9+ Best Laptops for Cinema 4D 2021 | Unrivaled Guide & Products Overview

Have you decided to use Cinema 4D for your 3D modeling work? But is your current laptop unable to run the software or do you just want to buy a new laptop that you will mainly use this app on? Do not worry, whether you are a beginner who wants to learn the application or a professional who uses it for his work.

This guide includes a list of top-rated laptops that can run the software very easily.

Best Laptops for Cinema 4D

Many 3D artists prefer to use Cinema 4D because it can do procedural, polygonal, Cinema 4D, lighting, texturing, rendering, and has all the other characteristics of a model. 3D modeling application. We can continue with the feature list, but since this guide is meant to help you find a good quality laptop, we’ll stick to it. OK?

Also Read: Best Laptops for Silhouette Portrait 

Minimum and recommended configuration for 4D cinema

1. Windows – macOS – Recommended
2. CPU: 64-bit Intel or AMD processor with SSE3 support – Intel i5 or higher – Intel i7 or higher
3. Operating system: Windows 10 – macOS 10.12.6 – latest versions of the operating system
4. RAM: 4GB – 8GB – 16GB
5. Disk type: HDD – SSD OR HYBRID SSD – SSD
6. GPU: Dedicated NVIDIA or AMD – Dedicated NVIDIA or AMD – NVIDIA GTX 1060, AMD equivalent or better
7. Graphics Support: Make sure the laptop has a dedicated graphics card that supports OpenGL 4.1 (All laptops listed below support the protocol).

Best Laptops for Cinema 4D | Comparison Table 2021

We have tried to include the best models recommended by the experts. However, if you are looking for something within the budget. You can check out our list of the top-rated i7 laptops [it has a few budget models, just make sure it meets the minimum system requirements mentioned above]

Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Best Laptops for Cinema 4D | 2021 Products Overview

Product Overview:

The ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop is a powerful and sleek device that combines performance and portability. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080) 4-way NanoEdge bezel display with an impressive 88% screen-to-body ratio that provides an immersive viewing experience. It is compatible with Google Classroom and can run on Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer 11.

The laptop is equipped with the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 CPU (4M Cache, up to 3.4 GHz) that delivers smooth and responsive performance, making it suitable for various everyday computing tasks. It comes with 8 GB DDR4 RAM and a 128 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, providing sufficient storage space and fast data transfer rates.

The keyboard is ergonomically designed with a backlit feature and a fingerprint sensor activated via Windows Hello for enhanced security. Its exclusive Ergolift design offers an improved typing position, reducing strain on the wrists and providing a comfortable typing experience.

The laptop offers comprehensive connectivity options, including USB 3.2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A, USB 2.0, and HDMI. It also has Gigabit Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which delivers fast and reliable wireless connectivity.

The ASUS VivoBook 15 comes with Windows 10 Home in S mode, which exclusively runs apps from the Microsoft Store. However, users can switch out of S mode in three easy steps to install apps that are not available in the Microsoft Store. There is no charge to switch out of S mode.

Product Overview:

The Lenovo Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 Laptop is a powerful and versatile device that offers a high-quality user experience. The device features a sleek and lightweight design, weighing just 3.64 pounds and measuring 0.82" thick, making it easy to carry and use on the go. The laptop's durable paint also enhances the user experience by providing a soft and comfortable touch.

This 2-in-1 laptop boasts a 10-point, 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS touchscreen that is fun and easy to use. It also has four-side narrow bezels that provide a great viewing experience. Additionally, the 360-degree hinge allows the device to be used in four modes, including laptop mode for everyday computing, tent mode for sharing, stand mode for binge-watching, and tablet mode for more intuitive interaction.

The Lenovo Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 Laptop is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U mobile processor with Radeon graphics, which provides the performance necessary to do more from anywhere. With more cores, users will experience a high level of responsiveness, making it ideal for productivity, gaming, and content creation. The laptop also features 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with the option to upgrade to 512GB of storage.

The device has a long battery life of up to 10 hours and can charge up to 80% in just 1 hour. It also comes with a digital pen, which makes it easy to take notes or draw on the screen. The laptop runs on Windows 10 and has integrated AMD graphics, ensuring a smooth and seamless performance.

