When it comes to purchasing a laptop for use with Adobe After Effects, there are certain key factors to keep in mind, which we highlight in this buying Guide of laptops for After Effects and other VFX designing software.
Particularly, Adobe After Effects is a powerful application that requires a more capable laptop. But it’s not just about the technical specifications – you’ll also want to consider the display, battery life, weight and portability, and of course, price.
Finding the perfect laptop for After Effects can be a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and guidance, you can make an informed decision that will take your VFX profession to the next level.
Best Laptops for After Effects VFX
When buying a laptop for use with Adobe After Effects, it’s important to keep the following in mind:
Kind of Processor:
After Effects is a demanding application that requires a powerful processor. Look for a laptop with a high-end Intel or AMD processor, such as a Core i7 or Ryzen 7 with 8 to 16 Threads, more is always better. This will ensure that your laptop can handle the complex calculations and renderings required for advanced VFX work.
Dedicated Graphics Card:
A dedicated graphics card is essential for smooth playback and rendering in After Effects. Look for gaming-grade laptops with high-end Nvidia or AMD graphics cards, which include more than 4GB of VRAM to provide the necessary power to handle the visual effects and motion graphics.
How Much Memory?
You should know that After Effects requires a lot of RAM to process multiple workloads and process at the same time. So, aim for at least 16 GB of RAM, but 32 GB is ideal. This will ensure that your VFX laptop can handle large and complex projects without slowing down.
Great Storage:
You don’t have to be trapped with limited storage to be unable to store massive After Effects projects. So, even if the laptop has enough capacity for 1000GBs, invest in both internal and external storage. We admit that VFX projects can quickly consume storage space, thus a Terabyte is a bare minimum. You should hunt for a laptop with a solid-state drive (SSD) for quick booting and large storage of more than 2 Terabytes in your budget. This ensures that your projects load quickly and that you have immediate access to your content.
Quality Display:
VFX artists do not want to compromise on display quality; it is simply too much damaged to be unable to render perfect colors and details, so don’t skimp on the selection of a great quality laptop with a crisp and vivid screen that is loaded with 100 SRGB and high-resolutions for perfect pixels to efficiently handle precise editing. A 4K laptop is desirable, but a 1440p panel with a fast refresh rate is also an option. Both options will give you a crisp and detailed image, which is important when dealing with visual effects.
Battery Life:
Because After Effects is a powerful task it consumes the laptop’s battery, so buyers should seek one with long battery life. Having a long battery life will allow you to work on your tasks without continually plugging in your laptop. A 99 Watt-hour capacity is probably the highest goal, but a battery cap of more than 66 Whr is sufficient for a gaming laptop to handle VFX work on the move. Certainly, more battery capacity and faster technology raise the cost, so keeping everything in the middle is the best approach.
Weight and Portability:
Surely, as a VFX artist, you almost certainly intend to take your laptop on the road, which is why it’s important to consider a lightweight laptop. We do recommend lightweight laptops for Pentesting and Kali Linux, but our list of best laptops for VFX is ideal for low weight ratio to keep up with portability. A lightweight laptop for After Effects with a slim profile will be simpler to take for field business or a vacation, where your workstation desktop would not fit, thus it is a significant bonus, especially for people who travel regularly for work.
Price to Pay for Powerful Laptop:
When considering purchasing a powerful laptop, it is important to weigh the cost against your needs. Powerful laptops for VFX can range from $800 to $3,000, so it’s important to determine the appropriate level of power for your business. However, keep in mind that a more powerful machine may require more energy and could be more expensive on electricity. Additionally, if you plan on using software such as After Effects, it is important to make sure the laptop has the necessary hardware power to handle these demands.
