Finding the perfect laptop for graphic design and other creative pursuits can be a daunting task, especially considering the different hardware specifications available.
You may want to invest in a high-end model that offers maximum power or settle for something more budget-friendly — there are endless options!
To help make your decision easier, we’re going over some of the best laptops on the market today designed specifically with graphic designers in mind.
From powerful hardware components to beautiful displays, read about our top picks for the best laptop for graphic design!
Table of Contents
13 Best Laptops for Graphic Design 2024 (Trusted By Experts )
- Apple MacBook Pro 2021 — Best Apple Laptop for graphic design (Editor’s Choice)
- Apple MacBook Air — Best overall value laptop (Editor’s Choice)
- Apple MacBook Pro with M2 Chip — Best Apple laptop with good performance
- Apple MacBook Air with M2 Chip — Best battery-life Apple laptop
- DELL XPS 13 (9310): Best Dell Laptop for graphic design Under 1500$
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio (14.4″) – Microsoft Best Laptop for Graphic Design Under 1500$
- HP – Envy x360 2-in-1 15.6 : Best HP Laptop for graphic design under 600$
- ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482: Best High Rated Asus Laptop for Graphic Design Under 1500$
- Asus Chromebook Flip — The most affordable laptop for graphic design
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 — Best Asus laptop under $1000 For Graphic Design
- Asus TUF A15 — Best gaming laptop under $1000 for designers
- Acer Swift 3 SF314: Best laptop for graphic design under $600
- Acer Aspire 5 A515: Best Acer Laptop for graphic design under $500
Our Top 5 Picks For You
Invalid table id.1. Apple MacBook Pro 2021 — Best Apple Laptop for graphic design (Editor’s Choice)
CPU: Apple M1 Pro chip with 8 core | Graphics: 14 core GPU | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 14-inch | Storage: 512GB SSD
The MacBook Pro 2021 is a top-tier graphic design behemoth. Apple has created two 14-inch and 16-inch versions that offer excellent portability, long battery life, and amazing build quality. It comes with powerful M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, which can efficiently handle any graphic design need.
The visuals are enhanced by the Liquid Retina display with Motion at 120Hz to give a visual treat. Additionally, creatives and animators get an XDR Liquid Retina LED display which offers ultimate color accuracy. All these features make it a complete transformation from the existing pro series giving it maximum preference among creative professionals.
Pros
- Fast processor (M1 Pro and Max)
- SSD card reader slot and USB ports are back
- Incredible XDR display
- Great battery life
Cons
- No memory expansion
- Expensive
2. Apple MacBook Air — Best overall value laptop (Editor’s Choice)
CPU: Apple M1 | Graphics: Integrated 7-core /8-core GPU | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display with IPS technology | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD | Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches
For anyone working in the creative field, the MacBook Air is an obvious choice. This laptop has Apple’s revolutionary ARM-based M1 chip that powers it and enables higher performance than ever before, allowing users to use a range of apps from Mac and iOS, as well as complete graphic design and editing work easily.
It has a sleek and lightweight design, making it perfect for portability and great for taking on any job or project. Furthermore, with up to 11 hours of battery life on one charge and 4K resolutions available for editing video or other tasks, the MacBook Air is unbeatable value for money. Whether you’ve used Apple products before or are making the switch from other laptops, the MacBook Air won’t let you down!
Pros
- Environmentally friendly and recyclable
- Great battery life
- Brilliant display with 2560X1600 resolution
- Touch ID available
- Better sound quality than other MacBook
- Lightweight
Cons
- Cannot upgrade RAM
- Limited storage space
3. Apple MacBook Pro with M2 Chip — Best Apple laptop with good performance
CPU: Apple M2 chip | Graphics: Apple 10-core GPU | RAM: 8 GB | Screen: 13-inch | Storage: 512GB SSD
The 13-inch MacBook Pro laptop is an incredibly portable powerhouse. Equipped with a next-generation 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 24GB of unified memory, and a power-efficient Apple M2 chip, tasks can be completed quickly, and you may experience long battery life that can last for up to 20 hours. The powerful performance also allows you to run CPU and GPU-intensive tasks for an extended time.
