How engineering teams run SOLIDWORKS on Mac + the best Mac hardware for CAD

It’s a familiar situation. Many engineers these days prefer working on macOS devices—they’re known for their battery life, stability, and support for the types of development and productivity tools used across engineering teams.

But there’s one problem.

Popular computer-aided design (CAD) programs, like SOLIDWORKS, are designed for Windows.

Historically, this problem has forced engineering teams and students to choose between giving up their Macs in favor of a Windows workstation, switching between multiple devices, or using a virtualization solution.

When people think about virtualization, they often associate it with heavy, complex IT-managed virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions where users can connect to a remote Windows desktop to use SOLIDWORKS within that environment.

But there’s also lightweight virtualization without the VDI overhead. Solutions like Parallels Desktop make it possible to run Windows and software like SOLIDWORKS locally on the Mac.

There’s no requirement for complex VDI infrastructure, persistent and fast internet connectivity, or centralized management. Just simple, high-performance access to required apps.

With solutions like Parallels Desktop, engineers can run Windows—and their Windows-only engineering tools—on their Macs. They get to keep their preferred hardware and their CAD workflows in one place. This way, engineers can design, simulate, and collaborate without switching hardware.

And for organizations and universities supporting engineering teams, this allows for device standardization that maintains access to essential Windows-based software—without worrying about the security problems introduced by multiple devices.

Looking to support software like SOLIDWORKS on Mac for engineering teams or students? Learn more about Parallels Desktop and try Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition today.

Why engineers use Macs

Mac adoption has grown steadily in engineering environments in recent years, particularly among product designers, engineering students, and multidisciplinary teams. Why?

Stability and battery life

Mac laptops are known for their hardware and OS performance as well as their long battery lives, which makes them ideal for engineers who frequently work in labs, in meetings, on manufacturing floors, and while traveling.

For organizations and IT teams deploying laptops across engineering teams or in classrooms, this reliability can reduce device management overhead and downtime.

Unix-based development environment

Because macOS is built on Unix, it provides strong support for the development tools often used alongside engineering processes for data analysis, automation, and modeling:

• Python
• Git
• Terminal-based automation
• Scripting environments
• Simulation tools

Software engineering and data tools

Engineering workflows often incorporate tools like MATLAB, Python, and data visualization, which work well within macOS environments.

For IT admins, maintaining sensitive data like this on one device prevents security issues like sharing files across devices—often through cloud-based drives or emails.

Design and productivity workflows

Macs are commonly used for extra steps in the broader product development process, including documentation, communication, product management, and collaboration.

Hardware performance

Because of their hardware capabilities, including CPUs, unified memory, and SSD storage, Macs can handle engineering workloads relatively easily.

The challenge: SOLIDWORKS is Windows software

Because SOLIDWORKS was originally designed for Windows workstations, there are misconceptions floating around.

Maybe you believe SOLIDWORKS can’t run on Mac. Or maybe you’ve heard that Mac hardware isn’t powerful enough to run CAD software.

But the truth is, with virtualization software and the right configuration settings, engineers do run SOLIDWORKS on Mac hardware.

The solution: How engineering teams run SOLIDWORKS on Mac

Sure, you could install Windows on a Mac device with Boot Camp for each Mac user in the organization for each Mac user in the organization—but that would mean the user has to reboot the device every time they need to switch OSs. And it only works for Intel-based Macs anyway.

Running Windows on a Mac within a virtual machine (VM) means engineers can use both OSs at the same time. No reboots required.

It also means they can access files across both environments, copy and paste between windows in different operating systems, and organize folders without worrying about which system they’re working in.

Pro tip: Parallels Desktop can run Windows in a VM on Mac using a special feature called Coherence mode. This blends Windows together with macOS so they feel like one operating system.

What engineering workflows look like on Mac

Just like any other field, work doesn’t all happen in one app.

Mechanical engineers typically move between communication tools, documentation platforms, data analysis software, and CAD environments at multiple steps in the design process.

