As a professional architect, you need to rely more on conceptual 3D design or modeling instead of delving into industrial concepts.
The same approach applies to video game designers, mechanical/civil engineers, interior designers, or AEC professionals who often need to create walkthroughs to better understand investors and clients.
While there are various high-end 3D modeling, rendering, and even simulation software available for different purposes, SketchUp is very popular with professional architects, engineers, and designers.
Due to the conceptual 3D visualization perspective, the shorter learning curve, the extended third-party compatibility, the user-friendly interface, even graduate schools prefer to use it for their students.
Computer-aided design has evolved over the years. There are many high-end and demanding application programs such as AutoCAD, Revit, etc., which can help you achieve perfection in the relevant field. However, people use tools and software based on particular preferences.
For example, Autodesk Maya is a great 3D modeling and rendering tool if you like character-centric animations more. Also, Cinema 4D, Blender, and 3D Studio Max are essential for realistic rendering and architectural walkthroughs.
BEST LAPTOP FOR SKETCHUP Reviews
So, if you are an interior designer, architect, civil engineer, video game designer, or entry-level student looking to use SketchUp from scratch, you will need a machine with a powerful processor (you don’t need a costly laptop) to finish.
The job. More importantly, if your favorite device has the recommended spec sheet for running SketchUp, it can also handle BIM applications with precision.
When it comes to the laptop selection process, SketchUp requires high-end computing resources, including a powerful processor with exceptional single-core performance, a reliable GPU (preferably with Ray-Tracing support), significant RAM to maintain.
And manage better workflows and decent storage media to easily manage projects, 3D designs, migrations, warehouses, and renderings. Other than that, a large screen with slimmer bezels is perfect for the more expressive and conceptual 3D modelers.
1: NEW APPLE MAC BOOK PRO
If you are looking for a laptop with all the functions needed to do 3D modeling in SketchUp, we suggest you go for this laptop. The Apple laptop computer supports an impressive 16 inch Queen screen, which comes with impressive images.
This screen produces 500 nits of brightness for spectacular reflections. And the wide P3 color gamut allows for bright and lifelike images and videos.
Speaking of its power, it offers the 9th generation Intel Core i7 processor with a turbo speed of 4.5GHz, and it is equipped with AMD Radeon Po 5000M graphics which are exceptional for SketchUp. It also has a touch bar and touches ID, which brings convenience to users.
It even offers a six-speaker frame to enhance acoustic exposures.It has a large storage capacity of up to 8TB SSD, so you can take your photo or create video libraries wherever you want. This storage is exceptional; You can load large files immediately and have lunch with the app in a snap.
Its weight is 4.3 pounds, so it is light, and you can carry it from room to room without any interruptions. Four Thunderbolts offers three slots to run along with the look of its ports, followed by additional legacy performance slots.
Plus, it offers up to 11 hours of battery life for enhanced, profit-oriented creators. However, it is the best machine to run the SketchUp process.
Features
- Screen size: 16 inch
- Processor: 9th generation Intel Core i7 processor
- RAM memory: 16 GB
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Po 5000M series
- Weight: 4.3 pounds
- Battery life: 11 hours.
- Operating System: Mac OS
Pros
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Ultra-fast SSD
- More ram
- Lightweight and portable
- Powerful processor
- Long battery life
- Touch ID and Touch Bar
Cons
- A little expe
2: ACER PREDATOR HELIOS GAMING LAPTOP
The Acer Predator is the best laptop for SketchUp. He is a powerful actor and not more expensive. You can easily buy this laptop in the market with your budget. It offers an Intel Core i7-9750H processor and guarantees that the 3D viewing and delivery tasks are done quickly.
It equipped the six-processor core and GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU with a 6GB combination of VRAM. This laptop offers to work with many functional processors, and 3D delivery is simple with 16 GB of RAM.
Its storage capacity has a multitude of storage capacities, such as a scalable 512 GB SSD, perfect for storing your data and installing your favorite games and applications.
Its 15.6-inch wide IPS display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution with LED backlight makes it perfect for SketchUp. Your laptop’s functionality is usable WASD, smooth touchpad, illuminated console, and features of MaxxAudio audio technology.
It included an HD webcam and voice cleaning receivers which make it the best gaming laptop. Plus, it contains 3D fans, which provide better heat dispersion. The battery life of this laptop is around 6 hours which is not perfect for the SketchUp runner.
