SOLIDWORKS is a world-renowned CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) software that is used by millions of engineers across the world.
From start to finish, SOLIDWORKS is used to build mechatronics systems. The program is first used for project management, planning, visual ideation, modeling, feasibility evaluation, prototyping, and feasibility assessment. After that, the program is used to design and create mechanical, electrical, and software components.
SOLIDWORKS has been the industry standard in design and engineering for over 20 years. Its intuitive 3D design and product development tools assist you in :
- conceptualizing, creating, validating, communicating, managing, and transforming innovative ideas into exceptional product designs.
- Creating complicated components and assemblies in a timely and precise manner, incorporating 3D models and 2D drawings.
- Cost estimating tools and manufacturability assessments are used to create designs for cost and manufacturing.
- Using standardized data management tools, communicating with team members, and keeping track of modifications.
- Using integrated motion and stress analysis technologies, to eliminate mistakes and rework.
On a regular basis, designers and engineers must run a variety of heavy programs on their computers, one of which is most likely Solidworks or a comparable hardcore tool. Solidworks has been around for almost two decades, and in order to run it smoothly and effectively (with no crashes or delays), you’ll need a powerful machine.
Solidworks users will benefit from a wide choice of laptops, but what exactly do they need from a laptop that can run Solidworks and other CAD software? Actually, there are quite a few.
Details like storage capacity and the number of processors a laptop has, all the way down to how the graphics card and HD display ray tracing, renderings, and other visuals, can have an impact on how effectively the software translates and operates.
Anyone looking for a decent Solidwork laptop can benefit from our purchasing guide, which includes our top selections for some of the best laptops in this category on the market.
During our investigation, we uncovered a few technical facts concerning laptops. To begin, you’ll need enough graphics RAM and flash memory on your laptop, whether you’re using a conventional design application or a CAD application.
There are various baseline requirements that your machine must fulfill in order to run Solidworks reliably, including basic 2D modeling and academic needs. SolidWorks comes with a number of resources, each with its own set of system requirements.
Factors to be Considered Before Buying
List of Best Laptops for SolidWorks in 2023
MacBook Pro with M2 Chip
Pros
- Powerful M2 chip
- Long battery life
- Stunning display
- Active cooling system
- Configurable up to 24GB of unified memory and 2TB of SSD storage
Cons
- No Touch Bar (13-inch model)
- No SD card slot (14-inch model)
- Expensive
The MacBook Pro M2 is the latest and most powerful MacBook Pro from Apple. It is powered by the M2 chip, which is a next-generation Apple silicon chip that offers up to 18% faster CPU performance and up to 35% faster GPU performance than the M1 chip. The M2 chip also features a new 10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores, as well as a new 10-core GPU.
The MacBook Pro M2 comes in two sizes: 13-inch and 14-inch. The 13-inch model has a Retina display with True Tone, while the 14-inch model has a Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion. Both models have up to 24GB of unified memory and up to 2TB of SSD storage.
The MacBook Pro M2 also features a new active cooling system that helps to keep the M2 chip running at its peak performance. This makes it a great choice for demanding tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming.
Here are some of the key features of the MacBook Pro M2:
1. M2 chip with up to 18% faster CPU performance and up to 35% faster GPU performance than the M1 chip
2. 10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores
3. 10-core GPU
4. Up to 24GB of unified memory
5. Up to 2TB of SSD storage
6. Retina display with True Tone (13-inch model) or Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion (14-inch model)
7. Active cooling system
The MacBook Pro M2 is a powerful and versatile laptop that is perfect for a variety of tasks. Whether you are a creative professional, a student, or a business user, the MacBook Pro M2 has the power and features you need.
Overall, the MacBook Pro M2 is a great choice for users who need a powerful and versatile laptop. It is especially well-suited for creative professionals and students who need a laptop that can handle demanding tasks. However, it is also a bit expensive, so it may not be the best choice for everyone.
HP ZBook Studio G9
Pros
- Powerful performance
- Stunning display
- Comfortable keyboard
- Large touchpad
- Variety of ports
- MIL-STD 810G tested
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Thermal throttling
The HP ZBook Studio G9 is a powerful mobile workstation designed for creative professionals who need the best possible performance on the go.
It is powered by up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA RTX A5500 or GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU, making it capable of handling even the most demanding tasks, such as 3D rendering, video editing, and data science.
The ZBook Studio G9 also features a stunning 16-inch WUXGA display with a 165Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for gaming and other visually demanding applications.
It also has a comfortable keyboard with backlit keys, a large touchpad, and a variety of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and USB-A.
