Dear Students,
Please read the recommendations below and then conduct your own research. You can email us at help.arch@torontomu.ca with a list of models and configurations you are considering, and we will reply with our comments and suggestions.
Key Parameters
- Processor (CPU): Intel or AMD with a benchmark above 30,000 on this chart
- Memory (RAM): At least 16 GB
- Storage (SSD): At least 500 GB
- Video Card: Dedicated NVidia or AMD with at least 6 GB of video memory and an Average G3D Mark above 10,000 on this chart
- Screen: 15" or larger, preferably a matte IPS panel
- Warranty: Look for an extended warranty, preferably with on-site support. Consider accidental damage protection as well.
Our Recommendations
We recommend Dell laptops and Lenovo laptops. Both brands offer a wide range of laptops, competitive pricing with great discounts, extended warranties, and on-site support in Toronto. HP laptops can also be a good choice, though we have seen some issues with fans and batteries in previous years.
- Budget Options: Look at Dell G Series and Lenovo Legion gaming laptops first. Then explore other models for potential good deals. Subscribe and follow Dell and Lenovo deal announcements to get amazing discounts.
- Higher-End Models: Check out Dell XPS, Dell Precision, and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 or ThinkPad P series.
- Specialty Options: Consider 2-in-1 laptop/tablet models, which are great for sketching, or powerful Dell Alienware laptops.
Avoid Apple Laptops
Modern Apple laptops are not suitable for our program as they can run Windows applications only through emulation, which significantly degrades performance. Even if you are a Mac user and not familiar with the Windows platform, we recommend buying a Windows laptop for the program.
Other Options
Other reputable manufacturers such as ASUS, Acer, MSI, and Gigabyte offer laptops that can be cheaper than major brands. However, their warranty and support services may not be as good; the warranty is usually 1 year only and you often need to send the laptop out of Canada for repairs. Despite this, many similar gaming-class laptops have specifications suitable for architectural design work. You can find good deals at online computer stores such as Canada Computers, Newegg Canada, and Microsoft Store Canada.
Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Book can be a good choice, but we have seen overheating issues in previous years.
Razer Blades offer powerful, but very expensive laptops with questionable support in Canada.
More Detailed Tips
- Dell Weekly Discounts: These can be up to 40% off. Weekly discounts start on Monday and are valid until Friday morning at 6:00 am. They are available here.
- Memory Configuration: Prefer memory configurations with a free memory slot to allow for future upgrades. It is better to get a laptop with one 16 GB RAM module and one empty slot rather than with two 8 GB RAM modules with no free slots.
- Video Cards: Laptops with 2 video cards, where one complies with the requirements from the Key Parameters section, are suitable.
- Operating System: Windows 10 or above will be a good choice.
- Research: Overheating and built quality are common issues nowadays, sometimes even with laptops from the top brands. After you choose a particular model & configuration, google to see feedback on that model in similar configurations on user forums.