There are a lot of scenarios where you may want to create animations on your laptop which can be useful for either creative work or for presentations in your office. In either case, if you want to create detailed 3D animations, you will certainly need a powerful laptop. And if you want the same, you can go with one of the best laptops for animation stated down below that have been picked as per these features:
- CPU: Whether you are using your laptop for 2D animations or 3D, you need something which has a powerful CPU. Without a powerful enough CPU, running animation programs won’t be the smoothest out there. And thus, you should prefer going with CPUs like Intel Core i9, AMD Ryzen 9, or Apple M1 and M2 series CPUs which are some of the most powerful laptop CPUs out there.
- GPU: Coming to 3D animations and other 3D work, you cannot do the same on your laptop without having a powerful GPU. Thankfully, all laptops for animations listed here offer powerful GPUs like Nvidia RTX 4060, RTX 4070, and even RTX 4080 which are highly powerful and perfect for creating 3D animations while on the go.
- RAM: Another highly important hardware component of any laptop made for animations is the RAM or the memory offered by it. Since all programs running on your laptop need RAM for storing their files, animation programs also need the same especially if you are running large sized animation projects. Therefore, it is recommended to go with at least 16 GB and possibly 32 GB RAM if you want a powerful laptop for animations.
Despite being some of the most important features regarding laptops for animations, you still need to consider quite a lot more. Hence, all of the best laptops for animation present in this list have all their key features and options given next to them. You will also find an extensive “Buying Guide” as well as a few common FAQs for the best laptops for animations so that you can easily go with the best one by going through this guide till the end.
Best Laptops for Animation List
| Laptops | CPU | GPU | RAM | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Laptop | Apple M1 Pro 10 core | Apple 16 core iGPU | 16 GB unified | Check On Amazon |
| ASUS ROG Strix Laptop | Intel Core i9 13980HX 24 core | Nvidia RTX 4070 8 GB | 16 GB DDR5 4800 MHz | Check On Amazon |
| MSI Stealth Laptop | Intel Core i9 13900H 14 core | Nvidia RTX 4090 16 GB | 64 GB DDR5 5200 MH | Check On Amazon |
| Apple MacBook Pro Laptop | Apple M2 Pro 10 core | Apple 16 core iGPU | 16 GB unified | Check On Amazon |
| Lenovo Legion Laptop | Intel Core i9 13900HX 24 core | Nvidia RTX 4080 12 GB | 16 GB DDR5 5600 MHz | Check On Amazon |
| ASUS Strix Laptop | AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX 16 core | Nvdia RTX 4060 8 GB | 16 GB DDR5 4800 MHz | Check On Amazon |
| Alienware Laptop | Intel Core i9 12900H 14 core | Nvidia RTX 3080 8 GB | 32 GB DDR5 4800 MHz | Check On Amazon |
Best Laptops for Animation Reviews
1) Apple MacBook Laptop
Apple and its Macbook Pro series of laptops are considered as some of the best options out there for running creative applications like animation programs thanks to their excellent hardware offerings.
The Apple 2021 MacBook Pro laptop for animation is present in the 1st position of this list since it is the best option given here for all those who are looking for something which is ideal for on the go usage. To make the same possible, Apple uses the highly efficient Apple M1 Pro 10 core CPU, 16 GB unified memory, 1 TB SSD, and Apple’s own 16 core iGPU which results in amazing performance.
But the most beneficial feature offered by this MacBook Pro has to be its 16 inch 3456 x 2234 mini LED XDR 120 Hz display which is just amazing for making animations. As Apple is a high end brand of laptops, you also get a 1 year long warranty with it which is to be expected.
Best Features:
- Powered by the Apple M1 Pro 10 core CPU
- Offers 16 GB unified RAM and a 1 TB SSD
- Equipped with the Apple 16 core iGPU
- Uses a 16 inch 3456 x 2234 mini LED XDR 120 Hz display
- Backed by a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Excellent laptop for making animations while on the go thanks to amazing battery life
- Superb high resolution display with great HDR performance and color accuracy
- Quite powerful yet highly efficient internals including its CPU and GPU
Cons:
- Includes a notch in the display which not everyone will like
2) ASUS ROG Strix Laptop
While you may know Asus ROG for its gaming lineup of laptops, these same laptops can also be used for creative work like animation since their powerful internals are also great for running heavy animation programs.
Asus’ ROG Strix G16 G614JI-AS94 laptop for animation is present in the 2nd position of this listicle as it is a great value for money option for most users. When compared with most other Windows based laptops, this one offers much better performance thanks to its Intel Core i9 13980HX 24 core CPU, 16 GB DDR5 4800 MHz memory, 1 TB SSD, and the Nvidia RTX 4070 8 GB GPU.
