As someone who has spent countless hours working with CAD software, I know that finding the best laptop for SOLIDWORKS 2022 can be a daunting task. It's not just about getting a powerful machine; it's about finding the right balance of performance, portability, and price. With an ever-growing number of laptops available on the market, it's essential to know which ones will deliver the optimal SOLIDWORKS experience.
To help you in your search, I've meticulously reviewed an extensive laptop spreadsheet, comparing recent releases and their specs, as well as evaluating professional and user-generated reviews. I've narrowed down the top laptops for SOLIDWORKS 2022 based on criteria specific to the application, such as CPU performance, dedicated GPU, and high-quality display options, all while keeping an eye on various price ranges.
When it comes to running SOLIDWORKS 2022, it's crucial to have a laptop that can handle complex assemblies, large part files, and resource-intensive rendering tasks. Users who frequently collaborate with team members or participate in design competitions like Formula SAE or Solar Decathlon will appreciate a reliable machine that minimizes downtime and maximizes productivity. With this guide, you'll be well-equipped to find the best laptop for your SOLIDWORKS 2022 needs, ensuring smooth performance and an enjoyable design experience.
The best processor that will work optimally with SOLIDWORKS 2022 in 2022
If you're looking for a laptop for SOLIDWORKS 2022, then you need to pay attention to the processor. This is especially true if you want a powerful and reliable workstation.
In late 2022, the laptop processor landscape will be quite different than what it is now. Apple has released their own ARM-based M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max and M2 system-on-chip modules that offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life. AMD has also managed to take 20% of the CPU market by releasing their 6th generation Ryzen processors. Intel's 13th-gen processors have yet to reach laptops, where 12th generation is currently Intel's latest offering. Both Intel and Apple's silicon chips have adopted hybrid performance/efficiency core designs (based on big.LITTLE). If you need a good battery life in a PC laptop, then Ryzen models are the best choice.
When it comes to 3D modeling with SolidWorks, you don't need the most powerful CPU available – but you still need something that can keep up with your workflow. Fortunately, the latest Intel and AMD processors are more than capable of handling the software. You should look for a CPU with multiple cores and hyperthreading, as well as a high frequency (measured in GHz). To get an idea of the performance of each processor, you can compare benchmarks such as PassMark and Cinebench R23.
If you're on a tight budget, then an Intel i5-10500H should be enough for most tasks in SolidWorks 2022. For a better experience, I'd recommend going for an i5-11400H or an i9-11900H if you can afford it. Of course, these are just recommendations – you may find that another processor performs better for your particular use case.
The best graphics for SOLIDWORKS 2022 in 2022
The GPU market is constantly changing, and as of late 2022, Nvidia's RTX 30 series of cards are the current top choice for laptop GPUs. These cards offer good performance-per-watt and can handle 3D modeling in SolidWorks with ease. However, it's important to remember that a dedicated GPU is not necessary for most 3D modeling tasks.
If you do decide to invest in a dedicated GPU, it's important to know how to determine if it is actually fast enough for your workflow. The best way to do this is to look at benchmarks from a trusted source such as 3DMark. This will give you an idea of the actual performance of the GPU, which can help you make an informed decision.
To make things easier, we've compiled a table of recommended GPUs for 3D modeling, VR, and gaming. This table includes the minimum, recommended, and high-end GPUs based on their benchmark scores:
| Minimum | Recommended | High-end |
|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 3050 | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q |
Ultimately, your choice of GPU should be based on your budget and your workflow. If you don't plan on doing any gaming or VR, then the minimum recommended card should suffice. But if you want to get the most out of your laptop, then investing in a higher-end GPU may be worth it.
The right memory
As of late 2022, memory technology has advanced significantly, making DDR5 RAM more accessible than ever. SolidWorks is a memory-hungry application, so you'll need at least 16 GB of RAM for daily use. 32 GB would be ideal if you're working with complex models or rendering, while 64 GB is an option if you want to future-proof your machine. However, the difference between DDR4 and DDR5 is not as significant as it used to be, so don't feel obligated to get the latest standard if it's outside your budget.
If you're looking for a workstation-class laptop, then make sure it has at least two slots for RAM modules – this way, you can upgrade the amount of RAM in the future without having to replace the entire module (which is often not cost-effective). Additionally, keep an eye out for RAM modules with low latency (CL), high frequency, and single rank design for better performance.
