Searching for the best laptops for Solidworks isn’t as easy as it may seem. Solidworks as you might be aware is a high-end software tool for 3D CAD. Hence, you require a powerful machine to work on it that can handle it perfectly well. This is why we have created a list of the best laptops available on the web that fits the hardware specs needed for this tool.
Whether you need the tool for entry-level work as an engineering student or hoping to use it for professional high-end work for companies, you will require a laptop that is able to handle all of it and bring in smooth performance. As per our research and experience, you need to meet certain solidworks hardware requirements to get the best of this software.
Starting with the CPU, you might need at least 10th or 11th Gen i7 H series processor to go with and 16GB RAM as minimum requirements. Moving on, you can look for 512GB storage with a SSD drive for faster file transfer and boot speed. Furthermore, you can always look for something better depending on your budget. Let us look at the best laptops for Solidworks.
Also Read:- Best Laptops For AutoCAD
What is SolidWorks?
SolidWorks is a 3D CAD designing tool that enables you to create models and simulations for engineering, architecture and other designing fields. It helps you to enhance your productivity and skills.
You can use it to design 3D parts, circuit boards and animations. It also offers an excellent simulation of the real-world environment. Since SolidWorks requires high-end specifications, we have listed some good laptops for this software. We have tested these laptops with SolidWorks software and they run perfectly at the best settings.
So let’s get started with our list of best laptops for SolidWorks!
Best Laptops For Solidworks – Top 9 Picks
Dell Inspiron 13 5310
- Intel Core i7-11370H
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce MX450 2GB
MSI Stealth 15M
- Intel Core i7-11375H
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB
Acer Nitro 5
- Intel Core i7-11800H
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB
Dell G15 5510
- Intel Core i7-10870H
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB
Acer Predator Helios 300
- Intel Core i7-11800H
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB
CUK ROG Strix Scar 15
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
- 16GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 8GB
Lenovo ThinkPad P17
- Intel Core i7-10750H
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA Quadro T2000 4GB
Razer Blade 15
- Intel Core i7-10875H
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 16GB
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15
- Intel Core i9-11900H
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 8GB
1. Dell Inspiron 13 5310 – Best 13 Inch QHD Laptop For Solidworks
Quick Overview Of Hardware Specifications- Intel Core i7-11370H Processor
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce MX450 2GB
- 13.3 Inch QHD Anti-Glare Display
- Up to 11 Hours Battery Life
To start on with our list we have Dell Inspiron 13 5310 with a smaller screen and bigger battery. It is undoubtedly one of the best laptops for Solidworks and also amongst the cheapest ones on our list. This machine not only suffices your minimum requirements to work on Solidworks but also has a lot more to offer.
It is powered by the latest 11th gen intel core i7-11370H processor capable of reaching a clock speed up to 4.8GHz. Speaking of RAM, it supports a brilliant 16GB memory space that is enough for an extensive performance for all your software and tasks. Moving on, this Dell laptop comes with an amazing 512GB SSD storage that ensures faster boot time as well as enough space for your work.
Another interesting aspect of this laptop is the 13.3 inches of QHD (Quad High Definition) screen making it highly portable with incredible viewing angles. Other than that, the dual thermal heat pipes ensure effective cooling under all circumstances. Also, it features a whopping 11 hours & 16 mins of battery life and ExpressCharge for faster charging.
What We Like:- Compact & portable design
- 13 inch QHD display
- Latest 11th Gen i7 CPU
- Enough storage space
- Fast ExpressCharge technology
- Limited connectivity ports
2. MSI Stealth 15M – Best 15 Inch Laptop For Solidworks
Quick Overview Of Hardware Specifications- Intel Core i7-11375H Processor
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB
- 15.6 Inch Full HD Display
- Up to 3 Hours Battery Life
Gaming Laptops are always one to look out for when searching for a high-end machine. MSI Stealth 15M is one such laptop that features a powerful Intel Core i7-11375H 11th Gen processor that ensures more intricate calculations when it comes to working on tough software such as Solidworks.
Coupled with this, we have the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 that takes on the most difficult task of rendering handle with ease. As for RAM, this laptop brings in 16GB RAM which is worth enough to manage all the tasks by the software and work smoothly. Also, all your files are saved on the massive 512GB SSD storage that is enough to get you on with your work.
As compared to other gaming laptops this is quite portable in itself and only weighs around 3.7 pounds. Moreover, the most amazing part of this machine is the 15.6 inches full HD display that brings in a 144Hz refresh rate keeping the best viewing experience.
What We Like:- Powerful i7-11375H chipset
- Dedicated RTX 3060 GPU
- 144Hz refresh rate screen
- Fast Thunderbolt 4 port
- Innovative thermal solutions
- Speakers are mediocre
3. Acer Nitro 5 – Best Affordable Laptop For Solidworks
Quick Overview Of Hardware Specifications- Intel Core i7-11800H Processor
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB
- 17.3 Inch Full HD IPS LED-backlit Display
- Up to 8 Hours Battery Life
Next up, we have Acer Nitro 5, another one of the best laptops for Solidworks. When we talk about some of the best CPU performance, it is the latest intel core i7-11800H processor that brings in 4.6GHz clock speed with 8 cores. You get an incredible speed and an immersive experience of a lifetime.
