Laptop for After Effects [Adobe Verified]

Are you an aspiring VFX artist looking for the best laptop for Adobe After Effects that will power up your VFX magic and take your video editing skills to the next level? We’ve curated a selection of top-notch laptops.

Each laptop has been meticulously tested and verified in our renowned studio. Not only that, but it has also received rave reviews from top VFX artists in the USA, including Allan McKay. All laptop boasts an array of impressive features that make it the ultimate choice for those working with After Effects.

We’ll discuss the features you should look out for in a laptop that will be used mainly for After Effects. We’ll cover specs like processor speeds, storage capacity, and RAM size,

As well as the best laptops available right now with minimum and recommended system requirements, and the pros and cons of each option.

Unlock the Power of Adobe After Effects with these Minimum Laptop Specs.

Before we jump into the list of laptops, let’s first talk about the absolute must-have minimum requirements to ensure a smooth experience with After Effects.

When it comes to running After Effects like a well-oiled machine, your laptop needs to meet some basic criteria. So, whether you’re a Windows warrior or a macOS maverick, make sure your laptop ticks below the Requirements.

• Operating System: For Windows users, it’s got to be Windows 10 (64-bit) or later. Mac aficionados, you’ll need macOS v10.13 or newer.

• 2. Processor: Time to put those processors to work! You’ll want a multicore Intel processor that’s got 64-bit support. AMD folks, sorry, it’s got to be Intel for this party. A powerful processor ensures you can handle all the heavy lifting when dealing with those intricate visual effects.

• 3. RAM: To keep After Effects Smooth, you’ll need a minimum of 16 GB, but I’ll let you in on a little secret – go for 32 GB if you can swing it. More RAM means smoother previews and faster rendering.

• 4. GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, or GPU, is like the creative powerhouse of your laptop. For After Effects to perform its magic, you’ll need at least 2GB of GPU VRAM. This helps with all those fancy visual effects and keeps your editing experience fluid.

Phew! Now that we’ve covered the essentials, let’s level up and explore the laptops that will truly elevate yours After Effects game!

Laptops That Excel with Adobe After Effects

To all my fellow content creators who aim high and dream big, these laptops are the ones to consider if you want an editing experience that’s as smooth as butter.

• 1. Operating System: Windows 10 or macOS v10.13 or later.
• 2. Power-Packed Processors: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 – Take Your Pick!
• 3. RAM: 32 GB or higher
• 4. GPU: 4GB of GPU VRAM or higher

Laptop Requirement	Windows 10	macOS
Processor	Intel Core i5 or AMD multi-core processor	Intel Core i5 or Apple M1 chip
Definition	After Effects necessitates a powerful processor with high clock speed and multiple cores. It is recommended to opt for an Intel Core i5 or AMD multi-core processor. For macOS users are advised to choose the Apple M1 chip.
RAM	16 GB minimum (32 GB recommended)	16 GB minimum (32 GB recommended)
Definition	Sufficient RAM is essential for getting the best performance. You need at least 16 GB of RAM, but it’s even better to have 32 GB according to Adobe’s recommendation.
GPU	2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB or more recommended)	2GB of GPU VRAM
Definition	To speed up processing and provide instant previews, After Effects makes use of GPU acceleration. You’ll need at least 2GB of GPU VRAM to run After Effects.
Hard Disk Space	5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation	6GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation
Definition	When installing After Effects on Windows, make sure you have at least 5GB of hard disk space available. For macOS, you’ll need a minimum of 6GB. Remember to have some extra free space during the installation process.
Monitor Resolution	1920×1080 or greater display resolution	1440×900 or greater display resolution
Definition	To run After Effects on Windows, you’ll need a monitor resolution of at least 1920×1080 or higher. For macOS, the minimum requirement is 1440×900 or higher. However, if you have a higher-resolution monitor, you’ll enjoy an even better user experience.

