The Best laptop for graphic designers balance a compact design with powerful specificcations and features. A stunning display is a must have for contenders for the top spot. No matter which kind of graphic design you intend to undertake, there are some important laptop specifications that you can not ignore.
A good laptop for graphic design needs to be easily portable and a good desktop computer alternative. For this it needs to be light and feature a long battery life. Additionally, it should have a poweful modern processor and a large RAM to avoid any lagging when you work with it.
Some of them feature a dedicated graphics card that is adds to the laptops power and perfomance capability. To save your files, you need a laptop with a large storage space or it should at least feature upgradable storage.
In our search for the very best one, we considered different laptop brands including Apple, Samsung, Windows, Dell and many more.
Top Picks for Graphic Designers
| Product | Rating | Price |
| Apple MacBook Pro M2 Max | Best Overall | Check Price |
| Acer Swift 3 14 (2020) | Best Budget | Check Price |
| Dell 2023 XPS 17 | Editor’s Choice | Check Price |
After our detailed research, the 2023 Apple MacBook Pro and its M2 Max processor made light work of even the most complex tasks like video editing. It stood out as the best overall laptop that you can buy. Most artists liked its speed, power, and performance, plus its sleek and classy design.
For me, however, as a Windows lover, I preferred the Dell 2023 XPS 17 as the best. Having used it for a number of years, I find it perfect for designers who prefer Windows OS over MAC, like me.
Best Laptop for Graphic Designers and artists
- Dell 2023 XPS 17 – Editor’s Choice
- Apple MacBook Pro M2 Max – Best overall
- Acer Swift 3 14 (2020) – Best Budget
- Microsoft Surface Laptop – Best 2-in-1 Laptops
- Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra – Best Windows Laptop
- Dell XPS 15 – Best Laptop for Adobe Illustrator
Dell 2023 XPS 17: Editor’s Choice
- Screen: 17 inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2400 pixels and 16:10 Display Aspect Ratio
- CPU: Intel i7-12700H
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060
- Storage: 4 TB SSD
- RAM: 64 GB
- Battery life: 9 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Brightness: 500 nit with an Anti-glare coating
- 720p HD Webcam recording
The Dell 2023 XPS 17 is my favorite laptop as a graphic designer. It packs premium-level specifications that will help work on any kind of design, whether animation, art, or video editing, without issues.
It features a large 17-inch screen with a resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels and a 16:10 aspect ratio. Most screens have a 16:9 aspect ratio. This ratio and orientation make the screen seem even bigger than it really is.
The full touch-screen display easily lets you use the laptop as a drawing tablet without the need to connect a tablet.
It is equipped with a protective anti-glare coating that protects your eyes after long usage. Although the screen is not as bright as Apple laptops, its 60 HZ refresh rate and 500 nits brightness are good enough for graphic designers.
The Dell 2023 XPS is a premium-level laptop with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, 64 GB of RAM, and an integrated NVIDIA RTX 3060 Graphics Processing Unit. This means your laptop will run even complex applications without issues.
Unfortunately, this laptop comes with a very high price to match the features. Additionally, the 720-pixel webcam resolution and 9 hours of battery life could have been improved to 1080p and 14 hours, respectively.
Pros
- Huge RAM and storage space making it powerful enough for 3D modelling and Video editing even for large raw video footage.
- Great visuals on large 17-inch screen with 3840 x 2400 pixels resolution.
- Touch-screen display
- Secure Fingerprint Reader
- Pwerful HD Audio experience
- Ergonomically designed Backlit Keyboard
- Easy storage upgradability using a Memory Card Slot
- Brightly lit screen at 500 nits
Cons
- Expensive
- Only 60 Hz Refresh Rate
Apple 2023 MacBook: Best Laptop for Graphic Designers Overall
- Screen Size: 14.2 Inches
- Resolution: 3024 by 1964 pixels
- Brightness: 1000 to 1600 nit
- CPU: 12-core Apple M2 Pro or M2 Max chip
- GPU: 30-core GPU
- Storage: 1 TB
- RAM: 32 GB
- Battery Life: 18 Hours
- Anti-glare coating
- 1080p HD Webcam
Most professional designers chose the Apple 2023 MacBook Pro M2 Max as the best laptop for graphics. It features a smaller 14.2-inch screen with a 3024 by 1964 pixels resolution.
