Have you ever stopped to think about how easy it is to get around these days? Thanks to the internet and wide availability of smartphones, we can travel across the world to a new country, find restaurants, bars, tourists spots all in something like Google Maps? The possibilities are endless, and the days of aimlessly driving around, asking for directions when you can't find your work colleagues address are long gone. We know every nook and cranny of our cities these days, without ever having to remember where anything is.
One way the world keeps up to date with the latest bars, shops and hotspots is greatly in part thanks to something called Geographical Information System (GIS) software. We've come a long way from explorers marking sites on a hand-drawn map, to now using satellite technology and data to update information of a specific geographical area in real time. That's one of the possibilities anyway. Today we're going to be highlighting some of the best laptops for GIS software to get better equipped to handle the software.
But before we get to that, let's take a minute to talk about what GIS really is, who uses it, and what you can expect from the best laptop for GIS software.
What is GIS Software?
For those of you who are unfamiliar, a Geographical Information System is designed to store, manage, analyze and display all types of information pertaining to geographical and spatial data. From there, GIS software allows users to create maps and graphic displays of geographical data to review and present. All sorts of organizations and businesses stand to benefit using GIS software as it helps analyze and visualize spatial data or some other use in your systems. Using the science of geography, GIS manages multiple types of data using maps and 3D scene visualizations.
I mean think about, real time location tracking for things like Uber, Google Maps, Amazon, even COVID-19 tracing software all use some form of GIS software to streamline the process. And that's only the end product most of us consumers see on a daily basis. The actuality is there is plenty of things possible with GIS software to benefit organizations and professionals such as engineering, telcos, hot spot analysis, navigation, agriculture, environmental science, disaster management, geology, banking, and so much more.
It's a convenient and all important tool that more than likely will benefit most consumers in some shape or form. Whatever you may need GIS for, we're going to highlight the best laptops for GIS software to help you get it done. To do that, let's take a look at the minimum and recommended system requirements of a popular GIS program, ArcGIS Pro to get a better understanding of what the best laptop for ArcGIS Pro would look like. This will then translate fairly well for most other GIS software so even if you're using a different GIS program, it should be fairly similar.
Minimum System Requirements
From the minimum system requirements, we can tell that ArcGIS Pro (and GIS software in general) will need quite a bit of firepower. Meaning, the best laptops for GIS software will inherently need to a pretty high base spec.
Operating Systems
Our first consideration in the search for the best laptops will be the operating system it's running. Your choices are pretty limited as you're going to need a laptop with at least Windows 8.1 or better. This will most often mean Windows 10, which is the latest and greatest, touted as the most secure Windows version ever. There isn't support for Apple's macOS operating system, but you can run it on a MacBook Pro if you install Windows 10 as well.
To be safe though, best to find a Windows 10 enabled laptop. Next, we're going to take a look at the processor requirements and ArcGIS Pro mentions at least a dual-core processor setup. They mention it should be hyperthreaded, which simply means the dual-core processor has two threads per core, allowing for four threads available for processing. Most CPU's in the Intel Core processor lineup like the Intel Core i3 or Intel Core i5 will most often feature a dual-core setup. But your best bet will be to get a quad-core processor, but more on that later.
RAM and Storage
For the RAM and storage, ArcGIS Pro has a minimum requirement of 8GB RAM and 32GB storage space respectively. 8GB RAM is a fairly high requirement, but you'll find a number of mid-high range laptops fitting the description at a reasonable price point. The storage capacity on the other hand, they've mentioned a 32GB of free space but you're going to nee to find a laptop with at least 256GB on-board storage. We'll go a bit more in-depth as we go through the recommended system specs.
Display
The display resolution should have a minimum of 1024 x 768 and you're going to need a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB VRAM with OpenGL 4.3 support or DirectX 11. Dedicated graphics card do cost a bit more for the performance, but ArcGIS Pro mentions you can bolster the GPU performance with more RAM if you had a weaker integrated graphics card. Other than that, there isn't much else to go over so let's take a look at the recommended specs to see what an optimal best laptop for GIS will need.