With a 13.3″ retina display with 500 units of brightness, P3 wide color for vibrant visuals and incredible details, and a FaceTime HD camera and three-mic array for clear sound, this laptop is perfect for multimedia consumption or playing the latest video games. Two thunderbolt ports are sitting on either side, making it possible to connect high-speed accessories without any hassle. If you have used a Mac before, your familiarity with this system will instantly be felt.
Pros
- M2 chip is outstanding in performance
- Excellent battery life
- Sharp display
- Single-core performance excellent
Cons
- No design change
- Webcam is not impressive
- Only two thunderbolt ports
4. Apple MacBook Air with M2 Chip — Best battery-life Apple laptop
CPU: Apple M2 chip | Graphics: Apple 10-core GPU | RAM: 8 GB | Screen: 13-inch | Storage: 512GB SSD
The redesigned Macbook Air is an incredible laptop that combines portability and powerful performance. It weighs just 2.7 lbs and has a 13.6-inch liquid retina display that features 500 units of brightness, a P3 wide color, and supports more than 1 billion colors for vibrant images with incredible details.
It is powered by the M2 chip, which allows the user to get work done faster with its ten-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory, running without interruption for 18 hours on a single charge. For its ports, the laptop features a MagSafe charging port, two thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jack making sure users can connect any peripheral quickly and securely. Its all-aluminium body is super durable and strong, so it will last many years while receiving regular software updates to ensure top performance. The redesigned Macbook Air is an excellent choice if you are looking for a portable yet powerful laptop!
Pros
- Attractive 13.6 inches display
- Thinner and Lighter
- M2 chip delivers excellent performance
- 1080p Webcam
Cons
- Shorter battery life than the previous version
- Expensive
5. DELL XPS 13 (9310): Best Dell Laptop for graphic design Under 1500$
The DELL XPS 13 (9310) is a great laptop for designers that need both portability and performance. Its 512 GB SSD gives sufficient storage for saving and transferring data, while its solid state ensures quick rendering of data from the CPU without any heat-ups. With 16 GB RAM and 4267 MHz speed, I can open 20+ tabs on Chrome without any lag or shutter.
With its 11th gen i7 processor, it makes even lightroom tasks run smoothly – I tested it by playing 4k streaming on 3 to 4 tabs and found no lag, as well as only taking 18 minutes to render a 4k video to 1080p or 30 seconds to import 55 RAW images in Lightroom. Additionally, this laptop has good battery life going up to 8 hours. Although graphics could be better, DELL XPS 13 (9310) ‘s portability and performance make it an ideal choice for designers who need their laptops to handle a range of tasks.
Pros:
- RAM: 16 GB
- Battery: 51WH – Upto 8 Hrs
- Ports: 2*USB-C/thunderbolt
- Weight: 0.47 pounds – lightweight
Cons:
- Limited port selection
- Not-great Webcam with no privacy shutter
6. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio (14.4″) – Microsoft Best Laptop for Graphic Design Under 1500$
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio (14.4″) is a premier option for those looking for the best laptop for professional use in design and animation. Its features make it stand out among its contemporaries: incredible life-like display with 120 Hz refresh rate and 3:2 aspect ratio, excellent ergonomic comfort, robust battery life guaranteed up to 18 hours, and storage up to 1TB SSD, 32 GB RAM for smooth working – all of these components unite to make this laptop a top choice on the market.
Not only that, but the 11th Gen Intel Core Processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU will ensure that any product design, animation, or editing job is completed quickly and fluidly.
Whether you are new to the craft or have years of experience under your digital belt, Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has what you need for success.
Pros:
- 32 GB Ram
- CPU: Intel core i7 11700
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX -3050 Ti
Cons:
- Only up to 8 hrs battery life
- Thick chassis
- Limited ports
7. HP – Envy x360 2-in-1 15.6 : Best HP Laptop for graphic design under 600$
The HP – Envy x360 2-in-1 15.6 is a powerful device with plenty of features packed into one neat package. 512 GB PCIe storage with 16 GB of RAM lets you store and access files quickly, and its Ryzen 7 processor allows for seamless graphic design.
The laptop also offers up to 300 nits of brightness and a battery life of 13 hours for daily work sessions. The combination of performance, convenience, and portability make this laptop a must-have for anyone interested in exploring their creative side.
