Best Laptops For Archicad (2025)

ArchiCAD is a powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) tool that lets architects and designers develop detailed architectural models, collaborate in real time, and generate construction-ready documentation—all in a unified 3D environment. It’s as much a design studio as it is a technical command center. But to fully leverage Archicad’s capabilities—from concept modeling to photo-realistic rendering—you need a laptop built for design accuracy, modeling speed, and architectural scalability.

We created this guide for you—architects, architectural students, BIM managers, and design professionals who rely on Archicad for parametric design, collaborative documentation, and high-fidelity visualization. If you’re handling complex building models, coordinating with structural engineers, or presenting high-resolution renderings to clients, your laptop must be as robust and detail-oriented.

We’ve analyzed the real-world demands of Archicad workflows, from 2D drafting and 3D modeling to BIM coordination and rendering, to help you select the laptop that keeps up with your pace of creation.

Let’s break down the essential specs that shape Archicad performance:

Processor (CPU) is the cornerstone. Archicad is largely single-thread optimized, especially for general modeling, navigation, and 2D drafting. You’ll benefit most from high clock-speed CPUs, such as the Intel Core i7/i9 (13th/14th Gen H/HX), AMD Ryzen 9 HX series, or Apple M3 Pro/Max. These deliver fast regeneration times, smooth model navigation, and snappy viewport responsiveness.

GPU matters when you’re working in 3D viewports, CineRender visualizations, or external render engines like Twinmotion or Lumion. While Archicad doesn’t depend on the GPU as much as some VFX or game design software, having a dedicated graphics card greatly improves 3D modeling performance and enables smoother walkthroughs. We recommend at least an NVIDIA RTX 4060 or better (4070/4080 for intensive visualization tasks), or the Apple M3/M4 Max with high-core GPU support.

RAM impacts how easily you can work with large projects or switch between views and layouts. For most architectural workflows, 32GB of RAM is the smart starting point. 64GB is ideal for large-scale BIM projects, detailed site contexts, or when running multiple design apps simultaneously.

Storage needs to be fast and spacious. Load times, file imports, Teamwork syncing, and rendering caches benefit from PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSDs. We recommend at least 1TB of SSD storage, ensuring you can store models, texture libraries, linked PDFs, and BIM cloud data with room to spare.

Display is not just about size, it’s about clarity and accuracy. Architectural work demands precision visuals for detailing, color consistency for render previews, and high resolution for layouts. A 15.6” or 16” QHD+ or 4K display, with 100% sRGB or DCI-P3 coverage, ensures you see your designs the way they’ll be built and presented. For professionals presenting to clients, HDR or Mini LED displays add an edge in visual storytelling.

Build Quality and Portability matter too. Architects move between office, site, and client presentations. Look for laptops with aluminum or magnesium alloy chassis, long battery life, and under 2.5kg weight for practical mobility without sacrificing performance.

Cooling and thermal efficiency aren’t optional. Long modeling sessions and rendering batches tax your system. We favor laptops with vapor chamber cooling, dual fan setups, and intelligent heat zoning, so your laptop stays responsive during extended work sessions.

Connectivity completes the picture. You’re interfacing with external monitors, USB-C peripherals, SD cards for site photos, BIMcloud, or laser scan data. Essential ports include Thunderbolt 4, USB-C with DisplayPort, HDMI 2.1, full-size SD card readers, and Wi-Fi 6E for cloud-based collaboration and model syncing.

This guide is tailored for a wide range of users: licensed architects, design-build professionals, interior designers using Archicad’s features, and architecture students for early-stage concept modeling, documentation, or client-side rendering.

Also take a look at the best laptops for Architecture Students in addition to the best laptops for Lumion.

Best Laptops for Archicad:

MSI Cyborg Gaming Laptop 2023 Newest, 15.6 IPS FHD 144Hz Display, 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H Processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
Check This On Amazon
CPU	13th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
Display Size	15.6 inches
Display Resolution	1920 x 1080
RAM	16GB DDR5
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	HDMI, Ethernet, Audio
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.15 x 0.9 x 9.86 inches
Weight	6.67 lbs
Advantages	Performance, Good price, Quality build
Disadvantages	N/A

MSI Katana 15 15.6 144Hz FHD Gaming Laptop 13th Gen Intel Core i7, RTX 4070
Check This On Amazon
CPU	13th Gen Intel Core i7
GPU	RTX 4070
Display Size	15.6"
Display Resolution	‎1920 x 1080 pixels
RAM	16GB DDR5
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Ethernet, Audio, HDMI
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.13 x 10.2 x 0.98 inches
Weight	‎8.85 pounds
Advantages	Affordable, Good performance
Disadvantages	Heavy

ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 16 OLED Laptop, 16” 3840x2400 OLED Display, AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, 32GB DDR4, 2TB PCIe SSD, Nvidia RTX A2000
Check This On Amazon
CPU	AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
GPU	Nvidia RTX A2000
Display Size	16”
Display Resolution	3840x2400 OLED Display
RAM	32GB DDR4
Storage Space	2TB PCIe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Audio Jack, HDMI, Ethernet
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎14.25 x 10.39 x 0.78 inches
Weight	‎10.3 pounds
Advantages	Quality display with good performance
Disadvantages	Very heavy

