components will make it easier to see which are the specifications that we must prioritize when choosing our equipment.

Processor:

Even though graphics acceleration is important, the CPU (processor) is still the center of everything. Current processors perform very well but for 3d designs, 6th generation Intel Core i7 processors are the ideal proposition, both for desktop and laptop. We recommend a processor, to be able to be from the INTEL house of its i7 range.

The power of this element is essential since it is the brain of the computer. We recommend Intel because from our experience they are more durable and you get better performance. And more specifically, the Intel® Core ™ i7-7700HQ Processor, which thanks above all to its 4 cores, is capable of working as if they were 8 in design and calculation programs, provides a very high working speed.

Why Intel? Because after many years of working with multiple computers, I have found that Intel products are more durable, have fewer problems, and generally perform better.

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RAM:

Another fundamental component. We can install a respectable amount without breaking our budget. For SketchUp and design applications, a recommended amount is 16 GB, without going below 8 GB in any case, and preferably installing more if possible up to 32 GB. It will be of the DDR4 type if it is accompanied by sixth-generation Core i7 processors. RAM memory, which allows the computer to handle a greater number of tasks simultaneously. Thanks to DDR4 RAM, we make sure to be at the forefront of technology, being these the latest modules manufactured. And with machines capable of hosting up to 64 GB of this type.

To clarify ourselves, this is the memory that allows us to do several things at the same time without the computer suffering a lot, that is why it is vital and we will look for the more RAM the better, but as long as it is economically viable, that is, that the RAM does not cost us more than the equipment.

Screen:

it is important that it has a good resolution. First, because it will offer us a larger desk area, useful to have the tools and work window without getting in the way. Secondly, we can see in more detail how it is being without having to use the zoom (both to zoom in and out).

In laptops, it is convenient that the screen size is sufficient to comfortably access all the menus, options, and windows.

It is also possible to use external screens to have multi-screen configurations, or to improve the one that comes by default with the laptop or All In One in aspects such as the precision of the colors or the range of tones that it can display, including the possibility of making a custom calibration.

Important for laptops that are going to be used for many hours, that has a matte screen, that is, that does not have reflections, this not only alters the quality of the images that are seen in daylight but also does not allow the eye to focus well on the screen with consequent fatigue.

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Keyboard:

A keyboard-type chiclet (or chocolate), is the most comfortable because they simulate the separation of the keys of traditional desktop keyboards.

Graphics processor (graphics card):

The graphics card is in charge of drawing everything you design on the screen, therefore, the higher the powers and features, the higher the quality of the presentation, and the speed of rotation of the element modeled in 3D with SketchUp Pro.

Having a dedicated graphics card, from AMD or NVIDIA, will allow you to speed up some graphic operations in applications such as SketchUp, VRay, Photoshop, etc. Not all functions are accelerated by the GPU, but the trend is to improve the integration between the GPU, CPU, and applications for optimal performance.

The graphics card in a computer for an architecture professional is something important, but not vital, let me explain, we are not going to play ultramodern games in which very powerful graphics cards are necessary, we are going to limit ourselves to modeling in 3D buildings, to make use of BIM and in specific cases to render 3D images, for all those cases, the computer uses the processor more than the graphics card, it is usually a mistake to think that to model and render we need graphics: It is rendered with the processor, not with the graphics card.

Autonomy:

Let's be honest, we are only going to need autonomy when we go to the copy shop to print some plans and we have forgotten to put one of them in the pen, we take out the laptop in the store, show off the wallpaper and turn off the computer, to the rest of the uses will generally be connected to the current, so it will not be necessary to focus on autonomy.

In addition to that, it is important to emphasize that never (or only rarely and under very controlled environments) the autonomy expectations stated by the manufacturers are met.

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Video outputs:

This is important since with two screens the performance is notably higher, especially in professions like ours, in which while we are consulting the regulations on one screen, we are drawing on the other, now time and effort and it translates into higher productivity.

This is why it is important that the computer has a video output, but almost all computers do, so this should not be a problem.

Operating system (Mac or PC):

This is one of the most important questions that 3D design professionals ask and can be answered more from the experience itself, it is true that with Mac you will have a greater visual experience since its hardware offers great graphic quality for creative work, however, It must also be said that the vast majority of 3D design programs have proven to be more compatible with PCs with Windows operating systems, so each one has its pros and cons.

In terms of specific technical software for architecture in Spain,  there is only one Windows option. Although SketchUp, VRay, and PhotoShop have versions for macOS, most of the specific programs for the field of architecture (Revit, 3dMax, Cype, Presto, Arquimedes) are not supported by Apple equipment.

Can't I have a Mac then? Yes, but you will have to install parallels and install a virtual Windows image to run certain technical software or partition with Bootcamp (it is the option that I use).

And Linux? If you are able to handle Linux, you may be more interested in this website with alternative programs to Windows than reading this article. In any case, you would have to use a Windows partition or virtual machine to be able to work with certain proprietary software.

Once we have assimilated that we are going to stay with Windows, the question is, what version? We always recommend the last one that we have good references from, now  Windows 10.

Our recommendation is that if you want to optimize your money, not have software compatibility problems and that the repairs are cheaper, choose a computer with Windows 10.

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USB ports and Connections:

Minimum 3 USB connections, one for the external mouse (mandatory for SketchUp Pro) and another two to connect a Pendrive and charge the mobile at the same time. Less than three can be problematic, or so experience dictates.

Should you have a card reader? I think that with an  SD card slot that is the standard for cameras (Canon EOS type) is more than enough.

HDD:

It is highly recommended that the system hard drive is of the SSD type. Solid-state drives are great at streamlining operating system operations, such as opening and closing applications, while allowing applications to streamline data usage. They are usually accompanied in desktop computers, with conventional HDD units with 1 TB or 2 TB capacity. In the case of having a laptop, there are external SSD drives, recommended in order to have a fast and reliable storage space that complements the system disk.

The project delivery time will largely depend on the speed of the disk, because every time you execute any action that is not purely computational, it is the disk that comes into play. With the new solid-state drives, the access time is minimal, and the speed is very high.

SSDs differ from HDDs in that they do not have moving parts, and are better in everything, read and write speed, consumption, failure rate, noise level, heat emission, etc ... They can be a little more expensive than traditional ones, but the difference is noticeable, and quite, for what it is worth. If it becomes too expensive for us, we can buy a system with an SSD of about 120 GB for the operating system and a 1TB HDD to use as storage.

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Accessories:

In addition to the computer itself, it can also be useful to get a graphics tablet, a mouse that is comfortable, as well as a keyboard with a touch and precision that allows you to work long hours without causing hand or wrist fatigue.

Conclusion: