Computers For Architects

Hand drafting is largely a thing of the past—today, design professionals rely almost entirely on computers for production and design work. If you’re new to the field and looking for a “good-better-best” guide to choosing the right machine, this is for you. I update it frequently to reflect current hardware trends so you can make an informed decision.

My best advice? Buy what makes sense for your work today, but ensure upgradeability. Portable systems come at a premium, but their flexibility makes them a smart choice—especially if you’re still deciding whether this profession is the right fit for you.

Laptops

Most architects, designers, and students will choose a Windows-based laptop, as the majority of professional design software is optimized for Windows. The industry 2D drafting standard AutoCAD runs on MacOS, but some features (e.g., dynamically linked files, 3D rendering optimizations, and certain plugins) are better supported on Windows. AutoCAD LT is fully supported and works well for 2D drafting (it’s what I use still). However, Revit still does not run natively on Mac, making a Windows workstation a better choice for BIM-heavy workflows. Vectorworks and ArchiCAD (the very first BIM software) are Mac-friendly alternatives if you prefer macOS.

If you’re going with Windows, these are the key components to consider (I’ll list Macs separately):

CPU (Processor)

Your laptop’s brain. The faster and more capable your CPU, the smoother everything runs.

• Entry-Level (Good) – Intel Core i5-13500H or better, AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS or better; M3 Pro (12-core)

• Mid-Tier (Better) – Intel Core i7-13700H/14700HX, AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS/8945HX; M3 Max (14-core)

• High-End (Best) – Intel Core i9-14900HX, AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX/8945HX; M4 Max (16-core)

• Multi-core processors are preferable for rendering, video editing, and multitasking, while some CAD software still runs best on high-clock-speed single-core processors. Check the software specs before deciding.

• Avoid older low-power chips like Intel Core i3 (pre-13th Gen), AMD Ryzen 3, and Apple M1 base model (if you’re a Mac user) as they lack the performance needed for professional design work. Stick to Intel Core i5/i7/i9 (13500H+ or better), M2/3/4 PRO/MAX and Ryzen 5/7/9 (7640HS+ or better).

RAM (Memory)

Determines how fast your machine feels, especially when running multiple apps.

• 16GB absolute minimum (for general design work), if buying this make sure it’s upgradeable.

• 32GB recommended baseline (for 3D modeling, multitasking).

• 64GB+ for rendering (especially for programs like 3ds Max, V-Ray, or Unreal Engine).

• If budget is tight, ensure your laptop allows RAM upgrades in the future.

GPU (Graphics Card)

A dedicated graphics card is essential for smooth performance in 3D modeling and rendering. It offloads intensive tasks from the CPU, reducing lag and improving visual fluidity.

• Minimum GPU for architecture work: RTX 4050 or better; 18-core GPU (Mac)

• Mid-tier (Good for Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Enscape): RTX 4060 / RTX 4070; 30-core GPU (Mac)

• High-end (Rendering, real-time visualization, VR): RTX 4080 / RTX 4090; 40-core GPU (Mac)

• If going AMD, choose RX 7800M XT or RX 7900M.

Storage

Fast storage makes a huge difference in how quickly your software loads and projects save.

• Always go for NVMe SSDs, as they’re significantly faster than SATA SSDs.

• Minimum: 1TB NVMe SSD (for project files and smooth performance).

• Ideal: 2TB NVMe SSD (especially for large render files).

• External drives should be USB-C or Thunderbolt SSDs, not HDDs.

• Cloud Storage for travel + backups

SCREEN

This determines your overall drawing experience. As a design professional you’ll be working on large sheets with multiple windows open simultaneously and zooming in and out all day long. There’s a balance though and laptops typically range from 14-17”. Buying a larger screen comes at a premium cost and at a certain point, you’ll just defer your drafting tasks to an external monitor (which I recommend). I think 16” offers a good balance. When using your laptop in an office or desktop environment, you’ll want a dedicated high-quality, color accurate, wide screen monitor (24” - 32”). For a separate monitor, I like the ASUS ProArt, the Dell UltraSharp and BenQ PD-series monitors, or if you’re in the Mac ecosystem, see my dedicated recommendation below.

