10+ Best Laptops for Animation in 2025 (May Update)

Struggling with laggy software and endless render times? That’s the worst nightmare for an animator – and it sounds like it’s time for an upgrade. So, we have curated a list of the 10 best laptops for animation in 2025.

From fluid rendering to pixel-perfect displays, we’ve rounded up the top contenders that promise to elevate your animation game. Whether you are a graphic designer, animation student, VFX artist, or video game designer, our list has something for you.

So, let’s dive right in!

Which laptop is best for animation in 2025?

The Apple MacBook Pro M4 turned out to be the best laptop for animation during our testing experience. It is not only fast and powerful but also boasts a beautiful display so you can see your animations in all their glory.

Best MacBook for Animation (Editor’s Choice)

Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Pro

4.9

$2,499.00 $2,161.35

The MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip is designed for animation professionals, offering a powerful 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU for seamless real-time rendering and complex edits. Its 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, up to 24 hours of battery life, and extensive port options make it a top choice for demanding visual effects and 3D workflows.

Pros:

• Fast and stable performance
• Excellent display for animation
• Strong battery life
• Multiple ports and external display support

Cons:

• Higher cost compared to other options
• Limited hardware upgrades after purchase

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05/30/2025 11:17 am GMT

Our Top 3 Picks

Best MacBook for Animation (Editor’s Choice)	Best Laptop for 2D Animation	Best Laptop for 3D Animation
Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Pro	Acer Spin 5 Intel Evo Convertible Laptop	Alienware m17 R5
Primary Rating: 4.9	Primary Rating: 4.8	Primary Rating: 4.7
$2,499.00$2,161.35	N/A	$2,099.99$1,999.99
Graphic Card : 24GB Unified	Graphic Card : Iris Plus Graphics	Graphic Card : NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
Storage: 512GB SSD	Storage: 1 TB	Storage: 2 TB
RAM: 24GB Unified	RAM: 16 GB	RAM: 64 GB
Screen Size: 16.2 INCHES	Screen Size: 14 INCHES	Screen Size: 17.3 INCHES
Resolution size: 3456 x 2234 pixels	Resolution size: 2560 x 1600 pixels	Resolution size: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Pros: Fast and stable performance Excellent display for animation Strong battery life Multiple ports and external display support	Pros: High-performance Intel Evo platform. Sharp 14" touchscreen display. Acer Active Stylus with 4,096 pressure levels for precise sketching.	Pros: High-performance NVIDIA graphics. Crisp 17.3" FHD display. Versatile port options for enhanced workflow.
Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Best MacBook for Animation (Editor’s Choice)

Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Pro

Primary Rating:

4.9

$2,499.00$2,161.35

Graphic Card :

24GB Unified

Storage:

512GB SSD

RAM:

24GB Unified

Screen Size:

16.2 INCHES

Resolution size:

3456 x 2234 pixels

Pros:

• Fast and stable performance
• Excellent display for animation
• Strong battery life
• Multiple ports and external display support

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Best Laptop for 2D Animation

Acer Spin 5 Intel Evo Convertible Laptop

Primary Rating:

4.8

N/A

Graphic Card :

Iris Plus Graphics

Storage:

1 TB

RAM:

16 GB

Screen Size:

14 INCHES

Resolution size:

2560 x 1600 pixels

Pros:

• High-performance Intel Evo platform.
• Sharp 14" touchscreen display.
• Acer Active Stylus with 4,096 pressure levels for precise sketching.

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Best Laptop for 3D Animation

Alienware m17 R5

Primary Rating:

4.7

$2,099.99$1,999.99

Graphic Card :

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti

Storage:

2 TB

RAM:

64 GB

Screen Size:

17.3 INCHES

Resolution size:

1920 x 1080 pixels

Pros:

• High-performance NVIDIA graphics.
• Crisp 17.3" FHD display.
• Versatile port options for enhanced workflow.

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Best Laptops for Running Animation Software in 2025

Read these detailed reviews and find a powerful laptop for your animation needs.

1. Apple MacBook Pro with M4 Pro — Best Overall (Editor’s Choice)

The overall best laptop for animation 

GPU: 20-core Integrated GPU | STORAGE: 512GB SSD | RAM: 24GB Unified | SCREEN SIZE: 16.2 INCHES | RESOLUTION: 3456 x 2234 pixels

The 2024 MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip is built for animation professionals working with 3D models, visual effects, and complex motion sequences. The 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU handle demanding tasks like real-time rendering and multi-layered edits without slowdowns.

The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display delivers high brightness, contrast, and color accuracy—crucial for frame-by-frame precision. It supports HDR content and provides sharp visuals across a wide range of lighting conditions.

Equipped with 24GB unified memory and 512GB SSD, this MacBook loads large files quickly and maintains smooth performance throughout. Users can configure it up to 128GB RAM and 4TB SSD for heavier workflows.

