Sketchup is the digital extension of your pencil. It allows you to jumpstart from a quick sketch or idea into a full 3D exploration of your designs.
It also mimics the pencil and then goes beyond to fully immerse you in your design, draw lines and connect them into surfaces.
Sketchup is one of the most popular software in architecture, commercial interiors, construction, kitchen, bath, and interior design.
Like most computer-aided design (CAD) software, Sketchup also requires excellent laptop power to run, and that is only possible with the best laptop for Sketchup.
Recommendations for Best Laptop for Sketchup
Utilizing SketchUp is the best decision with regards to improving or figuring out how to sketch. This 3D printing application makes it simpler for you to polish your creative skills and improve your abilities.
If you are somebody who is searching for the best quality and a high-tech laptop for SketchUp then you should go through this article as it will provide you with a list of the greatest sought-after laptops.
If you are running out of time and don’t want to read the article then you can view this list of 8 best laptops for Sketchup.
| IMAGE | PRODUCTS | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | MSI GS76 Stealth | Display: 17.3 Inches RAM: 32GB Storage: 2TB SSD | |
 | MSI Creator 15M A10SE-421 | Display: 15.6 Inches RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB SSD | |
 | GIGABYTE AERO 15 | Display: 15.6 Inches RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB SSD Battery: Up to 8 hours | |
 | Alienware New M15 | Display: 15.6 Inches RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB SSD | |
 | ASUS TUF 15.6 | Display: 15.6 Inches RAM: 8GB Storage: 512GB SSD Battery: Up to 8 hours | |
 | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 | Display: 15.6 Inches RAM: 20GB Storage: 512GB SSD | |
 | HP Envy | Display: 17.3 Inches RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB SSD Battery: Up to 10 hours | |
 | Apple MacBook Pro | Display: 16 Inches RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB SSD Battery: Up to 11 hours |
How to Select Best Laptop for SketchUp? – Buyer Guide
A laptop is a long-term investment and selecting the best laptop for your SketchUp topic becomes difficult.
So, there are several factors to prioritize when looking for a good laptop for SketchUp. Consider the factors below before buying the one for you.
Processor
The speed and performance of a SketchUp laptop depend on its processor. As with more cores and threads, it is important for excellent SketchUp performance on a laptop or PC.
If budget is not your concern, we suggest you buy an Intel Core i5, i7, or i9 like (Intel Core i7-10700k or Intel Core i9-10900K) or equivalent AMD Ryzen 5 / 7 like (AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, AMD Ryzen 9 5900X) processor.
RAM
Sketchup uses a large amount of RAM when running, which is why artists and 3D designers should pay special attention to the RAM memory of the laptop.
We suggest a device with at least 8 GB RAM while you can opt for 16 GB or more as per your routine workload of this rendering engine.
It will help you to run a sketchup application without any difficulty.
Storage
Storage is one of the significant factors you should consider before buying a SketchUp laptop. You can choose SSD for speed and HDD for capacity.
We recommend you buy a minimum of 512 GB SSD (preferably) or 1 TB or opt for hybrid storage (HDD+SSD) for a low budget.
It is a perfect storage capacity for sketchUp laptops.
Graphics card
A dedicated graphics card is better than an integrated graphics card and a core requirement for SketchUp and other 3d rendering engines.
We recommend that the 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is a good fit for SketchUp. Try not to go lower than the GTX 1050.
Battery life
All SketchUp users need a laptop with decent battery life. Try to buy a laptop with a battery life of at least 6 hours or more. A laptop with good battery life is a plus point for SketchUp artists.
What Minimum and Recommended Specifications are Required?
If you are looking for a high-quality laptop for SketchUp, then you are at the right place. These system specifications will surely help you to find the right laptop for your needs.
Sketchup for Windows
| Features | Minimum | Recommended |
| Operating system | Windows 7Mac OS 10.14 | Windows 8.1 / 10Mac OS 10.15 or Mac OS 11+ Big Sur or higher |
| RAM | 4 GB | 16 GB |
| Processor | 1 GHz | Intel Multi-Core or AMD Processor having 2.0+ GHz like9th or 10th gen Intel Core i7 or better |
| Screen size and resolution | 13.3-inch HD (1920 x 1080) | 15”- 17” Inch FHD Touch (1920 x 1080) |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD or more |
| External LCD/LED Monitor | 20- inch (1600 × 1200) | 24- Inch 3K or 4K Screen |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | 3D Class GPU with 512 MB | 3D Class GPU with 1 GB Memory |
| Free Disk Space | 500-700 MB | 5 GB |
| Browser & Internet Speed | Basic Internet ConnectionInternet Explorer 9.0 or higher | High Speed Internet 6-8 MBUpdated Google Chrome Microsoft Edge, ot FireFox |
| .Net Framework | .NET Framework version 4.5.2 | Latest .Net Framework |
SketchUp for Web for Cloud Based Version
| Features | Minimum | Recommended |
| Processor | 2.1+ GHz | 2.8+ GHz |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB+ |
| Free Disk Storage | 700 MB | 1 GB |
| Graphics Card | Intel HD integrated graphics – 512 MB VRAM | Dedicated Graphics card with 2 GB or higherAMD Radeon R9 M37X |
| Browser | Chrome 59Firefox 52 | Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge |
1. MSI GS76 Stealth – Best Laptop for SketchUp and AutoCAD
The MSI GS76 Stealth is a pretty great source of achieving excellent results in Sketchup and AutoCAD. Like MSI’s other laptops in the GS series, the GS76 has an all-black metal design, making it both look and feel like a sleek device. It has a matte black finish and no sharp corners or edges anywhere.
