When it comes to finding the best laptop for SketchUp Pro, users have specific requirements that must be met to ensure a seamless and efficient 3D modeling experience. As an avid SketchUp user and laptop enthusiast, I understand the importance of a reliable machine that can handle the complexities of this powerful application. With that in mind, I have taken the time to thoroughly review an extensive spreadsheet of recent laptop releases, comparing specs and reviews, both professional and user-generated, to help you make an informed decision.
SketchUp Pro is a versatile software used by architects, designers, and engineers alike, making it essential to focus on the unique needs of these professionals. A high-performance laptop with a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a dedicated GPU is crucial for working with intricate models, rendering scenes, and performing real-time edits. Additionally, a large, color-accurate display is indispensable for precise design work and presentations.
In my quest to find the best laptop for SketchUp Pro, I have considered factors such as processor speed, graphics capabilities, display quality, and overall performance. I have also taken into account the recommendations and insights from the SketchUp community, including popular forums and user groups. By narrowing down the top laptops based on these topic-specific requirements and price ranges, I aim to provide you with a selection of machines that will empower you to unlock your full potential in 3D modeling, rendering, and design with SketchUp Pro.
What's the best processor for SketchUp Pro?
It's hard to overestimate the significance of a processor in a professional laptop. It dictates the overall performance, and every other component is balanced around the CPU to show its full prowess.
Requirements
The most common processor line is Intel Core. Intel is often superior in single-core performance and is a good option all-around. Nowadays, AMD is as relevant as ever with its Ryzen CPUs. They're not as widespread as Intel in laptops, but AMD CPUs trend towards more cores, offering a better bang for the buck for multi-threaded work. Sadly, AMD is as relevant as ever with its Ryzen CPUs. That means it only utilizes one core at a time – all other cores are idle during rendering or modeling operations.
Since SketchUp doesn't utilize many cores – it's advantageous to go for the highest clock speed possible (e.g., i7-10700H). Higher clock speeds also mean higher temperatures, so I'd recommend getting a laptop with either passive cooling or an efficient design that disperses heat efficiently (e.g., Ryzen 9). Note that Ryzen 9 processors are not available in many configurations yet, so don't worry if you can't find one on your favorite store online!
Recommendations
For best performance without breaking the bank – I'd go for i5-10500H with an overclockable graphics card like Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti or RTX 2060 Ti that delivers both high rendering speeds and high gaming performance. For SketchUp Pro specifically – that's my recommendation for best budget laptop!
- high performance is necessary for 3D modeling/rendering tasks
- Core i5/Ryzen 5 are a good start for CAD work
- Core i7/Ryzen 7 are needed for high FPS on high graphics settings (for gaming)
- Core i9/Ryzen 9 are a tad excessive for gaming, but could be used for CAD work with a proper cooling system (like in Razer Blade)
- recommended processors: i5-10500H with GTX 1050 Ti or RTX 2060 Ti (for best budget laptop) and i7-10700H with GTX 1050 Ti or RTX 2060 Ti (for best overall performance)
My graphics card recommendations for SketchUp Pro
Minimum graphics (under $1000)
I know, it sounds bonkers – getting a laptop under $1k for SketchUp. If you cut enough corners – you can get a cheap notebook for SketchUp. That could be done by either going for integrated Intel/AMD graphics (far from ideal) or an entry-level dedicated GPU, such as GTX 1650. You might see a few more crashes for your liking, and using the much slower "Software OpenGL" option can become a necessity. But that's fine for small assemblies. I'm not recommending a cheap laptop for SketchUp, but it's an option for a very tight budget.
Recommended consumer graphics ($1000 – $2000)
If you can't go over $2000 – just go for a integrated Intel/AMD graphics. End of discussion. This includes most students, part-time freelancers, and hobbyists. Non-workstation cards are mainly acceptable for general assemblies with basic parts. You'll miss out on some great features, such as RealView, but even then, there are some workarounds to enable RealView on a non-certified graphics card (look up RealHack). If you're looking to spend less than $2000, I recommend these cards: RTX 3060, RTX 3070, RTX 2070, RTX 2060, RX 5600M, GTX 1660 Ti, GTX 1650
Recommended professional graphics ($2000+)
If you'll be working full-time or your part-time gig justifies getting a $2000 – $4000+ laptop – a certified Quadro/FirePro chip might be exactly what you need. As an alternative, you could either go for a high-end consumer card (RTX 3070/3080). I'd prefer to get the latest gen workstation cards that start with an 'A' in their model name (e.g., A5000). These chips are significantly faster than previous-gen Quadro cards.
