Top Best laptop for Animation
Are you interested in rendering 3D levels in a video game or creating your own animation masterpiece? It is challenging enough to learn how to use applications like Autodesk Maya without having to be concerned about whether or not your computer meets the minimum system requirements.
When purchasing a new laptop, you should exercise extreme caution if you intend to use it for animation-related jobs so that you can get the most value for your money.
Not all portable computers are created equal, and many of the solutions available at lower price points simply do not have the capability necessary to operate animation programs.
Let’s not waste any more time guessing; we’ve done the research and found the greatest laptops for animation in 2023; dive right in and have a look!
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Not all laptops are equipped to process huge amounts of artwork & animation. If you’re looking for a decent animation laptop, you should read this guide first.
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the best laptops for artists, complete with a description of each device’s features and a link to its respective online retailer.
Let’s dive in…
What is The Best laptop for Animation in 2023
What is the Best Laptop for Animation in 2023?
When you’re in the market for the best laptop for Animation, only the best will do. To us, while it’s a tough choice, the best laptop for Animation in 2023 is by far the Apple iPad Pro (2021) ( mac) and Razer Blade 15 Advanced Edition ( Windows).
Interested in some of our other top choices? Check out our comparison table below.
The List of Best Laptops for Animation
- Apple MacBook Pro — The best macOS laptop for animation in 2023( Our Tip Pick)
- Razer Blade 15 Advanced Edition — The best Over all laptop for animation in 2023( Best Choice)[ Buy from Walmart]
- ASUS VivoBook 15 — The best Good value laptop for animation[ Buy from Walmart]
- GIGABYTE AERO 17( HDR XD) — The best Big Splurge laptop for animation
- Lenovo IdeaPad 3 — The best Beginner Friendly laptop for animation
- Apple MacBook Air — The best portable laptop for animation
- Asus ROG Zephyrus —The best ultra-slim & Portable laptop for animation
- Asus ROG Strix G15— The best Asus( 144 HZ) laptop for Animation
- ASUS TUF Dash 15 — The best Budget Friendly laptop for animation
- Asus Zenbook Pro Duo — The best Dual screen laptop for animation
- Acer Spin 5 — The best touchscreen laptop for animation
- ASUS TUF Gaming F17 — The best laptop for 2D animation
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 — The best Strong Build laptop for animation
Apple MacBook Pro 16 Inch Display
Although the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has received mixed reviews, particularly due to its high price tag, there is no denying that it is an excellent performer in all aspects. The Pro is everything you could want in a laptop: it is powerful, fashionable, high-performing, and user-friendly.
The MacBook Pro 16-inch is, without a doubt, the most suitable portable device for Adobe Creative Suite for individuals who work with a significant quantity of software and a significant number of computers.
It comes equipped with an effective graphics card.
This device is perfect for recording professionals in the fields of photography and videography due to its many useful features, such as its high-quality screen, built-in speakers, and support for speaker docking.
- Incredible performance
- Stunning display
- Ultrafast SSD
- Too pricey for a beginner
ASUS VivoBook 15 Business Laptop
When looking for a laptop at a low cost, the first thing you should think about is the maximum amount of money you are willing to spend.
Consider purchasing the Asus Vivobook 15 if you are looking for a laptop that can be purchased for less than $500.
The fundamental specifications are noticeably superior to those of the vast majority of Chromebooks sold at this price point.
The seamless operation of all of your programs can be facilitated by the inclusion of a Nano-edge display and the choice to utilize Intel's Optane memory.
At this price point, you get access to some premium features, and the display size of 15.6 inches looks fantastic.
- The clear and vivid 15.6-inch screen
- The latest generation of Intel processors, top-notch design, and construction.
- The resolution will not change from 1080p
- Display with a 16:9 aspect ratio
Endless | Graphics : Intel® UHD Graphics 620
NVIDIA® GeForce® MX110 2GB GDDR5 | Display 15.6-inch, HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 aspect ratio, LED Backlit, 60Hz refresh rate, 200nits, 45% NTSC color gamut, Anti-glare display, Non-touch screen | Memory : 4GB DDR4 onboard |Storage : 1TB SATA 5400RPM 2.5" HDD |
Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop
Razer has improved the performance of its most popular gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition, turning it into a mobile creative workstation capable of delivering astounding results that live up to the standards set by videographers, photographers, and designers.
In addition, the touchscreen model comes with a gorgeous 4K display that has been calibrated by the manufacturer.
This provides video editors with content that is not only exceptionally sharp but also has plenty of room to work on.
- Stylish design
- Powerful performance as well as graphical capabilities
- Vivid 4K OLED display
- Features of use in terms of security
- Poor speakers
- Expensive & Gets too heated up
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Laptop
A competent and well-designed product is not only conceivable, but it also does not necessarily have to be pricey.
This product has the excellent build quality and a hinge that can rotate a full 360 degrees. In addition to its decent battery life and stylish almond-colored metal casing, the Flex 3 also features an SD card reader that can be used to enhance the device's 64GB of internal storage.
