Looking for the best laptop for graphic design in 2023? As graphic designers ourselves, we’ve compiled the best for you based on performance, value and our first-hand experience. Here are our top 3 picks to save you time but for more keep scrolling.
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Best 2-in-1 Laptop
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Description: We highly recommend this 14-inch MacBook Pro because it offers excellent performance, battery life, display, and design at a great price and is a great upgrade for professionals looking to improve their setup. |
Description: If you are interested in gaming & performance, we recommend that you give MSI Katana GF66 a shot a as it doubles up as a great device for graphic design with some powerful hardware and a smooth display. |
Description: If you wish to replace your tablet we suggest you go with the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 as it features a detachable keyboard and stylus compatibility so you can have the best of both worlds in a compact & portable hybrid laptop. |
We highly recommend this 14-inch MacBook Pro because it offers excellent performance, battery life, display, and design at a great price and is a great upgrade for professionals looking to improve their setup.
If you are interested in gaming & performance, we recommend that you give MSI Katana GF66 a shot a as it doubles up as a great device for graphic design with some powerful hardware and a smooth display.
If you wish to replace your tablet we suggest you go with the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 as it features a detachable keyboard and stylus compatibility so you can have the best of both worlds in a compact & portable hybrid laptop.
Graphic design is a challenging job that requires serious hardware and software so it’s no wonder you’re looking for the best laptop for graphic design.
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In the current digital nomad & work from home haze, laptop characteristics such as mobility and weight have become extremely important.
As for many professions, finding the best laptop for graphic design always involves finding the right balance between performance and weight, large screen and portability, maximum features, and an affordable price.
Luckily, laptop providers produce products for different categories and professions. In this article, we’ll provide general buying advice on how to choose the perfect laptop and list some of the best laptops for graphic design on the market in 2023.
If you need more power, see our list of the best desktop computers for graphic designers. Or if you work in web design and do more coding, see our post on the best laptops for programming.
13 Best Laptops for Graphic Designers in 2023
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 (M2 Pro) — The best laptop for graphic designers in 2023 overall (Editor’s Choice)
- Apple MacBook Air — The best laptop for graphic designers on a budget
- MSI Katana GF66 — The best value for money laptop for graphic designers
- Razer Blade 15 — The best gaming laptop for graphic designers who prioritize performance
- Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15 — The best laptop for graphic designers who prioritize productivity
- Dell XPS 17 — The best laptop for graphic designers with a large display
- Microsoft Surface Pro 9 — The best 2-in-1 laptop for graphic designers
- Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023 (M2 Max) — The most powerful laptop for graphic design (And best battery life)
- HP Spectre x360 — The best convertible laptop for graphic design
- Acer ConceptD 7 — The laptop for graphic designers with the best display
- Samsung Galaxy Chromebook — The best Chromebook for graphic design
- Dell XPS 13 — The best lightweight laptop for graphic design
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i — The best entry-level laptop for graphic design (ultra-budget)
Once you have your laptop, you’ll most likely want to get a larger external monitor for your office. See our list of the best monitors for designers. While you are at it, complete your setup with the best mouse, best keyboard, and an external hard drive.
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What is the Best Laptop for Graphic Design?
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 (M2 Pro) is what we consider to be the best laptop for graphic design.
Check out the table to see a comparison of the other best laptops for graphic designers and choose what is right for you.
13 Best Laptops for Graphic Designers in 2023
1. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 (M2 Pro) (Editor’s Choice)
The best laptop for graphic designers in 2023 overall (Editor’s choice)
Display: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a 120Hz refresh rate; 3024-by-1964 resolution | Processor: Apple M2 Pro | Graphics: 16-core or 19-core Apple GPU | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB/1TB SSD
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If you are into graphic design, then it shouldn’t be surprising that the latest 14-inch MacBook Pro is our favourite laptop for graphic designers.
From beginners to pros, this laptop is a popular choice among creatives who want a fast, reliable, and lightweight laptop with many other features that make it fun and effortless to work on your projects.