To add more to this, Acer Nitro 5 has the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti featuring a ray-tracing core for the best performance. If you need something more powerful, this laptop features 16GB RAM that can be easily upgraded to 32GB space and a whopping 1TB SSD storage. Now, even though it is surely enough for all your work, you can also choose to upgrade the storage for faster transfer of files.
For all the people looking for a bigger screen, this is the one you need. It features a 17.3 inches screen that has an 80% screen-to-body ratio with an incredible resolution quality. Furthermore, you can find a number of ports as well making it easy for you to connect with external devices.
What We Like:- Bigger 17 inch display
- Powerful specs for this price
- Massive storage space
- Upgradable memory & storage
- Latest Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
- Short battery life
4. Dell G15 5510 – Best Dell Laptop For Solidworks
Quick Overview Of Hardware Specifications- Intel Core i7-10870H Processor
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB
- 15.6 Inch Full HD Anti-Glare LED Backlit Display
- Up to 5 Hours Battery Life
We have another Dell Laptop here for all those who love the brand and the reliability it offers. It might get a little expensive from here on our list but if the features speak to you, it is worth every penny. Dell G15 5510 runs on an i7-10870H Intel processor capable of reaching a maximum clock speed of 5.0GHz.
Coupling with this, we have an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card with 6GB GDDR6 space to render designs with ease. To handle all the rendering, CAD workstations, and other evaluations, the 16GB memory space sounds more than enough. Even though you could have easily got much more space, 512GB SSD storage also does the job pretty effectively.
The overall design is beyond incredible but a little heavy being a gaming laptop. The advantage of this machine over others is the thermal design that maximizes airflow and initiated heat dissipation. Furthermore, the battery life is pretty decent too for an entire day of work on the software.
What We Like:- 15 inch anti glare screen
- Build quality is durable
- Thermal cooling
- Decent battery life
- Thick and heavy
5. Acer Predator Helios 300 – Best Value For Money
Quick Overview Of Hardware Specifications- Intel Core i7-11800H Processor
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB
- 15.6 Inch Full HD IPS LED-backlit Display
- Up to 6 Hours Battery Life
Acer Predator Helios 300 is one of our favorites among all we have come across since it isn’t only suitable for a particular software or purpose but works with everything else too. This laptop brings in the Octa-Core processor which speaks power and speed.
The intel i7-11800H chipset outshines all others when it comes to rendering, designing, simulations, etc on the software. It is paired with another powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card that is capable of handling all the operations smoothly. You can also get the most of the 16GB memory space which can be upgraded to 32GB RAM if needed.
Moreover, in terms of storage space, you get a 512GB SSD drive that is also upgradeable via dual M.2 Slots. What we love the most about this laptop is the 5th Generation AeroBlade Fan that has a whopping 89 blades that help in more air intake keeping the system cooler. Speaking of the display, it features a 15.6 inches screen with an incredibly fast 144Hz refresh rate for the best visual experience.
What We Like:- Powerful combo of CPU & GPU
- Upgradable components
- AeroBlade Fan
- Plenty of connectivity port options
- Overall performance is great
- Short battery life
6. CUK ROG Strix Scar 15 – Best Gaming Laptop For Solidworks
Quick Overview Of Hardware Specifications- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX Processor
- 16GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 8GB
- 15.6 Inch Full HD IPS Display
- Up to 2 Hours Battery Life
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is yet another one of the best laptops for Solidworks and is also preferred by gaming professionals for its high-end performance. The laptop features an attractive design and runs on an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor with 8 cores that only speaks speed and greater performance when it comes to simulation and CAD rendering.
This laptop also features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card that adds to the overall power of the system. To handle all the workload you can make the best out of the 16GB RAM with the support to upgrade it to 64GB memory space. Moreover, we eventually have 1TB SSD storage space that can also be upgraded to a massive 2TB space.
This machine is known to have the fastest display featuring 15.6 inches screen with 300Hz/3ms panel that enables target racking while you are playing some high-end games or simply working on high-end software such as Solidworks.
What We Like:- Remarkable Ryzen 9 5900HX CPU
- Blazing fast 300Hz refresh rate display
- Massive 1TB storage
- Intelligent cooling thermal system
- Thin bezel display
- Doesn’t have a webcam
7. Lenovo ThinkPad P17 – Best 17 Inch Workstation Laptop For Solidworks
Quick Overview Of Hardware Specifications- Intel Core i7-10750H Processor
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA Quadro T2000 4GB
- 17.3 Inch Full HD IPS Anti-glare Display
- Up to 3 Hours Battery Life
Next up, we have the latest model of Lenovo ThinkPad P17 with a larger screen and greater performance. Now, we are here with some pretty expensive choices that you can only look into based on your budget.