Despite the fact that it has a touchscreen, this product is not of particularly high quality, despite the fact that it is available at a price that makes it accessible to a wide range of customers.
- Excellent construction quality;
- SD card reader and USB-C charging port included
- High-quality design, Excellent touchpad, Crisp audio quality, Long lasting battery
- Perky performance, Solid keyboard and touch pad, Long battery life, Plenty of ports
- Dull Screen, Shallow, mushy keyboard, Weak performance,
- Thick display bezel, Limited viewing angles, SD cards stick out of the slot
GIGABYTE AERO 17 HDR XD
The Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR is an excellent content-creation laptop, but it does have a few flaws that may cause buyers to look elsewhere.
The Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR XC is an incredibly accomplished and powerful creative laptop that includes cutting-edge Nvidia RTX 3000 GPUs, powerful Intel processors, and one of the best screens available today.
It's pricey, but if you have the funds, this is an excellent laptop for creatives.
- Excellent screen
- Powerful graphics card
- Beautifully designed
- USB ports are not the fastest
- Pricey
- May be overkill for some
2022 Apple MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chip
This MacBook Air, which is built on the M1 chip, is the best option to go with if you're looking for a portable laptop that's not just light but also powerful.
It is a 13-inch laptop with an option of two versions of the M1 CPU, including one with a seven-core GPU and one with an eight-core GPU.
The price for this model begins at $999. In any scenario, it will readily handle the majority of video editing chores, and the 2560x1600 display will make the edited videos appear fantastic.
You have the option of selecting either 8GB or 16GB of unified RAM, much like with previous M1 Macs.
You also have the option of selecting SSD storage with capacities ranging from 256 gigabytes up to two terabytes; however, the cost increases substantially as you select more space.
ASUS ROG Strix G15
You require an effective laptop with a high-performing processor unit and graphics if you are interested in developing high-end games. Both of these characteristics are included on the Asus ROG Strix G15.
The laptop sports an Intel Core i7-10750H CPU with a 5GHz turbo clock speed.
The laptop's 15.6-inch screen is 1920 x 1080 pixels in resolution, fully utilising the sRGB colour gamut.
The laptop's 240 Hz refresh rate lessens motion blur and responsiveness problems.
The laptop also boasts 6.2mm ultra-slim bezels in addition to these. The laptop includes many slots with USB 3.1 Gen 1 and Gen 2 support for optimal connection.
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo
The Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is a great piece of equipment if you are a creative professional who wants a powerful laptop with the versatility of a 2-in-1.
This laptop boasts a second touchscreen that is located below the screen for improved productivity. Professional artists & Architects who multitask using demanding graphics applications should go with this option.
Almost any artist will be happy using this laptop. This laptop can assist you in achieving your objectives, whether you're a photographer, graphic designer, or everything in between.
With a weight of just over five pounds, the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo is still portable enough to be taken anywhere.
A palm rest and stylus are included with the laptop for added comfort and accuracy when creating. It is removable if the palm rest is not something you're interested in.
- The main screen is beautiful
- the second screen is actually useful
- the performance is great
- and the 0.2ms display is very responsive.
- Pricey
- Tight keyboard and touchpad & Bad battery life
- No SD card slot
- Intel processor from the last generation
ASUS ROG Zephyrus
It has a 1440p display suitable for artists, Animators. With a nearly nine-hour battery life, and a compact design that makes it simple to tuck into a backpack, making it a great laptop for everyday use.
The Zephyrus G14 offers performance comparable to many of its larger competitors. While moderately demanding games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider will be pushing the display's 120Hz maximum refresh rate, resource-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 won't be able to exceed 60 frames per second with virtually maxed-out visual settings.
- Great battery life
- Super performance
- Sleek Looks
- Limited config options
- Just 720p webcam
Gigabyte AERO 15S
Within this category, the Gigabyte AERO 15 stands out as the most effective animation device. If you are looking for a device that is suited for modeling and animation, you might want to read this thoroughly.
The laptop boasts capabilities that are unmatched by others, and despite its portability, it packs a lot of punch.
The chipset in this device is an Intel Core i7 from the 9th generation, and it includes six cores as well as hyperthreading technologies.
The graphics processing unit (GPU) is a GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, which gives it remarkable capabilities for 3D modeling, rendering, and sculpting work.
- It works for 8-9 hours when using a blender.
- It comes in a slim design and is easy to carry.
- The technology for cooling keeps the device at a low temperature.
- Needs Higher RAM for better work with Blender
Acer Spin 5 Intel Evo Convertible Laptop
The Acer Spin 5 is a powerful 2-in-1 with an excellent stylus, but its battery life could be improved.
On our performance and graphics benchmarks, the Acer convertible outperformed its competitors. It also has a vibrant, high-definition display that will make watching Netflix and YouTube a pleasure.
