Tech experts believe that if you genuinely want to break into the video editing and motion graphics industry or simply improve your skills, you’ll need a laptop that can handle the heavy workloads that come with After Effects.
Probably because the effects that come after using any of the top best laptops for after effects are second to none.
But the all-important question for a resourceful mind will be, what is “after-effects”? Objectively and perhaps the most standard definition of after effects will be a powerful program that video editors and motion graphics artists worldwide use.
In addition to being able to edit videos and motion graphics, you’ll need a laptop that can multitask and run other programs like Photoshop or Adobe Premier Pro.
In this carefully written, the kiiky research team will list fifteen of the best laptops for After Effects with detailed reviews for each. So, whether or not you’re a working professional, take advantage of this opportunity by reading till the end.
Table of contents
- Are all Laptops After Effects?
- What are the requirements for getting the best laptop for After Effects?
- Best laptop for after effect
- 1. DELL XPS 15
- 2. ASUS ROD Strix G15
- 3. Lenovo Legion Y700
- 4. Apple MacBook Pro
- 5. Alienware M15
- 6. MSI Prestige 14
- 7. Microsoft surface book 3
- 8. Razer Blade 15
- 9. HP Spectre x360
- 10. MSI GM65
- 11. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15
- 12. GIGABYTE AERO 15 OLED
- 13. MSL Plus GL66 Gaming Laptop
- 14. Acer flagship predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
- 15. HP Victus 16
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
- References
- Recommendations
Are all Laptops After Effects?
It is important to know that not all laptops are compatible with After Effects. This is true because there are laptops that are made of low quality and may not have the right quality of After Effect Laptops.
After Effects laptops are well worth it, especially if you intend to pursue a career in visual effects, animation, or motion graphics.
Even if you’re a YouTuber, having a fast laptop will benefit you by decreasing rendering and time exponentially. Your machine should ideally be able to work as fast as you can think, and the laptops on this list will assist you in doing so.
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What are the requirements for getting the best laptop for After Effects?
The following are the minimum requirements for running After Effects:
CPU
A multicore Intel or AMD processor with 64-bit support should be used. It could also be a processor from Intel or AMD that supports SSE. These processors enable After Effects to use all available cores on your machine, which speeds up the rendering process.
RAM
After Effects suggests at least 16GB of RAM, but 32GB is preferable. This enables you to work with larger files and projects without experiencing performance issues.
It’s also worth noting that After Effects requires 16GB of RAM for optimal performance if you’re running OS X El Capitan or later on a Mac.
Display Card
The graphics card is critical because it determines how well your laptop can run After Effects. To get the most out of After Effects, you should aim for at least a GTX 1050 Ti, but we recommend the RTX 3070.
This powerful GPU enables you to render and export videos much faster than other laptops that do not have one! A good laptop screen size is 15 inches, allowing plenty of screen space when working in Adobe programs like Photoshop and Illustrator.
Storage
As previously stated, rendering takes up a lot of space, so you’ll need a laptop with plenty of storage. We recommend at least 256GB of storage for optimal performance, but for optimal performance, we recommend 500GB or more.
If this is insufficient, you can always supplement your storage with an external hard drive!
Display
When it comes to displays, you have a few options to consider. Because After Effects supports both standard and wide-gamut color spaces, ensure that your laptop has an IPS or OLED display for accurate color representation.
For full detail when editing your videos, you’ll also want a high resolution such as 1920×1080 or 3840×2400.
Best laptop for after effect
Here’s our list of the best laptops for After Effects. We’ve compiled them based on their price range, performance, and portability, so there should be something here for everyone!
1. DELL XPS 15
Specifications
- Screen:15.6″ 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
- CPU: 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1650
- Ports: 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 3, 1 USB-C 3.1
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
The Dell XPS 15 is one of the best laptops for After Effects due to its powerful Intel i7-series processor, Nvidia graphics chip, 16GB of RAM (upgradable to 32), large hard drive capacity, and SSD storage.
