Laptops for Graphic Designing

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Best Laptops for Graphic Designing and Editing | Top 10 Picks

What is the best laptop for designers?

It can be challenging to choose a laptop for graphic design. When it comes to deciding which laptop to buy, there are numerous factors to consider. The sort of graphic designer and the type of design they will be working on their laptop are the most important factors to consider while shopping for the finest graphic design laptop.

Finding the greatest laptop, like many other vocations, requires striking the correct balance between performance and weight, a huge screen and portability, maximum features, and an affordable price. Fortunately, laptop manufacturers make models for a variety of categories and vocations.

In this post, we’ll provide you some basic buying tips on how to pick the best laptop for you, as well as a list of the finest graphic design laptops on the market in 2021. See our list of the best desktop computers for graphic artists if you need more power or a larger screen. Alternatively, if you do a lot of programming or coding, check out our guide to the best laptops for programming.

You’ll probably want to acquire a larger external display for your workspace once you’ve had your laptop. Check out our picks for the greatest designer monitors. A laptop that offers everything you need to compete in today’s industry is the finest laptop for a digital marketer.

There are numerous laptops on the market, but only a few can provide you with all you require at a reasonable price. While you can find some excellent deals on the best laptop for a digital marketer, it isn’t necessarily the cheapest. Instead, it should be light, portable, and equipped with all of the features you require at a price you can afford.

What Are the Computer Requirements for Graphic Design?

The sheer assortment of characteristics and features available when purchasing a laptop, particularly premium versions, can be overwhelming. Here’s a simple jargon-buster to assist you in making informed decisions:

Processor

It makes sense to pay more for a powerful CPU if you’re going to be using power-hungry programs for creative work. After all, the less time you waste waiting for your computer to catch up, the faster you’ll be able to complete your tasks. Processors are frequently referred to as CPUs (central processing units) or just chips. When it comes to processors, AMD and Intel are the two big names.

These days, there’s not much of a difference between the two companies, and they both provide high-quality processors for high-end laptops. Then there’s Apple’s own Apple M1 Chip, which is included in the 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models and has shown to be extremely powerful. You should accept nothing less than an Intel Core i5 CPU (preferably an i7), an AMD Ryzen, or an AMD FX chip for design work.

RAM

You’ll also need enough RAM – at least 8GB, but 16GB is a safe bet these days. RAM (random access memory) is a type of memory that enables your computer browse through your files and tasks.

Again, the more RAM your computer has, the more quickly you’ll be able to do your tasks. Also, don’t mix up memory, which refers to RAM, with storage, which refers to your hard disk or solid state drive.

Storage

Premium laptops also have two types of storage: spinning hard drives and solid state drives (SSDs). A spinning hard drive is older, but not defunct technology; they are typically less expensive and offer more storage space than SSDs of comparable price. They also produce noise, friction, and heat as they spin around. SSDs, on the other hand, are more recent – and more expensive – than traditional hard drives.

Because they don’t contain any moving parts, they allow the computer to read and store data significantly more quickly. Your laptop will boot up faster and run and open programs more smoothly with an SSD. The only disadvantage is that an SSD provides significantly less storage space.

Computer Graphics Card

GPUs, or graphics processing units, are comparable to processors but operate in a somewhat different manner. Graphics cards are better at displaying information on a screen.

Some cheaper PCs forego a discrete graphics card in favor of letting the processor handle all of the tasks, but you’ll almost certainly need a dedicated GPU for the work you’ll be undertaking. Again, the more expensive the GPU is, the faster it can complete the tasks you give it.

Dimensions of the Display

A larger screen can also be beneficial — there’s no point in developing a multi-million dollar marketing campaign while looking into a tiny display.

Consider a 13-inch screen as a minimum, with a 15-inch or 16-inch screen being preferred. These are quite stringent standards, so don’t be surprised if you see pricing of $1,000 or even $2,000.

 

What’s the Best MacBook for Graphic Design?

The MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air are the two MacBook lines currently available from Apple. Apple’s models are now in flux as the company transitions away from Intel processors and toward its own Apple Chip. The MacBook Air and several MacBook 13 models have already received the update, but the 16-inch MacBook is still on the waiting list.

