The 6 Best Budget Laptop For Animation in March 2023

Animation is a job that requires a laptop with high-end hardware and software support. Only then will you be able to perform operations easily, quickly as well as work efficiently.

Choosing the best budget laptop for animation is not difficult. You just need to know performance, graphics cards, and flexible design.

However, there are so many different models on the market today that many people wonder which is the best choice.

In this article, Toro Bravo Inc will help you. With the 5 best recommendations, you are sure to find an animation companion.

#1. Razer Blade Gaming Laptop - Best for Overall

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Important Specifications

• Brand: Razer

• Ram: 16GB

• Memory: SSD 512GB

• Screen: 15.6 inches

Product's highlights

With powerful hardware, Razer Blade 15 is one of the names not to be missed if you are looking for a budget laptop for animation.

In 2018, after Razer models caught up with the thin screen border design trend, Razer focused on upgrading hardware to improve perfection.

Graphics capabilities are perhaps the most outstanding feature of the Razer Blade 15. It owns a modern Nvidia GeForce Rtx 2070 platform, which is what an animator needs.

It can meet all requirements for the quality of images and animations. From there, serve your study and work needs well.

The manufacturer has equipped a potent processor for this upgraded version of 2020. With the 10th generation Intel Core i7, the Razer Blade 15 makes it easy to stay productive in your work.

It also comes with 6 advanced cores and colossal memory to keep the machine running smoothly, even when using heavy software.

Yet, Razer has done well by supporting modern cooling systems and providing large capacity so that users can optionally back up animation files.

Besides, rendering and completing many tasks from single to multitasking is not tricky. Razer also brings a 15.6-inch 4k OLED touch screen.

With resolutions up to 3840 x 2160, the Razer Blade 15 presents a dynamic visual sequence. This version gets light source powers for each pixel, so you'll get the most realistic contrast possible.

What We Like

• Owning a potent Core i7 processor

• The screen has a good resolution

• Great graphics quality

• Modern cooling system

• Battery lasts up to 8 hours

Things to Consider

• Easy to heat the machine

#2. Lenovo IdeaPad Laptop - Best for Performance

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Important Specifications

• Brand: Lenovo

• Ram: 12GB

• 512GB SSD Memory

• Screen: 15.6 inches

Product's highlights

If you're a student or an animator, consider this sub-$1000 laptop. It has a highly stable performance that makes it easy to handle basic tasks during learning.

Lenovo Ideapad 5 has a powerful processor core i7 1165G7. With 4 cores and 8 threads along with 2.8 GHz clock combined with up to 4.7 GHz response speed, let you perform smooth operations.

The combination of performance and fast, accurate response makes the Lenovo laptop suitable for most office and study applications.

To provide a smooth multitasking experience, the company equips the Lenovo Ideapad 5 with 12GB Ram. It is a suitable parameter for you to run many photo and video editing applications.

Besides, you can comfortably run multiple applications and browser tabs simultaneously without fear of freezing or lagging.

Yet, Lenovo Ideapad 5 has also made significant improvements with 51GB SSD internal memory. It's flash-based and has no moving parts, so you'll notice significantly shortened startup times for applications.

Besides, the machine does not make noise and produces negligible heat. So you can use the device to work longer without the heat affecting the battery's energy consumption.

What We Like

• High-resolution touch screen

• Powerful processor

• GPU conversion

• Large capacity

• Vivid images

Things to Consider

• The screen is a bit small

#3. Acer Nitro Laptop - Best for Budget

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Important Specifications

• Brand: Acer

• Ram: 16GB

• Internal Storage SSD 526GB

• Screen: 17.3 inches

Product's highlights

Always in the top choice of animation students is Acer Nitro 5. At an attractive price, the Acer laptop is a mid-range model with many bright advantages in terms of appearance and performance. 

Possessing a 17.3-inch FHD IPS screen, Acer Nitro 5 gives you a clear visual experience. Moreover, the viewing angle is extensive, plus the scanning frequency is up to 144HZ. It is what animation students need in a cheap laptop.

It provides smooth animation while helping you to have an excellent visual perception while working. In other words, your software is always ready to go.

You certainly won't be disappointed in terms of memory because the Acer Nitro 5 comes with 16GB Ram and 256GB SSD internal memory. It is the ideal storage space that allows you to store different types of files.

In addition, you can also increase the capacity by upgrading the memory.

Overall, the Acer Nitro 5 gives you all you need for animation for the mid-range price point. Thanks to multitasking and running the software smoothly, you can easily perform various animation operations and even play games.

What We Like

• Mid-range price

• Refresh rate 14 Hz

• Memory upgradable

• Quick visual feedback

• Big screen

Things to Consider

• Not too specialized for animation 

#4. OEM ThinkPad X1 Laptop - Best for Image Processing Speed

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Important Specifications

• Brand: Lenovo

• 32GB ram

• 1TB Internal Memory

• Screen: 15.6 inches

Product's highlights

If you have ever experimented with animating on the Thinkpad X1, I am sure you will be satisfied. It has incredible processing speed. Coupled with an innovative and durable design, you'll find everything well worth the price tag.

