SolidWorks is a vital piece of software for engineers. It is reliable computer-aided design software that was created for designers and engineers.
This software was created not only for individuals but also for businesses and government agencies.
The SolidWorks software has a wide range of features and high-end graphics design capabilities. Rapid prototyping and design are made possible by the software.
If you are a mechanical engineer or are aspiring to be one, you must be aware of the significance of SolidWorks software.
However, running this software on a standard laptop is difficult. Laptop Requirements for Solidworks are critical for running the software. And if you’re looking to buy the best laptops for Solidworks.
Our comprehensive guide will help you out as we have also covered some of the top-rated Solidworks laptops with buying tips, below is a quick reference for you on what your ideal machine should have, also for a quick overview we have shared the list of top 5 best laptops for Solidworks.
Also Read: Is graphics card necessary for Solidworks
Laptop Requirements for Solidworks in 2023
Solidworks designing applications are very demanding in terms of hardware however the biggest talking point is dedicated GPU as the official site suggests only a workstation graphics card to run the applications which make the purchase intense as workstations are quite expensive.
However, entry-level user like students or engineer who works on small assemblies up to 100-300 they can still get away with Nvidia GeForce graphics card.
Where you spend a lot of time on drawing and less on rendering you have to figure it out with your institution as well as they can guide you through your workload during college days.
A professional who has a task in hand where files are above 500, where you have to do everything from drafting, drawing, simulation, and rendering, must own a workstation rather than a gaming laptop read through below system guide.
While purchasing the best laptop for Solidworks first always need to ask ourselves what we are going to do, generally there are 3 stages we categorized design, visualization, and simulation.
Design
The designing and drawing are dependent on the CPU’s Single threaded performance here if your work are revolving around creating new models then you need to concentrate on CPU speed.
Additionally, as a designer lot of things involve zooming, panning, rotating, and interrogating models, for smooth working on designing you must also own a dedicated GPU.
Visualization
For Photo realistic images and animation, we use Solidworks to visualize products, all this needs plenty of support from graphics cards for making rendering productive.
Simulation
The simulation is based on the CPU’s multi-threaded performance so here you need to invest in multiple cores as well, preferably six cores or above,
However, if are working on simulation so it’s quite evident your work is involving from planning, drafting, and designing to rendering so you must have a powerful laptop for Solidworks.
Minimum System Requirements for Solidworks
- CPU: 10th gen Intel core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 (“H” label CPU can run smoothly with 3.3Ghz speed and 4 cores)
- Ram: 8GB DDR4 upgradeable up to 16GB.
- GPU: Workstation video card.
- Storage capacity: 512GB NVMe SSD.
- Display: 14″ to 15.6″ Full HD resolution 1920 x 1080p.
- Battery life: 5 Hours or above.
Recommended System Requirements
- CPU: 10th gen intel core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 (6 cores with “H” label CPU and 3.5Ghz speed or above)
- Ram: 16GB DDR4 upgradeable up to 32GB.
- GPU: Workstation video card.
- Storage capacity: 512GB NVMe SSD (For heavy users and professionals 1TB NVMe SSD)
- Display: 15.6″ or 17.3″ with Full HD resolution 1920 x 1080.
- Battery life: 7 hours or above.
Best laptop for Solidworks 2023
1. ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 15
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If you have a budget to spend on the best workstation laptop for Solidworks which is going to serve you for a long time then this Asus ProArt is a top-notch machine, in addition to its sturdy-built body, this device is also equipped with promising features.
With an intel core i7-9750H processor frequency of up to 4.5Ghz and 12MB cache memory, engineers can use it for designing the objects with modeling and simulation work making it smoother as the CPU has high powered capacity to deliver excellent performance.
The added NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 dedicated GPU is designed for professional users as MAX-Q design ensures to keep a good balance between performance and battery life.
Additionally video card built-in with 16GB VRAM GDDR6 support provides a maximum output on large assemblies at a basic level.
It is integrated with 48GB DDR4 ram memory there is no need to think about the glitch while running the heaviest 3D modeling and complex rendering, as there is more than enough memory to handle start-to-end designing work on Solidworks.