Overall, the Lenovo Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 Laptop is an excellent choice for those who want a powerful and versatile device that is easy to use on the go. With its sleek design, high-quality display, and powerful performance, this laptop is a great investment for students, professionals, and anyone who wants a high-quality computing experience.

Product Overview:

The HP Chromebook 11a is a lightweight and durable laptop designed for users who are always on the go. Its compact 11.6-inch HD display is perfect for streaming movies and shows with one million pixels, while the anti-glare coating ensures clear visuals even in bright lighting conditions. This laptop has a 15-hour and 45-minute battery life, making it ideal for use while traveling or in areas without access to electrical outlets.

The Chromebook 11a is powered by a MediaTek MT8183 processor with Octa-core CPU and GPU graphics processors and a multimedia engine. This powerful chipset ensures that the laptop can handle various tasks, such as gaming, schoolwork, or staying connected with friends, without sacrificing performance or battery life. The laptop also features 4GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage, providing enough memory and storage space to meet most users' needs.

The HP Chromebook 11a is integrated with the Google Chrome operating system and Android apps, providing seamless simplicity and a fast, secure, and simple user experience. Users can access the Google Play Store and download the millions of Android apps available, without compromising their speed, simplicity, or security. The laptop is also equipped with the latest Wi-Fi 5 WLAN adapter and Bluetooth 4.2, ensuring reliable and robust connectivity.

This laptop also features an HP True Vision camera, integrated dual array digital microphones, and custom-tuned dual speakers, making it perfect for remote work or virtual meetings with friends and family. The laptop also includes external ports for headphone/microphone combos and USB 2.0 Type-A and Type-C, providing versatility in connecting different devices.

The HP Chromebook 11a is environmentally responsible, ENERGY STAR certified, EPEAT Silver registered and uses low halogen cables. It also comes with a 1-year limited hardware warranty, providing users with confidence in their purchase.

Also Read: Best 2 in 1 Laptops Under $ 600

Product Overview:

The Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is a notebook computer that comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, providing sharp and clear visuals with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The laptop is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U dual-core processor, which can reach up to 3.5GHz, providing fast and responsive performance for most everyday computing tasks. The computer also features an integrated AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics card, which offers decent performance for light gaming and multimedia use.

The laptop comes with 4GB of DDR4 memory, allowing for smooth multitasking and efficient performance. It also has a 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD, providing a fast and reliable storage solution for your files and applications. The backlit keyboard is another notable feature, making it easier to type in dimly lit environments.

Connectivity options on the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop include one USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, two USB 2.0 ports, and one HDMI port with HDCP support. It also features 802.11ac Wi-Fi, allowing you to connect to wireless networks easily. The laptop has a maximum power supply wattage of 65 watts and comes pre-installed with Windows 10 in S mode.

The laptop has a sleek silver design and weighs around 3.97 pounds, making it portable and easy to carry around. It also has a battery life of up to 7.5 hours, allowing for extended use without needing to be plugged in.

In summary, the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is a great option for those looking for a lightweight and portable notebook with a sharp display, reliable performance, and convenient features such as a backlit keyboard. The computer's specs are suitable for everyday tasks, and it comes at an affordable price point.

Product Overview:

The HP Stream 14-inch Laptop is a lightweight and affordable device that can be used for work, school, and play. It comes in a stylish royal blue color and has a 14-inch diagonal HD SVA BrightView WLED-backlit display with a resolution of 1366 x 768. The laptop is powered by an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, which is a dual-core processor with a base frequency of 1.1 GHz and can reach up to 2.6 GHz in burst frequency.

The laptop has 4 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM memory, which cannot be upgraded, and 64 GB eMMC storage. Additionally, it comes with Office 365 Personal for one year, providing access to Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access, and 1 TB of OneDrive Storage. This makes it a great device for essential productivity and entertainment needs, without slowing down the user.

