Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall laptop for Revit is the Acer Predator Triton 17 X, a powerful system for designers and creatives.
- Laptops that can handle Revit can cost anywhere from $800-$4,000.
- Revit system requirements are forgiving for beginners.
- The best laptops for Revit should have powerful processors, plenty of RAM, and a strong GPU.
BIM software has increased in popularity with engineers and architects thanks to programs like Revizto, ArchiCAD, and Revit. The best laptops for Revit don’t have to break the bank, but they do have to meet specific requirements. We’ll tell you what those are for Revit 2023 and highlight five laptops we feel are best for Autodesk’s modeling software. After reviewing the options, here are our top picks:
- Best Laptop for Revit: Acer Predator Triton 17 X
- Best 4K Laptop: MSI Titan GT77
- Best Budget Laptop: Acer Swift X Creator Laptop
- Best Workstation: Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Gaming Laptop
- Best Hybrid: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
Best Laptop for Revit: Acer Predator Triton 17 X
- 13th Gen Intel i9-13900HX
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- 250Hz refresh rate G-SYNC display
- 64GB DDR5 RAM
- 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
- Supports Wi-Fi 6E
If you’re looking for a portable system that won’t need upgrades for years, the #1 Best Overall laptop for Revit is the Acer Predator Triton 17 X. It’s a laptop geared for creatives and gamers, so you can expect top-tier specs across the board, including the graphics department.
This laptop can easily handle programs like Revit, Archicad, and Revizto. The RTX 4090 GPU far exceeds AutoDesk’s system requirements for the program. It has more than enough power to deal with BIM software or anything else, thanks to the 13th gen Intel i9-13900HX processor. That chip is backed by 64GB of RAM, and there’s ample storage for projects on the 2TB solid-state drive.
While the Predator Triton 17 X doesn’t disappoint with tech specs, the display ties it all together. The 17-inch panel provides a large workspace. It has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 with a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. It also has a 250Hz refresh rate and an RGB backlighting system with per-key RGB. A state-of-the-art cooling system keeps this premium laptop running smoothly with features like a 5th gen Aeroblade fan and Vortex Flow optimization.
This sleek laptop would fit right in with Razer’s gaming laptops with its CNC-milled chassis and RBG lighting. Acer decked out the Predator with “future-proof” specs to keep it viable long after other systems bite the dust. It’s expensive, and the GPU can take a toll on battery life, but it is ideal for professionals that want a portable system on par with desktops.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The laptop has some of the best components currently available. | This laptop has a premium price point. |
| It has a spacious 17-inch display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600. | Professionals may not find RGB lighting and gaming-centric features useful. |
| The sleek design features a CNC-milled unibody frame. | |
| It has a state-of-the-art cooling system. |
Check out the Acer Predator Triton 17 X on Amazon.
Best 4K Laptop: MSI Titan GT77
- Intel Core i7-12800HX
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
- 32GB DDR5
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 4K display with 120Hz refresh rate
The best laptop for Revit users interested in a 4K system for BIM and graphic design is the MSI Titan GT77. This popular laptop line comes in a variety of configurations, including this UHD variant with RTX graphics and a very nice price tag.
MSI is known for producing powerful laptops, and the Titan lives up to its namesake. The i7-12800HX version is a little light on storage at 1TB but has 32GB of RAM and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti as its dedicated GPU. It also has a 17.3-inch 4K display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. It’s a great gaming rig and will certainly impress whether running Revit or 3ds Max.
Regardless of which program you prefer, this laptop will never run hot. The Titan cooling system has four fans and seven pipes with six exhausts. The battery life is solid, depending on your usage, at 99.9Wh. There are also a plethora of ports on the MSI Titan GT77, including three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 4.
While we chose the nicely priced version of the Titan GT77, MSI has two more powerful configurations with i9 processors, more RAM, and your choice of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or RTX 4090. All have SteelSeries keyboards with per-key RGB and allow you to expand the memory and storage as your needs grow.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a 17.3-inch UHD display with 100% DCI-P3. | It’s a hefty system at close to 8 pounds. |
| The laptop has an RTX 3070 Ti GPU and 32GB of RAM. | You only get 1TB of storage on the base model. |
| MSI has a robust Titan cooling system. | |
| The MSI Titan GT77 is available in several configurations. |
Check out the MSI Titan GT77 on Amazon.