- any laptop under $1000 is too slow for SketchUp Pro (if you can get one)
- $1000 – $2000 laptops are fine for general assemblies with basic parts (like RealView)
- $2000+ laptops are recommended for professional work with complex assemblies (e.g., RealView and new 'A' series Quadro/FirePro cards)
Picking a good memory
Minimum (8 GB)
For SketchUp Pro, 8 GB is the bare minimum. This is only true if you're a hobbyist and never use it for more than a few hours a day. If you're a professional user and always work on complex projects that require heavy computation – then 8 GB will most likely be insufficient. You can upgrade to 16 GB in this case, which would make you more comfortable in the future when your demands for memory grow with the complexity of your projects.
Recommended (16 GB)
If you're on a tight budget, 16 GB will be the best bang for your buck. SketchUp Pro has been notorious for its memory requirements since day one. 16 GB will be the best bang for your buck and might even last you for a couple of years, depending on how much time you spend working on it every day. This number also corresponds to $2k laptops, which makes them ideal for professionals who don't want to upgrade their laptop in 2020-2021 when they buy it new.
Best (32 GB)
32 GB RAM laptops are not something we'll see in the near future – but if we were to look at them now, they'd cost $3000+. With such steep price tags, 32 GB laptops might not be the best investment unless you know you'll need that much RAM for whatever reason. That said, it's never too early to start considering future-proofing your purchase and preparing for a long-term commitment to SketchUp Pro – especially if it's going to be your main application.
- 8 GB is insufficient for SketchUp Pro, especially if you're a professional user
- 16 GB is recommended for most people, but might be insufficient for professionals and heavy users in the future
- 32 GB laptops are reserved for professionals who know they'll need that much memory for their work, or for users who plan on using SketchUp Pro for more than a few hours every day.
Choosing a storage
SSDs and SketchUp Pro
SketchUp Pro is a modeling software that heavily relies on the speed of your computer. The speed of your storage drive is crucial for SketchUp Pro. And, unfortunately, it's hard to make a direct comparison between SSDs and HDDs because the two types of drives are designed to be used in different ways.
This is why I recommend choosing an SSD with enough space for your needs. For professionals, I recommend at least 512 GB of storage space. If you need more space, go up to 1 TB or 2 TB. It's worth noting that 512 GB of storage space. So keep this in mind when deciding on what size of an SSD you'll need.
Upgrading
Storage isn't very expensive these days, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't think about upgrading it before you're ready to upgrade your computer's RAM or processor. If you're considering buying a laptop specifically for SketchUp Pro, go ahead and get one with at least 512 GB SSD – there's really no point in getting anything less than that for SketchUp Pro usage.
If you have the budget for it, go ahead and get a laptop with 1 TB or 2 TB SSD – it will ensure you have plenty of room for all the models you'll be creating in SketchUp Pro over the years to come.
What's the best display that will work optimally with SketchUp Pro?
Right resolution for CAD work
SketchUp Pro has little to no requirements for the display. Full HD is good enough, and an even better resolution is not required.
Panel and image quality
Panel type is a key to many display qualities. Here are three types of panels you need to know:
- SketchUp Pro has little to no requirements for the display. [Very common in entry-to-mid-range laptops](a list of entry-to-mid-range laptops). If properly calibrated, then it's not that bad for non-color-sensitive work.
- IPS/PLS – [better in nearly every aspect, nonetheless quite costly](a list of high refresh rate laptops), especially professional-grade IPS. Common in mid-range and premium laptops.
- OLED – [latest, greatest, and the priciest panel technology](a list of laptops with oled display). Exceptional color accuracy, often paired with HDR. Sometimes found in top-of-the-line models.
Meanwhile, image quality consists of brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. These three observable characteristics can vary a lot from model to model. Panel type can be a decent proxy to gauge these metrics roughly. But it's always best to judge them in person or by reviews.
