Desktops have a lot more bang-per-buck than laptops, and are significantly more repairable/upgradable. Laptops make a lot of compromises to squeeze everything into a portable form-factor that runs on batteries. However, only you can say whether that outweighs the space/portability benefits of a laptop, for your use-case.

I’m a sysadmin, I work with Linux every single day, and I say to you: do not go Linux. It isn’t designed for what you want it for; it’s somewhere between the hobbyist/industrial spaces, whereas you want and need something consumer-focused. Get a nice straightforward Windows box.

Macs are also decent, though they’re even more bucks-per-bang than laptops, and there aren’t mac versions of every application; you’d need to check what’s out there.

Operating systems come with the computer if you’re buying them retail; you can buy them separately if you’re building from parts. Linux is free to download.

Laptops can be ergonomics hell; tiny keyboards, little screens right at desk level - if you’re working at them all day, a proper monitor and keyboard are de rigeur - at which point, you may as well have a desktop, unless you need to take your computer with you when you go places.

Brands, ehh. HP and Dell are decent, but whatever. Or if you’re a getting a desktop, you could build your own and save a packet, but that’s a whole other rabbit hole of complexity to dive into.

You need SSD, not HDD. HDD is slow as hell, physically fragile, makes annoying grunting noises… just don’t even consider it. SSD is unbelievably faster and better in every respect. A little more expensive, but worth every penny. Don’t go less than 500GB, preferably 1TB.

RAM, you need 16GB at the bare minimum; consider 32GB.

Monitors: preferably 27", at least 1920x1080, consider 2560x1440 or even 4k. You don’t need high refresh rate, you do want an IPS-type panel. Having two monitors will greatly improve your quality of life, if you can swing it.

CPU: there’s a million and thirty different ones out there. Just get something released in the last couple of years, you’ll be fine in most cases. There’s usually a shoulder in the price-performance curve about 75% of the way up the rankings; that’s the optimal place to buy if you want something that will keep you going a good while without getting ridiculous.

Desktop vs laptop doesn’t matter much for any given CAD software. Just make sure you hit the recommend specs of whatever software you’re looking to use.

The bigger thing will be if whatever CAD software that is is Windows exclusive or not. I’d check that before deciding to go the Linux route (which most people on here are going to try to steer you towards.)

Do I need a desktop for CAD?

Probably not, unless your models are really complicated or you do heavy duty finite-element analysis or something and thus need a high-end GPU. (If that were you, you’d know it and wouldn’t have needed to ask.)

Pros and cons of operating systems (and where do I find them?)

Linux is the best, but if your use-case is CAD you’re likely stuck on Windows because Autodesk etc. are run by assholes (in other words, because most CAD software only runs in Windows).

Browsers ditto?

Firefox, because it’s the only reasonably-mainstream browser that doesn’t use the same rendering engine as Chrome. You shouldn’t use any Chromium-based browser because allowing Google to have hegemony over web standards is bad for the Internet and society as a whole.

Lots of good info on laptops here without all the marketing junk: https://www.rtings.com/laptop/reviews/best

Get Windows 11 Pro (not Home), so you have more options for turning off annoying crap built-in to Windows.

For CAD get at least 16GB of RAM, but I’d recommend 32 or 64.

Mouse reviews: https://www.rtings.com/mouse

CAD would benefit from a larger monitor than a laptop can have: https://www.rtings.com/monitor

If you do consider Linux, check out https://system76.com/ — If you get one of their computers, Linux (Pop!_OS) comes pre installed, is supported by this company, and would be pretty similar to using Windows or MacOS.

Framework is the laptop designed intentionally to be fixed. They just came out with a big size version with a dedicated GPU since you mentioned CAD.

You don’t need a desktop for CAD anymore.

If it’s your livelihood then stick with Windows. If you need a little reliability then Ubuntu will have the most support. Otherwise, pick your flavor of Linux that you like most.

Browsers are chromium v Firefox. They will both get the job done. Chrome (google version of chromium) plays nicest with your google account.

As for answers, unfortunately you have to hit up multiple sources for any question. Usually ask a pc magazine, YouTube, and Reddit/Lenny and compare the answers while remembering their base motivations for providing answer.

I’m on a 7 year old laptop, i7-7500U CPU, 32gb RAM and run Solidworks in a VM as I’m also running Linux.