Using virtualization software introduces the flexibility to run all the essentials in one place—and for teams and engineering students, as well as the admins that support them, this creates a new kind of workflow where macOS supports productivity and Windows handles specialized tools.

Communication and project coordination in macOS

Most projects start with communication, documentation, and project planning through email or chat programs, centralized hub systems like Confluence, and cloud storage services.

This stage may also include early development and automation steps through Git and Python environments to make later stages easier.

Design and modeling in Windows with SOLIDWORKS

With virtualization software, engineers can start up a Windows VM to run CAD tools like SOLIDWORKS for part modeling and assembly design.

Then, they can run MATLAB or Python tools either in Windows or through macOS for analysis and modeling, keeping everything on one device.

Moving between macOS and Windows

Without virtualization, tasks like referencing documents, communicating with teammates, and updating project notes might require engineers to switch between devices or even reboot their Macs.

With virtualization, though, macOS and Windows can run side by side. Files, clipboard content, and folders can move between operating systems, so it’s simple to reference documentation, copy simulation results from Windows into reports in macOS, or export drawings directly to shared folders.

Why this process works well

Running both operating systems on the same machine creates a hybrid environment that makes it easy for engineers and students to access the tools they need without switching devices.

For organizations and universities supporting engineering programs, this also allows IT teams to:

• Standardize systems on Mac hardware
• Maintain access to Windows-only engineering software
• Simplify device management across mixed software environments

Users can design, analyze, and collaborate without sacrificing the tools they prefer to access industry-standard CAD software.

5 common engineering tasks that work in SOLIDWORKS on Mac

Most core mechanical engineering tasks done using SOLIDWORKS can work well in a Windows VM on Mac.

3D part modeling

Designing, prototyping, and refining mechanical components often uses parametric modeling techniques, which rely on CPU performance and sufficient memory.

Modern Macs have plenty of both, even when running a Windows VM.

Assembly design

Engineering projects are rarely limited to one component. Assemblies with multiple components depend on memory allocation for accurate interference detection and tolerance analysis.

Because tools like Parallels Desktop support custom allocation for resources like memory, they can support assembly design and management.

Sheet metal and weldment design

Fabrication design for materials like sheet metal introduce new complications like folded parts, and planning weldments can be particularly intensive on resources like your device’s random-access memory (RAM).

Mac devices typically include more than enough RAM for these processes—and with features like memory swapping, it can access additional resources when needed.

Simulation and engineering analysis

Part of creating fabrication-ready models is knowing they’ll work after they’re fabricated. Tools like stress analysis, motion simulation, thermal modeling, and fluid flow analysis depend on the resources a Mac can dedicate with features like memory pressure and swapping.

Manufacturing drawings and production workflows

Once a design’s ready for production, it starts a whole new process—one that includes generating 2D drawings, exporting DXF or DWG files, preparing geometry for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, and generating CNC toolpaths.

Choosing Mac hardware for SOLIDWORKS

Just as it would with a Windows workstation, users’ CAD software performance will depend on the hardware running it. When deploying for your organization, you’ll need to consider:

• CPU performance
• Available RAM
• GPU performance
• Storage speeds

Each of these components can independently affect software performance. For example, even with enough RAM, devices may struggle if the video card can’t handle the information it’s being given—or the CPU might struggle if it needs to process faster than it can write to storage.

Be sure to check device specs against software minimum requirements!

Recommended specs for running SOLIDWORKS on Mac

Engineering students or those who mostly work with small assemblies and basic modeling will:

• 16 GB RAM
• An Apple silicon processor
• Standard SSD storage

Professional engineers or those who will be working with heavier workloads will need:

• 24-32 GB RAM
• A higher-end Apple silicon processor
• Fast SSD storage

Although smaller projects won’t need as many resources to run smoothly, large assemblies and simulations do need more system resources. So if your users are planning on running heavier workloads, your CAD application will benefit from having additional memory available.

Exploring Mac laptop options for mechanical engineers

Wondering which type of Mac laptop might fit into your IT strategy? Let’s take a look at the options.

