Architecture student laptops and desktops
First-year architecture student laptops
Your requirements for a laptop or desktop will change as you progress through your degree. For first-year architecture students, it's essential to understand that different architecture schools have varying expectations for computer use.
Some courses de-emphasise computers in the first year, focusing more on hand drawing and model-making, while others may require significant computer-based work right from the start. It’s worth checking your university’s approach by asking during an open day or emailing the school before you begin. Even better, contact current students for advice—they’ll provide valuable insight into how much computer work is required and what architecture laptops they recommend.
On-campus computer rooms
Another important factor is your university’s on-campus resources. Many architecture schools have dedicated computer rooms equipped with the necessary software, accessible for long hours. If you have access to these facilities, you might delay purchasing a new architecture laptop until later in your degree.
However, demand for these computers can be high, and not all universities have sufficient workstations. In some cases, relying on university computers may not be practical, and owning your own architecture laptop can be more convenient.
Laptop loans from your University
You may find that your university offers long-term laptop rentals for students who qualify, particularly those in specific financial situations. Be sure to search your university’s website for these opportunities.
Do you need a new laptop right away?
If you already have a laptop, it might be suitable for your first year, especially if your course doesn't heavily focus on computer work initially. However, as you progress, the software requirements for architecture—like 3D modelling and rendering programs—will become more demanding, and your current laptop may struggle to keep up.
Green Mat Workshop suggests using your existing laptop until you have a clearer understanding of your course’s requirements before investing significantly in new architecture laptop or desktop. That said, Chromebooks or iPads aren’t suitable for the work you’ll need to do.
Can I use a tablet instead?
The short answer is no. Even as a first-year student, you’ll need to install full versions of software on a laptop. You may enjoy sketching or drawing on an iPad, but consider it a bonus tool, not a replacement for your laptop or sketchbook.
Architecture student laptop or desktop?
One of the most common questions architecture students ask is whether to opt for a laptop or a desktop. The answer largely depends on where you plan to do most of your work.
Working at the university
It’s highly recommended that you work as much as possible in your university studio space. In architecture, you learn more from your peers than from your tutors, and isolating yourself at home can be a mistake. If you choose a desktop, you’re tied to working at home, which is not ideal.
As an architecture student, I used a laptop throughout my degree and plugged it into a monitor in the studio for a bigger screen. I used the university’s desktop PCs when I needed extra power for rendering. For this reason, laptops as and architecture student can be more versatile for studio work and mobility.
Additionally, your architecture course will likely require you to attend workshops or classes with a laptop in hand.
Working at home
Desktops for architecture students offer better value for money and higher performance. At Green Mat Workshop, we suggest investing in a desktop PC later in your degree, after determining that you prefer working from home and require the extra power that desktops provide.
Mac or PC for architecture students?
There’s no definitive answer. Both Mac and Windows laptops are commonly used in architectural practice. Smaller firms tend to favour Macs, while larger firms often use PCs. The good news is that most architecture software is available on both platforms, with one key exception: Revit.
Software compatibility
The architecture software you’ll be using varies across universities and courses, but some of the most common programs include:
- Adobe: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator (Mac & PC)
- AutoCAD (Mac & PC)
- Archicad (Mac & PC)
- Rhino (Mac & PC)
- SketchUp (Mac & PC)
- Blender (Mac & PC)
- Enscape (Mac & PC)
- Twinmotion (Mac & PC)
- Vray (Mac & PC)
- Revit (PC only)
- Lumion (PC only)
- 3DS Max (PC only)
If your course requires or encourages the use of Revit, you’ll need to opt for a Windows laptop, as Revit is not available for Mac without additional software like Parallels, which can be cumbersome. Architecture laptops running Windows are, therefore, the best option if Revit is part of your curriculum.
MacBooks for architecture students
If Revit isn’t a requirement, a modern MacBook Pro is capable of handling most architectural work. Avoid the MacBook Air or entry-level MacBooks, as they lack the power needed for intensive design work. A MacBook Pro purchased within the last two years will be capable of handling most architecture laptop requirements, provided you’re not using Revit.
Windows laptops for architecture students
You’re going to want to consider a Windows laptop if you’re on a tighter budget or prefer Windows. A good shortcut is to look at gaming laptops. These are often powerful enough for architecture work due to their high-performance specs, including advanced processors, GPUs, and sufficient RAM. However, don’t just buy any gaming laptop, as sometimes manufacturers label any model with glowing lights as “gaming” even if it doesn’t meet the performance needed for architecture software. Always check the specifications to ensure they meet the needs of architecture students.
