We live in a post-production world, but sometimes we can't afford the prices attached to those little "pro" logos. And I get it – editing software isn't something you want to skimp out on. This is especially true for Adobe After Effects. After Effects helps you breathe life into your creative vision by implementing stunning visual effects into your videos and films. To do this, it relies on extensive hardware resources as well as powerful computational power and memory management capabilities. If that sounds confusing – let's just say the more money you throw at Adobe After Effects, the better. But would you spend so much money if you could go down a notch? I hope my extensive research will be of use to you!
Let's begin with breaking down the specifics of this tool so we have all the components we need for a truly unbiased laptop comparison. Let's learn about…
Processor (CPU)
If you're looking to buy a new laptop to use with Adobe After Effects, you'll need to pay close attention to the processor. After Effects is a CPU-intensive application, so you'll need a fast processor to get the best performance. However, it's not the only thing that matters. In this section, we'll take a look at the different factors to consider when choosing a processor for After Effects, and give you our recommendations for the best CPUs for After Effects grouped by price range.
The state of the market
As of late 2022, there are two main types of processors available for laptops – Intel's 13th generation processors and Apple's M1 chips. Intel's 13th generation processors are the latest and greatest from Intel, and offer the best performance. However, they are also the most expensive. Apple's M1 chips are based on Arm architecture and offer great performance and battery life. They are also much cheaper than Intel's 13th generation processors.
CPU vs. GPU (CUDA, OpenCL) for After Effects
When it comes to choosing a processor for After Effects, you have two options – a CPU or a GPU. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the traditional choice for After Effects, and offers the best performance. However, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) can also be used for After Effects, and offers some benefits over a CPU.
A GPU can be used for certain tasks in After Effects that are CPU-intensive, such as ray tracing. A GPU can also be used for certain effects that are not possible with a CPU, such as 3D rendering. However, a GPU is not necessary for most tasks in After Effects, and will not offer a significant performance boost over a CPU.
Multiple cores and multithreading in After Effects
When it comes to choosing a processor for After Effects, you should pay attention to the number of cores and the type of multithreading. After Effects is a multithreaded application, which means it can take advantage of multiple cores. The more cores a processor has, the better it will perform in After Effects.
However, not all multithreading is created equal. Intel's Hyper-Threading technology offers the best performance in After Effects, followed by AMD's Simultaneous Multi-Threading. If you're looking for the best possible performance in After Effects, you should look for a processor with Intel's Hyper-Threading technology.
A look at laptop processors – what to expect and what to avoid
When it comes to choosing a processor for your laptop, you have two main options – an Intel processor or an AMD processor. Both companies offer excellent processors for laptops, but there are some differences to keep in mind.
Intel's 13th generation processors are the latest and greatest from Intel, and offer the best performance. However, they are also the most expensive. AMD's Ryzen processors offer great performance and value for money. They are also much cheaper than Intel's 13th generation processors.
If you're looking for the best possible performance in After Effects, you should look for an Intel Core i7 or i9 H-series processor. If you're on a budget, you should look for an AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processor. These processors offer the best performance per dollar ratio while still providing enough power to keep up with the latest features in After Effects.
Graphics (GPU)
It's late 2022 and you're in the market for a new laptop. You're a heavy Adobe After Effects user and you want to make sure you get a machine that can handle your workload. But with all the different types of graphics processors (GPUs) out there, it can be tough to know which one is right for you.
Here's a quick rundown of what you need to know about graphics cards for Adobe After Effects:
- A dedicated GPU is not required for After Effects, but it will offer a noticeable performance boost.
- After Effects is a demanding application, and it's not uncommon to see Adobe Premiere Pro or even Premiere Pro being used in conjunction with After Effects for video editing and color grading.
- There are many different types of GPUs. While some are better suited for gaming, others are more adept at handling complex visual effects in creative applications such as Adobe After Effects.
- I use 3DMark to compare different graphics cards since it's an industry-standard benchmark that can be found online for most popular graphics cards.
- If you're looking for a laptop with a long battery life, look for one with Nvidia Optimus or AMD Dynamic Switchable Graphics (DSG). These technologies allow the laptop to switch between the dedicated and integrated graphics card based on power requirements and performance demands – this results in longer battery life without sacrificing too much in terms of performance.
So what does this all mean for you? Here are some recommendations for what kind of GPU you should look for in a laptop, based on your budget:
- Minimum: 2 GB of GPU VRAM. You can find laptops with this amount of VRAM.
- Recommended: 4GB or more of GPU VRAM recommended. Laptops with 4GB or more of VRAM
Memory
Adobe After Effects is a demanding application that uses a lot of RAM. In fact, a single project can easily use up to 16 GB of RAM. This means that you need a laptop with a lot of RAM if you want to use After Effects effectively.