Port options include three Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, MagSafe 3, and an SDXC card slot, allowing seamless connections to external displays, storage devices, and accessories. It supports up to two 6K displays with the M4 Pro chip.

With up to 24 hours of battery life, it’s built for long sessions without reaching for the charger. For animators who need top-tier visuals and power in one machine, this MacBook Pro delivers.

PROS	CONS
Fast and stable performance	Higher cost compared to other options
Excellent display for animation	Limited hardware upgrades after purchase
Strong battery life
Multiple ports and external display support

Latest Price on Amazon:

Best Overall

Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Pro

$2,499.00 $2,161.35

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05/30/2025 11:17 am GMT

2. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio — Best Convertible Laptop for Animation

Best flexible touchscreen laptop for animators and designers

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti | STORAGE: 1TB SSD | RAM: 32GB LPDDR4X | SCREEN SIZE: 14.4 INCHES | RESOLUTION: 2400 x 1600 pixels

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is a versatile pick for animators who want power, portability, and a touchscreen interface—all in one. With a quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, this device easily handles 2D/3D animation, rigging, and rendering tasks.

Its 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen display offers a crisp 2400 x 1600 resolution and up to 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth visuals and responsive pen input. The display tilts into different modes (laptop, stage, or studio) making it ideal for sketching, frame-by-frame adjustments, or reviewing animated sequences.

The Surface Slim Pen 2 (sold separately) magnetically attaches under the keyboard and mimics the natural feel of pen on paper. It’s perfect for artists who prefer drawing directly on screen for more control and accuracy.

With 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD, the system runs heavy creative software without lag, and offers fast storage access for large animation files. Battery life reaches up to 18 hours, so you can animate for long stretches without needing a recharge.

Although it’s a bit heavier than other options, the Surface Laptop Studio stands out for its convertible design, responsive display, and smooth pen experience, making it a great all-in-one solution for creative professionals.

PROS	CONS
Powerful GPU for 3D rendering	Heavier than average laptops in its class
High-resolution touchscreen with 120Hz refresh	Surface Pen sold separately
Flexible form factor for sketching and editing
Large memory and storage capacity

Latest Price on Amazon:

Best Convertible Laptop

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio - 14.4" Touchscreen

$2,000.00 $1,499.00

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05/30/2025 10:30 am GMT

3. ASUS ProArt P16 Copilot+ — Best 4K Touchscreen Laptop for AI Workflows

Best AI-powered laptop for creative professionals

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 | STORAGE: 2TB PCIe SSD | RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X | SCREEN SIZE: 16 INCHES | RESOLUTION: 3840 x 2400 (4K)

The ASUS ProArt P16 Copilot+ is a powerhouse built for animators and creators who want speed, clarity, and AI-enhanced workflows. Equipped with the new AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, this laptop delivers not only high performance but also 50 TOPs of AI processing power, ideal for future-forward creative tasks.

It features a stunning 16-inch 4K touchscreen display with a crisp 3840 x 2400 resolution, offering incredible detail and precision for animation, visual effects, and video editing. Whether you’re scrubbing through timelines or fine-tuning frame compositions, the clarity makes a noticeable difference.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU ensures fast and stable rendering, even when handling demanding 3D scenes or real-time previews. Combined with 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 2TB of PCIe SSD storage, this setup gives you smooth performance and ample space for large animation projects.

Connectivity is future-ready, with ports including USB-C 4, HDMI 2.1, USB-A, and support for Wi-Fi 7. The laptop also runs on Windows 11 Pro, offering more control and security for professional environments.

At just over 4 pounds, it balances power with portability. The ASUS ProArt P16 is a strong choice for animators who need a 4K display, GPU muscle, and next-gen AI features in one sleek machine.

PROS	CONS
AI-powered Ryzen processor boosts creative performance	High price for entry-level users
Ultra-sharp 4K touchscreen	No stylus included
RTX 4070 handles advanced 3D rendering
Large SSD and modern connectivity options

Latest Price on Amazon:

Best 4K Touchscreen Laptop

ASUS ProArt P16 Copilot Laptop

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4. Lenovo Touchscreen 15.6″ IdeaPad 3 — Best Animation Laptop for Students

Best laptop animation students can use

GPU: Intel Iris X Graphics | STORAGE: 1 TB SSD | RAM: 20GB | SCREEN SIZE: 15.6 Inches | RESOLUTION: 1920 x 1080 pixels

For budding animators and seasoned professionals alike, finding the right laptop can be a daunting task. That being said, next on our list is the Lenovo Touchscreen 15.6″ IdeaPad 3– a laptop with just the right power and specs to help students breeze through the intricate tasks of animation.

