ASUS laptop for AutoCAD

11 Best Laptops for AutoCAD in 2022 [Ultimate Guide]

Are you looking for the best AutoCAD computer? Here is our list of the best laptops for AutoCAD you can purchase in 2022.

By
Bhanu Partaap
-
December 30, 2021
ASUS laptop for AutoCAD

The Computer-Aided Design (CAD) apps are some of the most demanding apps used on any computer. As we know, CAD-based work directly links to 2D and 3D drawing and rendering; there is a direct demand for RAW GPU power to get the best performance. But there are tons of laptops with different GPUs based on Nvidia GTX, RTX, and Quadro GPUs. On top of that, the rest of the specifications, like CPU, RAM, Storage, etc., also vary from one laptop to another. Hence, it becomes a whole lot difficult to choose a single laptop that is perfect for you. But you dont have to hassle anymore. As youve landed on the right page, here youll find the best laptops for AutoCAD.

As we already know, AutoCAD is an extremely widely used CAD software that is the best in its segment and has a long past of serving the best CAD-related features in 2D and 3D CAD work. Moreover, in this article, we have listed the best laptops for AutoCAD that you can buy right now. All the listed laptops are from popular and reputable brands and promise the best possible performance in AutoCAD. I have shortlisted the best laptops from which you can choose the one that fits your needs and requirements the best. Lets now explore the best AutoCAD laptops.

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Table of Contents

  • Buying Guide: What to look for in a good AutoCAD laptop in 2022?
      • AutoCAD 2D VS 3D
      • Processor
      • Graphics Card
      • RAM & Storage
  • System requirements for AutoCAD 2022
  • Best Laptops for AutoCAD in 2022
    • Asus ROG Strix G15 (Most Powerful Laptop for AutoCAD)
    • Razer Blade 14(Runner Up)
    • Acer Predator Helios 300 (Best Value Computer for AutoCAD)
    • Apple Macbook Pro M1 (Best MacBook for AutoCAD)
    • ASUS ROG Strix G17 (Beast Performance)
    • GIGABYTE AERO 15 (Color-Accurate 4K OLED Display)
    • MSI Creator 15 (Alternative 4K Display Laptop)
    • ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 (Powerful AMD Processor)
    • Lenovo Legion 5 (Reasonable Price)
    • Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (Cheapest Laptop for AutoCAD)
    • Lenovo ThinkPad P17 (Mighty Workstation for Professionals)
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
      • How much RAM is enough for AutoCAD (8GB, 12GB, or 16GB)?
      • Is AutoCAD a CPU-intensive software?
      • Should I go for a Laptop or a traditional Desktop Computer?
  • Bottom Line Which is the best laptop for AutoCAD?

Buying Guide: What to look for in a good AutoCAD laptop in 2022?

Here are some important aspects you should look for while selecting a good Autocad laptop:

AutoCAD 2D VS 3D

While buying a laptop for AutoCAD, you must have a good idea of your workflow. AutoCAD application is used majorly for 2D and 3D drawings, and if your work asks for a lot of 3D work in AutoCAD, you cant compromise on specifications like CPU and GPU. However, if your work mainly revolves around 2D drawing in AutoCAD, opting for an extremely high-end laptop will waste money. So, its important to know your way of using the AutoCAD software.

Processor

A good CPU is always a primary need for any software to run smoothly. Many other websites have said that you should have a very high-end multi-core processor to run AutoCAD efficiently. But the fact is that AutoCAD is predominantly a single-threaded software. Hence, please dont take it seriously if anyone advises you to opt for a multi-core processor for AutoCAD. With that being said, a good laptop with a processor having 4-6 cores is very much more than enough for AutoCAD.

If your budget is extremely tight, opting for a dual-core processor can also be considered. To be specific, we recommend using the latest 11th generation i5/i7 processor or Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 chipsets from AMD. To get the best-in-class CPU performance, Ryzen 9 chip is there to serve you. Besides, you should keep in mind having a processor with a good clock speed because, after the multi-threaded performance, the clock speed of the individual cores will majorly make or break your AutoCADs performance.

Graphics Card

Never look at the integrated GPU solution for works like AutoCAD. Even if youre going to do 2D stuff, opt for at least 2GB to 4GB of dedicated GPU inside your laptop. And for 3D work in AutoCAD, never compromise below 6GB of GPU. You can upscale your GPU VRAM requirement to even 8GB with the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 series (RTX 3050, RTX 3060, RTX 3070, RTX 3080, etc.)GPUs.