The M1 chip on the previous generation is still one of the fastest processors around, but with a newer M2 Pro chip equipped with up to 12 CPU cores, up to 19 GPU cores, and up to 32GB of RAM you get lightning-fast performance that will keep up with even the most demanding creative tasks.
What we love the most about the MacBook Pro, however, is its stunning 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display which is perfect for graphic designers with its Extreme Dynamic Range and a 120Hz refresh rate.
In our review, every visual felt life-like and super smooth plus with a long battery life of up to 18 hours to complement it, meant we could work all day and through the night without having to plug in.
While the massive improvement in performance comes at a premium, we certainly think it is worth it if the best laptop that will serve you well for years to come is exactly what you are looking for.
Jacob Cass, the founder of JUST Creative, has been using the Macbook Pro series for over a decade now and he JUST loves it. Jacob uses it for photo editing, video editing, animation, logo design, and running his creative business.
If you still think you need a bit more oomph, consider the 16-inch variant with the M2 Max chip, which is the fastest MacBook that Apple has made to date. Or for a more budget-friendly option from Apple see the Macbook Air.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Crystal clear Liquid Retina XDR display | ➖ Still expensive |
| ➕ All day battery life | |
| ➕ Zippy performance | |
| ➕ 120Hz refresh rate | |
| ➕ Best value among the newer MacBook Pros |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 PRO OR M2 MAX — Take on demanding projects with the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. M2 Pro has up to 12 CPU cores, up to 19 GPU cores, and up to 32GB unified memory. M2 Max has 12 CPU...
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day thanks to the power-efficient design of the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. And the MacBook Pro laptop delivers exceptional performance whether it’s running on...
- FULLY COMPATIBLE — All your pro apps run lightning fast — including Adobe Creative Cloud, Xcode, Affinity Designer, Microsoft 365, and many of your favorite iPhone and iPad apps.
- BEAUTIFUL PRO DISPLAY — The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display features Extreme Dynamic Range, over 1000 nits of brightness for stunning HDR content, and pro reference modes for doing your best...
- ADVANCED CAMERA AND AUDIO — Look sharp and sound great with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a studio-quality three-mic array, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio.
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 (M2 Pro) Video Review
Check out this video review and see why the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 (M2 Pro) is a blessing for creatives.
2. Apple MacBook Air
The best laptop for graphic designers on a budget
Display: 13.3-inch Retina LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 resolution | Processor: Apple M1 | Graphics: 7-core or 8-core Apple GPU | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB SSD
The 2022 Macbook Air is the latest model from Apple but it comes at a premium. If you’re on a budget you may just want to consider the previous 2020 model.
And yes, the 2020 MacBook Air is slightly old now, but Apple is always ahead of the competition with their custom hardware, so their devices age a lot slower and the 2020 MacBook Air is proof of that.
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The 8-core Apple M1 CPU paired with an 8-core Apple GPU and 8GB of RAM still offers lag-free performance whether creating art or working on 3D animations.
Best of all, the 13.3-inch Retina display is as good as those on higher-end MacBooks albeit with a lower resolution. But you still get support for P3 colour gamut, which is especially important for creative professionals who always want the most accurate colors possible.
Add to that a fanless design to keep things silent, up to 18 hours of battery life, and a lightweight and compact design at a price tag that comes in at less than half of what the latest MacBook Pro costs.
All things considered, it is hardly a compromise over more expensive MacBooks making it a great option for budget-conscious designers.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Affordable | ➖Older design |
| ➕Ultra-slim and lightweight | ➖There are newer and faster MacBooks available |
| ➕Fanless design | ➖Fanless design causes it to heat up a bit after prolonged use |
| ➕Great battery life | |
| ➕Still quite fast for graphic design tasks |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- All-Day Battery Life – Go longer than ever with up to 18 hours of battery life.
- Powerful Performance – Take on everything from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming with ease. The Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than the...
- Superfast Memory – 8GB of unified memory makes your entire system speedy and responsive. That way it can support tasks like memory-hogging multitab browsing and opening a huge graphic file quickly...
