You should consider a number of factors while choosing the best laptops for graphic designers. Make sure your laptop has the power to run programs with a heavy graphics requirement first. You’ll need a gadget with a potent contemporary processor and, preferably, also a dedicated graphics card to make sure the new laptop can achieve this.
The best laptops for graphic designers will also have stunning screens that show off your work in the best light and realistically reproduce colors without causing eye fatigue after extended use. The best laptops for graphic design should also be compact and lightweight so that you may bring them on trips.
Best Laptops for Graphic Designers 2023
Laptops have become an indispensable tool for graphic designers who must work on the go or in multiple locations. There are several factors to consider when selecting a laptop for graphic design, including display quality, processing power, storage capacity, and portability.
Display quality is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a laptop for graphic design. A high-resolution display with accurate color reproduction is required for graphic design work. A laptop with a wider color range display, such as Adobe RGB or DCI-P3, can provide more accurate color representation and make working with color-critical projects easier.
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are examples of software. Laptops with powerful processors, such as the Intel Core i7 or i9 or the AMD Ryzen 7 or 9, can easily handle these applications.
For graphic designers, storage capacity is also an important consideration. Solid State Drive (SSD) laptops are faster and more reliable than traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD) laptops, and they are essential for graphic designers who need quick access to large files.
Finally, portability is an important consideration for graphic designers who must work on the go. A lightweight laptop with long battery life and sturdy construction can make it easier to work in a variety of settings and conditions.
To summarize, when selecting the best laptops for graphic designers, factors such as display quality, processing power, storage capacity, and portability must be considered to ensure that the laptop can handle the demands of graphic design work.
Read on to learn more about the best laptops for graphic designers to buy :
Razer Blade 15
Key Features
- Intel Core i7-10750H Processor
- 512GB SSD Storage
- 16GB Ram
- Up to 6 Hours of Battery
Overview
The Razer Blade 15 is one of Razer’s most sought-after laptops because of its excellent build quality and unquestionably excellent feature sheet. Even while this Razer Blade 15 model is still generally thought of as a gaming laptop, it has no trouble handling graphic design or some of trickier jobs like video editing and 3D modeling.
The laptop is equipped with the capable Intel Core i7-10750H CPU, which has a maximum turbo frequency of 5 GHz. You must realize that a strong CPU is crucial if you use a laptop. You need to be more concerned about single-core processing capability when it comes to operating programs like Illustrator, InDesign, or the whole Adobe Creative Suite.
The H-series chipset shines in the aforementioned area, but it also has six cores and 12 threads for activities that require more intensive processing. Images, designs, vector graphics, and other facets of visual design are considered thanks to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 2060 GPU.
Renderings are expedited by the storage speed of almost 12 Gbps, though. Only when working on complex 3D rendering or intending to connect numerous 4K monitors for a more streamlined professional workflow does the 6GB of VRAM come into play.
The 16GB RAM capability is a useful computing tool when processing several apps and resources at once. Regular Adobe Photoshop users who wish to work with motion designs, 3D renderings, graphic layouts, site designs, and other things may do so without experiencing slowness, thanks to the RAM that is accessible. The 512 GB SSD satisfies needs related to storage. Generally speaking, placing some of the most resource-intensive applications, such as Photoshop, GIMP, Illustrator, and CorelDraw Suite, on the SSD will enable speedier access. Windows 10 is already pre-installed as the operating system.
Lenovo Ideapad L340
Key Features
- Intel Core i5-9300H CPU
- 512GB SSD Storage
- 8GB Ram
- Up to 6.5 Hours of Battery
Overview
Even though many laptops are appropriate for designers, Lenovo’s IdeaPad L340 stands out as a good option because of its capable and efficient processing hardware and good GPU selection. Lenovo’s laptops are powered by the industry-best Intel Core i5-9300H chipset, which has Turbo Boost clock rates of up to 4.1GHz. This chipset effectively supports all visual design applications due to its above-average single-core speed. The GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, which collaborates with 4 GB of VRAM, is an addition to the hexa-core SoC.
Lenovo only provides 8GB of system memory but allows additional upgrades. It is therefore advised to limit your multitasking and use this laptop as your main workspace. You receive a 512GB NVMe solid-state drive with upgrade support as far as storage is concerned. The current operating system that Lenovo has preinstalled is Windows 10.