This laptop’s screen size is also ideal: neither too large nor too small!
The Dell XPS 15 has a powerful Intel i7-9750H processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5 graphics chip, making it ideal for running After Effects.
This becomes even clearer when considering that the GTX 1650 is faster than the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti found in most other laptops.
The Dell XPS 15 has a 15.6-inch screen with three resolution options: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD), 38402400 (Ultra High Definition), and 2880×1620 pixels per inch (Retina).
The display is an IPS panel with 178-degree viewing angles in vertical and horizontal planes. Because of its 100% Adobe RGB coverage and high 400 nit brightness level, you will also get fantastic color accuracy!
The chassis of the XPS 15 is made of aluminum and magnesium alloys, which gives it a solid feel and makes it resistant to scratches and dents.
2. ASUS ROD Strix G15
Specifications
- Screen: 15.6” 144Hz FHD 1920×1080
- CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 2060
- Ports: USB 3.2 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4, Three Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, HDMI 2.0b
- Weight: 5.28 pounds
The ASUS ROG Strix G15 is another great laptop for After Effects with outstanding performance and features.
It has a 15.60-inch screen, an Intel Core processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage.
An NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 with a base clock speed of 100MHz and a boost clock speed of 1560MHz handles graphics.
The ASUS ROG Strix G15’s display is an IPS panel with wide viewing angles of up to 178 degrees in both vertical and horizontal planes.
Because of its 100% Adobe RGB coverage and high 400 nits brightness level, you will also get fantastic color accuracy!
The chassis of the G15 is made of aluminum and magnesium alloys, which gives it a solid feel and makes it resistant to scratches and dents.
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3. Lenovo Legion Y700
Specifications
- Screen:15.6″ FHD (1920×1080)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8750H Processor
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1 TB HDD + 128GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060
- Ports: 3 x USB Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.0 1 x Mini DisplayPort
- Weight: 5.17 lbs
The Lenovo Legion Y700 is an excellent After Effects laptop that provides outstanding performance and features at an affordable price!
The laptop includes an Intel Core processor, 16GB RAM, 128GB SSD storage capacity, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics card, making it capable of handling any task in Adobe’s software suite!
It also includes a backlit keyboard and a large trackpad for gesture control.
The Legion Y700 features a 15.6-inch display with full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) and IPS technology for wide viewing angles.
It also has an anti-glare coating, so you won’t experience eye strain while working long hours.
This makes it ideal if you’re interested in learning video editing or motion graphics. Many things require precise timing in those areas, such as transitions between clips or animating text layers over time – all with different colors throughout each frame change as they occur.
The Lenovo Legion Y700 has a backlit keyboard and a large trackpad for gesture control.
You can also change the lighting effects on your keyboard by using the “Lenovo Vantage” software.
The touchpad on the laptop supports gestures like scrolling up/down with two fingers or zooming in/out by pinching three fingers together!
It’s worth noting that this model lacks dedicated left-right click buttons beneath its surface area; instead, there are just small indentations where they should be (one above another).
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4. Apple MacBook Pro
Specifications
- Screen: 16.2 XDR display (3456×2234)
- CPU: Apple M1 Pro
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Graphics: Apple 16-core GPU
- Ports: Three Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.1 Gen 2; HDMI port
- Weight: 4.7 pounds
The Apple MacBook Pro is an excellent After Effects laptop with outstanding performance and features!
The laptop includes an Apple M1 CPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage capacity, and Apple 16-core GPU graphics, making it capable of handling any task in Adobe’s software suite!
It also has a backlit keyboard and a large trackpad.
The Apple MacBook Pro has a 16.2-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina XDR display and weighs around four pounds, making it an excellent choice for those who do not require portability documents,
This makes it easier to move around when doing tasks like editing documents because it allows for more accurate movement than if there were no indentations.
Then there’s the build quality, which is excellent, as one would expect from an Apple product. The laptop is sturdy and has a great design that will draw attention when used in public.