RAM & Storage

CAD applications are some of the most memory-hungry ones, and AutoCAD is no different. Whether 2D or 3D, AutoCAD will have to have a big chunk of your total laptop RAM. To run the AutoCAD smoothly along with other minor apps, your laptop should have at least 8GB of RAM. This is the minimum requirement and for being on a safer side with no lag while using AutoCAD in multitasking, have a 16GB RAM configuration in your laptop.

The storage size may be subjective, as you can go for as much storage as possible as per your workflow. But what to look for is SSD storage as your primary storage. Additional HDD storage can be used for spare data storing. SSD is fast storage and allows users to read and write the data faster than a traditional HDD. Hence give priority to SSD over HDD.

System requirements for AutoCAD 2022

FeaturesBasicRecommended
Processor10th gen Intel Core i5
4000 Series Ryzen 5
11th gen Intel Core i7
Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9
Display Resolution1920 x 1080p Full HD
Good Color Accuracy
3840 x 2160p 4K UHD
Good Color Accuracy
RAM8GB DDR416GB DDR4
Storage256GB SSD512GB SSD
Graphics Card2GB VRAM (2D)4GB VRAM (3D)

Best Laptops for AutoCAD in 2022

Here is the list of best AutoCAD laptops available for purchase in 2022:

MOST POWERFUL
ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
RUNNER UP
ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
BEST VALUE PICK
ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
Name
ASUS ROG Strix G15 (2021)
Razer Blade 14
Acer Predator Helios 300
Display
15.6-inch Full HD
14-inch 2K QHD
15.6-inch Full HD
Color-Accuracy
Excillent
Excillent
Very Good
Processor
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
Intel Core i7-11800H
GPU
Nvidia RTX 3080
Nvidia RTX 3080
Nvidia RTX 3060
Dedicated VRAM
RAM
16GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
Storage
1TB SSD
1TB NVMe SSD
512GB SSD
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MOST POWERFUL
Name
ASUS ROG Strix G15 (2021)
Display
15.6-inch Full HD
Color-Accuracy
Excillent
Processor
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
GPU
Nvidia RTX 3080
Dedicated VRAM
RAM
16GB DDR4
Storage
1TB SSD
BUY ON AMAZON
RUNNER UP
Name
Razer Blade 14
Display
14-inch 2K QHD
Color-Accuracy
Excillent
Processor
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
GPU
Nvidia RTX 3080
Dedicated VRAM
RAM
16GB DDR4
Storage
1TB NVMe SSD
BUY ON AMAZON
BEST VALUE PICK
Name
Acer Predator Helios 300
Display
15.6-inch Full HD
Color-Accuracy
Very Good
Processor
Intel Core i7-11800H
GPU
Nvidia RTX 3060
Dedicated VRAM
RAM
16GB DDR4
Storage
512GB SSD
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1Asus ROG Strix G15 (Most Powerful Laptop for AutoCAD)

If you are looking for an AMD processor, you cant find a better device than Asus ROG Strix G15. It is powered by AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor, a highly power-efficient octa-core chip manufactured on TSMCs 7nm FinFET technology, consuming very little power while performing high-end tasks. The laptop comes loaded with Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU to handle the graphics performance, and the company chose the high-end variant with 16GB GDDR6 VRAM. Therefore, it has additional video memory specifically designed for heavy workloads. In my opinion, this is the best combination of CPU & GPU available to purchase in the market right now.

94 Reviews
Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 (2021)
  • Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS (300Hz)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
  • GPU: RTX 3080 16GB GDDR6 VRAM
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
  • Storage:1TB NVMe SSD
$2,327.00
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Moreover, the laptop accumulates a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a faster 300Hz refresh rate. The screen-to-body ratio is awe-inspiring, and the color-accurate display makes it a decent option for content creators. With 100% sRGB coverage, this laptop delivers optimal color accuracy along with sharp visuals. As far as storage is concerned, the laptop offers 1TB of NVMe SSD storage combined with 16GB DDR4 RAM. This combination makes it an impressive offering to store lots of data using internal storage, and RAM space is also decent. The memory department is strong enough to work at a frequency of 3200MHz. There is also a 512GB of NVMe SSD, making the laptop have a really nice read and write storage speed.

