If you’re planning to improve your 3D work, you need to have a computer system that is fully equipped for your work. From reliable battery life to purposeful graphic cards, CAD professionals should have a system that allows them to do their work accurately and productively.
Additionally, the machine must support and run all the essential designing software like Maya, ZBrush, AutoCAD, Revit, and Houdini without any lag.
Critical work like 3D modeling on a laptop might sound unprofessional since it requires creative working and more features and software that are not needed for 2D work. But, the latest tech enables you to do your 3D work remotely on your laptop and consistently without losing focus.
Whether an architect or a student, a laptop dedicated to 3D modeling is a must-have to improve your skills and make your intensive tasks easier and portable; here we have listed 15 of the most powerful laptops that are excellent for 3D modeling, so you can pick the one that fits your needs best.
15 Best Laptops for 3D Modeling
Here are the 15 best laptops for 3D modeling in 2022, along with their pros and cons.
Acer ConceptD 7
The first thing that’ll attract you to the Acer ConceptD 7 is the classy and durable metal chassis. But, you’ll find that there’s a lot more to this powerful laptop than a sleek appearance. This laptop has everything from a powerful processor to a high-res display.
Firstly, this gaming laptop has a gorgeous 15.6-inch screen that’ll allow you to see even the minute details of your 3D modeling artworks due to the impressive 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. The keyboard’s bright orange and yellow backlighting is another excellent aspect of the laptop’s appearance.
Secondly, its 6-core Intel Core i7-9750H processor makes it one of the best laptops for 3D modeling in terms of high performance. You can also count on the NVidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics card to enhance your 3D modeling and rendering.
With this gaming laptop, you’ll never have to worry about small storage space or lags. While its 32 GB RAM makes multitasking smoother, the 1TB SSD storage makes space for any 3D modeling software, no matter how heavy.
Pros
- Elegant and trendy design
- Highly durable build
- Gorgeous, high-resolution display
- Plenty of RAM and storage
- Powerful processor
- Cheaper than MacBook Pro
- Good selection of ports
Cons
- Expensive
- Heats up quickly
ASUS ROG Zephyrus M
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M is yet another gaming laptop that serves as one of the best 3D modeling and rendering laptops. Its hardware is truly impressive, and it has every feature that you’ll need to practice 3D modeling productively.
Undoubtedly, its 6-core 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750H processor promises smooth performance. On the other hand, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max Q GPU provides brilliant graphics, making this laptop the perfect creative platform for CAD professionals.
However, its 15.6-inch FHD screen is what will catch your eye the most. Its already gorgeous display is further enhanced by the 1920 x 1080 resolution and integrated IPS panel. Furthermore, the 6.2mm ultra-slim bezels make for a truly immersive experience.
Other than that, the 16GB of RAM ensures you can perform all your 3d modeling-related intensive tasks smoothly and without lag. Meanwhile, the 1TB PCIe solid-state drive storage lets you download any 3D modeling software without worrying about running out of space.
Pros
- Fast processor
- Portable unit
- No screen jitters when used for 3D modeling
- Vivid and bright 144Hz display
- High-quality backlit keyboard
- Sturdy build
- Large storage space
Cons
- Unimpressive battery backup
- Underwhelming performance
Apple MacBook Pro
Of course, the newest Apple Macbook Pro beats every laptop when it comes to a captivating display and long-lasting battery. Admittedly, its price is much higher than the other laptops on our list, but its impressive specs and endless features make it all worth it.
The 10-core 9th generation Intel Core i9 processor is undoubtedly superior to the Intel C0re i7, i5, and i3 variants on our list. Plus, the integrated 16-core AMD Radeon Pro 5500M will win over your heart with the impressive graphics.
However, the Apple Macbook Pro is known for its 16-inch Retina Display that’ll take your breath away with an insanely high resolution. Even more, the feature-studded laptop can last up to 21 hours, allowing for a genuinely uninterrupted 3D modeling experience.
The best part is that you can upgrade its 512GB SSD storage to a whopping 8TB solid-state drive. Meanwhile, you can boost the 16GB RAM to 64GBs for smooth and seamless 3D modeling.
As we mentioned, this laptop has an endless list of features that’ll promise you your money’s worth. That includes the Touch Bar, Touch ID, Magic Keyboard, and an impressive speaker system with force-canceling woofers.
