Digital art has become increasingly popular, and having the right tools is essential for artists to unleash their creativity.
One such tool is a powerful laptop that can handle the demanding tasks of digital art. In this article, we have compiled a list of the 11 best laptops for digital art.
These laptops offer high-performance specifications, excellent displays, and exceptional stylus support to cater to the needs of digital artists.
Whether you’re a professional illustrator, graphic designer, or budding digital artist, these laptops provide the perfect canvas for your imagination.
Let’s explore the top contenders and find the ideal laptop to bring your artistic visions to life.
Table of Contents
11 Best Laptops for Digital Art in 2023 For You
- Apple MacBook Pro (Editor’s Choice) – Overall Best Apple Laptop For Digital Art & Artists
- Microsoft Surface Book 3 – Best 2-in-1 Microsoft laptop for digital art
- Dell XPS 15 – Best High-Performing Dell Laptop for Art & Artist
- ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 – Best Dual Screen Laptop For Digital Art Under 2000$
- HP Envy X360 – Best High performing Laptop For Digital Art Under 1000$
- Acer Spin 5 – Best Convertible Portable Laptop For Art under 1500$
- Apple MacBook Air – Best Budget Apple Laptop For Digital Artists Under 1000$
- Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook – Best 2-in-1 laptop for art Under 500$
- Microsoft Surface Go 2 – Best Stylish Touchscreen Microsoft Laptop For Art Under 600$
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Touchscreen – Lenovo’s best laptop for digital artists under 600$
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 – Best High-Performing Laptop for Art
Let’s deep dive into it!
1. Apple MacBook Pro (Editor’s Choice) – Overall Best Apple Laptop For Digital Art & Artists
When it comes to digital art and artists, the Apple MacBook Pro is the way to go. The 2022 edition of the MacBook Pro comes equipped with the M2 chip, an advanced system that delivers quicker performance for your everyday needs.
With an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and up to 24GB of unified memory, you’ll be able to get more done in less time. Plus, with up to 20 hours of battery life and an active cooling system, the MacBook Pro is built to handle even the most demanding tasks.
The Retina display is also a standout feature, boasting 500 nits of brightness and P3 wide color for stunningly vibrant images. With versatile connectivity and easy-to-use features, the MacBook Pro is the ultimate choice for professional artists and digital creatives.
2. Microsoft Surface Book 3 – Best 2-in-1 Microsoft laptop for digital art
Introducing the Microsoft Surface Book 3 – the ultimate 2-in-1 laptop for digital artists. Boasting a 15-inch screen, sleek platinum color, and a hard disk size ranging from 256 GB to 2TB, this laptop is the epitome of technology and convenience all wrapped into one.
With its Core i7 CPU model, 16 GB to 32 GB installed RAM memory, and a powerful NVIDIA GTX GeForce GPU, it is 30% faster than its predecessor, the Surface Book 2 15″. Its battery life, also improved, can last up to 17.5 hours in use, and even longer in standby mode.
The Microsoft Surface Book 3 provides not only a robust laptop but also a powerful tablet and portable studio. And with its USB-A, USB-C, and full-size SD card slot, you have all the connections you need at your fingertips. Plus, enjoy a free upgrade to Windows 11 when available.
It’s no wonder that the Microsoft Surface Book 3 is the best choice for digital artists who demand style, convenience, and power in one package.
3. Dell XPS 15 – Best High-Performing Dell Laptop for Art & Artist
The Dell XPS 15 9500 is the ideal high-performing laptop for artists and designers who require speed and precision in their work.
With an Intel Core i7-10750H 10th Gen processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card with 4GB GDDR6, 32GB DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, this laptop is a powerhouse that can handle heavy-duty image and video editing software.
The 15.6-inch FHD+ display provides excellent colour accuracy and clarity, while the Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports allow for easy connectivity to external displays and devices. Plus, with a long-lasting 86WHr battery, you can work worry-free without needing to constantly recharge.
The Dell XPS 15 9500 is the perfect tool for any artist or designer looking for a high-performing laptop that can keep up with their creativity.