- Stunning Display – With a 13.3 inch Retina display, images come alive with new levels of realism. Text is sharp and clear, and colors are more vibrant.
- Why Mac – Easy to learn. Easy to set up. Astoundingly powerful. Intuitive. Packed with apps to use right out of the box. Mac is designed to let you work, play, and create like never before.
3. MSI Katana GF66
The best value for money laptop for graphic designers
Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920×1080), IPS-Level with a 120Hz refresh rate | Processor: 12th gen Intel i7 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD
The MSI Katana GF66 is a laptop specifically designed for gaming but it is just as capable for graphic design work. With the latest 12th gen Intel i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPUm and 16GB of RAM, this is the fastest laptop you can buy at a sub-$1000 price.
Although gaming-focused, the Katana GF66 offers more than performance with a super-smooth 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, high-resolution audiom and all the connectivity options you would need.
The only drawback is its limited battery life which we found can only last up to six hours under heavy loads in our tests. So you might have to stay plugged in a lot while working on your projects, but the silver lining is that it doesn’t get too hot as the Cooler Boost 5 technology ensures that you get maximum performance while keeping things cool.
It isn’t perfect, but it will be hard to find better value under $1000. This is our pick for the best value laptop for graphic designers.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Value for money | ➖Sub-par battery life |
| ➕Latest gaming hardware on a budget | ➖Dull display |
| ➕Smooth Full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate | |
| ➕Decent keyboard | |
| ➕Excellent audio |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 【Powerful Performance with Core 12700H】Latest 14-Core 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H mobile processor (Up to 4.7 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost, 6 Performance + 8 Efficient Cores, 20 threads, 24 MB...
- 【Customization】Seal is opened for Hardware/Software upgrade only to enhance performance. Upgraded to 16GB DDR4 SDRAM, 1TB M.2 NVMe Solid State Drive, No Built-in DVD
- 【Display and Graphics】15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS-Level 144Hz 45%NTSC Display, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6, 720p HD camera with integrated digital microphone
- 【Connectivity】Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2x2 AX) and Bluetooth 5.2 Combo; 10/100/1000Mbps LAN; 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A; 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type C; 1x AC smart pin; 1x HDMI (supports 4K @ 30Hz); 1 x...
- 【Rock eDigital Enhacement】Upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, Single backlight with Anti-Ghost key+ silver lining; Nahimic 3 / Hi-Res Audio; Speakers 2W*2; 51Whr 3-cell lithium-ion battery (up to 4 hours...
4. Razer Blade 15
The best gaming laptop for graphic designers who prioritize performance
Display: 15.6” QHD (2560×1440) OLED with a 240Hz refresh rate | Processor: 12th gen Intel i9 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD
Apple’s custom hardware is in a league of its own but if you are looking for a Windows laptop that is even faster, the Razer Blade 15 comes with plenty of power, a gorgeous display and a price tag to match.
It is expensive, but it is without any doubt, one of the fastest devices you can buy with some of the best hardware that the industry has to offer, such as a top-of-the-line 12th gen 14-core Intel i9 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphicsm and 16GB of RAM.
The Blade 15 is designed to handle the most resource-intensive tasks, whether it is playing AAA titles, rendering animation or editing 8K video and it didn’t prove us wrong in our review.
Its 15.6-inch QHD OLED is also one of the best displays you can find on any laptop with rich colors and a 240Hz refresh rate for the most immersive graphic design experience. It is also built to last with a durable aluminum construction and next-gen vapor chamber technology that will prolong the longevity of the hardware.
All in all, if you want the best performance, display, and durability you can get, and budget isn’t a problem for you, the Razer Blade 15 definitely won’t disappoint.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Flagship 12th gen Intel i9 processor | ➖Will cost you as much as a top-end gaming rig |
| ➕Stunning OLED display with a mind blowing 240Hz refresh rate | ➖Poor battery life |
| ➕Powerful cooling system | |
| ➕Easy to upgrade | |
| ➕Improved webcam | |
| ➕Comfortable keyboard |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU: The new GeForce RTX 3070 Ti is up to 70% faster than RTX 2070 SUPER laptops and can deliver 100 frames per second at 1440p resolution
- 12th Gen Intel Core i9 14-Core CPU: Experience cutting-edge power with the newly released Intel Core i9-12900H processor with up to 5.3GHz of Turbo Boost for unrivalled performance to take on the most...