Pros
- Features a T2 security chip
- High-res 16-inch display
- Excellent audio system
- Long-lasting battery
- No overheating issues
- High-quality keyboard and huge touchpad
- HDMI output and SD card reader
Cons
- Expensive
- It weighs nearly 5 pounds
Razer Blade 15
Next on our list is yet another gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 15, which ideally fulfills all your creative 3D modeling needs. There’s little that this feature-packed laptop lacks, so its high price is worth it.
Firstly, you never have to worry about slow performance since it runs on an Intel Core i7-10750H processor with a 5GHz clock speed. Whether it’s Solid Works or ANSYS, this powerful processor is made to withstand the heaviest of 3D modeling software.
Additionally, the laptop’s graphics are powered by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU, making it the best laptop for 3D modeling and rendering. As for the display, you can count on an immersive 15.6-inch matte panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1920 x 1080 resolution.
The Razer Blade 15 also has an impressive selection of ports, including USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, USB-A, and Ethernet, along with Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Lastly, the laptop comes with a sufficient 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage.
However, its battery life is somewhat average since it only lasts 6 hours on a single charge.
Pros
- A powerful, multi-core processor allows for multitasking
- Highly efficient GPU
- Great port management
- Sturdy and durable build
- Superior touchpad and upgraded 1080p webcam
- Large storage space
- High-res 360Hz display
Cons
- Short battery life
- Lagging issues
Gigabyte Aero 15x
The Gigabyte Aero 15x is an ultra-slim and lightweight gaming laptop that’ll allow you to practice 3D modeling on the go. Although its classy build may be the show-stopper, its list of impressive specs is what makes this the best laptop for 3D modeling.
In terms of performance, its reliable Intel Core i7-9750H CPU and Turbo Boost technology make it superior to most laptops on our list. Otherwise, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU also brings this laptop a notch higher since it’s the fastest graphics card on the market.
Upgradability is this laptop’s most impressive characteristic. While you can upgrade the 16GB RAM to 32GB, the 512GB SSD storage can be boosted even more. You can also upgrade the 2.6GHz clock speed to make the 3D modeling and animation tasks even faster.
Other than that, the AMOLED 15.6-inch 4K display is enhanced further with the latest DisplayHDR technology. In addition, the sleek metal chassis features a full-sized keyboard with RGB backlighting in terms of build and appearance.
Aside from its efficient cooling system and 8-hour battery life, the varying connectivity options benefit the laptop. That includes the Thunderbolt 3 ports and 3 USB Type-C ports.
Pros
- Long-lasting battery life
- Efficient and reliable graphics card
- High-speed performance
- Energy-saving cooling system
- Captivating AMOLED display
- Full-sized RGB backlit keyboard
- Plenty of ports, including Thunderbolt 3
- Slim and light chassis
Cons
- Loud during 3D workloads
- Middling touchpad
MSI GL65 Leopard
The MSI GL65 Leopard is known mainly for its affordability and versatility, which is why it’s on our list. If you’re a beginner 3D artist looking to practice your work at a reasonable rate, this laptop is perfectly ideal for you.
Its full HD 15.6-inch display isn’t just a pretty face, but it has a display resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a 144Hz refresh rate. However, it’s worth noting that the battery only lasts a maximum of 3 hours. But, the Leopard makes up for this with its computational muscle.
The laptop’s power is unmatched with an Intel Core i7-10750H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU. Furthermore, its 16GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage are all you need to follow through with intensive tasks smoothly.
The MSI GL65 Leopard can also handle complexities such as 3D modeling in AutoCAD and rendering in 3DS Max. Overall, the power that the Leopard holds is perfectly ideal for engineers and 3D artists.
Pros
- High-quality RGB backlit keyboard
- Impressive hardware
- Captivating 144Hz refresh rate
- Efficient and powerful GPU
- High-performing processor
Cons
- Unimpressive speakers
- Inconveniently placed ports
Lenovo ThinkPad P52s
Of course, our list wouldn’t be complete without the Lenovo ThinkPad P52s, which sets the bar high with its impeccable specs and incredible added benefits. In short, you don’t need to look any further if you’re in search of a fulfilling laptop for your 3D modeling needs.