Furthermore, the Opti-mechanical per-key RGB keyboard makes it an ideal choice, but some people hate the tickling noise. All the essential connectivity options are available, along with a decent set of ports. The laptop comes with pre-loaded Windows 10 OS and a free upgrade to Windows 11. Overall, there is no reason to hate this device. The ROG-powered cooling system performs very well to enhance the performance. All the necessary ports are available, including WiFi 6 connectivity support. Overall, this is the most powerful gaming laptop with Nvidia RTX 3080 graphics card under the hood.

Pros
  • AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX Processor
  • Opti-Mechanical RGB Keyboard
  • High Refresh Rate Display
  • Advanced Cooling System
Cons
  • Average Battery Life
  • Ordinary Buid

2Razer Blade 14(Runner Up)

The Razer company has a long and glorious history of delivering some of the highest performing and premium laptops that dont show any mercy to the tasks thrown at them. One of those laptops is the Razer Blade 14. This laptop has multiple variants, and we have picked the top-end RTX 3080 variant, which offers decent color accuracy and best-in-class hardware. At the display front, it features a 14-inch QHD display at 2560 x 1440p resolution. More importantly, this display supports a 165Hz refresh rate for smooth animations. Not only that, this is a highly color-accurate panel with 100% sRGB. So, people working in the professional field can easily use it as a workstation

211 Reviews
Razer Blade 14
  • Display:14-inch 2560 x 1440p (165Hz)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
  • GPU: RTX 3080 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
  • Storage:1TB NVMe SSD
$2,749.00
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In terms of performance, the laptop is powered by the AMD 5000 series Ryzen 9 5900X processor, which packs an octa-core CPU and 16 threads with hyperthreading. The base clock speed is 3.7GHz, and the maximum speed is 4.8GHz while running the demanding tasks. A powerful CPU also requires an identical GPU to avoid any potential bottleneck. As a result, this computer is loaded with the best-in-class Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU, the best performer among the RTX 30 series (RTX 3050, RTX 3060, RTX 3070, RTX 3080, etc.), making it one of the best graphics cards of 2022. Hence, the GPU celebrated all the latest optimizations under RTX 30 series, such as 2nd generation RT Cores, improved DLSS chip for machine learning, realistic Ray Tracing, and many others.

There is also 1TB of SSD storage to store the large files and other important documents using the internal storage. The laptop also supports the multi-color RGB backlit keyboard making it a more attractive gaming machine. Apart from that, Vapor Chamber Cooling is there to help this machine against overheating, which is a common problem with the majority of powerful gaming laptops. All the essential connectivity options are available, and the body is also very well constructed with Aluminium chassis. Overall, Razer Blade 14 is an excellent choice for AutoCAD and other heavy productivity tasks by maintaining extraordinary portability.

Pros
  • Very Well-Managed Thermals
  • Excillent Performance
  • Good Color Calibration
  • Strong Build Quality
Cons
  • Minor Heating Issues
  • Non-upgradeable RAM

3Acer Predator Helios 300 (Best Value Computer for AutoCAD)

Are you looking for an RTX 3060 laptop at a reasonable price? Then you should look at the new Acer Predator Helios 300 laptops. Acer refreshed its Predator lineup every year with new CPUs and GPUs. The predator series is top-rated among those who want a laptop with the best specifications at the best price. The new Acer Predator Helios 300 features a 15.6-inch screen size, just like most laptops on this list. This display is an LED-Backlit IPS display panel with a refresh rate of 144Hz and 3ms of response time.

3,852 Reviews
Acer Predator Helio 300
  • Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p (144Hz)
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-11800H
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
  • Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
$1,299.99
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The display resolution is Full HD and goes up to 300nits in peak brightness. There is the 11th gen Intel Core i7-11800H mobile processor to power the main processing unit from Intel which, as I said, is a pretty popular high-end laptop processor. It has 8 processing cores and 16 threads. This processor works at a base clock speed of 2.3GHz and goes up to 4.6GHz at max. The laptop has the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, offering 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM for graphics processing.

Furthermore, it has 16GB of DDR4 RAM that operates at a frequency of 3200MHz and has been coupled with a 512GB of NVMe SSD. Other notable features include an RGB Backlit keyboard, WiFi 6 support, DTS X Ultra Audio, additional slots for easy upgradability, and 5th Generation AeroBlade Fan with 89 blades designed to increase air intake for running your system cool while extensive gaming, but still, you might feel the heat while continuing gaming. Overall, it is a good combination of the latest hardware and power efficiency priced under $1500 and a suitable option for AutoCAD.