- QHD OLED 240Hz Display: With the latest gaming display technologies, the QHD OLED display gives both gamers and content creators pinpoint accuracy with more depth and color at a blazing fast 240Hz...
- DDR5 4800MHz Dual-Channel Memory: 50% faster than the previous genertion, enjoy a quicker, smoother experience when loading applications, running games, and performing other everyday PC tasks
- Next-Gen Vapor Chamber Cooling: Upgraded with more exhaust fins, quiter fans, and a larger liquid capacity, the new Blade 15 performs cooler and quieter than ever before
5. Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15
The best laptop for graphic designers who prioritize productivity
Display: 15.6-inch, 4K (3840 x 2160) OLED primary display and 14-inch 4K ScreenPad Plus secondary display | Processor: 12th gen Intel i7 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD
The Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15 is perfect for those who want to stay at their productive best at all times. With a dual display setup consisting of a 15.6-inch 4K OLED primary display with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and a handy 14-inch 4K secondary display that tilts automatically for easier viewing and keeps all your favourite shortcuts and tools close at hand without having to minimize your screen or use an external monitor.
In addition to being bright and vivid, both the displays are stylus compatible, so you can get more hands-on with your graphic design work just like you would on your tablet. When it comes to performance, the Zenbook Pro Duo 15 can easily handle multitasking on both of its displays thanks to the high-end 12th gen Intel i7 chip, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics, and 16GB of RAM.
As you would guess, it is expensive, and the battery life isn’t the best as it has two 4K displays, but in terms of convenience and ease of use, it is one of the best laptops around for graphic design. What’s more, you can get a complimentary 3-month Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, so you can start working on your projects right out of the box.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Useful secondary display that tilts automatically | ➖Pricey |
| ➕Similar performance as a high-end gaming laptop | ➖Average battery life |
| ➕Tested for military-grade durability | ➖Cramped keyboard and touchpad |
| ➕Complimentary 3-month Adobe Creative Cloud subscription | |
| ➕Elegant design |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Professional-grade performance: With a 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics, Zenbook Pro Duo 15 OLED is a true powerhouse
- Amazing visuals: this 15” touchscreen laptop has a 4K OLED HDR NanoEdge display. ASUS OLED laptop computers provide ultrasmooth visuals, professional-grade colors and better eye care.
- Extreme durability: Durable laptop that meets ultra-demanding military standards for durability, giving you protection and peace of mind wherever you go
- Enhanced productivity: the tilting ScreenPad Plus – a secondary 14 inch 4K touchscreen that automatically tilts up for comfortable viewing - gives you endless ways to optimize your multitasking...
- Ergonomic features: with the ASUS ErgoLift Stand, tilting ScreenPad Plus, LED NumberPad and the included detachable palm rest and ASUS active stylus pen, this ASUS laptop will give you a more...
6. Dell XPS 17
The best laptop for graphic designers with a large display
Display: 17-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) | Processor: 12th gen Intel i7 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD
A large display can make all the difference for graphic designers as it lets them do more at once and work with higher detail without putting too much effort. And if that sounds exactly what you are looking for, consider the Dell XPS 17.
With a massive 17-inch display with a 3840 x 2400 resolution, you can rest assured that your work always looks its very best and that you are comfortable working on your design even for long hours.
Despite its large display, it is still quite slim and lightweight for a laptop of its size, and also packs some powerful components such as a 12th gen Intel i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics, and 16GB of RAM so it can breeze through graphic design tasks without any hiccups.
Also worth considering if you are looking for a laptop with a large display is the LG Gram 17. It has a lower resolution screen and replaces the dedicated GPU with an integrated Intel Iris Xe chip but still handled intensive tasks well in our test.