The difference between the Air and Pro models has closed significantly with the current Microsoft Air, but we still believe that the Pro has the edge for designers, as it has always done. Little elements like the Touch Bar, which can provide further utility for designers and fans, just put it over the over. Because the Air lacks one, the Pro can work harder for longer periods of time without having to slow down if the processor overheats.

Then there’s the battery life, which on the Pro is up to 20 hours compared to 16 on the Air. Both are amazing accomplishments, but we can’t help but be tempted by a bit extra liquid.

 

Is it possible to use gaming laptops for graphic design?

Graphic designers and gamers both require powerful computers with large screens. So, can you kill two birds with one stone by purchasing a single laptop that can be used for both jobs? In a way, yes. Any graphic design activities you need to complete can be completed on a gaming laptop. When it comes to gaming on the machines on our list, though, you’ll be a little short on visuals.

Laptops need strong discrete GPUs to handle the high graphical demands of modern games, and these require considerable cooling to function properly. As a result, gaming laptops are often bulky, and slipping one into a courier bag before heading to work is likely to leave you with a sore shoulder – but devices like the Razer Blade Stealth are an exception. Gaming laptops, such as the Lenovo Legion Y730 shown, are known for their flamboyant appearance.

As a result, pulling out a laptop like this during a pitching meeting may not appear very professional.

 

Which Laptop Is Best for Drawing?

The Surface Book 2, Surface Laptop 3, and HP Spectre x360 15 are three of the laptops we mentioned above that have a touchscreen. A stylus makes it simple to draw on any laptop’s touchscreen, and some, like the one included with the Surface Book, give you more options than just drawing lines: you can shade, for example, by tilting the pen while you draw. However, unlike the other three variants, the Surface Book’s stylus is not included in the price of the laptop.

So, unless you’re certain you’ll use it frequently, it might not be worth the money. If you want to draw but don’t want to buy a laptop with a pen, remember that you can get a drawing pad (or graphics tablet, as they’re also known) that will work with any laptop. They can be as low as $25, but you can expect to spend at least $100 for a good pad.

When it comes to graphics tablets, Wacom is the industry leader, with its Intuos line (above) starting at $80. In most cases, using a stylus directly on a glass touchscreen will be preferable to utilizing a tablet pad for serious drawing. They feature varying pressure sensitivity levels, allowing you to easily sketch and shade.

Laptops for Graphic Designing and Editing The best laptops for graphic design and editing are those that can handle all of your design demands.

That’s why, when compiling this list of the 25 best laptops for 2021, we took into account all of the graphic designer’s criteria. Each graphic design laptop has the processing power, speed, and display required to run a variety of graphic design programs.

All that’s left for you to do now is choose your favorite. The specifications of each graphic design laptop are listed below so you can make an informed decision. Our computers for graphics, video, and animation design should have something for you.

List of 15 Best Laptops for Graphic Designing and Editing  


List of 15 Best Laptops for Graphic Designing and Editing  – Review 

Laptops for Graphic Designing

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Features

#1. Microsoft Surface Book 2

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is just as powerful today as it was when it was first debuted in 2017. When it comes to 2-in-1 laptops, the Surface Book 2 is unrivaled. The removable screen makes it as pleasant to use as a tablet as it is as a laptop.

As a result, you can work from your workplace, at home, or on the go. Drawing on the tablet with a pen seems natural. There is no time delay between the time your pen hits the screen and the time your illustration appears on it. When employing a touchscreen pen, this provides graphic artists greater creative freedom than ever before. The screen resolution is sharp and clear, and text, photos, and videos are displayed flawlessly.

The Surface Book 2 isn’t cheap, and depending on the model you choose, it may set you back anywhere from $1049 to $2999. Despite Microsoft’s claims that the Surface Book 2 will last 17 hours, the reality is closer to 7-13 hours, depending on the software. Overall, this laptop is a fantastic machine and one of the best options for graphic design.

CPU: 8th gen Intel Quad-Core i7-8650U, 4.2GHz “max turbo” Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, 6GB graphic memory RAM: 16GB Screen: 15-inch display, 3240 x 2160, 260 PPI Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD Battery: 7-13 hours or 5 hours in tablet mode Ports: 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C, Surface connect, SD card slot, headphone jack Weight: 4.2 pounds, 1.8 pound in tablet mode Price: $1049-2999

 

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#2. Apple MacBook Air

Laptops for Graphic Designing

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Features

The MacBook Air, which Apple produced, is the greatest notebook you can buy right now if you work in a creative sector. The MacBook Air is a tiny, lightweight notebook featuring a new ARM-based M1 CPU from Apple that provides exceptional performance for graphic design, video editing, and other creative tasks in 4K and over 11 hours of battery life on a single charge.