It included USB Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1, HDMI 2.0, and other ports. And it’s a laptop that you can easily take anywhere.
Features
- Screen size: 15.6 inch
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9750H
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4 at 2666 MHz
- Storage: M.2 PCIe NV Me 512 GB SSD
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics
- Weight: 5.29 pounds
- Battery life: 6 hours.
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Pros
- Evolutionary memory
- Amazing display
- Illuminated keyboard
- Powerful processor
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- No Thunderbolt 3 port
- Average battery life
3: RAZER BLADE 15 BASE LAPTOP
If you are looking for a laptop for SketchUp, you should choose this one. It is because it has all the functions that SketchUp requires to run. This laptop has a slim and compact design, and its memory is upgradeable.
Razer Blade-equipped NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM are awesome for gaming and bring real-time ray tracing to games.
This graphic is perfect for bringing cinema-quality rendering into the most visually intense games. The 15.6-inch Full HD slim-bezel display helps you win, and this display delivers an immersive and blazingly fast gaming viewing experience.
Speaking of its power, it offers a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with a turbo boost up to 5.0 GHz that offers impressive power and portability. And its memory is 16 GB and 512 GB PCIe SSD that is enough for your data and install your favorite games and applications.
It included more connectivity options like Thunderbolt 3, USB Type-A, USB Type-C, HDM for a desktop experience and is lightweight at 4.69 pounds. Overall, this is the best laptop for 3D viewing and delivery.
Features
- Screen size: 15.6 inch
- Processor: 10th generation Intel core i7 processor with turbo boost up to 0 GHz
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX Graphics with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Weight: 4.69 pounds
- Battery life: 8 hours.
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Powerful processor
- USB type C
- Amazing display
- Upgradeable memory
Cons
- Expensive
4: MSI GF63 LAPTOP
The MSI thin is a development device when 3D is shown, and the fundamental level is shown in the question. The MSI GF63 has a 15.6-inch Full HD with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, an IPS level of 60 Hz, and 45 percent NTSC with slim bezels.Viewing angles are excellent on this screen.
About its power, this laptop offers Intel Core i7-9750 H with 2.6 – 4.5 GHz. It is equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4G GDDR5 graphics card; This ensures that your device will provide you with top-level performance even in critical conditions.
The RAM of this laptop is 16GB DDR4 2666MHz, and the maximum memory is 64GB, and its storage capacity is 512GB NVMe SSD which is enough for your data installing your favorite games and applications.
This laptop’s battery life is suitable for gamers, and its weight is 4.1 pounds, making it a lightweight and portable laptop.
Features
- Screen size: 15.6 inch
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9750 H
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4 2666 MHz
- Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4G GDDR5
- Weight: 4.1 pounds
- Operating system: Windows 10
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Amazing display
- Elegant design
- Low price
- It has a lot of storage capacity
Cons
- No USB Type-C port
5: DELL G7 17 LAPTOP
The Dell G7 laptop is the best laptop for complex SketchUp projects. Dell G7 includes several specs that are better than laptops at the higher end of the price range.
It is equipped with a 9th generation Intel Core i7-9750H processor with an improved turbo clock speed of up to 4.5 GHz, making it perfect for multitasking.
This laptop offers a 17.3-inch display screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. But the brightness levels are not an operational class, and in aircraft changes, the innovation represents more precise and improved visual clarity.
Its screen size is useful, even sitting wider, demonstrating.It has 16 GB of RAM, and its storage capacity is 512 B M.2 PCIe NVMe which is enough for your data and to install your favorite games and applications.
The NVMe SSD is super fast and loads affected applications and Windows 10 operating system with blazing speeds. The Dell laptop offers an excellent dual-fan cooling system that keeps your system cool while the action heats up. It is built to be a showcase.
But this is the most massive device at 7.28 pounds. It provides different connectivity options like Thunderbolt 3, USB Type-A, HDMI 2.0, and many other ports. The battery life of this device is 8 hours, which is great for performance.
Features
- Screen size: 3 inch
- Processor: Intel core i7-9750h 9th generation
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4 266 MHz
- Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6G GDDR5 Video Graphics
- Weight: 7.28 pounds
- Battery life: 8 hours.
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home
Pros
- Considerable RAM
- Feature-packed processor
- Amazing display
- Dual fan cooling system
Cons
- Very heavy
- A little expensive
6: ASUS ROG STRIX SCAR III
Its black screen has a huge and prominent SCAR; this offers a keen eye for this model. The ROG logo is present on the right side of the crimson backlight, delivering more terrifying vibes.