It handles parts fine, but struggles a bit with very large assemblies and rendering on surfaces. This I assume is the lack of dedicated GPU.

If you’re looking at new laptops, there’s two main things to look out for IMO: soldered on RAM, and a plastic chassis.

Over the years I’ve had the unfortunate experience of repairing so many broken HP laptops in particular that I just avoid them out of principle. They tend to place a lot of heat generating components internally right beside the lid hinge, causing the plastic there to weaken and start to break off. On some occasions I’ve seen this plastic get stuck inside the nearby CPU fan, which causes the laptop to overheat and shut down on you without warning.

There are other companies that used to be more sensible with their component placement, like Asus and Fujitsu, but IMO it would be relatively safe to pick a laptop with a non-plastic chassis that feels good to use.

No, a desktop is not mandatory for CAD. I personally use both a 4 yo desktop and a 12 yo laptop just fine

Everyone else has posted some really helpful answers for your other questions so I’ll end my post here!

What you need for CAD is a mouse; trackpads are just too fiddly and imprecise. I use a Logitech MX Master, which works great over Bluetooth to a laptop.

Lots of great recommendations here. I’ll add some things:

1. Windows will be a great choice for something you are familiar with, but the current iterations are definitely heading in the direction of being advertising-filled messes. So it’s not a bad idea to look at alternatives.
2. Apple should be a good choice for a “just works” system without a lot of junk in it. But if you’re new to it there will be a learning curve. Software options are also more limited. AutoCAD looks to be your only major commercial CAD option there.
3. If you want to explore Linux, try a live usb stick and see what you think. It will feel very different and there will be a larger learning curve, but a liveUSB should be a risk free and relatively easy way to try it out and see if you love the difference or hate the change. If you still are interested at that point consider dual-booting or repurposing an older system for something to tinker with.
4. CAD in particular might be a sticking point. Windows will give you the most options. You didn’t mention whether you’re tied to a specific system as is common for a profession / livelihood or whether you’re open to options. If you’re able to look at alternatives— AutoCAD is on Mac and Windows, SolidWorks is on windows only. QCAD is a smaller option for 2D CAD on all three platforms and I’ve been happy with it for everything I’ve tried to do.

A number of posts have mentioned brands, but it’s very important to consider the line within the brand. Consumer-oriented lines from HP (Pavilion, Essential), Dell (Inspiron, Vostro), and Lenovo (Idea pad, Legion) are absolutely terrible. Plastic everything, difficult/impossible repairs, no upgrades, etc. Every corner that can be cut, has.

Instead, look to the enterprise lines. Lenovo Thinkpad (my preference)/Think centre, Dell Latitude/Precision, HP Elitebook. I usually find the older ones (3-5 years old) that are off-least after enterprises are done with them, do a minor upgrade, and I’m good to go for a long time. Obviously that will depend on your needs, skill set, and desires.

CAD works fine on windows laptops. Look for sales at microcenter and get something with a dedicated video card. Set a budget like $1000 and start there.

1st thing I’d do is set your requirements. What are you using this laptop for? Do you need to run specific software for it? What does that software need to run well. You mentioned CAD, I had a look at the System Requirements for AutoCAD and most of this is very easy to pick out on a spec sheet and as long as you’re not picking the cheapest machine you should be fine. The only specifically weird one is the bandwidth requirement for the GPU, but pretty much any chip less than 5 years old should be fine. You can search the model on wikipedia for the bandwidth figures.

As for the whole laptop vs desktop debate, laptops give you portability, whereas a desktop is more erganomic; a laptop can be taken anywhere and as long as you’re not using super power hungry parts you should be able to get a few hours out of it without needing mains power. A desktop allows you to place the keyboard, mouse, and screen in a way which is more comfortable for you, but you can’t move it.

Either way, you need to set some minimum specs. I’d say 1920x1080 screen (also known as full HD), 16GB RAM, SSD storage.

For buying a laptop, avoid Apple. Their reliability has gone down the drain over the last 10 years with each model having a reliability issue. (butterfly keyboards, dust ingress into screens, STORING THE BIOS IN NAND) and that’s before the overpriced RAM cost. Used business laptops are a good deal and can be repaired fairly easily. If you’re feeling up to it, many of them can have their RAM upgraded with only a screwdriver. For specific processors, look for Intel Core i3/i5/i7 12th gen or 13th gen or the Intel Core Ultra 5/7 for the newest parts, just check that the processor model number ends in a ‘U’. This means it’s not going to eat your battery in less than an hour. For AMD, look for model numbers in this format ‘7x40U’ where the x is either an 8,6,5, or 4. These use AMD’s latest technology, are more power efficient than Intel and give excellent performance.

