Are you looking for a powerful laptop that can quickly handle your Vectorworks projects?
If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand what an important decision buying a reliable and efficient laptop is, especially one optimized for 3D modelling software such as Vectorworks.
With hardware requirements constantly advancing, we have scoured dozens of laptops from leading brands to determine the best option in 2023. Keep reading to learn more about why this laptop should be at the top of your list this year!
Our Top 3 Picks For You!
Recommended System requirement for Vectorworks
It is divided into high-end use, mid-level profile & entry-level, so you need to remember what type of work or projects you want to do on your laptop. Then you need to have the below specifications in that laptop to work smoothly.
OS:
For mac:
macOS 13 (Ventura)
macOS 12 (Monterey)
macOS 11 (Big Sur)
For Windows:
Windows 11
Windows 10 64-bit
Processor:
For entry-level: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, or better
Apple M1 or higher
High-end profile: 3.0+ GHz Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 with eight cores or better
Apple M1 Max or higher
Ram:
Entry level: 8GB or more
High-end profile: 32GB or more
Graphics card:
For entry-level: macOS M-series: M1 8GB or higher
macOS Intel: Metal GPUFamily1 or later, 2GB VRAM or more
Windows: DirectX 11 compatible, 2GB VRAM or more
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 series, AMD Radeon RX 500 series
High end: macOS M-series: M1 Max 32GB or higher
macOS Intel: Metal GPUFamily2 or later, 8GB VRAM or more
Windows: DirectX 11 compatible, 8GB VRAM or more
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 TI series, AMD Radeon RX 5000 series
Display Resolution:
For entry-level: 1440 x 900 or higher
For high-end: 1920 x 1080 or higher
Hard disk:
10GB of free disk space.
Installing Vectorworks on flash storage (SSD) is recommended.
Best Laptop for Vectorworks In 2023
- Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 – Best laptop for vector work for high-end users
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – 2nd best laptop Vectorworks high-end & mid-level users with long battery life
- Dell XPS 15 (Editor’s Choice) – Best Dell Laptop for Vectorworks
- Macbook Pro – Apple Best Vectorworks laptop for Mid-level & entry-level users
- MacBook Air – Best Vectorworks laptop for entry-level users
- LG Gram 17 – Best LG Laptop for Vectorworks mid to entry-level users
1. Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 – Best laptop for vector work for high-end users
Specifications Processor Intel Core i7 | Operating System Windows 10 Pro | Graphics card: NVIDIA Quadro T20000 | Ram: 32 GB | Hard Drive: 1TB SSD | Display: 15.6 Inch – 1920 x 1080 pixels
The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 is the perfect laptop for users of high-end Vectorworks software who demand extra performance in their projects.
This laptop has all the technical specifications to manage large projects, complex models and drawings, and precise renderings in various industries, such as BIM, entertainment design and GIS. With 32GB of RAM, Windows 10 Pro, 5.1 Ghz Intel 7 processor, NVIDIA Quadro T2000 graphics card and 1920 x 1080 pixel screen resolution as well as an ample 1TB SSD storage space, the ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 is capable of taking on any challenging tasks thrown at it.
2. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – 2nd best laptop Vectorworks high-end & mid-level users with long battery life
Specifications Processor 11th Gen Intel Core i7 | Operating System Windows 11 Pro | Video Card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 | Memory 32 GB LPDDR4 | Hard Drive 2TB SSD | Display 14.4” TouchScreen
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is ideal for high-end Vectorworks users who need a laptop for large projects, complex and detailed models/drawings, and complex renderings.
It boasts all of the specifications that Office Rhino Site suggests—such as 32GB RAM, Windows 11 Pro, 3GHz Intel 7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, screen resolution of 2400×1600 pixels, 1TB SSD storage—and offers an optional full touch screen with the pen for creating designs and using the device like a tablet. Thus, it is an excellent option for anyone working with Vectorworks software.
3. Dell XPS 15 (Editor’s Choice) – Best Dell Laptop for Vectorworks
Specifications Processor 11th Gen i9 11900 H | Operating System Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Home | Video Card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 3050 Ti 4GB GDDR6 | Memory 16GB | Hard Drive 512GB SSD | Display 15.6″ FHD Infinity Edge Anti Glare or 15.6″ OLED 3.5K Infinity Edge Touch Anti Reflective
If you are a Vectorworks designer needing the perfect laptop for your projects, look no further than the Dell XPS 15. This powerful machine comes equipped with an 11th Generation Intel Core Processor and 64GB of memory, guaranteeing it is quick and reliable for any Vectorworks project.
With 8TB of storage, you will never have to worry about running out of space for your designs. The stunning Dell True Color display gives you a 16:10 edge-to-edge view, perfect for viewing your Vectorworks layouts in excellent fidelity. Furthermore, its Dolby Vision HDR makes every image come alive. If Vectorworks is your passion, the Dell XPS 15 is the laptop that will take your visualizations to the next level!