ROG’s 15.6-inch display offers a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This screen is perfect for SketchUp, so choose this laptop for SketchUp. The main feature of this model is that it has an N-key rollover to position different keys correctly.
Asus equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 with 8GB RAM, which provides a fantastic gaming experience. It is with 16 GB of RAM that SketchUp perfects.
And it has a 1TB PCIe Nvme SSD that allows you to store tests, 3D distribution centers. Data moved and other things you want. About the operating system, Windows 10 is your operating system.
This device is not the lightest on the market at 5.67 pounds, and it offers various connectivity options like Ethernet, HDMI, USB, and a few others. Asus also includes a touchpad, speakers, an unknown webcam, and many other useful receivers.
The Asus battery life is approximately 6 hours with moderate use. The Asus ROG Strix Scar is a great laptop for SketchUp customers or any other expert related to 3D delivery, visualization, and other purposes.
Features
- Screen size: 15.6 inch
- Processor: Intel core i7-9750h 9th generation
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4 at 266 MHz
- Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
- Weight: 5.67 pounds
- Battery life: 6 hours.
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Pros
- Powerful processor
- N key change
- Elegant design
- Unique geometry and RGB keyboard
Cons
- Very expensive
- Thicker than usual
7: ALIENWARE NEW 15 LAPTOP
The Alienware has a processor inside the system and gives you sufficient assurance that the laptop will never stop working. It can display amazing images punctuated with exciting and precise colors.
It’s a 15.6-inch Full HD screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It is the Intel Core i7-9750H processor, which cans turbo-clock at speeds of up to 4.50 GHz. It has 16 GB of RAM combined with a processor, which provides excellent performance for multitasking shows.
It has a large storage capacity, a 512GB SSD to get the job done, allowing the device to stack the requested projects, logs, and Windows 10 operating system. It offers various connectivity options like USB Type A, Gig Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, Thunderbolt 3, and many other ports.
Overall, this laptop is the best for those thinking about 3D visualization, shipping, and other purposes. You can take it wherever you want
Features
- Screen size: 15.6 inch
- Processor: intel core i7-9750H
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- Weight: 4.67 pounds
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Pros
- Ultra-fast storage
- Illuminated keyboard
- Evolutionary memory
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- A little expensive
8: AERO THIN GIGABYTE LAPTOP
If you are looking for a device that outperforms the others in terms of presentation quality and without compromise in presentation, then the aero gigabyte is the best device.
It included an Intel Core i7-9750h processor, and its graphics are an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU supporting 6GB of video RAM. The GPU has struck with multifaceted iGPU delivery.
The 15.6-inch screen displays a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. Includes VESA’s assertive HDR 400 display innovation and the fastest 1ms response season imaginable. Its memory is 16 GB, and the storage capacity of the storage module is 512 GB.
Also, you get the Windows 10 operating system pre-introduced inside the device. This laptop has the following ports: Thunderbolt 3 units, mini display, HDMI, Gig killer Ethernet. This laptop is lightweight and portable, weighing 4.4 pounds.
You can transport it from room to room and as you wish. Gigabyte offers an illuminated console that builds on the RBG 2.0 innovation, paving the way for per-key shading customization.
Features
- Screen size: 15.6 inch
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9750h processor
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4 at 266 MHz
- Storage: 512 SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- Weight: 4.4 pounds
- Battery life: 8.5 hours
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Pros
- Powerful processor
- Star screen
- Scalable memory locations
- Excellent collection of ports
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- A little expensive
9: HP OMEN 17
The HP OMEN 17 Laptop PC has the essential features needed to run SketchUp, and it is fast and efficient. So if you are looking for a computer for SketchUp, you can choose this one.
This laptop features the Omen logo in the backlit center, combining brushed aluminum and diagonally placed synchronized carbon fibers. It has a 17.3-inch display screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080p. Its screen is quite sharp.
Even when playing games or watching drama series, you can quickly notice the setting’s smallest details. Its display panel has, despite several specifications, is a little darker. But it offers bright and substantial colors.
This laptop is equipped with an ultra-fast 9th generation Intel core i7-9750h, six-core, 2.6 GHz to 4.5 GHz processor for premium gaming with 16 GB RAM.
Omen offers non-stop fun with such efficient performance specifications. It offers 256GB and 1TB SSD storage capacity to store your favorite dramas, movies, and games.
