MSI Stealth 17 Studio
MacBook Pro M3
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16
If there’s something certain in the 3D modeling industry is that 3D modeling artists have it though. Have you’ve ever tried running Blender or Maya on a standard laptop?, if so, you know the struggle – slow renders, the dreaded overheating, and let’s not even talk about trying to make sense of details on a tiny screen.
So, whether you’re a budding 3D artist ready to create your next masterpiece or a seasoned pro looking for an upgrade, I’ve got you covered. We’re talking top-tier hardware, killer displays, and all the factors that make a laptop great for 3D modeling. Stick around, because we’re about to break down the best laptops on the market that can handle everything from intricate character designs to expansive architectural visualizations, all without breaking a sweat. Let’s get into it!
One thing that is certain in the 3D modeling industry, as far as artists are concerned; they have it though. If you have ever attempted to run Blender or Maya on a typical laptop, then I’m sure that you know the struggle– slow renders, overheating and let’s not even talk about trying to work on detailed pieces on small screen. Therefore, if you are a beginner 3D artist ready to create your next masterpiece or an experienced pro looking for the best upgrade we’ve got it all sorted out.
In this guide, we’re going to learn about the best of the best regarding hardware, from amazing screens to powerful GPUs and every little thing that makes a laptop perfect for 3D modeling. We’re also going to present you with what we believe are the best laptops for 3D modeling and rendering in the market today, so that you won’t be overwhelmed byt he multiple options or get scammed by some shady seller out there.
Let’s get into it!
How To Find the Best Laptop for 3D Modeling
CPU and GPU
The CPU is the brain of the laptop, it handles all the instructions and calculations your software throws at it. In 3D modeling, whether you’re sculpting, rigging, or running simulations, the CPU is doing most of it. A strong CPU means smoother workflow, faster processing, and less time staring at the loading bar.
Now, let’s talk about the GPU. The Graphics Processing Unit is the one in charge of rendering those gorgeous visuals. Intel Core i9 or i7 as well as Ryzen 9 or 7 are the recommended CPUs for Windows computers, while Apple is great, only the most recent (and pricier) models will be able to run 3D modeling tasks with ease, so go for the chip M3 Pro or Max.
The GPU takes over when it’s time to render your models into images or animations. It’s like the eyes and hands that paints your 3D scene onto the screen. A powerful GPU translates to faster render times, more detailed textures, and a generally better visual experience. Especially with ray tracing and high-poly models, a top-tier GPU can make a world of difference. We recommend going for an NVIDIA RTX 3080 to 3060, or the AMD Radeon RX 6900 to 6700 XT. These GPUs are top-tier and handle rendering, texture mapping, and real-time viewport displays with ease.
RAM
The RAM, or Random Access Memory is like a super-efficient personal assistant, keeping everything you need right at your fingertips. In the world of 3D modeling, RAM is what lets you do multiple tasks and open large files without your laptop dying in the process. Say you’re working on a complex scene with tons of textures, models, and maybe some background music to keep the creative juices flowing, RAM is what keeps all these programs running smoothly. We recommend going for 32 GB or more, but 16 GB will be enough for most 3D modeling tasks, and is a good amount of ram to start with.
Storage
3D files and 3D software are heavy, so you’ll need a good ammounto f storage to eb able to easily run your preferred software and store all your files, however what matters the most is what kind of storage you get. For example, SSDs are highly recommended for 3D modeling. They offer faster read and write speeds compared to HDDs, which means quicker loading of software, faster file transfers, and more responsive performance overall. This speed is crucial when working with large 3D files and textures.
If you’re a professional working on complex projects with high-resolution textures and detailed models, aim for at least 1TB of SSD storage. 3D files and associated resources can take up a lot of space. For less intensive use, 512GB might be sufficient, but it’s advisable to opt for 1TB if your budget allows, to future-proof your setup.
Display Quality
The quality of your display quill play a key role in your 3D modeling experience, especially when working with highly detailed projects and more artistic projects. What truly defines the quality of a display, besides resolution is the color space coverage and color accuracy. Look for displays with high color accuracy, often indicated by a percentage of color gamuts like Adobe RGB or DCI-P3. This is crucial for ensuring that the colors in your 3D models and renders are represented accurately. Some high-end laptops come with factory-calibrated displays, ensuring color accuracy right out of the box. For others, you may consider calibrating the display with a colorimeter for professional color work.
Regarding the panels, IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels are preferred for their wider viewing angles and better color reproduction compared to TN (Twisted Nematic) panels. OLED screens, where available, offer excellent color contrast and true blacks, making them great for high-end visual work.
Price
When talking about price, we can’t offer much hope for budget options, 3D modeling demands certain specs to be met and they’re not cheap to add so you won’t be able to find a good laptop for less than $1000. Buying a laptop for 3D modeling is an investment for your work and your future, so don’t rush and if you’re short on money, save up a little bit more
Best Laptops for 3D Modeling in the Market Today
Best Laptop for 3D Modeling
- Best Laptop for 3D Modeling Overall — MSI Stealth 17 Studio
- Best Apple Laptop for 3D Modeling — MacBook Pro M3
- Best Value for Money Laptop for 3D Modeling — Asus ROG Zephyrus G16
- Best Gaming Laptop for 3D Modeling — MSI 2023 Newest Pulse 15 Gaming Laptop
- Best Laptop for 3D Modeling — MSI THINGF63
1. Best Laptop for 3D Modeling Overall — MSI Stealth 17 Studio
Selection Criteria
- CPU and GPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i9, RTX 4080.
- Our Score – 9/10
- RAM: 32GB.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Storage: 1 TB.
