Best Laptops for Architecture Students – The relationship between architecture and computers has been called a love affair. In most architecture schools, architectural design software is the norm. Students are expected to work with these programs throughout their careers. These machines are valuable tools that allow architects to do more than purely hand drawings, but they have many other uses too!
The rise of the internet, coupled with wireless technology, means there’s also a whole world of information at our fingertips—literally! With a laptop and wi-fi connection, we can access some pretty incredible resources from anywhere in the world, so work can always be done on location.
As a student of architecture, you should know the importance of having a laptop that is capable of supporting your heavy workload. Laptops are an essential part of the architecture, not only because you need to carry a hefty load but also because you must be able to do your homework and assignments on the go. There is no point in having an excellent laptop that is unable to keep up in these matters.
Best Laptops for Architecture Students
After much painstaking research, we have compiled this list of laptops for students, some with budget-friendly prices and others more expensive, so that you can choose what’s best for your needs.
1. The Vaio
Specifications:
Windows 8, Intel Core i7-3632QM Quad Core, 12GB DDR3 RAM, 1TB HDD
The Vaio Z is designed with the intent of being extremely portable. It is incredibly thin (0.78 inches) and weighs only 3.8 poundsable. It is incredibly thin (0.78 inches) and weighs only 3.8 pounds. With a powerful processor and 12 GB of RAM, this laptop is certainly capable of handling heavy workloads without slowing down.
2. Vaio Z (II)
Specifications:
Windows 8, Intel Core i7-3537U Dual Core, 16GB DDR3 RAM, 4GB DDR3 RAM
Another Vaio Z has arrived! The Vaio Z U is the same model as the first, but with a better processor and even more memory. This model is priced at almost $150 cheaper than its predecessor. As you can see from the specs above, this laptop is also incredibly thin and lightweight. It weighs only 3.8 pounds and has a balance between powerful processors like the i7 and moderately fast ones like the i7-3537U (which we feel is inadequate, especially considering that it has an i7).
3. The Toshiba Satellite U875-S5933
Specifications:
Windows 8, Intel Core i7-3632QM Quad Core, 12 GB DDR3 RAM, 500 GB HDD
The Toshiba Satellite U875-S5933 model comes at a price of $600 more than the other laptops on this list. This is because the model has more memory and even more storage space. However, it has a better processor than the others and does not weigh as much as some of its competitors.
4. The Dell XPS
Specifications:
Windows 8, Intel Core i7-3632QM Quad Core (2.2 GHz), 12GB DDR3 RAM, 500GB HDD
The Dell XPS 13 features an aluminum unibody design, which looks sleek and sturdy. It has a 13.3-inch display with Intel HD 4000 graphics. It is also fairly thin, at about 0.7 inches, and weighs 2 pounds. The laptop has a fingerprint reader built into the power button, which makes it incredibly easy to log in without having to enter a password every time you turn on the computer.
5. The Vaio Z
Flip is a budget-friendly laptop and has been heralded as the first flip laptop on the market. It features a 13.3-inch display with HD resolution and an Intel Core i5 processor. The design of the Z Flip is clean and sleek, without any speakers or cameras that would interrupt what you are doing. The large trackpad allows for easy control over the cursor and makes using basic applications such as word processors and spreadsheets much easier than on other laptops in this price range.
The battery life of this laptop is not exceptional but will get you through a whole day of writing papers, uploading photos, listening to music, or watching videos online without shutting down in between.
6. Macbook Air
Specifications:
Mac OS X 10.8, Intel Core i7-3667U Dual-Core 1.9 GHz, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 128GB SSD
The Macbook Air has long been the choice of many architecture students who appreciate its high performance and lightweight design. This laptop has a solid battery life that lasts up to 12 hours. It is also very fast and is perfect for applications such as architecture software like SketchUp or Navisworks because it has an extremely powerful processor that will not slow down when you are running multiple programs at once. At its price point of $1200, it is certainly an investment that will last you through years of college and your architectural career post-graduation.
The MacBook Air is arguably the best laptop for students in terms of battery life. You can go a whole day without having to charge this computer. This means that you will be able to spend hours researching and writing your papers without having to worry about being close to a plug. The MacBook Air weighs just 2 pounds and is incredibly compact when compared to other laptops available on the market today.
Conclusion
Students of architecture need to be able to use laptops effectively. Contrary to popular belief, computers are not the most efficient or important tools for architects, as there are many other equally important tools available. Laptops will be convenient and save time for classes in which lectures come from videos and not from teachers. This can also allow students to search for information from all over the internet on any given topic, strengthening their understanding and providing insight into projects. Additionally, laptops can help provide extra space for those who may have a harder time storing supplies such as books or models at home due to limited space in dorms or apartments, and that includes both men and women living in this difficult urban environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is i5 enough for architecture?
CPU: Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 3 minimum. Intel Core i7 or a better processor is recommended. AMD Ryzen 5 or better is recommended. RAM: 8GB minimum; 16GB preferred.
How to choose a laptop for architecture?
The better the CPU, the faster your computer is at handling 3D modeling and Adobe programs. At a minimum, you will need a 4-core processor with at least a 2.4 ghz clock speed. We recommend at least a 6-core processor to handle multi-threaded architecture tasks. GPU: A dedicated graphics card is a must for architecture.
Which processor is best for architects?
AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO processors deliver full spectrum compute capability to architects and engineers. With up to 64 cores for multithreaded tasks and high-frequency cores for single-threaded workloads, AMD Threadripper™ PRO processors can help you rip through the most demanding projects.
Which software is mostly used by architects?
SketchUp.
Revit.
Archicad.
D5 Render.
Blender.
Lumion.
Enscape.
RoomSketcher.
Which graphics card is best for architecture?
Does performance go up along with model numbers? …
AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100. …
Nvidia Quadro P2000. …
AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100. …
Nvidia Geforce GTX 1080 Ti. …
Nvidia Quadro P4000. …
Nvidia Quadro K1200. …
AMD Radeon RX 570. This card is also one of the best options for people on a tight budget.
References
- Arch20.com – Best Architecture laptops
- Architizer.com – 13 Top Laptops for Architecture and Designs
- Creativeblogs.com – The best laptops For Architects