Best Laptop for Lumion 11 in 2023

As an experienced user and a fan of Lumion 11, I understand that finding the best laptop for Lumion 11 can be a daunting task. Lumion is a powerful real-time 3D architectural visualization tool, and the latest release, Lumion 11, has introduced new features that take rendering and presentation to a whole new level. To fully enjoy and utilize these features, you need a laptop that is capable of handling the software's demanding requirements, while also providing a smooth and efficient workflow.

When searching for the best laptop for Lumion 11, it's crucial to prioritize a system with a high-performance GPU, fast CPU, and ample RAM. I've reviewed an extensive laptop spreadsheet of recent releases, comparing specs and reviews (both professional and user-generated) to narrow down the top laptops that cater to the needs of Lumion 11 users. In the process, I also considered price ranges and topic-specific requirements, such as the ability to handle large and complex scenes, as well as real-time rendering and virtual reality support.

As a Lumion 11 user, you know the importance of having a laptop that can keep up with your creativity and the demands of your projects. Whether you're working on architectural visualization, interior design, or landscape architecture, a laptop with the right combination of performance and portability will ensure you can bring your ideas to life, even when you're on the go. By focusing on the unique requirements and preferences of Lumion 11 users, this guide aims to help you find the best laptop for your needs, allowing you to create stunning visuals with ease and efficiency.

Picking a good processor

Picking a good processor

If you're buying a laptop for Lumion 11, then I can't say that CPU is the most important factor. The main component that affects the performance of Lumion 11 is graphics card. A good CPU will not make a big difference in a laptop's performance when compared to a gaming-grade GPU.

Requirements

A quad-core processor would be sufficient for Lumion 11 because it doesn't utilize any more than four cores at once. In this regard, I don't think there's much to say about the Intel Core series of processors – they all perform similarly. A new AMD Ryzen or an older Intel Core i5 would be perfect as well.

I would stay away from laptops with dual-core processors because Lumion 11 will simply use two cores, but won't benefit from a dual-core configuration. So yeah, if you see a laptop with a quad-core CPU and a dual-core CPU – just don't buy it. It'll have twice as many idle cores as working ones!

Recommendations

For this application, you can ignore all of my advice on choosing processors and go for the latest graphics card instead. In my opinion, it's possible to notice an improvement with the latest graphics cards on some new laptops with high-end CPUs, but it depends on how powerful your previous GPU was. If you have no idea what kind of laptop to buy for this application – go for graphics card first and then worry about the CPU later on (and never worry about RAM).

TL;DR
  • when it comes to Lumion 11, graphics card is more important than CPU
  • quad-core CPU is good enough for Lumion 11, but latest graphics card is better for this application

What's the best graphics card that will work optimally with Lumion 11?

Workstation vs. consumer graphics

Graphics card

Lumion 11 is a powerful application that relies on the GPU to render 3D images. This means that you'll need to choose between two main options: certified cards for Lumion 11 and consumer-grade (gaming) cards.
Professional cards are the best option because they offer better performance, stability, and support for features such as RealView. The downside is that they're more expensive than consumer-grade cards. You can either go for a certified card or a high-end gaming card, but if you want the best possible experience – go for a professional card.

Minimum graphics (under $1000)

A low-end graphics card will be enough for Lumion 11 if you're on a tight budget. If you're willing to spend under $1000, then I recommend these GPUs:

  • GTX 1650 ($850)
  • RTX 3060 ($1600)
  • RTX 3070 ($2500)
  • RTX 2070 ($1800)

You might see a few more crashes with this option, but Lumion 11 will still work fine – especially with the use of "Software OpenGL" option in case of crashing or system freezes. However, Lumion 11 will run much better on professional cards or high-end gaming cards – so if you can afford them, it's worth it to get one of those instead.

TL;DR

you'll need a certified card or high-end gaming card for Lumion 11, but if you're on a tight budget – GTX 1650 or RTX 2070 are fine options

Choosing the right memory for Lumion 11

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Lumion 11 is a 3D rendering application. For best performance, you'll need a powerful PC with a graphics card and at least 16 GB of RAM. But it's difficult to predict how much RAM Lumion 11 will require for a particular project.

