AutoCAD for Windows on M2/M3 mac

moneumiko · ‎11-21-2023

I've been thinking about switching from my Windows laptop to a macbook but the thing is AutoCAD for mac is out of the question for me as it's way too limited from what I researched.
I know about Parallels, and I see some posts here from people running a Windows AutoCAD on M1 mac for example, but on the other hand it is said that AutoCAD can't run on Windows for ARM. So does it work on it or not?? It's so confusing, I just can't find a direct answer to that.
Could anyone confirm if AutoCAD (LT) 2024 64bits would work on an M2 or M3 macbook through parallels?

maxim_k · ‎11-21-2023

Hi @moneumiko ,

@moneumiko wrote:
...
Could anyone confirm if AutoCAD (LT) 2024 64bits would work on an M2 or M3 macbook through parallels?

Yes, it works perfectly.

You will not be able to use Fast Shaded mode and DirectX 12 dependent features, but everything else works fine, including, for example, working with point clouds.

Here is Graphics performance window:

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moneumiko · ‎11-21-2023

No point clouds or shaded modes needed, thank you for confirming!

brajones9QP5N · ‎04-29-2024

Maxim,

It has been a few months since your response and I am looking at ordering a new Thinkpad mobile workstation w/128GB RAM or a MacBook Pro w/M3 pro max w/64GB Unified Memory. I was wondering if you have come across any additional issues running AutoCAD on your Macbook? And if you have any other advice that might help me with my decision.

maxim_k · ‎04-29-2024

Hi @brajones9QP5N ,

>>>>> I was wondering if you have come across any additional issues running AutoCAD on your Macbook?

No, I don't have additional issues with AutoCAD for Windows running inside Parallels Desktop Virtual machine.

>>>>>And if you have any other advice that might help me with my decision.

If you need Mac computer for other purposes , then you can choose to use it. If you depend on other software that is only available on PC, then PC should be your choice.

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