The best laptops for 3D modelling: premium computers for high-end processing

The best laptops for 3D modelling and rendering are all about saving you time and speeding up your workflow. With plenty of fast memory, powerful CPUs and GPUs, and lots of storage, they're able to tackle high-end 3D software and complex projects. 

Using our years of laptop testing experience, our team of experts has specifically looked at the needs of 3D modellers. As well as running benchmark tests, they've also spent time with each laptop, assessing how easy it is to use, to travel with and to multitask upon, and how well it runs demanding 3D software in practice.

Below, you'll find our picks of the best laptops for 3D modelling right now, but if you're an architect or engineer and want to focus on the world of Computer Aided Design (CAD), check out our list of the best laptops for CAD and AutoCAD.

Quick list

The best laptop for 3D modelling overall

What you need to know: The MacBook Pro M3 Max boasts a 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display and incredibly powerful internals. These are based around the powerful M3 Max chip, which combines CPU and GPU cores for exceptional performance in 3D modelling and rendering tasks.

Design: While the design hasn't changed much from previous models, it's still sleek and professional. The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is the star, offering 3456x2234 resolution with up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness for HDR content. Our reviewer found it provides excellent colour accuracy and contrast, ensuring that 3D designs are displayed with exceptional clarity. The keyboard and trackpad are top-notch, offering a comfortable and responsive experience for long work sessions. A variety of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and an SD card slot, ensures compatibility with various peripherals and external displays.

Performance: This laptop excelled in our benchmark testing. It outperformed many high-end desktop replacements, especially in GPU-accelerated tasks. Our reviewer found it handled complex 3D scenes in Cinema 4D and Blender with ease. With up to 128GB of unified memory, it can handle massive datasets and complex simulations without breaking a sweat.

Battery: Our battery tests impressed us, with our reviewer managed to work for 10 hours using demanding 3D software before running out of juice. The 100-watt-hour battery promises up to 22 hours of media playback.

Price: Starting at around $3,499 for the M3 Max configuration, it's a significant investment. However, considering its performance rivals (and often exceeds) high-end desktop workstations, it offers excellent value for professionals who need top-tier performance in a portable package

To learn more, read our MacBook Pro M3 review.

Best budget laptop for 3D modelling

Need to know: The 2023 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 packs the latest 13th Gen Intel CPUs and NVIDIA RTX 40 Series GPUs into a durable chassis. It's designed to handle demanding 3D applications while remaining affordable for budget-conscious creators. We were impressed when we reviewed the 2022 edition, and there's a newer model on offer (2023), which our research shows comes in at 20% more powerful in CPU-based tasks, but you can save more money by going for the previous model.

Design: The redesigned chassis comes in Mecha or Jaeger variants, maintaining the TUF series' reputation for durability. The 15.6-inch FHD display offers a 144Hz refresh rate, which is suitable for both 3D work and casual gaming. However, our review of the previous model noted that the screen quality was fairly poor, which might still be a concern for colour-critical work. The large bottom bezel also impacts the overall form factor, making it less sleek than some competitors.

Performance: Equipped with an Intel Core i9-13900H and NVIDIA RTX 4070, this laptop promises strong performance for 3D modelling and rendering tasks. Based on our testing of the 2022 model, the 2023 version will handle demanding applications with ease, as it offers about 20% more power in CPU-based tasks. The DDR5 RAM and fast SSD storage further contribute to smooth multitasking and quick file access.

Battery: While we don't have specific data for the 2023 model, the previous version offered decent battery life for its class. Given the power-efficient components, we expect similar or slightly improved battery performance in the new model.

Price: The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 (2023) offers an excellent balance of price and performance. While it's pricier than its predecessor, it still undercuts many competitors in its class, making it an attractive option for 3D artists on a budget.

See our full ASUS TUF Gaming F15 review of the 2022 version.

Best laptop for 3D modelling with a touchscreen

Need to know: The ASUS ProArt P16 boasts a 16-inch OLED touchscreen and some powerful internals. It also features the ProArt Creator Hub with AI-powered tools like StoryCube and MuseTree for enhanced workflow and media organisation. And all that makes it a fantastic choice for 3D modelling.