Performance is an outstanding advantage of the Thinkpad X1. With the potent Intel Hexa Core i7-10750H processor, the laptop can keep up with your constant tasks even if you've been using it for a long time. Besides, Lenovo has applied Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 to increase performance.

Regarding the screen, we are also very impressed with the Thinkpad X1. The 16.6-inch FHD IPS screen with 1920x1080 resolution will give you sharp and vivid images; it is a laptop for people with specialized jobs that require color accuracy.

Moreover, OEM Lenovo Thinkpad X1 is the choice for those who want to find a dedicated GPU. It significantly extends the battery life. So you can use it for many hours continuously.

What We Like

• The display provides accurate color images

• Strong overall performance

• Fast processing speed

• Upgrade to GPU

Things to Consider

• Blur Webcam

#5. ASUS Zephyrus S Laptop - Best for Widescreens

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Important Specifications

• Brand: ASUS

• Ram: 16GB

• Screen: 15.6 inches

• 512GB SSD Memory

Product's highlights

ASUS Zephyrus S is an excellent laptop for animators. With 8th generation processors, Asus delivers outstanding performance to help you handle any animation task.

Zephyrus S costs over $2000, much higher than the recommendations in our list. Yet, you will get a lot of good things for your animation work.

Zephyrus S has a 17-inch screen and a 144Hz refresh rate, which are the perfect metrics for a smooth operation experience. In addition, G-Sync technology works to prevent frame garbage. And yet, to improve the user experience, ASUS also supports monitors with a response time of 3 ms. Thus, even if you use the device with high intensity, there will be no lag.

The ASUS Rog Zephyrus S monitor has undergone a complex and thorough tonal adjustment process.

So, it can show excellent color quality. The ASUS Rog Zephyrus S has been considered one of the perfect choices for those requiring high color accuracy.

Not only that, but ASUS Rog Zephyrus S is also the device with the most current configuration up to the present time.

Owning a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card - NVIDIA's high-end graphics card line, ASUS Zephyrus S supports animation operations well.

What We Like

• High-end graphics card

• 1080p resolution

• Compact design

• Quick response

• Smooth action

Things to Consider

• Expensive

#6. Newest MSI Gaming GF63 - Best for Multitasking

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Important Specifications

• Brand: MSI

• Ram 16GB

• 256GB SSD Memory

• 15.6 inch screen

Product's highlights

With a price of about $900, choosing to buy a laptop for both gaming and animation has never been difficult when there is a 2021 Newest MSI GR63.

MSI has improved the multitasking functionality in this 2021 release. It not only helps you perform quick operations but also meets your needs well.

With the powerful 10th generation Intel Quad-Core i5-10300H processor, the MSI GR63 delivers a smooth experience like never before.

Coming with a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, this version allows you to enjoy the experience of high-end graphics.

And yet, the company also improved more in the aspect of the screen. Up to 1920 x 1080 resolution with anti-glare technology lets you use your computer for hours on end.

Overall, the 2021 Newest MSI GR63 is an excellent multitasking mid-range laptop that you should consider.

What We Like

• Great multitasking

• Fast refresh rate

• Dedicated graphics card

• Anti-glare technology

• Large capacity

Things to Consider

• Low battery life 

We've put together and answered a few questions related to this topic, so you would know what you need to know. Don't miss any questions!

Do animators need specialized graphics in a computer?

Yes, it would help if you looked for a device that supports a dedicated graphics card. Currently, most integrated laptops can meet the requirements of 2D animation. However, you will need a dedicated GPU to improve performance.

Can I use Microsoft Surface Pro for animation?

Microsoft Surface Pro for animation is recommended. While it can be expensive, we think it's a worthwhile investment. It will provide the best performance and features for your work.

Is a 144Hz monitor good for animation?

144hz screen gives you a much better experience when doing animation. Of course, it will be easier for you to perform operations because the laptop has a higher refresh rate.

The refresh rate contributes to a faster overall experience. So complex interfaces of animation software will require speed to handle all tasks well.

Do you need to invest in a hard drive or SSD?

Whether for animation or other purposes, the hard drive or SSD plays an essential role for any laptop user. The large SSD allows users to make workflow operations faster and more convenient.

When SSD is optimized, your laptop will be improved in the speed of loading, launching programs, reading and writing data, and rendering files faster.

Is over 1000 bucks for computer animation worth it?

Choosing to buy a laptop with a price above or below $1000 depends on your needs. Because if your work requires precision and highly improved technologies, it is necessary to invest in a laptop with a price tag of over $1000.

For example, your job is to design 2D animation, so you don't need to invest in today's latest laptop. It will be a waste because you will not use all its features.

If you are a 3D animator or graphic designer equivalent, we recommend choosing a laptop with exemplary configuration and hardware. Most of all, they are not cheap but can meet the needs and bring high efficiency to work.

Above are our suggestions for good laptops suitable for animation. Do you find the perfect choice for you based on the above list? Please share your choice!

As long as you have the basic knowledge to buy a laptop for animation such as graphics card, hardware, we believe you will find the right product. 

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