Omen offers various connectivity options such as a headphone/microphone combo, USB 3.1 Type-A, 1 HDMI, 1 mini display port, 1 Rj-45, 1 USB 3.1 Type-C, and 1 media card reader.
You can use these options for gaming and streaming purposes. But the battery life is quite disappointing; this model only lasted about 5 hours. But this laptop is very portable and weighs 5 pounds.
Features
- Screen size: 17.3 inch
- Processor: Intel core i7-9750h 9th generation
- RAM memory: 16 GB
- Storage: 256 SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- Weight: 4.4 pounds
- Battery life: 5 hours.
- Operating System: Windows 10
Pros
- Good sound speakers
- Incredible performance
- Lightweight and portable
- Ultra-fast processor
Cons
- A little expensive
- Low battery life
- Plastic frame
10: SAMSUNG XE520QAB CHROME BOOK
Samsung is the best lightweight laptop on the market. It has a 12.2-inch display screen with 1900 x 1200p resolution. Its screen is quite sharp. Even when playing games or watching drama series, you can quickly notice the setting’s smallest details.
Its display panel has, despite several specifications, is a little darker. But it offers bright and substantial colors. This laptop is equipped with an ultra-fast Intel Core m3 processor, and its 4GB of RAM and 64GB eMMC storage capacity make it perfect for SketchUp.
Its weight is 3 pounds, and it is portable; you can easily take it anywhere. Two cameras also offer this laptop. The main feature of this laptop is that it provides 2 x USB-C. The Samsun laptop is neither more expensive nor bulkier, and the battery life is also excellent.
Features
- Screen size: 12.2 inch
- Processor: Intel Core m3 7Y30 processor
- RAM memory: 4 GB
- Storage: 64 GB eMMC
- Weight: 3 lbs
- Operating System: Chrome OS
Pros
- Cheap price
- Powerful processor
- Lightweight and portabl
Cons
- Bad typing experience
System requirements for Sketchup
For windows
Minimum system requirement
- Processor: 1 GHz processor
- RAM: 4GB RAM
- Storage: 500MB SSD
- Graphics: 3D class video graphics card with 512MB or more memory and hardware support
- Operating system: Windows 7+, 8+, 10
Recommended system requirements
- Processor: 2+ GHz processor
- RAM: 8+ GB RAM
- Storage: 700 MB SSD
- Graphics: 3D class video graphics card with 1GB or more memory and hardware support
- Operating system: Windows 7+, 8+, 10
For Mac OS
Minimum system requirement
- Processor: 2.1+ GHz processor
- RAM: 4GB RAM
- Storage: 500MB SSD
- Graphics: 3D class video graphics card with 512MB or more memory and hardware support
- Operating system: Mac OS 10.11 and higher
Recommended system requirements
- Processor: 2.1+ GHz processor
- RAM: 8+ GB RAM
- Storage: 700 MB SSD
- Graphics: 3D class video graphics card with 1GB or more memory and hardware support
- Operating system: Mac OS 10.11 and higher
- So here is the list of best laptop for Sketchup
BUYING GUIDE
As you may have already guessed, the processor, along with RAM and graphics card, are the main components to consider when looking for a laptop for SketchUp.
Let’s take a look at each of these individuals and also find out some of the common mistakes to avoid when buying a laptop in general, and more specifically for SketchUp:
The processor
As mentioned above, SketchUp is a single-core application, which means that you won’t see any noticeable improvement in program performance if you’re using a multi-core processor, such as an Intel i7.
However, a multi-core processor can be handy, especially when rendering, and if you multitask and run other programs alongside SketchUp.
The processor clock speed is also critical; since SketchUp is a unique application. This means that the program will run better if the processor has a higher frequency.
Most laptops come with Intel “U” processors, which stands for “ultra-low power consumption” and usually results in a lower frequency to save power.
While some newer U processors can be used for SketchUp and can handle 2D projects without a problem; Obtaining an “H” or “HQ” processor is strongly recommended.
“HQ” and “H” refer to high-performance integrated graphics and a quad-core processor; these processors also tend to have a higher frequency.
RAM
As mentioned above, the amount of RAM your laptop has is significant when running 3D modeling software, such as SketchUp. 8 GB of RAM is sufficient for students. However, at least 16 GB of RAM is recommended for professionals.
