With the rise in remote work, many Revit users are looking for laptops powerful enough to run Revit but still light and portable enough to use on the go. Revit allows building designers co-collaborate on complex building designs and can demand heavy processing power for projects to run efficiently.
Choosing a high-quality laptop that can run the software effectively and efficiently is important to reap the greatest benefits when using Revit software. Here are several of the best laptops for Revit that you can buy in 2023. These laptops are perfect for Revit students, architects, engineers, interior designers, and solo practitioners.
System requirements for Revit
Your device must meet these minimum requirements to run Revit software:
- Operating system. Computers must run 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11.
- CPU type. Intel i-Series, Xeon, AMD Ryzen, and Ryzen Threadripper Pro will run Revit. The system must be 2.5 GHz or higher.
- Memory. Current models will need at least 16 GB of RAM. Older models created in previous Revit software products may require additional memory.
- Resolution. 1280 x 1024 with true color is the minimum requirement. The maximum supported resolution is an UltraHigh (or 4K) monitor. IPS displays also provide better resolution.
- Disk space. You’ll need at least 100GB of free space on your hard drive (or HDD). Also, some Revit models can be 200MB — 1 GB a piece.
- Video adapter. A display adapter that can produce 24-bit color is required for basic graphics.
- Pointing device. The system must include an MS mouse or a 3Dconnexion-compliant device.
- Browser. The system must run Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 (or higher).
- .NET framework. The system requires Version 4.8 (or later).
- Internet connection. For license registration and prerequired component download, the computer must have an internet connection through Wi-Fi or ethernet. This is critical if you have to access a cloud-hosted model on BIM Collaborate Pro.
For the best possible experience, here are some additional recommendations to adhere to:
- Higher GHz. This statistic tracks the refresh rate of the computer’s screen per second. For maximum performance, look for a computer with a higher rate.
- Maximum resolution. You can view Revit graphics with increased clarity on a high-resolution display, such as an UltraHigh (4K) definition monitor. You can pair your system with a DirectX 11 graphics card and a Shader Model 5 with at least 4 GB of video memory.
Because Revit software is highly technical and nuanced, choosing the right computer allows users to deal with and work in large Revit files. A good machine allows you to get your work done faster, reducing the amount of time it takes to open the Revit files, open views, rotate models in 3D, sync to central, and print.
Top laptops for Revit 2023
Below are several examples of high-performance laptops that can effectively run Revit programs. You’ll learn about the pros and cons of each option and the various specs of each device.
Top Revit 2023 laptops:
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Best for: This thin and light laptop is best for AEC workers constantly moving.
Specifications: This laptop includes an impressive 15.6-inch FHD display, 8 GB RAM, and a 5800H powerful processor.
Pros: With five hours of battery life and the ability to charge up to 50% in only 30 minutes, you’ll never have to worry about running out of juice.
Cons: Some users prefer a larger hard drive.
Price: Starts at $899.99
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
Best for: Users who want a tablet’s portability with a laptop’s high-powered computing capabilities will love this flexible, high-end device.
Specifications: Includes 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD, and an 11th Gen Intel core processor.
Pros: It includes a breathtaking 14.4-inch 120 Hz touch screen with vibrant colors and a precise touchpad. Comes with Quad Omnisonic speakers for rich and clear sound.
Cons: It doesn’t include a rapid charging function.
Price: Starts at $1,399.99
Dell G15 Gaming Laptop
Best for: This high-end laptop produces enhanced graphics thanks to its NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card.
Specifications: This laptop includes a 15.6-inch full HD display, an AMD Ryzen powerful processor with six cores and 12 threads, and a 256 GB hard drive.
Pros: It has three SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Type-A ports and one HDMI 2.1 port. It comes equipped with a 3-cell battery.
Cons: Trackpad and keyboard aren’t as durable as other options.
Price: Starts at $909.99
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 2 Intel
Best for: The 14-inch anti-glare screen with LED backlight is a tremendous asset for Revit users who often work outside at job sites.
Specifications: Includes 16gb RAM, a 512gb SSD hard drive, a fingerprint reader, and a backlit keyboard.
Pros: Comes with a three-year warranty. Runs Windows 11 Pro 64. Uses an 11th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor with up to 4.8 GHz.
