Most, if not all, students carry a laptop to and from class, the library, and to study sessions with friends. For writing papers or doing research, most commodity laptops will do the job, but what if you need to run complex 3D CAD applications like Autodesk Revit? You could buy a tower, but it’s not often you see architecture or engineering students using a desk side workstation outside of their university labs. Like all other students, you’re mobile, and your laptop is your essential tool. So how do you configure one that can handle general school work, as well as demanding architecture, engineering & construction (AEC) applications?
There are four areas on which to focus. First, a student should consider processor speed. As previously mentioned in the second blog, Revit, like nearly all other CAD software applications, is frequency bound, meaning speed is more important than the number of cores. It’s ideal to have fewer, faster cores in order to optimize performance. Next, it’s important to consider memory. The minimum amount of RAM that is recommended is 32GB, but you can increase that amount if you tend to run multiple applications at once. The max configurable memory is 64GB, and if you can afford that much, you definitely won’t regret it.
Graphics cards are also an important variable. These options range from the NVIDIA GeForce 3070 or 3080 Ti to the NVIDIA RTX A3000 or A5500. But like memory, GPU performance comes with a price tag, and the bigger and better, the more expensive. The more expensive GPUs do perform quicker in terms of display styles, zooms, rotations, and more, but consult your budget and see what’s best for your price range. Lastly, it’s critical to choose a solid state drive (SSD) to optimize durability and reduce risk to your data.
Fortunately, BOXX offers mobile solutions for architecture & engineering students with GoBOXX laptops purpose-built for Autodesk Revit and other CAD applications. First up is a true desk side workstation replacement, the GoBOXX MXL equipped with an actual desktop Intel® Core™ i7. It’s not ultra-thin and light like the other BOXX offering, the GoBOXX SLM, so that may disqualify it for the student on the go. However, I wouldn’t cross it off your list completely as it’s an absolute beast for Revit. You decide.
GoBOXX SLM is most likely the best place to start when researching Revit laptops. This 17” mobile workstation features a 14-core Intel Core i7 or i9 processor with NVIDIA GeForce 3070 or 3080 Ti, NVIDIA RTX A3000, or NVIDIA RTX A5500 GPU options, up to 64GB of memory, and up to 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD.
Both GoBOXX laptops provide high speed performance and reliability, with the ability to work from anywhere. For more information on frequency, cores, graphics, and screen size, visit the BOXX mobile workstations page.
Before you order your next portable workstation, consider reading the BOXX eBook “How to Configure Your Laptop for CAD” or call to speak to a performance specialist at 877.877.BOXX.