The Intel Core i7-10750H processor starts off with a 2.6GHz speed that has the capability to reach up to 5.0GHz using turbo boost technology. For better graphics and handling the workload while CAD rendering, you can choose to work on the stunning NVIDIA Quadro T2000 that has everything to offer.
You will love the massive 32GB RAM that speaks volumes when handling massive workloads of multiple high-end software as well as other activities. As we all know, that 1TB is a massive space that is quite enough to save all your work.
If you are fond of a massive screen, the 17.3 inches FHD IPS display with high resolution might just do the job for you. Above all, you will find a great number of ports available on this machine to help you set up your workstations with different other devices.
What We Like:- Powerful Quadro T2000 graphics card
- Remarkable 32GB RAM
- 17 inch screen with good color accuracy
- Fingerprint reader
- Excellent CAD station
- It feels bulky
8. Razer Blade 15 – Best Workstation Laptop For Solidworks
Quick Overview Of Hardware Specifications- Intel Core i7-10875H Processor
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 16GB
- 15.6 Inch 4K OLED Touch Display
- Up to 2.5 Hours Battery Life
The last one on our list is the Razer Blade 15 that is incredible in every manner and ticks off all that you need to run the tool. To start with, it runs on the latest Intel i7-10875H 8-core processor with octa cores making sure you get the best performance all throughout.
Also, you can choose to increase the overall speed using turbo boost technology up to 5.1GHz. Unlike other GPUs, this one features the NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 with whopping 16GB VRAM that is known to be faster than all the others in the series. You can make the most of the 32GB memory space and ensure that the software runs smoothly under all circumstances.
Similarly, we can speak the same for the massive 1TB Storage space that not only gives enough space to save all your files but makes sure your system starts off quicker than ever. Another incredible aspect of the laptop is that it features a 15.6 inches touchscreen display with 4K resolution that you may not find in any other machine we have listed here.
What We Like:- 4K OLED screen
- Excellent Quadro RTX 5000 GPU
- Enough RAM & storage
- Built with Aluminum
- Thunderbolt 3 support
- Battery life is mediocre
9. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 – With Dual Screen
Quick Overview Of Hardware Specifications- Intel Core i9-11900H Processor
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 8GB
- 15.6 Inch 4K OLED Touch Display
- Up to 3 Hours Battery Life
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo is the best laptop for Solidworks. This is a high-end 15.6” inch laptop with a 4K UHD OLED touchscreen that’s perfect for designers and engineers to work on.
The highlight of this laptop is its ScreenPad Plus, a 14-inch touchscreen secondary display that works as an extension of your main screen, so you can get more done faster. ASUS Pen for drawing and writing on the ScreenPad Plus, which can be used to create sketches in Solidworks.
Under the hood, it packs an Intel Core i9-11900H CPU, 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD which allow you to run multiple programs simultaneously without any lagging or freezing issues. It also includes a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card and 8GB of dedicated video memory. The graphics card allows you to render 3D models that are complex and demanding in Solidworks.
Apart from that, it comes with built-in Windows Hello IR camera for fast and secure face recognition sign in.
What We Like:- Remarkable i9-11900H processor
- Massive storage and RAM
- Dual 4K touchscreen display
- Nice display quality
- Windows 11 Pro OS
- It is heavy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which laptop is best for SolidWorks?
The best laptops for Solidworks here depend on multiple factors such as if you love a huge screen you can go with Acer Nitro 5 or Lenovo Thinkpad 15. Similarly, for an in-budget option, you might love Dell Inspiron 13 as well as an MSI laptop that fits perfectly well in the budget.
For the best display, you can choose ROG Strix Scar 15 or else Razer Blade 15. It all comes down to a budget that can eventually help to pick out the best ones
Is a gaming laptop good for SolidWorks?
Yes, gaming laptops are designed in a manner that can handle heavy workloads either for gaming or any other software tool such as Solidworks, AutoCAD or any other CAD-based applications.
We have the best processors, larger RAM and storage space, and much more that we may not find in any other ordinary system at the same price range. Furthermore, gaming laptops have the best graphics card that is even better and required for CAD design software.
Is 8GB of RAM enough for SolidWorks?
Well, as we mentioned, if you are in for a decent performance from your system, going with 8GB is the right option. Moreover, 8GB systems have a comparatively lower price range that anyone can afford as well.
Solidworks requires a minimum of 8GB RAM and anything higher than that works perfectly well. To start things, it is enough for the software and if need be you can always choose to get a new system or upgrade it.
Is i5 enough for SolidWorks?
As we have mentioned, yes, i5 is more than enough for everyone who might have just started out and tried out this high-end software. An engineering student who is simply learning and creating the best CAD designs should go with the least specs here so that they can understand the software well and learn likewise. The i5 processor is equally good under any circumstances as with those of the i7 processor in the market.
Final Verdict
Here we are with everything you need to know about the list of the best laptops for Solidworks. We have mentioned some of the best options we have on the web. Few are pretty expensive but also have a lot more to offer than the former. Make sure you go through all the aspects and learn more about each of the features.
Furthermore, if you are still unable to decide which is better, let us know in the comment section and we will get back to you.