Best Budget Laptop: Acer Swift X Creator Laptop
- 14-inch Full HD 100% sRGB display
- AMD Ryzen 7 5825U
- NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti GPU
- 16GB LPDDR4X
- 512GB SSD
- Wi-Fi 6
- Backlit KB
- Windows 11
If you’re getting started with Revit and aren’t ready to fully commit, the Acer Swift X Creator Laptop is an excellent choice. While not as large or powerful as our top two picks, it’s perfect for students just getting started along with folks that want to dabble with modeling or BIM software.
At only 3.06 pounds, this laptop is lightweight and easy to tote around. The 14-inch FHD display plays a part in that, and the lifting hinge gives the system a bit of a boost when in use. It won’t stand out from a design standpoint, but it is a good-looking system with a sturdy frame. Users found this laptop comfortable to use, and it has excellent baseline specs to deal with programs like Revit.
Acer used a dedicated card in this laptop with the RTX 3050 Ti. It has 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM, while the system itself has 16GB of memory under the hood. The processor powering the Swift X comes from AMD with the Ryzen 7 5825U, and the panel is 1,920 x 1,080 with 100% sRGB. It’s only rated at 300 nits brightness, however.
The Acer Swift X is suitable for creators just getting their feet wet, but it’s also a great all-around system for casual use. It has enough pop to handle Revit and other programs, although it may feel sluggish when rendering high-resolution scenes. This laptop is available in two additional configurations and can be bundled with a variety of accessories.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has an attractive price tag and solid specifications for beginners. | Storage is limited with a 512GB solid-state drive. |
| The Swift X is lightweight at 3.06 pounds. | It could struggle with rendering in some programs. |
| The laptop offers solid security with Windows Hello and a fingerprint reader. | |
| It has an RTX 3050 Ti with 4GB of VRAM. |
Check out the Acer Swift X Creator Laptop on Amazon.
Best Workstation: Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Gaming Laptop
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 T
- 64GB RAM
- 2TB PCIe SSD
- 120Hz IPS FHD display
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Gaming Laptop is billed as a gaming PC, but it’s one of the best workstations for people using Revit. It’s not decked out with RGB lighting or a QHD display, but it provides users with a lot of RAM and a dedicated GPU.
Lenovo’s IdeaPad has a 15.6-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080. It’s not fancy, although the anti-glare display does have a 120Hz refresh rate. A 12th-generation Intel Core i7-12700H processor handles intensive software with ease when paired with 64GB of DDR4-3200 memory. Storage won’t be an issue, considering this laptop has a 2TB solid-state drive.
Another reason we love this system as a workstation is the connectivity options. There are dual USB 3.2 ports, a Thunderbolt 4 port, DisplayPort, and HDMI 2.0. It has dual-band with Wi-Fi 6, the keyboard is backlit, and the laptop is well-built from top to bottom. It’s not as light as other models at 5.1 pounds and a bit thick, but it performs like a champ where it counts.
This is another system that would be a great fit for beginners, and it has more memory and storage than the Swift X. The IdeaPad 3 has an understated design but plenty of horsepower thanks to the Intel chip and 64GB of RAM. If your budget is tight, there are also two alternative versions of this laptop with 32GB of memory.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s powered by the 12th Gen Core i7-12700H processor. | The battery life could be better. |
| The Ideapad 3 has 64GB of DDR4 RAM. | The display is only 250 nits of brightness. |
| It has a dedicated RTX 3050 Ti GPU. | |
| It’s affordable at every configuration. |
Check out the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Gaming Laptop on Amazon.
Best Hybrid: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
- 14.4-inch touchscreen display
- 120Hz refresh rate
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11700
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- 32GB RAM
- 2TB SSD
If you’re tired of traditional laptops, the best hybrid laptop for Revit is the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. It’s from the company’s flagship flexible system line and is incredibly useful whether you’re using Revit, SketchUp, or DataCad.
The highlight of this system is its versatility. You can use it as a traditional laptop or fold it for use as a touchscreen tablet. The Surface Slim Pen 2 really shines for creatives in tablet mode. The 14.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display is responsive and has an aspect ratio of 3:2 with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,600.
When it comes to performance, Microsoft doesn’t disappoint. This version of the Surface Laptop Studio has the 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11700 and the GeForce RTX 3050 Ti. This configuration also has 32GB of RAM and a 2TB solid-state drive. This hybrid laptop is fast and flexible whether designing buildings or playing Call of Duty.