- Our Score – 7/10
- Display Quality: 17.3 Inches, 2560 x 1440 pixels, QHD, Refresh rate of 240Hz, 100% of the DCI-P3.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Price: $2,790.00
- Our Score – 8/10
About the MSI Stealth 17 Studio
The MSI Stealth 17 Studio is a high performance laptop that has capture the attention of the 3D modeling community for quite some time. Packed with a last generation Intel Core i9 CPU and the amazing Nvidia RTX 4080 this laptop is pretty much the dream of 3D artists. It also has 32 GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage, making it a great choice for 3D modeling artists, designers and gamers.
Another perk of this laptop is it’s QHD display, with stunning colors and 240HZ of refresh rate. However, this laptop is quite large and heavy, limiting the portability factor and making it difficult to carry around.
Pros
- High-performance hardware
- Sleek, portable design
- Advanced cooling system
Cons
- Pricey
- Limited upgradeability
2. Best Apple Laptop for 3D Modeling — MacBook Pro M3
Selection Criteria
- CPU and GPU: Apple M3 Pro chip, with an up to 12-core CPU and up to 18-core GPU.
- Our Score – 9/10
- RAM: 36GB.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Storage: 1 TB.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Display Quality: 14.2 Inches, 3024 x 1964 pixels, Liquid Retina XDR Display, Refresh rate of 120 Hz, 118% s of RGB, 83% of the DCI-P3.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Battery Life: Up to 22 hours.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Price: $2,999.00
- Our Score – 8/10
About the MacBook Pro M3
Apple has been making some of the best laptops for a while now, and the latest Macbook is not an exception. This beast (there is no other way to refer to it) has an amazing CPU and GPU with the newest M3 Pro Chip, comes packed with 36 GB of RAM and has a battery that will last you all day long making it the best option for those 3D artists and designers who work on remote locations, are always on the go or travel a lot.
Additionally, Apple makes the best displays for their devices, so if you’re looking for quality and color accuracy, this is the laptop for you. On the downside, this laptop is very expensive, however as many Apple users say, it’ll keep running as smoothly as the first day for years and years, so it’s definitely a worthwhile investment for those who have the budget.
Pros
- Powerful M3 chip
- Long battery life
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited port variety
3. Best Value for Money Laptop for 3D Modeling — Asus ROG Zephyrus G16
Selection Criteria
- CPU and GPU: 13 th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060.
- Our Score – 8/10
- RAM: 32GB.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Storage: 2 TB.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Display Quality: 16 Inches, 1920×1080 Pixels, Refresh rate of 165 Hz, 100% of the DCI-P3.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Price: $1,439.99
- Our Score – 9/10
About the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2023 Model)
This 16” laptop is nothing short of a power house for gaming, working and 3D modeling to your heart’s content. It features an Intel Core i7-13620H processor,an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics cards and 2TB of SSD storage, offering a strong balance of performance and storage, making it well-suited for 3D modeling tasks. The high-refresh-rate display and dedicated RTX graphics card provide a great visual experience, which is ideal for rendering and viewing complex 3D models.
But the standout characteristic here is nothing but the price, which might seem high, but counting all the bells and whistles this model has is nothing but more than worth the investment, giving you a great laptop without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Compact, lightweight
- Excellent battery life
- Strong performance
Cons
- No webcam
- Limited ports
4. Best Gaming Laptop for 3D Modeling — MSI 2023 Newest Pulse 15 Gaming Laptop
Selection Criteria
- CPU and GPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i7 13620H (up to 4.9 GHz), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060.
- Our Score – 8/10
- RAM: 32GB.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Storage: 1 TB.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Display Quality: 15.6 Inches, 2560×1440 Pixels, Refresh rate of 165 hz, 100% of the DCI-P3 .
- Our Score – 8/10
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Price: $1,499.99.
- Our Score – 9/10
About the MSI 2023 Newest Pulse 15 Gaming Laptop
The MSI Pulse 15 Gaming Laptop offers a great mix between performance and design, made for both gaming and 3D modeling, comes equipped with Intel Core i7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics cards, offering substantial power for demanding tasks.
This laptop’s high refresh rate display, up to 165Hz, enhances visuals, which is crucial for 3D animation, 3D modeling and gaming.
On the flip side, the MSI Pulse 15 does have some limitations, the port selection varies across configurations, with some lacking in USB Type-A ports, which might be a turn-off for users needing lots of connectivity. The laptop also leans towards the heavier side, which might impact portability and the battery life is not that great. All in all a great laptop with amazing specs at a fair price for both creative pros and gamers.
Pros
- Attractive design
- Solid gaming performance
- Good port selection
Cons
- Average battery life
- Loud fans
5. Best Budget Laptop for 3D Modeling — MSI THIN GF63
Selection Criteria
- CPU and GPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12650H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060.
- Our Score – 8/10
- RAM: 16 GB.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Storage: 1 TB.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Display Quality: 15.6 Inches, 1920 x 1080 Pixels, Refresh rate of 144 hz, 59.7% of sRGB, 42.5% of the DCI-P3.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Battery Life: Up to 14 hours.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Price: $1,045.99.
- Our Score – 9/10
About the MSI THINGF63
The MSI THIN GF64 comes with a powerful CPU and GPU, perfect for 3D modeling and rendering tasks the combination of the Intel i7 processor and RTX 4060 GPU, while the display doesn’t have the best color accuracy out there, the 144Hz display provides smooth visuals, which is beneficial for detailed modeling and animation.
In terms of storage, this laptop offers enough for the price, however it also comes with an slot for additional storage up to 5TB.
However, as most budget options, it’s not all great, some high-performance tasks may lead to heating issues, so additional cooling measures like a cooling base might be necessary.
Still, the price is a steal for the specs making it the perfect laptop to start working or studying with.
Pros
- Strong performance
- Good build quality
- MSI brand reliability
Cons
- Heavy
- Limited battery life