The biggest advantage of the Gram 17 is that it is the lightest 17-inch laptop you can find and weighs almost half of what the XPS 17 does.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Beautiful 17-inch UHD+ display | ➖Pricey |
| ➕Lightweight for a 17-inch laptop | ➖Average webcam |
| ➕Solid performance | |
| ➕Long lasting battery life | |
| ➕Four Thunderbolt 4 ports |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 17.0-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflecitve 500-Nit Display
- 12th Generation Intel Core i7-12700H (24MB Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 14 cores)
- 16GB 4800MHz DDR5, Dual-channel; 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB GDDR6
- Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 1675 (AX211) 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.2 Wireless Card
7. Microsoft Surface Pro 9
The best 2-in-1 laptop for graphic designers
Display: 13-inch Pixelsense touchscreen display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2880 x 1920 resolution | Processor: 12th gen Intel i5/i7, Microsoft SQ3 | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD
If you are stuck between getting a laptop for its better performance or a tablet for its portability, why not get both? The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a hybrid 2-in-1 device that gives you the power of a full-fledged desktop while being as thin and lightweight as any other tablet.
Its versatile design means you can use it as a tablet thanks to the built-in kickstand or attach a keyboard plus mouse and use it as a laptop as per your convenience.
The edge-to-edge 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate is great for working on your craft but most importantly it is stylus compatible so graphic designers can flaunt their hand-drawn work in its full glory on the beautiful display.
Besides the display and its innovative design, you also get fast performance with the latest 12th gen Intel processors, and up to 15.5 hours of battery life according to the brand.
But as much as we love using this device, you will have to shell out extra for a stylus and keyboard to get the most out of it.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Versatile 2-in-1 design with a detachable keyboard | ➖Limited selection of ports |
| ➕Bright and vivid touchscreen display | ➖Keyboard and stylus costs extra |
| ➕Good performance | |
| ➕Removable SSD | |
| ➕Built-in stylus garage | |
| ➕Reliable battery life |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Built on the Intel Evo platform with 12th Gen Intel Core processors.[2]
- Up to 15.5 hours of batterly life. [4]
- Adjust the angle with built-in Kickstand.
- Virtually edge-to-edge 13" PixelSense touchscreen designed for pen[1] and Windows 11.
- Surface Slim Pen 2 [1] storage and charging built right into Surface Pro Signature Keyboard.[1,5]
8. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023 (M2 Max)
The laptop for graphic designers with the best performance & battery life
Display: 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a 120Hz refresh rate; 3456-by-2234 resolution | Processor: Apple M2 Max | Graphics: 38-core Apple GPU | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD
When it comes to battery life, Apple’s flagship 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 Max chip is the king. According to laptopmag.com’s review, it can last a mammoth 18 hours and 56 minutes on a single charge.
Plus, with support for fast charging, its 140W power adapter offers 50% of charge in just 30 minutes, so marathon work sessions now won’t require you to stay plugged in all the time.
Other than its best-in-class battery life, this laptop has a lot going for it. Equipped with an M2 Max chip with 12 CPU cores, Apple GPU with up to 38 GPU cores, and up to 96GB of RAM, this is the fastest MacBook that Apple has ever made.
It also comes with a large 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display which is as you would expect, amazing for working on creative tasks, and the brand’s signature Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.
If you’re into motion graphics or animation, we would consider this the best laptop for graphic design and video editing.
Like the Dell XPS 17 and LG Gram 17, it is incredibly slim and lightweight, so it is easily the best laptop money can buy for graphic designers who love working on the go.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Best-in-class battery life | ➖High price tag |
| ➕Lightweight | |
| ➕Supports fast charging | |
| ➕Magic Keyboard with Touch ID | |
| ➕Fastest MacBook ever made | |
| ➕Six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio. |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 PRO OR M2 MAX — Take on demanding projects with the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. M2 Pro has 12 CPU cores, 19 GPU cores, and up to 32GB unified memory. M2 Max has 12 CPU cores, up to 38...