Its 15.6-inch LED-lit screen is undoubtedly a show-stopper due to the 1920 x 1080 resolution and IPS technology. However, the reliable 8th Gen Intel Core i7 quad-core processor is the real reason the Thinkpad P52S is on our list.
The NVIDIA Quadro P500 GPU is another impressive part of the laptop’s hardware. Finally, you can count on the 32 GB to promise seamless multitasking, while the 512 GB SSD storage ensures ample space for any sort of software.
A few more benefits of this laptop are 6 hours of battery and an excellent cooling system that you can count on. However, its main drawback is definitely on the pricier side.
Pros
- It can be used as a laptop, tablet, and in-studio mode
- Long-lasting battery life
- Immersive full-HD display
- Great camera for video calling
- Lightweight and portable
- Excellent storage and speed
- Ideal for professional tasks like designing, programming, and 3D modeling
Cons
- Expensive
- No Thunderbolt ports
HP Pavilion X360
If you need an all-rounder laptop for 3D modeling that doesn’t break the bank, look no further than the HP Pavilion X360. Although this next pick is quite affordable, you won’t compromise on the specs.
The 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor will catch your eye first, with clocking speeds of up to 3.6GHz. Additionally, the Intel UHD Graphics card pairs perfectly with the powerful processor to run any 3D software perfectly.
The HP Pavilion X360 is up to par with the famous Macbook Pro regarding storage and memory since it boasts a 1TB solid-state drive and 8GB of RAM. Other than that, this powerful machine is perfectly lightweight and portable, weighing only 3.5lbs.
In terms of appearance, it features a 14-inch FHD screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution and IPS panel technology. Lastly, you can count on its battery to last 4 to 5 hours maximum.
Pros
- Ideal for students
- Crisp 14-inch FHD display
- Variety of connection ports
- A reliable GPU can render
- Charges quickly
- 2-in-1 robust build
- Surprisingly perky performance for a Core i3
- Pen included
- Backlit keyboard
Cons
- Short battery life
- The fan is always on
Acer Predator Helios 300
This wouldn’t be a list of the best laptops for 3D modeling if we didn’t mention the famous Acer Predator Helios 300. There’s no doubt about its computational muscle since it runs on the 10th Gen i7-10750H CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU.
Otherwise, the Acer Predator Helios 300 has a reliable 16GB RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. In addition, it weighs only 5lbs and lasts about 5 hours on a single charge.
Lastly, the Acer Predator Helios 300 has a beautiful 15.6-inch display that’ll take your breath away with its high resolution.
Pros
- Expandable RAM and storage
- Powerful and high-performing processor
- RTX Graphics for quick renders
- The display has a 144Hz refresh rate
- Great cooling system
- Built-in overclocking features
- Accepts three storage drives
Cons
- Some sharp chassis corners
- Fans are noisy when running
Acer Aspire 5
Looking for a laptop that does all the basic premium 3D modeling and is light on your pocket? The Acer Aspire 5 is the perfect and riskless option at a very reasonable cost. The Acer Aspire 5 is a general-use notebook laptop that serves a long battery life of more than 10 hours, famously named the old-school uncle of machines.
It runs on an 11th Generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor that works at the speed of 2GHz. Plus, it has a 1920 x 1080, making it even more convenient for 3D modeling. The laptop also comes with a generous number of ports and an excellent keyboard with backlighting.
ACCORDING TO THE PRICE, the CPU performance is better than expected, while the AMD Radeon graphics card enables it to do all the 3D working an expert would want. Although this laptop looks quite basic and plain in terms of design, you shouldn’t mistake its unassuming appearance for its lack of efficiency.
Additionally, the Acer Aspire 5 boasts 4 GB DDR4 RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage.
Pros
- Snappy CPU performance
- Affordable
- Straightforward and attractive design
- Pleasing backlit keyboard
- Plenty of ports, including Ethernet and USB Type-C
- No major build flaws
- Crisp and clear flaws
Cons
- All-plastic design
- Some flex on lid and deck
Asus ZenBook Pro Duo
There’s no doubt that Asus reinvented the tech of laptops by creating this mindful piece of machinery, making 3D modeling 10x more productive.
What makes the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo stand out is the second screen that comes built-in with the keyboard base to make handling your workflow much more manageable. In addition, this unique laptop comes with an Intel Core i9 and NVidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card that simplifies your creative flow immensely.
