Finding one of the most effective laptops for 3D modeling and rendering is an uphill battle. For a machine that can handle the demands of high-end 3D software, you’ll need a powerful CPU and GPU and a large amount of fast memory and storage. This can require a significant amount of time comparing laptop specifications to ensure they meet all requirements.
Nvidia’s introduction of RTX Studio, a platform designed to showcase laptops that meet the proper criteria for serious creative work, i.e., they deliver excellent performance for anyone working with 3D, animation, graphic design, video, and photo editing software, has made this process a little easier.
For a laptop to meet the RTX Studio performance requirements, it must have a minimum Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, GeForce RTX 2060, Quadro RTX 3000, or Titan RTX GPU, and a 1080P display resolution. Therefore, the RTX Studio logo quickly indicates that a laptop is suitable for 3D work. Another option is to look for gaming laptops, as the requirements for running AAA video games can be comparable to those of 3D content creation.
If you prefer to create on Apple hardware, however, things are a bit easier, as the MacBook Pro line packs plenty of power, as you’ll see when you reach the first laptop on our list; you may also be able to find a deal in the MacBook Black Friday sales.
Our Top Picks
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Based on features, specifications, real-world performance, popularity, user reviews, and compatibility with 3D modeling software such as AutoCAD, Blender, etc., we have compiled a list of the top 10 best laptops for 3D modeling and rendering in 2023.
1. The best MacBook Pro for 3D modelling: Macbook Pro 14-inch (2021)
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For Mac-using 3D artists, there has never been a better time. The new 14-inch Macbook Pro 14-inch is a formidable machine, allowing you to configure RAM and storage to meet the needs of your projects. The M1 GPU is more than capable of rendering viewports, complex animations, and texture sets with a high resolution. If you use Maya, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Blender, or any other mac-compatible software, the 14-inch 2021 MacBook Pro should be near the top of your list.
Specifications
- CPU: M1 MAX
- Graphics: M1 MAX GPU
- RAM: Up to 64GB
- Screen: 3,024 x 1,964
- SD Card reader and HDMI
- Brilliant performance
- Solid battery life
- 1080p webcam
- Gorgeous mini-LED display
- MagSafe 3 charging is fast
- Pricier than the competition
- No memory or storage expansion
- Entry-level doesn't include the faster-charging plug
- Camera notch may be obtrusive for some users or applications
- No Face ID
2. Best value laptop for 3D modelling with impressive specs: Acer ConceptD 7
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The Acer Concept D7 has an Intel Core i7-9750H processor, GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q with 32GB of memory, and a 1TB PCIe SSD. It has fantastic color coverage and 100% Adobe RGB, which makes a significant difference when creating 3D artwork. It has 2,944 shaders, 46 ray tracing cores, and 368 Tensor Cores, and it is fast. Overall, it is a reliable machine that performs well for 3D work and is a good value for the specifications you receive. However, some may find it on the ugly side.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q
- RAM: 32GB
- Screen: 15-inch 4K colour accurate display
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Handsome 4K display.
- Strong performance.
- Sleek, slim design.
- Appealing keyboard and sound.
- Expensive.
- No Core i9 CPU option.
- No SD card slot or fingerprint reader.
3. Editor’s Choice: Asus Zenbook Pro Duo
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A 15-inch dual-display with PixelSense may be a feature you never knew you needed, but the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is a more than capable performer even though it steals the show. It has everything a designer requires, from the 15.6″ 4K touchscreen display with bright and vivid colors to the potent 10th generation Intel i7 processor.
Additionally, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo features a 4K touchscreen display. Although it may not be what you require, it is a valuable addition that allows you to multitask efficiently. This is particularly important if you simultaneously work on multiple resource-intensive design projects.
