Laptops are a necessary part of any animator's life, and they come in many different shapes and sizes. Whether you're just starting out with animation or have been at it for a while, the better your laptop is, the easier your job will be. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for laptops for animation.
Laptops for Animation: Screen Size And Resolution
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The screen size and resolution are important when choosing laptops for animation because you're going to be working with very small details. The more pixels your screen has, the sharper your images will look. Ideally, you'll want a laptop with at least 1920x1080 resolution. If possible, try to get something higher than this (like 4K or 5K) so that everything can be seen in detail and there's room for all those extra layers of detail.
When it comes to choosing the right size of laptop for animation work, that depends on how much space you need on your desk or table while working. In general, 13-inch laptops are best if you want a smaller device that doesn't take up too much space; however, if you need more room then 17-inch models may be better suited to your needs (and they're not necessarily bigger).
Laptops for Animation: High-Performance Graphics Card (GPU)
A graphics card (GPU) is a piece of hardware that handles the processing of 3D graphics. For laptops for animation, it can help you get better performance and battery life.
The graphics card is important because it helps you to run the computer more smoothly when working with multiple tasks at once, like running an animation program while editing photos or watching a YouTube video while checking your email. The GPU will run all this stuff at once without taking up too much RAM or slowing down other processes because it has its own dedicated processor that's optimized for handling images and video.
Laptops for Animation: A Powerful Processor (CPU)
The CPU is the brain of your computer, so it’s an important factor to consider when buying laptops for animation. If you’re doing animation work, you need a good processor that can handle all of the tasks required for your software.
The first thing to look at when buying laptops for animation is what kind of processor (CPU) it has and how much power it provides. The two major manufacturers are Intel and AMD; Intel processors are generally more expensive than AMD ones but offer better performance for 3D modeling and other demanding tasks. There are also many different models within each manufacturer:
- Intel i3, i5, and i7 processors are basic CPUs but still have enough power for everyday use and entry-level animation work like Flash or After Effects projects on YouTube or Vimeo; they range in price depending on their speed (measured in gigahertz or GHz).
- AMD Ryzen processors offer more bang for your buck than the entry-level Intel Core i3 chips with comparable performance if you're willing to pay less money upfront. They're also compatible with Photoshop CC which makes them popular among photographers as well!
Laptops for Animation: Lots Of Memory (RAM)
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RAM stands for random access memory, and it's a critical component when choosing laptops for animation. It's an electronic storage device that temporarily holds data while your computer is in use.
The more RAM you have, the more data can be stored—and the more data can be processed at once. That means that if you're doing something processor-intensive like animating or rendering video frames, having more RAM will make it much faster to work with.
Some programs need fewer resources than others to run smoothly. For example, Photoshop has a lot of features but doesn't need much CPU power or hard drive space; it does most of its work in memory instead (which is why opening large images tends to slow down performance).
Laptops for Animation: Large Storage (Hard Drive)
Storage space is important for storing your work, your software, and all the data you're going to be working with. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are a lot faster than traditional hard drives, but they're also more expensive. When choosing laptops for animation consider if you are going to be doing a lot of work at home and don't need it to be portable. If this is the case, an SSD could save you some money over the long term since they last longer and boot up faster than regular hard drives.
If you plan on working with large files or rendering video clips in Adobe Premier Pro or After Effects CC, then having enough storage space is absolutely crucial—and there's no better way to do that than by upgrading from an HDD (hard disk drive) to an SSD (solid state drive).
The difference between these two kinds of storage media is how much information can be stored on each specific one: HDDs use magnetic platters while SSDs rely on computer chips, which allows them both to hold significantly more data than their older counterparts from back when computers were first invented during World War II!
Laptops for Animation: Great Battery life
When it comes to battery life, you'll want to know how long the laptop lasts before it needs a recharge.
This is variable depending on your usage as well as other factors like screen size, processor, and graphics card. The good news is that most laptops have a battery life of at least 5 hours, but this can vary wildly depending on which laptop you buy. The best way to find out how long the computer will last with your typical usage is by reading reviews online first or by talking directly with someone at the store who knows what they're doing (and hopefully has access).
If you're for looking for something specific in terms of battery life then I'd say there's no need to go over 5 hours unless it's just not possible otherwise (like in an animation studio setting where everyone needs one machine). If that's not an option though then make sure whatever laptop(s) are being considered will get through more than one day without needing to charge up again!
Laptops for Animation: Operating System
When choosing laptops for animation, you'll be happy to know that Windows 10 is the best operating system (OS) for animation. This is because it's compatible with most software and has a ton of features that make your life as an animator easier, including Microsoft Paint and other drawing programs.
MacOS is also pretty good for animation, but it's not as good as Windows 10 and isn't recommended for beginners with little experience in animation. If you're just starting out, stick with what works: Windows 10!
Linux? Not even going there...
Laptops for Animation: Good Cooling Features
While it's not as important as a processor or graphics card, good cooling is still an important factor. If you have a laptop with poor cooling, your CPU and GPU will often get too hot and throttle performance—not just for animation work but for everything else you do on your computer.
By contrast, when choosing laptops for animation with better cooling features, you can keep the processor at its maximum speed for longer periods of time without overheating it. This means that your animations won't lag behind or slow down as often when you're working on them.
The Right Laptops For Animation Can Make All The Difference
When it comes to the best laptops for animation, there are a few things to consider.
- Power and speed are essential. Since animators rely on their laptops to run complex software and render images, they need powerful machines that can handle processing large files quickly.
- Memory is another major factor. Animation programs use a lot of memory; you should get at least 16 GB of RAM if you're going to be working with high-resolution images or running multiple applications at once.
- Storage space should also be taken into account—animation involves creating lots and lots of files over time, so having enough space for all your projects and media will help keep things organized faster than ever before!
Takeaway: Laptops For Animation Need To Be Fast
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In the end, a fast laptop will make your life easier. You can work on multiple projects at once and use more advanced features that are available in animation programs. You’ll be able to work quicker—and more efficiently when tackling any of your animation projects!
Animation is a very demanding profession, and if you want to be able to work on projects with ease, then it’s vital that you have the right equipment. The good news is that there are plenty of good laptops for animation out there that will give you everything you need for creating great animations at home or in the studio
For more information about laptops in animation, as well as answers to any other questions you might have, be sure to follow our blogs, check out our free masterclass, and our Animation Business Accelerator Program, download a copy of our free marketing handbook, and check out our blog on “How to Start an Animation Studio”!.