If you’re in the market for a new laptop and considering one capable of projection mapping, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll look at some of the Best Laptop For Projection Mapping on the market.
Whether you’re looking for something budget-friendly or high-end, we have you covered.
We’ll also provide tips on choosing the right laptop for your needs so; if you’re ready to learn more about projector laptops.
What is Projection Mapping?
Projection mapping is a projection technology that turns objects into a display surface for video projection. This technique is often used in live concerts and theatre productions to create stunning visual effects.
Projection mapping can be used on any surface but is commonly used on irregularly shaped objects. The most common projection mapping is to project onto buildings, often done for advertising purposes but can also be used for art installations and live events.
How to Choose a Laptop for Projection?
When choosing a laptop for projection mapping, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
The most important thing is ensuring the laptop has the best graphics card, and this is because projection mapping requires a lot of processing power.
You also need to ensure that the laptop has a high-resolution display, making it easier to map the projection onto the object.
Another thing to keep in mind is the ports. Make sure that the laptop has the right ports for your projector.
The last thing to keep in mind is the price. Projection mapping laptops can be expensive, so choose one that fits your budget.
5 Best Laptops for Projection Mapping
1. Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640
Let’s start our list of the Best laptops for projection mapping with the Dell Inspiron’s first-ever machine that we have listed as the top pick of the day. Dell launched this machine in April 2024.
The Dell Inspiron 16 Plus has a 16-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600) resolution Display with 120 Hz refresh rate. This high-resolution display is perfect for viewing high-quality content and videos.
The screen has a maximum brightness of 300 nits which is plenty bright for most usage scenarios. Colors appears accurate with 100% sRGB color gamut supported.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus runs on a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (16 cores/22 threads) with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 dedicated graphics offering 6GB GDDR6 video memory. The processor is powerful and can easily handle even the most demanding tasks.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card comes with enough power to let you enjoy some of the latest games on medium to high settings as well as handle projection mapping, video mixing, and 3D animation.
Dell Inspiron 16 Pro has 16GB DDR5 RAM that is expandable up to 32GB. The 1TB SSD offers ample storage space for your files and data. You also get Windows 11 with AI productivity, perfect for business and productivity users.
The laptop offers up to 16 hours of battery life with the 100W AC adapter charger that comes with the laptop reducing charge time significantly with a handy feature called ExpressCharge.
This feature allows you to charge the battery up to 80% capacity in just one hour. A great feature for those who are always on the go and need to charge their device quickly.
The Dell Inspiron has a variety of ports and connectivity options. This includes an SD card reader is great for those who need to transfer data from their camera or phone to their laptop. The two USB 3.2 Type-A ports are perfect for connecting external devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
There is also an audio jack for headphones or speakers. The HDMI 2.1 port lets you connect your laptop to an external monitor or TV. The Thunderbolt 4 Gen 2 Type-C port with Power Delivery and DisplayPort enables you to connect your laptop to an external monitor or TV and also charge your laptop at the same time.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus has a Full HD webcam with an integrated microphone. The camera quality is good enough for live streaming and video calls, and the field of view is wide enough to fit two people in the frame.
The microphone is good enough for voice calls and the integrated speakers are also loud enough to fill a small room. A fingerprint reader is also provided to add an extra layer of security to your device.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus is a great laptop for projection mapping and comes with all the features you need for a great experience. The powerful processor, large RAM, and expandable storage make it a perfect choice for users who want a machine that can handle anything they throw at it.
Pros
- 2.5K Resolution (2560 x 1600)
- Large Screen: With a 16:10 aspect ratio, you get a taller display that allows you to view more content, making it perfect for handling several projects simultaneously.
- Low blue light: Reducing harmful blue light gives a more comfortable viewing experience.
- Fingerprint Reader
- AI Productivity
Cons
- May feel a bit bulky if portability is a priority
2. HP Omen Transcend 14
HP Omen Transcend 14 is not just one of the best laptops for projection mapping, it is also one of the best gaming laptops, thanks to its powerful processor and discrete graphics.
The Omen Trancend 14 features a 14.0-inch anti-glare OLED display with 2.8K (2880 x 1800) resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The thin bezels create an immersive viewing experience, while the anti-glare panel lets you enjoy your games and movies even in brightly lit rooms.
With up to 500 nits brightness capability, the display is bright for indoor use and can even be used outdoors on a sunny day. It is definitely brighter than an average laptop. The display supports 100% DCI-P3 color gamut ensuring that colors are natural and vibrant.
HP OMEN Transcend 14 comes with 16GB of RAM (up to 32GB) and up to 2TB SSD, which is okay for gaming, projection mapping, 3D animation, and video editing. It offers a brilliant and colorful RGB backlit keyboard.
With up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 4070 dedicated graphics, the laptop can run most games on high or medium settings. However, some games may require you to lower the settings to maintain a stable frame rate.
This laptop comes with up to Intel Core Ultra 9. The processor is powerful and lets the user enjoy smooth multitasking, gaming, projection, and other activities without lags.
Battery life is average at best. You can only get 8 hours max on this laptop.
HP Omen Transcend 14 has two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Type C port, one Thunderbolt 4 (Type C) port, one HDMI 2.1 port, and one multi-format SD media card, reader. The laptop also has a headphone/microphone combo jack.
The webcam has a decent field of view and can be used for video chatting and conferencing. The audio quality is not very good, but still decent.
HP OMEN Transcend 14 is a good laptop for projection, gaming, and general use. It has a powerful processor, a discrete graphics card, an RGB backlit keyboard, and a good display. The battery life is low, and the audio quality could be better. It is one of the best laptops for projection mapping if portability is a priority. You can also check the Transcend 16 if you do not mind a bigger display.