Due to its ample RAM storage, the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo can manage heavy loads. It also features graphics with ray tracing. It is the best laptop for 3D modeling and rendering due to its unparalleled ability to multitask, run demanding software, and render simultaneously.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6” 4K UHD NanoEdge touch main display
- Processor: 10th generation Intel Core i7
- Graphics: GeForce RTX 2060 6GB/RTX 3070
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Two beautiful 4K touch OLED displays
- Equipped with the eight-core Core i9 CPU
- Great overall and gaming performance
- Dual-screen functionality easy to use
- Speedy SSD
- Stays cool when gaming
- Chunky and heavy
- Short battery life
- Weak audio
- The keyboard is uncomfortable without the wrist rest
- No SD card slot
4. The best value for money laptop for 3D design: Acer Predator Helios 300
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The Acer Predator Helios 300 is no exception to Acer’s reputation for budget-friendly, high-performance gaming laptops, for which it is renowned. This device is equipped with the latest Intel Core i7 processor with speeds up to 4.60GHz and NVIDIA’s award-winning RTX architecture, allowing it to run demanding 3D design applications efficiently.
It has one of the most responsive 15.6-inch Full HD displays available, with a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time so that you can work, play, and create without lag. Additionally, the Acer Predator Helios 300 includes 512 GB of SSD storage that can be expanded if you require more space.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 certainly does not disappoint in terms of price and performance. It is one of the most powerful laptops you can purchase without breaking the bank for 3D modeling and rendering.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD display with 144Hz refresh rate
- Processor: 11th generation Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GPU
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Solid 1080p gaming with GeForce RTX 3060 GPU
- Bright, colorful 144Hz display
- Good array of ports
- No SD or microSD card slot
- No fingerprint reader or IR webcam
- Wi-Fi 6, not 6E
- Noisy cooling fans
5. A powerful laptop for 3D modelling with impressive specs: Asus TUF Gaming F15
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The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 laptop utilizes Asus’s most recent laptop technology to create a potent device. It features a 12th-generation Intel processor and Nvidia RTX 30 Series graphics. The 15.6-inch screen’s impressive refresh rate of 165Hz and complete DCI-P3 gamut coverage make it an excellent choice for 3D artists. The processors can swiftly handle whatever is thrown at them, and switching between resource-intensive applications is simple. This is undoubtedly a powerful laptop, and its speed makes it an excellent choice for 3D modeling.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i9-12900H (14-core)
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe, Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti 8GB
- RAM: 16GB
- Screen: 15.6-inch, 2,560 x 1,440, 240Hz, IPS LCD
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Smaller and lighter than last year’s model
- Tactile keyboard with numpad
- Stellar performance
- Amazing battery life
- Great price-to-performance ratio
- Spongy trackpad
- Keyboard feels cramped
- Loud fans
- Webcam = potato
- Gamer aesthetic not for everyone
6. A heavyweight laptop for 3D modelling with great looks: MSI GE76 Raider
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The MSI GE76 Raider is a highly hefty gaming laptop with specifications that make it ideal for 3D modeling. It has a gorgeous 17-inch display will showcase your creations to their most significant advantage and sufficient CPU and GPU power to deliver near-desktop performance in a relatively thin chassis.
As a gaming laptop, it has an RGB backlit keyboard and an RGB light bar along its front edge, a feature you will either adore or immediately disable. Moreover, when we referred to this laptop as a “heavyweight,” we meant it quite literally; depending on the configuration, it can weigh up to 3 kilograms, making it a desktop machine rather than a portable one.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H (14-core)
- Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti 8GB – RTX 3080 16GB
- RAM: 16-32GB
- Screen: 17.3-inch UHD
- Storage: 1TB-2TB SSD
- Ready for high-end 1080p gaming with RTX 3080 GPU
- GPU is powerful enough to push the 300Hz display in competitive esports titles
- Customizable chassis and keyboard LEDs
- Multiple configurations, including some better values than our review model
- Plenty of ports, including Ethernet
- Big and bulky, but no faster than smaller competitors
- RTX 3080 not clearly worth its added cost
- So-so battery life
7. This silent laptop has a sleek design: Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop
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The Razer Blade 15 Model is aimed squarely at creatives. The design is stark, minimal, and quite attractive, and the internal specifications are nothing to scoff at. The color-accurate, touch-sensitive display with complete DCI-P3 coverage is another selling point.