Recommended System Specs
From the recommended system specs, we're painted a much better picture on what to expect from the best laptops for GIS. The recommended takes a pretty steep step up from the minimum, requiring a undeniably 'professional' laptop rather than your everyday productivity laptop. The first spec we'll be going through is going to be the processor.
Processor
For the processor, the GIS program is going to recommend a quad-core processor setup. This relates to many processors out there, ranging from the Intel Core i5 to the Intel Core i7 processor lineup. Your best shot is probably going to be one of the latest Intel Core i7 processors, simply as this will be the easiest way to ensure consistent performance. Something like an 8th or 9th Generation Intel Core i7 processor and above will be a pretty solid bet for most laptops.
Laptops with at least an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 is more than likely to last you a longer time, future proofing your purchase from the standard buyer's remorse as newer processors are introduced.
A processor doesn't work by itself though, and for GIS software it's but one part of the formula. To ensure the best performance you're going to need some pretty powerful supporting specs as well. Just for reference, ArcGIS Pro actually mentions that an optimal processor setup would be a CPU with at least 10 cores. But since the most readily available and cost effective options for best-in-class performance will be the Intel Core i7, that's going to be our recommendation. If you had the money though, you can opt to find a laptop with more than a quad-core setup.
RAM and Storage
To complement the CPU and overall laptop performance, the best laptops for GIS will need RAM and storage that's up-to-par. ArcGIS Pro recommends finding a laptop with at least 16GB RAM and 32GB of SSD storage. 16GB RAM is a pretty high spec when you look at the context of everyday consumer laptops. You only really see more than 16GB on high-end professional workstation laptops or premium gaming laptops. But either way, that much RAM showcases how much power you need to run ArcGIS Pro and GIS software in general.
In regards to the storage, we're going to recommend you find at least a 256GB SSD to have sufficient storage not only for the GIS software, but projects within the program as well as other apps, files, pictures, videos, etc.
A 256GB SSD storage is essentially the standard of SSD storage, with just the right combination of price and storage space. If you're able though, I'd suggest finding something more than a 256GB SSD such as a 512GB SSD or 1TB SSD. It's always a good idea to have both more RAM and storage, with the most optimal being a 32GB RAM variant as highlighted by ArcGIS Pro. Not necessary per say, but if you can afford it, I'd highly recommend upgrading whichever specs you can.
Display
One external spec you're going to need to actively look for is a crisp, and nice looking display. ArcGIS Pro mentions you should have a base 1024 x 768 resolution, but we're going to recommend finding a laptop with a Full HD display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. A Full HD resolution, at this point, should be considered the base for all laptops regardless of category. Any lesser than that, and I don't feel you're getting your money's worth.
A Full HD display is a fully capable panel with great picture clarity, vibrancy and color accuracy than a standard HD panel. Another important reason for a Full HD resolution is most content you're going to come across online and offline like YouTube videos, Netflix movies, gaming, etc. have a base 1080p resolution. It's not entirely integral, but it's best to cover the bases sufficiently. Luckily for us, most laptops these days are equipped with a FHD resolution or better. Should make our search that much easier.
GPU
Our last spec we're going to be highlighting is going to be the graphics card your laptop is equipped with. Depending on your usage, you might not need the spec, but nothing wrong in covering the bases when it comes to your laptop performance. For ArcGIS Pro, you're going to need the GPU if you're using their 3D visualization features. In that case, it's best to find a laptop with a discrete GPU like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, etc. rather than an integrated graphics card.
With a dedicated graphics card, you're also well equipped to handle other graphically intensive tasks like video/image editing, gaming, graphic design, CAD software, etc. Otherwise, if you don't know what it's for, you're most likely not going to need it. Most users who are aware of GPUs and software like ArcGIS Pro should have a pretty decent understanding on laptop specs. Rest assured, the laptops we're going to be featuring will be highly capable for most tasks in a GIS program.