Lenovo offers a backlit keyboard, a sensitive touchpad, strong speakers with Dolby audio enhancement, and an available webcam-microphone combination in terms of productivity. The thermal arrangement, which can be customized based on the many productivity modes, including Fast mode for enhanced gaming and Silent mode for professional tasks like graphic design, audio production, and more, is perhaps most noteworthy.
Because it weighs over 4.84 pounds, the IdeaPad L340 doesn’t sacrifice the current selection of connectors. Lenovo provides HDMI 2.0, USB Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 1, Wi-Fi 5, and other connectivity options. Up to 6.5 hours can be obtained from the supplied battery before it needs to be recharged. The IdeaPad L340 from Lenovo is all about weight, power, and desktop-like performance. If you want to sacrifice portability, this is one of the better options available.
ASUS TUF Dash 15
Key Features
- Intel Core i7-11370H CPU
- 512GB SSD Storage
- 8GB Ram
- Up to 16 Hours of Battery
Overview
While selecting mid-range notebooks for the design, you must exercise extreme caution because you want to spend your money sensibly and according to various professional tastes, particularly when you need it for a specific task like graphic design. Consequently, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is the best choice if your needs are strictly limited to various forms of product graphics, logo design, UI structure, and more.
Performance-wise, you have a capable Intel Core i7-11370H processor. The Turing-based GeForce GTX 1650 GPU actively supports the existing chipset turbo, which runs at 4.8 GHz. The potent processor serves as the first line of defense against visual design applications with high-performance requirements like Photoshop, but it also delegates some work to the GPU, which the 4GB VRAM further helps.
The 16GB of RAM on this laptop makes multitasking a breeze. You have access to a 1TB SSD unit with PCIe support for storage, which can readily load the Windows 10 Home Edition operating system platform and the resource-intensive application programs.
It’s all about sharpness and clarity on the 15.6-inch display. Also, a large amount of screen space is available because of the small bezels. Asus boasts a total display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, which enhances the IPS display’s quality even more. The WASD-compatible and snappy keyboard on the ASUS TUF Dash 15 ensures that productivity is never an issue. The N-Key Rollover technology and endurance of nearly 20 million keystrokes are ideal for content makers and casual gamers. Further features include a built-in, fluid touchpad, strong speakers, a functional webcam, and functional microphones.
Acer Aspire 7
Key Features
- Intel Core i5-9300H CPU
- 512GB SSD Storage
- 15.6 Inch FHD IPS Display
- Up to 8.5 Hours of Battery
Overview
The Acer Aspire 7 is a really resourceful option if you’re primarily interested in graphic design and want a budget laptop that can run almost any application in that field.
The Intel Core i5-9300H chipset performs and uses power above and beyond expectations. Given that you wish to work on more complicated vector and raster graphics, then 3D and motion design, the hexa-core processor and HyperThreading technology is a huge benefit. Yet, this laptop’s excellent single-core performance and readily handles any graphics-intensive demand.
The GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, which has the Pascal architecture and 4 GB of dedicated VRAM with good memory bandwidth, collaborates with the current processor to provide speedier processing when external displays and workflows are involved.
Large projects and drawings may be easily kept on the 512GB SSD drive, and you also get great multitasking capability with the 8GB RAM. The Windows 10 operating system and resource-intensive application programs can be loaded thanks to the NVMe storage unit’s lightning-fast performance quickly.
The 15.6-inch display’s 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution allows for excellent color reproduction. Acer also provides a widescreen and all-screen viewing experience with the tiniest 0.24-inch bezels. Because of the 72 percent NTSC color palette, the designs on the Aspire 7 look stunning and realistic.
The groundbreaking Precision touchpad with an embedded fingerprint reader, dual speakers with Acer’s exclusive Acoustic Boost, a 720p webcam, and voice-cleaned microphones are just a few of the other productivity-focused features on this laptop. This laptop has dual-band wifi networking, a standard USB 3.1 Type-C, Type-A, and HDMI port configuration, and it weighs roughly 7.28 pounds. Acer doesn’t cut corners when it comes to battery life and offers an 8.5-hour backup with moderate to heavy use.