Design: This laptop’s design is considered somewhat plain and utilitarian, lacking the flair of other premium laptops. However, the 16-inch 4K OLED touchscreen is the star of the show, offering 3840x2400 resolution and 100% coverage of the P3 colour gamut. Our reviewer found it provides vibrant colours and sharp resolution, ensuring that your 3D designs are displayed with exceptional clarity and colour accuracy. You also get the famous ASUS Dial, which lets you make quick adjustments in 3D modelling applications.

Performance: Equipped with a robust AMD Ryzen CPU and NVIDIA RTX GPU, this laptop excelled in our benchmark testing, often outperforming similarly priced competitors like the MacBook Pro M3 Max. ASUS has engineered in fully 160W of total CPU and GPU cooling, allowing the components to do their thing, and as our reviewer found in his testing, it's just about all the power you'll ever need. You can have up to 32GB of RAM, which should cover even the most heavy-duty workflows. And there are SSD storage options up to 8TB of super-fast PCIe Gen 4 spec.

Battery: Despite its powerful components, this laptop offers up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge, showing significant progress in battery performance compared to previous models..

Price: For less than £/$3,000 this is a competitive price for a studio laptop that will last a demanding professional for years. We found that its benchmark scores in many cases rival (and sometimes outdo) the MacBook Pro M3 Max.

Learn more in our full Asus ProArt StudioBook 16 OLED review.

Best laptop for 3D modelling with a big screen

Need to know: The Dell Precision 7780 is a great choice if you like a large screen. It comes with a generously sized 17.3-inch FHD+ display, while a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13850HX processor and NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada GPU provide ample resources for demanding 3D modelling tasks.

Design: This laptop boasts a robust build with a metallic exterior and soft-touch interior. Its 17.3-inch display offers a spacious workspace, although it lacks 4K. The 180-degree hinge allows for flexible viewing angles. However, the off-centre trackpad placement may be a drawback for some users. At 3.05 kg, it's designed more as a desktop replacement than a portable workstation.

Performance: Equipped with an Intel Core i7-13850HX and NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada GPU, the Dell Precision 7780 delivers exceptional performance. Our benchmarks showed it outperforming some Intel i9-equipped competitors in certain tasks. It excels in CPU-intensive operations and handles GPU tasks with ease, making it suitable for complex 3D modelling, rendering, and video editing.

Battery: The 93 Wh battery provides around three hours of creative work, which is relatively limited. This means the laptop is best suited for use near a power source, reinforcing its role as a stationary workstation rather than a mobile solution.

Price: Starting at £3,118.82 for the base configuration, the Dell Precision 7780 is a significant investment. However, its powerful specs and large display justify the price for professionals who require high performance and screen real estate for their 3D modelling work.

Learn more by reading our Dell Precision 7780 review.

Best gaming laptop for 3D modelling

Need to know: The Acer Predator Helios 18 is a powerhouse laptop that, while marketed as a gaming machine, packs enough power for serious 3D modelling work. With its RTX 4090 GPU and Intel Core i9 processor, it offers desktop-class performance in a (technically) portable format, though you'll want to keep it desk-bound most of the time.

Design: The Helios 18 features a large 18-inch IPS display with a 2560x1600 resolution and 250Hz refresh rate, covering 100% of the P3 color gamut. At 3.25kg, it's heavy, but the build quality is solid and stable. The full-size keyboard includes a number pad and RGB lighting that can be disabled for a more professional look. The port selection is generous, including multiple USB Type-A and Type-C ports, HDMI, and Ethernet.

Performance: In our benchmarks, the Helios 18 demonstrated exceptional capabilities. Geekbench 6 scores were impressive at 17,498 for multi-core and 2,692 for single-core. The RTX 4090 GPU delivered extraordinary performance with a GPU score of 190,374 in Geekbench 6. Heat management, meanwhile, was aggressive: cooling was effective but quite loud under load, with CPU temperatures reaching 87°C during intensive tasks.

Battery: Battery life clocks in at around 4 hours and 40 minutes for general computing tasks, but expect this to drop significantly when doing intensive 3D work. The laptop requires its substantial power brick for any serious workloads.

Price: Starting at $3,099.99/£3,599.99, the Helios 18 represents a serious investment, matching the price of a 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 Max.