The Spin 5's battery life, on the other hand, isn't particularly impressive. Despite its runtime flaw, the Spin 5 may be worth the splurge due to its smooth-operating Active Pen and convenient variety of ports.
- Great performance
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Portable
- Beautiful display
- Stylus included
- UnImpressive battery life
ASUS TUF Gaming F17
As a gaming laptop, the TUF Gaming F17 performs admirably well for animation and other design work.
While the CPU in this laptop is an excellent mid-range CPU, it is overshadowed by the fact that it only has 8GB of RAM. While it runs the games fine, it could be much better if it had 16GB of RAM instead.
If you plan on purchasing this laptop, you should consider purchasing an additional 8GB RAM stick to upgrade it.
- Budget Friendly
- Competent mainstream gaming performance. Large 144Hz display.
- Good connectivity.
- Upgradable RAM and storage.
- Dated Intel CPU and 8GB memory limit performance.
- Cheap Looking plastic design.
- Heavy
- UnImpressive battery life.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
The fourth-generation Microsoft Surface Laptop
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 has a keyboard that is among the best we've ever used, making it a strong contender for the title of one of the best laptops for writers. It would be helpful if it had a few more ports, but other than that, it's an easy laptop to recommend to anyone who will be doing a lot of typing.
- Comfortable to use keyboard
- Lovely screen
- Lightweight , Portable and affordable
What are the barebones requirements for hardware to get started with Animation?
When looking to purchase a laptop, one of the first things to do is familiarise oneself with the device’s fundamental specifications.
- A laptop that has a processor that is slow and a limited amount of RAM simply does not have the horsepower to run graphically heavy programs smoothly.
The following are some of the most fundamental necessities that your computer must possess: - The performance will be more consistent and enjoyable with a faster processor.
- Intel processors have 4 cores and 8 threads each.
RAM with 6 cores and 6 threads, as offered by AMD CPUs, is designed to improve both stability and multitasking performance. - Storage capacity of at least 8 GB and preferably 16 GB Always having more is a benefit.
- Minimum storage capacity of 256 GB using NVMe or SSD Other requirements
- Coverage of more than 95% of the sRGB color gamut (color accuracy)
The brightness of the screen of more than 300 nits at a resolution of 2k and 60 hertz for output on external monitors
My Recommendations as a Digital Artist & 3D Sculptor: 8 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), with 16 to 32 gigabytes being preferred (I recommend 32GB for 3D artists and animators) storage capacity of 256 GB solid-state drive (SSD), with 512 GB being the recommended minimum and 1 terabyte being the maximum. High-Definition Display, particularly in Full HD or 4K. (all Apple laptops have QHD or higher resolution) A quick and powerful CPU from the most recent generation, as well as a graphics coprocessor is both good and quick.
How to Determine Which Laptop Is Right for Animation
A couple of other considerations to keep in mind when shopping for an animation laptop:
Dual monitors are almost essential.
When animating on one screen, you nearly always want your reference parts to be displayed on the other screen. Verify that your graphics card is capable of supporting dual-monitor setups.
Which is better, Mac, Windows, or Linux?
Any will do in all honesty. Windows should be your first pick and next is Mac, although there shouldn’t be much of a difference between the two.
Windows has typically had the majority of animation tools operating on its system for a little longer period of time.
You don’t want to have problems with compatibility or conversion if you’re taking an animation class that requires a machine, so make sure you find out what kind of equipment they use.
Figuring Out Which Laptop Is Best for Animating in 2D and 3D
It doesn’t matter if you need to run Blender, Maya, Toon Harmony, or another animation tool—one of these five candidates will be the perfect fit for whatever you need to do!
What kinds of features are most important to you in a laptop for 3D animation, and how do you feel about the options we presented?
Leave a comment for us below, and make sure to let us know if you end up purchasing any of the products that were in contention in the first place.
Questions That Are Typically Asked( FAQs)
To What Extent Can Animation Software Be Powered By Integrated Graphics?
If it is Intel, then no. The new Ryzen chips from AMD, which come equipped with Vega graphics, are much better suited to the processes involved in animation and 3D graphics.
Is It Possible to Create Animated Gifs on a Gaming Laptop?
Yes! Because of their powerful dedicated GPUs and lightning-fast CPUs, gaming laptops are also excellent choices for animation machines.
The only thing to keep in mind is that they have a very loud gaming look, which could definitely be a deal breaker for some people.
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About the Author:
Manny Acharya is the co-founder of Artmellows. Your Goto place for Design, Digital Art, Digital sculpting, Photography, Tools & Gears Info, and Product Reviews. Manny is a Digital Artist, 3D Sculpt Designer, Ardent Photography, Drone flying Enthusiast & Tech Lover. He supercharges Digital Art & Design by crafting memorable 3d Sculpts & 2D Design & Art.
PS: Manny has created a Beginner Friedly ebook to Learn Nomad 3d Sculpt App. Know More about the eBook. Know more about Manny