One of the most powerful and widely used CAD and CAE tools is SolidWorks. It is great for 3D modelling and other difficult design jobs. Whether you’re an engineering student, a professional designer, or someone who works with complicated manufacturing processes, you need a laptop that can run SolidWorks smoothly to make sure you can get things done quickly and well. I recommend getting a more powerful laptop to run it because in 3D modelling, rendering, and motion simulation, it’s common to encounter issues like poor heat dissipation and inadequate performance, which can lead to system crashes and failures.
Here are the quick list that I recommend the best laptop for solidworks in 2024:
- Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 – Best Budget Laptop
- Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 – Best Performance Laptop
- Dell Precision 7000 – Best Overall Laptop
- Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 – Best Professional Works Laptop
I list down the laptop specifications that you need to know on how to choose a best laptop for solidworks:
| Specification | Recommend |
| CPU | Processor: At least Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor, but I recommend to getting Core i7 or i9, or an AMD Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 processor if you have budget. |
| RAM | Recommend at least 16GB, more larger better. It can handle smoothly if you open multiple designing software running simultaneously. I suggest dual-channel memory configuration for better performance, such as 8GB x 2 for dual-channel memory. |
| Storage | Must select solid-state drives (SSDs) due to their faster read/write speeds and better durability. Recommend minimum of 512GB SSD storage for tons of large project files. If your budget allows, consider upgrading to 1TB. |
| Display | Full HD (1920×1080) resolution is the minimum standard, better to get QHD (2560×1440) or even 4K (3840×2160) for precise detailing design. Recommend 100% sRGB, to ensure color accuracy. Refresh rates of 60Hz or higher for a smoother viewing experience when stimulation motion or 3D modelling. |
| GPU | I recommend getting a GPU to enhance your work efficiency by reducing the rendering process. You can aim for at least 4GB to 8GB of GPU memory (VRAM). |
The Best Budget
Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1
Budget-friendly and capable of good performance for productivity. People who want cheap performance without losing quality will like this one because of its sleek design, bright Full HD display, and effective cooling system.
PROS
- Nice performance at a budget-friendly price
- Sleek Design
- Reliable Performance
CONS
- Limited GPU power to handle high complexity task
- Moderate Battery Life
| Specs | |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1335U, 10 Cores (2P + 8E) / 12T, P-core 1.7 / 5.0GHz, E-core 1.2 / 3.7GHz, 12MB |
| GPU | Integrated Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 3200MHz |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Display | 16″ FHD Anti-glare (1920×1200) IPS, 300 nits |
You can get this laptop around $830 equipped with powerful processor Intel Core i7-1335U, plus integrated Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics, this is a no bad choice especially for students who have limited-budget. Core i7 13th generation with additional integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics is not powerful as NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX or RTX series but is enough handle your basic 3D modelling task smoothly.
And 16GB of DDR4 RAM clocked at 3200MHz, don’t worry slowdown your laptop when run multiple design applications simultaneously. Storage of 512GB SSD ensures you have plenty of room for all your large multimedia files.
If you are working with high demanding and complex tasks, Lenovo ThinkPad E16 should not be your first choice due to its reliance on integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics.
The Best Performance
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2
Powerful mobile workstation with Intel Core HX processors and NVIDIA RTX graphics for professionals needing high-powered computing on the move.
PROS
- Powerful performance for handle large and complex task smoothly
- Effective temperature cooling, and mild noise levels.
CONS
- Thick and heavy
- Plastic touchpad feels
| Specs | |
| CPU | Intel Core i9 13th Gen i9-13950HX |
| GPU | NVIDIA® RTX™ 2000 Ada (8GB GDDR6 VRAM) |
| RAM | 32GB DDR5 3200MHz |
| Storage | 1 TB SSD |
| Display | 16.0″ WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS, 500 nits, 100% sRGB |
Core i9 is the highest-tier processors offered by Intel, offer more number of cores, threads, and clock speeds, resulting its excellent performance for handling most heavy task such as CAD/CAM, 3D rendering, and scientific simulations. RTX 2000 series GPU offers advanced ray tracing capabilities, AI-enhanced graphics processing, and real-time rendering, empowering users to create immersive visual experiences and achieve lifelike simulations.