The huge storage space of up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD let you store all your working data in this system, and the SSD drive makes the laptop efficiently load the windows faster, and the display quality is awesome 15.6” screen equipped with a UHD 3840 x 2160 resolution.
Adds more to the large resolution screen monitor display is absolutely stunning and furnishes accurate visuals as it has 100% Adobe RGB and Pantone validated certified standards, overall, it’s a completely value-packed device for engineers and designers who want to work on Solidworks.
There are decent connectivity options this Asus workstation offers, it is packed with HDMI, USB type C 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 2, and RJ45 for internet wired connection.
Moreover, Asus has done a fabulous job on the cooling system it has plenty of support from vents and fans.
Key Features:
- CPU 9th gen intel core i7-9750H.
- GPU NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000, 16GB.
- Ram 48GB DDR4 and Storage 2TB SSD.
- Display 15.6″ with UHD 3840 x 2160 resolution.
- Screen color accuracy is 100% Adobe sRGB.
- Excellent cooling technology.
Cons:
- Bulkier laptop.
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2. HP ZBook 14u G6 workstation laptop
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If your work comes under the entry-level general assembly design where a lot of e-drawing, modeling, and simulation works are involved then HP ZBook is a good choice for you, moreover, it can also support basic-level files on rendering.
This laptop boasts with Intel Core i7-8565U CPU with 4 cores and 8 threads, a maximum clock speed of up to 4.5Ghz and at regular 1.8Ghz overall it keeps a nice balance with an inbuilt graphics card to keep smooth performance.
The HP uses AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200 video card that offers 4GB GDDR5 VRAM support which is decent for general assemblies up to 100-200 parts.
However, the combination of CPU and GPU is suitable for handling the work of basic Solidworks where you do not have to operate on large files.
The 16GB DDR4 ram is ample amount for seamless multi-tasking on 3D modeling software whereas 1TB SSD storage is enough to save heavy files and it allows users to keep a maximum designing backup with ease.
For those looking for a brighter screen, this HP laptop is a treat for them as the Full HD 14” IPS technology screen comes with excellent 1000nits brightness allowing you to work anywhere.
There is an anti-glare coating that reduces unnecessary stress on the eyes during long hours of usage whereas a 72% NTSC color gamut throws true colors on screen.
It is integrated with a 3-cell 50WHr battery that delivers decent battery backup depending on the situation while rendering battery drains a lot faster.
Regardless, the best part is HP laptop is designed with quick charge technology that charges the laptop up to 50% within 30 minutes.
The design of the laptop is nice and the build quality is pretty good, also it has a backlit keyboard that has very good responsive keys with smartly spaced-out keys.
With a precision touchpad large enough, the weight of the laptop is only 3.27 pounds great option for engineering students.
On the connectivity front, the laptop is packed with HDMI 1.4b, 2 USB 3.1, USB type C with thunderbolt 3 support, and RJ45 Lan.
It also offers a docking connection which is rare in laptops and there is a fingerprint reader for safety with a webcam usable for online classes.
Key features:
- CPU Intel Core i7-8565U CPU.
- GPU AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200, 4GB.
- Ram 16GB and storage 1TB SSD.
- Display 14″ with Full HD resolution.
- Excellent color accuracy.
- Good screen brightness.
- Portable workstation laptop.
- Quick charge system.
Cons:
- Pricey.
- The side bezels are slightly thicker.
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3. MSI WE76 11UM Workstation laptop
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The MSI WE76 workstation is the ultimate best laptop for Solidworks for professionals, you won’t find the slightest difficulty while working on complex assemblies including visualization, drawing, and simulation.
For those who are looking for a beast of the workstation to manage work for the longest time, then it’s a desktop replacement for working on Solidworks as you get a large screen with powerful components certified for a heavy workload.
On the performance front, the laptop is packed with 11th gen, Intel Core i9-11980HK CPU that delivers 2.6Ghz speed at regular and maximum boosts up to 5.0Ghz.
And an octa-core CPU with 16 threads makes the perfect processing system for handling heavy workloads from designing to complex simulation.
