(2024) Best Laptop for Animation Students: Reviews and Guide

In today’s digital world, animation is more popular than ever before. From Hollywood blockbusters to indie video games, animation is used to create everything from realistic characters and environments to fantastical worlds and creatures.

And if you’re an aspiring animator, there’s no better time to get started. With the right tools and training, you can turn your passion for animation into a successful career.

Of course, no animator is complete without a good laptop. A powerful and reliable laptop is essential for running the software you’ll need to create and render high-quality animations.

But with so many different laptops on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. That’s where we come in.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the best laptops for animation students. Whether you’re on a budget or looking for the most powerful laptop possible, we’ve got you covered.

So if you’re ready to start your animation journey, read on to find the perfect laptop for your needs!

Table of Contents

Six Best Laptops for Animation Students

Animation students, we’ve reviewed the top laptops for your needs, so you can focus on your creativity and storytelling.

These laptops offer the best performance, features, and portability, so you can create amazing animations wherever you are.

Products	Price
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch – Best Laptop Overall for Animators	Check on Amazon
MSI Pulse GL66 – A Powerful Gaming Laptop for Animators	Check on Amazon
Acer Aspire 5 – A Budget-Friendly Choice for 2D Animation	Check on Amazon
Acer Predator Helios 300 – A Budget-Friendly for 3D Animation	Check on Amazon
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – A 2 in 1 Laptop for Animation	Check on Amazon
ASUS TUF A17 – A RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop for Animators	Check on Amazon

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch – Best Laptop Overall for Animators

CPU: Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max (Up to 10-core CPU) | GPU: Up to 32-core GPU | RAM: Up to 64GB unified memory | Storage: Up to 8TB SSD | Display: 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, 3456 x 2234 resolution | Battery: Up to 21 hours battery life

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The 2021 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch is an excellent choice for animation students looking for a powerful and portable workstation. With the new M1 Pro or M1 Max chip, it delivers blazing fast performance that can handle even the most demanding animation and 3D rendering workflows.

Display and Design

The 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display provides vivid colors and extreme brightness up to 1600 nits, giving animators the ability to see their work in stunning detail. The nearly borderless design and slim profile make this one of the most portable 16-inch laptops at just 4.7 lbs. The durable aluminum unibody construction can withstand being taken to and from class everyday.

Performance and Battery Life

Configurable with up to a 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU, the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips offer massive leaps in processing power. Combined with up to 64GB of unified memory, animators can work fluidly with complex 3D models and quickly export or render projects. Even with the incredible performance, battery life is excellent, lasting up to 21 hours on a single charge.

Ports and Connectivity

The MacBook Pro isn’t short on ports with an SD card reader, HDMI port, three Thunderbolt 4 ports to connect external displays and high-speed devices, as well as a headphone jack. It supports fast Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.

macOS Optimization

macOS is optimized for Apple’s hardware, allowing animators to work seamlessly across Apple’s suite of creativity apps. Popular programs like Maya, Blender, Cinema 4D, are all well supported on macOS as well.

Verdict

For animation students who want a pro-level workstation with incredible power and portability, the 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro with the new M1 Pro or M1 Max is an excellent choice. The combination of performance, battery life, display, and design make this an ideal laptop for animators in school and beyond.

MSI Pulse GL66 – A Powerful RTX 3070 Gaming Laptop for Animators

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The MSI Pulse GL66 is an excellent choice for animation students looking for a powerful gaming laptop that can handle 3D animation and rendering workloads. Equipped with an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics, it delivers smooth performance for animating, modeling, and rendering.

Display and Visuals

The 15.6-inch 144Hz 1080p display provides a sharp, vivid picture with lifelike colors and a high refresh rate for smooth graphics. The 16:9 aspect ratio gives plenty of screen real estate for animating and viewing timelines. NVIDIA’s RTX 3070 GPU can handle real-time ray tracing for incredible lighting effects.

Processing Power

Animation software demands a lot from the CPU and GPU. The 11th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU and RTX 3070 graphics offer plenty of muscle for complex renders and effects. Multitasking between various Adobe CC apps is a breeze with 16GB RAM. The 512GB SSD offers quick boot and loading times.

Portable Form Factor

At just 5.07 lbs, the thin, compact GL66 can be easily carried in a backpack for animators on the go. The subtle black finish gives it an understated look for class or the office. Extras like the RGB keyboard provide entertainment between rendering sessions.

