If you’re a professional interior designer and use interior design software regularly, having the right Mac can make a huge difference.
In 2025, Apple’s Mac lineup, now including powerful M4 chips, delivers the performance and graphics capability needed to run demanding software like SketchUp, AutoCAD, Live Home 3D, and Sweet Home 3D without a hitch.
But different Macs are more suited for certain types of home design than others.
In this guide, we break down the best Macs for interior design, based on real-world software needs, display quality, portability, and processing power.
Table of Contents
- What Interior Designers Need in a Mac
- Best Overall: MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro/M4 Max)
- Best for Portability: MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)
- Best Desktop: iMac 24-inch (M4)
- Best Versatile Workstation: Mac Studio (M4 Pro)
- Best Value: Mac mini (M4 Pro)
- What About Software Compatibility?
- Summary
- Essential External Accessories
What Interior Designers Need in a Mac
Before diving into models, it’s helpful to understand what kind of power and features interior design apps demand:
- Strong GPU & CPU for smooth running of 3D rendering software
- High-resolution display for color accuracy and detail or at least, the capability of running at least one 5K display.
- Plenty of RAM (16GB+) for multitasking with large project files
- Fast SSD storage for quicker load and data transfer times
- Software compatibility with macOS-native or cross-platform apps like AutoCAD, SketchUp, and more
With these factors in mind, here’s our shortlist of the best Macs to use for professional interior design in 2025.
Best Overall: MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro/M4 Max)
Why it’s ideal: The new M4 Pro and M4 Max chips turn the 16-inch MacBook Pro into a mobile design powerhouse. Whether you’re rendering in real-time or working with large SketchUp models, this Mac doesn’t flinch.
Key Specs:
- M4 Pro or M4 Max chip (2025)
- 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3456×2234)
- Up to 128GB unified memory
- Up to 8TB SSD
- Battery life up to 24 hours
- 140W fast charging, excellent thermals
- Optimized for Apple Intelligence
Best For: Professionals using AutoCAD, SketchUp Pro, Twinmotion, or Lumion via virtualization.
Tip: Designers report up to 40% faster render times in SketchUp and V-Ray on the M4 Max compared to the M2 Max.
Best for Portability: MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)
Why it’s ideal: For interior designers who work on-site, in cafes, or between client meetings, the MacBook Air 15-inch balances power and portability with its fanless M4 chip.
Key Specs:
- Apple M4 chip
- 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display (2880×1864)
- Up to 32GB RAM
- Up to 2TB SSD
- All-day battery life (Up to 18 hours)
- Optimized for Apple Intelligence
Best For: Students, freelancers, or casual users working in Live Home 3D, Sweet Home 3D, or RoomSketcher.
Tip: Pair this Mac with an external display for a desktop-like editing experience at home.
Best Desktop: iMac 24-inch (M4)
Why it’s ideal: With its sleek design and vivid 4.5K Retina display, the 24 inch M4 iMac is a perfect studio centerpiece for design professionals who don’t need portability.
Key Specs:
- M4 chip
- 24-inch 4.5K Retina display (4480×2520)
- Up to 32GB unified memory
- Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse included
Best For: Designers who value visual fidelity and have a dedicated workspace for running AutoCAD or SketchUp Pro.
Tip: The iMac M3’s display covers the P3 color gamut—perfect for color-critical interior rendering.
Best Versatile Workstation: Mac Studio (M4 Pro)
Why it’s ideal: If you need extreme performance for rendering complex interiors, running multiple design apps, or working in 3D animation or AR for architecture, the Mac Studio with M4 Max chip is a monster of a machine.
Key Specs:
- M4 Max chip
- Up to 128GB unified memory
- Up to 8TB SSD
- Supports up to 6 displays
- Multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports
Best For: High-end interior designers, architectural firms, or those using Blender, Rhino, Archicad, or 3D rendering engines.
Tip: Combine with a 5K Display for the ultimate workstation setup.
Best Value: Mac mini (M4 Pro)
Why it’s ideal: If you already own a display or want a budget-friendly Mac that can still handle SketchUp and AutoCAD smoothly, the M4 Mac Mini is an excellent choice.
Key Specs:
- M4 or M4 Pro chip
- Up to 64GB RAM (M4 Pro)
- Multiple display support
- Compact, quiet, and energy efficient
- Excellent value for money
Best For: Entry-level professionals or home designers on a budget.
Tip: Add a color-calibrated 4K monitor and you’ve got a pro-level design setup for half the price.
What About Software Compatibility?
Here’s how some of the most common interior and home design apps perform on Apple Silicon Macs:
| App | Compatible with M4/M3/M2? | Optimized for Apple Silicon? |
|---|---|---|
| SketchUp Pro | ✅ Yes | ✅ Native support |
| AutoCAD LT/Pro | ✅ Yes | ✅ Native Apple Silicon |
| Live Home 3D | ✅ Yes | ✅ Fully optimized |
| Sweet Home 3D | ✅ Yes (via Rosetta 2) | ❌ Not yet native |
| Roomstyler | ✅ Web-based | ✅ No installation needed |
Tip: All Apple Silicon Macs now support hardware-accelerated ray tracing—a big plus for design rendering tasks.
Summary
| Use Case | Best Mac Model |
|---|---|
| Professional interior designers | MacBook Pro 16″ (M4 Pro/Max) |
| On-the-go designers | MacBook Air 15″ (M4) |
| Office/studio setup | iMac 24″ (M4) |
| High-end rendering | Mac Studio (M4 Ultra) |
| Budget-conscious users | Mac mini (M4 Pro) |
Essential External Accessories
- Color-accurate monitor (4K or 5K) for desktop Macs. We recommend our guides to Apple Studio Display Alternatives and the best 5K monitors for Macs for a selection of the best ones.
- 3D mouse for smoother SketchUp navigation
- Apple Pencil (for Sidecar) with iPad to sketch ideas
- External SSD for faster file storage and transport. Check out our look at the best SSD drives for Macs and the best Thunderbolt drives for some ideas.