At the heart of the IdeaPad 3 lies the 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor. With 4 cores and 8 threads, it ensures that your animation software runs seamlessly, be it for 3D modeling, rigging, or simulation dynamics.

The 15.6″ FHD IPS touchscreen display is a treat for visual artists. Its anti-glare feature ensures that you can work for hours without straining your eyes, while the 300 nits brightness ensures vibrant colors, crucial for texture painting and shading.

With 20GB RAM, multitasking becomes a breeze. Whether you’re running multiple animation software or rendering a scene, the 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD ensures that everything loads in a flash.

The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 further ensures that you’re always connected at lightning speeds, be it for downloading assets or collaborating online with your team.

However, the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, while competent for many tasks, might not be the best choice for heavy-duty 3D rendering or complex visual effects. Professionals might need an external GPU for such intensive tasks.

Additionally, while the touchscreen really comes in handy, you might still need a dedicated drawing tablet for precision work.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a gem for animation students and professionals on a budget. It offers a blend of performance, display quality, and storage that’s hard to beat at its price point. Whether you’re sketching out a storyboard, designing a character, or bringing a scene to life, this laptop can transform your vision into reality.

PROS	CONS
Powerful 11th Gen Intel Processor	Integrated Graphics might not suffice for heavy 3D tasks
Vibrant Touchscreen Display	Touchscreen, though handy, isn’t a replacement for a professional drawing tablet
Generous RAM and Storage
Wi-Fi 6 Connectivity

Latest Price on Amazon:

Best Laptop for Animation Students

Lenovo Touchscreen IdeaPad 3 Laptop

$629.99

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02/18/2024 08:32 pm GMT

5. Dell Inspiron 3525 — Best Value for Money Animation Laptop

Best budget laptop for 3D animation

GPU: ‎AMD Radeon Graphics | STORAGE: 1 TB SSD | RAM:‎ 32 GB DDR4 | SCREEN SIZE:‎ 15.6 Inches | RESOLUTION: ‎1920 x 1080 pixels 

The Dell Inspiron 3525 emerges as the best laptop for 3D and 2D animators, motion graphics designers, and other professionals in the field. Moderately priced but highly powered, this Dell laptop makes the best animation laptop for those seeking to get the best worth for their money.

Powered by the Ryzen 7-5825 Eight-Core Processor, the Inspiron 3525 ensures that character animation, 3D modeling, and even complex simulations are executed seamlessly. With a CPU speed of up to 4.5 GHz, you can handle demanding tasks without a hitch.

The 15.6-inch FHD display, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, ensures every frame of your animation is rendered with flowy precision. Whether you’re working on texture painting, shading, or architectural walkthroughs, the visuals are sharp and lifelike.

On top of that, the 32GB RAM makes multitasking breezy, be it running multiple animation software or rendering scenes. The 1TB SSD not only provides ample storage but also guarantees quick boot-up and faster data access.

From HDMI to USB Type-C, the variety of ports ensures that you can connect to multiple devices, which is essential for collaborative projects or presentations.

However, the integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, while suitable for many tasks, might fall short for high-end 3D rendering.

Additionally, the laptop’s plastic construction might raise durability concerns for those who are always on the move. A protective case or sleeve might be a wise investment.

All in all, the Dell Inspiron 3525 stands out as an ideal choice for animation professionals seeking a blend of performance and value. If you’re looking for a laptop that offers a bang for your buck without compromising on essential features, this might just be your perfect match.

PROS	CONS
Powerful Ryzen 7 Processor	Integrated Graphics might not suffice for high-end 3D tasks
Vibrant 120Hz Display	Plastic construction raises durability concerns
Generous RAM and Storage
Multiple Connectivity Options

Latest Price on Amazon:

Best Value for Money Animation Laptop

Dell Inspiron 3525 Business Laptop

$799.00

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02/19/2024 09:07 am GMT

6. Razer Blade 15 Advanced — Best Laptop for Motion Graphics and Animation

Best laptop for animation and video editing

GPU: ‎NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q | STORAGE: ‎512 GB SSD | RAM:‎ 16 GB DDR4 | SCREEN SIZE: 15.6 Inches |RESOLUTION: 1920 x 1080 pixels

In the realm of animation and graphic design, where precision and performance are paramount, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced stands out as arguably the best laptop for graphics and animation. Let’s explore in detail what makes it one of the best laptops for graphic design and animation.

The heart of this beast, the 8-Core 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10875H processor, ensures that from character animation to architectural walkthroughs, everything runs buttery smooth. With speeds reaching up to 5.1GHz, multitasking becomes second nature.

On top of that, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super Max-Q graphics card brings your creations to life. Whether you’re into motion graphics creation or 3D modeling, the vibrant 15.6″ FHD 300Hz display ensures every pixel is perfect.

Crafted from CNC aluminum, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced is also highly durable, ensuring it withstands the rigors of daily use. At just 0.7″ thin, it’s the perfect companion for on-the-go professionals.

