As a passionate enthusiast of both laptops and Tekla Structures, I understand the importance of finding the best laptop for Tekla Structures to optimize your workflow and boost productivity. Tekla Structures, a powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, demands a high-performance laptop capable of handling complex 3D models, intricate detailing, and seamless collaboration. This guide aims to help you navigate the vast world of laptops to find the one that best suits your needs as a Tekla Structures user.
In order to create an extensive list of suitable laptops, I've analyzed an elaborate spreadsheet of the latest laptop releases, comparing their specs and reviews from both professionals and everyday users. This process involves evaluating crucial factors such as processing power, graphics capabilities, RAM, and storage, all while keeping in mind the unique requirements of Tekla Structures. Additionally, I've considered various price ranges to cater to different budgets and preferences.
As someone with experience using Tekla Structures, I'm aware of the significance of a robust CPU, a dedicated GPU, and ample RAM for smooth operations. Moreover, aspects like a high-resolution display and comfortable keyboard are also essential for those long hours spent perfecting your 3D models and collaborating with your team. With this guide, I hope to help you find the best laptop for Tekla Structures that will not only meet your software requirements but also enhance your overall user experience.
Choosing the right graphics for Tekla Structures
Choosing the right laptop Graphics card for Tekla Structures is a daunting task, especially with the recent changes in the market. Nvidia's new RTX 40 series cards, although a great option for gamers, are not yet available on laptops (expected in 2023). Instead, the latest laptop GPUs are in the RTX 30 series, such as the RTX 3070 Ti. It's also worth noting that desktop GPUs are now a lot more power-hungry and as a result, the gap between laptop and desktop graphics cards has widened in the past few years. What's more, Nvidia has discontinued the Max-Q label, meaning that the exact GPU wattage for a given laptop is determined by its manufacturer. This can make it difficult to compare performance, as even laptops with the same GPU chipset may have wildly different performance.
A dedicated GPU is not strictly necessary for 2D drafting in Tekla Structures, though it can be helpful for 3D modeling and rendering. In order to determine which GPU is best for gaming, you may use benchmarking tools such as 3DMark. However, keep in mind that this is not the best way to compare graphics cards since it doesn't take into account the differences in CPU clock speed and core count. You may want to use something like Cinebench R23 to get a better idea of how the GPUs perform in real-world applications like rendering and video editing.
When it comes to laptops, there are a few options to choose from depending on your budget. If you're looking for an affordable laptop that can handle some light gaming, then you should look for one with an Nvidia G-series chip (such as the GeForce GTX 1650). These are more power-efficient than Nvidia's higher-end offerings such as the RTX series and more affordable than AMD's Radeon offerings.
For a more powerful laptop with decent graphics performance, we recommend at least an Nvidia RTX 2060. The RTX 2080 is our top recommended choice for excellent graphics performance and should be good enough for most 3D modeling and rendering tasks. If you have a higher budget and want the best of the best, then look for an RTX 3080, which offers top-notch performance for any 3D task.
Here's a summary of our recommended GPUs and their average laptop prices:
| GPU | Average Laptop Price |
|---|---|
| Nvidia G-series | $500 – $800 |
| RTX 2060 | $900 – $1,400 |
| RTX 2080 | $1,500 – $2,200 |
| RTX 3080 | $2,300 – $3,000 |
How to choose the right memory for Tekla Structures?
As of late 2022, the RAM market is as competitive as ever. Intel and AMD are pushing the envelope with their latest CPUs, which now support both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM. DDR5 is still relatively expensive, but time will tell if it'll be worth the extra money.
So, how much memory do you need for running Tekla Structures? Generally speaking, you should aim for at least 16 GB of RAM to get started. If you're working with large models and/or multiple projects open at once, you'll want to get a laptop with 32 GB of RAM or more.
When it comes to RAM speed, there's not much of a difference between DDR4 and DDR5. However, other things like latency, frequency, and ECC should still be taken into consideration.
Ultimately, what you should expect depends on your budget. If you're on a tight budget, 16 GB should get you going. For more demanding tasks, consider getting at least 32 GB of RAM. However, if you're willing to pay more, you'll get the most out of your money with DDR5.
5 Best Laptops for Tekla Structures
1.ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71 is a powerful and lightweight laptop, but with a few flaws.- Sleek, lightweight frame
- Powerful overall and gaming performance
- Excellent battery life
- Very comfortable keyboard
- Weak speakers
- Display could be brighter
- No headphone jack.
Summary
The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71 is a sleek and lightweight laptop with powerful overall and gaming performance, excellent battery life, and a very comfortable keyboard. However, the weak speakers, display could be brighter, and the absence of a headphone jack might be a deal-breaker for some.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP Victus
- Strong entry-level gaming and productivity performance
- Inexpensive for a gaming laptop
- Display and webcam could be better
- Too much pre-installed software
2.Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i: An Attractive but Pricey Option for Tekla Structures.- Attractive chassis design
- Strong GPU performance
- Good speakers
- Lightweight and portable
- Expensive
- No integrated SD reader, USB-A, or HDMI
- Shallow key feedback
- Slippery and awkward clickpad
Summary
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i is an expensive yet elegantly designed Intel Evo laptop that offers impressive GPU performance, good speakers and strong battery life. However, it lacks an integrated SD reader, USB-A, or HDMI, has shallow key feedback and a slippery touchpad.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Nitro 5
- Solid processor (i5-12500H)
- First-class graphics card (RTX 3060)
- Weighty (5.5 lbs)
3.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a good choice for Tekla Structures but has below average battery life.- 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
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with an upgraded CPU and a 150 W TGP GPU is faster and has a high-quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display with MUX support. However, it has below-average battery life and very warm CPU/GPU temperatures when gaming.
Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
- Impressive 16:10 IPS display with high refresh rate
- Fast charging capabilities
- Low resolution webcam with no IR or privacy shutter
- Warm CPUGPU temperatures when gaming
4.GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
Gigabyte AORUS 15 XE4: A powerful and versatile laptop for Tekla Structures, but with some limitations.- Highly responsive 165Hz panel with wide color gamut
- High system performance and PCIe 4.0 SSD
- Free M.2 2280 slot (PCIe 4.0)
- Individual key lighting, solid battery life, Thunderbolt 4, and Power Delivery
- High power usage at idle and low load
- No card reader
- Only one
Summary
The Gigabyte AORUS 15 XE4 is a solid choice for those looking for a powerful and flexible laptop to work with Tekla Structures. It offers impressive performance, a responsive display, and the ability to accommodate multiple PCIe 4.0 SSDs. However, it has a high power usage at idle, no card reader, and only one USB-A port.
Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
- Very bright display with good color reproduction
- Good cooling performance and battery life
- RGB illumination with poor color display
- Heavy and bulky with a 300W power brick
5.Dell XPS 17 9720
Dell XPS 17 9720 is a solid choice for Tekla Structures with a top-notch display and high-quality case.- excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- high-quality case
- Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0
- very high system performance
- lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- not Wi-Fi 6E compatible
- performance not completely stable under combined load
Summary
The Dell XPS 17 9720 is a powerhouse with a brilliant 4K display, very high system performance, and fast card reader. However, the laptop comes with a reduced graphics performance than its predecessor, and not Wi-Fi 6E compatible.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Sophisticated dual-screen design with impressive build quality
- Potent gaming performance, thanks to GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU and Ryzen 9 CPU
- High price point
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout
Table of the Best Laptops for Tekla Structures
| 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 |