Additionally, it has a 15.6-inch 4K OLED touch display on the main laptop screen, and right above the keyboard, there’s another 14-inch-wide unique ScreenPad Plus display. Due to the processor and display, this laptop is perfect for intensive 3D modeling as it offers all the creative working facilities.
However, this laptop is undoubtedly expensive, and the battery life might be a little shorter. But, its list of unique features indeed makes it worth the investment. It has every element required by a creative power user and supports all the latest 3D modeling software.
Lastly, you can count on the 16GB RAM and 1Tb SSD storage to simplify multitasking and provide ample space for all your creative software.
Pros
- Equipped with ScreenPad Plus second display simplifies workflows
- Brilliant GPU
- The display offers a stellar visual experience
- Sufficient storage support
- The main display is an OLED panel
- Excellent design and build quality
- Impressive computational muscle
- Included stylus and wrist rest
Cons
- Short battery life
- Low screen refresh rate
Dell G3 15
Although our next pick is a gaming laptop, it boasts all the specs that professional 3D artists need in their creative outlet. The Dell G3 15 is a 15.6-inch budget-friendly gaming laptop which is the latest reboot by Dell, made to fulfill all your 3D modeling necessities.
The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5-10300H processor with a speed of 2.5GHz, making it impossible to lag while you’re running your heavy software. Plus, its 120Hz full HD display with the GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card is made to enhance your 3D work immensely.
This laptop could simply support all the 3D working amazingly in graphics and processor. Furthermore, purchasing this laptop might be an excellent investment since it is eligible for gaming and 3D modeling.
Although it doesn’t have the best battery life or appealing design, it offers excellent performance and elevates your creative needs successfully. Additionally, its 16 GB DDR4 Ram and 256 GB SSD storage make it worth the compromise.
Pros
- Future-proof processor
- Dual-socketed RAM that supports upgradability
- Exceptional thermal layout
- Mid-range GPU for managing texture-intensive 3D models
- Affordable
- Amazing 120Hz refresh rate
- Great variety of ports
Cons
- Somewhat heavy
- No Thunderbolt 3 ports
HP Envy 15
Not specified for any kind of programming, HP Envy 15 is a versatile and affordable laptop that you can use for any working purpose. It is a big-screen convertible with a full-HD display. The best part is its eight-core Ryzen 7 CPU, with a speed of 1.8Ghz, enabling all the fast workings.
Plus, the laptop has a 15.6-inch touchscreen size with a display resolution of 1920 x 1080. Considering the display and processor qualities, this laptop is ideal for 3D modeling. It even has a color screen and a function-packed keyboard, making it great for designing.
You can also count on the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU to provide impressive graphics, further enhancing your 3D work. Meanwhile, the 16 GB RAM ensures zero latency at all times, and the 512GB SSD storage makes space for the heaviest of software.
Additionally, the HP Envy 15 is jam-packed with stunning features that’ll make you want to get this laptop for yourself instantly. That includes the fingerprint reader, touchscreen interface, lightweight build, and all-day battery.
However, it is pretty bulky and doesn’t have a 4k display. But, it’s still a speedy laptop that is great for different workings, and the flexibility in the choice of processors also makes it a unique and convenient option.
Pros
- Crystal clear touchscreen display
- Reliable fingerprint reader
- Physical camera shutter
- Long-lasting battery
- Wi-Fi 6 compatibility
- Speedy eight-core Ryzen 7 CPU
- Function-packed keyboard
- Classy design
Cons
- Heavy build
- No Ethernet port
MSI GF75 Thin
Presenting you another excellent gaming laptop to serve as a 3D modeling laptop, the MSI GF75 Thin. It has a 15.6-inch screen, while the overall size of the panel is 17-inches and is super thin. Its perfectly slim design makes it incredibly lightweight and ideal for practicing your 3D art on the go.
While the slimming design makes it appealing, there’s no compromise on the hardware. It boasts an NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU to display the most powerful graphics. Additionally, its screen is a full HD 1920 x 1080 IPS panel with a refresh rate of a whopping 144Hz.
The laptop runs on the powerful 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H, including 32GB memory. It is undoubtedly a power-monster laptop, but it does a lot more than just gaming and serving looks. Looking through its potent display, graphics, and processor, this laptop might be considered perfect for 3D modeling.