5. Alienware M15
Specifications
- Screen:15. 6″ (1920 x 1080)
- CPU: Core i7 i7-8750H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 2070
- Ports: 4 USB ports, 3 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 x Thunderbolt 3, HDMI Port,RJ45 (LAN) ports
- Weight: 4.76 lbs
The Alienware M15 is an excellent After Effects laptop with outstanding performance and features! The laptop has an Intel Core CPU, making it capable of handling any task in Adobe’s software suite.
There are also four USB ports (three USB-A and one Thunderbolt-C), an HDMI port, a lock slot, and RJ45 LAN ports.
Because the Alienware M15 has an IPS display, it can handle all your editing needs.
For ventilation, the laptop is made of aluminum with plastic accents around the keyboard, trackpad area, and backside. It is also available in two colors: black and white, both of which look fantastic!
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6. MSI Prestige 14
Specifications
- Screen:14″ UHD 4K
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10510U
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650
- Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports quantity
- Weight: 6.84 pounds
The MSI Prestige 14 is a great After Effects laptop with impressive specs.
We recommend this laptop for After Effects users because of its CPU, which is ideal for those who want to do more intensive editing.
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card is also a strong performer, capable of handling most projects with ease.
The MSI Prestige 14 has fewer ports than other laptops, so if you need more, look elsewhere.
Furthermore, the battery life could be improved, but overall, it’s a competent machine that After Effects users will enjoy!
The screen size on this laptop is 14″ inches, which may not be large enough for some people who prefer larger displays on their computers. Still, it will suffice if you use your laptop primarily at home or in an office setting where space isn’t an issue (or even when traveling).
The resolution compensates for any shortcomings in quality caused by its smaller-than-average size with an excellent 3840 x 1680 resolution that allows you to see details no matter what you’re doing on your computer, whether it’s watching movies and TV shows, editing photos/videos, or playing games.
The MSI Prestige 14 has a limited number of ports, so if you need more, consider Dell or HP laptops.
7. Microsoft surface book 3
Specifications
- Screen;15.6 4K (3,240 x 2,160)
- CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-1065G7
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti
- Ports: 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x Surface Connect ports
- Weight: 3.35 pounds
The Microsoft Surface Book 3 is an excellent laptop for After Effects users, with powerful specs and a stunning display that makes video editing more effortless than ever!
The downside of the Microsoft Surface Book 3 is that it doesn’t come with many ports – so if you need more, look at other options like Dell laptops or HP laptops instead!
The screen size on this laptop is 15.6″ inches, which may not be large enough for some people who prefer larger displays on their computers. Still, it will suffice if you use your laptop primarily at home or in an office setting where space isn’t an issue (i.e., if you’re looking for something portable).
The display has a resolution of 3840×2160, meaning it can handle almost any type of video editing project without pixelation or other issues due to the high definition nature of your videos being played back on such a large screen size – ideal for those who do a lot!
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8. Razer Blade 15
Specifications
- Screen:15.6″ Full HD
- CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti
- Ports: 3 x USB 3.2 Gen2, HDMI-out, 2 x Thunderbolt 3
- Weight: 4.50 lbs
The Razer Blade 15 is an excellent laptop for After Effects users, with powerful specs and a stunning display that will make video editing more effortless than ever!
The disadvantage of this device is that it does not have a lot of ports – so if you need more, look at other options like Dell laptops or HP laptops instead!
This laptop has a 120hz display that will provide you with smooth gameplay or editing capabilities regardless of the program you are using at the time.
Perfect for those who want their computer experience to feel more like they’re sitting in front of each other.
This device has an average battery life of about seven hours per charge – but if you edit videos all day, you should consider upgrading your laptop when it becomes necessary!
The laptop is also not very heavy, making it easier to carry around without worrying about breaking your back after taking it for long periods or traveling somewhere with limited baggage space!