It is powered by NVIDIA Quadro RTX A5000 dedicated video chip designed with 16GB GDDR6 graphics memory, this is the latest certified GPU to handle 3D modeling and large rendering files.
Additionally, the combination of CPU and GPU is completely optimized for large assemblies above 500 elements, whereas 64GB ram equipped with dual channel support enhances the efficiency in Solidworks on the simulation and rendering process.
It is also integrated with 1TB NVME SSD storage capacity, the SSD drive boots the machine within seconds and it also opens heavy applications easily including high-resolution images and videos.
There is a 17.3” Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution panel with 72% NTSC color standards ensures excellent colorful visuals and a large screen monitor provides you with better viewing angles.
This is great for drafting, and zooming the objects as you can get visuals at multiple positions with apparent smallish detailing, however, in this budget, MSI should have added the higher resolution screen yet there won’t be any issue while designing.
Moreover, the side bezels are thin and look nice also build quality is very strong with the excellent keyboard the clickiness of the switches is very user-friendly overall there is no such issue of flex on the top body part makes it a durable machine.
Key Feature.
- CPU 11th gen, Intel Core i9-11980HK, 8 cores.
- GPU NVIDIA Quadro RTX A5000, 16GB.
- Ram 64GB and Storage 1TB SSD.
- Display 17.3″ with full HD resolution.
- 72% NTSC color gamut.
- Sturdily built and has good keyboard quality.
- 3 years onsite warranty.
Cons:
- Very expensive.
- Heavy laptop.
- In the budget, the brand could have provided a higher screen resolution.
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4. Lenovo Thinkpad P17 Workstaion laptop
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The next on our list for the best laptop for Solidworks is the device from Lenovo this is excellent for engineers and designers who like to work with multiple connections.
As this device offers you multiple connections to external monitors makes it very a unique laptop for running Solidworks without compromising on functionality.
To tackle the CPU extensive task laptop is powered by a 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H processor and 32GB DDR4 memory with 1TB PCIe SSD storage capacity keeping the stronghold on internal composition that designers and engineers going to enjoy working on it.
The Hexa core, 12 threads, and 12MB cache CPU handles heavy work smoothly and for rendering or simulation, it gives a good frequency max turbo boost up to 5.0Ghz with base speed up to 2.6Ghz.
Along With such powerful hardware Lenovo uses Nvidia Quadro T2000, a 4GB dedicated graphics card under this machine for a smooth rendering process, also video chipset provides a smooth experience while zooming, panning, and visualizing the parts.
This laptop is also equipped with an impressive 17.3” full HD IPS panel display and anti-glare technology that helps during long hours of work, additionally, a 300nits brighter screen gives a good viewing experience in outdoor conditions.
The Lenovo has made with a very strong military-grade body material making this device one of the sturdiest laptops, useable for the longest time, however, the side bezels are very thick which does not look attractive.
On the connectivity front, you get 3 USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C with Intel Thunderbolt 3 that supports DisplayPort for quick Data transfer.
Also, with HDMI 2.0 you get a docking station for connecting external monitors quite useful while presenting your design, whereas a media card reader nice edition for creators & fingerprint keeps your data secure.
Key Features:
- CPU 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H, 6 cores.
- GPU Nvidia Quadro T2000, 4GB.
- Ram 32GB and storage 1TB SSD.
- Display 17.3″ with Full HD resolution.
- Screen brightness 300 nits.
- Excellent build quality.
Cons:
- Bulky machine.
- Thicker side bezels.
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5. Dell Precision 5530 workstation
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The Dell Precision 5530 mobile workstation is in 5th place on our list as it is another of the best laptops for Solidworks specially students can utilize this machine on the learning stage as they do not have to run large assemblies.
Additionally, the projects are not going to be heavy most of the time your assignments would be below 500 parts with minimum rendering process, this is where Dell laptop packs the punch for lower-end needs.
Moreover, the design is quite sober and looks very professional with a nice smooth finish, the 3.50 pounds weight adds value to this device its one of the lightweight workstations for engineering and designing students.
This laptop runs on an Intel Core i7-8850H processor with Hexa core support you can expect to run the simulation and mid-level rendering whereas a base frequency of 2.6Ghz is decent enough for drafting and drawing the objects.
