For the longest time, Solid Edge has been the gold standard in computer-aided design (CAD) software. It offers outstanding performance, sheer number of features, and low cost of entry – allowing even the smallest design teams to use professional-grade tools. And yet, Solid Edge requires adequate computing power in order to bring out its full potential.
That's why I have compiled this guide to finding the best laptop for Solid Edge. I have reviewed hundreds of laptops, both new and old, in order to cover all aspects of the laptop that matter most to a Solid Edge user – the hardware, the software, and the budget. I have narrowed down my findings to the top 10 laptops for Solid Edge, which should help you make the most informed decision on which laptop is best for your needs. Let's get started!
Processor Power
These days, the laptop market is incredibly diverse, with a variety of system-on-chip solutions from Apple, AMD, and Intel all offering excellent single-core performance and great battery life.
At the time of writing, Intel is yet to release their 13th-gen processors, with the 12th gen being the latest. Intel’s 11th-gen and Apple’s M1 SoC adopted a hybrid performance/efficiency core design based on big.LITTLE. Meanwhile, AMD has managed to take up a notable 20% of the CPU market with their latest 6th generation Ryzen processors – making them a great choice if you need a good battery life in a PC laptop.
Since Solid Edge is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, the choice of operating system isn't limited to Windows. As this is a 3D CAD application, we're primarily looking for a processor with good single-core performance, though multi-core performance is important for tasks such as rendering. To gauge performance, PassMark scores are relatively easy to find and are relevant to our purpose. If you're looking for a high-end workstation, look for HPC (high-performance computing) benchmarks such as Linpack or Handbrake (video encoding).
For those on a budget, there are some compromises to be made with the CPU performance – depending on your budget and what you're willing to sacrifice. If you're okay with having an underpowered CPU, you can use your budget for a better GPU or even an ultrabook instead of a regular laptop.
To help you decide on the right processor for Solid Edge laptops, we’ve compiled a table of recommended processors for each budget range based on PassMark scores.
Processor | Price range | PassMark Score |
---|---|---|
Intel Core i3-1115G4 | Budget | 1768 |
Intel Core i5-10310U | Mid-range | 4159 |
Intel Core i7-1180G7 | High-end | 7633 |
Graphics Power
The laptop Graphics card market is still dominated by Nvidia, though the recent release of their RTX 40 series cards has yet to make it to laptops. Instead, Nvidia's RTX 30 series GPUs are currently the top offerings (such as the RTX 3070 Ti).
It's worth noting that desktop graphics cards have become increasingly power-hungry in recent years, widening the gap between power-limited laptop graphics and desktop graphics. Additionally, Nvidia has discontinued their "Max-Q" label for their RTX graphics cards, meaning that a laptop manufacturer (OEM) will now determine the exact GPU wattage for each laptop—resulting in a wider variance in graphics performance even with the same GPU chipset.
Using Solid Edge on a laptop requires a dedicated GPU, rather than an integrated graphics chip, in order to get the most out of the program. Keep in mind that any laptop with a discrete GPU can also be used for other tasks such as gaming, streaming, and video editing, depending on the model.
When it comes to selecting a graphics card, I recommend using 3DMark scores (specifically the Fire Strike test) to compare graphics performance. Depending on your budget, here are some recommended GPUs for Solid Edge:
Price Range | Recommended GPU |
---|---|
Minimum | GeForce GTX 1650 |
Recommended | GeForce RTX 3050 |
High-end | GeForce RTX 2060 |
RAM Matters
Solid Edge is a CAD/CAM program designed for 3D modelling, and its memory requirements are moderate. If you're on a budget, you can get away with 8 GB of RAM; however, 16 GB is the sweet spot for most professionals and 32 GB is ideal for high-end workstations.
In terms of type of RAM, most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM and high-end – 32 GB or more. Latest-gen Intel and AMD CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5, though DDR5 is still quite expensive and needs time to mature as a technology. If you're looking to buy a laptop with 16 GB of RAM, it's best to look for DDR5 memory modules, especially if you're using SOLIDWORKS or CATIA. However, if you're working with other applications like AutoCAD, Rhino, or Inventor – DDR5 is not necessary.
Do you need ECC (Error-correcting code) memory? Not necessarily. Although it's better for more demanding applications such as rendering or 3D modelling, for Solid Edge it's not necessary.
So, what should you expect depending on your budget? We recommend the following:
- Minimum: 16 GB
- Recommended: 32 GB
- High-end: 64 GB
It's also important to note that if you're looking for an upgradeable laptop – make sure it has an access panel on the bottom and that it's easy to remove/replace the memory module(s).
5 Best Laptops for Solid Edge
Apple MacBook MK4M2LLA
Pros and cons
- Backlit keyboard
- Its screen gives away its price
Alternatives
Acer Aspire 5 A515-45-R74Z
- Robust construction and lightweight design
- High-contrast display
- Limited RAM capacity
- Sub-par iGPU performance
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i
Pros and cons
- Sleek and modern design
- Lightweight and portable
- Expensive price tag
- Poor key feedback
Alternatives
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 15
- Fast performance for Solid Edge applications
- Comfortable keyboard for extended use
- Case requires extra effort to open
- Single-channel RAM restricts performance potential
Acer Predator Triton 500
Pros and cons
- Sleek and robust aluminum design
- Fast WiFi and Ethernet connection
- Soldered-in RAM for limited upgrades
- Inaccessible SSD for maintenance
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
- Bright and accurate QHD display ideal for 3D modeling and design.
- Portable design for on-the-go working.
- Limited RAM for more intensive projects.
- Limited VRAM for rendering 3D graphics.
MSI Titan GT77
Pros and cons
- Slim and sturdy chassis for portability
- High system performance and RAM transfer rates
- Bulky and heavy
- Very expensive
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- Fast Performance for Complex Tasks
- Bright, Clear Display
- Non-Upgradeable RAM and SSD
- Noisy Fans
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4
Pros and cons
- Premium quality build
- Rich display for precise viewing
- Keys lack quality
- Limited number of M.2 slots and no WWAN
Alternatives
MSI Titan GT77 12UHS
- Super-bright 4K display
- Large memory and storage options
- Heavy and bulky design
- Expensive price tag
Table of the Best Laptops for Solid Edge
Laptop | Price (approx) |
Apple MacBook MK4M2LLA | $310 |
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i | $960 |
Acer Predator Triton 500 | $1200 |
MSI Titan GT77 | $2940 |
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 | $3650 |