Choosing one can feel overwhelming considering all the available options: laptop, tablet, PC build, pre-built tower, refurbished computer... the list of terminals just never ends.
Though most professional animators use a dedicated PC build for the processing power, laptops can be mandatory during studies, while you're on the road, or while doing presentations.
But even, how does one go about picking a laptop? What to look for? Where?
In this article, we guide you through technical and usage specifications to take into account. We won't give you specific laptops to buy since the market changes daily, and you'll probably find better deals researching yourself, but we'll tell you what to look for and prioritize your choices.
First, let's look at the main criteria for choosing a laptop.
Criteria
There are three main criteria you need to consider when choosing a laptop.
First, your chosen operating system (OS) significantly impacts your animation tools and workflows. Different animation software has specific OS requirements. Windows is widely used in the animation industry thanks to its compatibility with a broad range of software. MacOS is favored among many creative professionals, especially those using software like Final Cut Pro and Motion. While less common for laptops, Linux systems can be a viable option for animators who are comfortable with open-source software like Blender.
The type of animation you intend to work on also dictates the specifications you should prioritize in a laptop. For 2D animation and motion graphics, you can often get away with less robust hardware. Tablet-like laptops with a stylus can also be used for 2D animation. If you're focused on 3D animation, the requirements become more demanding.
Lastly, your budget is often the determining factor. Setting a clear budget lets you target machines that provide the best value for your desired features. As you'll read in this guide, however, there are solutions to get by with cheap laptops while you save up.
Understanding Laptop Specifications
If you're not a computer nerd, it can feel difficult to understand what you need to look for in the endless laptop options available to you.
For an animator, you only need to focus on four specs:
- CPU & RAM - The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is often referred to as the brain of your laptop. For animation tasks, a powerful CPU can handle multiple tasks simultaneously when rendering complex animations. Aim for at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5. Intel i7, i9, or AMD Ryzen 7 and 9 mean more processing cores and threads, significantly speeding up rendering times. A minimum of 8Go of Rapid Access Memory (RAM) is advised to handle more in-memory operations.
- SSD - Solid State Drives (SSDs) are essential for a smooth animation experience because they handle all the file storage. Unlike traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), SSDs offer significantly faster read and write speeds, which means quicker load times for your animation software and faster file access. Look for laptops with at least 512GB SSDs; however, 1TB or more is advisable for handling large animation files and applications.
- GPU - Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are about 50 to 100 times faster than CPUs at rendering animation, but they are also the most expensive part of a laptop. Nvidia GPUs are usually the go-to GPUs for 3D rendering, but you can also have AMD or Intel GPUs.
- Screen resolution - Screen resolution is another important spec that can greatly impact your animation workflow: a higher resolution means better clarity and color accuracy, allowing you to see finer details in your animations. Full HD (1920 x 1080) display is standard. 4K (3840 x 2160) display is better for more accurate color grading but also impacts battery life.
Graphic Tablet Support
Sometimes, you can stumble upon laptops offering touch screens, like this one:
However, they often result in a significant price hike without providing an ideal drawing experience.
Instead, it’s wise to invest in a quality graphic tablet, which offers superior precision and control. Graphic tablets are essential for animators, so they’re well worth using. Just make sure the laptop you choose has the necessary ports (USB-C, USB-A, etc.) to support your graphic tablet.
Solutions for Low Budgets
If your budget is tight―less than $500―don't despair! There are solutions.
If you mainly use Adobe products, you can use their web-based platform. Thanks to cloud rendering, even a $300 laptop can smoothly run Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, or even Adobe After Effects—no need to purchase expensive machines. As a student, chances are you'll have access to cheap Adobe licenses, too!
For 3D animations, you can use render farms to handle intense rendering tasks without needing high-end GPUs. A render farm is simply a managed service where you can upload 3D assets to render, and the result is delivered to you via the web interface. The pricing depends on your usage (e.g., 1 hour of rendering for $0.008), but it can be quite cheap: Ranch Computing offers 50% discounts for students on non-commercial projects, for example.
If you have a powerful PC built at home, you can also consider remote desktop solutions to use it remotely from your laptop.
Using these solutions, even $200 Chromebooks can be a supplementary device for lighter animation work and administration tasks.
What About MacOS?
MacBooks and Mac Minis remain popular among animators despite their higher price points. With macOS, you gain access to a robust ecosystem of creative tools optimized for artistic tasks, offering seamless hardware-software integration.
MacBook Pros deliver exceptional performance and battery life, making them an attractive option for animators on the go, while Mac Minis provide desktop-level performance in a compact form factor.
However, owning a Mac is far from mandatory—even if you aspire to work at Pixar (they’ll provide a laptop, no worries).
Consider Refurbished Laptops
Opting for refurbished laptops can provide cost-effective alternatives without compromising on quality.
Not only do refurbished laptops help reduce electronic waste, but they also offer substantial savings and reliable options with warranties and certified checks.
At 50-80% discounts, it could be a no-brainer! Don't forget to ask your school/university if they also have any laptop lending programs.
Picking A Laptop
Now you know everything about picking a laptop, it's time to shop:
- Create a spreadsheet and add eight columns: title, OS, CPU, GPU, SSD, screen resolution, asking price, and shopping URL
- Go through refurbished laptop websites like Dell Refurbished, Backmarket, or Amazon Renewed
- Go through more traditional e-commerce websites or IT shops
- Rank all the options listed in your spreadsheet by price
- Look for responsible financing options (pay in 3 times, low-interested credit card loan, etc.) (disclaimer: no financial advice, be responsible)
And voilà!
Conclusion
Selecting a laptop is an important step in your journey as an animator, but there’s no need to overthink it or break the bank. Start by understanding operating system compatibilities, assessing the requirements of your animation projects, and working within your budget constraints.
By focusing on key specifications like CPU performance, storage capacity, GPU power, and screen resolution, you can narrow down the ideal machine for your needs. Even on a tight budget, options like cloud-based rendering and refurbished devices offer cost-effective alternatives without compromising quality.
If possible, consider building a PC instead of purchasing a more expensive laptop, as this often provides better performance for your money. Plus, a PC is easy to upgrade over time, allowing it to serve you well for years to come.