Look at its RAM, DDR5 3200MHz offers up to 64-gigabit memory chips, more bandwidth allows for faster reading/writing data which is 1.5x faster than DDR4 RAM. One more it use lower voltages compared to DDR4, resulting in improved power efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
Display still important to review your design works. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 use WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS display and 100% sRGB, you can experience how good the visual experience, showcasing vivid colors and sharp details, and accurate color reproduction.
The Best Overall
Dell Precision 7000
Overall good laptop for solidworks that equipped with powerful processor and graphic card, large RAM and storage essential for handling complex SolidWorks simulations and rendering tasks efficiently without slowdowns.
PROS
- Powerful performance
- Upgradeability of RAM and storage
- High-end NVIDIA RTX for demanding graphics tasks
CONS
- Expensive
- Poor Battery Life
- Heavy weight
| Specs | |
| CPU | Intel Core i9 13th Gen i9-13950HX |
| GPU | NVIDIA® RTX™ 3500 Ada (12GB GDDR6 VRAM) |
| RAM | 64GB DDR5 4800 MHz |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Display | 16.0″ Full HD |
Precision 7000 series offer Intel Core i9 13th Gen i9-13950HX, you should not worry about its performance for handling multiple complex and heavy tasks running simultaneously.
What I want to highlight is its powerful GPU, NVIDIA® RTX™ 3500 Ada with larger VRAM of 12GB.The RTX 3500 Ada GPU is based on NVIDIA’s Ada Lovelace architecture, bringing a range of improvements over older graphics cards. It offers higher CUDA core counts, an optimized ray tracing routine, and support for advanced technologies such as Optimus and DLSS 3. Its real-time ray tracing and AI-enhanced rendering capabilities, let you to visualize designs with realism and accuracy, enhancing the design process.
64GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD storage are indicates a focus on high-performance computing and storage capabilities tailored for professional users.
Dell Precision 7000 is cost at its high-performance, so it will generate more heat, you may experience louder fan noise and higher surface temperatures during intensive tasks. This could affect comfort and usability, particularly in quiet environments.
The Best Professional Works
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6
High-end mobile workstation with top graphic RTX 4090 and offers robust performance, making it suitable for professionals.
PROS
- High Performance
- Portability
- Upgradeability
- Excellent Connectivity
CONS
- Expensive
- Heat increase quickly in heavy use
| Specs | |
| CPU | Intel Core i9 13th Gen i9-13900H |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 |
| RAM | 32 GB DDR5 SDRAM |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Display | 16″ WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS 500nits Anti-glare, 100% sRGB |
Notice that Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 mobile workstation would be very expensive due to its premium top-tier specs. I think you may not necessary to pick this laptop unless you are professionals and require powerful computing capabilities on the go.
Intel Core i9 13th Gen i9-13900H is enough to ensure smooth multitasking and efficient workflow execution, plus the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090. I would say RTX 4090 is the best graphic card right now and make it to be the best laptop for professional solidworks. It based on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture, which delivers significant performance improvements over previous generations. Also its advanced ray tracing cores, tensor cores, and streaming multiprocessors (SMs) for enhanced graphics rendering and AI processing.
ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 is designed to be portable, its powerful hardware components may result in a slightly heavier and bulkier form factor compared to ultrabooks or thin-and-light laptops. High-performance components, including a powerful CPU and GPU, can consume more power, leading to potentially shorter battery life. You may need to manage their power settings or carry additional chargers for extended usage away from power outlets.
Although performance is the most important factor when choosing the best laptop for solidworks, I advice that you should also consider factors such as price, portability, battery life, and upgradeability when evaluating its suitability for your specific needs and preferences. Thank you for reading, and I hope this information can be helpful to you.
