We have found that a Mac laptop gets much better battery life than a PC laptop when running Fusion 360, but this may differ from laptop to laptop. An Apple laptop with the exact same specs and hardware as, say, an ASUS laptop will almost always be more expensive. The Mac vs PC debate has been going on for years, but which is really the better option? CAD programs will run equally well on both macOS and Windows, what really matters here is hardware. Upgrading from a previous version of macOS such as High Sierra is free. The latest verson of macOS is recommended, which is currently macOS Mojave. CAD software will run just as well on a Windows 10 Home workstation as it will on a PC running the Professional Edition of Windows 10. Most new PCs will be sold with Windows 10, which is the latest and preferred version of Windows. Typically only 64 bit operating systems are supported, however the majority of computers sold will run a 64-bit OS. Nearly all professional CAD and CAM software will run natively on both Windows and Mac OS, but NOT Linux based systems. As a machinist, you usually won’t hit this limit working with single parts or small assemblies – but the more complex your design, the more graphics dependent things get. On the other hand, CAD programs can be extremely GPU heavy operations. Calculating CAM toolpaths is typically very CPU heavy, and the AMD Ryzen line ( 3950X and 3900X are a couple notable processors) is a great choice if you’re looking to reduce calculation time.

Keep in mind that CAD and CAM requirements can often be very different for a PC.

Let’s take a look at the different components that make up a PC for some recommendations on what to look for and what to stay away from. While searching for the perfect CAD workstation to meet your needs, there are some things to consider before you buy. You will find a wide variety of computers capable of effectively running CAD and CAM software at varying price points. Buying a computer capable of running CAD software such as Fusion 360, Inventor, or SolidWorks doesn’t have to break the bank.

Macbook fusion 360