Pros
  • 11th generation core i7 processor
  • Powerful RTX 3060 GPU
  • High refresh rate display
  • 4-Zone RGB Backlit Keyboard
Cons
  • Noticable fan noice
  • Lack of Availability

4Apple Macbook Pro M1 (Best MacBook for AutoCAD)

If you are looking for a MacBook, this might be the best time to buy one. Recently, Apple released the new MacBook Pro lineup with more performance improvements than the last years M1 MacBook Air. However, there might be some compatibilities issues with some AutoCAD modules. But, on a general note, the Macbook Pro 16 fluently handles 3D rendering and other complex AutoCAD projects. Speaking of the core configurations, the laptop comes with the new M1 Pro chipset. It is like a bigger version of the M1 chipset, and it brings 10 CPU cores and 16 cores for GPU. Apple claims up to 2x faster performance than the M1 chipset, which is clearly visible while running demanding apps like AutoCAD. Additionally, the M1 Pro chipset comes with a 16 core Neural engine for advanced AI.

ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
98 Reviews
Apple Macbook Pro 16
  • Display: 16-inch 3456 x 2234 pixels
  • Processor: Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max
  • GPU: 16-core or 32-core
  • RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
$2,699.00
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These cores are based on the 5nm TSMC process capable of giving up to 3.2GHz clock speed. Meanwhile, it brings superb GPU performance improvements as well. It is comparable to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050Ti. Apart from that, this laptop has 16GB unified RAM and 512GB super-fast SSD storage. In terms of display, it features a wider 16-inch IPS display at 3456 x 2234p resolution. I want to clarify that this panel produces excellent color accuracy with super brightness of around 1000-nits. This is really insane to get this kind of panel on a laptop. Hence, there shouldnt be any problem even in outdoor visibility. Additionally, this is a 120Hz high refresh rate display for smooth scrolling.

In the meantime, MacBook comes with all the essential ports, including an HDMI, full-size SD card reader, and a high-quality audio jack. There is WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The build quality is just excellent with a metallic finish. Becuase of the wider screen, the laptop is slightly heavy with a 4.62 lbs weight. Besides, it offers 8-10 hours of battery life with fast Magsafe charging support. Apart from that, the presence of a notch could be annoying for some users, where an HD webcam is present. Dont compare it with iPhones notch because there is no facial recognition technology available on it. On a closing note, if you have an open budget for your MacBook purchase, this is the best MacBook to buy right now in 2022.

Pros
  • Elegant Display with Great Brightness
  • Additional Touch Bar
  • Super Rich Sound Quality
  • Excellent Keyboard
  • Great Battery Life
Cons
  • Limited USB ports
  • Weird Notch design

5ASUS ROG Strix G17 (Beast Performance)

Now, this laptop is high on power as compared to the other laptops in the least. This is the ASUS ROG Strix G17 2021 edition. The laptops specifications make this laptop provide very high performance in AutoCAD 3D, and the 2D work is just like doing a snap for it. The ROG Strix G17 has a 17.3-inch Full HD display at 1920 x 1080p resolution. It is an IPS-Type display as per Asus and comes with an anti-glare coating. The display of this laptop covers more than 100% sRGB to maintain awesome color accuracy.

ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
176 Reviews
ASUS ROG Strix G17 (2021)
  • Display: 17.3-inch Full HD (300Hz)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
  • Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3070 8GB VRAM
  • RAM:16GB DDR4
  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
$2,055.00
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It also has a high refresh rate of up to 300Hz and a response time of 3ms. Although these specifications are more important for gamers, a color-accurate display of good size is definitely a good deal for an AutoCAD user. For performance, the laptop has AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX with an octa-core CPU that further has 16 threads for better hyperthreading. This processor works at a clock speed of 3.3GHz, and it has the potential to reach up to 4.6GHz as well.

On top of that, there is a dedicated GPU from Nvidia called the RTX 3070 GPU. This GPU has a GDDR6 video memory of 8GB, having a base and boosted clock speed of 1.50MHz and 1.73MHz. Coming to the memory and storage of the laptop, it has 16GB of DDR4 RAM that works at a clock frequency of 2933MHz. This has been coupled with a 1TB of PCIe SSD, making the laptop perform the reading and writing tasks as quickly as possible. Overall, this is a beast performer in every aspect and available at a reasonable price of under $2000.