Best premium laptop for 3D modelling

Need to know: The MSI Titan 18 HX represents the pinnacle of mobile workstation power. While marketed as a gaming laptop, its incredible specs, including up to 192GB of RAM, Intel Core i9 14900HX processor and RTX 4090 GPU, make it a formidable choice for 3D modelling. The 18-inch Mini LED display with 4K resolution (3840 x 2400) and 120Hz refresh rate provide exceptional visual quality for detailed work.

Design: At 3.6kg, the Titan 18 HX is built like a tank, with a magnesium alloy chassis that exudes premium quality. The Cherry MX mechanical keyboard offers excellent tactile feedback, and the full numpad is particularly useful for 3D work. Port selection is comprehensive, featuring multiple USB-C and USB-A ports, HDMI, and an SD Express Card reader. The design includes extensive ventilation to handle the powerful components inside.

Performance: The benchmark results are extraordinary. In Geekbench 6, it achieved 16,392 for multi-core and 2,899 for single-core scores. Its RTX 4090 GPU scored an impressive 184,184 in OpenCL tests. In Blender benchmarks, it achieved 187 samples per minute on the Monster scene, 128 on Junkshop, and 87 on Classroom; exceptional results for a laptop. The machine excels at video encoding too, completing our standard 4K to 1080p test in just 2 minutes 47 seconds.

Battery: While equipped with a substantial 99.9WHr battery, this is very much a desktop replacement machine that needs to stay plugged in for serious workloads. Battery life is limited when pushing the hardware to its limits.

Price: Starting at £2,999.99 and reaching £4,999.99 for the top configuration with 128GB RAM and RTX 4090, this is one of the most expensive laptops available.

Best AI laptop for 3D modelling

Need to know: The MSI Stealth 16 AI Studio A1V strikes an impressive balance between power and portability. Featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, RTX 4090 laptop GPU, and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, it's designed to handle demanding 3D workflows while remaining surprisingly mobile. The inclusion of NPU technology makes it future-ready for AI-accelerated workflows.

Design: At just 1.99kg and 19.95mm thick, this is one of the more portable high-performance laptops available. The magnesium and aluminum alloy chassis keeps weight down, though it shows some flex that might concern mobile users. The 16-inch 4K (3840x2400) display with 120Hz refresh rate provides excellent visual clarity for detailed work. Port selection is generous, including four USB-C ports, USB-A, HDMI, and a microSD card reader.

Performance: The benchmark results show strong capabilities for 3D work. In Blender benchmarks, it achieved 86 samples per minute on Monster, 59 on Junkshop, and 41 on Classroom. Geekbench 6 scores were impressive at 11,504 for multi-core and 2,447 for single-core, while the RTX 4090 scored 160,998 in OpenCL tests. Cinebench 2024 results showed scores of 108 for single-core, 684 for multi-core, and 17,255 for GPU tests.

Battery: This laptop required frequent charging during intensive workloads; typical for laptops in this performance class.

Price: At $4,099.99/£3,684.97, it's a premium investment, though less expensive than some competitors while offering similar performance.

Best 2-in-1 laptop for 3D modelling

Need to know: The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is Microsoft's premium 2-in-1 device, featuring a unique design that transforms between laptop, stage and studio modes. That may make it attractive to 3D artists on the go, but bear in mind it's not quite as powerful as the other laptops on our list, so there's a compromise to be made there. 

Design: The Surface Laptop Studio 2 features a beautifully engineered aluminum chassis with smooth chamfered corners and a distinctive split-hinge design. The 14.4-inch touchscreen display offers a sharp 2400x1600 resolution with a productivity-friendly 3:2 aspect ratio and 120Hz refresh rate. At 201 PPI, it's excellent for detailed work. The device is somewhat heavy for its size, though, and the base is notably boxy compared to competitors.

Performance: The benchmark results reveal moderate capabilities for 3D work. Geekbench scores of 1,296 (single-core) and 6,008 (multi-core) indicate decent performance for lighter 3D tasks, but may struggle with complex scenes. Cinebench results of 893 (single-core) and 5,284 (multi-core) suggest similar limitations. The inclusion of NVIDIA RTX graphics (varying by configuration) provides necessary GPU acceleration, but overall performance lags behind similarly priced competitors like the M3 MacBook Pro.

Battery: Despite Microsoft's claim of 16 hours, real-world testing showed concerning results, with 75% battery drain in just five hours under moderate use. 3D artists should expect even shorter durations when running demanding applications.