Unfortunately, to offer a comparatively lower price tag, Asus only offers a 16 inch FHD+ IPS 165 Hz display with this laptop which is more ideal for gaming and not creative work. That being said, you do get a standard 1 year warranty with this laptop for your peace of mind.
Best Features:
- Powered by the Intel Core i9 13980HX 24 CPU
- Offers 16 GB DDR5 4800 MHz RAM and a 1 TB SSD
- Equipped with the Nvidia RTX 4070 8 GB GPU
- Uses a 16 inch FHD+ IPS 165 Hz display
- Backed by a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Quite an amazing value for money laptop for animation thanks to its internals
- Solid performance with a flagship CPU paired with a high end GPU
- Easy to upgrade with various expansion slots on the inside
Cons:
- Could have included a higher resolution display for better detail and quality
3) MSI Stealth Laptop
MSI may offer some of the more premium and expensive laptops out there but they are certainly among the most powerful options out there if you want a laptop for workstation usage.
This MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13VI-017US laptop for animation is present in the 3rd position of this article because it is hands down the most powerful option given here which makes it perfect for animations and other workstation applications. Because this laptop uses the Intel Core i9 13900H 14 core CPU, 64 GB DDR5 5200 MHz RAM, 2 TB SSD, and the Nvidia RTX 4090 16 GB GPU, it offers much better performance than any other option given here.
Since this laptop is great for both gaming and productivity, it offers a highly versatile 17.3 inch QHD IPS 240 Hz display. You also get a 1 year long warranty with this MSI laptop which is to be expected from such a premium and high end offering.
Best Features:
- Powered by the Intel Core i9 13900H 14 core CPU
- Offers 64 GB DDR5 5200 MHz RAM and a 2 TB SSD
- Equipped with the Nvidia RTX 4090 16 GB GPU
- Uses a 17.3 inch QHD IPS 240 Hz display
- Backed by a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Hands down the best performance numbers thanks to flagship internals
- More than enough memory for all kinds of animation projects
- Uses the best performing laptop GPU for 3D animation
Cons:
- Quite an expensive and premium laptop for animation as compared with other options
4) Apple MacBook Pro Laptop
Apple also offers smaller MacBook models which are even better for all those who are looking for something that can be easily used while on the go despite being powerful enough for animations.
The Apple 2023 MacBook Pro laptop for animation is stated in this list since it is the most portable and compact option that we have discussed here. And despite its given size and form factor, it still offers amazing performance thanks to its Apple M2 Pro 10 core CPU, 16 GB unified memory, 512 GB SSD, and a fairly powerful 16 core iGPU by Apple.
Unlike what you would expect from such a compact laptop, it offers one of the best looking displays out there which happens to be a 14.2 inch 3024 x 1964 mini LED XDR 120 Hz panel. Similar to the previous Apple laptop mentioned above, this one also comes with a 1 year long warranty included with it.
Best Features:
- Powered by the Apple M2 Pro 10 core CPU
- Offers 16 GB unified RAM and a 512 SSD
- Equipped with the Apple 16 core iGPU
- Uses a 14.2 inch 3024 x 1964 mini LED XDR 120 Hz display
- Backed by a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- One of the smallest and most portable laptops for animations out there
- Amazing looking display with a high resolution and excellent HDR support
- Equally powerful as larger MacBook Pro models thanks to its internals
Cons:
- Could have included more internal storage for storing larger files
5) Lenovo Legion Laptop
You can also consider Lenovo Legion and its laptops if you are looking for powerful gaming laptops that can also be used for creative work like making animations.
Lenovo’s Legion Pro 7i laptop for animation is stated in this listicle as it is a great all-rounder option for most animators out there especially for the given price. To be more precise, this laptop is powered by the Intel Core i9 13900HX 14 core CPU, 16 GB DDR5 5600 MHz RAM, 1 TB SSD, and most importantly the Nvidia RTX 4080 12 GB GPU.
If that is not enough, then you will be glad to know that you also get an amazing 16 inch QHD+ IPS 240 Hz display with this laptop. And similar to most other laptops for animations available out there, this one is also backed by a 1 year long warranty for your peace of mind.
Best Features:
- Powered by the Intel Core i9 13900HX 24 core CPU
- Offers 16 GB DDR5 5600 MHz RAM and a 1 TB SSD
- Equipped with the Nvidia RTX 4080 12 GB GPU
- Uses a 16 inch QHD+ IPS 240 Hz display
- Backed by a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Pretty amazing all-rounder laptop for animations
- Solid performance thanks to its high end CPU and GPU combination
- Includes a versatile display which is great for both gaming and creative work
Cons:
- A bit on the heavier side for its given size and form factor
6) ASUS Strix Laptop
Asus ROG also offers AMD powered options for those who want a slightly different core layout for better performance with respectable efficiency which is perfect for animation programs.
