Professionals who use AutoCAD, Maya, ZBrush, and the like know how demanding they can be and they need the best laptops for 3D Modeling. These laptops should have the significant processing power, loads of RAM, and good internal storage space.
3D modeling and rendering are two of the most important aspects of 3D visualization. In order to create a virtual reality, you need to first model the 3D environment. Once this is done, you can start with the actual rendering process and produce images that allow you to experience what it would feel like standing inside your model.
To get these tasks done efficiently, you need a powerful laptop that can handle demanding software like Autodesk Maya or Blender. A high-end machine will allow for faster rendering times as well as better performance when working on complex projects such as animated films, architectural walkthroughs, or even hit video games.
If you are looking for the best laptops for 3D modeling and rendering then here are the top 5 picks that we recommend:
Razer Blade 15
PROS
- Great specs and performing
- FHD or 4K Display Screen
- Modern design
CONS
- Battery life
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i7
- RAM: 8 GB – 16 GB
- Storage: 256 GB – 1 TB SSD
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super
- Display: 15.6″
- OS: Windows 10
With cutting-edge specs and a beautiful, modern design, the Razer Blade 15 makes the list as one of the best laptops for 3D modeling and rendering. This gaming laptop comes with an 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor and at most 16GB of RAM, which are more than enough to handle most tasks including 3D modeling. It also features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card (depending on your choice), making it perfect for graphic design projects like 3D models or animation.
But it’s not just the hardware that makes this one of the best laptops for 3D modeling; there’s also its FHD display (3840 x 2160 pixels) that provides a crisp picture. And if you want more, there is a 4K model you can check out.
The only downside about this computer is its battery life—it lasts only four hours on average when playing video games at maximum brightness; however, this may be acceptable considering how powerful it is compared to other models available today on the market where most others only last up to two hours with similar specs. Overall, this laptop has one of the best price-to-performance ratios for 3d modeling.
Apple MacBook Pro M1
PROS
- M1 Chip is still powerful
- Great display size for 3D modeling
- Good specs and performance
CONS
- Model may be dated
Specs:
- CPU: Apple M1
- RAM: 16 GB – 32 GB
- Storage: 512 GB – 1 TB
- GPU: Apple M1
- Display: 16.2″
- OS: Mac OS
If you have a lot of money to spend and want a high-end laptop with the latest features, this is your best bet. The Apple MacBook Pro M1 has the M1 chip, similar to the Intel Core i7 processor, which means that it can handle most tasks with ease. It also has a 16.2″ display, which is large enough for most users but small enough that you can easily carry it around when traveling or working remotely.
The Apple MacBook Pro M1 comes in two different versions: one with 16GB of RAM and one with 32GB of RAM. If you’re doing 3D modeling or rendering work often and require more power than usual, consider getting the model with 64GB instead of 32GB; however, if your needs are less intensive then get the model with less RAM because it will give you better battery life overall. This laptop remains popular among artists and 3D modeling professionals alike, and for good reason.
MSI GL65
PROS
- Good performance, even with gaming
- Great GPU
- Strong specs
CONS
- Battery life can better
- On the heavier side
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- Display: 15.6″
- OS: Windows 10 Home
With an i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage, the MSI GL65 makes for a good gaming laptop and a great laptop for 3D modeling. Delivering high-end gaming performance due to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card, this laptop can handle most 3d modeling and rendering without slowing down. The display measures 15.6 inches and has a 1920 x 1080 resolution, displaying great visuals on screen. This machine offers good battery life for its large size (6 hours) but it’s heavy at 5.07 pounds. If you don’t mind the weight or price tag, this is an excellent choice for those who need something powerful yet portable enough to travel with them on occasion.
Asus Zenbook Pro Duo
PROS
- Great display
- Powerful specs
- Excellent GPU
CONS
- Battery life can be better
- Heavy for some
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i9-11900H
- RAM: 32 GB
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- Display: 15.6″
- OS: Windows 11 Pro
With powerful processors, vivid OLED screen, high storage, and RAM, the Asus Zenbook provides everything for a laptop for 3D modeling and rendering. This laptop is powerful enough to carry several projects at once. With its high-resolution display, you can see every pixel in your project clearly. It also comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card which will let you take advantage of all your 3d modeling and rendering programs with ease. In terms of design, it has a sleek aluminum chassis that weighs just under 5 pounds making it easy to carry around with you wherever you go. The only thing it could have done better is its battery life.
Apple MacBook Air M2
PROS
- Great specs
- Brand new M2 Chip
- Battery life is amazing
CONS
- Fanless design
- May need cloud storage
Specs:
- CPU: M2 Chip
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 256 GB
- GPU: M2 Chip
- Display: 13.6″
- OS: Mac OS
The Apple MacBook Air M2 features the new M2 Chip, a next-generation 8-core CPU boasting tremendous power over the M1 chip model. The base model comes with 256 GB SSD storage but you can opt to upgrade for a higher storage version. Cloud storage is an option as well. The 13.6-inch screen is bright and clear, making it easy to see what you’re doing when working on your 3D models and renderings. It’s a good option for those seeking budget choices for Apple laptops.
Laptops for 3D modeling and rendering that will last.
If you’re looking for a laptop for 3d modeling that will last, then the above five laptops are all good options. All of them have great processors and enough RAM and storage. The only real differences between them are the size of their screens and the price—but if you can afford it, we recommend getting a laptop with a large screen since this will make working on your 3D models much easier to do.
If you are interested in rendering with your software programs (like Blender) then having as much power as possible is important because rendering takes up so much CPU power. However, if you want to just do modeling or animation then any one of these computers should be fine—even though they may not be as powerful as some desktop computers they still provide enough power to get the job done in most, if not all, cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What laptop specs do I need for 3D modeling?
Minimum requirements would be: - a minimum of 8GB RAM - a Core i5 or above - an integrated GPU, or a simple graphics card