The device comes with a powerful Intel Core i9 processor and a sound NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card. Most professionals use the laptop for graphics-intensive tasks. The 32 GB RAM and 2TB NVMe SSD is an ideal choice to handle software like Sketchup and AutoCAD effortlessly.
You can also play almost many modern games in your free time, run multiple programs and save all the essential documents.
The amazing 17.3-inches display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution makes it an ideal choice for computer-aided design software. Also, the RGB backlight keyboard offers a superb typing experience.
It weighs about 5.4 pounds and measures 0.8 x 14.53 x 10.2 inches. With a great battery life of up to 6 hours, the MSI GS76 Stealth is undoubtedly one of the best laptops for Sketchup and AutoCAD.
2. MSI Creator 15M – Best Laptop for SketchUp Pro
The MSI Creator is one of the best laptops for Sketchup Pro, Why? Let’s have a look at its features.
The Creator comes with an Intel Core i7 processor of the latest generation, which is good enough to carry out complex tasks in Sketchup. The price is also good for its great 16 GB RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD. You can run applications, games, Sketchup pro, and design software effortlessly.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card with 6 GB video memory delivers ultimate performance for 3d artists, gamers and content creators. Both CPU and GPU ensure the smooth running of the machine while using Sketchup pro.
It runs on the Windows 10 Pro operating system, has a well-composed keyboard, superior connectivity, and excellent graphics.
The laptop has a stunning 15.6-inch display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and an average battery life of up to 3 hours. It measures 9.99 x 14.13 x 0.85 inches and weighs about 4.1 pounds.
With an island-style keyboard and an excellent creative application, this notebook is undoubtedly worth considering in the category of best laptop for SketchUp Pro.
3. GIGABYTE AERO – Best Laptop for Sketchup and Vray
The GIGABYTE AERO is a great pick when it comes to Sketchup and Vray laptops. It is a thin and light performance laptop with a 15.6-inch 4K OLED display screen. In Fact the display quality is all a SketchUp artist needs.
The laptop has a perfect combination for SketchUp and Vray of the Intel Core i7 processor and GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card.
Both CPU and GPU ensure to provide you with a unique and one-of-a-kind experience in Sketchup, Vray, faster photo and 4K video editing efficiency and high gaming performance.
It features 16 GB RAM, 512GB NVMe solid-state drive, and Windows 10 Pro operating system, which are undoubtedly the best in high-end performance. All the amazing specifications will enhance your creative workflow with faster video rendering.
It weighs about 8.65 pounds and measures 14 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches. With a good battery life of up to 8 hours, you can easily do the entire day’s work without any issue.
Overall, if you are looking for a laptop best for Sketchup and Vray, the GIGABYTE AERO is one of the best laptops for Sketchup and Vray.
4. New Alienware M15 – Best Laptop for Gaming and SketchUp
The New Alienware M15 is powerful and one of the best laptops for gaming and Sketchup. It comes with the strong Intel Core i7-9750H processor, an outstanding processor for gaming and Sketchup.
The elegant laptop of Alienware features a 15.6-inch screen with a 144 Hz refresh rate and a 1920 x 1080 resolution. The screen gives a fantastic display experience. It features NVIDIA RTX 2060 and 16 GB RAM which is good enough to multitask effortlessly with no lag.
It also comes with a great 512 GB SSD for pursuing complex 3d rendering tasks in CAD softwares like SketchUp, Maya, 3D Max or Vray, etc. For connectivity, it comes with USB, HDMI, and Thunderbolt.
The laptop measures 18 x 16 x 4.5 inches and weighs about 4.76 pounds. Also, the keyboard and touchpad offer an excellent typing experience.
It runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system and has a good battery life which lasts up to 7 hours. Altogether it is an excellent pick for gamers and creators.
5. ASUS TUF – Best Laptop for Sketchup and Revit
If you are looking for a well-rounded laptop for Sketchup and Revit then ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop is an ideal option for you. It is a 15.6-inch laptop with a 144 Hz refresh rate and a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
The 144 Hz refresh rate offers quick response times and great color reproduction for 3d rendering engines like Revit and other software. It comes with a fast Intel Hexa-Core i7 processor and a powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card.