The variety of configurations is confusing, so make sure you know precisely what you want before you purchase. The Razer Blade is superior to the other models because it was silent during our 3D tests and 10% faster than the preceding laptops. It looks fantastic overall but is more expensive than comparable laptops with the same storage.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H (six cores)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- RAM: 32GB
- Screen: 15.6-inch 4K OLED touch-sensitive 100% DCI-P3 colour-accurate display
- Storage: 1TB
- Excellent build quality
- Lots of config/screen options
- Strong performance
- New 1080p webcam
- Great port selection
- Pricey
- Just OK battery life
- Proprietary power plug
8. A solid laptop for 3D work: Gigabyte Aero Creator
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This Intel Core i7-11800H system with a GeFore RTX 3080 graphics card is ideally suited for high-end 3D modeling and gaming. This laptop is distinguished by the vivid images displayed on its advanced 4K HDR OLED display. It has three USB-3, USB-C, and SD card reader ports. Again, this laptop could be more attractive, and some may find it a bit obnoxious, but overall, it’s a decent option for 3D modeling, albeit noisy.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel i7-11800H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- RAM: 16GB
- Screen: 15.6-inch 4K HDR OLED 100% DCI-P3 colour-accurate display
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Aluminum alloy construction is sturdy and stylish
- USB-C adapter hub included
- Beautiful 4K OLED display
- Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C require a dongle for most peripherals
- Middling battery life
9. The best budget-friendly laptop for 3D modeling: HP Pavilion 15
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Finding a high-end laptop for less than $1,000 is challenging, but the HP Pavilion 15 edition is up to the task. Its 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and Intel Iris Xe graphics can run any 3D design application efficiently, including AutoCAD and Blender. The processor can support daily tasks, including heavy loads.
This HP Pavilion 15 2021 laptop is equipped with a 512 GB NVMe SSD, providing ample storage space for your projects. It also features a gorgeous FHD display with 178° viewing angles and audio by sound experts B&O for an unmatched design experience on a budget.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Display
- Processor: 11th Generation Intel Core i7
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- Runs 3D design software smoothly and efficiently
- Durable build quality
- Bright and vivid display
- Sub-par battery life
10. The best 2-in-1 laptop for 3D design: Dell Inspiron 17 7000
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If you are an avid designer who requires a touchscreen laptop, the Dell Inspiron 17 7000 is an excellent option. It is a 2-in-1 laptop so it can be used as a standard computer or a tablet with a stylus. With a innovative Intel Core i7 processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and 32GB of RAM, this laptop can handle any task thrown its way.
The massive 17.3″ QHD display is one of the best displays among laptops, with lifelike and subtle colors, and with 1TB of SSD storage, you will have ample space to store all your 3D design files. Since some 3D modeling applications, such as AutoCAD, offer mobile apps and touchscreen support, this hybrid laptop provides the best of both worlds.
The Dell Inspiron 17 7000 is a highly recommended device for artists who use various design software, including 3D modeling and rendering applications.
Specifications
- Display: 17.3″ QHD Display
- Processor: 11th generation Intel Core i7
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Powerful processor and 32GB of RAM
- Stunning 17.3” QHD display
- Great battery life
- The fingerprint reader isn’t easily responsive
How to choose the best laptop for 3D modeling
Before purchasing a laptop, you must realize that having the best and most up-to-date 3D software is insufficient if you lack the necessary hardware to run it smoothly. Before purchasing a laptop for modeling and design, you must be familiar with the following technical terms, which will assist you in locating the right one:
Display
When it comes to displays, designers need more choices. The unique combinations of features such as screen size, resolution, color accuracy, and refresh rate make each laptop distinct, and it cannot be easy to find the ideal one.
You will need a laptop with a bright display (preferably over 300 nits), color-accurate (at least 62.5% sRGB), and a high resolution (at least Full HD). The refresh rate is the number of times a new image is drawn on the screen per second, but it is optional. Most laptops have a refresh rate of 60Hz, but a laptop with a higher refresh rate will be more responsive and operate more smoothly.
