Do you wish to become the next ZBrush master? Today we look at some laptops that can help you get good at character art.
Lenovo Y540/Y740
Half a year ago I started learning character art. Eventually, I got thinking about getting a new rig that could deal with ZBrush and Substance Painter, plus render scenes smoothly in Toolbag. I also wanted a machine powerful enough for all modern games. The most important factor for me, though, was the mobility. Choosing a laptop for 3D might sound like a stupid idea but sometimes you have to move from place to place, so a desktop computer is not always the best option.
I started reading numerous reviews from different sources and came up with a list of better solutions that could deal with the needed apps. It's difficult to find one perfect machine, especially if you have a specific budget, but you can always choose something solid. Let's have a look at some options that might help you too.
Things to consider
Processor
Intel processors are the golden standard if you're choosing a machine that can deal with heavy 3D models. The best option is the modern Core i7 processors with 6 cores that can easily cope with all kinds of tasks in ZBrush and other software.
Basically, you should be looking for a multi-core CPU (the 6-core 8th and 9th Generation Intel Core i7 processors would be perfect).
Memory
Memory is also extremely important if you're willing to get started with 3D art, especially if you want to sculpt highly detailed characters.
8GB of DDR4 RAM should be work just fine, but we strongly recommend getting 16GB or more if you want to forget about lags. Basically, you need to give your programs more memory to let them handle more data in no time. And don't forget to check out the requirements for the tools you want to master!
In case you're looking for in-depth reviews of different laptops, I'd recommend watching videos by Lisa Gade who manages to cover all important aspects. Here's a review of the Predator Triton 500, Acer’s 15.6” laptop with NVIDIA RTX graphics:
Graphics Card
A powerful graphics card is not as important as CPU and your processor but it's yet a major factor especially if you want to work with real-time engines that rely on GPU or, for example, work on high-resolution textures in Substance Painter. An NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB or 1660Ti 6GB would be enough if you're a beginner willing to learn basic tools but you might want to get one of those fancy RTX cards. First, you get to play with real-time raytracing in Unreal Engine and other engines (don't forget all those awesome games with RTX support). Also, the RTX series features an advanced architecture that brings a boost compared to older GTX cards.
Storage
The storage is another critical component and you should be looking for SSDs that are perfect for 3D tasks. Choosing a SATA III SSD or a PCIe NVMe m.2 SSD is a smart move here. Please note that you should install your OS and 3D tools on the SSD for the fastest loading times.
Screen
The ability to display a greater color palette improves the accuracy and quality of your projects and gives you an advantage when working on textures or rendering characters, setting up lighting, etc. Color accurate Adobe RGB screens might be expensive, but if you're willing to become a professional, you should definitely consider buying one of those. Such screens will help you with color grading, creating content, and other similar tasks.
Now that we know what we should be looking for, let's look at available laptops of different price categories (a couple of budget solutions, mid-range ones and high-end machines) to check if there's something you might consider.
Budget Laptops
- 9th Generation Intel Hexa-Core i7-9750H Processor @ 2.60GHz (6 Cores, 12M Cache, up to 4.50 GHz),
- 15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS anti-glare display:
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5 dedicated graphics
- 16GB DDR4 2400 SDRAM Memory for full-power multitasking;
- 1TB HDD + 512GB PCIE SSD
This nice model can run all modern 3D apps and games with the help of a GeForce GTX 1650 and a powerful Intel core. It doesn't support ray tracing, of course. The Y540 laptop is a solid midrange gaming laptop that can deal with all kinds of character design tasks and a bonus is a decent cooling system that can definitely help with heavy models.
- 9th Generation Intel Core i5-9300H Processor @ 2.40GHz (4 Cores, 8M Cache, up to 4.10 GHz)
- 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-glare LED-Backlit Non-touch Narrow Border WVA Display
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics backed by 6GB GDDR6
- 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 Memory for full-power multitasking
- 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD + 1TB HDD
One of the good things about this option is its serviceability which means that you can easily upgrade and you don't have to tear any warranty seals. It can show great performance and the price is pretty attractive. There's a particular weakness you should consider though: G3 has a display with weak colors, uneven backlight bleeding, and slower response times which is not that good for art.