Architecture students laptop specifications
Ultimately, you need a powerful laptop as an architecture student. While you may be able to get by with your existing laptop during the first year, most students will need to upgrade as their course progresses.
There’s a good chance you will benefit from a laptop or desktop with a more powerful graphics card, especially in your second and third years when rendering software becomes more common. The better the graphics card, the faster your renders will process. Some real-time rendering software, such as Twinmotion and Enscape, have minimum hardware requirements for stable use.
While this buyer's guide to architecture student laptops isn’t overly technical, it's important to note that graphics cards help with rendering, while CPUs are more critical for CAD drawing and 3D modelling. Regardless, having a good amount of RAM is always essential.
Processor (CPU)
The processor is the brain of your laptop. A strong CPU (measured in Ghz) will have the most impact in CAD and 3D modelling software.
Minimum: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
Desirable: Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9 (newer generations)
Graphics card (GPU)
The GPU handles graphic-intensive tasks, like rendering and real-time visualisations. Discrete or dedicated graphics cards give you the best results. Graphics cards come with their own RAM. MacBook Pros come with integrated GPUs that are also capable of handling most tasks.
Minimum: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5500M with 4GB VRAM
Desirable: NVIDIA RTX 3060/3070/3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6700M/6800M 12GB VRAM
RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) allows your laptop to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. More RAM ensures smoother performance when running heavy programs such as large Photoshop files.
Minimum: 16GB
Desirable: 32GB
Storage (Hard drive)
The storage drive affects how quickly your laptop can access files and launch programs. Solid-State Drives (SSD) are much faster than traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and significantly improve performance, particularly when opening large design files or rendering.
Minimum: 512GB SSD
Desirable: 1TB SSD
Screen size
A larger screen provides more workspace for detailed designs and makes multitasking easier. However, portability is also a factor. Alternatively, you can invest in an external monitor for working at home.
Minimum: 14 inches
Desirable: 16 inches
Portability
Portability is crucial when moving between studio and home. While larger, more powerful laptops might be heavier, they offer better performance.
Best buy architecture student laptops
There are numerous reliable laptop brands, including MSI, Lenovo, Asus, Dell, HP and Acer.
Mid-range
Gigabyte G6X
CPU: Intel Core i7 13th Gen
GPU: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
RAM: Up to 32 GB DDR5-4800
Screen: 16-inch IPS 1920 x 1200 @ 165 Hz
Storage: 1 TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
Battery: 73 Wh
Dimensions: 36.1 x 25.9 x 2.5~2.9 cm / 14.21 x 10.19 x 0.98~1.13 inches
Weight: 2.56 kg / 5.64 lbs
High-end
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16
CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 or Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
GPU: Up to RTX 4090
RAM: Up to 32 GB DDR5
Screen: 16inch 2560 x 1600, 16:10 aspect ratio
Storage: Up to 2 TB Gen 4 SSD
Battery: 90 Wh
Dimensions: 35.4 x 24.6 x 1.64 cm / 13.94 x 9.69 x 0.65 inches
Weight: 1.85 kg / 4.08 lbs
Razer Blade 15
CPU: Up to Core i9 13800H
GPU: Up to RTX 4070
RAM: Up to 32 GB DDR5
Screen: 15inch 1080p @ 360H or 1440p @ 240 Hz
Storage: Up to 1 TB SSD
Battery: 80 Wh
Dimensions: 23.5 x 35.5 x 1.7 cm / 9.25 x 13.98 x 0.67 inches
Weight: 2 kg / 4.40 lbs
Macbooks
MacBook Pro M3 14inch
MacBook Pro M3 Pro 16inch
Accessories
Storage and backups
Don’t overlook the importance of storage. Laptops for architecture students need to handle large project files that can quickly eat up space, so ensure your laptop has at least 512GB of storage. Investing in external storage or cloud backups (such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox) is essential to keep your work safe.
Mice vs trackpads
When drawing, you’ll find improved speed, precision, and comfort using a mouse. Mice also feature scroll wheels and extra buttons, which make navigating 3D models faster and easier.
External monitors
While working on a 15-inch laptop screen may be suitable, having a 24-inch or 27-inch external monitor that you can plug into is a great upgrade. You can set up a screen at home, or you may have the option to connect to a monitor in your architecture studio.
Architecture student desktops
You could spend large amounts of money on desktops for architecture work in addition to laptops. The main benefits of spending more on a Windows PC would be faster rendering times for 3D visuals and smoother real-time rendering, VR, video editing, or animations.
It is entirely possible to produce amazing, award-winning architecture work without these powerful PCs. However, if you enjoy producing complex 3D models and rendering, you will need a suitable PC; a laptop won’t be good enough for those demanding tasks.
