The best laptops for 3D modelling: powerful machines for high-end processing

If you're struggling to find the best laptops for 3D modelling and rendering, you're in luck; we've done the hard work for you. Requiring enough gumption to tackle high-end 3D software, you're going to need plenty of fast memory, both the CPU and GPU to be powerful, and lots of storage to save your projects.

Using our years of laptop testing experience, our team of experts has specifically looked at the needs of 3D modellers, testing out a wide range of laptops with the latest creative software to consider how well each device can handle the heat. As well as specs and benchmarks, we also consider how easy the laptop is to use, to travel with and to multitask upon, running demanding creative software on them, and testing the limits of the multitasking load to get the full picture of how well they work in everyday conditions.

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 MSI Creator Z17 is designed for professional creatives, offering high-end components in a large 17-inch form factor. It features a touchscreen compatible with the MSI Pen, making it suitable for both 3D modelling and digital illustration. And if you're interested in gaming, it's great for that too.

Design: The Creator Z17 boasts a premium build with a milled aluminum chassis. It's large and heavy at 2.49kg, but packs a lot of power. The 17-inch touchscreen is a standout feature, offering 2560x1600 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. The keyboard features per-key RGB lighting, which can be customised or turned off entirely.

Performance: In our benchmarks, the Creator Z17 showed impressive capabilities. It scored 9,586 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 1,834 in single-core tests. Geekbench 6 results were equally strong, with 11,312 for multi-core and 2,460 for single-core. The combination of the Intel i9 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3080Ti GPU allows it to handle demanding 3D modelling tasks, video editing and even gaming with ease.

Battery: The major drawback of the Creator Z17 is its battery life. Despite having a 90WHr battery, it only managed about 3.5 hours in our general office workload test. Expect even shorter times when engaged in intensive 3D work.

Price: Starting at around $3,049/£2,699, the MSI Creator Z17 is a significant investment. However, for professionals who need this level of performance and appreciate the large touchscreen, it could be worth the cost.

For more details, read our MSI Creator Z17 review.

Best premium laptop for 3D modelling

Need to know: The HP Omen Transcend 14 is another gaming laptop that effectively caters to both gamers and creative professionals, including those working in 3D. And while it's pretty expensive, you will get your money's worth because its Intel Core Ultra i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics, along with 32GB of LPDDRX5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, deliver hugely impressive performance.

Design: This laptop breaks away from traditional gaming aesthetics with its understated black aluminum chassis. The 14-inch OLED screen offers a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is particularly beneficial for content creation. At 1.63kg, it's relatively lightweight for its class, making it suitable for mobile work. The keyboard, while compact, provides a responsive typing experience.

Performance: Equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H and NVIDIA RTX 4070, the HP Omen Transcend 14 delivers exceptional performance. Our benchmarks showed it outperforming many competitors in various tasks, including 3D rendering and gaming. The AI-boosted efficiency from the NPU helps optimise performance across different workloads.

Battery: Impressively, this laptop offers over 8 hours of battery life, which is exceptional for a high-performance gaming laptop. This makes it suitable for mobile work sessions without constant access to power.

Price: Starting at $1,599.99 (US) / £1,449 (UK) for the base configuration, with our tested configuration priced at $1,979.99 / £1,799, the HP Omen Transcend 14 is a significant investment. However, its combination of performance, display quality and portability justifies the price.

For more details, see our HP Omen Transcend 14 review.

Best dual-screen laptop for 3D modelling

Need to know: The ASUS Zenbook Duo OLED features two 14-inch 2880x1800 120Hz OLED touchscreens, with the second screen revealed when you lift the keyboard. It's powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and comes with up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage.

Design: This laptop's standout feature is its innovative dual-screen design. When opened, it reveals two 14-inch OLED touchscreens that can be configured in various ways. The detachable keyboard allows for flexible setups, either stacked or side-by-side. The ASUS Pen 2.0 stylus, included in the box, enhances the touchscreen experience with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. Despite its unique design, the laptop maintains a surprisingly slim profile.

Performance: Equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and Intel Arc Graphics, this laptop offers solid performance for most tasks. While it may not match dedicated GPUs in 3D rendering, the inclusion of an AI-boosted NPU enhances the capabilities of the Intel Arc setup. Our benchmarks showed performance levels between the Apple M1 and M1 Max, comparable to past-generation desktop i9 chips. The dual-screen setup is particularly beneficial, allowing users to run 3D modelling software on one screen while keeping tools and palettes on the other.

Battery: Battery life is impressive when using a single screen, lasting over 12 hours in our tests. However, activating both screens significantly reduces battery life, making it more suitable for use near a power source.

Price: Starting at £1,699 and going up to around £2,000 for the top model, the ASUS Zenbook Duo OLED is priced in the premium range. While expensive, its unique dual-screen capability and versatile design may justify the cost for professionals who value screen real estate and flexibility in their portable workstation.

Read our Asus Zenbook Duo OLED 2024 review where we tried very hard to find fault with this innovative laptop, and struggled to find any.

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 17Our 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 5470An 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 StudioThis 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.

FAQ