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Macbook for autocad/architecture?

renanrizzardo

renanrizzardo

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 9, 2016
3
0
Can someone help me with indications that work best for Autocad?

I reallllllly like this new mackbook model, but the specifications are:
  • 256GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage1
  • 1.1GHz dual-core
    Intel Core m3 processor
    Turbo Boost up to 2.2GHz
  • 8GB memory
  • Intel HD Graphics 515
I'm gonna have problems with autocad?

Should i go for a thick mac pro?

13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
  • 2.7GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
  • 16GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
  • 128GB PCIe-based Flash Storage
  • Intel Iris Graphics 6100
  • Force Touch trackpad
  • Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
I use it everyday, because i'm an architect.


If you could help, i would be grateful!

Thanks
 
With AutoCAD and creative applications in general, it's always best to get as much power as possible. Will the MacBook run AutoCAD? Yes. Will it be as smooth as on the rMBP? No.

Plus if you're an architect and you'll be using this computer every day for your livelihood, power and longevity should be considerably more important than ultra-portability.

In all honesty, I'd suggest waiting until after WWDC, and look towards buying for the 15" rMBP over the 13". The 15" would handle anything you'd throw at it; it's a fantastic machine.
 
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Alright well, I use AutoCAD for a living as a Civil Engineer. I do surface creation and some 3D models. At first I tried the 2015 macbook minimum spec and it can do 2D line work fine. I never had a chance to do more on it because it couldn't handle my photography editing needs and I returned it for a 2015 15" with the iGPU. With the quad core and RAM upgrade I could do alot more.

The 13" is similar but with half the RAM and a dual core. Unless you do very very intensive surface creations, then the min. spec 13" is just fine for you. AutoCAD Civil 3D can only run on windows and I am using Parallels so I needed the 16GB of RAM. I have yet to come across a CAD drawing that gave me an issue. The dGPU would only help if you are rendering intense 3D models in Autodesk 3DS Max or something. Also something to keep in mind is that AutoCAD only utilizes a single processor core. So dual core and Quad core differences won't help you, the speed of the processor will. It utilizes multiple cores for regening purposes and rendering only. Hope this helps!
 
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keysofanxiety said:
With AutoCAD and creative applications in general, it's always best to get as much power as possible. Will the MacBook run AutoCAD? Yes. Will it be as smooth as on the rMBP? No.

Plus if you're an architect and you'll be using this computer every day for your livelihood, power and longevity should be considerably more important than ultra-portability.

In all honesty, I'd suggest waiting until after WWDC, and look towards buying for the 15" rMBP over the 13". The 15" would handle anything you'd throw at it; it's a fantastic machine.
Click to expand...

I guess thats all i needed to hear. I'll wait for the WWDC, of course. Thanks!!!
[doublepost=1465481443][/doublepost]
killaz05 said:
Alright well, I use AutoCAD for a living as a Civil Engineer. I do surface creation and some 3D models. At first I tried the 2015 macbook minimum spec and it can do 2D line work fine. I never had a chance to do more on it because it couldn't handle my photography editing needs and I returned it for a 2015 15" with the iGPU. With the quad core and RAM upgrade I could do alot more.

The 13" is similar but with half the RAM and a dual core. Unless you do very very intensive surface creations, then the min. spec 13" is just fine for you. AutoCAD Civil 3D can only run on windows and I am using Parallels so I needed the 16GB of RAM. I have yet to come across a CAD drawing that gave me an issue. The dGPU would only help if you are rendering intense 3D models in Autodesk 3DS Max or something. Also something to keep in mind is that AutoCAD only utilizes a single processor core. So dual core and Quad core differences won't help you, the speed of the processor will. It utilizes multiple cores for regening purposes and rendering only. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

Good to know. i'll keep all of that in mind. thanks!
 
If i were you I'd just buy a rMB now and try it with whatever program I wanna try and return it after WWDC (which is couple days away anyway)
 
renanrizzardo said:
Can someone help me with indications that work best for Autocad?

I reallllllly like this new mackbook model, but the specifications are:
  • 256GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage1
  • 1.1GHz dual-core
    Intel Core m3 processor
    Turbo Boost up to 2.2GHz
  • 8GB memory
  • Intel HD Graphics 515
I'm gonna have problems with autocad?

Should i go for a thick mac pro?

13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
  • 2.7GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
  • 16GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
  • 128GB PCIe-based Flash Storage
  • Intel Iris Graphics 6100
  • Force Touch trackpad
  • Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
I use it everyday, because i'm an architect.


If you could help, i would be grateful!

Thanks
Click to expand...

Im an engineer and often use AutoCAD on my 2016 rMB 1.2GHz 512GB. It works great and have had no issues with it as far as performance. I do find the screen to be too small for AutoCAD but if you Airplay it on a TV or monitor then it works great.
 
I have only used AutoCAD a few times on my rMB 2015 1.2 mainly for laying out a small housing estate (65 houses) and it was perfectly fine for this however as some have noted for daily use the Screen size is a bit of a compromise

I certainly would not opt for the 256gb version especially if you intend to run AutoCAD in bootcamp

If AutoCAD only addresses a single core then other than screen size you wont be gaining much in performance with higher spec laptops outside the exceptions already noted and maybe money is better spent on a nice portable additional monitor
 
Borja1055 said:
Im an engineer and often use AutoCAD on my 2016 rMB 1.2GHz 512GB. It works great and have had no issues with it as far as performance. I do find the screen to be too small for AutoCAD but if you Airplay it on a TV or monitor then it works great.
Click to expand...

I also am an engineer and was considering a macbook and an external monitor. Do you see any issues from displaying on something bigger? I'm wondering how the GPU will hold up. My current set up is a 2K monitor and a late 2011 MBP.
 
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