CPU
CPU is the most critical component of a computer, especially if you intend to use 3D modeling and rendering software. Blender, Revit, 3DS Max, AutoCAD, and other similar applications significantly strain your laptop’s processing power.
For your laptop to manage these demanding applications, it will require a robust and potent processor. There are three popular processor manufacturers on MacBooks: Intel, AMD, and Apple’s M1 chips. In terms of performance, these chips are comparable; however, we recommend the most recent generation of processors as it significantly improves over their predecessors.
RAM
RAM, or Random Access Memory, determines whether designing and 3D modeling are responsive and trouble-free. It is like the computer’s short-term memory in that it stores and makes it easy to access all the data you are currently working on, allowing your device to perform more quickly.
8GB of RAM is the bare minimum, but 16GB or more is ideal for optimal performance. If supported, you can always purchase additional memory if your device is low on RAM. The more RAM your laptop has, the faster its performance will be.
Storage
Storage is another crucial consideration when selecting a laptop. You have the option between traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDD), Solid State Drives (SSD), and NVMe SSD (Non-Volatile Memory Express SSDs), each of which has advantages and disadvantages.
HDDs are typically less expensive than their SSD counterparts but are slower and less durable. In contrast, an SSD is significantly faster but more expensive. NVMe is the quickest type of drive currently available. It is approximately 3 to 6 times as fast as SSDs and 5 to 10 times as quick as HDDs.
If you work with sizeable 3D modeling files, you should have at least 512GB of storage, but as with RAM, the more storage you have, the better. If you ever run out of space on your laptop, you can purchase an external HDD or SSD to store your files securely.
In addition, if you’re looking for a program that can generate 2D textures, materials, filters, and 3D models, we recommend Adobe Substance 3D. This software is one of the most intuitive cross-platform digital texturing and 3D modeling applications.
FAQs
- Best Laptop for 3D Modeling and Rendering Overall – Asus Zenbook Pro Duo.
- Best Long-Lasting Battery Laptop – Macbook Pro 16 M1 Max.
- Best Gaming Laptop + 3D Modeling and Rendering Laptop – Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage.
- MSI WT73VR 7RM-648US IP Level 17.3″ Workstation Laptop NVIDIA Quadro P5000 i7-7820HK 64GB 512GB SSD + 1TB. …
- Razer Blade Pro Gaming Laptop – 17″ 4K Touchscreen Gaming Laptop (i7-7820HK, 32 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, GTX 1080 6GB) …
- Acer Predator 17 X GX-792-77BL 17.3″ UHD (3840×2160)
Yes, the newest MacBook Pro 16 with M1 Max or M1 Pro chip is fabulous for 3D modeling. It’s so to say, a true workhorse!
The software required for 3D design and rendering is resource-intensive, and you will need a laptop that can meet the basic requirements in terms of performance. If you purchase a laptop that is powerful enough to handle any tasks, you will be able to create designs more efficiently and without any lag.
RAM (system memory).
Again, your needs will depend on your application. For some 3D rendering jobs, 8 GB of RAM will get the job done, but to be fully optimized, 32 GB is recommended, with a MHz rate as high as possible (ideally not less than 2.2).
All you need is a minimum of 8GB RAM, Core i5 or higher, integrated GPU or basic Graphics card, and high-speed internet. It’s fast, easy to use, creates quality renders and realistic images, and most of all affordable.
For people who do a lot of 3D graphic works, it is highly recommended to choose NVIDIA GPUs to achieve appropriate rendering speeds. Among the best GPUs include the NVIDIA RTX 3090, NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti, NVIDIA RTX 3080, and NVIDIA RTX 3070.
Conclusion
Finding the best laptop for 3D design can be difficult, particularly for designers who need to be tech-savvy due to the plethora of acronyms, jargon, and an endless variety of laptops that can quickly overwhelm you with too much information.
This is why we compiled a list of the most powerful laptops we could find for every need, budget, and usage scenario. We hope this article has assisted you in locating the ideal laptop for your 3D modeling and rendering needs. Happy designing!