Cooling and Customization

MSI’s Cooler Boost technology, with dual fans and heat pipes, keeps the GL66 running smoothly during extended workloads. The RGB keyboard can be customized to suit any preferences or themes.

Verdict

For animation students needing serious power for 3D, modeling, and heavy rendering, the MSI Pulse GL66 checks all the boxes with its 11th Gen Core i7 CPU and RTX 3070 graphics in a slim, portable chassis.

Here is an alternate laptop option – ASUS TUF A17, if you’re looking for both gaming and animation.

Acer Aspire 5 – A Budget-Friendly Choice for 2D Animation

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With its combination of solid performance, long battery life, and affordable pricing, the Acer Aspire 5 is an excellent budget laptop option for students interested in digital art and 2D animation.

Display and Graphics

The 15.6” Full HD display provides good resolution for working on digital illustrations and animations. Colors appear sharp and vivid on the IPS panel. For basic 2D graphics, the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics deliver smooth performance for running graphics software.

Processing and Memory

Powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, the Aspire 5 handles photo editing, digital painting, 2D animation, and multimedia projects with ease. The 256GB NVMe SSD enables quick bootup and loading times for your apps and files.

Ports and Connectivity

With its USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, HDMI output, and USB-C port, the Aspire 5 allows students to connect drawing tablets, external storage, and second screens. It includes fast Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth. The webcam is decent for online classes and team meetings.

Design and Battery Life

Weighing 3.97 pounds, the Aspire 5 has a slim, portable design that can be taken anywhere for class, the library, or coffee shops. The backlit keyboard is comfortable for extended work sessions. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 8.5 hours on a charge.

Verdict

For digital artists on a budget, the Acer Aspire 5 offers good specs and features at an affordable price point. It has the essentials covered for 2D art and animation work.

Acer Predator Helios 300 – A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse for 3D Animation

CPU: Intel Core i7-9700F @ 3.0 GHz (8 Cores) with 4.7 GHz Turbo | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 2666MHz | Storage: 240GB SSD, 1TB HDD

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The Acer Predator Helios 300 delivers excellent performance for 3D animation and modeling without breaking the bank. Animation students on a budget will find it packs great specs for the price.

Display and Visuals

The 15.6” Full HD IPS display provides vivid colors and wide viewing angles for evaluating 3D assets and animations. The dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU with 6GB VRAM handles rendering complex scenes and assets smoothly.

Processing Power

Equipped with a 7th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU and 16GB of DDR4 RAM, the Helios 300 makes quick work of intensive animation software like Maya, Blender, and 3DS Max. The 256GB SSD offers speedy boot and load times for large project files.

Build Quality and Portability

Weighing just under 6 pounds, the Predator Helios 300 has a durable metal chassis that can be transported in a backpack for class or studio work. The red-backlit keyboard is ideal for working in dim environments. Battery life is decent at up to 7 hours.

Cooling and Connectivity

Acer’s AeroBlade cooling system prevents throttling during extended renders or animation playback. Plenty of ports allow students to connect displays, drawing tablets, and more. The HDMI port enables presentations on a bigger screen.

Verdict

For 3D artists and animators on a tight budget, the Acer Predator Helios 300 delivers the essential performance for CGI, modeling, and animation without breaking the bank. It’s a cost-effective mobile workstation.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – A Capable Creators 2 in 1 Laptop for Animation

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The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio hits the sweet spot between performance and portability for animation students needing a mid-priced Windows machine. It handles both 2D and 3D animation workflows with ease.

Display and Pen Input

The 14.4” PixelSense touch display provides a responsive canvas for drawing and animating. Colors pop thanks to the vibrant 120Hz screen. The Surface Slim Pen 2 enables precise illustration and animation with tilt and pressure sensitivity.

Processing Power

With an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics, the Surface Laptop Studio tackles demanding animation software. The generous 32GB RAM allows animating complex 2D and 3D scenes smoothly. 1TB of speedy SSD storage gives ample room for large project files.

Flexible Design

The convertible design seamlessly transitions between laptop, stage, and studio modes for animating on the go. Weighing just 3.83 lbs, it’s easy to take anywhere. The anodized aluminum body feels sturdy and sleek.

Ports and Connectivity

The selection of USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports allow connections to fast external storage, displays, and accessories. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 provide fast connectivity. The 720p webcam works well for video calls.

