Macbook for 3D Rendering ?

[trkgmssy]

Hi there, I am moving to another country and can't bring my gaming rig with me, I do a lot of 3D Design and 3D rendering for my work, therefore I need something to use at my new location. I will go back and forth, so I thought a laptop would be to choose, I like macOS, Macbooks are pretty lightweight, Another thing is, I don't want to get swarmed with lots of different brands and with their bunch of, "looking similar but different models". Apple made it easy to choose for the consumer. 

 

My question is; 

I am planning to buy a Macbook Air M1 from Apple. Can I run 3D programs on this device ? 

Or do i need a Pro version ?

I know it won't be as powerful as my gaming rig, but it should do the trick. 

 

Programs I use; 

Sketchup 

Fushion 360

Lumion 11 (For render)

 

[jaslion]

I mean it will work not as well as other laptops but it will work. However this macbook is pretty terrible for your usecase. Get AT LEAST the 512gb 16gb of ram one. You'll NEED that 16gb of ram.

 

As to your comment about swarming people with choices. Well these macs are no different you just configure them. They all have different model numbers too.

 

 

As for a windows laptop for the price of that machine you can get a legion 5 with 16gb of ram possibly a 5800h but more likely the 5600h and a 3050ti which would stomp over this macbook for rendering purposes due to having rtx. You'll also be able to game on it if you so please.

 

 

If you want a more lightweight portable powerhouse the asus g14 2021 version is there for you. Just get the 16gb or higher model with a rtx card and call it a day.

[trkgmssy]

25 minutes ago, jaslion said:

If you want a more lightweight portable powerhouse the asus g14 2021 version is there for you. Just get the 16gb or higher model with a rtx card and call it a day.

I have been using Windows since I got my first pc, and most of the programs runs better on Windows, so getting a Windows  would be the better option, I was aware of this but didn't want to search for a good laptop. 256 and 8gb can't do the trick, you're right. Legion 5 has decent specs for almost the same price, (5600H, 3060) But as I said kinda thick, also checked the G14 but its about 1700 euro, way over my budget. If I'm going with windows, there are a lot of options. I might build my own rig there too but can't carry with me so I will need to use 2 different PC, it would create some file problems for me. Difficult to decide  Do you have any other suggestions for less than a grand ?

[jaslion]

1 hour ago, trkgmssy said:

I have been using Windows since I got my first pc, and most of the programs runs better on Windows, so getting a Windows  would be the better option, I was aware of this but didn't want to search for a good laptop. 256 and 8gb can't do the trick, you're right. Legion 5 has decent specs for almost the same price, (5600H, 3060) But as I said kinda thick, also checked the G14 but its about 1700 euro, way over my budget. If I'm going with windows, there are a lot of options. I might build my own rig there too but can't carry with me so I will need to use 2 different PC, it would create some file problems for me. Difficult to decide  Do you have any other suggestions for less than a grand ?

Yes but none are as good as the legion 5.

[trkgmssy]

13 hours ago, jaslion said:

Yes but none are as good as the legion 5.

I found a Legion 5 with 5600H and 3060 for less than M1 Air's price. I will go with it most likely. Couldn't find the 5800 model, Thank for the advice