- Intel Quad-Core i7-7700HQ Processor (2.8GHz, up to 3.8GHz, 6MB cache, 4 cores)
- 32GB DDR4 Memory, 256GB Solid State Drive, RGB Backlit Keyboard
- 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen IPS display
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
A perfect entry-level device for aspiring artists. The rig comes with a fast Intel Core i7-7700HQ, and the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 card which allow you to run ZBrush, Substance, Blender and other popular apps. It also features 32GB DDR4 memory and that's more than enough.
Mid-Range Options
- Display: 15.6" 144Hz 3ms IPS-Level (Pantone Certified) G-Sync/Optimus Switchable Graphics Full HD (1920x1080) 100% sRGB Display
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB GDDR6
- 9th Gen Intel Coffee Lake Core i7-9750H Six-Core (2.6GHz-4.5GHz, 12MB Intel Smart Cache, 45W)
- RAM: 16GB (onboard) DDR4 2666MHz
- Hard Drive: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
The compact and slim design is mixed with high-end CPU and GPU in this one allowing users to sculpt every detail without losing mobility. RTX ON! It also features a great 100% sRGB display with G-Sync support and 144 Hz refresh rate which can help you a lot. It has some weakness, however - bad battery life and you might also experience issues with the cooling system (a typical problem of many ASUS devices).
- Display: 15.6 Inches FHD, Ultra Thin Bezel 144 Hertz Anti Glare IPS
- Processor: New Intel Core i7 8750H 2.2 to 4.1 gigahertz (6 Cores)
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB GDDR5
- RAM & Storage: 16GB DDR4 2666 megahertz, 512GB PCIE M.2 SSD
Another solid option with the i7 processor and the RTX 2060 for artists willing to play with real-time tray tracing in Unreal Engine. It also comes with 16GB of RAM and a great display. Some users report issues with the laptop's trackpad and battery though.
High-End Machines
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H 6 core Processor (2.20GHz, up to 4.10GHz with Turbo Boost, 9MB Cache) twelve-way processing performance.
- 32GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB PCIe Solid State Drive Upgrade 1TB NVME SSD Upgrade
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 with Max-Q Design with 8GB GDDR5 dedicated video memory
The model presents an unmatched performance mixed with a stunning display (G-Sync included). Basically, you get everything you need for character art tools and more for games with top-notch NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080. You can always consider machines like Triton 700 with extra bonuses but do you really them?
- 100% sRGB factory-calibrated matte screen with a 240Hz refresh rate
- 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H 6 core processor w/ 2.6GHz/4.5GHz (base/max turbo),
- NVIDIA GeForce 2070 RTX Max-Q, 15.6" FHD 120Hz display,
- 16GB RAM,
- 512GB NVMe SSD
Both reviewers and users love this machine. It has everything you might dream of: a perfect screen, powerful processor and 2070 RTX card with Max-Q design for raytracing in games and your own scenes. It also features a unique vacuum-sealed, liquid-filled copper vapor chamber that spans the heat-generating components allowing to get maximum performance and user comfort in a compact, thin design.
- 15. 6" UHD, Anti-Glare Wide View Angle 4K 3840x2160 16: 9
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX2070 (Max-Q)8G GDDR6 HDMI-out 4K @ 60Hz
- HDD 1TB NV Me SSD 32GB (16G*2) DDR4 2400MHz 2 Sockets; Max Memory 32GB
- CPU Core i9-9880H 2. 3 - 4. 8GHz Intel PTT
This last one, the MSI P65 Creator 9SF, is a powerhouse with a stunning vivid display that was specifically designed for content creators. What is more, unlike other laptops with great power, this one features a more serious design perfect for other daily tasks. One weakness here is that they could use a better version of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q as this one is not doing great in many cases.
The laptop market features numerous options for all sorts of needs, so you just need to specify your needs and check if an option meets requirements of a 3D app, plus consider some other factors such as a display. Still, choosing the most expensive machine might now be the best option because first, you have to learn fundamentals, learn tools and eventually be sure that you want to do art.