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Best Laptops For Fusion 360 (Budget, Cheap, MacBook)

Find out what are some good laptop to run Fusion 360, from cheapest, budget to high end.

Fusion 360 is a comprehensive 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool aimed at product designers, engineers, and architects.

Fusion 360 from Autodesk is a powerful cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool aimed at product design professionals, engineers, and architects. To get the most out of Fusion 360’s advanced modeling, simulation, rendering, and manufacturing features, you’ll need a capable laptop or mobile workstation.

The right specs, especially in terms of processor performance, memory, graphics, display resolution, and storage speed, are critical for smooth and fast performance running Fusion 360’s comprehensive toolset.

In this guide, we’ll cover the key factors to consider when choosing a laptop for Fusion 360 and recommend top systems that can handle intensive CAD and engineering workflows with ease. Whether you need a portable powerhouse or a budget-friendly option, read on to find the best laptop for your Fusion 360 needs.

Our Recommended list of the Best Laptop For Fusion 360

  1. Dell XPS 15 : Overall Best Laptop For Fusion 360
  2. ASUS ZenBook 15 : Recommended for Running Fusion 360
  3. Apple MacBook Pro : Best Macbook for Fusion 360
  4. GIGABYTE AORUS 15P KD : Best Affordable Laptop For Fusion 360
  5. Microsoft Surface Book 8 : Best 2 in 1 Laptop for Fusion 360
  6. MSI Stealth 15 : Best Gaming Laptop for Fusion 360

Fusion 360 System requirements Laptop

  • CPU – A current gen Intel Core i5, i7, i9 or AMD Ryzen 5, 7, 9 with 4+ cores. More cores will better handle complex assemblies.
  • RAM – 16GB minimum, 32GB+ recommended. Fusion is RAM intensive for working with large model datasets.
  • Graphics – Dedicated NVIDIA or AMD GPU with at least 4GB VRAM for viewport and rendering performance.
  • Storage – An SSD with at least 512GB capacity for fast asset loading and saving. 1TB+ is ideal for projects.
  • Display – 1080p or higher resolution for detailed modeling work. 15″ screens or bigger preferred.
  • OS – Windows 10 or 11 64-bit. (Fusion 360 also available for Mac through Parallels or Boot Camp).
  • Internet – Reliable high-speed connection for collaboration and file sharing. Autodesk recommends minimum 2.5 Mbps download and 500 Kbps upload speeds.

The key is balancing capable processing power, sufficient RAM, dedicated graphics, fast storage, and a sharp display. Aim for mobile workstations or high-end laptops purpose-built for CAD, engineering, and design applications. This ensures optimal stability and performance running Fusion 360’s advanced simulation, rendering, and CAM features.

1. Dell XPS 15 : Overall Best Laptop For Fusion 360

Dell XPS 15 Intel Core i7 10th Gen

       

The Dell XPS 15 9520 is an exceptional choice as the overall best laptop for running Fusion 360. With its powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H processor that has 14 cores and can boost up to 4.7GHz, the XPS 15 provides elite-level CPU performance to handle complex Fusion 360 workloads with ease.

Complementing the CPU is 16GB of fast DDR5 4800MHz RAM, giving the system ample memory to work with large assemblies and high-polygon meshes in Fusion 360. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU gives a nice addition boost to viewport and rendering speeds as well.

Storage is speedy thanks to the included 512GB PCIe SSD, enabling quick load and save times for large project files. The 15.6” 1920×1200 display gives plenty of screen real estate and 500 nit brightness for excellent visibility when modeling.

Connectivity is fully up-to-date with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Thunderbolt 4, and a great port selection. The XPS 15 9520 checks all the boxes for an optimal Fusion 360 experience – incredible processing power, fast memory, dedicated graphics, responsive storage, and a stunning display. For engineers and designers, it’s the clear choice as the overall best laptop for running Fusion 360 smoothly.

