If you create simplified "Segmented" geometry commonly known as "proxy" or "canned" geometry, then put the geo in a layer and "parent" them(don't skin) to their corresponding joints and "hide" the skinned mesh while animating. You can avoid having to do "playblasts" which eats up TONS of animation time. Since there is no "skinned" information within the viewport and only simple geometry(like around 1000-2000 quads max), you can get "realtime" playback on even lardass machines...