To help you make an informed decision about the right RAM for your laptop, here's a quick breakdown of what to expect at each price point:
| Price Range | Memory Type | Minimum RAM | Recommended RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | DDR4 | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Mid-Range | DDR4 | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| High-End | DDR5 | 32 GB | 64 GB |
5 Best Laptops for SOLIDWORKS 2022
1.ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71: A powerful and long-lasting machine with a few trade-offs.- Sleek and lightweight design
- Powerful overall and gaming performance
- Excellent battery life
- Comfortable keyboard
- Weak speakers
- Display could be brighter and has poor brightness distribution
- No headphone jack (adapter required)
- Hinges are weak
Summary
The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71 is a sleek, lightweight machine that offers powerful performance and excellent battery life. However, it has weak speakers, a display that could be brighter, and lacks a headphone jack.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED
- Very portable.
- Display gets bright enough for use in most indoor settings.
- Battery lasts less than 7 hours of light productivity.
- Keyboard is tiring to type on for extended periods.
2.Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i is an elegant laptop with decent features but overpriced for what it offers.- Attractive and elegant leather design
- Lightweight and portable
- Strong GPU performance
- Respectable battery life
- Shallow and weak keyboard feedback
- Slippery and awkward clickpad
- No integrated SD reader, USB-A, or HDMI
- Difficult end-user serviceability
Summary
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i is a 14-inch Intel Evo laptop with a stunning leather design that looks great. It has good GPU performance, respectable battery life, and strong speakers. However, its shallow keyboard and clickpad are not up to par, and its features are not worth the high price.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Nitro 5
- Splendid processor (i5-12500H)
- Superb graphics card (RTX 3060)
- Weighty (5.5 lbs)
3.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro offers impressive performance for SOLIDWORKS 2022, but falls short on some key features.- High quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display
- Relatively easy serviceability
- Integrated numpad
- Very fast charging
- Low resolution webcam with no IR or privacy shutter
- Very warm CPUGPU temperatures when gaming
- Moderate-heavy uneven backlight bleeding
- Only average battery life
Summary
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with its upgraded CPU and GPU offers impressive performance for SOLIDWORKS 2022. The high quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display and relatively easy serviceability are additional positives. However, the low resolution webcam, very warm CPU/GPU temperatures when gaming, and lack of Thunderbolt support are some of its drawbacks.
Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
- High quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display
- Relatively easy serviceability
- Low resolution webcam with no IR or privacy
4.GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
Gigabyte AORUS 15 XE4 is a solid performer but not for those who need longer battery life.- Highly responsive 165Hz panel
- PCIe 4.0 SSD
- Free M.2 2280 slot (PCIe 4.0)
- Individual key lighting
- High power usage at idle and low load
- No card reader
- Only one USB-A port
Summary
Gigabyte AORUS 15 XE4 is a high-performance laptop that can handle heavy tasks like gaming with ease. It boasts a highly responsive 165Hz panel, wide colour gamut, and PCIe 4.0 SSD, along with a free M.2 2280 slot. However, it's not suitable for those who need longer battery life and has only one USB-A port.
Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
- Excellent performance with Ryzen 7 and RTX 3070
- Bright display with good color reproduction
- Drab design and bulky chassis
- Noisy fans on Balanced and Performance modes
5.Dell XPS 17 9720
Dell XPS 17 9720 offers excellent display and high system performance for SOLIDWORKS 2022, but with slightly reduced graphics performance.- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- High-quality case
- Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0
- Very high system performance
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
- Not Wi-Fi 6E compatible
- 720p webcam
Summary
Dell XPS 17 9720 is equipped with the latest Intel Alder Lake processors and RTX GPUs from Nvidia, making it an excellent choice for SOLIDWORKS 2022. However, compared to its predecessor, the graphics performance is slightly reduced, and the cooling is weak.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Impressively thin and elegant design considering dual displays and sheer power
- Refined two-screen layout
- Eye-watering cost, especially as configured
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout
Table of the Best Laptops for SOLIDWORKS 2022
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71 | $730 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i | $960 |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro | $1,350 |
| GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 | $1,600 |
| Dell XPS 17 9720 | $5,600 |