Pros
  • 5000 Series Ryzen 9 Processor
  • Decent Color Accuracy
  • Bigger 17-inch Display
  • Seemless Performace
Cons
  • No Webcam
  • Some Might Feel Uncomfortable

6GIGABYTE AERO 15 (Color-Accurate 4K OLED Display)

Now, the game of high-end specifications is stepping up a bit. And the first one to take that step is the GIGABYTE AERO 15. The laptop has some of the best and heavy specifications in it. This makes this laptop a powerhouse and one of the best picks for a serious and professional AutoCAD user.

ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
25 Reviews
Gigabyte Aero 15
  • Display: 15.6-inch 4K UHD OLED
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-11800H
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
  • RAM:16GB DDR4
  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
$2,099.71
BUY ON AMAZON

The laptop comes with a high-quality 15.6-inch 4K UHD display that can be utilized running high-performing AutoCAD tasks, such as 3D modeling. It is an excellent display, which is capable of handling multiple things art once in AutoCAD. The laptops processing power is also impressive as it comes with the 11th gen Intel Core i7-11800H processor, one of the best and widely used processors in heavy processing machines like this one. This processor has 8 cores and 16 threads with a base and boosted clock speed of 2.3GHz and 4.6GHz.

Other than that, it is loaded with the latest RTX 30 (RTX 3050, RTX 3060, RTX 3070, RTX 3080, etc.) series Nvidia RTX 3070 GPU. This GPU provides 8GB of GDDR6 video memory. Also, for those who were not satisfied with 512GB of SSD storage, the Alienware M17 comes with a total of 1TB pure SSD storage and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. Overall, this is one of the cheapest 4K laptops with such kind of specifications. So, if you want affordable high-end laptops, this is a suitable choice for you.

Pros
  • 4K UHD OLED Panel
  • Revamped Hardware
  • Conventional Design
Cons
  • Average Battery Life
  • Poor After-Sale Support

7MSI Creator 15 (Alternative 4K Display Laptop)

If your AutoCAD work asks for a lot of RAM and high-speed SSD storage, then there is a laptop that I would recommend you to look at. I am talking about the new MSI Creator 15 laptop that has got a refresh model. The laptop features a 15.6-inch 4K UHD IPS LED display that has 3840 × 2160 resolution. This display panel covers more than 100% of sRGB and 100% AdobeRGB color gamut, making it one of the finest options for AutoCAD. This color-accurate display can be handy for other applications requiring good color calibration, including 4K Video Editing, Photoshop, Photo Editing, and many other content creation tools.

Discount: $150.00
ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
6 Reviews
MSI Creator 15
  • Display: 15.6-inch UHD 3840 x 2160p
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-11800H
  • GPU: RTX 3060 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
  • Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
$1,849.00 $150.00 $1,699.00
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The laptops performance comes from the same 11th gen Intel Core i7-11800H processor, having powerful 8 cores and 16 threads for high-end multi-core and multi-threaded processing. The base and boosted clock speeds of this processor are 2.3GHz and 4.60GHz, respectively. The GPU department of the laptop consists of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, offering a huge 6GB of dedicated video memory.

Talking about the RAM, this laptop has the highest RAM among all the laptops on this list. In fact, laptops usually dont come with this much RAM. It has been packed with 16GB of total RAM, which is DDR4 type. Also, the storage of the laptop is pretty huge. It packs 512GB of NVMe SSD storage space. Hence, this can also be used as a complete workstation. Undoubtedly, it provides each and everything a powerful laptop should have. Overall, MSI Creator 15 is the perfect option for AutoCAD under $2000.

Pros
  • Powerful Dedicated Graphics
  • Sufficiant RAM & Storage
  • 100% Adobe RGB Coverage
Cons
  • Lacks SD Card Slot
  • Average Battery Life

8ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 (Powerful AMD Processor)

Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 comes with a decently sized 15.6-inch screen size. It is a QHD display panel having a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. The display delivers 165hz of refresh rate and is of IPS-Type display. The processor of the laptop is the AMD Ryzen 9 5900H which is a mighty laptop processor. It is an 8-core processor and comes with 16 threads for extremely flagship-level processing power.

ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
50 Reviews
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
  • Display:15.6-inch Full HD (165Hz)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS
  • GPU: RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
$2,279.00
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This processor works at a clock speed of 3.1GHz and can reach a max of up to 4.6GHz. Talking about the graphics, the laptop has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070, offering a total of 8GB of video memory. The main RAM capacity of the laptop is 16GB which is the sweet spot for most high-performing laptops. The RAM is of DDR4 type and is clocked at a very high frequency of 3200MHz.

Moreover, there is 1TB of storage space that has been packed inside a PCIe SSD. Overall, the combined specifications make it a compelling laptop, and you can definitely consider this laptop for running AutoCAD as long as your budget allows. Otherwise, there are lot more batter options available at a lesser price.

Pros
  • Seemless Performance
  • Beast Ryzen 9 Processor
  • Maintains Good Color Accuracy
  • Great Battery Life
Cons
  • Faulty Biometric Scanner
  • Goes Out of Stock Quickly

9Lenovo Legion 5 (Reasonable Price)

The list of best laptops cant be completed without a Lenovo laptop. And when it comes to high-performance laptops, the Legion laptops are pretty well known in the market. The one which I have for recommendation is the Lenovo Legion 5. This laptop has a 15.6-inch display with a Full HD resolution and a peak brightness of 300nits. It projects the output at a rate of 165Hz and covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut.

ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
773 Reviews
Lenovo Legion 5
  • Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p (165Hz)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3050Ti 4GB GDDR6
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
  • Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
$1,455.00
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The laptops processor is the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, a heavy-duty processor with 8 cores and 16 processing threads. The processor has a base clock speed of 3.2GHz and can be overclocked up to 4.4GHz as well. Coming to graphics processing, the laptop comes with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050Ti, which is again the best performer in this budget. It offers 4GB of GDDR6 video memory, a really nice thing to have for a gaming laptop.

The laptop doesnt compromise memory and storage. You will get 16GB of high-speed DDR4 RAM clocked at 3200MHz frequency. Additionally, there is 512GB of pure m.2 NVMe SSD for fast booting and game launching. The I/O department of the laptop has 4x USB Type-A ports, 1x USB Type-C port, 1x HDMI 2.0 port, RJ45 Ethernet port, and 3.5mm Mic/headphone combo. In aggregate, this is considered the best gaming laptop under $1000, which can be easily utilized for AutoCad by using its powerful hardware combination and color-accurate display.

Pros
  • Remarkable CPU & GPU
  • Dedicated 6GB VRAM
  • Sufficient RAM/Storage
  • Color-Accurate Display
Cons
  • Average Sound Output
  • Mediocre Battery Life

10Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (Cheapest Laptop for AutoCAD)

The next laptop on the list is from Lenovo. Belonging to the Ideapad series, the Ideapad gaming 3 comes out to be a pretty decent laptop to handle the AutoCAD 2D and 3D work in most cases. The laptops hardware is promising enough to deliver a smooth performance in CAD apps, including AutoCAD. The Ideapad Gaming 3 comes with a standard 15.6-inch display featuring 1920×1080 pixels of Full HD resolution.

ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
330 Reviews
Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3
  • Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (120Hz)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
  • Graphics: GTX 1650 4GB GDDR6
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4
  • Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
$734.00
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It provides a peak brightness of 250 nits which is decent and also has an anti-glare coating to restrict unwanted light reflection on the display surface. The display is average in terms of refresh rate and provides 120Hz of refresh rate. The laptops processor is an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H, a 6 core chipset featuring 12 threads for multi-threading. The processor works at a base clock speed of 3.3GHz and goes max up to 4.2GHz.

As for the graphics, the laptop comes with a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics processor featuring a GDDR3 VRAM of 4GB. The laptop also has a decent 8GB of DDR4 memory and works at a faster frequency. There is also 256GB of internal PCIe NVMe SSD. It is definitely fast storage but might not be enough for some users. Overall, this is one of the cheapest options to utilize a 3D framework using the AutoCAD software.

Pros
  • Refined Processing Power
  • Multi-Color Backlit Keyboard
  • Easy Upgradability
  • High Refresh Rate Display
  • Decent Performance
Cons
  • Some Heating Issues
  • Average Battery Life

11Lenovo ThinkPad P17 (Mighty Workstation for Professionals)

If you are looking for a professional AutoCAD user and looking for a mighty workstation, Lenovo ThinkPad P17 fits perfectly in this category. As for specifications, this laptop is backed by the Intel Core i7-10750H processor. It is a 10th Gen 14 nm processor made for high-end laptops. Inside, it has 6 cores and 12 threads, offering up to 5.0GHz of clock speed. Moreover, this processor is paired with an impressive cooling system that will help it run at full speed for a much longer time.