While many Apple products are on the higher end of most people’s budgets, the MacBook Air is reasonably priced in comparison to many of the other selections on our list. The ability to utilize both Mac and iOS apps on the iPhone and iPad, though, makes this laptop a game-changer.

Even if you’ve only used Windows laptops previously, Apple’s MacBook Air is worth upgrading to macOS for. The Macbook Pro, which is number three on our list, is recommended if you need a larger screen or more power. To go with your new laptop, check out our features on the best Macbook Air accessories and the best Macbook monitors. You’ll almost certainly need to get an external hard disk as well.

 

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#3.Newest HP Envy x360 2-in-1 Laptop

Laptops for Graphic Designing

 

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Features

 

If you’re a designer looking for a laptop that not only looks but also feels like a luxury laptop without the premium price tag, the HP Envy x360 is a great option. It is the greatest affordable 2-in-1 laptop for creatives available, thanks to its compact and robust design and excellent performance.

A 15-inch touchscreen is bright and dazzling, and it also works with HP’s MPP2.0 pen, giving you a simple method to create beautiful images. The most interesting element of the Envy is what’s inside: AMD’s Ryzen 4000 series powers the laptop, which can handle multitasking with ease and give good gaming performance thanks to AMD’s Integrated Radeon graphics card. You might also be interested in checking out our complete list of the best HP laptops.

 

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#4. Asus Chromebook Flip

Laptops for Graphic Designing

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Features

When it comes to choosing the best Chromebook for designers, you have to select between two quite distinct possibilities. The Chromebook Pixelbook Go is a high-priced option, while the Chromebook Flip is a far more cheap and yet fantastic one.

The Chromebook Flip is one of the greatest budget-friendly Chromebooks and laptops available today, with an Intel Core CPU, Full HD display, touchscreen, backlit keyboard, and USB-C port. It’s a terrific alternative for designers on a budget or even students. If you’re looking for a Chromebook, check out our list of the best Chromebooks for graphic design.

 

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#5. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

Laptops for Graphic Designing

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Features

While it lacks a Thunderbolt 3 connector and a webcam, the Asus Zephyrus G14 comes dangerously close to being an ideal laptop for designers and the best gaming laptop of 2021, thanks to the remarkable performance it achieves thanks to an AMD Ryzen 4000 processor and Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics card. While it’s aimed at gamers, the specifications will satisfy any graphic artist.

A long-lasting battery and a display with a 120Hz refresh rate, all packaged in a lightweight, ultra-thin design that can enhance the look of your newest project or help you beat the competition during long hours of gaming after work.

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#6. Google Pixelbook Go

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Features

The Google Pixelbook Go is the best lightweight laptop and a designer’s dream, especially for Chromebook fans. While their last product, the Pixelbook, was a fantastic piece of technology, it was also somewhat pricey. The Pixelbook Go maintains much of that same quality but at a lower cost, and it also has some additions such as a fantastic keyboard and long battery life that will help you finish any job.

The Chrome OS soars on this laptop, and the overall performance is on par with many other laptops on our list, thanks to its superb specifications. This is the Chromebook to own in 2021 if you’re a Chromebook enthusiast. If you’re looking for a Chromebook, check out our list of the best Chromebooks for graphic design. The Google Pixelbook is the best Chromebook for graphic design in our opinion.

 

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#7. Acer Swift 3

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Features

Our inexpensive graphic design laptop is the Acer Swift 3. The Acer Swift 3 is a terrific laptop for designers with plenty of power for all of your design needs, despite its tiny appearance. The Swift 3 is a low-cost laptop with a simple design and a powerful Intel Core i7 processor. While the Swift 3’s performance is comparable to that of other higher-priced laptops, the display has a lesser resolution than others.

However, the most significant distinction is the Swift 3’s inexpensive pricing. The Swift 3 from Acer is a terrific inexpensive laptop for any designer, with a spacious trackpad and backlit keyboard that make typing easy whether you’re traveling or in the office.