Now that we've gone through the important stuff you need to know, let's get straight into the list with the best laptops for GIS!
The 5 Best Laptops For GIS
1. Acer Aspire 5
We're going to start the list with one of the more economical options on our list, the Acer Aspire 5. But just because it's affordable, don't take this laptop lightly as it comes with very capable specs for the price. But since it is a mid-range laptop, we're met with a simple design aesthetic which keeps a delicate balance between high-end and lower tiered laptops. It's simple, but well built considering the price. But besides the design, the Acer Aspire 5 comes with some heavy hitting specs not to be taken lightly. The laptop comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD display making for a run-of-the-mill display.
Powering the laptop is an 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, accompanied by 8GB RAM and a modest 256GB SSD. For the graphical performance, the Acer Aspire 5 comes with an integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics GPU. While this isn't the best GPU, in terms of integrated GPUs, it's the best you could ask for. Considering the powerful 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, which comes with 4 cores and up to 4.20GHz performance, you should be more than well equipped to take on ArcGIS Pro and other GIS platforms.
A few extras the laptop comes with that makes the Acer Aspire 5 more appealing includes a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, Wi-Fi 6 support, and up to 8.5 hours of battery life. All in all, the laptop is a solid contender with the right fundamentals, making it a capable GIS companion for most users.
2. ASUS ZenBook 14
Taking a step into the premium category of laptops, the ASUS ZenBook 14 earns a spot on the list of best laptops for GIS with impressive internals and a stunning aesthetic. A truly 'premium' laptop that covers all the bases sufficiently. Our first spec we're going to talk about is the gorgeous 14-inch Full HD NanoEdge display which is one of the most attractive I've seen. The bezels are evenly thin, resulting in a jaw dropping 92% screen-to-body ratio, complementing the premium build quality around the laptop chassis. A high-performance looker for GIS programs, that's for sure.
Under the hood, the laptop continues to impress with the latest 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD storage capacity. With one of the latest Intel Core i7 processor, you're very well equipped to handle ArcGIS Pro and other GIS platforms with admirable performance. The laptop also features an entry level NVIDIA GeForce MX450 GPU which comes with 2GB dedicated VRAM. It's not the best in terms of performance, but since we've already established you don't necessarily need a flagship GPU, it's better than having only an integrated graphics card.
A few extra features the laptop comes with includes a 5.56-inch FHD+ interactive touchscreen touch pad, Harman/Kardon speakers, elevated hinge design for ergonomic typing, Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports, backlit keyboard, and up to 16 hours of battery life. The ASUS ZenBook 14 continues to impress with a fully specced out premium laptop, not compromising on any feature. The only downside, this is a premium laptop with an accompanying high price so if you've got the cash, this is a great choice for GIS programs.
3. HP OMEN 15
Next up on the list, we're going to take a different direction by bringing in a gaming laptop into the mix. It's not an entirely ridiculous notion considering most gaming laptops are very well equipped throughout all the internals. The HP OMEN 15 is just that but takes a very interesting aesthetic choice with a muted dark grey, boxy design. It's attractive, don't get me wrong, but it definitely is subtle for a gaming laptop, but that's what makes it special. For the display, the laptop features a 15.6-inch FHD display with a speedy 144HZ refresh rate.
On the performance side of things, the gaming laptop features an impressive array starting off with an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H with 8 cores and up to 4.2GHz speeds. This translates to performance you could expect from the Intel Core i7 processor lineup with similar specs. The supporting performance is equally impressive with a 16GB RAM capacity and 1TB SSD storage built-in. And since it is a gaming laptop, the HP OMEN 15 comes with a capable mid-range NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card with 6GB GDDR6 VRAM.
