Installation & update
About program installation and update, hardware, operating systems, setup, etc.

Anyone running ArchiCAD current versions on MacBook Air computers? Please comment.

Billy Earnest
Participant
Anyone running ArchiCAD current versions on MacBook Air computers? If so, please comment with your real experience. I tried searching for this before I posted, but didn’t have any luck, if there’s a thread for this, please share the link. Thanks!
iMac & MacBook Pro
5 REPLIES 5
Anonymous
Not applicable
Not a current MacBook Air, but I tried AC20 on my wife’s air and Archicad was all but unusable for any of my projects. I suspect insufficient RAM as well as no dedicated GPU were the main culprits.
The MacBook and MacBook Air are really only suitable for browsing and office suite type programs.
For content creation you really need a workstation, to use a car analogy it’s a bit like buying a performance car (Archicad) running it on regular unleaded with all wheels replaced with space saver spares and the handbrake permanently applied (MacBook).

Regards
Scott
Billy Earnest
Participant
Thanks for the info. Yes, I am aware. Just checking...as I have learned in life that sometimes things are not always as Specs claim. My old MacBook Pro 15” is pretty much dead...going with a 13” Pro this time so it will be useable in an airplane seat. Thanks!
iMac & MacBook Pro
Erwin Edel
Rockstar
FWIW, if I undock the 3D window and resize it down a little bit on my 2013 iMAC, instead of running at nearly the full 2.5k resolution, that speeds things up a bit when working in 3D. Not ideal, but might help on underpowered notebooks too. Provided it has a 4k screen or similar. It's just a lot of pixels to push on a modest GPU.
Erwin Edel, Project Lead, Leloup Architecten
www.leloup.nl

ArchiCAD 9-26NED FULL
Windows 10 Pro
Adobe Design Premium CS5
schagemann
Enthusiast
We use it on one MBAir - but not very frequently. Generally I would not recommend a MBAir for ARCHICAD work, mainly due to the limited Graphics Card and RAM available.

Btw. the main problems we experience are mostly with macOS 10.15 - best to avoid it if you can.

For more details on Apple Hardware have a look here > https://macinteract.com/hardware-recommendations/
macinteract
Design Technology Managers.
All  on macOS | since AC 6

Archicad Framework > Smart Template 27
Smart Tree, Transmittal and Universal Label and other smart GDL Objects
By Architects for Architects.
I've most recently used AC23 on my 2014 MacBook Air when I work remotely away from my 2019 iMac. Not a speed demon experience, but very workable.

I just installed AC24 but have yet to use it. Most likely will do so today.
Rex Maximilian, Honolulu, USA - www.rexmaximilian.com
ArchiCAD 27 (user since 3.4, 1991)
16" MacBook Pro; M1 Max (2021), 32GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, 32-Core GPU
Apple Vision Pro w/ BIMx
Creator of the Maximilian ArchiCAD Template System