The laptop has an integrated graphics card and a battery life of up to 14 hours and 15 minutes for video playback, and up to 11 hours and 30 minutes for wireless streaming. This makes it ideal for use on the go, as it is thin and light, weighing only 3.17 pounds and measuring 13.27 inches (W) x 8.90 inches (D) x 0.70 inch (H).

The laptop comes with Windows 10 Home in S Mode and a 1-year limited hardware warranty with 24-hour, 7 days a week web support when shipped and sold by Amazon, and not a third-party seller. It should be noted that this product is designed for use in the US, and users outside the US should check compatibility before purchasing.

Product Overview:

The SAMSUNG Galaxy Chromebook 4 is a laptop computer with an 11.6-inch display and a full-sized keyboard and trackpad, designed to be compact and lightweight for easy portability. It has a military-grade durability rating and is made to handle bumps and drops.

The laptop features a lightning-fast Gigabit Wi-Fi connection for streaming videos or downloading massive files quickly. It also has multiple layers of built-in virus protection for advanced security.

The SAMSUNG Chromebook 4 has a powerful Intel Celeron N4000 processor and 4GB of RAM, with a 64GB hard drive and integrated Intel HD Graphics 400. It runs on the Chrome operating system and has Google Assistant enabled, allowing users to use their voice to make requests.

The laptop has a battery life of up to 12.5 hours and can quickly recharge over a USB-C charger. It meets eight military-grade (MIL-STD-810G) standards, including transit drop, vibration, high temperature, temperature shocks, freezing, dust, humidity, and low pressure.

Note that this product is designed for use in the US and may require an adapter or converter for use in other countries with different electrical outlets and voltage.

Also Read: Best Laptop For Remote Work

Product Overview:

The ASUS ROG Strix G is a powerful and stylish gaming laptop designed to provide an immersive gaming experience. It boasts a 15.6" FHD LED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, which offers an impressive color and clarity, with an anti-glare feature that enhances energy efficiency.

Under the hood, the laptop is powered by an Intel 9th Gen Core i7-9750H Processor, which provides ultra-low-voltage platform, and hexa-core, twelve-way processing that delivers maximum high-efficiency power to run multiple programs and games simultaneously. The laptop has been upgraded with 16GB DDR4 RAM, providing high-bandwidth to run games and software smoothly. It also has a 1TB HDD + 512GB SSD storage configuration, which enables you to store data quickly and easily, with massive amounts of storage and advanced communication power.

One of the standout features of this laptop is its RGB backlit keyboard, which features a highlighted WASD key group and broader space bar, enabling comfortable and accurate typing, even in dim lighting. The laptop also comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card with 4GB dedicated graphics memory, which delivers stunning visuals and smooth gameplay.

The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home and comes with a 3-cell Lithium-ion battery. It has a weight of 5.3 lbs and measures 14.2" x 10.8" x 1.0". The laptop has several connectivity options, including three USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one 3.5-mm headphone/microphone combo jack, one LAN port, and one HDMI 2.0 output that expands your viewing options. It also comes equipped with wireless-AC and Bluetooth technology.

Overall, the ASUS ROG Strix G is an excellent choice for gamers who need a powerful and versatile laptop that delivers exceptional performance, stunning graphics, and high-quality sound. However, it is currently unavailable, and it is uncertain when it will be back in stock.

Product Overview:

The MSI Creator 15 A10SFS-287 is a high-end laptop designed for professionals in creative fields such as graphic design, video editing, and 3D rendering. It boasts an impressive 15.6" 4K UHD True Pixel Display that delivers true-to-life images with a 100% Adobe RGB color gamut out of the box. This means that your visuals will be striking and accurate, making it ideal for professionals who need a high-quality display for their work.

Under the hood, the Creator 15 is powered by a 10th Gen. Intel Core i7 processor with 8 cores that can boost up to 5.1 GHz. This provides high performance for demanding applications and makes it easy to multitask without any lag or delays. The laptop also comes with 32 GB of RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, providing ample space for storage and ensuring fast boot and load times.

The laptop is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER, which is the world's most powerful GPU engineered into an ultra-thin profile laptop. This ensures that the Creator 15 can handle even the most demanding tasks, making it ideal for professionals who require high-performance hardware.