Verdict

For animation students seeking strong 2D and 3D performance in a flexible convertible design, the Surface Laptop Studio is a capable mid-range choice. It balances power, portability, and ample display real estate.

ASUS TUF A17 – A Powerful RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop for Animators

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With its new AMD Ryzen 9 processor and RTX 4070 graphics, the ASUS TUF A17 delivers exceptional power for animation students while staying cool under pressure. It brings smooth, stutter-free performance for CGI, modeling, and VFX.

Display and Visuals

The 17.3” 144Hz Full HD display provides sharp, fluid visuals for evaluating animations and 3D scenes. Vibrant colors and deep contrasts immerse you in your creations. NVIDIA G-Sync aligns the screen’s refresh rate with the GPU for ultra-smooth animation playback.

Top-Tier Performance

The new Ryzen 9-7940HS CPU annihilates rendering and effects tasks, outperforming even the Core i9. Combined with the RTX 4070 GPU, you get desktop-class power for accelerating complex Timeline workflows. The generous 16GB DDR5 RAM ensures smooth multitasking.

Thermal Design

ASUS’ Intelligent Cooling thermal solution keeps the A17 running cool during marathon rendering sessions. Anti-dust technology prevents debris buildup on heat sinks and fans. Performance remains uncompromised thanks to the well-ventilated chassis.

Immersive Audiovisuals

Whether you’re tuning sound for animations or gaming during downtime, the Dolby Atmos speakers provide detailed 3D audio. The HD camera facilitates clear video calls and conferencing.

Verdict

For artists and animators wanting a high-powered yet affordable RTX 4070 gaming laptop, the ASUS TUF A17 delivers exceptional performance in a slim form factor.

Things to Consider for Laptops for Animation

When choosing a laptop for animation, there are certain specifications and features students should prioritize:

CPU and GPU

The CPU (processor) and GPU (graphics card) are the two most important components for animation. The CPU handles key tasks like running the operating system and software, while the GPU handles rendering graphics.

A higher core count CPU and a more powerful GPU will allow for faster rendering and better performance when working with complex 3D scenes, physics simulations, and VR/AR projects.

For 2D animation and simpler 3D/modeling tasks, an Intel Core i5 CPU and NVIDIA GTX 16-series GPU are adequate.

However, for more complex 3D scenes, physics simulations, and VR/AR projects, an advanced Intel Core i7/i9 CPU and NVIDIA RTX/AMD RX GPU are recommended.

Here are some specific examples of the latest CPUs and GPUs that are well-suited for animation:

CPUs: Intel Core i7-13700K, Intel Core i9-13900K, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
GPUs: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

RAM

Having sufficient RAM is essential for animation software to process large scenes and assets smoothly. 16GB of RAM is the minimum required for animation students, but for complex 3D projects and rendering, it is recommended to have 32GB or even 64GB of RAM.

DDR5 RAM is becoming increasingly popular and offers significant performance improvements over DDR4 RAM. If possible, it is recommended to choose a laptop with DDR5 RAM for animation.

Another important factor to consider is the upgradeability of the RAM. Many laptops now come with soldered RAM, which means that it cannot be upgraded.

If you plan on using your laptop for animation for several years, it is important to choose a laptop with upgradable RAM so that you can add more RAM in the future.

SSD

Animation projects can have very large file sizes, so it is important to have a fast and spacious storage drive. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are much faster than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), so an SSD is a must-have for any animation laptop.

A 512GB SSD is a good starting point for most animation students, but if you plan on working on large or complex projects, you may want to consider a 1TB SSD or more. You can also expand your storage with an external hard drive, but this will not be as fast as using an internal SSD.

Some laptops also allow you to add additional SSDs, which can be a good option if you need more storage space without sacrificing performance.

Few examples:

NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
NVMe PCIe Gen 5 SSDs
Intel Optane Memory H20 with Solid State Storage

NVMe PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 SSDs offer the fastest read and write speeds available, so they are ideal for animation workloads.

Intel Optane Memory H20 with Solid State Storage is a new type of storage that combines the speed of Optane memory with the capacity of a traditional SSD.

It is still relatively new, but it is worth considering if you need the fastest possible storage performance.

Display and Ports

A good display is essential for animation work. Look for a laptop with at least a 15-inch screen and a resolution of at least 1920 x 1080 (Full HD). 4K displays are great for even more screen real estate and sharper details, but they will also be more expensive.

IPS panels offer better color accuracy and viewing angles than other types of panels, so they are ideal for graphics work. A touch screen can also be helpful for working on concept art and character illustrations.

