With the vast variety of laptops available on the market, finding the right one can be pretty challenging. If you are an architecture student or a professional architect, you should be familiar with multiple software that an architect has to use to work. One such software is Revit. And to be able to run such software, you will need a decent laptop with reliable configurations. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know when searching for the best laptops for Revit.
We will review everything you need to know, including what factors are essential to consider, our favorite five options currently available, and some helpful tips and tricks to consider along the way. No matter your needs, we’re sure you’ll find something on this list that will be worth your time and money.
5 Best Laptops for Revit
| Product Image | Title | Brand | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Asus ZenBook 15 | Asus | Check Price |
  | Apple MacBook Pro | Apple | Check Price |
  | Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | Microsoft | Check Price |
  | Lenovo Legion 5 | Lenovo | Check Price |
  | Acer Nitro 5 | Acer | Check Price |
ASUS ZenBook 15
If you are looking for a laptop with premium looks, perfect configurations, and reliable performance, you should look no further than the ASUS ZenBook 15. It is our top pick for the best laptops for Revit not only because of its performance but because of how professional and reliable this device is altogether.
It’s a powerful machine that can handle any task you throw at it, including running Revit smoothly as well as other modeling software like Fusion 360. Plus, it has a gorgeous 4K UHD display that will make your models look even better. And if you need to take your laptop with you on the go, the ZenBook 15 is lightweight and portable, weighing only around 3.4 pounds.
Additionally, to our liking, it has a bezel-free design; thus, you will get all the screen space you need to work on your models. You won’t have to worry about lugging around a heavy clunker that can barely run anything. The Asus Zenbook’s battery life is also quite impressive. When we tested it out, we got 8 hours of continuous use before the battery needed recharging. That’s enough time to work on a project without ever having to plug in.
Plus, the keyboard feels good to type on. Typing quickly doesn’t cause typos or missed letters as often as on other laptops. The only real downside is the ZenBook 15 isn’t cheap. But it offers incredible value for what you’re paying. If money isn’t an issue, this is one of the best laptops for Revit around.
Apple MacBook Pro
When it comes to getting a professional device, you can never go wrong with Apple laptops. The MacBook Pro is our top pick for most professions, and there are many reasons why. It’s a powerful machine that can handle all of the rendering and modeling that Revit requires. Plus, the retina display is beautiful and perfect for design work with a bezel-free design.
The only downside is the price tag, but if you’re looking for the best, this is it. We recommend the MacBook Pro over any other laptop because its power far exceeds other machines on the market, and the Mac OS has everything you need to complete your workflow.
It also has 16GB of RAM, 2TB storage, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processor, which makes it one of the most capable machines available today. Plus, it is an upgradable device, which means you can pay extra money to make this device a powerhouse that will enable you to do anything on it.
Moreover, it features a 1080p webcam making it a perfect laptop for video conferencing, but the display does not feature 4K resolution. You will also get a solid battery life of around 14 hours, which makes it perfect for long working sessions without any disturbance. Thus, if you are looking for a professional laptop, this one is the perfect one to consider.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a perfect option if you are looking for the best laptop for Revit. It’s a powerful 2-in-1 device that can handle any task you throw at it, including demanding tasks like running Revit or heavy software like Adobe creative cloud and much more.
Plus, its 12.3-inch touchscreen display is the perfect size for working on design projects. And if you need to take your work with you on the go, the Surface Pro 7’s light and portable design make it easy to transport. The tablet alone only has a weight of 1.7 pounds which is amazingly portable, but with the keyboard, the weight might increase a bit, but it still stays quite travel-friendly.
Regarding hardware performance, this laptop packs an Intel Core i7-8650U processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage space. It also comes with a pretty responsive stylus, but you will need to buy the keyboard separately, which is a deal breaker for some people.
In addition to all those specs, the Surface Pro also has an 8MP front camera, so you can video chat while using Revit software on your computer. So, whether you’re creating a detailed design or presenting project ideas to clients, we recommend this machine as one of the best laptops for Revit.
Additionally, this makes a great laptop for art students since using designing software on it is pretty simple. Thus, whether you want to use embroidery software or illustration; you can do it pretty efficiently without any issues. Unfortunately, the device has limited port options, which might be an issue for some people, but apart from that, it is an impressive device.
Lenovo Legion 5
The Lenovo Legion 5 is a great laptop that will provide you with exactly what you are paying for. It’s a great all-around machine that will handle any Revit work you throw at it. Plus, it has a large 15-inch screen that’s great for working on complex models. However, the device does feel a bit bulky, weighing around 5.5 pounds, making it a bit hefty to travel with. But if portability is not a concern for you, it is an impressive device.