- UP TO 22 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day thanks to the power-efficient design of the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. And the MacBook Pro laptop delivers exceptional performance whether it’s running on...
- FULLY COMPATIBLE — All your pro apps run lightning fast — including Adobe Creative Cloud, Xcode, Affinity Designer, Microsoft 365, and many of your favorite iPhone and iPad apps.
- BEAUTIFUL PRO DISPLAY — The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display features Extreme Dynamic Range, over 1000 nits of brightness for stunning HDR content, and pro reference modes for doing your best...
- ADVANCED CAMERA AND AUDIO — Look sharp and sound great with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a studio-quality three-mic array, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio.
9. HP Spectre x360
The best convertible laptop for graphic design
Display: 16-inch diagonal 3K IPS Display | Processor: Intel Core i7-13700H | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512 GB PCIe NVMe
For those who need a great all-round laptop but with a flexible design, consider the HP Spectre x360. It is a 2-in-1 device, but without a detachable keyboard like the Surface Pro 9, so you can use it as a laptop or flip the display around and use it like a tablet with a stylus.
It has an integrated chip rather than a dedicated one but with a Intel Core i7-13700H and 16GB of RAM, it can easily handle most graphic design tasks. The main highlight is still the beautiful 16-inch 3K+ edge-to-edge IPS display.
While the battery life isn’t the best, we believe that the HP Spectre x360’s excellent performance, gorgeous display, versatile functionality, and premium design more than make up for it.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Convertible design | ➖Battery life could’ve been better |
| ➕Fantastic 16-inch 3K+ touchscreen display | |
| ➕Great performance for the price | |
| ➕Stylus compatible | |
| ➕Sleek chassis |
10. Acer ConceptD 7
The laptop for graphic designers with the best display
Display: 15.6-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) LED-backlit IPS | Processor: 9th gen Intel i7 processor | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD
The Acer ConceptD 7 is far from new, but it is still a strong option for those graphic designers who want a powerful mobile workstation with a display that can give even the flagship MacBook Pro a run for its money today.
Crafted with designers in mind, it has a 15.6-inch 4K LED-backlit IPS display that is Pantone Validated with Delta E <2 and 100% Adobe RGB color gamut for the most accurate colors.
Additionally, it has been tested and certified by Independent Software Vendors (ISV) to ensure that it works seamlessly with all the popular creative apps and as graphic design experts ourselves, we can vouch for the quality of this display.
Don’t let its age fool you, this laptop is no slouch even by today’s standards, with its i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card for 6GB of VRAM.
You also get a 1TB SSD storage which we found should be enough to hold all your project files, apps, and more. It is still an expensive investment, but if the display is a priority for you, we believe it is worth what it offers.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Decent performance | ➖Expensive for an old laptop |
| ➕Beautiful design | ➖60Hz refresh rate |
| ➕1TB built-in SSD storage | |
| ➕Pantone-validated display created with designers in mind | |
| ➕Strong build quality |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 4. 5GHz) with Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM | RTX Studio Laptop
- 15. 6" 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display | Pantone Validated | Delta E <2 | 400nit Brightness | 100% Adobe RGB Color Gamut
- 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory | 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Amber Colored Backlit Keyboard | LAN: Killer Ethernet E3000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (Up to 2. 5 Gbps) | Wireless: Killer DoubleShot Pro Wireless-AC 1550 802. 11ac
11. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook
The best Chromebook for graphic design
Display: 13.3-inch 4K AMOLED touchscreen | Processor: 10th gen Intel i5 | Graphics: Intel UHD | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD
A chromebook might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of graphic design but one that is steadily growing in popularity. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering chromebooks are more easier to use than their Windows and macOS counterparts, offer better value, and with support for apps from the Google Play Store, can run all the same software that you would on your smartphone or tablet.
When it comes to chromebooks for graphic design, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is the best option, according to our review. It is likely the only chromebook you can find with a stunning 4K AMOLED touchscreen display that is stylus compatible, and with a built-in stylus garage, you can draw, annotate and doodle on the go.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook also has some decent specs for creative tasks, which includes a 10th gen Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and integrated graphics.