Under this machine, dell uses 32GB DDR4 ram memory which is excellent for heavy levels of multitasking, and 512GB NVMe PCIe SSD storage is still decent for users who are working on low-end projects.
Other than all these exceptional features it is equipped with a certified NVIDIA Quadro P1000 dedicated graphics card with 4GB video memory, this GPU is good enough for rendering entry-level parts smoothly.
The 15.6” Full HD screen delivers crisp and clear images for better viewing angles however the side bezels are quite broad which is a little distracting while concentrating on the design.
Yet the display has the capacity to deliver vibrant visuals on this panel as there is 100% color standards support to the monitor.
The highlight of the model Dell offers long 4 years on-site warranty, also you get SD card reader support which is a good edition for designers and creators.
On the connectivity front, the laptop is packed with USB 3.1 Gen 1, HDMI, Thunderbolt 3, Wi-Fi 5 & Ethernet Port for internet connectivity, and Bluetooth 5.0.
Key Features
- CPU Intel Core i7-8850H, 6 cores.
- GPU NVIDIA Quadro P1000, 4GB.
- Ram 32GB DDR4 and Storage 512GB SSD.
- Display 15.6″ with Full HD resolution.
- Good color accuracy.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Very broad bezels.
- Not for intense large files work.
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Buying guide- Best laptop for Solidworks
System requirements for SolidWorks software can be different and may vary depending on the laptop you choose. There are certain things to look at while deciding on the laptop for SolidWorks.
For instance, you have to choose between the CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage, and other things. Moreover, you have decided on the budget and how much you can spend on SolidWork’s minimum system requirements.
Below, you can find out the detailed guide on the best Laptops for SolidWorks let us go through the hardware and specifications you must consider while choosing a laptop.
CPU:
The first and foremost thing to look at while buying the best laptop for SolidWorks is the CPU. There are 2 brands of CPUs in the market, Intel and AMD. You have to decide which one you want to go with.
Both brands offer 3 ranges of CPUs that are suitable for running Solidworks. If you are running on a low budget, then you have to go with the basic series of AMD and Intel CPUs.
Clock Speed: After you have decided which brand CPU you want on your laptop for Solidworks, the next thing to make sure of is the clock speed of the CPU.
Whether you are going for Intel or AMD, you should look for a CPU that has at least a 3.3 GHz clock speed. This is the minimum CPU speed you would need to run Solidworks especially if your work relies on designing and drafting.
If you have a little higher budget and want to make sure that SolidWorks doesn’t lag a lot and run smoothly on your laptop, then you need to make sure that you get a CPU with at least 3.3 GHz or higher.
We would recommend choosing a CPU that has a 3.7 GHz clock speed for running the software without any jitters and lag.
If you don’t want to run into the technicalities of the laptop for SolidWorks, then we would suggest you go with Intel Core i5 and i7 series CPUs.
If you want to go with AMD, then you can choose Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 CPU for the Solidworks laptop.
Additionally, for large simulation models, multiple cores are very crucial 6 cores sufficient but the higher the better as simulation and rendering are resource-hungry tasks.
Finally, the Xeon-based processors from intel support ECC memory, the ECC memory is considered to be excellent for running the largest simulation files however they are very rare in laptops and quite expensive at the same time.
Besides if you are not running heavy simulations on pc then it’s not very useful moreover it does not mean that another intel CPU is not suitable for Simulation, they do but intel Xeon performs smoothly on complex simulation tasks.
The next thing you need to look at is the generation of the CPU. Make sure to get the latest generation of the CPU. If not, don’t go below the 8th generation for Intel CPUs and the 3rd generation for AMD CPUs.
GPU:
Apart from the CPU, the second and one of the next things to look at in a SolidWorks laptop is the GPU or graphics card. You have to make sure that you get a dedicated GPU if you want to run the software seamlessly on your laptop.
A laptop with an integrated GPU may not be able to take the load. As a result, you will not be able to use the software smoothly. Moreover, the software might crash while you are working on an important project.