Pros:
- Ryzen 7 5700U
- 16 GB Ram
- 15.6 Inch display
- Upto 13 Hrs battery life
Cons:
- No IR; not Windows Hello compatible
- Bloatware is annoying
8. ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482: Best High Rated Asus Laptop for Graphic Design Under 1500$
The ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482 combines the ultimate laptop specs with software designed to offer a distinct edge to designers. The ScreenExpert 2 software and ergo-fit keyboard ensure smooth and efficient navigation, aided further by 1 TB of SSD storage and 16GB RAM.
These features, combined with Intel’s Core i7-1195G7 processor and the GeForce MX450 graphics card, make it a powerhouse for creating graphic design projects, offering the highest level of productivity for any task at hand. With such an impressive set of features, it’s no wonder the ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482 is regularly rated as one of the best laptops for designers.
Pros:
- Core i7-1195G7 CPU
- 16 GB Ram
- 14 Inch Display
- GPU: GeForce MX450
Cons:
- Slow MicroSD reader
- Only one USB-A port
9. Asus Chromebook Flip — The most affordable laptop for graphic design
CPU: Intel Pentium – Core m7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 510 – 515 | RAM: 4GB – 8GB | Screen: 12.5-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED-backlit anti-glare display | Storage: 32GB – 128GB eMMC
The decision to choose the best Chromebook for designers can be difficult. On the one hand, the Chromebook Pixelbook Go is an excellent choice but expensive. Alternatively, the Asus Chromebook Flip offers affordability and similar quality performance.
This laptop comes with an Intel Core processor, Full HD display, touchscreen, backlit keyboard, and USB-C port, which are beneficial to graphic designers.
With 8GB RAM installed, it has enough power to run photoshop elements, and with its all-day battery duration, working on projects on the go will not be hindered by running out of charge.
This laptop gives the designer great quality features to suit their needs but still keeps them on budget.
So if you’re choosing between the two, consider taking a serious look at the Asus Chromebook Flip laptop as both a cost-effective and high-quality choice for graphic designers.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Great design feel
- Great battery life
- Excellent performance
- Can run Android apps
Cons:
- No USB Type-A port
- The keyboard gives a spongy
- Expensive
- Compatibility of Android apps is still in bet
10. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 — Best Asus laptop under $1000 For Graphic Design
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS – 9 4900HS | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 | RAM: 16GB – 32GB | Screen: 14-inch Non-glare Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS-level panel, 120Hz – 14-inch Non-glare WQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS-level panel, 60Hz | Storage: 512GB / 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0
The Zephyrus G14 from Asus practically packs the perfect combination of specs that both gamers and graphic designers will love. It boasts an AMD Ryzen 4000 processor and Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics card, ensuring that any project can be quickly executed with minimal processing time. Moreover, despite being geared towards gamers, its impressive specifications will no doubt satisfy any creative professional.
The laptop also offers a long battery life – making it great for lengthy day-long projects – with its top-notch display at a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Finally, these amazing features come in a lightweight frame that is as thin as ever, so you can rest assured your project will maintain its optimal quality on the screen. Truly, this laptop is set to be the premier choice for gamers and designers on the market come 2023.
Pros:
- Excellent CPU performance
- Great audio and display
- Good battery life (11 hours approx.)
- Awesome display
- Sleek design
Cons:
- No webcam
- Heating issue
- No wired Ethernet
- No Thunderbolt 3 connection
11. Asus TUF A15 — Best gaming laptop under $1000 for designers
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4600H – 7 4800H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660TI – RTX 2060 | RAM: up to 32 GB SDRAM | Screen: 15.6″ (16:9) FHD (1920×1080) 60Hz Anti-Glare IPS-level Panel – 15.6″ (16:9) FHD (1920×1080) 144Hz Anti-Glare IPS-level Panel | Storage: 1TB 5400 rpm SATA HDD – 256GB/512GB/1TB PCIe Gen3 SSD
If you’re a designer looking for a great laptop at an affordable price that can still handle the occasional bump, then the TUF A15 from Asus is a perfect choice. Featuring an incredible AMD Ryzen 4000 processor and Nvidia RTX 2600 graphics, this laptop offers amazing performance without breaking the bank. Not only do you experience vivid 1080p images and long battery life, but its durability ensures that it won’t quit when you need it most.