4.ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 – Best Dual Screen Laptop For Digital Art Under 2000$
When it comes to digital art, having the right tools is crucial. The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 is the best dual-screen laptop for digital art under 2000$. With its 15.6-inch 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen glossy main display and a 14-inch 4K matte touchscreen ScreenPad Plus, the UX581 gives artists a versatile way to multitask, whether they want to extend the screen or split windows and apps on both displays.
The laptop is packed with features that make it perfect for digital art, like the latest 9th generation Intel Core i7-9750H Quad Core Processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 for fast rendering. It also includes a detachable palm rest and ASUS active stylus pen, making it easy to draw, paint, and create.
With 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM, the UX581 is both quick and efficient, ensuring your files open and save with ease. For artists looking for a laptop that can keep up with their creativity, the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 is the perfect choice.
5. HP Envy X360 – Best High performing Convertible Laptop For Digital Art Under 1000$
The HP Envy X360 Convertible Laptop boasts the best performance for digital art under 1000$. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor and AMD Radeon graphics, this laptop provides a stunning visual experience for all your art projects.
With an edge-to-edge touchscreen and a 15-inch screen size, you can indulge in vibrant, expansive images and control your entertainment right from the screen. Moreover, the Nightfall black aluminium design gives the laptop a sleek and modern look.
The HP Envy X360 comes with 8 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD, ensuring an ultra-fast and smooth performance. The icing on the cake is that it also comes with Windows 11 Home, which lets you connect to your favourite people, news, games, and content, making it the perfect place to unleash your creativity.
6. Acer Spin 5 – Best Convertible Portable Laptop For Art under 1500$
Artists and graphic designers require versatility and precision when it comes to their digital work, which is why the Acer Spin 5 is a fantastic option for those in need of a convertible portable laptop.
The Spin 5 boasts impressive technical specifications, including the latest 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics – perfect for accelerating editing needs.
The device’s 16:10 2560 x 1600 touchscreen display with low-blue-light TÜV certification ensures that your art is displayed in glorious detail, while the TwinAir system with Vortex Flow architecture guarantees optimal temperature for the best performance experience.
With 16GB LPDDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, artists and designers can freely create without worrying about storage limitations. Additionally, with the included active stylus, artists can seamlessly bring their ideas to life.
All of these features combined make the Acer Spin 5 the best convertible portable laptop for art under 1500 dollars.
7. Apple MacBook Air – Best Budget Apple Laptop For Digital Artists Under 1000$
Digital artists who are looking for an affordable but powerful laptop that can handle their demanding workloads should check out the Apple MacBook Air.
Equipped with an Apple M1 chip that features an 8-core CPU, this laptop delivers lightning-fast performance while using less power than its predecessors. With up to 18 hours of battery life, you can spend a full day working without needing to plug it in.
The MacBook Air also comes with 8GB of unified memory that ensures speedy and responsive performance. Its 13.3-inch Retina display is stunning, making images and designs come to life in true-to-life colours.
Whether you prefer Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, or Google Drive, the MacBook Air is compatible with all your existing apps.
Take your digital art to the next level with the Apple MacBook Air, the best budget Apple laptop for digital artists under $1000.
8. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook – Best 2-in-1 laptop for art Under 500$
If you’re an artist looking for a budget-friendly 2-in-1 laptop, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook is a great option to consider.
This portable device comes with a detachable keyboard that attaches quickly and easily with its 5-point pogo pin and magnet design.
Its dual-tone design with aluminium alloy on the tablet and sophisticated fabric texture on the stand cover makes it both stylish and practical. Plus, with up to 10 hours of battery life, you can take it with you on the go without worrying about running out of juice.
The 10.1″ FHD IPS display offers stunning visuals with colourful details, and it’s also a USI pen compatible with all your artistic needs (pen sold separately).
Booting up quickly with just your Google login, this touchscreen Chromebook is also fast, secure, and easy to use. All things considered, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook is the perfect blend of versatility, style, and affordability.
9. Microsoft Surface Go 2 – Best Stylish Touchscreen Microsoft Laptop For Art Under 600$
Are you looking for a stylish and affordable touchscreen laptop for your art projects? Look no further than the Microsoft Surface Go 2. With its 12.45-inch PixelSense Display and Platinum colour, this laptop is not only visually appealing but also highly functional.
The 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor allows you to work, play, stream, and run day-to-day apps with ease.
