Choosing the right laptop is crucial for architects and architecture students to smoothly run demanding design software and have the performance to see their visions come to life. In 2023, the top options provide versatility for evolving workflows, vivid displays to evaluate work accurately, and horsepower to juggle multiple complex applications with ease.
We‘ve researched this year‘s latest laptop models to determine the ideal picks across several categories based on key architectural needs:
Best Overall: Dell XPS 17
The flagship Dell XPS 17 stands out as the best overall choice for architects needing to balance power, portability and screen real estate. Compared to other 17 inch behemoths, the thin-bezel InfinityEdge display squeezes a large vibrant canvas into a fairly compact frame.
Under the hood, 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processors, RTX 3050 Ti dedicated graphics, 32GB RAM, and dual SSD storage add up to exceptional speed for intensive design software. Whether drafting complex 3D models in Revit or reviewing photorealistic renders in Enscape, the XPS 17 won‘t leave you waiting on the next command.
What‘s more, the 4K touch display produces rich color depth and accuracy suitable for evaluating materials, lighting effects and more. Expect vivid imaging whether designing a building interior/exterior or advanced 3D visualizations. Plus excellent Dolby Vision and Atmos provide stunning image and audio quality for presentations.
Architects who split time between the office, client sites and the field can work for nearly a full day unplugged thanks to the large battery. So there’s no need to worry about losing power mid-project. A premium build quality lined with carbon fiber and Gorilla Glass rounds out Dell’s professional powerhouse.
Key Specs:
- 17 inch 4K UHD+ touch display
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- 32GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB SSD storage
- 86WHr battery
Pros
- Great combination of performance and portability
- Vivid 17 inch InfinityEdge touch display
- Excellent color accuracy
- Premium design and build quality
Best 2-in-1: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
For architects craving maximum flexibility to sketch concepts or mark up designs on the go, we recommend the innovative Surface Laptop Studio. The 14.4 inch PixelSense touch display can quickly switch between laptop mode to study plans or specifications to a canvas to convey ideas with the Surface Slim Pen 2.
Tilt the screen forward to make drawing feel more natural while keeping the keyboard out of the way but accessible. Or fold the display flat on top for presenting like a tablet. This adaptable form factor lets you efficiently work through multiple modes of thinking.
The unique hinge housing also makes room inside for potent 11th Gen H-Series Intel processors and dedicated Nvidia RTX GPUs to drive graphics-intensive programs. So running Revit or Lumion models remains fast and fluid. The high-resolution 120Hz display also provides buttery smooth visuals and inking.
To store large local files, architects can configure up to 2TB SSD storage and 32GB memory for serious number crunching power. Plus new Windows 11 features like Snap Groups enable better multitasking and organizing projects across desktops. So navigating many apps at once feels seamless.
Key Specs:
- 14.4 inch 120Hz PixelSense touch display
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11370H
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU
- 32GB LPDDR4x RAM
- 1TB SSD storage
Pros
- Innovative adaptable 2-in-1 design
- Vivid 14 inch high-refresh touchscreen
- Great built-in GPU and processing power
- Works well with Surface Slim Pen 2
Best for Versatility: Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel
If the Surface Laptop Studio seems tempting but you want something even more flexible, consider Acer’s uniquely versatile ConceptD 7 Ezel. The high-performing convertible allows shifting the 15.6-inch UHD display into six useful modes for handling all stages of the design process.
Rotate the vibrant 4K touchscreen into pad, stand, float or reverse positions to sketch preliminary drawings, develop CAD plans, review models with clients and mark up changes. The adjustable hinge enables working at the perfect angle whether building detailed Revit projects or painting textures in Photoshop.
Impressively for such a lithe convertible, Acer squeezes in powerful specs like 10th Gen Hexa Core Intel CPUs and Nvidia Quadro RTX graphics. 32GB RAM allows keeping many demanding programs and browser tabs open without slowdowns when referencing engineering documents and guidelines. For archiving designs locally, configure up to 2TB dual PCIe SSDs in RAID 0.
The Pantone Validated display also ensure colors stay accurate when evaluating finishes or renderings during reviews. And built-in Wacom EMR pen technology makes it feel natural to draw straight on screen. For presentations, 5th gen AeroBlade cooling keeps performance consistent even under heavy loads.
Key Specs:
- 15.6 inch UHD 4K touch display
- 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H
- NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 Laptop GPU
- 32GB DDR4 2933MHz RAM
- 1TB NVMe SSD RAID 0 storage
Pros
- Extreme six-mode versatility
- Vivid Pantone Validated 4K touch display
- Excellent combination of power and portability
- Wacom EMR pen support
Best Display: ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED
For architects who demand utmost color accuracy and creative control when evaluating designs, finishes or lifestyle renderings, the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 sets the bar. The 16-inch 4K OLED HDR display matches professional monitors with true-to-life color reproduction covering 100% DCI-P3 gamut.
The touchscreen is Pantone Validated for exceptional Delta E < 2 color difference and factory pre-calibrated to achieve a remarkable 0.2 JNCD accuracy. So architects can rely on the Studiobook to make informed decisions on colors and materials. The OLED panel also produces perfect blacks and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for evaluating shadow details.
Powering the brilliant display, AMD Ryzen 5000 series chips and blazing-fast Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics crunch through Revit, AutoCAD and Lumion workloads. Up to 2TB RAID 0 storage and 64GB RAM provide ample performance for even the most complex projects and highest definition rendered visuals.
For limitless creative flexibility, the ASUS Dial quickly adjusts app parameters like brush size, opacity and more. The circular controller streamlines context-sensitive functionality that speeds up immersive drawing and detailed refinements. While working on the go, expect up to 10 hours battery life.
Key Specs:
- 16 inch 4K OLED HDR touch display
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
- 64GB DDR4 RAM
- 2TB PCIe SSD storage
Pros
- Jaw-dropping OLED color accuracy
- Pantone Validated, factory calibrated
- Lightning fast components
- Tactile ASUS Dial creative controller
Best Portability: LG Gram 17 (2023)
For a mobile design workspace that won’t weigh you down between job sites and client meetings, we love the new LG Gram 17. Amazingly packing a large 17-inch display into a 3 pound chassis, this feat of ultraportable engineering slimmed bezels to achieve a 90% screen to body ratio.
The WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS panel produces 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut at a very usable 16:10 aspect ratio. So evaluating design visuals or comparing material samples retains excellent detail and color reproduction. Anti-glare properties also reduce eyestrain when working long hours.
Outfitted with 13th Gen Intel Raptor Lake P-series chips and Intel Iris Xe graphics, the Gram 17 supply ample power for 3D modeling in AutoCAD or SketchUp. Beyond raw CPU muscle, LG smartly extended battery life up to 20 hours for unmatched longevity when moving between sites.
With military-grade durability certifications, the magnesium alloy chassis and reinforced corners withstand the rigors of daily commutes and field work. But remarkably the package feels incredibly lightweight with a thin profile that slips easily into bags. If portability is priority, this featherlight mobile workstation lets architects roam free.
Key Specs:
- 17 inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS display
- 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1360P
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 1TB NVMe Gen 4 SSD storage
Pros
- Incredibly portable 17 inch chassis
- Sharp 16:10 aspect ratio display
- All-day battery life up to 20 hours
- Military-grade durable build
