Hardware guide

Recommended Apple hardware for architects and BIM teams

We are often asked which Apple hardware we recommend for architecture practices. This guide summarises the Mac, iPad, display, and accessory setups we currently recommend for Archicad, Vectorworks, BIMcloud, and related visualisation workflows.

The short version: buy enough unified memory at the start, match the machine to your project size, and budget for the display and connectivity around the Mac, not just the Mac itself.

Last updated: 27 April 2026

Start here

Quick recommendations

Use this table to narrow the choice before reading the detailed notes below.

Use case Recommended Mac Memory Best for Notes
Small residential / light CAD 15-inch MacBook Air M5 24GB Alterations, additions, single residential work Best with an external display and USB-C hub.
Regular BIM workstation Mac mini M4 Pro 24GB Medium-sized Archicad / Vectorworks projects Can also suit small-office Archicad BIMcloud server needs.
Larger models / heavier workloads Mac mini M4 Pro with additional memory 48GB+ More complex projects and occasional rendering Prioritise memory before storage if the budget is tight.
Visualisation workflows Mac Studio M4 Max 64GB+ Enscape, Twinmotion, realtime rendering Desktop setup; budget for display, webcam, keyboard, and mouse.
Mobile primary workstation 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro 48GB Architects who need workstation power away from the desk Pair with a 27-inch display for daily office use.

Checks

Before you buy

A few decisions matter more than the model name. Confirm the software, memory, and workstation setup before purchasing.

Mac recommendations

Recommended setups

Each card is a starting specification. Adjust storage, Ethernet, AppleCare, and display choices to suit the practice.

Recommended regular workstation

Mac mini M4 Pro

Suitable as a regular CAD workstation for medium-sized architectural projects. Also suitable as an Archicad BIMcloud server for a small office with medium-sized projects, depending on storage, Ethernet, and backup requirements.

  • Apple Mac mini M4 Pro
  • 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU
  • 24GB unified memory
  • 512GB SSD storage
  • Gigabit or 10 Gigabit Ethernet

Heavier BIM workloads

Mac mini M4 Pro with additional memory

Suitable for a regular CAD workstation that also needs to deal with heavier loads, larger files, or occasional rendering work.

  • Apple Mac mini M4 Pro
  • 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU
  • Minimum 48GB unified memory
  • 512GB SSD storage
  • Gigabit or 10 Gigabit Ethernet

Visualisation workflows

Mac Studio M4 Max

Suitable for realtime rendering and visualisation apps such as Enscape and Twinmotion, where additional GPU and memory headroom are useful.

  • Apple Mac Studio M4 Max
  • 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU
  • Minimum 64GB unified memory
  • 512GB SSD storage

Mobile workstation

14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro

Suitable for a regular CAD workstation that also needs to handle heavier loads. Best used with an external display and USB-C hub when working at a desk.

  • Apple M5 Pro
  • 15-core CPU, 16-core GPU
  • 48GB unified memory
  • 1TB SSD storage
  • 70W USB-C Power Adapter
  • 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display

We do not generally recommend the 16-inch model. It is heavy for travel; the price difference is usually better invested in a 27-inch display, keyboard, and mouse for a proper workstation setup.

Entry-level CAD

15-inch MacBook Air M5

Suitable for small architectural projects, such as alterations and additions or single residential work. Best used with an external display and USB-C hub.

  • Apple M5 chip
  • 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
  • 24GB unified memory
  • 512GB SSD storage
  • 70W USB-C Power Adapter
  • 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone

iPad

iPad Air for review and markup

An iPad, paired with an Apple Pencil Pro, can be a useful companion device for design review, markups, meetings, and site work. For more detail, read our thoughts on the iPad for architects.

Companion device

13-inch iPad Air

  • 13-inch iPad Air
  • Apple M3 chip
  • 256GB storage
  • Wi-Fi
  • Apple Pencil Pro

Wi-Fi is usually enough

Depending on your usage, you may not need the cellular model; an iPhone hotspot is often enough. Instead of the heavier and more expensive Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad, we recommend the Rebound Magnetic Keyboard Case from ESR.

Accessories

Docks, adapters, webcam, and input devices

Webcam

Most third-party displays do not include a built-in camera. We currently recommend the Logitech Brio 500, which connects via USB-C.

Mouse compatibility

The latest Apple Magic Mouse USB-C only works properly on macOS 15 Sequoia. Older macOS versions are not supported.

Displays

Monitor options

You may want a separate monitor at home or in the office for your laptop. Apple’s Thunderbolt Display is no longer available, so these are the current alternatives we tend to consider.

Display Why consider it Watch-outs
Apple Studio Display 27-inch 5K panel with built-in 12MP camera and Centre Stage. Expensive, but currently unmatched by most alternatives. No Ethernet port; laptop users may still need an adapter or dock.
Dell P2723QE 27-inch 4K USB-C hub monitor. Reduces the number of separate hubs and cables required. The included USB-C cable can be short. Pricing varies, but is often around AUD 706 including GST and delivery.
Samsung 32-inch 4K Smart Monitor M8 Includes a detachable webcam and USB-C connection with charging. Available in black and white. Best value when discounted; sale pricing can reduce it to around AUD 700.
AOC U32V5N Budget 31.5-inch 4K option, around AUD 400, with a similar broad feature set to the Dell category. No included HDMI cable and no Ethernet port.

Old hardware

In with the new, out with the old

Back up first

Before trading in, recycling, or disposing of any computer, check that there is no sensitive or essential data stored on its disks. You can use software such as Carbon Copy Cloner to back up to another disk if the original disk still works.

Wipe the disk

If the disk works but the computer does not, you may still be able to start it in target disk mode and copy data across. Once your data is safely copied, wipe the disk via Applications / Utilities / Disk Utility > Erase.

Trade-in and recycling

If you have old machines gathering dust, Apple no longer offers a pickup-based recycling programme in Australia. Instead, it offers Trade-In options for some products.