The good news is that most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM these days. This is enough to run After Effects without any issues. However, if you're looking for a laptop with a lot of RAM, it's best to get one with DDR5 memory. While it's not crucial, it will improve performance marginally.
In terms of choosing between DDR5 vs DDR4 – there's no reason to choose DDR5 unless you're working with 8K footage or using multiple GPU rendering (in which case – yes, get DDR5).
Other considerations include frequency, ECC, and CL/RL. However, these are not as important as the amount of RAM when it comes to After Effects.
So how much memory is enough for After Effects? The minimum amount of RAM you need is 16 GB. However, we recommend 32 GB for best results. For high-end laptops, you can get up to 64 GB of RAM.
5 Best Laptops for Adobe After Effects
1.HP Victus 15
HP Victus 15 offers affordable gaming but at a cost.- Strong entry-level gaming
- Solid productivity performance
- Inexpensive for a gaming laptop
- Display and webcam could be better
- Too much pre-installed software
- Single-channel RAM in our review unit
Summary
The HP Victus 15 provides strong gaming and productivity performance at a budget-friendly price. However, the laptop suffers from trade-offs such as a subpar display, a low-quality webcam, and single-channel RAM.
Alternatives
HP Victus 15t
- Low price
- Strong entry-level gaming performance
- Weak GPU yields unsatisfactory frame rates
- So-so screen despite 144Hz refresh rate
2.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro delivers a powerful performance at a reasonable price.- High quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display
- Relatively easy serviceability
- Integrated numpad
- Very fast charging
- Low resolution webcam with no IR or privacy shutter
- Very warm CPUGPU temperatures when gaming
- Moderate-heavy uneven backlight bleeding
- Only average battery life
Summary
Lenovo's latest 16-inch Legion 5 Pro has a Zen 3+ CPU, 150 W GPU, high quality 165 Hz IPS display, fast charging, and MUX support. Although it doesn't offer a Thunderbolt port, it's still a great value for the price.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74
- Fast performance with 140 W TGP GeForce RTX 3060
- Impressive 300 Hz IPS panel with full sRGB coverage
- Chassis base and lid exhibit
3.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar offers excellent performance for Adobe After Effects but comes with concerns over power draws and emissions.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent response times and no PWM
- Wide color gamut coverage with Dolby Vision support
- Limited display angle
- Heavy SSD throttling during continuous
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533, equipped with Intel Alder Lake Core i9-12900H and Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti, offers top-notch performance for Adobe After Effects users. The laptop has sturdy construction, fast Wi-Fi 6E, wide color gamut coverage, and Dolby Vision support, but users should be wary of the high heat and noise emissions, SSD throttling, and limited display angle.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- High-performance capabilities
- Excellent 240-Hz display
- Soldered-in RAM
- Inaccessible SSD
4.ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97
ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97 offers high-end gaming performance but inconsistent SSD performance and no webcam.- Good QHD panel with 240 Hz
- High and stable gaming performance
- Extensive case illumination
- TB4, Wi-Fi 6E, and PCIe 4.0
- Inconsistent SSD performance
- Additional premium for HX CPU isn
Summary
ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97 offers top-notch gaming performance with Core i9-12950HX, GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, and 240-Hz display. The laptop also has a good QHD panel, stable gaming performance, extensive case illumination, TB4, Wi-Fi 6E, and PCIe 4.0. However, inconsistent SSD performance and the lack of webcam might be an issue for some.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Impressive design with two screens and thin form factor
- Blistering gaming performance with RTX 3080 Ti GPU and Ryzen 9 CPU
- Expensive price tag
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout
5.Dell XPS 17 9720
Dell XPS 17 9720 is a great option for Adobe After Effects with an excellent 4K display and high-quality case.- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- High-quality case
- Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0
- Very high system performance
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
- Not Wi-Fi 6E compatible
- 720p webcam
Summary
Dell XPS 17 9720 is a laptop that features an excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB, high-quality case, and Thunderbolt 4 & PCIe 4.0. Although it has a very high system performance, its graphics performance is slightly lower than its predecessor, and the cooling system is slightly weak overall.
Reviews
Alternatives
Dell XPS 15 9520
- Premium design and build
- Several excellent screen options
- Limited screen angle and other ergonomic quirks
- Miniaturized IO
Table of the Best Laptops for Adobe After Effects
Laptop | Price (approx) |
HP Victus 15 | $710 |
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro | $1,350 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,310 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97 | $3,800 |
Dell XPS 17 9720 | $5,600 |