Pros
- Portable Design
- 2.8K Resolution with 16:10 aspect ratio
- Vibrant RGB Backlit keyboard
- AI Productivity
Cons
- Average Battery Life
3. ASUS ROG Strix G16 for Gaming and Projection Mapping
ASUS ROG Strix G16 is another powerful gaming laptop that can also be used for projection mapping. It offers impressive hardware and a beautiful design.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 features a 16-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate (up to 240 Hz refresh rate on latest models) and a modest 1366 x 768 pixels resolution (with latest models offering ), making it perfect for gaming and projection mapping. The display also has an impressive color palette, allowing you to enjoy your favorite games and movies in true-to-life colors.
ASUS ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop is powered by up to Intel Core Ultra 9 processor. It also features up to NVIDIA RTX 5080 dedicated graphics card with 16GB GDDR7 video memory.
The gaming laptop comes with up to 32GB DDR5 RAM (up to 64GB RAM) and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD for storage offering plenty of space to store your games, movies, and other files.
Depending on the model, the ROG Strix G16 has up to 380W power supply and a 4-Cell 90 WHr Battery.
The ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop also has an RGB backlit keyboard, allowing you to game and type in the dark. It also has a Full HD webcam to video chat with your friends and family.
The G16 supports a wide variety of ports including an HDMI 2.1 port, a Thunderbolt 4 port with support for DisplayPort, Power Delivery, and G-SYNC, a USB 3.2 Type C port with support for DisplayPort and Power Delivery, and three USB 3.2 Type A ports.
ASUS ROG Strix G16 is an excellent choice for gamers, movie lovers, and projection mapping alike. It has the power to handle any game you throw at it and the visuals to make your favorite movies look their best. If you are looking for a projection laptop that can do it all, the ROG Strix G16 is the one for you.
Pros
- High Refresh Rate
- RGB backlit keyboard
- Great for Multitasking
Cons
- Average Battery Life
4. GIGABYTE G6X
I understand that Gigabyte isn’t a well-known brand; but does it really matter? If the laptop is functioning effectively, that’s all that truly matters. The Gigabyte G6X is the top-performing laptop.
The WUXGA 165Hz 16 inches display is quite brilliant for projection mapping, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
GIGABYTE G6X has 32 GB of DDR5 RAM and up to 2TB SSD making multitasking smooth and providing enough space for your projection videos and other files.
GIGABYTE G6x projection laptop is powered by an 13th generation Intel Core i7 processor. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card is also provided for gaming on high settings and enjoying smooth visuals for video editing and other graphics-intensive tasks.
This laptop also comes with a backlit keyboard and multiple ports that gives you various options for connecting your laptop to other devices.
The G6X is a great laptop for projection and other demanding tasks. It has a powerful processor, a great graphics card, and plenty of RAM. You can always add an external storage if you need storage.
Pros
- 165Hz Refresh Rate
- Runs Smoothly
- Solid Graphics Quality
Cons
- Average Battery Life
5. HP Pavilion 15 Best Touchscreen Laptop For Projection
With the second HP laptop, let’s conclude this list of the best laptops for projection mapping. Like other laptops on this list, the Pavilion has several versions we will not discuss here.
The 1080p resolution of this HP 15.6-inch touch screen laptop is full HD and offers crisp and clear visuals. The micro-edge display gives you more screens to work within a smaller footprint.
The Integrated Intel UHD graphic card is the best in the business and offers you a great deal of projection performance for all your needs. Whether you want to use this laptop for work, play, or both, the UHD card will not disappoint.
The Pavilion also has a backlit keyboard, making it easy to see in low-light conditions and perfect for working in dark rooms. The natural finger-touch navigation makes the most of Windows 10, making it a great choice for those who want an easy-to-use laptop.
HP Pavilion 15 laptop comes with the Intel Core i5-1035G1 10th Generation Processor. And this is an eight-way processing unit with a base clock speed of 1.0 GHz and can go up to a maximum of 3.6 GHz. The Intel Core i5-1035G1 is based on the Coffee Lake Refresh architecture and is manufactured using a 14nm process; it has six cores and eight threads.
The processor is supported by a 16GB DDR4 SDRAM with a clock speed of 2666 MHz. A dual-channel memory support system that is expandable up to 32GB. The HP Pavilion 15 laptop has a 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive for storing data. This drive is faster than a standard hard disk drive and offers quick data access.
The HP Pavilion 15 laptop has a 3-cell fast-charge lithium-ion battery, and this battery gives you up to 5 to 8 hours of usage on a single charge. The HP fast charge feature allows you to charge the battery up to 70% in just 45 minutes.
This projection laptop has all the necessary ports for different types of connections. You will find an HDMI port, a USB Type-C port, and a USB Type-A port. Also, you will find an SD card reader, a headphone/microphone combo jack, and an RJ-45 port. These ports give you various options for connecting to different devices and peripherals.
The Pavilion projection laptop also comes with a 720p HD webcam. This webcam is integrated into the laptop’s bezel and gives clear and sharp images. And the B&O audio system gives you rich and clear sound, and this speaker system is perfect for working from home or attending online classes.
The HP Pavilion is a great choice for those who want a powerful and versatile laptop that is easy to use. With a backlit keyboard, touch screen, and UHD graphics, this laptop has everything you need to do the job.
Pros
Touchscreen
Affordable
Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
Webcam
Average battery life
Cons
Low space storage
Conclusion
So now, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite tools to assist you in getting started on your project. The ASUS ROG M16 or GIGABYTE Aero 15X would be great if you’re looking for a high-end option. Or, if you’re on a tighter budget, the HP First Pavilion 15.6″ is a great option. Whichever laptop you choose, make sure to consider the features that are most important to you.