Price: Starting at $1,999/£2,069, with high-end configurations reaching nearly $3,000/£2,949, it represents a significant investment. The tested business model with NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Generation GPU, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD sits at the higher end of this range.

Also tested

The above may be our top picks for 3D modelling, but there are plenty of other decent models to consider. Below you'll find some other laptops we've tested that also stand up well to 3D modelling, which may be better suited to your particular needs and budget.

ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED
When we tested this laptop we were blown away by its power and performance, and its glorious, glasses-free 3D screen. It's perfect for 3D modelling and rendering because it can handle demanding creative software easily, meaning no lag and speedy rendering times.
Read our 4.5-star review.

PREFERRED PARTNER

Razer Blade 17 Our tests show that this 2022 17-inch laptop gobbles up 3D tasks. We ran Blender alongside browsing tabs and Netflix, and found it was totally silent and no annoying lag. Plus the Blender benchmark came out close to a full desktop computer's capabilities.
Read our 4.5-star review.

Dell Precision 5470 An unassuming machine packed with power, this is truly portable option that rivals a workstation in its power. Our benchmarks tests shows it will handle most 3D tasks without issue – the specs we tested put it close to an MacBook Pro M2 Pro.
Read our 4.5-star review

MSI Creator Z17 HX Studio This is an expensive laptop, but it's no slouch in the performance department – and its 16:10 display supports a stylus so you can create directly on the screen. In our testing, we found we could multitask whilst running creative apps with no issue, although battery life isn't great.
Read our 4-star review

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How we test laptops for 3D modelling

Creative Bloq's team of hardware experts bring with them many years of experience using, testing and benchmarking laptops with a focus on running creative applications. All the laptops in this guide have been tested by either using 3D-modelling software and rendering packages or benchmarked to make sure the CPU and GPU are capable of running 3D-modelling software without problems, as well as using other creative tools you'll use such as Adobe Creative Cloud applications and more. We run different benchmark tests on each laptop depending on its intended use by its maker, but the benchmarks we've run all the laptops in this guide through include the following:

• Cinebench R23/2024 - this assesses the performance of a computer's CPU and GPU using real-world 3D rendering tasks
• Handbrake - we use this free and open-source transcoder for digital video files to render a short 4K animated film, using the same file for all our tests
• Geekbench 5/6 - this tests the CPU's processing power, both by using a single core for a single task at a time as well as all the CPU's core to see its ability to multitask
• 3DMark - this assesses a laptop's ability to run 3D graphic rendering tasks

But perhaps more importantly than benchmarking, we evaluate machines in real-world scenarios, pushing them to the limit with multiple applications running to see how they perform in project-like conditions. Power, speed, flexibility, and what a laptop looks and feels like to use are all criteria in our reviewing process. We do much more than simply unpack a test unit, run some benchmarks and then pack it up again; we have lived and worked with all of the above laptops, running them in real-life scenarios and done projects relevant to this guide, otherwise we wouldn't recommend these models to you.

How to choose laptops for 3D modelling

In short, you're looking for as much power as possible when it comes to the best laptops for 3D modelling. You want the laptop to have a higher RAM and powerful CPU to make sure it can handle more intense 3D modelling applications like Blender and Maya. You also need to consider if you prefer working with Windows or macOS when purchasing. All of the above picks will be able to handle your 3D software of choice.

Windows laptops have also become a lot stronger in this arena lately, thanks to NVIDIA introducing RTX Studio, a platform designed to showcase laptops that meet the right criteria for serious creative work, meaning that they deliver great performance for anyone working with 3D, animation, graphic design, video and photo editing software. For a laptop to meet the RTX Studio performance bar, it needs to have, at the bare minimum, an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, plus GeForce RTX 2060, Quadro RTX 3000 or Titan RTX GPU, with a display resolution of at least 1080P. Look for that RTX Studio badge to ensure a laptop's going to be up 3D work; and of course, another option is to look for gaming laptops, as the demands of running AAA video games can be on a par with those of 3D content creation.

The latest graphics cards to look out for are the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series (especially 4070 and 4090), but a 30-series graphics card could offer a more palatable balance between value and performance if you're working on a narrower budget.

If you prefer to create on Apple hardware, things are a little simpler, as the MacBook Pro line packs plenty of power itself. At the moment, the M3 Max model is our top pick.

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