Choosing the right laptop for your work

The right laptop will depend on the software you’ll use most and the intensity of your workflow. Design professionals typically fall into three categories, each with different hardware needs.

1 - Drawing + Image Editing

Most people will fit into this category, running Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign, and AutoCAD (LT). These applications don’t require much processing power. If your work is mostly 2D, your primary considerations should be RAM, storage, and display quality rather than raw computing power.

Recommended Specs:

• CPU: Any modern mid-tier processor (avoid Ryzen 3 / Intel i3)

• RAM: 16GB minimum (32GB preferred for handling large files)

• GPU: A dedicated GPU improves performance, but is not essential

  • Good: RTX 3050 / 4050

  • Better: RTX 4060

  • Best: RTX 4070+

This category of laptop is generally thin and light, prioritizing portability over raw power. If it’s doubling as a desktop replacement, pair it with an external monitor for a better workflow.

Recommended Laptops:

• Dell XPS 15 (2025 Model) 15.6-inch OLED, offering excellent color accuracy, Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM, GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4050, 1TB SSD

• MacBook Pro 14" (M3 Pro, 2024) 14.2" Liquid Retina XDR (3024 × 1964), M3 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU), 18GB RAM (Upgrade to 36GB if possible), 1TB SSD minimum

2 - 3D Modeling

If you’re working with Rhino, Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, or Blender, you’ll need more power, especially for complex models. A strong CPU and GPU are crucial, as well as at least 32GB of RAM for smooth performance.

Recommended Specs:

• CPU: Ryzen 7 / 9 or Intel i7 / i9

• RAM: 32GB minimum (64GB preferred for large models)

• GPU: RTX 4060+ for smooth viewport performance

  • Good: RTX 4060

  • Better: RTX 4070

  • Best: RTX 4080 / 4090

This category strikes a balance between power and portability, making it a good long-term investment for anyone serious about 3D work.

Recommended Laptops:

• Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (2025 Edition), 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600), 165Hz, Intel Core i9-14900HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM (upgradeable to 64GB, GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080, 1TB SSD (upgradeable)

• MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Max) - 16.2" Liquid Retina XDR (3456 × 2234), M3 Max (14-core CPU, 30-core GPU), 36GB minimum (Upgrade to 64GB if needed for large models), 1TB SSD minimum (2TB preferred for large project files)

3 - Rendering + visualization

For real-time rendering in Enscape, Lumion, V-Ray, Twinmotion, and Unreal Engine 5, you’ll need maximum performance. These tasks are heavily dependent on GPU power and high RAM capacity. If choosing between a better GPU and a better screen, the GPU matters more for rendering.

Recommended Specs:

• CPU: Ryzen 9 / Intel i9

• RAM: 64GB minimum (128GB+ for high-end workflows)

• GPU: RTX 4080+ (higher-tier GPUs provide significant speed improvements)

  • Minimum: RTX 4070

  • Recommended: RTX 4080

  • Best: RTX 4090

This category of laptop can fully replace a desktop workstation for those doing heavy visualization work. However, it’s overkill for many users—even professionals often outsource rendering tasks instead of running them locally.

Recommended Laptops:

• MSI Stealth 17 Studio (2025 Model) 17.3-inch 4K UHD, providing expansive and detailed visuals, Intel Core i9, 64GB RAM, GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090, 2TB SSD

• MacBook Pro 16" (M4 Max, 2025) 16.2" Liquid Retina XDR (3456 × 2234), M4 Max (16-core CPU, 40-core GPU), 64GB minimum (Upgrade to 128GB if needed for large models), 2TB SSD minimum

Any of these systems will serve you well as you decide whether this career is right for you. Buying the highest tier usually isn’t necessary unless rendering is central to your work. Even as a professional, I outsource heavy rendering tasks instead of over-investing in hardware.