For a desktop, don’t by from a big brand. HP, Lenovo, Dell and Acer all use proprietary parts which makes fixing these machines impossible and that is only the start of the issues. Smaller builders will use off the shelf parts which can be replaced and upgraded easily. Cyberpower PC has a fairly cheap PC which should run everything even if it’s a bit old and ugly here. Just remember, you need a screen, desk and chair.

Choosing a web browser is just an illusion of choice. Almost every browser is based on Chrome (included Microsoft Edge) with Safari merely being a cousin of Chrome ( Chrome’s browser engine Blink is a fork of Apple’s WebKit used on Safari). The only exception is Firefox which uses it’s own. Firefox is pretty good, it’s no slower than Chrome and has better extension integrations (no Manifest V3 shennanigans) just make sure you install uBlock Origin.

You’d pretty much be stuck with Windows 11 as an Operating System which is shite. Unless you’re willing to have your phone open looking up how to bypass the Microsoft Account requirement and then spend an hour fixing Microsoft’s stupid default settings, you’ll have to put up with it and all it’s awfulness. But there isn’t any othe choice, Linux is a pain to setup unless you know what you’re doing (I use Arch, I don’t recommend any distro for casual use) and will likely not support any CAD programs.

How complex are the things you’re looking at modeling in CAD? I bought a used Dell Latitude 7400 with an i5 to putter around on when I don’t want to sit in front of my fixed position tower. It’s truly not a very impressive device from a specifications perspective, but it runs fusion 360 well enough for basic CAD work (single, non-complex components). Fusion 360 has given me warnings about the computer specs, but I haven’t run into any performance issues.

You’ll want an external mouse, but that’s not a big deal.

I haven’t tried loading a larger model on it though. I suspect it would work, but it would struggle a bit more.

If you’re going to get a laptop, I suggest buying an “enterprise” model. They’re generally better built than the consumer models.

I’ll give you some general advice and am happy to answer any follow up questions you might have.

Upfront, I recommend getting a laptop from a well known vendor running Windows. If you aren’t looking to go on a technology learning expedition, just need something that will work, and will have a warranty and a support line if things go wrong, you can’t beat a vendor. Dell is probably where I would look, but Microsoft surface, and Thinkpad’s are also good.

Going with Windows from a vendor supplied laptop will maximize the amount of support you have and the number of things that just work.

If you are looking for more of a technology project, I’d need to know more about what your tolerance is for fiddling with technology or your computer not working.

As for CAD, as others said, check the recommended software specs and match your computer to them. Make sure you give yourself plenty of fast storage like m.2.

For browsers, I use Firefox. I’d recommend Firefox as being a good balance between privacy and just working with plugin support. But chrome and other chromium based browsers like edge also just work.

Consider getting a Microsoft 365 personal or family account. For $100/year you get cloud storage, computer backups, and the local and online office suite, and it all integrates well into Windows.

If any of the above assumptions are wrong, I’m happy to update recommendations.

Finally, how do you learn to fish? It takes time to come up to speed on things, so slowly learning, finding neutral review sites like maybe Tom’s hardware, and doing your own testing.

Lots of people will give you opinionated advice, so don’t be afraid to be skeptical. Think about what’s important to you, whether that be just working, or privacy, or availability of support materials.

If you go linux, I do not recommend System 76. I’ve had two of them and both of them were junk. My company issues linux laptops to developers. 9 out of 10 System 76 laptops failed within a year. I’m not a big fan of Dell. If you have the time and money check out Starlabs. Framework has a lot of promise as well.

If you just need a beater running Windows for browsing and writing, surprisingly, I’ve found HP makes very affordable, reasonably solid machines.

If you want really portable for basic web stuff. I’d suggest an iPad. Lots of VCs and CEO types I know just use iPad.

For CAD you probably want a desktop with a high end mouse and an array of large monitors at an ergonomic desk setup. You’ll probably spend more on the chair and desk and workspace than on the computer.