It isn’t just fast, but with an ultra-slim design available in an eye-catching fiesta red color, it is pure eye candy that will surely turn some heads wherever you go.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Vibrant 4K display | ➖Short battery life |
| ➕Built-in stylus garage | ➖Poor webcam |
| ➕Slim and portable | |
| ➕Easy to use |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- Crystal clarity. Vivid color: Experience superior picture quality and fully expansive color, contrast and depth with the 4K AMOLED touchscreen display to take your work and play to the next level.
- Split-second productivity: Boot up in as fast as 6 seconds and hit the ground running. Get ample storage with 256GB SSD and work, play and multitask seamlessly.
- Stroke of genius: Take notes, sketch ideas and edit documents easily and accurately with the built-in pen that fits seamlessly into Galaxy Chromebook’s ultra-slim design.
- Speedy. Simple. Secure: Chrome OS is the speedy, simple and secure operating system that powers Chromebooks. It is designed to feel intuitive and helpful every step of the way. It comes with the...
12. Dell XPS 13
The best lightweight laptop for graphic design
Display: 13.4-inch UHD+ 3.5K (3840×2400) touchscreen | Processor: 11th gen i5 | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD
The smaller and more affordable sibling of the XPS 17, the XPS 13 is ideal for those designers who need a laptop so slim and lightweight that they can fit it into their backpack or purse and forget that it is even there.
At 2.8 pounds, it is one of the lightest devices on the market but without any major compromises. It is fast and has a battery life that will last a full day of mixed usage without any issues, but most importantly, it has a brilliant 13.4-inch UHD+ display with support for Dolby Vision content that any graphic designer would love to use.
The Dell XPS 13 is also very durable, with aerospace-inspired carbon fiber palm rest and a chassis built from machined aluminum that gives it superb durability.
Its only disadvantage compared to other laptops in the same price range is that it uses an integrated chip, but in our review, it performed flawlessly when using Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕High-res 3.5K display | ➖Underwhelming keyboard |
| ➕Extremely lightweight and slim | ➖Integrated GPU |
| ➕Robust build quality | |
| ➕Powerful hardware | |
| ➕Good battery life |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- GUARANTEED POWER: With 11th Gen InteI Core mobile processors, it’s now possible to enjoy incredibly immersive entertainment on a remarkably thin and light touchscreen laptop.
- KILLER WIRELESS: With Wi-Fi 6 techology, the Killer AX1650 prioritizes streaming video, communication, and game traffic in your system for fast, smooth online experiences.
- STUNNING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT: Dolby Vision content can deliver highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are up to 10 times darker.
- START IN AN INSTANT: A built in lid sensor with a new press fit hinge allows you to open the lid with one hand and power up in milliseconds, no matter what power-state you are in.
- DELL SERVICES: Your Dell XPS includes 1 year of Dell Premium Support with priority access to deicated experts anywhere, anytime even when traveling internationally.
13. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i
The best entry-level laptop for graphic design
Display: 14-inch Full HD | Processor: 11th gen Intel i5 | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB SSD
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is a simple entry-level laptop that comes in at below $400 but one that covers all bases for basic graphic design tasks.
It isn’t the fastest laptop with an 11th gen i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and a 128GB SSD, but in our tests, it was sufficient enough for light photo and video editing.
The 14-inch Full HD touchscreen display is one of the better budget screens, and the added stylus compatibility makes it easy to use in tablet mode.
