Top 5 Best laptop for architecture students and architects of 2025
We tested out the best laptops for architecture majors, professionals, and students at every level
Both 2D and 3D modeling and rendering are supported by the top laptops for architecture students and practicing architects. I’ve chosen the top 9 computers available today, emphasizing larger screens and visual capabilities for a more thorough look of your work.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2, a remarkably powerful mobile workstation that is designed to last not just the length of your course but much longer, is my overall choice. Additionally, it offers one of the greatest typing experiences available on a handheld device. Because of its discrete GPU and affordable pricing, the HP Victus 15 is still a good choice for those on a tight budget. I’ve also included some big-screen beasts with top-tier features.
Since all of these devices are focused on graphics performance, you’ll see many similarities between my list of the top laptops for engineering students and the best gaming laptops. I’ve chosen laptops that we personally evaluated for architecture majors since they have more RAM and better dedicated graphics cards, which provide the best potential performance for CAD and architectural applications.
Table of Contents
Best overall
1. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2
best on a budgets
2. HP Victus 15
Best 4K
3. Asus ProArt P16
Best MacBook
4. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro)
best for gamers
5. Razer Blade 16 (2025)
1. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2
Designed for severe tasks, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is a fully functional mobile workstation. During our testing, it easily completed every task we gave it. This one feels really sturdy in the hand and is a real powerhouse that is superbly constructed.
Even the entry-level model, which comes in a variety of configurations, can easily handle architectural coursework, from modeling to rendering. However, I would definitely steer clear of the model with integrated graphics and upgrade the RAM to 192GB. Although that will increase the price, I would view it as a better investment for the term of the course and beyond. Even a competent architect will profit from a workstation because of the outstanding performance.
A few drawbacks were observed during the review. Only about three hours of battery life was recorded for intensive tasks, considering the size, specifications, and power. It is also not the lightest laptop available, weighing 6.5 pounds. Although it is portable, we did found that it worked best when put up in one or two spots on campus.
However, given these specifications, the P16 can readily perform tasks like professional-level video editing, computer-aided design software, and 3D rendering. However, that is its intended use. If you’re looking for something a little smaller and a little less expensive, there’s also the P14 with a 14-inch screen.
2. HP Victus 15
Although it may not appear to be a typical gaming laptop, the HP Victus 15 is designed specifically for gaming on a budget. It also provides the specifications required for class, which is advantageous for architecture students.
But for the price, the performance is excellent; it’s suitable for gaming, but you might want to adjust the settings. Additionally, it can manage productivity and commercial duties with ease. Since the program may be highly resource-intensive, I also love that it has a dual-fan system to cool the laptop, which is perfect if you’re studying architecture.
Since our initial assessment in 2022, the model’s specifications have been improved, making it far more appropriate for design courses.
Okay, some compromises have been made to keep the price low. Most noticeably, the screen is only 1080p, the battery life is limited to 4.5 hours during our testing, and the maximum RAM is 16GB. Furthermore, the design is somewhat conventional—dare I say it’s boring? However, there is a lot to suggest here for a laptop with a dedicated Nvidia GPU at this pricing.
3. Asus ProArt P16
Similar to the MacBook Pro, the Asus ProArt P16 is made for designers and makers, and its specifications support this claim. In light of this, it is also perfectly suited for architecture students. During our own testing, it performed well on demanding tasks like editing and generating ultra-high-resolution videos.
The design is excellent; it feels robust and long-lasting (it satisfies the military-grade MIL-STD 810H standard) while remaining lightweight and streamlined. Additionally, there are a good number of connections, such as HDMI for connecting a display to examine your models and renders more clearly and Type 3 and Type 4 USB-C ports. Harman Kardon speakers are available elsewhere for better audio quality; they are a nice addition but not necessary for architectural work.
However, what will truly draw attention is the 4K OLED touchscreen screen with Pantone certification and a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. The picture quality appears clear and colorful, and it is really breathtaking. For more accurate design work, the box even comes with a pen.
We only got one hour and eighteen minutes of battery life when we were heavily editing, and it’s hardly a cheap laptop. There isn’t much else wrong with this computer, though, and it’s a great substitute for the MacBook Pro for architecture students who use Revit, which is only compatible with Windows.
4. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro)
The MacBook Pro is a performance beast when equipped with the M4 Pro or M4 Max chip. Similar to the ProArt P16, it is designed for high-end design and creative work, simplifying CAD, rendering, and editing.
However—and this is a huge but—you should find out if the program you plan to use for your course is compatible with macOS. Some architecture students find the MacBook Pro operationally useless because software like Revit, for instance, only runs on Windows machines. Before making a commitment, I advise consulting your institution or school.
It’s a very powerful laptop that should run programs like AutoCAD without any issues and remain as silent as possible if you may use it for your course. We were undoubtedly quite impressed with this laptop’s performance during our tests. The battery life, which measured well over twenty-one hours throughout our evaluation, is what truly caught my attention. Take “all-day life” literally, huh?
I wouldn’t advise upgrading if you have an older model because, as is to be anticipated from Apple, the price point is very high, making it unsuitable for individuals on a tight budget. Additionally, we didn’t notice many significant changes over the previous M3 Pro versions.
5. Razer Blade 16 (2025)
The Razer Blade 16 is the ideal laptop for students who want to use architecture software and play games at the same time. Even the lowest model’s Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti graphics card can easily handle coursework because to its AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and up to 64GB of RAM.
It performed best in class in our tests, outperforming both synthetic and real-world benchmarking. Additionally, we tested battery life for seven and a half hours when browsing the web and two and a half hours when gaming.
Like previous iterations, this laptop is sturdy and seems high-end because of its anodized metal casing, although it has undergone some significant improvements. It has a redesigned keyboard for a more comfortable typing experience and is lighter and slimmer than before. For anyone wishing to carry this around campus, it is therefore much more portable.
Annoyingly, there’s no 4K version here, as there was with previous models of the Blade 16, but the 2.5K resolution is more than enough for work and play. And we found the display was still gorgeous to look at, sporting OLED and a 240Hz refresh rate.
You’ll get more for your money with a mobile workstation that isn’t designed for gaming if you’re not especially seeking for a gaming laptop. It’s perfect if you want a stunning, well-made computer that can handle your architecture course and yet be used during your free time.