Pros:
Speed Performance
Impeccable Quality
Excellent Display
Cons:
Expensive, but the best investment
4. Macbook Pro – Apple Best Vectorworks laptop for Mid-level & entry-level users
Specifications Processor Apple M1 | Operating System Mac OS | Video Card AMD Radeon Pro 5600M GPU | Memory 8 GB to 16 GB | Hard Drive 512GB to 1TB SSD | Display LCD 13-inches
The MacBook Pro is the ideal laptop for Vectorworks and other programs. Cutting-edge Apple M1 Arm-based chips provide the perfect balance of speed and efficacy, enabling 8-core CPU power with four high-efficiency and four high-performance cores, plus an integrated GPU with eight seats.
This laptop has 64GB RAM to help tackle processor-intensive Vectorworks software. It also has macOS—a range of compatible apps and tools—and that state-of-the-art M1 chip, allowing it to run programs like Fusion 360 and Maya. If you want to take your 3D modelling projects up a notch, the MacBook Pro should be your go-to choice!
Pros:
Long Battery Life up to 20 hours of battery life
High-end Performance
Cons:
Expensive
5. MacBook Air – Best Vectorworks laptop for entry-level users
Specifications Processor Apple M1 Chip | Operating System macOS | Video Card Intel HD Graphics 6000 | Memory 8GB | Hard Drive 256 GB SSD | Display 13.30 Inches display
When purchasing a reliable laptop for your projects, the MacBook Air and the previous MacBook Pro offer significant advantages. The pro model provides high-end performance ideal for intensive Vectorworks and 3D modelling, but at a higher price. By contrast, the Air offers affordability and plenty of power for design software at 128 or 256GB storage capacity with an i5 processor and 8 GB RAM.
Depending on your requirements, you can make your best decision: For regular users looking for great value in their purchase, the Macbook air fits the bill, while creators and engineers requiring more capable hardware should opt for the Pro variant. Whatever choice you make, you’re sure to benefit from either laptop’s combination of features and convenience.
Pros:
Long Battery Life
Thin and Light
Cons:
No Touch Screen
6. LG Gram 17 – Best LG Laptop for Vectorworks mid to entry-level users
Specifications Processor – 8th Generation Intel Core i7 | Operating System – Windows 10 Home | Video Card – Iris Xe Integrated | Memory – 16GB DDR 4 | Hard Drive – 256 GB to 512GB SSD | Display – 17.0”
The LG Gram 17 laptop is an impressive combination of features and convenience, perfect for those that need a heavy-duty machine. The 17-inch display pairs well with Vectorworks software, making it easy to identify elements with great precision. On top of offering great visuals, the laptop can handle multiple tasks simultaneously as it runs silently.
In addition to its power, the computer has an Intel Core processor and 16GB RAM for smooth performance and a long-lasting battery life that will last you throughout your day. With all these factors in its favour, the LG Gram 17 is an ideal choice for any task requiring reliable performance without hiccups.
Pros:
- Lightweight to carry
- Excellent Battery Life
- Fans run quietly
Cons:
- Expensive
- The keyboard layout is difficult to handle
FAQ’s
When using Vectorworks for simple 2D drawings, 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM is sufficient to do the job. However, if you want more efficient work experience, we recommend investing in at least 32 GB of RAM. This more significant memory will help to optimize the rendering processes. With increased performance comes smoother operation when switching between tools and commands and faster and easier creation of views and layouts. Investing in higher memory can save time for drafting simple images and 3D imaging, where the primary benefit is realized with the improved speed in editing objects and components.
Vectorworks is a revolutionary software that enables users to design and construct digital designs more precisely than ever before. Contrary to popular belief, Vectorworks is not exclusive to the Mac OS platform. The software is designed to work across both Mac and Windows operating systems seamlessly.
Vectorworks is fully compatible with the upcoming version of Windows, Windows 11. Its developers have done an incredible job in ensuring that users of the latest operating system can still enjoy the same powerful tools and features they’ve come to expect from Vectorworks. And as far as ease of use goes, no other design program can match Vectorworks when combined with the intuitive interface and features found in Windows1
A Macbook Pro is one of the best devices to consider when looking at options to run Vectorworks. This isn’t just because of its user-friendly macOS operating system but also because of its efficient hardware that allows Vectorworks to operate seamlessly. With regular updates to the app, users have a current environment to work in without fear of encountering any compatibility issues. A Macbook Pro is ideal for anyone looking to run Vectorworks effectively – it’s no surprise we highly recommend it.
Conclusion:
After reading our comprehensive guide, we hope you’ve found the best Vectorworks laptop. If this blog post was helpful to you, please share it on social media so that other artists and designers can see it too. Happy designing!
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