As a result, I recommend going for 32 GB to future-proof your laptop, or if you have the budget for it, 64 GB. If you're just running Lumion 11 and nothing else, then 16 GB will do just fine.

But if you're considering the other applications on your laptop as well – make sure to go for 32 GB or more.

32 GB or more?

In terms of performance, the more RAM the better – as long as it doesn't exceed the laptop's capacity. The default configuration of most laptops is 8GB – but if you're going for something powerful, 16GB should be enough.

If you're using CAD software or any other memory-hungry program that can use up all your system resources in an instant – don't take any chances and go for 32GB or more to future-proof your computer. And remember that there are no extra slots for RAM upgrades in laptops so if you can afford it, buy two sets of 16GB and put them in both slots to increase the total amount of RAM to 32GB (or even 64GB).

TL;DR
  • go for 32 GB or more if you're running other programs on your laptop
  • 16 GB is enough if you're only running Lumion 11

My storage recommendations that will work optimally with Lumion 11

Laptops for Lumion 11

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There are a lot of laptops with SSDs. But how many of them are worth buying? The laptop's price, brand, storage size, and other features can be more important than the type of storage.

If you're looking for the best laptop for Lumion 11 – I recommend looking for an affordable computer with at least 256 GB SSD. Ideally, it should also have an NVMe slot to upgrade to 1 TB or 2 TB SSD in the future.

I'd recommend browsing our list of recommended laptops for more information on what to look for when buying a laptop.

TL;DR
  • you can get any laptop with an SSD, but there are some that are better than others
  • if you're looking for a good laptop for Lumion 11, I recommend looking for an affordable computer with at least 256 GB SSD and NVMe slot for future upgrades
  • if you're interested in more information on what to look for when buying a laptop, I recommend browsing our list of recommended laptops

The right display

Display

If you're new to 3D work, then you're probably thinking: "I need a 4K display and a 120Hz refresh rate". And yes, that is a great idea. But it's not what we're going for in this guide. We want to get the best value for our money – and there are many, many more things that make a display better than resolution and refresh rate.

Best-value laptop displays for Lumion 11

You need an IPS panel (or AHVA/PLS/eDP) with decent brightness and contrast. For color accuracy, I recommend you to go with a professional-grade IPS panel if you can afford it. If not, then look for a budget laptop with a decent TN panel. You should also pay attention to screen size – most laptops have 15" or 17" screens these days.

TL;DR
  • get a high refresh rate display if you can afford it
  • an IPS panel is a good choice for a gaming laptop if you can afford it
  • TN panels are more affordable and usually have higher contrast ratio and brightness

FAQ

Q: What are the recommended laptop specs for Lumion 11?

To experience smooth performance and efficient rendering in Lumion 11, we recommend the following laptop specifications:

  • Memory: 32 GB RAM
  • Processor: i7-10610U or higher
  • Display: FHD, IPS or higher
  • Graphics: RTX 2070 or higher
  • Storage: 512 GB SSD or higher
Can I run Lumion 11 on a laptop?

Yes, you can run Lumion 11 on a laptop. However, keep in mind that Lumion is a demanding software that requires powerful hardware to perform well. Make sure your laptop meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements to ensure a smooth experience.

Which laptops are compatible with Lumion 11?

Lumion 11 is compatible with a wide range of laptops. However, for optimal performance, we recommend laptops with specifications that meet or exceed the recommended requirements mentioned earlier. Several laptops, such as the HP Victus, ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74, ASUS ROG Strix Scar, Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16, and Dell XPS 17 9720, provide excellent compatibility with Lumion 11.

Is a dedicated GPU necessary for Lumion 11?

Yes, a dedicated GPU is necessary for running Lumion 11 smoothly. Lumion heavily relies on the graphics processing power to render high-quality visuals and real-time simulations. Therefore, we recommend laptops with dedicated graphics cards like the GTX 1650, RTX 2070, or RTX 3070 for the best experience.