Dell XPS 17
Key Features
- 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK CPU
- 17.0” FHD+ (1920 x 1200) Screen
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Graphics
- Great Performance
Overview
The Dell XPS 17 (2021) is a powerful laptop that can perform virtually any graphic design task.
You can even attempt some 4K video editing with specs of up to an Intel Core i9 CPU, 64GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX GeForce 3060, especially if you upgrade to a UHD monitor. Even for demanding titles, a smooth gaming experience is guaranteed by the specialized Nvidia GPU. In our tests, Metro Exodus at 1080p with everything set to Ultra, the laptop averaged around 52 frames per second.
All of this performance manages to fit in a device that is only 0.77 inches thick, making it remarkably portable. Even if the XPS 17 is more expensive and should have a few extra connectors, it’s still a great laptop for traveling designers.
MacBook Pro 16-Inch (2021)
Key Features
- Apple M1 Pro 10-Core CPU
- Integrated 16-Core to 32-Core Graphics
- 16.2-Inch Liquid Retina XDR Display
- Extremely Long Battery Life
Overview
A large part of the reason why the MacBook Pro 16-Inch (2021) is such an exceptional device is because of the highly potent M1 Pro chip (or M1 Max if you choose to upgrade). Nevertheless, it provides much more.
It has a stunning XDR screen that is a pleasure to use and a battery life that will keep you going while you’re out and about without compromising performance. There are plenty of ports available for your peripherals, including a MagSafe 3, HDMI, SDXC card slot, 3.5 mm headphone socket, and three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) connectors.
With a peak brightness of 1,600 nits and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, the screen is stunningly bright. Although this laptop for graphic designers is more expensive and less portable than its 14-inch sibling, it does offer more screen space to aid with working.
Acer ConceptD 7
Key Features
- 9th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Graphics
- 16GB Ram
- 1TB Storage
Overview
There is the Acer ConceptD 7 for people who believe that MacBook Pros are pricey yet still require one of the top computers for graphic design. While not being as lightweight as a MacBook Pro, this powerful laptop was made with creative professionals in mind and is capable of performing difficult work in part because of its Nvidia RTX graphics.
Beyond the enormous power it produces, it also has a good port selection, a simple, all-white appearance, and that magnificent 4K IPS display that has been Pantone-validated. One USB-C port, three USB 3.1 Type-A connectors, one HDMI port, a headset jack, and an Ethernet port make up the connectivity ports.
Although it isn’t cheap, it is unquestionably one of the finest laptops for graphic artists if you’re searching for a Windows-powered MacBook alternative.
HP ZBook Fury 17 G8
Key Features
- 4K Display
- Workstation Performance
- Ample Customization Options
- Good Connectivity
Overview
The ZBook is HP’s line of mobile workstations, but it also includes a number of versions with specialized functionality for different uses and purposes. The top-of-the-line ZBook Fury, which was recently updated with this 8th generation (G8) model, is an excellent choice for 4K video editing, 3D graphics and visualization, and game creation.
The 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch displays are available on HP’s website, along with a dizzying array of customization options, but if you want uncompromised performance, it makes sense to choose the 17-inch model that we are reviewing here. While being somewhat of a beast at 27mm thick, it has all the power of a top-tier desktop graphics workstation.
A basic model with an i5 processor, integrated graphics, and a 1080p display costs roughly $2,139, although more advanced models are needed for professional graphics and video work. A more potent variant with an 11th gen i7-11800H, Nvidia RTX A2000, full 4K display, 16GB memory, and 256GB solid-state storage can be purchased for $4,164.
Additionally, as was already noted, a large variety of additional upgrades are also available, such as i9 and Xeon processors, as well as up to RTX A5000 graphics. The premium display doesn’t skimp either, offering HDR400, 120Hz refresh rate, and DCI-P3 color for video editing, in addition to clean, sharp images for game creators.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
Key Features
- 1600p Display
- Solid Build Quality
- Slim, Lightweight Design
- Adjustable Easel Display
Overview
Microsoft’s first attempt to woo creative consumers away from Apple was the Surface Book, but the new Surface Laptop Studio for Business made a major effort to concentrate on graphics and design work.