2-in-1 devices generally aren’t suitable for Revit, but the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is a rare exception. It’s a bit limited with the GPU and processor compared to premium systems, although it provides users with new ways to create on the go. The only drawback to this system is that it doesn’t come with the S Pen and only has two USB-C ports.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can use the Surface Laptop Studio as a laptop or tablet. | It doesn’t come with the Surface Pen. |
| It has a 120Hz PixelSense touchscreen display. | There are only two USB-C ports. |
| The Studio has a fast 2TB solid-state drive for storage. | |
| It has solid battery life in both modes. |
Check out the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Laptop for Revit: Step by Step
You may think choosing the best laptop for Revit is challenging, considering the number of Reddit threads involving laptops that run Revit. Well, that’s not the case at all — finding the right system for your needs is relatively simple. You just need to understand the system requirements for Revit and think about how else you plan to use your new PC.
- System Requirements
- Usage and Portability
- The Display
System Requirements
Wondering if the laptop you have your eye on can run Revit? That’s the first step to finding the best laptop for Revit and it’s something that is easy to figure out. You can check out the Revit system requirements from AutoDesk’s site to get an idea of how any PC will perform.
If you want a laptop that can handle complex models and rendering, you’ll need at least 32GB of RAM. You’ll also need a processor equivalent to or greater than the 2.5GHz Ryzen Threadripper Pro and Intel i-Series chips. An Intel i5 is a good starting point, but the 13th Gen chips ensure your system will be solid for years to come.
The more memory, the better, although RAM slots can be sparse on some models. With that in mind, the entry-level specs are 8GB for Revit and a GPU capable of DirectX 11 and Shader Model 5 or higher. The laptop needs to have 4GB of VRAM on the low end, but you’ll want something with more power for rendering.
The processor, memory, and GPU are the most important parts of a laptop geared for Revit. Dedicated graphics cards are preferred but not required if you’re just starting. If you’re considering a budget-friendly system, check to see what components are upgradable on the laptop beforehand.
Usage and Portability
Once you have a rough idea of what to look for with tech specs, think about how and where you’ll use the laptop. The best laptops for Revit are portable by design, but high-end graphics cards and cooling systems can increase the weight.
Are you planning to work from the field, or will you spend more time in an office? That’s important, especially for a laptop with an RTX 4090 and a 17-inch display. You can always plug into an outlet if you’re at home or work, but battery life is more critical on the road.
Students should try and find a balance between power and portability. There are a number of lightweight laptops with top-tier components, but battery life typically takes a hit. Revit can drain a battery between the processor and GPU, although it’s not as power-thirsty as other BIM software.
The Display
While you may think that a Revit laptop would need a beefy display, that’s not the case. The minimum requirements are a display with a resolution of 1,280 x 1,024 and true color. Under the software’s performance guidelines, the display is only 1,920 x 1,200. That’s basically FHD+, which means a Full HD display will be fine with Revit.
Do you plan to render models on the laptop, or will you work from a secondary display? That’s important, also, as you can find Revit laptops with panels from 1080p to UHD. Better displays can increase the price of a laptop substantially. A 15.6-inch 2K panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and accurate color could cost more than a system with a mediocre 4K display.
Unless you plan to work from multiple systems, consider the display carefully, as well as your budget. If you plan to use the laptop for gaming and media, an eye-blistering display should be high on your list. Otherwise, think about usage, the GPU in the laptop, and rendering.
What to Know Before Buying a Laptop for Revit
The system requirements, display, and usage are three key areas when searching for the best laptop for Revit. It’s also important to consider storage capacity, cooling systems, and connectivity, however.
You can upgrade storage on most, but not all, laptops. Even if you can’t swap out the hard drive, expansion is possible through external drives and USB sticks. You can also give your Wi-Fi a boost through various means, although Bluetooth is a different story.
Dual-band Wi-Fi is standard, but plenty of laptops are stuck without outdated Bluetooth tech. Ports are essential but expandable through USB hubs. Cooling is critical when running design software and rendering complex models. Premium laptops have systems designed to dissipate heat, although you can address those issues with laptop stands and cooling pads to some degree.
Using a Laptop for Revit: What It’s Like
Whether you’ve used a traditional laptop or a 2-in-1, you’ll have no trouble finding a laptop that will run Revit. The best laptops for Revit are no different than any other laptop, especially laptops in the budget to mid-range class. There are some additional perks that come with owning premium systems, however.
If you purchase a Revit laptop with a dedicated GPU, you’ll be surprised by its gaming performance. Laptops typically have weak integrated graphics, but adding an RTX 3070 or even the 3050 Ti is a massive improvement. It also carries over to media, so any content you consume will shine on your new PC.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©SFIO CRACHO/Shutterstock.com.
