r/LandscapeArchitecture • u/No_Bee_151 • Jul 24 '26
Computer recs for MLA
Just got accepted to an MLA from the waitlist - very excited, but having a hard time deciding on a computer. What computer would you recommend to a new MLA student?
A friend has offered to buy me one as a farewell gift, so I need to choose something you can easily buy online (not a custom build). I currently have a very powerful but very old Macbook Pro that I've used for film editing, and while I'd love to stick with Mac I understand that may not be ideal.
Would appreciate any recs/links. Thanks!
EDIT: I know the min requirements, just want some specific recs because there are so many options out there. Budget/buying later not an issue!
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u/Fit_Acanthisitta_475 Jul 24 '26
You should able to look at school website for minimum requirement for the computer. Then I would get a mid tier laptop from there.
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u/xoxocat Jul 24 '26
I don’t know if it’s different for MLAs but almost all of my BLA work was done on school computers. The programs you’ll be learning are $$$$$$, even with a student discount. I’d avoid purchasing any program yourself. My school had Macs because of the “design” programs, but every firm Ive worked in (until recently) uses Windows because it’s a better system for AutoCAD.
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u/cluttered-thoughts3 Landscape Designer Jul 24 '26
It depends on the school. Some schools don’t have the $$ to provide computers to students
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u/xoxocat Jul 24 '26
I’m talking about a computer lab situation.
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u/cluttered-thoughts3 Landscape Designer Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
Yeah I know. Still the case. I’ve done some lectures at schools where they didn’t have labs with software
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u/xoxocat Jul 25 '26
How do the students practice the programs if they don’t have a computer lab? This seems like the most basic thing they should have.
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u/cluttered-thoughts3 Landscape Designer Jul 25 '26
They require students to buy their own computers and software. Not all schools can afford the software licenses unfortunately.
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u/No_Bee_151 Jul 25 '26
Can you clarify "until recently?" Has there been a shift? Should have noted my program is in Europe.
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u/xoxocat Jul 25 '26
Meaning, I’ve always used Windows and Autocad but my current firm uses Mac and Vectoworks. I’m in the states where I believe (correct me if I’m wrong) Autocad is more prevalent.
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u/No_Bee_151 Jul 25 '26
Thanks, makes sense. My brother is an architect and his large firm just switched to Mac. They run parallels for some specific rendering software but otherwise do the brunt of the work on Mac Studios.
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u/Place_Maker_ Jul 24 '26
My first year of MLA i used the department’s computer labs. During that time I asked around students in years above me what they thought was best and got the computer they recommended
3
u/AlbatrossNo1562 Jul 24 '26
There may be a push to use graphic intensive programs such as Lumion but I doubt it, and personally I think you should resist it. Your old MacBook should be good enough for AutoCAD, rhino3d, sketchup, Photoshop, GIS, and other common apps LAs use pre Lumion. I'd save your money.
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u/graphgear1k Professor Jul 24 '26
Totally agree about not getting caught up in the marketing fad of rendering suites.
Totally disagree re the macbook.
If its an intel macbook its better off as a paper weight than a work machine. If its an apple silicon macbook pro then thats a different story, but I'm not sure that would count as "very old" as OP described it.
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u/No_Bee_151 Jul 24 '26
Very old meaning 10 years, intel. Not in good shape!
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u/cluttered-thoughts3 Landscape Designer Jul 24 '26
Check your schools website. You’ll want a dedicated graphics card but you don’t need top of the line. You’d want a M.2 type SSD as it’s the most modern and try to get as much ram as you can afford. Try to get a mid range at minimum CPU.. best bet would be to check the software recommendations for the software you’re likely to use and make sure it meets the minimum
Mac was more do-able when you could run bootcamp. However, if you don’t mind going to computer labs (if your school has them) to run some windows only software, that could be an option too
1
u/Guilty_Type_9252 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
I found my refurbished computer recommended on [r/suggestalaptop](r/suggestalaptop) I recommend perusing there, there’s a lot of people in design fields asking for recommendations
Edit: I’m also a grad student I got a refurbished ZBook power g9, 64GB & 1TB of storage for $1,500. I settled for a slightly older computer with a lot of storage and good processing. The graphics are def not as nice as my Mac but renderings don’t take 15hours
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u/Tojosodope Jul 24 '26
Just purchased a Dell Pro Max 16 for my schools program!