The Laptop Studio, like other Surface models, has a convertible, 2-in-1 design that lets you fold the screen flat so you can use it as either a tablet or a regular laptop. For use with Microsoft’s Surface pen for illustration work, the screen also incorporates an extra hinge that allows you to tilt it like an easel.
Although being lightweight and having a small profile, the Laptop Studio feels incredibly solid. Working with the 14.4-inch, 1600p-resolution touch-sensitive display is a treat because it is clear and bright. For advanced graphics or video work, you’ll likely still require an external display since Microsoft makes no mention of Adobe RGB or DCI-PE capability. To be honest, the Laptop Studio isn’t designed to function as a mobile workstation comparable to some of its competitors; instead, it prioritizes portability and user-friendliness above high-end performance.
MSI Creator Z17
Key Features
- Attractive & Slim Design
- Intel Core i7-12700H CPU
- Nvidia RTX 30 Series GPU
- High-Quality Display
Overview
On MSI’s website and at a few online stores, you can still purchase the Creator 17 model from last year with 10th-generation Intel processors, but the new Creator Z17 offers a powerful mobile workstation with a fashionable appearance that MSI characterizes as “tech meets aesthetics.”
The Creator Z17 has a metal “unibody” style similar to Apple’s MacBook line. It is only 19mm thick, and its “lunar grey” coloring is intended to shimmer and change hue throughout the day as the ambient light around it changes. But its 3.0 kg weight serves as a reminder that this is a mobile workplace, not a stylish ultrabook.
A lot of power is also concealed under that chic appearance. The 14-core, 12th-generation i7 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU, 32GB memory, and 1TB RAM Creation Z17 models start at $3,149. It’s unfortunate that all Z17 versions have the same 2560×1600 display, even if there are upgrade choices for an i9 processor and RTX 3080 graphics. Fair enough, it has a nice touch-sensitive screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a quiet 165Hz refresh rate, and compatibility with DCI-P3 for video editing. Unfortunately, there isn’t a 4K display upgrade option, so professional graphics and video work will need to be done on an external display.
How to Choose the Best Laptops for Graphics Designers
Performance
One of the most crucial factors to consider when comparing laptops for graphic artists is performance. Graphic designers can work more effectively while using a laptop with a fast processor, ample memory and storage, and a competent graphics card.
Display
The display should be taken into account when comparing laptops for graphic designers. Graphic artists may see and modify their designs with more precision and detail using a laptop with a high-resolution display and accurate color reproduction.
Portability
When comparing the best laptops for graphic designers, portability is another crucial factor to consider. A portable laptop can make it easier for graphic artists to work from anywhere and take their creations.
Final Words
In conclusion, choosing the best laptop for graphic design can be a difficult task, but taking into account the key factors discussed in this blog, such as display quality, processing power, storage capacity, and portability, can help make the decision-making process easier. Readers can make an informed decision and choose a laptop that best suits their individual needs by reading through the reviews and features of various laptops designed for graphic design work. Having a laptop that can handle the demands of your work is essential whether you are a freelance graphic designer or work in a professional setting. As a result, we encourage our readers to go over the information in this blog and make an informed decision when selecting a laptop for their graphic design needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the ideal screen size for a laptop for graphic design work?
The ideal screen size for a laptop for graphic design work is usually between 15 and 17 inches. However, some designers may prefer larger or smaller screens depending on their individual preferences.
Can I use a gaming laptop for graphic design work?
Yes, some gaming laptops can be used for graphic design work, as they often have powerful processors and graphics cards. However, they may not always have the most accurate color representation and may not be as portable as other laptops designed specifically for graphic design work.
What is the best operating system for graphic design work?
Both Windows and macOS are suitable operating systems for graphic design work. However, some designers may prefer one over the other based on personal preference and software compatibility.
How much RAM do I need in a laptop for graphic design work?
A minimum of 8GB of RAM is recommended for graphic design work, but 16GB or more is preferred for smoother performance when working with large files and running multiple applications simultaneously.
Can I connect an external monitor to my laptop for graphic design work?
Yes, many laptops come with HDMI or DisplayPort outputs that allow for connecting an external monitor, which can enhance productivity and provide a larger screen for working on graphic design projects.