Best Laptop for Adobe After Effects [Carefully Selected by Industry Experts]

Now that we’ve discussed the necessary specifications for a laptop to run Adobe After Effects smoothly, let’s explore some top-notch laptops that are highly compatible with Adobe Creative Suite.

1: Dell XPS 15 (2021)

The Dell XPS 15 is a great option for video editors who need a powerful laptop. It comes with an Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card. The 15.6-inch 4K UHD+ OLED display is perfect for color-critical work, and the laptop also has a long battery life of up to 8 hours.

Pros:

• Powerful processor and graphics card
• Excellent display
• Long battery life

Cons:

• Expensive
• Heavy

2: Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

The Apple MacBook Pro is a top choice for video editors and for good reason. It comes with an Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M graphics card. The laptop has a stunning 16-inch Retina display with True Tone technology and a long battery life of up to 11 hours.

Pros:

• Powerful processor and graphics card
• Stunning display
• Long battery life

Cons:

• Expensive
• Limited ports

3: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 is a gaming laptop that also works well for video editing. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card. The laptop has a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 240Hz refresh rate and a battery life of up to 8 hours.

Pros:

• Powerful processor and graphics card
• Fast display
• Thin and light

Cons:

• Limited storage space
• Loud fans

4: MSI Creator 15

The MSI Creator 15 is a great choice for video editors who want a powerful laptop with a great display. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card. The laptop has a 15.6-inch 4K UHD display with a 100% Adobe RGB color gamut and a battery life of up to 8 hours.

Pros:

• Powerful processor and graphics card
• Excellent display
• Long battery life

Cons:

• Powerful processor and graphics card
• Excellent display
• Long battery life

5: HP Spectre x360

Video editing is easily done on the HP Spectre x360. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce MX330 graphics card. The laptop has a 15.6-inch 4K UHD display with touch support and a battery life of up to 12 hours.

Pros:

• Versatile design
• Good battery life
• Solid performance

Cons:

• Limited graphics power compared to other options on this list

6: Razer Blade 15

The Razer Blade 15 is a powerful gaming laptop that can also handle video editing. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. The laptop has a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a battery life of up to 6 hours.

Pros:

• Powerful graphics card
• Good display
• Sleek design

Cons:

• Expensive
• Short battery life

7: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme is a high-performance laptop that is suitable for video editing. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. The laptop has a 15.6-inch Full HD display with touch support and a battery life of up to 14 hours.

Pros:

• Long battery life
• Good display
• Durable design

Cons:

• Limited graphics power compared to other options on this list

When it comes to video editing with Adobe After Effects, it’s essential to have a laptop that can handle the software’s demands. The laptops mentioned in this article all meet or exceed the recommended system requirements for After Effects, making them great options for video editors. In terms of performance, the Dell XPS 15 and the Apple MacBook

8: Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel

The Acer Acer Nitro 5 is a unique laptop that is designed specifically for creative professionals. It comes with a 4.7 GHz core i7 12650H processor, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card. The laptop has a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with touch support and a battery life of up to 10 hours.

Pros:

• Unique design with a versatile hinge
• Good color accuracy
• Solid performance

Cons:

• Expensive
• Heavy and bulky

9: Microsoft Surface Book 3

The Microsoft Surface Book 3 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that is suitable for video editing. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. The laptop has a 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense display with touch support and a battery life of up to 17.5 hours.

Pros:

• Versatile 2-in-1 design
• Long battery life
• Good performance

Cons:

• Limited graphics power compared to other options on this list

10: ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo

The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo is an exceptional laptop that showcases a supplementary screen positioned above the keyboard. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card. The laptop has a 15.6-inch 4K UHD OLED display and a 14-inch Full HD secondary display with touch support. The laptop also has a battery life of up to 7.5 hours.

Pros:

• Unique dual-screen design
• Good performance
• Solid build quality

Cons:

• Limited battery life compared to other options on this list

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)