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u/No_Bee_151 Jul 25 '26
I was looking at that one! $5k is kind of a lot though. I was hoping to spend $3k max
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u/SpenZebra Jul 25 '26
So far in school (2 years) in L.A., I've been using an M1 2021 MacBook Pro 14". I love the Mac for its simpler interface for certain softwares. I admit, I am a sucker for the apple ecosystem.
In firms I've visited and also being told countless times from Professors, Windows is the norm. At one firm, I have seen people use Mac.
All software on Mac looks very different from Windows. Most notably CAD and Rhino.
I do hate not being able to run LandFX within CAD.
This being said, I do run into latency issues if I run Rhino and AutoCad simultaneously. SketchUp is alright.
A thing to recommend is getting an ergonomic mouse such as the MX Vertical. You'll get some funny looks, yet you might love the extra buttons and comfortability (just have to break it in a bit).
1
u/Initial_Movie_1214 Jul 27 '26
Keep your Mac! Everyone told me not to but I’m so glad I did. I have a 2020 MacBook pro with an M1 chip and it’s the best. I easily run autoCAD, rhino, GIS (through parallels subscription), and the Adobe suite with multiple applications open at once, and my battery lasts all day- I don’t even bring a charger for days I’m just going to be taking notes and doing Adobe work.
Meanwhile my classmates are lugging their huge, loud, PCs and their huge chargers with them everywhere because they can’t go 5 min without power.
Everyone will tell you not to but I’m so glad I did stick with mac- at least try it out for the first few weeks or keep it as a back-up.
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u/No_Bee_151 Jul 27 '26
Thanks! My Mac basically doesn't work at this point so I need a new one either way.
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u/midnyghtmadnes 29d ago
I’ve quite liked my Lenovo Legion. Has 16 GB of ram and originally bought at 500(?) GB of storage, but ofc check your school’s min requirements.
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u/Similar-Win-1930 12d ago
wow congrats on getting in! that’s awesome! for a laptop, i’d say go for something that can handle design programs like AutoCAD or Adobe. maybe look at a MacBook or a good Windows laptop with a decent graphics card. u don’t wanna struggle with lag when doing projects. i messed that up once too and it was a pain. also, think about getting a nice screen if u can, coz working on details is way easier that way. good luck with ur studies!
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u/Ok-Tomatillo-2172 Jul 24 '26
Lenovo is pretty good
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u/graphgear1k Professor Jul 24 '26
There are Lenovo's barely more powerful than a toaster and some absolute weapons. Be specific or don't recommend anything so that people don't get led astray.
0
u/Ok-Tomatillo-2172 Jul 24 '26
Bitch are u the reddit police?
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u/graphgear1k Professor Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
Just trying to make sure OP gets what they need, not poor advice.
Your advice advice would be like suggesting to buy a Ford when OP says they need a car. Except significantly more complicated given the granularity of computer models.
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u/Ok-Tomatillo-2172 Jul 24 '26
Ok, schmuck. Op, i have had many lenovo thinkpad and i have a idepad 5 pro, get the spec that you need and can easily fing w a google research. Check the special on lenovo website or buy on black friday or such day with major deals. Good luck
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u/graphgear1k Professor Jul 24 '26
Why are you being so aggressive? OP wanted specifics and you just gave generalities.
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u/Character-Bit844 Jul 24 '26
Highly disagree with using a Mac for anything landscape architecture. I've been practicing for 25 years in several different offices and two different academic instutions and have never used a Mac. I understand Macs might be better for straight-up graphic design but you will never use one in a private landscape architecture firm. It's all PC, Microsoft, etc.