9. HP Spectre x360
Specifications
- Scrren;15.6″ 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
- CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Graphics: GTX 1650
- Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 4 with USB4 Type-C, HDMI 2.0b
- Weight: 4.81 lbs
The HP Spectre x360 is an excellent After Effects laptop. It has a 12 MB Intel Core processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
This computer’s graphics card is also impressive in terms of its ability to handle tasks like video editing without lags or freezing!
This device comes preloaded with the Windows Home Edition operating system, making it easier to get all the features you need while staying within your budget.
Because of their small size won’t take up much space, leaving plenty of room for other items such as books, etc.
This machine’s display is also quite good. It has an antiglare coating that reduces glare when playing games or watching videos online, allowing you to see everything clearly without straining your eyes from staring directly into those bright screens all day.
If someone worked during their downtimes, such as after work or school.
The HP Spectre x360’s build quality is also excellent, as it does not feel like it will easily break or crack when being transported around in a hurry or accidentally dropped on the floor, so you don’t have to worry about that at all!
10. MSI GM65
Specifications
- Screen: 15.6” 144Hz display
- CPU: 10th Gen. Intel Core i7-10750H
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3060
- Ports: 1x RJ45, 1x HDMI, 2x Type-C USB3.2 Gen1, 2x Type-A USB3.2 Gen1
- Weight: 4.10 lbs
The MSI GF65 is an excellent laptop for After Effects. It has an incredible display with a 144Hz refresh rate, making working on your project smoother and faster than ever!
The MSI GF65 also includes powerful hardware, allowing you to get the most out of this machine.
Its processor ensures that everything is completed quickly while also providing plenty of storage space thanks to its onboard 512GB SSD – all without sacrificing performance by incorporating weaker components.
The display on the MSI GF65 is incredible. It has a 15.6″ 144Hz panel with thin bezels that is ideal for editing and working on projects.
The build quality is also excellent; it feels sturdy and well-made, making it ideal for carrying with you wherever you go!
The laptops’ ports are all on one side, which can be inconvenient if you use multiple devices simultaneously.
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11. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i9-11900H
- Number of Cores: 8 cores, 16 threads
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- RAM: 32 GB DDR41
- Memory Speed: 4.9 GHz
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6 inches OLED 4K UHD touch screen display
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
This laptop features an 11th-generation Intel i9 1900H processor, 32 gigs of RAM, and 1 TB SSD storage.
This beast’s GPU is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, and the screen to which it sends images is a 15.6-inch OLED 4K UHD touch screen display setup. This display is cinema-quality, with vibrant colors.
You get a second mini-screen at the bottom for complete control and customization! The laptop also comes with a variety of ports for increased connectivity.
Well-built and powerful laptop, created with the next generation of creators in mind. A stunning display with vibrant and accurate colors. An additional screen increases versatility and usability. It can handle almost any software you throw at it.
12. GIGABYTE AERO 15 OLED
Specifications
- Processor: 11th Generation Intel Core i7
- Number of Cores: 8
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: 16 GB DDR4 - Memory Speed: 4.6 GHz
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Display: 15.6 inch 3840 x 2160 AMOLED
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
The Gigabyte AERO 15 OLED is powered by an 11th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16 gigs of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD, with a mighty NVIDIA GeForce RTX3060 with 6 GB of VRAM that can truly blow your mind with its power.
If color accuracy is important to you, this laptop has Pantone-validated color accuracy. This device features 9 I/O ports, including a Thunderbolt 4 port and a UHS-III SD Card Reader. Windforce Infinity Next-gen cooling for laptops is used to keep this beast cool.
Its quality has more than enough computational power to run After Effects smoothly.
- AMOLED display with exceptional clarity
- Robust construction and a premium appearance and feel.
- It comes with a helpful fingerprint sensor.
13. MSL Plus GL66 Gaming Laptop
Specifications
- Processor: 11th Generation Intel Core i7
- Number of Cores: 8
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
RAM: 16 GB DDR4 - Memory Speed: 3.2 GHz
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Display: 15.6 inch 1920 x 1080 FHD
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
This powerful machine features a 15.6″ FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 to process and display mind-blowing images.