A dedicated GPU will help you to render the 3DS Max. Moreover, zooming, navigating, and rotating in Solidworks will be smooth if you have a dedicated GPU-equipped laptop.
There are different brands and ranges of GPUs to choose from and you also have to keep in mind the intensity of your work.
For instance, 3D designs and complex assemblies where rendering can take a lot of time must need a lot of d-GPU support below is complete detailing.
If you are running on a restricted budget and if you work on normal designs, then you can go with the Nvidia workstation GPUs like P1000, 2000, and 2200.
Moreover, if you want to go with another brand, then you have AMD. The AMD Radeon Pro WX 3000 or 4000 series GPUs are good for running Solidworks on your laptop smoothly but Nvidia video chips are preferred over AMD.
If you work on large assemblies’ parts in this scenario Nvidia Quadro RTX 4000 to 8000 is excellent for heavy rendering, whereas from AMD you have options like W5000 to WX 9100 is recommended.
RAM:
When it comes to RAM, then you will need to have at least 8 GB of RAM to run any file which is less than or equal to 50 MB. 16 GB RAM is the ideal RAM for a Solidworks laptop.
Moreover, you need to make sure that you get the latest version of RAM. For instance, the current generation of laptops is running DDR4 RAMs.
But if you want to open large files which are more than 50 MB, the laptop will start struggling to open them with 8 GB of RAM.
The best laptop for SolidWorks must be equipped with 16 gigs of ram to DDR4 ram technology. 16 GB DDR4 ram will be enough to open files up to 700 MBs or less.
If you are on a limited budget, then you won’t easily find laptops with 8 GB RAM under budget. So, a pro tip for you is that you choose any laptop that comes with 8 GB RAM and have an empty RAM slot which you can use to upgrade the memory later.
Storage:
When choosing the right laptop for Solidworks, storage is another important consideration. However, storage is not a very important factor, but the important thing is that you choose the right type of storage for your Solidworks laptop.
Primarily, there are 2 types of storage for laptops. The first one is the Hard disk drive which is also known as HDD or Hard drive. These are the traditional storage drives that are slow like a turtle.
The second type of storage is the SSD, also known as a Solid-State Drive. These are the modern generation storage drives that don’t have any moving parts. The most important thing is that the SSD is 5-10 times faster than a standard hard drive. But it is also on the costlier side.
You need to know that SSD will help you to save time by loading Solidworks quickly and efficiently. The SSD will be as important as a GPU for the Solidworks laptop.
Nowadays, laptops with an SSD and HDD combination are available even in the budget range. So, we would suggest you go with one that has both SSD and HDD. But if your budget is low, then go with one that has an SSD only.
Some budget laptops do have the option to add an additional Hard drive in them, so you can utilize that slot, and you can later add an SSD to your budget laptop if you cannot buy a laptop with the SSD and HDD combination.
Display:
You will be using the laptop for the whole day while working on crucial designs. You need to look at the laptop screen for many hours a day, so make sure that your eyes don’t strain, and for that matter, you need laptops that come with a decent display.
When it comes to the best laptop for Solidworks, the display is a vital part. You need to ensure that the laptop has a bigger screen. For work purposes, small laptops are ideal, but that is not the case when you are a mechanical engineering student.
A laptop with a 15-inch Full HD display is recommended for anyone looking to run Solidworks on their laptop. Most laptops come with a 15.6 inches display, so that may not be a big issue to find a laptop with a 15-inch screen.
If you can expand your budget a bit more, then go with a laptop that has a 17-inch display. A 17-inch display is an ideal size, as you will be using the laptop throughout the day.
Display Resolution: When deciding on the best laptop for Solidworks, display resolution is another important key consideration. Most laptops come with a 1920 x 1080 pixels display which is enough for whatever you do on SolidWorks.
Operating System:
There are a lot of operating systems in the market. There is Windows OS, macOS, Linux, and more. But while deciding on the best laptop for Solidworks, the most popular and the usual one is Windows OS.
It is by far the most widely used operating system. You can also go with the macOS as SolidWorks runs smoothly on macOS. However, if you choose macOS, then you cannot choose a laptop with your custom specifications. You will have to pick what is being offered by the brand only.
