Best Laptop For 3D Printing 2023: Buying Guides

3D printing is the process of producing 3D objects from a computer-aided design (CAD) model. The objects can be made of any material, such as plastic, metal, or ceramic. It’s important to find the best laptop for 3D printing, but it’s not easy. For high-end 3D printing, you need a powerful CPU and GPU with fast memory and lots of storage. It means you need a lot of time to combine laptop specs to ensure they are perfect for 3D printing in every aspect. 

If you are searching for a laptop that can make your 3D printing process efficient, stay with us till the end. Here we will describe some of the best laptops for 3D printing so you can choose the one that best addresses your needs. 

What Are the Best Laptops for 3D Printing? 

We aim to provide our readers with the best knowledge about 3D printing. We’ve made a list of the best laptops for 3D printing based on their features, specs, performance, user reviews, and ability to work with 3D printing software like Blender and AutoCAD. 

Let’s have a look at the features and pros and cons of each laptop so that you can choose which one is best for you: 

1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 

Key Features

If you are looking for a laptop for 3D printing at an affordable rate, then the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is worth considering. It is a popular low-cost model with the specs needed to run basic computer-aided 3D printing and slicing software like Cura.  It is a popular low-cost model with the specs needed to run basic computer-aided 3D printing and slicing software like Cura.

It has 8GB RAM and an Intel i3 processing unit that can handle multiple applications simultaneously. Besides, other features make Lenovo Ideapad 3 a popular budget laptop. The touchscreen display is one of those features. Always keep in mind that it is suitable for basic 3D printing projects. 

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to carry. 
• Its CPU can handle most light productivity tasks.
• The battery can last over 9 hours of light productivity.

Cons  

• CPU and integrated graphics may not handle heavy workloads. 
• Small touchpad, which makes dragging and dropping difficult.
• The HDMI port is limited to 1.4 standards.

2. OEM Lenovo ThinkCentre M75s

Key Features 

Even though laptops are easier to move around, desktops have their own benefits, such as being more durable, easier to customize, and giving you more power for less money. So if you are looking for the best PC for 3D printing, we suggest you check out OEM Lenovo ThinkCentre. 

It comes with a RAm of 16 GB and 32 GB. The NVIDIA graphics card has great strength to run popular 3D modeling applications. Moreover, you have numerous configurable options when buying Lenovo ThinkCentre, such as 12 different RAM, CPU, and SSD combinations.    

Its other features include keystroke turn-on and managing diagnostics and updates remotely. 

Pros 

• Ability to run popular 3D applications.
• A wide range of configurable options 
• It is environment friendly and takes up little space

Cons 

• The only issue with OEM Lenovo ThinkCentre is its portability  

3. MSI GE76 

This premium laptop can handle any 3D printing or animation task. It features a powerful CPU with 32 GB RAM to manage and run all top 3D modeling, rendering, and animation programs. Furthermore, its huge FHD 17.3″ screen and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphic card make it perfect for professional 3D modeling and printing. 

Pros 

• Color boost technology for optimal thermal dissipation 
• Large screen and better display 
• Powerful CPU and top-quality cooling system 

Cons 

• The display Is dimmer than the previous model 
• unusually thick even for a 17.3-inch rig 
• It can get very pricy 

4. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 

The Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is a highly capable laptop in terms of performance. It has all the features that a 3D designer needs. Its unique features include a powerful 10th gen Intel i7 processor, 15.6 inches touch screen, and vivid colors. 

It has good RAM and high storage, so it can easily manage. Moreover, it has a ray tracing feature, handles multitasking, and runs demanding software. All these features make it the best laptop for 3D printing. 

Pros 

• Excellent performance 
• Great curb appeal 
• A functional second display 
• Perfect build quality 

Cons 

• The Keyboard and touchpad are not good 
• A bit pricey 

5. Apple MacBook Air 

Key Features 

The Apple MacBook Pro has robust features that run any complex 3D modeling app. It can be perfect if you want a compact model but do not want to compromise performance. 

In addition to a slim design, its features include an Apple M1 chip, powerful GPU, and 8GB RAM that can be extended to 16GB. 

Pros 

• Compact and lightweight 
• Battery timing up to 8 hours
• Excellent Keyboard

Cons 

• It only has two USB C ports 

6. Acer Nitro 5 

Key Features 

If you are searching for a laptop for 3d printing, but your budget is low, then Acer Nitro 5 is the best option. It may not have the best specs like other laptops, but it has all the minimum specs that can come from a reputable brand. 

Its features include 8GB RAM, an Intel Core i5 processor, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050. It has a price tag of $800, which is less than other high specs laptops, making it the best budget laptop for 3D printing. However, it may not be suitable for many professional projects.

Pros 

• Easy to afford for businesses with a low budget. 
• All necessary aspects are required for 3D printing.

Cons 

• The limiting factor of this laptop is 8GB RAM 
• Not suitable for doing much modeling for your prints

7. ASUS ROG Strix G15

Key Features 

It is another laptop on our list of good laptops for 3D printing. It is a gaming laptop, but remember that gaming laptops are also good for 3D printing because they have great specs.  