It also has the perfect selection of connectivity ports, making it even more convenient on the go. Simply put, this sleek, gorgeous laptop is undoubtedly pricey, but it is packed with the latest and outstanding features every gamer or 3D worker requires.
Pros
- Competent battery life
- Affordable
- Excellent visuals
- RGB backlit keyboard
- Premium design
- Large touchpad
- Amazing variety of ports
- Stealthy processor
Cons
- Middling speakers
- Lack of Thunderbolt 3 ports
Buyer’s Guide to Laptops for 3D Modeling
Here are the system requirements to keep in mind while buying a laptop for 3D modeling.
CPU (Intel Core i7)
Since 3D modeling can require you to run some heavy software, you’ll need to look for a high-performing laptop. You must ensure your laptop has one of the best processors available if you want to practice 3D modeling smoothly.
The minimum system requirement for 3D modeling is a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor for sufficiently high performance. However, we recommend a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor for optimum performance and virtually no lag in your work.
RAM
Multitasking is another inevitable requirement of 3D modeling, for which you’ll need a higher RAM capacity. However, 16GB of RAM is sufficient to run all the necessary software smoothly and without lag.
But, if you want an even speedier multitasking experience, 32GB of RAM will serve you much better.
Storage
Undoubtedly, most 3D software will take up a lot of storage on your laptop. For example, even the freeware 3D modeling software Blender takes up 4 GB of storage. That’s why the minimum storage requirement in the best laptop for 3D modeling is 512GB SSD.
We’d recommend getting a laptop with 1TB SSD storage for endless space.
Display
There’s genuinely no element that matters more than the display while buying a laptop for 3D modeling. After all, it determines the quality of your work in the end.
That’s why you should settle for nothing less than a 15.6-inch display with IPS panel technology and a 1920 x 1080 resolution. This gorgeous display will allow you to view every minute detail of your 3D modeling and enhance the quality of your work to the max.
GPU
Although an integrated graphics card is fine for standard laptops, most 3D modeling apps require a dedicated graphics card to run smoothly. So although a 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU may suffice, we’d recommend the 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 for premium graphics.
Battery
Last but not least, the battery life of the best laptop for 3D modeling will be reliable and long-lasting so that you can complete your intensive tasks uninterrupted. Of course, you should opt for nothing less than 4 hours, but the laptop would be ideal if the battery could last more than 6 hours on a single charge.
FAQs
Can you use gaming laptops for 3D modeling?
Gaming laptops often double as 3D modeling laptops due to their high-end GPUs and speedy processors. But, when it’s time to handle high-end AI-assisted rendering or viewport rendering, gaming laptops don’t cut.
Plus, gaming laptops aren’t always easy to upgrade and fall behind in power. OpenGL and DirectX compatibility is another feature you’ll find lacking in a gaming laptop.
What is the desired RAM value for indulging in mid-range and high-end 3D modeling?
Usually, 16 GB of RAM is considered suitable for 3D modeling and rendering by professional 3D artists. But, for intensive tasks such as poly-meshes, complex rendering, and ray tracing, 32 GB would serve even better.
However, 8 GB of RAM is sufficient if you’re a beginner and simply plan to practice 3D modeling.
What is the difference between NVIDIA GeForce and NVIDIA Quadro GPUs?
People commonly think there’s not much difference between an NVIDIA GeForce GPU and an NVIDIA Quadro GPU. But, on the contrary, the two differ in terms of computational muscle.
While the NVIDIA GeForce GPUs are mainly restricted to gaming laptops, the Quadro GPUs suit graphics-intensive 3D modeling better. That’s why Quadro graphics cards are used primarily by professional 3D artists, architects, and production managers.
Conclusion
Whether you’re practicing 3D modeling as a hobby or professionally, getting a fully-equipped computer system is an absolute must. It’ll allow you to work non-stop so that none of the spontaneous ideas slip off your mind.
Since you can’t be lugging your desktop everywhere, opting for a laptop will enable you to project your designs and ideas in just a few clicks wherever you go.
Now that you’ve read through our top picks and buying guide, you can make your decision based on your preferences and budget. So which one of these laptops fulfills your creative needs the best?
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