In addition to its powerful performance, the ZBook Studio G9 is also built to last. It is MIL-STD 810G tested and features a durable magnesium alloy chassis. It also has a long battery life, so you can stay productive all day long.
If you are a creative professional who needs a powerful and portable workstation, the HP ZBook Studio G9 is the perfect choice for you.
Here are some of the key features of the HP ZBook Studio G9:
1. Up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 processor
2. NVIDIA RTX A5500 or GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
3. 16-inch WUXGA display with a 165Hz refresh rate
4. Comfortable keyboard with backlit keys
5. Large touchpad
6. Variety of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and USB-A
7. MIL-STD 810G tested
8. Durable magnesium alloy chassis
9. Long battery life
If you are looking for a powerful and portable mobile workstation for creative professionals, the HP ZBook Studio G9 is a great option.
Dell Precision 7760
Pros
- Powerful performance
- Versatile features
- Durable build quality
- Long battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Not very portable
The Dell Precision 7760 is a powerful mobile workstation that is designed for demanding creative and engineering workflows. It is powered by up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and an NVIDIA RTX A5000 graphics card, making it capable of handling even the most complex tasks.
The Precision 7760 also features a 17.3-inch UHD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a backlit keyboard, and a variety of ports for connecting peripherals.
Here are some of the key features of the Dell Precision 7760:
1. Up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor
2. NVIDIA RTX A5000 graphics card
3. 17.3-inch UHD display with 120Hz refresh rate
4. Backlit keyboard
5. Variety of ports
6. MIL-STD 810G durability
7. Up to 128GB DDR4 RAM
8. Up to 4TB PCIe NVMe SSD storage
The Dell Precision 7760 is a great choice for users who need a powerful and versatile mobile workstation. It is ideal for creative professionals who need to work with demanding applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk Maya, and SolidWorks. It is also a good choice for engineers and scientists who need to run simulations and analyze data.
Overall, the Dell Precision 7760 is a great choice for users who need a powerful and versatile mobile workstation. It is not the most affordable option, but it offers excellent performance and features. If you are looking for a laptop that can handle even the most demanding tasks, the Dell Precision 7760 is a great option.
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5
Pros
- Powerful performance
- Durable construction
- Versatile features
- Long battery life
- Secure Login
Cons
- Expensive
- Hefty weight
- No SD card reader
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 is a powerful mobile workstation that is designed for professionals who need a reliable and versatile machine for their work. It is powered by up to a 12th-gen Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA RTX A2000 graphics, so it can handle even the most demanding tasks, such as CAD, video editing, and 3D rendering.
The P1 Gen 5 also features a 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) display with Dolby Vision, a backlit keyboard, and a fingerprint reader for secure login.
In addition to its powerful performance, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 is also built to last. It is MIL-STD 810G tested for durability and features a carbon fiber-reinforced chassis. It also has a spill-resistant keyboard and a ThinkShutter privacy cover for the webcam.
The ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 is a great choice for professionals who need a powerful and reliable mobile workstation. It is available in a variety of configurations, so you can choose the one that best meets your needs.
Here are some of the key features of the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5:
1. Up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor
2. NVIDIA RTX A2000 graphics
3. 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) display with Dolby Vision
4. Backlit keyboard
5. Fingerprint reader
6. MIL-STD 810G tested
7. Carbon fiber reinforced chassis
8. Spill-resistant keyboard
9. ThinkShutter privacy cover for the webcam
Overall, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 is a great choice for professionals who need a powerful and reliable mobile workstation. It is well-built, has a long battery life, and offers a variety of features that are useful for work. However, it is also expensive and quite heavy, so it may not be the best choice for everyone.
MSI Creator Z17
Pros
Cons
The MSI Creator Z17 is a powerful and versatile laptop designed for creative professionals. It is powered by the latest 12th Gen. Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU, making it capable of handling even the most demanding tasks.
The Creator Z17 also features a 17.3-inch QHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and lag-free visuals.
In addition to its powerful hardware, the Creator Z17 also offers a host of features that are designed to make it easier for creative professionals to get their work done. These features include a built-in colorimeter, a Pantone Validated display, and a number of software tools that can help with tasks such as photo editing, video editing, and graphic design.
The Creator Z17 is also a stylish and portable laptop. It has a slim and lightweight design that makes it easy to take with you wherever you go. The laptop also features a backlit keyboard and a number of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and USB-A.
If you are a creative professional who is looking for a powerful and versatile laptop, the MSI Creator Z17 is a great option. It offers the performance, features, and portability that you need to get your work done.