MacBook Pro (recommended)

MacBook Pro models work well for professional engineers, product designers, and engineering students working with larger models because they’re designed to deliver the performance needed.

They typically include:

• Stronger Apple silicon processors
• Higher RAM configurations
• Active cooling systems for sustained performance
• High-resolution displays

All of which can impact how your CAD software runs.

MacBook Air

MacBook Air models are lighter and more portable, which can be great when you’re on the road a lot—but they do have hardware limitations that makes them better suited for lighter CAD workloads.

They rely on passive cooling, and include lower maximum RAM than MacBook Pro models. This means they might have a hard time with larger models, but can still work well for students learning CAD, small assemblies, and introductory engineering coursework.

Exploring Mac desktop options for CAD workloads

Thinking a desktop might be more your speed than a laptop? Let’s explore the options.

Mac Studio

Mac Studio devices come with powerful GPUs, a high memory capacity, and desktop-level performance, which can make them good choices for professional engineers and engineering firms.

They do well with demanding CAD tasks like large assemblies, simulation-heavy workflows, and rendering and visualization.

iMac

iMac devices tend to be more balanced in terms of performance, so they can be practical options for engineering labs or classroom environments.

3 tips for optimizing SOLIDWORKS performance on Mac

Engineers can improve performance by optimizing virtualization settings.

1. Allocate sufficient RAM to Windows

Depending on your workload size, you may need to allocate between eight and 16 GB of RAM to your Windows VM. You can adjust this within your VM’s settings in Parallels Desktop—just make sure you leave enough for macOS, too.

2. Use a performance profile

Parallels Desktop includes performance profiles that can automatically adjust your Mac’s resource allocation based on what you need your VM to do.

Using a performance profile or switching to a different one can influence your software’s performance.

3. Enable hardware acceleration

Hardware acceleration offloads demanding tasks from your Mac’s CPU to its GPU to improve performance. Enabling this feature is especially important for renderings, RealView graphics, and improving viewport interaction.

Heads up: You can learn more about optimizing your device and allocating resources between macOS and Windows here.

Weighing the options: When Mac makes sense and when Windows might be better

Running SOLIDWORKS through a VM on Mac can be a useful option for:

• Engineers who prefer macOS, or have other macOS devices
• Engineering students who already own MacBooks
• Hybrid teams working across macOS and Windows
• Product designers who use both CAD and other Mac-based tools
• Organizations who need to standardize hardware across both macOS and Windows

On the other hand, dedicated Windows workstations can be useful for:

• Working with extremely large assemblies
• Running GPU-heavy renderings
• Specialized engineering environments

Overall, for many engineers, virtualization can provide the performance and flexibility they need.

FAQs: SOLIDWORKS on Mac for engineering

Want to know more about how SOLIDWORKS runs on Mac for engineering teams and schools? Find answers here.

Can SOLIDWORKS run on a Mac?

Yes. SOLIDWORKS can run on a Mac by installing Windows in a virtual machine using virtualization software like Parallels Desktop.

Is a MacBook powerful enough for SOLIDWORKS?

Modern Apple silicon Macs have powerful processors and fast memory, making them capable of running SOLIDWORKS for most design and modeling tasks.

Which Mac is best for SOLIDWORKS?

MacBook Pro and Mac Studio systems with higher RAM configurations typically provide the best performance for CAD workflows.

How much RAM is needed for SOLIDWORKS on Mac?

Most engineers will need at least 16 GB of RAM. Larger assemblies or simulation workflows will need around 24-32 GB.

The bottom line: CAD decisions are no longer Windows or Mac

For engineering teams and students, the options are opening up. Running CAD software like SOLIDWORKS isn’t a question of Windows or Mac anymore.

Instead, it’s a question of macOS and Windows—and how they can coexist to help you do your best work.

With virtualization software like Parallels Desktop, engineers can run full SOLIDWORKS workflows, keep their macOS productivity tools, and design, simulate, and manufacture products—all on their familiar device.

Discover how you can run SOLIDWORKS on Mac with a free 14-day trial of Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition Enterprise Edition today.