Plus, the improved HD camera and built-in Studio Mics ensure you look and sound your best during video calls, while the long battery life and fast recharge time make it a perfect on-the-go companion. And with the added security of a fingerprint power button, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your device is protected. Don’t forget to add Microsoft 365 for all your document needs!
10. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Touchscreen – Lenovo’s best laptop for digital artists under 600$
For digital artists seeking a laptop that is both portable and budget-friendly, Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5 Touchscreen is a great option. With a 14.0″ FHD Touch Display, an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U mobile processor with Radeon graphics, and 16GB DDR4 RAM, this laptop is designed to keep your ideas flowing wherever you go.
The Flex 5’s 360⁰ hinge allows you to use it in multiple modes, including tent or tablet mode for more interactive work. The narrow bezel on four sides of the display also reduces clutter, giving you more room to create.
Plus, with an integrated 2×2 WiFi 6 (802.11AX) and multiple connectivity options, you’ll always stay connected. Perhaps most importantly, a physical shutter on the webcam ensures your privacy remains intact, keeping any unwanted attention at bay.
If you’re looking for a laptop that doesn’t compromise on quality, all while being affordable, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is a great choice.
11. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 – Best High-Performing Laptop for Art
Artists, rejoice! The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is here to meet all of your high-performing laptop needs. With up to 70% more speed than previous models, this laptop is powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core processor, allowing you to efficiently run all of your favourite art programs. Featuring a sleek and elegant design, you can choose between a portable 13.5” or larger 15” size, perfect for split-screen multitasking.
The front-facing 720p HD camera provides sharp and clear video for all of your video calls, while the Omnisonic Speakers backed by Dolby Atmos create an immersive movie and show experience. Dual far-field Studio Mics capture your voice and reduce noise, allowing you to be heard loud and clear on all calls.
Don’t forget to add Microsoft 365 and all of your necessary programs, as this laptop has room for it all with a 1 TB hard disk size and 32 GB of Ram Memory Installed. Make all of your artistic dreams come true with the Microsoft Surface Laptop
FAQ’s
Yes, a laptop is sufficient for digital art. With the right specifications and software, laptops can handle the demands of digital art, including drawing, painting, and graphic design tasks.
Yes, a gaming laptop can be used for digital art. Gaming laptops often have powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and high-resolution displays, which are beneficial for running resource-intensive art applications.
Yes, a 2-in-1 laptop can be good for artists. The ability to convert into a tablet mode offers a more intuitive drawing experience with stylus support. It provides versatility, allowing artists to switch between laptop and tablet modes as per their needs.
For digital art, a recommended minimum of 8 GB RAM is suitable. However, for smoother performance and handling larger files or multitasking, it is advisable to have 16 GB or more RAM.
Yes, RAM does matter for digital art. Sufficient RAM ensures smooth multitasking, faster rendering, and handling of complex art projects. Higher RAM capacity allows for better performance when working with large files or running multiple art applications simultaneously.
Choosing between Windows and Mac for digital art depends on personal preference and software compatibility. Mac is often favoured by artists due to its optimized software ecosystem, while Windows offers a wider range of hardware options and software compatibility.
It’s recommended to have both a tablet and a laptop for digital art. Tablets offer a more natural drawing experience, while laptops provide a versatile platform for a broader range of tasks and software compatibility.
For a digital art laptop, a minimum of 8 GB RAM is recommended, but ideally, 16-32 GB RAM would provide smoother performance, especially when working with large files or running multiple applications simultaneously.
The Apple MacBook Air is a popular choice for art students due to its combination of portability, performance, and long battery life. It offers impressive graphics capabilities and colour rendering, making it suitable for digital art tasks.
Final Thoughts:
Choosing the right laptop for digital art is crucial for artists who want to maximize their creative potential. In this comprehensive guide, we have reviewed the 11 best laptops for digital art. Each of these laptops excels in performance, display quality, stylus support, and overall user experience.
From the sleek and powerful MacBook Pro to the versatile and affordable Microsoft Surface Pro, there is a laptop on this list to suit every artist’s needs and budget.
Whether you’re sketching, painting, or editing, these laptops offer the necessary tools and features to enhance your artistic workflow. Invest in one of these top-notch laptops and unlock your true artistic brilliance.