The distinguishing features of ASUS ROG Strix G15 include a 1TB SSD hard drive, a 15.6″ screen, and a 300 HZ Type FHD display. In addition, it has an AMD processor and Ryzen 9. With its fast and powerful GeForce RTX 3070, you will not face any 3D modeling and printing issues.  

Pros 

• PWM-free 
• An excellent 300 HZ display
• Ryzen 9 that is equivalent to Intel core i7  

Cons 

• No SD card slot for additional storage 
• USB speed is limited to 5 Gbits/sec

8. Gigabyte Aero 15X

Key Features 

Gigabyte Aero is a high-performance laptop with a price tag of $2000. It has a 15.6″ widescreen, a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, and a windows 10 home operating system. Moreover, it comes with GeForce GTX 1070 GPU from NVIDIA, which makes it perfect for 3D modeling. 

Pros 

• Lightweight and thin 
• Battery timings average 10 hours 
• Solid performance and transfer speeds  

Cons 

• Room of space in display response time 
• A little pricey 
• Stiff Keyboard

9. Razer Blade Pro 17 

Key Features 

It is also a good laptop for 3D printing. It has a 17-inch display, an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a powerful GPU as key features. You can get all the required 3D printing and modeling specs in this laptop, but the biggest barrier is its price. 

Pros 

• Excellent performance 
• Fantastic Keyboard and processor 
• Runs relatively cooler and quieter 

Cons 

• Battery life is a bit less 
• Extremely expensive
• USB-C charging is limited to 54W

Factors To Consider When Buying a Laptop For 3D printing 

Here are a few factors you must consider before buying a laptop for 3D printing: 

Printing Quality 

If you want to buy a laptop for 3D printing, one of the most important things to look at is how well it prints. Look at the printer’s specifications and compare them with those of other devices to ensure you can achieve the best possible print quality.

Ease Of Use 

When selecting a device, it is essential to consider its user-friendliness, especially if you are not well-versed in technology. Some models are easier to use than others, so opting for a device that you can operate is a smart decision.

Connectivity 

Laptops made for 3D printing that has WiFi built in can be very helpful if you need to print from different devices or places. So, it’s important to make sure this feature is available before you buy, especially if you need it.

Brand Reputation 

Several reputable and established brands exist in the realm of laptops for 3D printing. So, we suggest that you do a lot of research on different brands to help you narrow down your choices and choose the most reliable model that gives you the most for your money.

Software Compatibility 

Make sure that the laptop model you choose works with the software you want to use. If it doesn’t, you might run into problems. Some devices have their own software, which might not work well with the programs you usually use. Therefore, checking for compatibility before making a final decision is imperative.

Technical Support 

If you don’t know much about technology, it’s best to choose a 3D printer with good technical support. It makes sure that you can get help whenever you run into problems or have questions that need to be answered.

Price  

Whenever making a significant investment, the price inevitably becomes a crucial factor to consider. A laptop for 3D printing can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Therefore, establishing a reasonable budget beforehand is essential to guide your search.

Conclusion 

The selection of tools for your work can significantly impact your career. So, when looking for a laptop for 3D printing, you need to consider the laptop’s CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and display. For heavy tasks like modeling and rendering in 3D, you need a powerful CPU and GPU. You also need plenty of RAM and storage to run 3D printing software and store 3D models. A high-resolution display is also crucial for visualizing 3D models accurately.

The laptops described above have outstanding specifications and received high ratings from users and experts.

Among the laptops, the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo stood out the most as it offers an excellent balance of performance, features, and price. However, we suggest you shop around and make comparisons to find the right options that match all your needs.

If you are searching for a laptop that can make your 3D printing process efficient, stay with us till the end. Here we will describe some best laptops for 3D printing so you can choose the one that best addresses your needs. 

FAQ on Good Laptops For 3d Printing

What kind of laptop do I need to run a 3D printer?

A Windows laptop or a MacBook Pro with at least 16 GB of RAM is your best choice. Aside from that, you should think about the kind of prints you’re making. For example, the software wouldn’t even launch for an industrial manufacturer with more complicated designs.

Do you need a laptop for 3D printing?

To use a 3D printer, you must have a computer or a decent laptop. It does not have to be a high-end machine to be good. It should be excellent because it has a powerful processor.

Is A MacBook good for 3D printing?

The MacBook Pro 2020 has enough processing power to operate any complex 3D modeling app.

Do you need a powerful computer for 3D modeling?

Rendering and 3D modeling use computers in very distinct ways, it’s also important to note. However, you can use your laptop for basic modeling as long as it is competent of handling simple 3D tasks. A laptop with sufficient processing capacity, a good graphics card, and adequate system memory should be sufficient for rendering.

What is illegal to print on a 3D printer?

When an item has a patent, it can’t be lawfully replicated by anyone else. Therefore, it is also illegal to 3D print a product that has a patent.