Best Laptops for Exocad ChairsideCAD in 2022

ChairsideCAD is the first complete open-architecture CAD software platform for single-visit dentistry. The chairside workflow is highly automated, intuitive and optimized for practice use. Newcomers to CAD/CAM can benefit from wizard-guided workflows, while experts can select free design sequences for greater flexibility. With ChairsideCAD, creating automatic design proposals is simple. Instant Anatomic Morphing enables efficient adjustments: the anatomy of teeth automatically adjusts in real-time for dynamic occlusion. And AI-based detection of facial features makes smile design faster and more accurate.

ChairsideCAD has a number of interesting features, and there are many PC builds out there to match. However, if you’re going to use ChairsideCAD on a PC – you need a really solid build to meet the workflow requirements. I have assembled the best laptops for ChairsideCAD, and now you can follow my advice and pick up the right machine for your needs.

Let’s jump right in.

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Requirements for a Exocad ChairsideCAD laptop

Major Processor for Exocad ChairsideCAD

The Exocad ChairsideCAD software will benefit from a fast processor with multiple cores. The more cores the better.

Requirements

In this case, it’s important to have a computer with a higher clock speed and a high number of cores. In the case of Intel Core processors, that means an H-series.

Recommendations

A powerful Intel Core i9-11900H will do the trick, especially if you need to make heavy use of the software’s 3D scanning capabilities. For a slightly less expensive option, consider an Intel Core i7-10900H or an Intel Core i5-11400H.

Major Choosing a memory

Minimum (8 GB)

8 GB used to be the standard for RAM capacity for the longest time. In 2022, 16 GB is becoming the new de facto choice for budget laptops, starting at around $650. If you can’t go above that, 8 GB is still alright. In fact, it might be a wise choice if you’re prioritizing the CPU, which is much more critical for Exocad ChairsideCAD.

Recommended (16 GB)

If you aren’t limited by a very tight budget – you’ll most likely end up with a 16 GB laptop. It just seems to do the job for most laptops under $2k. That’s the sweet spot for work, gaming, and everything in-between. These days a fast SSD can soften the impact of running out of RAM. That might be one of the reasons why I’ve noticed a slowdown in the continuous climb of RAM capacities in laptops. Especially if you’re buying a bulkier laptop that can be easily upgraded, there’s no need to sweat about getting 16 GB.

Best (32 GB)

If you’re only running Exocad ChairsideCAD, 32 GB is only necessary if you typically use lots of sample-based instruments (each running Multi-GB orchestral libraries & ROMpler style plugins, for example). But I doubt any of us are running Exocad “naked”. I’d guess you’ll have a browser running in the background and then a couple more applications on the side. In that case, 16 GB, while perfectly capable, is not optimal for the best laptop for Exocad ChairsideCAD. That’s why I recommend 32 GB for anyone going over $2000, where 32 GB laptops are ubiquitous. On top of that, 32 GB is a sure-fire way to future-proof your laptop.

Major Graphics card

Exocad ChairsideCAD is a relatively lightweight application that benefits more from an entry-level graphics card than an expensive, powerful one. That said, the latest gen cards will work just fine.

If you’re on a tight budget, the cheapest card I recommend is the GTX 1650 – which is fast enough for modeling with basic CAD software.

A good card for the job is the RTX 3050, which is a high-end GPU that will work well with Exocad ChairsideCAD.

If you’re looking to spend more, the RTX 2060 is a powerful GPU that’s perfect for heavy-duty work with complex models.

Optional requirements for a Exocad ChairsideCAD laptop

Optional Deciding on a display

What to look for in a display

• panel type – look for IPS panels. There are a few other similar panels usually identified as “Wide Angle” panels. For example, you could look for AHVA, PLS, or eDP (though technically, that’s not a panel type). This usually means a display that doesn’t have those shifted colors when looking at an angle.
• brightness – 300 cd/sq. m should be more than enough for this application.
• contrast ratio – high contrast ratio is always nice to have but not crucial in this application.
• color accuracy – accurate colors are good, but I wouldn’t give up other important features just to get slightly better color accuracy.

Optional Choosing the right storage for Exocad ChairsideCAD

Choosing a laptop with a good storage size

Since we’re on the topic of professional laptops for Exocad ChairsideCAD, it’s worth mentioning that choosing a laptop with a good storage size is crucial. Even if you don’t know how much space your workload will take up, it’s worth investing in an SSD to avoid any nasty surprises down the line.

Should I get 256 GB or 512 GB?

It’s easy to assume that 256 GB SSDs are more than enough for the typical AutoCAD workload. And, sure, that may be true if you’re using AutoCAD exclusively. But if you’re using 3D modeling software, then the same could not be said.

Exocad ChairsideCAD is no different – 256 GB SSD would likely be too small for someone working with multiple CAD and 3D modeling applications.

It’s worth pointing out that you don’t need to invest in a laptop with 1 TB SSD or more – 256 GB should be more than enough for the typical AutoCAD user.

Upgrading

Most laptops come with an M.2 slot for expansion, so it’s not too hard to upgrade your storage size when you need more. To sum up, if you’re buying a laptop with an SSD that can’t be upgraded, then you should make sure that 256 GB is enough for your needs.

5 Best Laptops for Exocad ChairsideCAD

Table of Best Laptops for Exocad ChairsideCAD

Laptop	Price (approx)
HP Pavilion 16 PC	$740
Dell G5 5515	$1050
MSI Alpha 17 AMD	$1490
ASUS ROG Strix G15	$1870
Eluktronics Prometheus XVII	$3600