Whereas this is not the case with Windows OS, you can get a custom specification laptop. Also, you can install Linux and other OS on such a laptop.
When you have finally decided to choose to go with the Windows operating system, then you also need to decide between the version of Windows.
There are Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11. Windows 10 and its previous versions are outdated, and we do not recommend choosing a laptop with an outdated operating system.
Either you go with Windows 10, which is the most stable one as of now, or you can also choose to upgrade your laptop to Windows 11 if you want.
Battery Life:
The battery is another most consideration when deciding the laptop requirements for Solidworks. If you are a student, then you can’t always carry the heavy charging brick with your laptop. So, choose a laptop that comes with decent battery life.
If you choose a laptop with a dedicated GPU, then the laptop may not offer the best battery life. However, this is the case with all windows laptops, and you can’t do anything about it.
Most budget laptops easily give you a battery life of 3 to 5 hours while running Solidworks with other additional applications in the background.
However, if you go with a mid-range or upper-range laptop, then that laptop may offer you a decent backup which can range between 5 hours to 7 hours, depending upon your usage.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are laptops good for Solidworks?
The workstation laptops are suitable for running Solidworks as workstations are built-in with highly optimized PC hardware especially the inbuilt GPU is certified for SolidWorks so the normal Ultrabook is not the preferred choice as they do not have enough strength to work on Solidworks.
Can I use a gaming laptop for Solidworks?
No, the gaming laptops, unfortunately, do not run this AutoCAD software smoothly as Solidworks does not support gaming GPU as they are specifically meant for playing games and not for professional use, you should always consider workstation laptops.
Which is the Best GPU for the Solidworks laptop?
To be precise, you can go with the upper-range Nvidia GPUs if you want a seamless and lag-free performance from your laptop. The Nvidia workstation GPU has a great option over AMD, Nvidia Quadro 4000, or its equivalent best graphics card for Solidworks.
Can you run Solidworks with 4GB RAM?
You will be able to use your laptop with 4 GB RAM. However, you will see frequent crashes, lag, stutter, and jitters on Solidworks. So, it is recommended to have at least 8GB GB of RAM in your laptop for running Solidworks.
Can you run Solidworks with an integrated GPU?
No, you cannot run Solidworks with an integrated GPU. If you somehow manage to run it, you will not be able to render your projects with it.
Can you use Solidworks on an Intel Core i3 laptop?
Yes, you can use Solidworks on a Core i3 laptop. However, the processor should be of the latest generation. Currently, the 11th and 12th generation CPUs are the latest generation CPUs that are capable of running the software smoothly on any laptop.
What is the ideal budget for a Solidworks laptop?
Any laptop that comes with a CPU that is clocked at 3.3 GHz, a mid-range dedicated GPU, and 8 GB or more RAM can run Solidworks. A workstation laptop with such specifications can cost you around $1200to $1500.
Does Solidworks use multiple cores?
This is depending on what task you want to run for designing Solidworks uses single-core performance from the CPU whereas simulation and rendering require multiple cores to smoothen your working flow as they are more intensive tasks.
Is ram or CPU more important for Solidworks?
Both CPU and Ram work in tandem at the first place you must have good memory support to transfer your action to the CPU and GPU, Solidworks need balance support from each computing hardware.
Is 16GB ram enough for Solidworks?
Yes, 16GB ram is capable of handling demanding software like Solidworks but you should always have the option to extend the memory.
Is MacBook good for Solidworks?
No, the MacBooks are not suitable for working on Solidworks as most of them do not equip with a dedicated GPU which is the most important computer element, especially for SolidWorks.
However, to run this software on mac you need to install Bootcamp this will help you to access Solidworks which is another long process, overall even though a mac is equipped with an excellent processor they are not compatible with Solidworks.
Conclusion:
So, this was all about the best laptop for Solidworks. Hopefully, you will be able to find the right laptop that comes with suitable specifications for your budget.
Solidworks works on almost all of the latest machines that come with a powerful and latest chip, a dedicated GPU, and 8 GB or more RAM. The exact needs vary depending on the person, of course, but these were some guidelines that should be applied when buying the best Solidworks laptop.