Although pricing makes it an ideal choice for those on a budget, it could never be mistaken for cheap – especially considering how the ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop from Asus reigns as one of the top gaming laptops of 2023. Whichever laptop you choose will depend on your budget and needs, but if you’re looking to save a few bucks, consider going with the TUF A15 from Asus.
Pros:
- Performance upgrade over the previous generation
- The smart placing of ports (most on the left
- 144Hz display
- Battery life is better than average
Cons:
- The lid has too much flex
- The design is not so good
- Display color accuracy isn’t great
12.Acer Swift 3 SF314: Best laptop for graphic design under $600
The Acer Swift 3 SF314 is ideal for designers who don’t want to break the bank but still get a laptop with features suitable for photo editing and other design tasks. My configuration includes 16GB of RAM and 512GB NVMe-based SSD, which, though it could be upgraded for faster system loading, is adequate for light designs.
The display works fine indoors, but outdoors in bright sunlight, its anti-glare capabilities are quite average. However, it makes up for this less-than-stellar outdoor performance with its 13 hours of battery life – making you work longer without worrying too much about plugging in your device. This is an excellent laptop choice for those on a budget looking to do image and website design.
Pros:
- CPU: Core i7-1165G7 (4 cores, eight threads) Up to 4.70GHz
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR4x
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe (Integrated)
- Upto 13 Hrs battery life
- Display: 14 inches
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4, Two USB-A, one HDMI
Cons:
- No SD card reader
- RAM not upgradeable
- Display with a low PWM frequency
13.Acer Aspire 5 A515: Best Acer Laptop for graphic design under $500
The Acer Aspire is a no-brainer for any design enthusiast who does typography and lighter versions of graphic design. With 16 GB RAM and an i5 processor, this laptop can easily handle multiple activities simultaneously, making it ideal for multitasking. Toggling between tabs, calling mother dearest on video, and designing digital projects won’t be much hassle.
Additionally, the 512 GB SSD helps save and transfer data quickly as needed; there are also sufficient ports to attach external drives in case extra storage is required. Unsurprisingly, its impressive performance was demonstrated by the 5010 score on PCMark10 – a testament that this laptop truly lives up to the hype of being one of the best designers.
Pros:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 8GB/16 G
- Battery: 11 hours
- Display: 15.6 inches
- Ports: 4 USB
Cons:
- The body is almost entirely made of plastic
- The screen isn’t the most vibrant
- Mushy keyboard
5 Tips for choosing the best laptop for graphic design
1. Consider Your needs
The first step in choosing the best laptop for graphic design is considering your needs. What type of graphic design do you do? Do you need a powerful laptop to handle 3D rendering or video editing? Or do you primarily use 2D applications such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator? Knowing what type of graphic design you do will help you narrow your choices.
2. Choose the Right Processor
Once you know what type of graphic design you do, you can look at specific laptops. One of the most important factors to consider is the processor. You will want a laptop with an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor for most graphic design tasks. For 3D rendering or video editing, you may need a more powerful processor, such as an Intel Xeon or AMD Ryzen.
3. Get Enough RAM
Another important factor to consider is the amount of RAM. RAM stands for random access memory, and your computer uses it to store data that it is currently working on. The more RAM you have, the more smoothly your computer will run. We recommend a minimum of 8GB of RAM for graphic design, but 16GB or more is even better.
4. Get a Solid State Drive
One final factor to consider is storage. Most laptops come with either a traditional hard drive or a solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs are much faster than hard drives, which means your computer will boot up quicker, and programs will load faster. Speed is important for graphic design, so we recommend getting a laptop with an SSD.
5. Consider Your Budget
Of course, your budget is one final factor to consider when choosing a graphic design laptop. Laptops can range in price from around $500 to $2000. It’s important to find a laptop that fits your needs and budget.
FAQ’s
Yes, gaming laptops can be used for graphic design. Many gaming laptops offer powerful processors, ample RAM, and high-quality displays suitable for graphic design tasks. However, they may lack color accuracy and may be heavier and less portable compared to laptops specifically designed for creative professionals.
Conclusion:
If you’re a graphic designer, we hope you found the best laptop for your needs in our blog post. Laptops are essential to any designer’s toolkit and can help take your work to the next level.
Whether you need a powerful machine for rendering or a sleek device for travelling, there’s sure to be a perfect fit for you on our list.
If you know someone looking for the best laptops for graphic design, be sure to share this post with them on social media.
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