Laptop display recommendations for SketchUp Pro
I wouldn't worry about high color accuracy or high contrast ratio for SketchUp Pro laptops – there are no "magic" display specs for this application. The only two things you should look for are the right resolution (a minimum of FHD) and a screen with an IPS panel (or something very similar).
- there are no special display specs for SketchUp Pro laptops
- the only two things you should look for are the right resolution (a minimum of FHD) and a screen with an IPS panel (or something very similar)
SketchUp Pro Laptop FAQs
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Table of Best Laptops for {topic}
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
5 Best Laptops for SketchUp Pro
1.ASUS Zenbook
ASUS Zenbook is a powerful and sleek ultrabook with an impressive battery life and a compact design.- Impressive battery life
- Fast processor suitable for heavy workloads
- Sleek and lightweight design
- Good sound quality
- Soldered RAM that cant be upgraded
- Weak Wi-Fi connectivity
- Limited number of ports
- Fan noise can be annoying
Summary
The ASUS Zenbook is a lightweight and slim laptop with a powerful Ryzen CPU and a long battery life. It offers excellent everyday performance and is suitable for heavy workloads despite its compact size. However, the soldered RAM, weak Wi-Fi, and limited ports could be a dealbreaker for some users.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP Victus 15 I
- Strong entry-level gaming performance
- Solid productivity performance
- Display and webcam could be better
- Too much pre-installed software
2.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16
SketchUp Pro laptop- Solid processor (Ryzen 9 6900HX)
- Exceptional graphics card (RTX 3070 Ti)
- Very good display (16)
- Solid memory amount (64GB)
- Weighty (5.48 lbs)
- No IPS Panel (worse viewing angles)
Alternatives
HP Victus 15
- Good gaming performance
- Solid array of ports
- Bad battery life
- Rather plain design
3.MSI Summit E13
MSI Summit E13 is a visually striking laptop with great CPU and GPU performance, but display response times are slow.- Great CPU and GPU performance
- Large battery with respectable runtimes
- PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD support
- Bright display with high contrast
- Slow display response times, noticeable ghosting
- Slightly larger and heavier than XPS 13 2-in-1
- High core temperatures when under load
- Accessing MicroSD reader is a hassle
Summary
The MSI Summit E13 laptop is visually striking with a sleek and luxurious design, excellent CPU and GPU performance, and a large battery with respectable runtimes. However, the display response times are slow, and the laptop is slightly larger and heavier than the XPS 13 2-in-1.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Nitro 5
- Responsive 165 Hz QHD display
- High system performance
- Loud under load
- Below average battery life
4.ASUS ROG Strix G15
ASUS ROG Strix G15 is a high-performance gaming laptop with a good display and sophisticated design.- Excellent CPU and GPU performance
- Good display with high refresh rate
- Sturdy and well-built design
- User-friendly maintenance
- Limited connectivity options
- Possible coil whine in certain situations
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix G15 laptop boasts high-performance capabilities, thanks to its RTX 3000 GPU and Ryzen 5000 CPU. The 300 Hz display makes it a great choice for gaming, while its sturdy build quality and user-friendly maintenance add to its appeal. However, the laptop's connectivity is limited, and it may produce coil whine in some situations.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- High-performance capabilities
- Excellent, bright 240-Hz display
- Soldered-in RAM
- Inaccessible SSD
5.HP Omen 17
The HP Omen 17 is a high-end gaming laptop, but may not be the best choice for those who need long battery life and a quiet device.- QHD display with 165Hz
- Advanced Optimus
- Expandable working memory
- High noise level
- Clattery case
- Meager battery life
Summary
The HP Omen 17 is a powerful QHD gaming laptop, with a 165Hz display and expandable memory. However, its high noise level and meager battery life make it less than ideal for non-gaming applications.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Thin and elegant design considering dual displays and power
- Blistering gaming performance with GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU, Ryzen 9 CPU
- Expensive, especially as configured
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout
Table of the Best Laptops for SketchUp Pro
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| ASUS Zenbook | $640 |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 | $700 |
| MSI Summit E13 | $1,140 |
| ASUS ROG Strix G15 | $1,860 |
| HP Omen 17 | $3,470 |