In terms of ports, you will want a laptop with a variety of ports for connecting external monitors, graphics tablets, animation pads, and other devices. USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, and an SD card reader are all very useful. Thunderbolt 4 ports offer even faster transfer speeds and can be used to connect external GPUs if needed.

Operating System

The main choices for animation students are Windows and macOS. Many major animation and modeling tools are available on both platforms, so students should choose based on their personal preference and software needs.

Windows laptops offer greater hardware flexibility and are generally more affordable than macOS laptops. However, macOS has some exclusive software that is popular among animators, such as Final Cut Pro and Motion.

Chromebooks are also a viable option for animation students, especially those who are planning to use open-source tools like Blender. However, it is important to note that not all Chromebooks are compatible with all animation software.

Here is a more detailed comparison of Windows and macOS for animation:

Feature	Windows	macOS
Hardware flexibility	High	Low
Software availability	Wide	Wide, but some exclusive software
Affordability	High	Low
Exclusive software	Adobe Creative Suite, Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max	Final Cut Pro, Motion
Open-source software support	Good	Good

Battery Life and Portability

Animation students need a laptop that is portable and has a good battery life. They need to be able to carry their laptop to classes and work on projects on the go, without having to worry about running out of power.

Look for a laptop that is thin, light, and compact. This will make it easier to carry around campus and take with you on trips. A good battery life is also essential.

Opt for a laptop with a battery life of at least 5 hours on a single full charge. This will give you enough time to work on your projects throughout the day without having to find a power outlet.

Can I do Animation in Laptop?

Laptops can be used for creating both 2D and 3D animation, provided they have sufficient processing power and graphics capability.

For 2D animation, a drawing tablet along with software like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom Harmony enables animating on a laptop. The software does the core work while the tablet facilitates drawing the animation frames.

3D animation is more demanding and requires dedicated 3D software like Maya or Blender, along with a higher-end laptop with a good GPU to handle the intensive graphics workload.

While laptops provide portability for animating on the go, their smaller screens can be limiting when working on complex projects. It is advisable to use an external monitor for better ergonomics. Laptops also need ample RAM, SSD storage for efficiency, and HDD/cloud storage for completed animation content.

For professional 3D animation and rendering, high-end gaming or workstation laptops perform better than mainstream consumer laptops. But desktop computer workstations ultimately provide superior performance, ergonomics and cost-effectiveness for demanding animation work.

Is Touch Screen Laptop Good for Animation?

Touch screen laptops provide a more interactive and hands-on experience compared to regular laptops. This makes them appear well-suited for animation work. However, their efficacy depends on the type of animation being created.

For 2D animation, touch screens give a close-to-paper feel while drawing on a tablet. The direct hand-eye coordination can feel more natural and organic during frame-by-frame illustration. Animators can use fingers or styluses to draw lines and shapes, adjust curves, and add colors and textures. The intuitive touch gestures and fingertip control aids the creative process. However, prolonged use can cause hand and arm fatigue. The screen size of touchscreen laptops is also smaller than graphics tablets connected to non-touch laptops. This may limit the freedom and flexibility available during 2D animation.

When it comes to 3D animation, the benefits of touch screens are more limited. The extensive toolsets and interface of 3D software are designed for keyboard and mouse input. Precisely manipulating 3D models, adjusting cameras, and setting keyframes is difficult through touch alone. A keyboard and mouse remains necessary for efficient 3D animation. The heavy computing demands of 3D software also mean most touch screen laptops lack the processing power and GPUs required for smooth animation.

In summary, while touch screens can supplement and enhance the process of 2D drawing and frame-by-frame animation, they are less practical for the complex world of 3D animation. Their computing power is also limited compared to non-touch workstation laptops and desktops. Touch screens can provide an added level of control but cannot fully replace traditional input devices for professional animation work across both 2D and 3D domains.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are excellent laptop options for animation students at various price points.

For 2D work, mainstream laptops with integrated graphics like the Acer Aspire 5 provide solid performance.

Students doing intensive 3D work should look to gaming laptops like the MSI Pulse GL66 or Acer Predator Helios 300 for more GPU power. Those needing maximum performance for 3D and VFX can consider mobile workstations like the MacBook Pro 16-inch.

The right animation laptop provides the power, display, and portability to bring your creative visions to life. Carefully match your performance needs and budget to find the ideal laptop animation solution.