Best Mobile Workstation for CAD
Undoubtedly, one of the most notable transformations witnessed in the realms of architecture and engineering in the last five decades has been the advent of the computer-aided drafting program known as CAD. Originally launched as a desktop application in 1982, swiftly rose to prominence as the leading software for Computer-Aided Design (CAD). Its utility extended far beyond architects and engineers, attracting project managers, graphic designers, city planners, and numerous other professionals into its user base.
Running CAD software require heavy computing resources and choosing the best laptop for these type of workloads requires some careful planning. This is precisely why the team at Cackle has compiled a list of highly recommended mobile workstation in 2023 that are designed and built for CAD and rendering purposes.
1. Dell Precision 7780 Mobile Workstation
The Precision 7780 is a high-end mobile workstation manufactured by Dell. Its premium features make it a powerful addition to any design and drafting workflow. From its Intel Core i9-13950HX CPU with 24 total cores (8 Performance Core and 16 Efficient Core) and a clock speed of up to 5.5GHz and 64GB DDR5 RAM to its high-end Nvidia RTX A5000 GPU with 16GB GDDR6 VRAM and 1TB SSD, there is nothing that this powerful workstation cannot handle. As a matter of fact, it can run two CAD software simultaneously.
As such, this powerful laptop not only makes for an excellent choice for a mobile workstation, but it also makes a good case for completely replacing your desktop computer. When not connected directly to a power outlet, it utilizes the energy from its 93 WHr lithium-ion battery. This implies it can last a good few hours before it needs to be recharged.
Specification:
- Processor: Intel Core i9-13950HX, 24 Core, 32 Threads, up to 5.50 GHz
- Graphics card: NVIDIA RTX 5000 16GB GDDR6 Ada Gen
- Memory: 64GB (2x 32GB) DDR5-5200MT/s SoDIMM
- Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen 4 2280 SSD
- Screen Size: 17″ Full HD Display
- Wireless: Intel AX211 Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 with Bluetooth v5.2
- Dimension: 28.5 x 398 x 265 mm (Height x Width x Depth)
- Weight: 3.05kg
2. Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Mobile Workstation
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16v is ideal for every architect, engineer, or software developer in need for a budget friendly mobile companion. Equipped with an Intel Core i9-13000H processor, NVIDIA RTX A2000 8GB GDDR6 graphics card. These components are robust to handle anything you throw at it.
Lenovo have improved the thermal design and included an extra fan, at the same time all the hot air is directed out the back of the machine, so no scorching of hands either. All this together makes the new ThinkPad P16v a real smooth and enjoyable experience to work with all day long.
Specification:
- Processor: Intel Core i9-13950H, 14 Core, 20 Threads, up to 5.40 GHz
- Graphics card: NVIDIA RTX 2000 8GB GDDR6 Ada Gen
- Memory: 32GB DDR5-5600MT/s SoDIMM
- Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen 4 2280 SSD
- Screen Size: 16″ Ultra HD Display
- Wireless: Intel AX211 Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 with Bluetooth v5.2
- Dimension: 24.6 x 365 x 262 mm (Height x Width x Depth)
- Weight: 2.20kg
3. Apple MacBook Pro M2 Max Laptop
When it comes to Mac-compatible CAD software, the MacBook Pro M2 Max chip is considered one of the best mobile workstation for CAD and stands out as the top choice. It holds the largest screen, the highest processing and graphics power, it is also the most feature-rich experience of any Mac laptops.
With the introduction of the new M2 Max processor line, the MacBook Pro offers workstation power in a consumer-friendly design, reminding us why the MacBook has been the choice of creative pros for many years. The top-of-the-line specs max out at 12-Core CPU, 38 Core GPU which doubling the raw graphics processing power over the M2 Pro chip.
Specification:
- Apple M2 Max
- 12 Core (8 Performance Core and 4 Efficient Core)
- 38 Core Graphics Processing Unit
- 16 Core Neural Engine
- 400GB/s Memory Bandwidth
- Memory: 32GB Unified Memory
- Storage: 1TB superfast SSD
- Screen Size: 16.2″ Liquid Retina XDR Display (3456 x 2234 resolution)
- Wireless: Intel AX211 Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 with Bluetooth v5.3
- Dimension: 16.8 x 355.7 x 248.1 mm (Height x Width x Depth)
- Weight: 2.16kg
4. HP ZBook Fury G10 Mobile Workstation
The HP ZBook Fury G10 mobile workstation is a powerhouse designed to cater to power users and professional seeking powerful computing power yet versatile in creative and technical fields. It boasts top-tier performance with high-end processors and graphics, making it ideal for demanding tasks like 3D rendering and CAD. With a large, high-resolution display and a durable build, it offers a premium experience for content creators and engineers on the go.
Specification:
- Processor: Intel Core i9-13950HX, 24 Core, 32 Threads, up to 5.50 GHz
- Graphics card: NVIDIA RTX 4000 12GB GDDR6 Ada Gen
- Memory: 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5-5600MT/s SoDIMM
- Storage: 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen 4 2280 SSD
- Screen Size: 16″ OLED Ultra HD Touch Display
- Wireless: Intel AX211 Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 with Bluetooth v5.2
- Dimension: 28.6 x 363 x 250.6 mm (Height x Width x Depth)
- Weight: 2.40kg
5. MSI Creator Pro Z17 Mobile Workstation
The MSI Creator Pro Z17 is the most powerful mobile workstation by MSI yet to date. With leading-edge technology, high-performance design for creative professionals. It combines powerful processing capabilities with a high-resolution display and a sleek design to cater to the demands of content creators, making it a top choice for those who require exceptional performance and visual fidelity.
The Creator Pro easily supports your complex projects and multitasking workflow. Deliver the performance you need for architecture, AI, VR, CAE simulation, 3D renders and much more.
Specification:
- Processor: Intel Core i9-13950HX, 24 Core, 32 Threads, up to 5.50 GHz
- Graphics card: NVIDIA RTX 4070 8GB GDDR6 Ada Gen
- Memory: 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5-5600MT/s SoDIMM
- Storage: 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen 4 2280 SSD
- Screen Size: 17″ QHD+ Touchscreen Display
- Wireless: Intel AX211 Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 with Bluetooth v5.3
- Dimension: 19 x 382 x 260 mm (Height x Width x Depth)
- Weight: 2.49kg
Professionals who work with CAD need the ability to switch between applications, tasks and programs quickly and efficiently. When choosing a good mobile workstation, consider factors such as performance, portability, display quality, storage capacity, and reliability. Choose a model that meets your needs and fits your budget.
If you are still unsure on the specs that you need for the best mobile workstation for CAD application that you’re using, be sure to talk to us to assist with finding the most optimal machine for your workload.