ASUS Flagship ROG Zephyrus M16 Gaming Laptop 16 QHD+ IPS 240Hz 13th Gen Intel 14-core i9-13900H
Check This On Amazon
CPU	13th Gen Intel 14-core i9-13900H Processor
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB
Display Size	16" QHD+
Display Resolution	(2560x1600) IPS
RAM	32GB DDR5 SDRAM
Storage Space	1TB Solid State Drive
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	1 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB-C 3.2, 2 x USB-A 3.2, 1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	9.69 x 13.98 x 0.88 inches
Weight	‎4.64 pounds
Advantages	Lightweight, Good performance, Quality Display
Disadvantages	Price

ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2023) Gaming Laptop, 16” 1610 FHD 165Hz, GeForce RTX 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX
Check This On Amazon
CPU	‎4.9 GHz core_i7
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
Display Size	‎16 Inches
Display Resolution	1920 x 1200 pixels
RAM	16 GB DDR5
Storage Space	512 GB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Ethernet, Audio
Dimensions (L x W x H)	13.94 x 0.89 x 10.39 inches
Weight	5.51 pounds
Advantages	Good performance
Disadvantages	Storage space may be inadequate for some people

ASUS ROG 16 WQXGA (2560x1600) 165Hz IPS Display Gaming Laptop (Intel i9-11900H 8-Core, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, RTX 3060
Check This On Amazon
CPU	Intel i9-11900H 8-Core,
GPU	RTX 3060
Display Size	16"
Display Resolution	WQXGA (2560x1600) 165Hz IPS
RAM	16GB
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Ethernet, Audio, HDMI
Dimensions (L x W x H)	9.7 x 14 x 0.9 inches
Weight	4.5 pounds
Advantages	Good performance
Disadvantages	n/a

Alienware M15 R6 Gaming Laptop - 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 1ms 360Hz Display, Core i7-11800H, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA RTX 3070 8GB Graphics
Check This On Amazon
CPU	11th Generation Intel Core i7-11800H (24MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz, 8 cores) Processor
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6 Graphics
Display Size	15.6 inches
Display Resolution	FHD (1920 x 1080) 1ms 360Hz
RAM	32GB DDR4
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	1. (2) Type-A USB 3.2 Gen1 ports| 2. Type-C port(Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Display Port 1.4, Power Delivery 15W Output (5V/3A) capabilities) | 3. Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 port | 4. HDMI 2.1 Output port | 5. Power/DC-In port | 6. Killer E2600 1Gbps rated RJ-45 Ethernet port | 7. Global Headset jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎10.73 x 14.02 x 0.89 inches
Weight	5.93 pounds
Advantages	Great display, Good graphics card
Disadvantages	Might be heavy for some people

HP OMEN 17t 17.3 240Hz 2K QHD IPS Gaming Laptop 13th Gen (Intel i9-13900HX 24-Core, 64GB DDR5
Check This On Amazon
CPU	Intel i9-13900HX 24-Core
GPU	GeForce RTX 4090 16GB
Display Size	17.3 inches
Display Resolution	Quad HD (2560x1440)
RAM	64GB DDR5
Storage Space	2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	HDMI, Audio, Ethernet, USB
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎10.32 x 15.65 x 1.5 inches
Weight	‎6.2 pounds
Advantages	Very good performance, Good display, Large storage
Disadvantages	Might be heavy for some people

 

ASUS ROG Strix G17 Gaming Laptop 17.3” FHD 144HZ IPS, AMD 8-Core Ryzen 7 4800H (＞i7-10750H), 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
Check This On Amazon
CPU	AMD 8-Core Ryzen 7 4800H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
Display Size	17.3”
Display Resolution	FHD 144HZ IPS
RAM	32GB
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 10
Ports	USB, Audio, HDMI, Ethernet
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎15.55 x 11.1 x 1.11 inches
Weight	5.95 pounds
Advantages	Good performance
Disadvantages	n/a

HP OMEN - 16.1 Micro-Edge QHD 2K 165Hz Gaming Laptop - Intel Core i7 11800H - B&O - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 - 16GB Memory 1TB SSD
Check This On Amazon
CPU	Intel Core I7 11800H Processor (2.30 Ghz, Up To 4.60 Ghz Max Boost, 8 Cores, 16 Threads, 24 Mb Cache )
GPU	Nvidia Geforce Rtx 3070
Display Size	16.1''
Display Resolution	Qhd (2560 X 1440) Led-Backlit Ips Display With 165Hz Refresh Rate | 3Ms Overdrive Response Time | 100% Srgb | 16:9 Aspect Ratio | Dc Dimming
RAM	16GB
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Audio, Ethernet, HDMI
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.54 x 9.76 x 0.91 inches
Weight	5.11 lbs
Advantages	Quality display, Good design and build quality
Disadvantages	Price

ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 OLED Laptop, 16” 3840x2400 OLED Display, Intel core i7, 32GB DDR4, 1TB PCIe SSD, Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060
Check This On Amazon
CPU	Intel core i7-11800H processor 2.4GHz(24M Cache, up to 4.6GHz)
GPU	NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3060 with 6GB GDDR6 VRAM
Display Size	16”
Display Resolution	3840x2400 OLED Display
RAM	32GB DDR4
Storage Space	1TB PCIe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Ethernet, Audio, HDMI
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.25 x 10.39 x 0.78 inches
Weight	10.40 lbs
Advantages	Performance, Display
Disadvantages	None

Gigabyte AORUS 15 15.6 169 Thin Bezel QHD 2560x1440 165Hz, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop
Check This On Amazon
CPU	Intel Core i7-13700H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6
Display Size	15.6 inches
Display Resolution	QHD 2560x1440
RAM	16GB DDR5
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	1x Thunderbolt 4 (Supports Power Delivery), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Mini DP 1.4, 3x USB 3.2 Gen1 (Type-A), 1x RJ45, 1x Audio Combo Jack, 1x SD Card Reader, 1x DC In
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎14.2 x 10.7 x 0.82 inches
Weight	‎4.96 pounds
Advantages	Very good performance, Quality display
Disadvantages	Heavy for some people

GIGABYTE AORUS 17X 17.3 Thin Bezel QHD 2560x1440 240Hz Display, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
Check This On Amazon
CPU	Intel Core i9-13900HX
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU 12GB GDDR6
Display Size	17.3"
Display Resolution	QHD 2560x1440
RAM	16GB DDR5
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Window 11
Ports	1x Thunderbolt 4 (Supports Power Delivery), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Mini DP 1.4 (120Hz), 3x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-A), 1x RJ45, 1x Audio Combo Jack, 1x DC In
Dimensions (L x W x H)	15.6 x 11.5 x 0.86 inches
Weight	‎6.17 pounds
Advantages	Performance
Disadvantages	Pricy for some people

HP Omen 16 Gaming Laptop I 16.1” Full HD IPS 144Hz 7ms I 11th Gen Intel 8-Core i7-11800H I 64GB DDR4 1TB SSD I Geforce RTX 3060 6GB
Check This On Amazon
CPU	11th Gen Intel 8-Core i7-11800H
GPU	RTX 3060 6GB
Display Size	16.1”
Display Resolution	‎1920 x 1080 pixels
RAM	64GB DDR4
Storage Space	1 TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	1 x Thunderbolt 4 - USB4 Type-C (40Gbps signaling rate, DisplayPort 1.4, HP Sleep and Charge), 3 x SuperSpeed USB-A (5Gbps signaling rate, One with HP Sleep and Charge), 1 x Mini DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Ethernet RJ45, 1 x Headphone/microphone combo, 1 x Multi-format SD media card reader
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎9.76 x 14.54 x 0.91 inches
Weight	‎5.1 pounds
Advantages	Good performance, Good display quality
Disadvantages	n/a

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gaming Laptop, 16 WQHD IPS 165Hz Display, GeForce RTX 4070, Intel 13th Gen i9-13900HX
Check This On Amazon
CPU	13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900HX
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB GDDR6)
Display Size	16-inch
Display Resolution	2560 x 1600)
RAM	64GB DDR5 SDRAM
Storage Space	2TB + 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	2 x USB Gen 2 Type-C, 4 x USB Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x Headphone/microphone combo
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.31 x 10.25 x 1.06 inches
Weight	‎5.6 pounds
Advantages	Good performance, Quality display
Disadvantages	N/A

Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop, 15.6 FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti
Check This On Amazon
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti
Display Size	15.6 inches
Display Resolution	1920 x 1080 Pixels
RAM	16GB
Storage Space	512 GB SSD
Operating System	Windows 10
Ports	Built-in 720p webcam with e-shutter, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, 4 USB, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, RJ45 Ethernet
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.27 x 10.26 x 0.89 inches
Weight	‎5.29 pounds
Advantages	Very good performance
Disadvantages	Storage sapce

HP 15 Laptop, 15.6 Full HD Display, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-Core Processor, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD
Check This On Amazon
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-Core Processor
GPU	AMD Radeon Graphics
Display Size	15.6"
Display Resolution	‎1920 x 1080 Pixels
RAM	32GB DDR4
Storage Space	512GB PCIe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	2 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A, 1 x SuperSpeed USB Type-C, 1 x HDMI 1.4b, 1 x Headphone/microphone combo, 1 x AC Smart pin; Multi-format SD media card reader
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.11 x 9.53 x 0.7 inches
Weight	‎6 pounds
Advantages	Good performance
Disadvantages	Storage and weight

Alienware X14 R1 Laptop i7-12700H 32G 1TB RTX 3060 14 FHD 144Hz
Check This On Amazon
CPU	12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H (24 MB cache, 14 cores, 20 threads, up to 4.70 GHz Turbo)
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, 6 GB GDDR6
Display Size	14 Inches
Display Resolution	1920x1080 Pixels
RAM	32 GB, LPDDR5, 5200 MHz
Storage Space	1 TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Ethernet, Headphone
Dimensions (L x W x H)	10.34 x 12.65 x 0.57 inches
Weight
Advantages	Performance, Lightweight
Disadvantages	None