The Creator 15 also comes with a 99.9 WHr battery, ensuring non-stop creativity and keeping you focused on your creative workflow. Additionally, it features MSI's exclusive Cooler Boost Technology, which ensures optimal thermal dissipation. With three fans, you can get up to 15% increased airflow with the new Cooler Boost Trinity+. This ensures that the laptop stays cool and doesn't overheat during extended use.

Product Overview:

The ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop is a powerful and sleek device that combines performance and portability. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) 4-way NanoEdge bezel display with an impressive 88% screen-to-body ratio that provides an immersive viewing experience. It is compatible with Google Classroom and can run on Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer 11.

The laptop is equipped with the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 CPU (4M Cache, up to 3.4 GHz) that delivers smooth and responsive performance, making it suitable for various everyday computing tasks. It comes with 8 GB DDR4 RAM and a 128 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, providing sufficient storage space and fast data transfer rates.

The keyboard is ergonomically designed with a backlit feature and a fingerprint sensor activated via Windows Hello for enhanced security. Its exclusive Ergolift design offers an improved typing position, reducing strain on the wrists and providing a comfortable typing experience.

The laptop offers comprehensive connectivity options, including USB 3.2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A, USB 2.0, and HDMI. It also has Gigabit Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which delivers fast and reliable wireless connectivity.

The ASUS VivoBook 15 comes with Windows 10 Home in S mode, which exclusively runs apps from the Microsoft Store. However, users can switch out of S mode in three easy steps to install apps that are not available in the Microsoft Store. There is no charge to switch out of S mode.

Also Read: Best Laptop For Blogging

Why is this important?

As there are not many graphics calculations going on, we can already say that the graphics card is something that will not be so important when looking for the best laptop for Cinema 4D.

But if it's not the graphics card that does the heavy lifting when animating, what other hardware component is the crucial part for Cinema 4D work?

You may have already guessed, and it really is the CPU or the processor, which is the most important hardware component in a laptop that is primarily used for Cinema 4D.

The CPU in computer Cinema 4D / Cinema 4D

Although Cinema 4D seems to be a very visual task, it is the CPU that has to perform all the calculations for scene objects, platforms, simulations, hair splines, soft body dynamics, etc., to be calculated, and only after After these CPU calculations are complete, the graphics card displays the result.

In Cinema 4D, it often happens that only one or two CPU cores are used due to the way animated objects are being calculated by the software in which it is being animated. This means that having a high Turbo Boost clock will do a lot to speed up the viewport's visibility while animating as well as a higher base clock speed.

Also Read: Best Laptop For Realtors

How is the hardware used during Cinema 4D?

The Cinema 4D itself makes virtual objects move in the way we define. This can be in 2D or 3D and there are many programs that we use to perform the Cinema 4D task.

Some of the 2D Cinema 4D programs that are currently popular are After Effects, ToonBoom, Harmony, CrazyTalk Animator, Synfig Studio, FlipBook, Photoshop, and many more, as well as popular 3D Cinema 4D programs such as Cinema 4D, 3DS Max, Maya, Blender. and many others.

Now what we do when we animate is generally pose a platform, set keyframes, and adjust certain parts and objects so they are positioned to our liking. One important thing to note here is that we generally do this not while looking at a final quality image, but rather a raw preview, a wireframe, or a simple Shaded View.

HDD Disks

However, the conventional hard drive still serves a purpose.

Since HDDs are much cheaper per Gigabyte, you can use them as storage, archiving, backup, or long-term storage systems for projects and files that you don't need to access very often or that are too large for your onboard SSD.

Basically, anything that is not directly involved in your daily workflow when actively working within your software.

Personally, (external) hard drives are ideal to turn on at night after a day of work and make backup copies of everything we have worked with so that nothing is lost.

Also Read: Best Laptops For ArchiCAD

Expandability

The best laptops for Cinema 4D should have the ability to upgrade and expand within their hardware components. Since the Cinema 4D laptop should be able to last for a good few years, the innermost hardware components will generally not be fast enough after a few years, as the development of new technologies will offer and demand more speed.

