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

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

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

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

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

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

$880

1.HP Victus 15

HP Victus 15: A budget-friendly gaming laptop with compromises.

Pros

Excellent price
Good gaming performance
Can double as a work laptop
Three color choices

Cons

Bad battery life
Rather plain design
Weak GPU yields unsatisfactory frame rates
Screen only so-so despite 144Hz refresh rate

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Summary

The HP Victus 15 is a budget gaming laptop that offers good gaming performance and can double as a work laptop. However, it falls short in terms of battery life and has a rather plain design.

Reviews

TechRadar

4/5

HP Victus 15

PCMag

3.0/5

HP Victus 15 Review

Alternatives

$900

HP Victus

Pros

Delivers smooth gameplay at 1080p.
Fast SSD.

Cons

No variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing.
Slow response time causing ghosting on the display.

$1,160

2.ASUS TUF Dash F15

ASUS TUF Dash F15: A powerful and competitively priced laptop for budget-conscious buyers.

Pros

Lightweight and well built
Good FHD 300Hz and QHD screen options
Significantly more powerful than previous generation
Fair battery runtimes and USB-C charging support

Cons

Ergonomic quirks
Ports squeezed together on left edge
Be cautious of the FHD 144Hz panel option

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