2. ASUS ZenBook 15 : Recommended for Running Fusion 360

ASUS ZenBook 15 Ultra-Slim Laptop

The ASUS Zenbook 15 OLED is an excellent recommended machine for running Fusion 360 due to its powerful specs and high-end display.

The stunning 2.8K OLED display with 2880 x 1800 resolution provides an expansive canvas with vivid colors and deep blacks through OLED technology. The 16:9 aspect ratio gives ample vertical space for the Fusion UI and timelines. Certified for color accuracy by PANTONE, the display excels for CAD visualization.

Under the hood, the AMD Ryzen 7 7735U octa-core CPU and AMD Radeon graphics deliver smooth performance when modeling complex parts and assemblies. 32GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM lets you work with huge datasets without slowdowns. The 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD enables lightning fast load/save times.

This hardware combination of processing power, graphics capability, fast memory and storage is ideal for taking on intensive Fusion 360 workloads. Even large assemblies and simulations will run well on the Zenbook 15 OLED.

With its vivid OLED display, capable AMD platform, and premium build quality, the ASUS Zenbook 15 OLED is a compelling choice as a recommended laptop for engineers, designers and architects using Fusion 360 on the go or at home. It provides an excellent value at this price point for a premium Fusion 360 experience.

3. Apple MacBook Pro : Best Macbook for Fusion 360

Apple MacBook Pro

The new 2023 MacBook Pro 16-inch with M2 Pro chip is the best MacBook option for running Fusion 360 smoothly.

With the 12-core CPU and powerful 19-core GPU of Apple’s latest M2 Pro chip, the MacBook Pro delivers exceptional performance for CAD modeling and rendering workloads in Fusion 360. The 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display provides an expansive canvas and stellar image quality for visualizing your designs.

The 16GB of unified memory keeps performance fast and fluid when working with complex assemblies and large project files. The 1TB of superfast SSD storage enables quick loading and saving of Fusion designs.

MacOS Ventura has excellent compatibility with Fusion 360 through the native Mac version or by using Parallels Desktop to run the Windows application smoothly. The battery life is also impressive for a high-performance laptop.

For design professionals and engineers using Fusion 360 on a Mac, this new 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro represents the best choice for its top-tier Apple silicon performance, brilliant 16-inch screen, and seamless macOS experience running Fusion 360. It’s a worthy investment as a premium mobile workstation for 3D CAD modeling and simulation.

4. GIGABYTE AORUS 15P KD : Best Affordable Laptop For Fusion 360

GIGABYTE AORUS 15P KD Gaming Laptop

The Gigabyte G5 KF gaming laptop provides excellent performance for running Fusion 360 at an affordable price point.

With the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU and 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12500H processor, the G5 KF delivers smooth CAD modeling and rendering at high graphics settings. The 144Hz 1080p display gives a fluid viewport experience.

The 512GB SSD offers fast project file loading times, while the 8GB of DDR4 RAM handles moderate-complexity assemblies reasonably well. Upgrading the RAM to 16GB in the future is recommended for more complex workflows.

Connectivity is solid with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt 4. The G5 KF can readily connect to monitors and peripherals for an expanded Fusion 360 setup.

Considering its up-to-date specs and excellent gaming performance at under $1000, the Gigabyte G5 KF is the best value laptop for using Fusion 360 on a budget. It provides good mainstream power for 3D modeling, simulations, and renders at an affordable price point.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 : Best 2 in 1 Laptop for Fusion 360

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Best 2 in 1 Laptop for Fusion 360

With its versatile form factor and strong performance, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is an excellent 2-in-1 laptop choice for running Fusion 360.

The 13″ PixelSense touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate provides a smooth and responsive canvas for modeling in Fusion’s workspace. The kickstand and detachable Signature keyboard allow switching easily between tablet and laptop modes based on your needs.

Powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 and Intel Iris Xe graphics, the Surface Pro 8 handles complex assemblies, sculpting, and simulations without issue. 16GB of RAM keeps performance fast even with multiple workflows open. The 256GB SSD enables quick load times.