The MSI Pulse GL66 features an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with 8 cores, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of SSD storage. To keep its machinery cool, this laptop employs the Cooler Boost 5, which consists of two fans and six redesigned heat pipes with thinner walls than usual.
A Mystic Light RGB backlit keyboard is also included for gaming at night. The audio in this laptop is handled by Nahimic 3, giving you more control over the sound you hear. It consists of the capable RTX 3070.
It has high build quality. The RGB Backlit keyboard can be personalized and capable of carrying heavy loads. The speakers are good and loud.
14. Acer flagship predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
Specifications
- Processor: 11th Generation Intel Core i7-11800H
- Number of Cores: 8 cores, 16 threads
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: 32 GB DDR4 - Memory Speed: 3.2 GHz
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6 inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Operating System: Windows 10
The Predator Helios 300 is powered by an Intel i7 11th-generation processor with 8 cores and 16 threads.
This laptop has a massive RAM setup, with 32 GB of DDR4 RAM. It equally has 1 terabyte SSD drive for storage. Again, the Predator Helios has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card with 6 GB of GDDR6 video memory. However, there is a backlit RGB keyboard with four distinct zones.
Predator Helios 300 employs 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D Fans for better cooling than previous generations. The display on this laptop is a 15.6″ Full HD Widescreen IPS with a refresh rate of 144 Hz.
The advantage of the laptop is that it has a powerful processor with eight cores and 16 threads, quality at the flagship level, a backlit RGB 4 Zone Keyboard, and 32 GB RAM. At a price, this is an incredible value. Fan noise is minimal.
15. HP Victus 16
Specifications
- Processor: 11th Generation Intel Core i7-11800H
- Number of Cores: 8 cores, 16 threads
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: 16 GB DDR4 - Memory Speed: 4.6 GHz
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 16.1 inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home Advanced
This laptop has a 16.1-inch FHD screen with a refresh rate of 144Hz, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system for a delightful audio-visual experience.
The HP Victus 16 features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 with 6GB of video memory and an 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor. This laptop has 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD for storage.
WiFi 6 connectivity is provided, and the laptop runs Windows 10 Home Advance as its operating system. HP claims a 10-hour battery life and includes a 720p webcam for chatting with friends. Some of the features of this laptop are:
- Intel Core i7-11800H 11th Generation Processor
- Core count: 8 cores, 16 threads.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU
- DDR4 RAM: 16 GB
- 4.6 GHz memory speed
- 1TB SSD storage
- 16.1-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD display
- Windows 10 Home Advanced is the operating system.
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FAQs
After Effects is a piece of software used to create motion graphics and visual effects, it was built in 1993 by the company Macromedia and was later acquired by Adobe in 2005.
It is used to create dynamic videos and animations by video editors and motion graphics artists worldwide.
It is important to know that not all laptops are compatible with After Effects. This is true because there are laptops that are made of low quality and may not have the right quality of After Effect Laptops.
After Effects laptops are well worth it, especially if you intend to pursue a career in visual effects, animation, or motion graphics.
Even if you’re a YouTuber, having a fast laptop will benefit you by decreasing rendering and time exponentially. Your machine should ideally be able to work as fast as you can think, and the laptops on this list will assist you in doing so.
The major requirements to be considered while going for a laptop are outlined in this order;
CPU
RAM
Storage
Display card
Final Thoughts
This concludes our review of the best laptops for After Effects. We hope you found it helpful and aided you in making your decision.
The Dell XPS 15 is our top recommendation if you’re still undecided. It is a powerful machine with excellent features and performance that will meet all your requirements. Furthermore, it is reasonably priced.
We hope this guide has given you all the information you need to make an informed decision! Have fun shopping!
References
- https://leaguefeed.net/best-laptops-for-adobe-after-effects/
- https://www.saltmoney.org/best-laptops-for-after-effects/
- https://techchatter.net/best-laptop-for-after-effects/
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