 

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#8. Dell XPS 15 2-in-1

 

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Features

For a graphic artist who needs to work on the go, the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 is an excellent choice. Its 360 hinge allows the laptop’s screen to be completely folded back, giving it the appearance of a tablet. It adds an 8th generation Intel Core processor to the Dell XPS 15’s power, as well as built-in AMD Vega graphics. All of this is accomplished while slimming down the laptop, which is a remarkable achievement.

The 9575 8th gen Intel Core i7 variant is a high-end performer that matches its hefty price tag of roughly $2699, although the laptop is also available with lower specifications for a reduced price. The XPS 15 2-in-1 starts at roughly $1299 in its base configuration. The premium laptop has a gorgeous 4k screen that is ideal for picture and video processing. It’s a vibrant and engaging visual experience that will add a little additional zing to all of your designs.

Photoshop, InDesign, and Lightroom, as well as other Adobe suite apps, will run incredibly smoothly on this laptop, regardless of the size of the project you’re working on. The battery life of the XPS 15 2-in-1 is a drawback. Because of its 2-in-1 design and 4K screen, it has a worse battery life than comparable laptops in its class.

 

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#9. Acer Predator Helios 300

 

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Features

The Acer Predator Helios 300 is primarily designed for gamers, but it also performs well as a graphic creative workstation. With 16GB of RAM and an Intel 6-core Core i7-8750H processor, it’s a fairly capable laptop that can handle the bulk of design apps. The Helios 300 is a formidable laptop, while being almost half the price of some of its competitors on this list.

Depending on the configuration, you could be looking at a price range of $942 to $169.99. It has a large screen that will aid in the creation of vibrant visual design. Higher-priced laptops will have a nicer screen, but the Helios 300 is right up there with the finest in this price category. One of its major flaws is its short battery life, which lasts about 3 to 4 hours before needing to be recharged.

However, this level of battery life is typical of a gaming laptop. It also has a loud fan and a sluggish SSD, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a laptop that performs as well as the Acer Predator Helios 300 for this budget.

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#10. HP ZBook X2

Laptops for Graphic Designing

 

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Features

For designers, HP laptops are a popular choice. The HP ZBook X2 is a powerful laptop that may help you unleash your creativity, and it’s designed to meet all of your design requirements. When you use the pen feature on this laptop, it nearly seems like you’re drawing on paper, which is a credit to the attention that went into its creation.

The ZBook X2 has a distinct design that sets it apart from the rest of the laptops on this list. It has a thick bezel that includes shortcut buttons and is heavy and strong in appearance. Drops and shocks are not a problem with this design. It’s a little bigger and heavier than most laptops, but it makes up for it with a bright screen, powerful performance, and user-friendly design.

This graphic design nirvana is available for a broad range of pricing depending on the specs you choose, with the base model starting at $794 on Amazon and going to $2918 at max specs.

 

 

 

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#11. LG Gram 14Z980

Laptops for Graphic Designing

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Features

 The LG Gram 14Z980 laptop is extremely light, weighing only 2.2 pounds. It’s small and lightweight, making it ideal for designers that travel frequently. The Gram’s battery is one of the best on the list, lasting far into the high teens even with heavy use. As a result, you’ll rarely need to charge it while you’re working.

It’s small and compact, but it’s not without connectors: a headphone jack, a microSD card reader, three USB 3.0 ports (including USB-C), and an HDMI port are all included. Even while it isn’t as powerful as the LG Gram 15Z980, it will enough for most of your design needs. The LG Gram 14Z980 has been revamped for 2019, and it now comes in a gorgeous white casing. This laptop is a true multitasker, with a bright display that will make your design pop off the screen.

 

 

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#12. Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED

 

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Features

If you’re looking for a laptop with one of the greatest displays on the market, the Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED is the way to go. The Samsung AMOLED 4K display is indeed gorgeous, and it sets a new bar that high-end laptops may soon have to meet.

With this offering, Gigabyte is especially targeting designers, broadening its typical gaming target audience with similar hardware. All design applications will operate well on the Aero 15 OLED, and video editing will be a breeze.