The innovative vapor chamber cooling system further ensures that even under intense workloads, the laptop remains cool, allowing you to focus on your craft without any hitches.

But on the flip side, the laptop tends to run hot during intensive tasks, which might be a concern for prolonged usage. So, you might want to invest in a laptop cooling pad.

Moreover, we did experience some issues with the touchpad, especially during typing-heavy tasks. A potential workaround could be using an external keyboard or touchpad when working on extensive projects.

Simply put, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced is a testament to what’s possible when power meets design. It’s tailor-made for professionals in animation and graphic design, offering a blend of performance, aesthetics, and portability.

PROS	CONS
Stellar Performance with 8-Core Processor	Can get quite hot during heavy tasks
Vivid 300Hz Display	Touchpad might be problematic for some
Durable CNC Aluminum Build
Advanced Cooling System

Latest Price on Amazon:

Best Laptop for Motion Graphics and Animation

Razer Blade 15 Advanced Gaming Laptop

$1,864.00

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02/19/2024 09:08 am GMT

7. HP Pavilion 16″ (Ryzen 7 8840U) — Best Value Laptop for Everyday Animation Tasks

Best budget-friendly laptop for animation beginners

GPU: Dedicated Graphics | STORAGE: 1TB PCIe SSD | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 | SCREEN SIZE: 16 INCHES | RESOLUTION: 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)

The HP Pavilion 16” is a practical pick for entry-level animators or students starting their animation journey. It’s powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor, which includes an integrated AI neural processing unit for improved productivity, making basic animation tasks and multitasking smoother.

Its 16-inch WUXGA touchscreen provides a wider vertical viewing space (1200p vs. the standard 1080p), making it easier to work with animation timelines, panels, or design tools. The anti-glare IPS panel and AMD FreeSync support ensure consistent visuals across various lighting conditions.

With 16GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe SSD, it handles software like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom, or Blender (for lighter 3D work) with reliable speed and storage capacity. The AI-enhanced Copilot+ features also give an added boost to your day-to-day creative workflow.

It includes a 1080p HP True Vision camera, backlit keyboard, and Wi-Fi 6, making it well-equipped for remote collaboration, online classes, or working on the go. Battery life ranges up to 12.5 hours depending on usage.

While it’s not built for high-end 3D rendering, the Pavilion 16 delivers a strong balance of performance, display quality, and value—perfect for those getting started in digital animation or looking for a capable secondary device.

PROS	CONS
Good display size and resolution for the price	Not ideal for heavy 3D workloads
AI-powered Ryzen 7 processor for enhanced productivity	Graphics performance may be limited for advanced animation
Long battery life with touchscreen flexibility
1TB SSD and solid RAM for large project storage

Latest Price on Amazon:

Best Value Laptop for Everyday Tasks

HP Pavilion 16" Touchscreen Laptop

$789.99

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05/30/2025 10:41 am GMT

8. Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16″ (2024) — Best High-Brightness Display Laptop for Professional Animation

Best laptop for color-accurate animation and smooth visual workflows

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (8GB) | STORAGE: 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD | RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X | SCREEN SIZE: 16 INCHES | RESOLUTION: 3200 x 2000 (3.2K Mini-LED, 165Hz)

The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i is built for professional animators who prioritize visual clarity, powerful hardware, and responsive performance. It features an Intel 14th Gen Ultra 9 185H processor with P-cores reaching up to 5.10GHz, offering strong performance across creative software and multi-layered animation timelines.

Its standout feature is the 16-inch 3.2K Mini-LED display with 1200 nits brightness, 165Hz refresh rate, and support for 100% Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color spaces. This makes it perfect for color-critical animation work, HDR rendering, and motion design with high frame accuracy.

The dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU with 8GB GDDR6 memory delivers excellent results in both 2D and 3D rendering, supporting tools like Maya, Blender, and After Effects. Combined with 32GB LPDDR5X RAM (7467MHz) and a fast 1TB SSD, you get a system ready to handle heavy files and real-time edits.

Extras like a 5MP IR camera, backlit keyboard, and Windows 11 Pro enhance both work and collaboration. Connectivity is strong too, with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and multiple USB 3.0 ports for smooth file transfers and external display setups.

For animators who need a vibrant display and top-tier performance without compromising on portability, the Yoga Pro 9i delivers on all fronts.

PROS	CONS
Bright, high-refresh 3.2K Mini-LED display	Premium pricing for mid-tier GPU users
Fast Intel Ultra 9 processor and 32GB RAM	Soldered RAM limits upgradeability
Excellent color accuracy and HDR support
Strong build and solid connectivity

Latest Price on Amazon:

Best High-Brightness Display

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16"" Laptop

$2,099.00

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05/30/2025 10:59 am GMT