ASUS laptop for AutoCAD
12 Reviews
Lenovo ThinkPad P17
  • Display: 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 FHD
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-10750H
  • Graphics: Nvidia Quadro T2000 4GB
  • RAM: 32GB DDR4
  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
$2,259.00
BUY ON LENOVO BUY ON AMAZON

Regarding the memory, this laptop has 32GB DDR4 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD drive pre-installed, which should be sufficient for most of your professional workload. With a powerful CPU, an equivalent GPU is required to generate optimal performance. As a result, it has a compelling Nvidia Quadro T2000 GPU with a TU117 chip designed on the 12nm process. Further, it offers impressive graphics performance with a dedicated 4GB VRAM present on this GPU. Moreover, the front portion is surrounded by a bigger 17.3-inch display loaded with Full HD resolution, meaning it has a total of 1920 × 1080 pixels resolution.

There is a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is perfectly fine because there is no use of a high refresh rate in CAD-based work. Moreover, the provided panel offers 300 nits of max brightness. Additionally, it provides color-accurate picture quality. Speaking of the design, there are thick bezels on the sides of the display, but that is not a big deal on this laptop. In terms of connectivity, the laptop features both WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 wireless functionalities. The I/O department included 3x USB Type-A, 2x USB Type-C with Thunderbolt 3, 1x normal USB Type-C port, HDMI 2.0, SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack with the microphone combo.

The good thing is that USB Type-C ports can be utilized for charging this device. Apart from that, this laptop weighs 7.7 pounds or 3.5 kilograms, making it a heavy workstation. Overall, Lenovo ThinkPad P17 is a perfect workstation laptop for AutoCAD with high performance. By concluding, a workstation is only needed for professional users; otherwise, a normal laptop with a good GPU can handle all the basic AutoCAD workload. This powerful workstation can also be used for other CAD-based applications, such as Solidworks, Blender, Game Development, etc.

Pros
  • Bigger 17-Inch Display
  • Excellent Performance
  • Lots of RAM & Storage
  • Suitable for Developers
  • Responsive Input Device
Cons
  • Thick Bezels Around the Display
  • Average Battery Life
  • Heavyweight Body

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much RAM is enough for AutoCAD (8GB, 12GB, or 16GB)?

The minimum requirement for a laptop to run AutoCAD smoothly is 8GB of RAM. With this amount of RAM, youll be able to operate your AutoCAD smoothly with a decent level of multitasking. However, your work is more demanding and multitasking-based. Hence, opt for 12GB to 16GB of RAM.

Is AutoCAD a CPU-intensive software?

AutoCAD is not an extremely CPU-intensive software, but its CPU usage is still pretty decent. AutoCAD is not multi-threaded software and hence doesnt utilize the processors multiple cores and threads. But remember that for processing anything on a computer, a good CPU is the primary need.

Should I go for a Laptop or a traditional Desktop Computer?

That is your personal preference and depends upon your requirements. If you travel a lot and need a portable machine, the laptop is the only answer to fulfill that purpose. But if you sit in an office or inside your home, a desktop computer is always preferable for easy-to-customize hardware.

Bottom Line Which is the best laptop for AutoCAD?

The best AutoCAD laptop may vary from user to user. If your work is majorly 2D-based, opt for laptops like Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3and Lenovo Legion 5. But to have a good and smooth performance in 3D-based work, laptops like MSI Content Creator 15, Razer Blade 14, and Macbook Pro 16 are some of the best picks. And if you want the beefiest specifications and want to use your AutoCAD laptop as a workstation, go for laptops like Asus ROG Strix G15 (2021), Lenovo ThinkPad P17, and Asus ROG Strix G17 (2021).

So there were the best of the best laptops that you can have for your AutoCAD work. All the listed laptops are the best ones in the market, and I hope that my recommendations for the best laptop for AutoCAD will help you make or improve your laptop buying decision. If you have any questions, suggestions, or even want to appreciate me for this article, feel free to leave a comment below.

Hi! I am Bhanu Pratap, a die-heart fan of tech and keeps track of every little happening in the tech world. When not writing, I usually keep myself busy on YouTube in making and exploring new and awesome tech content.