I'm currently running Maya 2016 on a new mac 27inch desktop, and it's great... but am thinking of getting a laptop maybe a pc. Using it mostly for 3D Modeling/animation programs and some light gaming. Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!

Unless you really need to be portable i would not recommend a laptop for Maya at all. Yes it's possible to use one but if it's fast enough the price is going to be horrendous.

Are you comfortable building a PC if the answer is yes let me know and i'd be happy to recommend the components for you.

All the best
David

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From a readers' Q and A column in TV GUIDE: "If we get involved in a nuclear war, would the electromagnetic pulses from exploding bombs damage my videotapes?"

Got for a laptop with a high resolution screen. Apple is best. I use a MacBook air

There are other options https://pc4u.org/best-windows-laptop-...w-macbook-pro/

As David mentioned laptops are a huge cost if you want the horse power, I bought a macbook pro for over 3000 Australian Dollars when i was working over there for 3 months, dont really use maya alot on it either. I would certainly recommend a desktop system unless you have to be mobile.

Cheers

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Custom built W10 Pro 64 bit, Hazwell Intel 5820, Asus X99 MOBO, 32 GB DDR4 Ram, EVGA nVidia GTX1080 Founders Edition, 512GB SSD Primary HDD, 16TB Storage, 27" Samsung 4k Display. Wacom 27QHD, Oculus Rift CV1

Highly recommend LENOVO Y500. Its a gaming machine. I been using it for almost 5 years. Now only video chip spoilt whch i replaced it, now working fine. I have been constantly using all sophisticated 3d softwares like Maya, after effects. Earlier than this, i used ASUS which caused issues using maya fluids. But, with lenovo no problem at all. It has 2 vga cards. 1 is built in and other is external. i configured it using vga 2. In case it gets spoils, i don't need to touch mother board, just slide it out like dvd rom and put it back.

Lot of people would disagree if i recommend using laptop over pc for 3d softwares. Listen, maya specially is an extremely dry working platform, you need to be able to change working environments as per you need, i highly recommend to use laptop over pc. Lenovo Y500 i bought RM 3500 (Malaysian Ringitt). New Lenovo gaming machine costs RM4500.
hope it helps, thanks