In laptops, there are many components that you can trade-in and upgrade yourself, or that can be replaced at a trained workshop.

For example, now you can buy a laptop that has built-in SSD storage, and after a year you might find that you would need more space for all the new projects and clients you are working on and that a larger SSD would do.

Now you can easily upgrade to a larger and perhaps even faster SSD as technology has progressed. Get a 500GB or even 1TB SSD that will keep you stable for longer until it's time to get a brand new Cinema 4D laptop.

The same applies to RAM. You can usually get a laptop that has some RAM slots still unused on the date of purchase, and add more later if you find that your memory is full all the time.

Unfortunately, the CPU and GPU are not that easy to upgrade on your own, as they are usually hidden under the parts of the cooling devices.

Apple MacBook (Pro) for Cinema 4D?

I know of many who would like to get a MacBook Pro. They look good and it seems like everyone in the design industry has a Mac or MacBook, right?

Since this is a topic that is usually discussed a lot with very personal opinions, I'll just list a few facts here and let you decide for yourself:

• Cost: The laptops we recommend below are at least 50% cheaper than those exact same parts inside a MacBook Pro
• Graphics card: Recommended laptops have (for this use case) Nvidia's superior graphics cards (based on CUDA), which you can also use for GPU rendering on the more popular CUDA-based GPU rendering engines
• Industry Use: Any serious 3D studio uses Windows PCs and not Macs. There are some that only have Macs in their infrastructure, but those are usually ad agencies that always outsource any serious 3D or Cinema 4D work.
• Expandability - Laptops can generally be upgraded easier and cheaper.
• Repair cost: Laptops can generally be repaired at a lower cost.
• Connectors / Adapters: A laptop has all the usual connectors already built-in. MacBooks generally need additional expensive adapters for anything external.

Now, if you've had an experience that differs from this, please share in the comments below.

Also Read: Best 14 Inch Laptops Under $ 1000

What else should a good Cinema 4D laptop have?

If you plan to use the laptop with external devices, you need to make sure it has all the necessary connectors.

Now, if you have a docking station for your laptop, the docking station will generally handle most of the connectors, as not all connectors will be present on your laptop directly for reasons of space. If you don't have a docking station, you'll want to make sure your laptop already has some of the following connectors built-in:

For external monitors, you'll want an HDMI or display port connector. Some of the older monitors also support DVI or VGA plugs through these connectors, because they are so large that they are usually no longer found in modern laptops. But you can always get an adapter.

If you are using a local area network at your workplace or at home, you will want an RJ45 LAN port to connect a LAN cable that offers much higher speeds than a wireless connection can provide.

For external USB devices like external hard drives for backup and storage, input devices like a mouse, tablet, or headphones, you'll want enough USB ports that are fast enough for USB 3.0.

Also Read: Best Laptop For Photo Editing Under $500

Frequent questions

What laptops do animators use?

You don't really need an exotic type of laptop or any specific function to animate. Certainly, there are some features that will make your work more efficient and faster, but any laptop that meets the minimum requirements for Cinema 4D software that you would like to use can basically be used for Cinema 4D.

Is 8 GB of RAM enough for Cinema 4D?

As we discussed in this article, 8GB of RAM can be enough to perform Cinema 4Ds in simple scenes. However, you will be much happier with 16GB (or even 32GB), especially if your scenes have a lot of geometry or if you want to use other software in parallel.

Are gaming laptops good for Cinema 4D?

Yes absolutely! Many laptop manufacturers market laptops for gaming. The fact that these types of laptops are destined for Gamers does not mean that they can only be played on a " gaming laptop ".

Also Read: Best Laptop For Photo Editing On A Budget

The best laptops for Cinema 4D

If you plan to frequently use Cinema 4D, After Effects, and other software with lower graphics performance, the following laptop is ideal:

Verdict

While surfing the internet you get several laptops that showcase the best of all. So if you are looking for the best laptop for Cinema 4D to facilitate your graphic design, Cinema 4Ds, textures, etc., you should go through your needs and then select the best laptop for you from the computers reviewed below.