What CPU is best for running Lumion 11?

The CPU (central processing unit) is crucial for the overall performance of Lumion 11. For the best experience, we recommend laptops with high-performance CPUs like the i7-10610U or higher. These CPUs provide the necessary computing power to handle the complex tasks performed by Lumion.

How much RAM is required for Lumion 11 in a laptop?

Lumion 11 benefits greatly from having ample RAM (random access memory) in your laptop. To ensure smooth operation, we recommend a minimum of 32 GB RAM. This amount of memory allows for efficient multitasking and handling of large projects in Lumion.

Can I use integrated graphics for Lumion 11?

While integrated graphics can run Lumion 11 to some extent, the performance and quality may be compromised. Integrated graphics typically lack the necessary processing power for real-time rendering and complex visual simulations. It is highly recommended to use laptops with dedicated graphics cards, such as the GTX 1650, RTX 2070, or RTX 3070, for the best experience with Lumion 11.

What storage capacity is recommended for Lumion 11 in a laptop?

Lumion 11 requires a significant amount of storage space for project files, textures, and assets. We recommend a minimum of 512 GB SSD (solid-state drive) for optimal performance. The fast read and write speeds of an SSD ensure quick loading times and smooth project handling in Lumion.

Are gaming laptops suitable for running Lumion 11?

Yes, gaming laptops are generally suitable for running Lumion 11. Gaming laptops often feature powerful hardware configurations, including high-performance CPUs, dedicated graphics cards, and ample RAM. These specifications align well with the requirements of Lumion 11, making gaming laptops an excellent choice for both gaming and professional applications like Lumion.

What laptops provide the best performance for Lumion 11?

If you're looking for laptops that provide the best performance for Lumion 11, we recommend considering options like the HP Victus, ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74, ASUS ROG Strix Scar, Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16, and Dell XPS 17 9720. These laptops offer powerful specifications, including high-end CPUs, dedicated graphics cards, sufficient RAM, and fast storage, ensuring exceptional performance and efficiency while working with Lumion 11.

5 Best Laptops for Lumion 11

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$880
i7-13700H | RTX 4050 | 16 GB RAM | 2000 GB SSD | 15.6″ IPS G-Sync; 1920x1080 |

1.Lenovo LOQ

Lumion 11 laptop
Pros
  • Solid processor (i7-13700H)
  • Awesome graphics card (RTX 4050)
  • Solid display (15.6 IPS G-Sync)
  • One of most affordable laptops with an Intel i7 processor
Cons
  • Garden-variety memory amount (16GB)
Alternatives
HP Victus $939
HP Victus
Pros
  • Delivers smooth gameplay at 1080p.
  • Fast SSD.
Cons
  • No variable refresh rate (VRR) to reduce screen tearing.
  • Slow response time on the display.
ASUS TUF Dash F15 $1,160
i7-12650H | RTX 3070 | 64 GB RAM | 2000 GB SSD | 15.6″ IPS-level G-Sync; 1920x1080 |

2.ASUS TUF Dash F15

ASUS TUF Dash F15: A budget-friendly and powerful laptop with a few ergonomic quirks.
Pros
  • Lightweight and well built
  • Good FHD 300Hz and QHD screen options
  • More powerful than the previous generation
  • Long battery life and USB-C charging support
Cons
  • Some quirks affecting everyday ergonomics
  • Ports are mostly on the left edge
  • FHD 144Hz panel option is not recommended
Summary

The ASUS TUF Dash F15 is a lightweight and well-built laptop that offers good performance at a competitive price. It is more powerful than its previous generation and comes with options for a high refresh rate display. However, it does have some quirks that can affect everyday ergonomics, and the FHD 144Hz panel option should be avoided.

Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 16 $1,300
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 16
Pros
  • Stylish, sleek form factor
  • Gorgeous display
Cons
  • Webcam quality is poor
  • No biometrics for added security
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 $2,630
i9-13900HX | RTX 4070 | 64 GB RAM | 4000 GB SSD | 14.31″ IPS G-Sync; 2560x1600 |

3.Lenovo Legion Pro 5

Lenovo Legion Pro 5 - A good-value mid-tier laptop with strong performance, but watch out for hotspots and mediocre battery life.
Pros
  • Solid build quality and design
  • Good screen and IO
  • Competent CPU with multiple GPU options
  • Competitive pricing
Cons
  • Lack of Thunderbolt or biometrics
  • Not as powerful as other i9 HX implementations
  • Hotspots during gaming
  • Poor speaker quality
Summary

The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 offers great value for its price, with a solid build quality, good screen, and ample performance. However, potential buyers should be aware of hotspots during sustained loads, below-average battery life, and underwhelming speakers.

Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion Pro 5$2,840
Lenovo Legion Pro 5
Pros
  • Strong performance for the price
  • Quality build and port selection
Cons
  • Display quality and battery life are just decent
  • Bulky and heavy
HP Omen 17 $4,290
i9-13900HX | RTX 4090 | 64 GB RAM | 8000 GB SSD | 17.3″ IPS; 2560x1440 |

4.HP Omen 17

HP Omen 17 with Lumion 11 is a high-end gamer's dream with powerful performance for video processing and rendering, but it falls short in some areas.
Pros
  • QHD display with 165 Hz
  • Expandable working memory
  • PCIe-4 SSD (space for a second SSD)
  • Individual key illumination
Cons
  • Slightly below-average performance for a RTX 4080
  • High
Summary

The HP Omen 17 with Lumion 11 is a high-end gaming laptop that offers excellent performance for video processing, rendering, and QHD gaming. It features a QHD display with a high refresh rate, expandable working memory, and a Thunderbolt 4 port with Power Delivery. However, it has slightly below-average performance for its graphics card, a high noise level, a clattery case, and a meager battery life.

Reviews
Alternatives
HP Omen $4,290
HP Omen
Pros
  • QHD display with 165 Hz refresh rate
  • Expandable working memory
Cons
  • Slightly below-average performance for a RTX 4080
  • High noise level
Dell XPS 17 9720 $5,600
i9-12900HK | RTX 3060 | 32 GB RAM | 6000 GB SSD | 17.3″ IPS HDR; 3840x2400 |

5.Dell XPS 17 9720

Dell XPS 17 9720: A high-performance laptop with an excellent display, but with some graphics and cooling limitations.
Pros
  • Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
  • High-quality case
  • Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0 support
  • Very high system performance
Cons
  • Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
  • Performance not completely stable under combined load
  • Not Wi-Fi 6E compatible
  • Medi
Summary

The Dell XPS 17 9720 impresses with its excellent 4K display and high-quality case. It offers Thunderbolt 4 & PCIe 4.0 support, very high system performance, and a fast card reader. However, the laptop suffers from lower graphics performance compared to its predecessor and slightly weak cooling. Additionally, it lacks Wi-Fi 6E compatibility and has a mediocre 720p webcam.

Reviews
Notebookcheck
89%/100
Dell XPS 17 9720 review
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo $9,600
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
Pros
  • Impressively thin, elegant design considering dual displays and sheer power
  • Refined two-screen layout
Cons
  • Eye-watering cost, especially as configured
  • Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout

Table of the Best Laptops for Lumion 11

LaptopPrice (approx)
Lenovo LOQ$880
ASUS TUF Dash F15$1,160
Lenovo Legion Pro 5$2,630
HP Omen 17$4,290
Dell XPS 17 9720$5,600
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John Winsteler
I'm a seasoned tech writer with a background in Computer Science, dedicated to demystifying the digital realm for readers. With years of experience in the IT industry, I delve into the heart of technological advancements, helping you navigate the evolving world of laptops and computing with ease. Whether you're tech-savvy or a digital novice, my articles aim to guide you in making informed laptop investments tailored to your needs.