As a student, take advantage of your school’s machines—they may not be as convenient, but they can save you thousands in upfront costs.

External Monitors

For external monitors, I recommend the ASUS ProArt series—they offer excellent color accuracy, high resolution, and a design that suits professional workflows. When it comes to screen size, wider is better, especially for working with large drawings, multiple windows, or side-by-side applications.

I personally prefer the 31.5” ASUS ProArt monitor with its all-black styling, which blends seamlessly into a clean, professional setup.

⚠️ A Warning for Mac Users

If you're using a MacBook with an external display, be aware that not all resolutions scale well on macOS. Unlike Windows, macOS is optimized for HiDPI (Retina) scaling, and certain resolutions—especially 1440p (2560×1440)—can look blurry or improperly scaled.

For the best experience:

• 4K (3840×2160) or higher is recommended to ensure crisp text and UI scaling.

• Avoid 1440p displays unless you're comfortable with non-native scaling artifacts.

• If using a 5K (see the Apple Studio display below) or 6K monitor, ensure your Mac’s GPU supports it at the refresh rate you need.

This is less of a concern for Windows users, as Windows handles non-native resolutions more flexibly.

What I use (2025 update)

My practice is slightly unusual in the sense that my workflow can be done entirely in the Mac OS ecosystem (iPad, iMac, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iCloud, iMusic, iPhone, Airpods, AppStore, AirDrop). Being a practice of one means this works for me but it won’t be the right choice for everyone. If you’re considering going Mac OS AND you’re planning to use industry standard programs like Revit + 3DS Max, recognize that this will require Bootcamp to run on Mac OS (and newer chipsets may not be supported). My current system is a 14” Macbook Pro M4 Pro with 48GB of RAM, 1TB SSD paired with a 27-inch Apple Studio display which features lots of screen real estate, making it easy to switch between multiple drafting and project management tasks. For drafting I use AutoCAD LT and SketchUp for basic modeling. It capably runs: Photoshop, Lightroom, FCPX, Keynote, Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.

Given I’ve been traveling much more a laptop makes the most sense for me but it definitely needs protection. I’ve opted for the Orbitkey hybrid laptop sleeve which pulls double duty as a desk mat and sleeve, with a magnetic closure for quick setup and a built-in mouse pad. Slim, stylish, and made from recycled materials, it fits any bag and turns any space into a workspace.

peripherals

Mouse: The Logitech MX Master 2S is quite popular amongst design professionals. It’s fast, customizable, comfortable and it’s compatible with both Mac + Windows. I happen to like and use the Magic Mouse (it’s not for everyone).

Keyboard: I use the Magic Keyboard . If you’re into mechanical keyboards, I’m afraid the appeal eludes me so I’m of no help. Check Matthew Encina’s website for more details.

Printer: HP T210 right-sized for the studio, print 11x17 or using a 24”x150’ roll. This printer is an affordable workhorse.

For backups + cloud storage I use Google Drive (2TB for $99/year) and an Oyen Digital U34 Bolt 4TB (USB4 40Gbps) NVMe Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) Portable SSD for portable storage and travel. This drive easily fits in my EDC tech pouch, and the high-speed transfer ensures efficient handling of large image and video files while on the go.

Ipad for architects: How i use it

For me, a tablet will never replace my desktop system, it’s not the right tool for creating drawings in CAD or even basic 3D modeling; it’s better suited to sketching + mobile work tasks. I’ve found it indispensable on the job site for referencing drawings and schedules, documenting site conditions and real-time problem solving with contractors (mostly via sketching). The iPad capably swings between many different use cases with a larger screen than a phone, yet still more portable than a laptop when traveling and working in the field. For me, it’s definitely plugged some holes in my design process and workflow.

Learn more below in the videos below if you’re interesting in seeing how I use it and some of my favorite apps.