This Asus ROG Strix G17 G713PV-DS94 laptop for animation is stated in this article because it is the most powerful option given here in terms of pure CPU performance which can be quite useful for animations. For making the same possible, this Asus laptop uses the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX 16 core CPU, 16 GB DDR5 4800 MHz RAM, 1 TB SSD, and the Nvidia RTX 4060 8 GB GPU.
While it does not offer the most powerful GPU out there, it does offer a pretty amazing display which is rated for 17.3 inch QHD IPS 240 Hz. Just like the previous Asus laptop mentioned above, this one is also backed by a 1 year long warranty for your peace of mind.
Best Features:
- Powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX 16 core CPU
- Offers 16 GB DDR5 4800 MHz RAM and a 1 TB SSD
- Equipped with the Nvidia RTX 4060 8 GB GPU
- Uses a 17.3 inch QHD IPS 240 Hz display
- Backed by a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Quite a powerful and decently efficient CPU model for amazing performance
- Pretty amazing display which is great for both gaming and creative work
- Easy to upgrade with various upgrade options which is great for long term use
Cons:
- Not the most powerful GPU model out there
7) Alienware Laptop
Alienware is Dell’s sub brand which is known for making some of the most powerful gaming laptops out there that can be great for creative work as well.
The Alienware m15 R7 laptop for animation is mentioned in this list since it is a pretty powerful option despite being a laptop of the previous generation. Starting with its internals, this value for money laptop is powered by the Intel Core i9 12900H 14 core CPU, 32 GB DDR5 4800 MHz RAM, 1 TB SSD, and the Nvidia RTX 3080 8 GB GPU.
Coming to its display, you get a 15.6 inch QHD IPS 240 Hz display which is certainly amazing for creating animations as well as gaming if needed. As you would expect from any other laptop, this Alienware also features a 1 year long warranty for your peace of mind.
Best Features:
- Powered by the Intel Core i9 12900H 14 core CPU
- Offers 32 GB DDR5 4800 MHz RAM and a 1 TB SSD
- Equipped with the Nvidia RTX 3080 8 GB GPU
- Uses a 15.6 inch QHD IPS 240 Hz display
- Backed by a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Excellent value for money laptop for animations due to the given price tag
- Superb performance thanks to its flagship CPU and GPU models
- Decent display in terms of both sharpness and color accuracy
Cons:
- Not the latest generation of gaming laptops
Buying Guide for the Best Laptops for Animation
Apart from gaming, high end laptops with powerful internals are also perfect for all sorts of creative work when you want something portable. This even includes designing, creating, and rendering animations on your laptop. But if you want to create animations while on the go, get something like the best laptops for animations mentioned above.
With all of these best laptops for animations, you will also learn about their primary specifications and features. In fact, we are here with the following complete buying guide for the best laptops for animations so that you can easily pick the best one for your needs:
1. CPU
Out of all the various internal components and hardware features to consider while getting a laptop for animations, you first need to check the CPU used by your laptop. Since most animation programs are quite resource heavy, they require powerful CPU for the same.
As a result, all of the best laptops for animations given up above come with flagship CPUs like Intel Core i9, AMD Ryzen 9, and Apple M series processors. For all these CPU models, you should go with the highest model numbers since newer and higher models offer better performance in most cases. As for CPU specifications to look for, you should first check the core count since a 14 core CPU will perform better than an 8 core one. Other than that, a 5 GHz boost clock will offer better performance than a 4.6 GHz boost clock.
2. GPU
Apart from running games, the GPU of your computer also gets used by other 3D rendering programs. And this can include 3D design as well as 3D animation programs. Hence, whether you want to make 2D animations or 3D ones, you should get a laptop with a powerful GPU so that it offers the best performance when it comes to hardware acceleration.
Talking about the GPUs found in laptops for animation, you can find options like Nvidia RTX 4060, RTX 4070, RTX 4080, and others where higher end models will always offer better performance. And even though Apple laptops come with an iGPU, they are still quite powerful for easily running any animation programs.
3. RAM
Speaking of running animation programs on your laptop, all programs need memory or RAM for storing various files and data. And when it comes to animation programs that can be running large sized animation projects, they will need even more memory. Thus, you should go with a laptop with at least 16 GB RAM if you want to run animation programs on it. But for even better performance, you should prefer a laptop for animation that comes with a 32 GB RAM since it will be even better for larger animation projects.
4. Storage
Similar to editing videos, making animations on your laptop will also need you to have a lot of storage space. More importantly, this storage also needs to be fast so that your animation programs don’t lag due to storage speed issues. Because of these reasons, almost all laptops for animations out there feature a 1 TB SSD for storage. Some higher end models will even offer a 2 TB SSD for plenty of storage even for larger animation projects.