The included Surface Slim Pen 2 enables precise sketching and design work directly in Fusion 360. The keyboard attaches firmly for a stable laptop-like experience when needed.

With its lightweight and flexible form factor plus strong performance, the Surface Pro 8 is the best 2-in-1 option for designers and engineers who need both the portability of a tablet and productivity of a laptop when using Fusion 360 on the go or in the studio.

6. MSI Stealth 15 : Best Gaming Laptop for Fusion 360

MSI Stealth 15 Best Gaming Laptop for Fusion 360

The MSI Stealth 15 delivers a fantastic combination of gaming-level performance and portability for powering through Fusion 360 workflows.

With the latest 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, the Stealth 15 provides desktop-class processing and graphics power to handle complex CAD assemblies and demanding renders. 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM keeps performance smooth no matter the workload.

The 15.6″ 144Hz 1080p display enables a fluid modeling experience in Fusion 360. The matte finish reduces glare while designing. 1TB of NVME SSD storage accelerates load and save times.

Weighing just 3.75 lbs, the thin and light Stealth 15 maintains excellent mobility. The advanced cooling system enables the high-end components to run full throttle when needed. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt 4, and HDMI.

For engineers and designers who want a powerful mobile Fusion 360 workstation without sacrificing gaming-level performance, the MSI Stealth 15 is the clear choice. It blends desktop-class power with amazing portability for the ultimate high-end Fusion 360 experience.

How to choose the recommended Laptops For Fusion 360

When selecting a laptop to run Fusion 360 smoothly, focus on four key components:

  • Processor – Fusion 360 relies heavily on processor performance, so choose a current generation Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 CPU. Multi-core processors will provide better performance.
  • RAM – Aim for 32GB of RAM or more to handle complex Fusion projects. The minimum requirement is 16GB, but more memory is better.
  • Graphics Card – A dedicated NVIDIA RTX or AMD Radeon graphics card can significantly improve rendering speeds, though not required.
  • Storage – Get a laptop with an SSD for fast performance, and have at least 50GB free space for Fusion 360 files and assets. The minimum is 2GB, but more is recommended.

Prioritizing these four laptop specifications – a capable processor, ample RAM, dedicated graphics, and fast SSD storage – will provide an optimal experience running advanced CAD modeling and simulations in Fusion 360. Choosing a laptop designed for engineering applications can help ensure it meets these resource demands.

FAQs:

What is a good laptop to run Fusion 360?

For running Fusion 360 smoothly, you’ll want a laptop with a current generation Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor, at least 16GB of RAM (32GB preferred), a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, and an SSD with at least 512GB of storage. Look for a laptop geared towards engineering, CAD, or gaming needs. Top options include Dell XPS 15, Lenovo ThinkPad P1, or Razer Blade 15.

What kind of computer do I need to run Fusion 360?

The minimum requirements are a 64-bit Windows 10 PC with a quad-core CPU, 8GB RAM, 2GB of GPU VRAM, and 2GB of storage. For the best experience, get a high-end laptop with a 6+ core Intel Core i7 or Xeon CPU, 32GB RAM, NVIDIA Quadro or AMD Radeon Pro graphics, and 1TB SSD. Mobile workstations like the HP ZBook Studio are ideal.

Is Mac good for Fusion 360?

Yes, Fusion 360 works well on Mac via the native Mac version or running the Windows application through Parallels Desktop. A MacBook Pro 16-inch or Mac mini with higher-end M1 Pro/Max chip, 32GB unified memory, and generous SSD storage provides excellent performance for Fusion on Mac.

Author

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  • Paul Alcorn

    As a teenager, Paul scraped up enough money to buy a 486-powered PC with a turbo button (yes, a turbo button). Back when floppies were still popular he was already chasing after the fastest spinners for his personal computer, which led him down the long and winding storage road, covering enterprise storage. His current focus is on consumer processors, though he still keeps a close eye on the latest storage news. In his spare time, you’ll find Paul hanging out with his kids or indulging his love of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

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