There are a few more specs that makes this laptop that much more appealing including a 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6 support, media card reader, DTS: X Ultra headphone support, and up to 7 hours of battery life. The HP OMEN 15 does a lot of things right with the capable performance for both CPU and GPU tasks, a stellar minimalistic aesthetic, and a reasonable price tag. A capable GIS companion if I've ever seen one.
4. Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition
For those looking for a truly powerful workstation laptop that really does live up to the name, the Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition is it. This laptop should be considered the 'best laptop' solely on it's formidable performance and we'll get to what I mean soon. First, let's talk about the stunning visuals and aesthetics you get with the Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition. This laptop is truly remarkable, as even though it's considered a 'workstation' laptop, we're met with sleek and compact design measuring in at just 0.70" thin. The Mercury White finish compliments the 15.6-inch 4K OLED display very nicely, making for a premium laptop with an excellent build quality and design.
The laptop isn't lacking in performance either, featuring a 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10875H processor with a massive 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage. The 32GB RAM actually makes this the only laptop on the list which meets up to the 'optimal' laptop spec for ArcGIS Pro. To complete the package, the laptop also features an NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 which will be more than sufficient to handle 3D visuals in ArcGIS Pro, along with numerous CAD, design, and gaming software around. The NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 features a whopping 16GB GDDR6 VRAM capacity, which makes it a super performer for most graphically intensive tasks.
This overpowered gaming laptop has a few more features to complete the package including Thunderbolt 3 fast charging, 1ms response time, Vapor Chamber cooling, Razer Chroma backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6 and up to 7 hours battery life. This laptop is a beast when it comes to both performance and aesthetics, with the biggest caveat being the exorbitant price tag. This is to be expected considering this is a very high-end workstation laptop, so if this is out of your budget, I'd suggest choosing one of the other very capable laptops on our list to handle all your GIS needs.
5. Dell XPS 13
Last up on our list is going to be another high-end laptop with a pretty great spec sheet and design. The Dell XPS 13 is a welcome entry to the best laptops for GIS list with a sleek, minimalist design language on the chassis and display. The laptop features a 13.3-inch FHD InfinityEdge display super slim bezels on the two sides and top of the frame, with a noticeable chin on the bottom. Even with the sizable chin, the laptop display comes with an 80% screen-to-body ratio, which is plentiful for most consumers. One thing the Dell XPS 13 does different from other laptops is the black carbon-fiber palm rest which will give users a comfortable typing experience while simultaneously increasing its aesthetic value.
Besides the stunning design, the laptop also features great internal specs with a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U processor running the show. This processor comes with 4 cores and is capable of up to 4.9GHz processing speeds which makes it a very capable CPU to handle ArcGIS Pro and similar programs. To supplement the processor performance, the laptop also comes with an 8GB RAM capacity and 512GB of SSD storage. In regards to the graphical performance, the laptop features a measly Intel UHD Graphics card, making it the only spec lacking in the overall Dell XPS 13 package. But otherwise, very capable internals well suited for users who don't need the GPU performance.
The laptop also comes with these few extras that make it a better deal, including Wi-Fi 6 support, Thunderbolt 3 port, fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard, and a staggering 19 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 13 is a formidable laptop that comes with everything you need to handle GIS and most other programs you need it to. For the price, the laptop is a pretty great deal, landing it a spot on the best laptops for GIS list.
Conclusion
After going through a whole host of laptops in various budgets and price ranges, we're going to have to pick just one from the best laptops for GIS we've seen so far.
Today, our undisputed champ to handle all your GIS needs is going to be the ASUS ZenBook 14!
This high-end, premium laptop comes with a fantastic design and extra features with the formidable performance being the cherry on top of this sweet, sweet laptop sundae. When you consider the whole package, the ASUS ZenBook 14 covers all the specs you need it to, with a dauntingly beautiful design and great extra features to add in even more value for a pretty reasonable price. All these reasons makes this one the unequivocal best laptop for GIS around.