Graphics card
The graphics card is essential because it determines how quickly your screen will display your work’s “results.” For SketchUp, it is recommended that you purchase a laptop with a dedicated graphics card.
Many users have reported endless issues with SketchUp with integrated Intel graphics. If you’re on a budget, consider a laptop with at least an Nvidia 960MX or 1050GTX.
And depending on the complexity of your projects, you may also want to consider a more powerful card like the 1060GTX or better.
Display
It is also important to choose the right screen size. And when it comes to 3D modeling, it can be said that the bigger the screen, the better. While a 15.6-inch screen is good enough, a 17-inch screen is even better.
If you’re not going to be carrying your laptop with you all the time, the 17-inch screen is the best option. Screen resolution is also important, and for laptops, Full HD resolution is recommended as it will give you sharper lines and allow you to see more detail on the screen.
There are still plenty of laptops out there with 1366 x 768 screens (especially if you’re considering a used laptop), and these should be avoided like the plague. This does not mean that the highest resolution will solve this problem.
A resolution higher than Full HD is not always good on a laptop, even on a 17-inch screen, as it means more battery consumption, and it may not be supported by the software either.
Storage
Having an SSD (Solid State Drive) will not have much effect on the performance of SketchUp. It will certainly speed things up when you read and write to the hard drive: for example, when opening and saving files, program startup, model loading Etc.
However, SSD storage is the future and makes your overall laptop more responsive. If you are on a budget, go for a standard 1TB hard drive, but many cheap laptops today come with SSDs.
However, it is highly recommended for professionals that you choose at least 512 GB of SSD storage.
Weight
If you work remotely and carry your laptop all the time, your laptop’s weight could become an issue. In any case, a lighter laptop is the ideal option, so try to find one that weighs around 3 pounds.
FAQs
Why do you need a high-end GPU for the best SketchUp results and performance?
A high-end GPU, preferably the mainstream RTX 20 series models, is a great option for running SketchUp, thanks to the decent distribution of CUDA and Ray Tracing cores.
On top of that, all the necessary APIs such as Vulkan, DirectX, and OpenGL are available, making it easy to achieve desirable levels of performance and good quality renderings.
High-end GPUs are mostly preferred if you want to take advantage of 3D rendering via third-party plugins.
Which processor to trust if you only want to use SketchUp for modeling?
If your only goal is to create 3D designs, you need a powerful processor with faster Turbo Clocking speed. This means faster single-core performance, which is the most desirable specification for 3D modeling.
 Why should SketchUp be the number one choice for architects?
Unlike other high-end 3D modeling and rendering programs, SketchUp is much more interactive and the perfect choice for conceptual designs.
Therefore, architects and interior designers can develop designs and put them into practice using the SketchUp program, which is also a great option for creating 3D house designs and concept-based tours.
What is the best rendering plugin for SketchUp?
If you are looking to render selected SketchUp models while importing them into third-party plugins, Octane Render and V-Ray Next are the best options to consider.
However, this is where you would need a high-end GPU with additional CUDA cores to increase efficiency. The best scenario is for the dedicated GPU to work in conjunction with the integrated graphics card.
Why Do Professional SketchUp Artists Need More RAM?
Professionals need at least 16GB or even 32GB of RAM for a seamless working experience. 3D models and renderings take up a large amount of system memory, which can easily run out if you’re a seasoned SketchUp professional.
However, high-end laptops come with upgradeable RAM slots in most cases, allowing you to boost system memory if needed.
Why is Thunderbolt 3 support compulsory for 3D modeling and rendering?
For advanced 3D modeling and rendering, you may need additional displays to work on 2D and 3D renderings simultaneously.
On top of that, if the system’s GPU is not sufficient for high-end modeling, rendering, and simulations, Thunderbolt 3 ports allow you to pair additional GPU gear to enhance business productivity.
FINAL WORDS
Sketchup is one of the leading professional, idea-based application programs for 3D demonstrations and presentations.
If you’re looking for the best for an in-house and top performer capable of running SketchUp, AutoCAD, and BIM applications like Revit while still allowing for back-to-back games, then the Alienware M15 is an exclusively practical animator.
Acer predator is also the best option for sketch up because of its high functioning features. Buying a laptop for Sketchup is a challenge, but don’t worry, now you can easily buy the best laptop for Sketchup.
You should be careful and pay attention to the specifications that directly relate to this application’s performance. These include graphics, processor, RAM, and screen resolution. I hope this article helps you find the perfect laptop for Sketchup.
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