If you are looking to do some simple creative work, the IdeaPad Flex 5i should do the job, but if you need more power to use apps such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or After Effects, you may want to look elsewhere on this list.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Cheap | ➖Underpowered so ideal only for basic graphic design tasks |
| ➕Long battery life | |
| ➕Convertible design and stylus compatible | |
| ➕Crisp Full HD screen | |
| ➕Privacy shutter for the webcam |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Combine performance, creativity, and entertainment! This 2-in-1 laptop has a 14-inch touchscreen, Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 128GB SSD, and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics
- A narrow bezel on 4 sides gives you more viewing area and less clutter to interfere with the task at hand. Get the most out of your FHD screen with IPS panel technology and 1920 x 1080 resolution
- With digital pen support (pen sold separately), the IdeaPad Flex 5i lets you capture moments of inspiration or take notes on the fly
- From zero to 360° in a flash – this touchscreen laptop is designed for you to keep your ideas flowing, anywhere, anytime with the ability to use it in multi-mode capacity. Use 'Laptop' mode for...
- A physical shutter on the webcam ensures you keep out unwanted attention when you are concerned about your privacy
Best Laptop Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Laptop for Graphic Designers
There are a number of graphic design laptop requirements to consider before you buy. Here’s our buying guide to help you make an informed decision.
Operating System
The operating system should be the first thing you look at. While traditionally, the choice came down to either macOS from Apple or Windows from Microsoft as they have the widest variety of compatible softwares, Google’s Chrome OS has become a very popular option and is usually found on laptops that are a little more budget-friendly.
Display
To do their work effectively, graphics designers need a display that not only gives them ample screen real estate but also provides rich and vibrant colors. The last thing you’d want is for that bright green to look dull. For most designers, a 15-inch laptop is suitable, although bigger can be better if you have space and the muscles to carry it around.
Looking to buy a laptop with a touchscreen? There is no universal approach among designers when it comes to touchscreens. Some love them as they provide a quick and easy way to zoom in and out, others hate the touchscreens since they don’t add much to the experience. But in time, you will get used to the touchscreen.
Don’t forget to consider the refresh rate, which is the number of times the display refreshes to display a new image every second. The default number for most laptops is 60Hz, but some offer higher refresh rates, such as 120Hz and 165Hz, so everything feels much smoother whether it is playing games, browsing the web, or creating art.
Processor
The CPU is the brain of your laptop. If you’re doing design work, a processor that is fast and powerful is key. You want it to be able to run complex software without any issues. While there are many options out there, look for a quad-core or an extreme series processor.
GPU
The GPU is crucial for graphic design work, as it’s responsible for rendering images and videos. Look for laptops with dedicated GPUs from NVIDIA or AMD, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, 1660 Ti, or RTX 3070, or the AMD Radeon RX 5600M or 5700M.
RAM
When you’re working on your latest project, the number of programs you’re using runs much smoother if your laptop has a good amount of RAM inside. The laptop you choose comes with a specific RAM capacity. Don’t fret if you buy one without a lot of RAM, you should be able to buy and install more RAM if you need it. We recommend at least 8GB RAM at minimum but for high powered tasks 16GB is a good starting point.
Storage
There are two types of hard drives that you might find in a laptop: hard disk (HDD) or solid-state (SSD). While HDD are cheaper and can have more capacity, they can give your laptop issues. On the flip side, SSD are lighter, faster, and are more durable. Newer laptops tend to pack in an SSD. If you find one that doesn’t, you can always modify the laptop to add one.
Battery Life
Most graphic designers love novelty, as it brings inspiration and new ideas. You probably have a favorite workspace, but also venture out to coffee shops or co-working spaces. The absence of plugs at your favorite coffee shop can sometimes be frustrating. But with a good battery, you can take your laptop wherever you go and get the work done, all the while enjoying the digital nomad freedom.
If you want to dig a little deep into the points that you should look upon while buying a laptop—make sure to check out our Laptop Buying Guide.
Or you can watch this graphic design laptop buyers guide video, that goes through the best laptops for graphic design & digital art.
Best Laptops for Graphic Designers in 2023 Summary
Whether you’re a freelance designer or part of a creative team, finding the best laptop for graphic designers is a crucial step toward achieving your goals and realizing your creative vision.
With the right combination of features, you can take your work to the next level and produce truly outstanding designs. And we hope that this article has helped you in your search. Here’s the comparison table again for your convenience.
Which laptop would you like to use for your next assignment? Let us know in the comments below!
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