This laptop is available at a variety of pricing points due to its highly customizable specifications. It starts at roughly $1615 and goes up to $3299 for greater power, speed, and storage. The Aero 15 OLED’s design is identical to that of its predecessor, the Aero 15, although it has been upgraded in many ways. The webcam, for example, is now less visible, and the hinge has been reduced.

 

 

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#13. Samsung Notebook 9 Pen

Laptops for Graphic Designing

 

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Features

Although the Samsung Notebook is small and light, this has no bearing on its performance. It features one of the tiniest screens on the list, which may cause it to be overshadowed by larger laptops. There are, however, several advantages to its size. It comes with a convenient stylus for designing, and the 2-in-1 display can be flipped around to become a tablet.

The touchscreen is extremely responsive, making drawing with the Notebook 9 Pen a breeze. It’s a quick and powerful laptop that can handle all design software, despite its slim size. Its fans are also incredibly quiet, so you won’t be embarrassed to conduct some design work in public!

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#14. Asus ROG Strix SCAR III

Laptops for Graphic Designing

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Features

While the ROG Strix SCAR III is marketed as a gaming laptop, it is also capable of serving as a graphic design laptop. It’s a big, hefty device, but it makes up for its lack of mobility with power and speed.

It can easily go through any of the Adobe design apps. It does, however, have the usual gaming laptop drawbacks, such as a battery life that quickly depletes at high brightness settings and a loud fan. The display is well lighted, and colors will pop on this laptop. The Asus ROG Strix SCAR III is worth considering if you want to make designs that pop off your screen.

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#15 Razer Blade 15

The Razer Blade 15 is an excellent pick for designers who also enjoy gaming. For gamers and designers, this is the greatest laptop. This is a well-built, slim, and compact laptop that delivers excellent performance at a reasonable price.

 

 

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Features

Razer’s Blade 15 The screen is a magnificent Full HD display that provides an immersive and lightning-fast visual experience for gamers and creators. With the narrow bezel, factory calibrated 15.6″ monitor that offers up to 100% sRGB color, you’ll be able to game or create! The Razer Blade 15’s only drawback is its 5- to 6-hour battery life.

Its hardware, on the other hand, is far superior to that of the much more expensive Macbook Pro. Hardware optimization is a significant aspect when choosing a laptop for graphic design work. This laptop also includes Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet, Thunderbolt 3, USB type-A and type-C connectors, and HDMI, allowing you to enjoy a desktop-like experience. You can also change the color of the keyboard’s illumination, making the Razer Blade 15 really unique.

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#16 Huawei MateBook X Pro

Huawei is best known for its smartphones, but in recent years it has also offered some excellent laptops. For Windows users, the most Apple-like laptop. As you could have guessed, the name sounds extremely familiar: Is that a MacBook Pro or a MateBook?

 

 

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Features

MateBook X Pro by Huawei The parallels don’t stop there; they go beyond just naming. We can observe that this laptop attempts hard to look like a Macbook Pro in terms of design. But it’s not only about the name and appearance; when it comes to performance and durability, the Huawei MateBook X Pro can confidently compete with other well-known brands.

As a result, if you enjoy Apple’s product design but don’t want to give up your beloved Windows, this laptop is a viable option. Huawei MateBook X Pro delivers a stylish design and good performance for a fraction of the price of competitors like Apple or Dell laptops. You also receive a good screen and overall specs, ensuring that all of your creative and graphic design software runs well.

Again, the Huawei MateBook X Pro is an excellent choice for designers who want the clean aesthetic of Apple products but prefer to run Windows. I’d even go so far as to declare that this is the best Windows laptop ever made.

 

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Conclusions – Laptops for Graphic Designing

So, which laptop is best for graphic design?— Many designers choose the Apple Macbook Pro as their computer of choice. If you don’t want to go with Apple, any of the other laptops in my list of best graphic design laptops will suffice. This was my basic purchasing advice for selecting the best laptop for your graphic design needs. Because graphic design is such a broad phrase, your design software will specify a specific set of hardware specifications.

You might spend hours attempting to find the ideal price-features combination if you combine it with your personal preferences and inclinations. Because of its minimalist style and high speed, the MacBook Pro remains the top choice for many graphic artists. There are, however, other fantastic brands that make good-looking, high-performing laptops that are less expensive than Apple’s. As a graphic designer, what laptop do you prefer?— Leave a comment in the box below.

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