Last update on 2024-04-27 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
If you are going to work with SolidWorks on a laptop, you should consider getting a very strong model, with impressive hardware and a durable build.
In this article, we will help you navigate through Lenovo’s catalog to find which options are the best.
What to look for when buying?
The best way to answer this question is to check what the requirements to run SolidWorks are.
The minimum specs your laptop should have are:
- Dual-core CPU
- 8GB RAM
- 2GB of free disk space.
- 2GB of VRAM
For a better experience, the recommended specs are:
- Quad-core processor
- 16GB of RAM
- 5GB of free disk space
- 4GB of VRAM
How much RAM do you need to run SolidWorks?
As pointed above, the comfortable spot is 16GB of RAM. Even though this figures as the recommended, it is the minimum you need nowadays if you will run plenty of heavy software on your laptop.
Considering that, sometimes it is best to go all the way up to 32GB when choosing a laptop that you wish to keep for many years without having to upgrade it.
Which Lenovo laptop is good for SolidWorks?
Legion 5 Gen 6
Last update on 2024-04-27 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Features
The Legion 5 is sold as one of Lenovo’s gaming laptops. Thus, it has all the specs you need to run SolidWorks flawlessly:
- 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) Display
- Up to AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
- 16GB of RAM
- 512GB of SSD
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (4GB of VRAM)
Benefits
Aside from the excellent performance you will experience with the specs already listed, this machine is easy to upgrade in case you want to add more RAM or SSD storage in the future.
It also has a backlit keyboard and charges very quickly.
Drawbacks
Unfortunately, this model doesn’t come with a Thunderbolt port or SD card reader.
What sets it apart from competitors?
Gaming laptops are always a gamble since they are aimed at a very specific public. In the case of Lenovo gaming models, you can be certain that you are acquiring a laptop that will last and will help you with professional projects.
Evolution from previous models
The major improvement seen in the Gen 6 is the upgrade in the GPU. The Gen 5 only featured up to RTX 2060, which is inferior to the RTX 3060 Ti included on the Gen 6.
ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4
Last update on 2024-04-27 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Features
As the name says, this laptop is intended to be Lenovo’s take on a laptop that can do everything, setting you no boundaries. The specs you will find on this machine are:
- Intel i7-11850H
- 16″ WUXGA (3840×2400) IPS 600nits
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
Benefits
You can get this model with touchscreen support, and if you do, you will find amazing responsivity.
Thunderbolt port is included here, so you can connect to external monitors with all the speed you deserve.
Drawbacks
No OLED display option is included yet, and the battery life is a bit low (something to be expected, though, considering the hardware).
What sets this product apart from competitors?
This is a perfect desktop replacement. While some laptops still keep you wanting an additional desktop, the Extreme family is designed to be your machine for every task, be it working, studying, or gaming.
Evolution from previous models
The Extreme Gen 3 had a 15,6-inch display, while this one has 16 inches. For visual work, this is a very welcome upgrade.
ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3
Last update on 2024-04-27 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Features
Even though this is the Gen 3 of the Extreme family, it still counts with enough hardware to help you with productivity:
- Intel Core i7-10750H
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB of SSD
- GeForce GTX 1650
Benefits
Gen 3 has different display options, so you can even choose a version with a 4K OLED touch screen.
HDMI and USB-A ports are included, as well as support to Thunderbolt 3.
Drawbacks
The major problem of the Extreme family is the battery life. Even if you charge it completely, the battery won’t last as much as you would like.
What sets this product apart from its competitors?
The combination of powerful hardware, durable build, and a beautiful display is hardly found on any other brand. When it is, prices usually surpass Lenovo’s.
Evolution from previous models
The major improvement to be spotted right away is the display. Gen 2 only offered the FHD option, while Gen 3 allows you to pick a 4K OLED touch screen.
ThinkPad P17 Gen 2
Last update on 2024-04-27 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Features
This laptop is called a mobile workstation, so you should expect maximum efficiency from its hardware:
- Intel Core i7-11800H
- 17.3” FHD (1920 x 1080)
- Up to 128GB DDR4 RAM
- Up to 6TB NVMe SSD
- NVIDIA RTX A2000 4GB
Benefits
This is one of the most robust models from Lenovo, both in hardware and build quality. It also has many ports so that you won’t need to acquire a hub or dock for additional ports unless you do use too many peripherals.
Drawbacks
This laptop probably isn’t a device you would like to take everywhere due to its size and weight.
It is more of a desktop replacement that is easy to take from one room to another or that facilitates rearranging your working space.
What sets this product apart from its competitors?
The sheer amount of RAM and ports on this model are incredible. It is hard to find so much RAM in a laptop, and most laptops are shipping with few ports that push you to buy a dock.
Evolution from previous models
The two biggest changes from Gen 1 are the inclusion of more SSD (Gen 1 featured up to 4TB) and the change to Intel Core Gen 11.
Is Core i5 good for SolidWorks?
Yes, the latest generations of Core i5 can do a great job with SolidWorks.
Final thoughts
You have many options to choose from if you want a great laptop to work with SolidWorks.
You don’t need to buy the most expensive, but if you do, you will have a laptop to last for many years to come, especially when we talk about the massive Lenovo models.
A comfortable middle point would be the ThinkPad Extreme Gen 3. It is not outdated yet (and will not be for a long time, to be honest), and allows you to have impressive image precision with the 4K OLED screen.