5. Display
Since you need to pick the right colors while working with highly detailed graphics while working on animations, the display of your laptop for animation plays a very major role. Thus, there are multiple factors to consider while checking the display of your laptop which includes things like display size, resolution, panel type, and the refresh rate.
Starting with the display size, you will find options like 14 inch, 15 inch, 16 inch, and even 17 inch where larger displays are better. As for the resolution, you should prefer QHD or 4K resolution since they both offer much better quality and detail as compared to FHD displays. Coming to panel types, while an IPS panel should be pretty accurate, mini LED and OLED panels offer an even better experience. Last but not least, having a high refresh rate of 120 Hz or higher is not only great for gaming but also results in a smooth experience while running other applications like animation programs.
6. Connectivity
There are a lot of scenarios where you have to connect various external devices to your laptop while creating animations. For the same, you should have a laptop which offers a large variety of ports with their latest versions. This is due to the reason that more recent versions of any given port will offer better performance than older versions. The ports that you should look for include USB type A, USB type C, Thunderbolt, HDMI, SD card reader, audio jacks, and a few others. Any laptop that offers a variety of latest ports is going to be quite versatile.
7. Battery Life
While you will be working at a desk most of the time while making animations, some of you might be interested in working on your laptop while on the go. For the same, checking the battery life of your laptop for animation is quite important. However, most Windows laptops which are powerful enough for animations don’t offer good battery life. Instead, you can only get an Apple Macbook Pro since it not only offers a long battery life but it also ensures that you get the same performance whether it is plugged in or not.
8. Warranty
Similar to any other electronics that you may buy, you would also want your laptop for animation to last for as long as possible. And one easy way to ensure the same is to check the included warranty period. While most laptops for animations out there offer a 1 year long warranty, some of them may even offer a 3 year long warranty which makes it even better for long term usage and your peace of mind.
Laptops for Animation FAQs
Ans: Those of you who are familiar with animations must know that most animator programs as well animation projects are quite large in size and resource hungry. Because of the same, having enough RAM or memory in your laptop becomes essential. Therefore, if you are looking for laptops for animation, make sure that it offers at least 16 GB RAM or 32 GB if you want an even smoother experience with your laptop.
Ans: If you are talking about the animation resolution, it depends on your requirements since animations can be rendered or created in various resolutions like 720 x 480, 960 x 540, 1280 x 720, 1920 x 1080, and even 4K where 1080p and 4K should be more than enough for most users. As for the screen resolution recommended for animations, going with QHD or 4K resolutions is recommended since you get much better clarity than FHD for creating detailed animations.
Ans: Similar to the frames present in a film movie, animations are also made out of multiple drawings. And when these drawings are joined together, you get animated motion. Thus, depending on how smooth you want your animations to be, you will need 12 to 24 drawings or frames for making animations where having 24 drawings will offer a much smoother animation.
Ans: While there are various types of animations out there that can be created using computers, 3D animations are currently the most common and popular ones. Since these look quite real and can only be made on a computer, they are preferred by both animators as well as the viewers.
Conclusion
Whether you are starting out with making animations or want something which you can take on the go, you must be in the market looking for a laptop powerful enough for designing and creating animations. And while there are various options out there, you should go with one of the best laptops for animations listed above if you want something that offers a smooth experience. To help you in picking the right laptop, all of these best laptops for animations have their primary aspects and factors explained next to them. More importantly, you will also come across a detailed buying guide and the major FAQs for the best laptops for animation. However, if you are still not able to pick the ideal laptop for animation, here are our personal favorites for the best laptops for animation:
- Those of you who are on a tight budget should go with the Asus ROG Strix since it is the most affordable option given above. And for the given price, you get the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX 16 core CPU, 16 GB DDR5 4800 MHz RAM, 1 TB SSD, and the Nvidia RTX 4060 8 GB GPU. More importantly, this laptop has a 17.3 inch QHD IPS 240 Hz display which makes it perfect for creative work.
- However, if you want a laptop which is more suitable for workstation usage, then the MSI Stealth 17 Studio will be a much better pick. This is due to the reason that you get the Intel Core i9 13900H 14 core CPU paired along with 64 GB DDR5 5200 MHz RAM, 2 TB SSD, and most importantly the Nvidia RTX 4090 16 GB GPU. You even get a 17.3 inch QHD IPS 240 Hz display with this laptop which is always great to have.
- But if you want an amazing display in a highly portable yet powerful package, then the Apple 2021 MacBook Pro is just for you. Because this laptop is powered by the Apple M1 Pro 10 core CPU, an Apple 16 core iGPU, 16 GB unified RAM, and a 1 TB SSD, you can expect amazing performance from it. As for its key feature, it includes a 16 inch 3456 x 2234 mini LED XDR 120 Hz which is one of the best looking laptop displays out there.