Moreover, you will get a powerful i7 processor and 16GB of RAM with it. Plus, a storage capacity of around 512GB, making it efficient to render out those large graphical files. Regarding display quality, the 1080p display panel delivers bright colors and sharp detail. There are also plenty of ports to connect your accessories, including two USB 3.0 ports and one HDMI port.
If you want to go wireless, there’s Bluetooth 4.1 support. The only downside? The touchpad isn’t excellent. But it won’t be an issue if you’re willing to use a mouse. Lastly, something that we find disappointing about this device is its battery life. You will get a limiting battery life of around 4 hours, which is not enough, but since it is a pretty budget-friendly device, the limitations are somewhat justifiable.
Acer Nitro 5
The Acer Nitro 5 is advertised as a budget-friendly gaming laptop; however, due to its reliable configurations, you can also use it for work purposes as well. It’s got a great price, excellent performance, and a beautiful design. The laptop is pretty affordable and has a weight of around 5 pounds which is not exactly the most lightweight option if you move around often.
Moreover, it has a full HD IPS display, perfect for working with Revit. It features a dedicated GPU and has a battery life of around 5hours. The battery life is limited, but the performance and price make it worth considering. It is not the most ideal option for high-end gaming, but for general use and Revit work, the Acer Nitro 5 is an excellent choice.
We recommend it as our favorite affordable laptop for Revit. For around $900, you get a 15-inch 1080p display, 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 1TB hard drive with a solid-state (SSD) caching technology for fast startup times, and plenty of storage space. Thus, if you are tight on budget and still want a decent device, you should have a look at Acer Nitro 5.
FAQs
How much memory do I need?
The minimum amount of RAM you can get away with is 4GB, but we recommend 8GB. If you’re planning on using Revit for 3D rendering, then we recommend 16GB of RAM. The sweet spot for price and performance is usually around 32GB.
64GB of RAM is overkill for most users unless you’re doing some severe rendering or working with huge models. The best way to figure out how much memory you need is to add up all of your running programs and compare it to how much RAM is installed.
However, we recommend at least getting 8 GB of Ram if you want a decent performance out of your device. Anything less is not ideal for professional work especially if you need to use heavy software on your system.
Does processor speed matter?
Yes, it does. It’s a significant factor. A good processor speed means that everything from rendering and animations to simple things like using your software will run smoothly. A high processor speed can also increase battery life, which is something else to consider when purchasing a laptop for Revit use.
An old i5 processor would struggle with 3D modeling, rendering and animation, whereas something like an i7 or i9 would do it without any issues. An Intel Core i5 is enough to handle most modeling tasks and run other applications like Adobe CC at full speed while working on your project.
Thus, when getting a device, make sure you are getting a powerful processor for your use, as it can immensely affect the overall performance of the system. Try getting an Intel Core i5 or above for reliable and worthy performance.
Do I need special software?
No, you don’t need special software to use a laptop for Revit. All you need is a computer that meets the minimum system requirements for Revit. You’ll need to install Windows to run Revit if you have a Mac.
You can do this using Boot Camp or Parallels Desktop. Alternatively, if you already have Windows installed on your Mac and are running out of space for your files and projects, consider an external hard drive like Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive (red).
After that, all you need to do is install Revit and start working on it. Just before anything, make sure that your laptop has the right configurations to run this software smoothly.
What screen resolution should I get for Revit?
A laptop’s screen resolution is the number of pixels that make up the display. The higher the resolution, the more information can fit on the screen, and the sharper it will look. A laptop with a higher resolution will also be more expensive.
If you’re going to do most of your design work on CAD software like Revit, Autodesk Inventor, Solidworks, or AutoCAD LT rather than Photoshop or Illustrator, then definitely go for the highest resolution possible. For Revit, you’ll want a laptop with at least a 1080p resolution to see all the details in your drawings.
A lower resolution may suffice if you need to save money and don’t plan to edit videos or photos on your laptop. However, if you do plan to work on these tasks, go for as high as possible. For example, the 15-inch MacBook Pro offers resolutions up to 2880×1800 (a full 5K) for an additional $200.
Which operating system should I use?
Windows 10 is the only operating system that supports Revit. If you are using an older version of Windows, you will need to upgrade to use Revit. macOS and Linux are not compatible with Revit. Using a Chromebook, you will need a Windows emulator to run Revit. Your performance may be significantly reduced as well.
You can install all three operating systems on your computer to access Revit if you have multiple OS devices. Windows 10 is compatible with both macOS and Linux. You will need to use virtualization software such as Parallels or Fusion to run it in a virtual environment. This option offers a cost-effective way of using different operating systems without buying a new laptop.
Conclusion
We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for the best laptops for Revit. We’ve compiled a list of five great options based on our experiences and research. So, whether you’re a student, professional, or just getting started, there’s a laptop here that will suit your needs. Go through each of them, and make an informative decision according to your needs.
Add a Comment