I am currently studying and using Vectorworks and Sketchup CAD programs. My little MacBook Air is not really cutting it so I would love to try and find an appropriate alternative.
Thanks
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15
+1 on talking to the CAD software vendors. Very important.
Beyond that, the CAD answer used to be a 27-inch iMac with an optional i9 processor and uprated video hardware. No more. Apple in their wisdom have seen fit to discontinue 27-inch iMacs.
IHMO you best Mac option for Pro CAD use today is a Mac Studio:
It has plenty of ports, comes with 32GB RAM (Should be plenty) and you can pair it with a monitor size/model of your choice. It also supports multiple external monitors. The 24-inch iMac has limited ports and supports only one external monitor.
⚠️ If you go Mac, remember: The storage and RAM you buy today will be your "forever" RAM and storage. Not even the gods on Mount Cupertino can change those after the computer leaves the assembly line.
Purchase NOW what you think you will need in three years.
If future expansion is important to you, current Macs no longer offer that luxury.
+1 on talking to the CAD software vendors. Very important.
Beyond that, the CAD answer used to be a 27-inch iMac with an optional i9 processor and uprated video hardware. No more. Apple in their wisdom have seen fit to discontinue 27-inch iMacs.
IHMO you best Mac option for Pro CAD use today is a Mac Studio:
It has plenty of ports, comes with 32GB RAM (Should be plenty) and you can pair it with a monitor size/model of your choice. It also supports multiple external monitors. The 24-inch iMac has limited ports and supports only one external monitor.
⚠️ If you go Mac, remember: The storage and RAM you buy today will be your "forever" RAM and storage. Not even the gods on Mount Cupertino can change those after the computer leaves the assembly line.
Purchase NOW what you think you will need in three years.
If future expansion is important to you, current Macs no longer offer that luxury.
Most CAD vendors will have a minimal and a recommended system configuration.
Here is that of VectorWorks: https://www.vectorworks.net/sysreq
Start there.
From there, you’ll be looking at your own preferred display size, portability if that’s required, price and budget, etc.
You’ll probably also want to budget for a 4 to 6 TB hard disk drive for Time Machine backups, if you don’t already have one available.
Imac best for CAD and design programs