This amazing laptop has all the high-end specifications that make it one of the best laptops for SketchUp rendering. The 512GB PCIe SSD and 16 GB RAM are good enough to handle all the required tasks.
Also, it has an RGB backlit keyboard and dual fans with anti-dust technology. In terms of connectivity, it has headphones, Bluetooth 5, USB, and HDMI.
The laptop weighs about 4.9 pounds and measures 14.17 x 10.31 x 1.02 inches. With excellent performance and a good battery life of 8 hours, the ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop is one of the best laptops for Sketchup and Revit.
6. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Best Budget Laptop for SketchUp
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is an ideal laptop for Sketchup in the market today. It comes with a solid feature set that ensures reliable performance. It has a 15.6 -inch HD touchscreen display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
The laptop features an Intel Quad-Core i5-10210U processor and an Intel UHD graphics card.
If we talk about storage and RAM, it comes with a 512GB PCI-e SSD and 20 GB of RAM, which are more than enough for all the required tasks.
For connectivity, it offers Bluetooth, Solid State Drive, USB, PCI, HDMI, Headphone, Bluetooth 5, and Media Card.
The laptop runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system, measures 14.26 x 9.98 x 0.78 inches, and weighs about 3.75 pounds. It features an elegant design, a HD webcam with microphone, and Dolby Audio with stereo speakers.
If you need a convenient, fast, and smooth laptop for your 3D designs, then this laptop is for you. With good performance and a decent battery life that lasts up to 4 hours, it is one of the best budget laptops for Sketchup.
7. HP Envy 17.3″ – Best HP Laptop for SketchUp
The HP Envy 2019 is one of the best HP laptops for SketchUp. It has a 17.3 -inch display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
This excellent high-end graphical machine is equipped with a 10th generation Quad-Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics card. Both the CPU and GPU run the SketchUp application with efficiency and speed.
The 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD are sufficient and allow you to do your creative sketch work with ease. It has an aluminum build quality, a backlit keyboard, and a lifting hinge for ergonomic typing. For connectivity, it has USB, Bluetooth 5, and headphone ports.
It runs on the the Windows 10 Pro operating system and has a long battery life of up to 10 hours.
These amazing features make it an excellent laptop not only for SketchUp but also for almost any other 3d rendering softwares you throw at it.
So, if you are looking for an HP laptop for SketchUp then this laptop will never disappoint you.
8. Apple MacBook Pro 16″- Best MAC Laptop for Sketchup
The Apple MacBooks are always known for trust and reliability, and the MacBook Pro 16 inch is no exception.
It is one of the best laptops for google sketchup. The laptop has a 16 -inch Retina display screen, a Touch Bar and Touch ID. It comes with an Intel Core i9 processor and an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M which is undoubtedly a perfect combination for running the sketchup application effortlessly.
The 16GB RAM and 1 TB SSD enhance the overall performance of the laptop.
For connectivity, it comes with Headphone, USB 3.1 Type C, Thunderbolt, and Bluetooth 5. The device also features a six speaker sound system, dual force canceling woofers, and a magic keyboard. It runs on the MAC operating system, measures 9.68 x 14.09 x 0.64 inches, and weighs about 4.3 pounds.
In short, a brilliant high-speed RAM, awesome retina display, fast processor, and up to 11 hours of excellent battery timing make it one of the best MAC laptops for SketchUp.
FAQs
- What is the best laptop configuration for SketchUp?
Choosing the right laptop configuration is extremely important for running a SketchUp application. We suggest you buy Intel Core i5 or i7, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and Windows 10 or MAC OS.
- Does SketchUp need a graphics card?
Yes, SketchUp performance heavily relies on GPU. We recommend a low-end graphics card for beginners or students of SketchUp. Although a high-end graphics card is an advantage because SketchUp will render models quickly and easily.
In some cases, SketchUp only receives a slight boost to the performance by the graphics card where the processor is strong, or it works both of them.
- What laptop is the best for SketchUp, rendering processing, and photo editing?
We recommend you buy any of the above-reviewed laptops. All are somewhat best in their own way and come with excellent specifications for SketchUp, rendering processing, and photo editing.
- Is SketchUp Pro free?
Yes, SketchUp Pro is free software for personal projects. You can also purchase the product if you want to use the professional modeling and documentation features.
- What kind of graphics card is sufficient for Sketchup?
Any graphics card with at least 1 GB while 2 GB of video memory or higher is preferred is sufficient for SketchUp.
Conclusion
SketchUp is user-friendly and easy to learn 3D modeling software. It will help you manage landscape architecture, residential construction, urban planning, and woodworking very well. It is also capable of creating beautiful renders and animations which will highly improve your ability to create real projects.
The laptops reviewed above are among the best laptops for SketchUp available in the market today. We hope that our reviews and buying guide will help you to find the best one for your needs.
Overall, the winner of this topic is GIGABYTE AERO 15, while MSI Creator 15M and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 are runners-up.