Cons: Does not include any media keys. May sometimes struggle to process larger files.
Price: Starts at $1,049.99
ASUS Zenbook 15
Best for: If you like to work on multiple screens, you’ll love the NanoEdge displays that unlock your creativity by putting more information at your fingertips.
Specifications: It runs on Windows 10 Core processor with up to 4.9 GHz turbo boost and features 16GB RAM and a 1 TB solid-state drive.
Pros: 12% smaller than the previous Zenbook, only weighs 1.55 kg, features 92% screen-to-body ratio.
Cons: Lacks USB-C charging.
Price: Starts at $1,199
Acer Nitro 5
Best for: Need a larger screen? Look no further than the Acer Nitro 5 and its beautiful 17-inch display with a pixel resolution of 1920 x 1080.
Specifications: It runs Windows 11 with a Core i7 processor at speeds up to 2.3 GHz and offers 1 TB SSD capacity and 16 GB of installed system memory.
Pros: Includes NVIDIA graphics card with 4 GB of memory capability, made with four USB ports and one HDMI output.
Cons: It’s one of the heavier computers on the list (weighs 5.95 pounds).
Price: $1,179.99
Razer Blade 15
Best for: This laptop boasts powerful processing technology with up to 4.8 GHz of Turbo Boost. If you need a high-performing laptop and don’t want to settle for less than the best, this laptop is for you.
Specifications: It includes a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics, and a beautiful QHD 240 Hz display.
Pros: The laptop has a 15-inch screen, is only 16.99 mm thick, weighs less than 4.5 pounds, and offers special vapor chamber cooling technology.
Cons: It’s the most expensive computer on the list.
Price: Starts at $2,199
Factors to consider when choosing a laptop for Revit
If you’re considering buying a laptop to run Revit, use this buying guide to narrow down your options as you shop.
- Processor. A powerful laptop will have multiple cores, a high clock speed, and a large cache size, so you don’t have to wait longer than necessary to access data.
- RAM. Revit functions require a large amount of memory, so look for a computer with plenty of RAM and a sufficient speed of access (measured in MHz). Keep in mind that DDR4 RAM usually operates faster than traditional RAM.
- Graphics card. Revit is a 3D modeling software using a graphic processing unit (GPU) to display models and digital twins properly. Your laptop should include a dedicated graphics card (such as an Nvidia Quadro or AMD Radeon card), high clock speed, and OpenGL compatibility to run programs like AutoCAD or 3DS Max effectively.
- Storage. BIM models can take up a large footprint, so you’ll want to choose a computer that offers a large amount of internal storage (especially if you want to save multiple projects simultaneously). Don’t forget that NVME SSD, PCIE NVME, and PCIE SSD drives often perform better (and faster) than traditional SSDs.
- Display. Consider specs like the size and resolution of your display and whether the display can function as a touch screen and has anti-glare capabilities. Full HD IPS displays are nice, but UHD displays are just as good (if not better). We recommend displays that aren’t harmful on the eyes.
- Battery life. If you plan to use your computer on the go, you may not always be near an outlet. Choose a computer with enhanced battery life. We also recommend getting backup power to extend battery life when on the go.
- Price. You’ll find computers at various prices to suit any budget. You’ll need to decide if you want the cheapest option or are willing to spend a little more on a computer with better functions and features.
- Other features. Some users prefer additional capabilities, such as an RGBbacklit keyboard or the ability to run multiple operating systems.
RevitGods can help level up your business
With so many laptops, making the right decision can be challenging. However, investing time and energy into this choice can equip you to reap the greatest benefit from using Revit technology in your construction process. You won’t have to spend as much time troubleshooting issues or recovering lost data if you choose a high-performance laptop well-equipped for the task at hand.
If you want to take your use of Revit software to the next level, let RevitGods handle the BIM management for your firm or your next big project. We have a mission to make building design technology easy to use and accessible to everyone. We’re laser focused on helping building practitioners use tools like Revit to design and construct high quality buildings much faster..
We’ll ensure you use Revit to its full potential throughout each phase of the project. Our experts can answer any questions you have about BIM implementation and standards, and you can always expect a response within one business day.
