Hey everyone! I've been using my trusty MacBook from 2013 for the last decade, but it's really struggling with programs like SketchUp, and I haven't even tried CAD yet. Since I'll be transferring to an online interior design school, I need a new computer. I'm totally lost with all the specs and requirements! Here's what I found:
- **Software I'll be using:**
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Revit
- AutoCAD
- Office 365
**Minimum Hardware Needs:**
- Windows 10 (64-bit) V22H2 or later (macOS isn't suggested for my major)
- Intel i5 CPU (or equivalent) 2.5GHz or faster
- 16 GB of RAM
- DirectX 12 compatible NVIDIA or AMD GPU with 2GB VRAM
- Minimum resolution of 1280x1080
- 500 GB hard drive
**Recommended Hardware:**
- Windows 10 (64-bit) V22H2 or Windows 11 (macOS isn't suggested for my major)
- Intel i7 or higher
- 32 GB of RAM
- GPU with 8GB VRAM
- 1920 x 1080 resolution or greater
- 1 TB hard drive or greater (SSD preferred)
I've seen some computers that can also function as tablets for drawing, but I wonder if they will handle all these programs? Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Interesting about AMD CPUs not being recommended! I think it’s because, traditionally, Intel chips were often seen as more powerful for the type of software you mentioned. But with recent Ryzen advancements, things might be different now! Still, if the requirements say Intel only, you may not want to risk it.
Hey! As a small pc repair shop owner, I’ve come across some great options for students in graphic design and similar fields. For a basic yet reliable model, check out the Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5.
If you plan on diving deep into AutoCAD and need something more powerful, you might want to consider the ThinkPad P14s Gen 5 Intel Mobile Workstation. It’s a bit pricier but super reliable for design work! Both will handle your class workload just fine.
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