Here are some of the key features of the MSI Creator Z17:
1. 12th Gen. Intel Core i9 processor
2. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
3. 17.3-inch QHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate
4. Built-in colorimeter
5. Pantone Validated display
6. Number of software tools for creative professionals
7. Slim and lightweight design
8. Backlit keyboard
9. Multiple ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and USB-A
The MSI Creator Z17 is a great choice for creative professionals who need a powerful and versatile laptop. It offers the performance, features, and portability that you need to get your work done.
Asus TUF Dash 15
Pros
- Powerful performance
- Portable design
- Durable build quality
- Long battery life
- Backlit keyboard
Cons
- Loud fans when gaming
- Expensive
The Asus TUF Dash 15 is a thin and light gaming laptop that packs a punch. It is powered by up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11370H CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, which can handle even the most demanding games.
The 15.6-inch Full HD display has a 240Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay, and the keyboard is backlit for gaming in low-light conditions.
The TUF Dash 15 is also MIL-STD 810H certified, making it durable enough to withstand everyday wear and tear. It has a battery life of up to 16 hours, so you can game all day long without having to worry about running out of power.
Here are some of the key features of the Asus TUF Dash 15:
1. Up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11370H CPU
2. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU
3. 15.6-inch Full HD display with 240Hz refresh rate
4. Backlit keyboard
5. MIL-STD 810H durability
6. Up to 16 hours of battery life
The Asus TUF Dash 15 is a great choice for gamers who are looking for a powerful and portable laptop. It is also a good option for students and professionals who need a laptop that can handle demanding tasks.
Overall, the Asus TUF Dash 15 is a great gaming laptop that offers a good balance of performance, portability, and durability. It is a good choice for gamers who are looking for a powerful and portable laptop that can handle even the most demanding games.
FAQs
What kind of computer do you need to run SOLIDWORKS?
Each computer running SOLIDWORKS Visualize or SOLIDWORKS Visualize Boost must meet these requirements: Windows 10 (64-bit) Minimum Dual-core CPU.
Can a gaming laptop be used for SOLIDWORKS?
The Infinity Gaming Laptops certainly have the hardware level to provide a smooth experience with SolidWorks, in certain aspects of SolidWorks it can be better than a CAD Workstation.
How many cores do you need for SOLIDWORKS?
Power users typically favor between 4 and 12 cores, though recent tests have found that optimal performance scalability is 8 cores.
Are gaming laptops good for SolidWorks?
Yes, gaming laptops can be good for SolidWorks. They typically have powerful processors and graphics cards that can handle the demands of the software. However, not all gaming laptops are created equal. It is important to choose a laptop that has been certified for SolidWorks by the software developer.
Should I select more cores or a higher clock speed in a processor for SolidWork?
For SolidWorks, it is more important to have more cores than a higher clock speed. SolidWorks is a multi-threaded application, which means that it can use multiple cores to process tasks. A processor with more cores will be able to handle more complex SolidWorks models and projects.
Final Words
In conclusion, the 2023 market offers an array of exceptional laptops tailored to meet the demanding requirements of SolidWorks users. The culmination of technological advancements has given rise to portable workstations that effortlessly handle intricate 3D modeling, simulations, and rendering tasks.
Throughout this review, we have delved into the standout features of the leading contenders, considering factors such as processing power, graphics performance, memory capacity, display quality, and overall design.
The top performers in this selection have demonstrated their prowess in enabling seamless SolidWorks experiences. Their powerful processors, bolstered by ample RAM, ensure smooth multitasking and rapid data processing, pivotal for complex design projects.
Accompanied by cutting-edge graphics cards, these laptops showcase stunning visuals and real-time rendering capabilities that contribute to efficient design iterations and enhanced productivity.
Additionally, the advancements in storage technology, with the integration of SSDs and high-capacity HDDs, have drastically improved data access speeds and storage management, a crucial aspect when dealing with large SolidWorks files and projects.
Equally significant is the ergonomic design and build quality of these laptops, which cater to the comfort and convenience of professionals who spend extended hours working on their projects.
The integration of responsive and tactile keyboards, precise trackpads, and a range of connectivity options further elevate the user experience.
As we look ahead, it is evident that the 2023 lineup of laptops for SolidWorks embodies a synergy of raw computing power and refined design, geared towards empowering engineers, architects, and designers to push the boundaries of their creativity.
However, it’s essential for prospective buyers to carefully assess their specific requirements and budget constraints before making a final decision.
In the dynamic landscape of technology, it’s recommended to stay attuned to evolving trends and innovations to ensure that the chosen laptop remains relevant and capable in the face of emerging challenges.
Ultimately, the best laptop for SolidWorks in 2023 is not just a device; it’s a gateway to transforming imaginative concepts into tangible, precision-engineered realities.