The screen is not a touch screen but features an anti-glare coating similar to the Dell 2023 XPS to protect your eyes.
The screen stands out with unique liquid Retina display technology, 1000 nit regular brightness, and a 1600 nit HDR maximum brightness alternative. This is bright enough for both indoor and outdoor use.
You will either have the 12-core Apple M2 Pro or M2 Max chip processor with 32 GB of RAM and a 30-core GPU. Apple 2023 MacBook is a multipurpose laptop with more power than you will need for basic graphic design.
Its very bright screen, large RAM, powerful Apple M2 processor and long battery life makes it an ideal choice for Video editing.
Pros
- Powerful processor and RAM
- Elegant, bright display
- 1080p Webcam resolution
- Longest battery life of all laptops in this review at 18 hours
- Large storage
Cons
- More power than you need
- Expensive
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 14.4″: Best 2-in-1 Laptops for Graphic Design
- Screen Size: 14.4
- Resolution: 2400 x 1600 pixels
- CPU: Intel Core i7
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Storage: 1 TB
- RAM: 32 GB
- Battery Life: 18 Hours
- Touch screen
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 14.4” is a 2-in-1 laptop tablet. Its touch-screen display and stylus pen compatibility make it easy to use as a laptop or tablet.
If you are looking for a good laptop for animation, this is it. It features a slightly larger screen than the Apple 2023 MacBook Pro M2 Max, at 14.4 inches in size.
For processing power, you will have a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, 32 GB of RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti.
You not only use this laptop for basic tasks like drawing but also for many professional tasks like animation and 4K video editing.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 14.4” is a diverse device laptop with a unique twist hinge technology to turn it into a tablet. This system is great but may be confusing for beginners.
Many USB ports, including USB 4.0 and Thunderbolt 4, make the laptop’s connectivity easy and seamless. You will be able to use it with other devices without issues.
Pros
- Great for drawing
- Powerful performance
- Easy connectivity
- 2-in-1 laptop tablet
- Large storage space
- Long battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- Complicated twist function
- It does not come with the pen
- Bulky
Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra: Best Windows Laptop for Graphic Design
- CPU: Intel 13th Gen Evo Core i7-13700H Processor
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Graphics
- Display: 16 inches
- Resolution: 3K, 2560 x 1600 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:10
- RAM: 16 GB of memory
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
- Backlit Keyboard
The Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra is another powerful laptop that will almost match up to the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro. It has a large 16-inch display with a 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution, or 3K AMOLED display, which is crisp and clear. A 16:10 aspect ratio makes it look extra wide and comfortable to view.
The latest Intel 13th Gen Evo Core i7 Processor and 16 GB of RAM combine to make sure the laptop is fast and able to perform professional tasks with ease. The RAM is low especially for those who want to use it for complex animation tasks. It will however edit videos and photos without issues.
Additionally, you will have an integrated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, which makes it even faster. To save your files, you will need a 1TB SSD, which is more than enough.
This lightweight laptop will allow you to move around with ease as you use it. Unfortunately, the battery life is short and not as long as the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro, which is the best pick.
Pros
- Powerful Intel i7 13th Gen plus 16 GB of RAM
- Good Screen 16-inch with 3K AMOLED and wide 16:10 aspect ratio
- Dedicated graphics card
Cons
- Short battery life
- Expensive
Dell XPS 15 – Best Laptop for Adobe Illustrato
- Screen Size: 15.6-inch
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 Pixels 4K UHD display
- RAM: 16 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Processor: 9th Generation Intel Core i7
- 11 hours of battery life
Dell XPS 15 is a great Windows laptop option for Illustrator users. It is powered by a 9th generation Intel Core i7-9750h processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, making it suitable for even the most demanding Illustrator tasks. The 16 GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking and quick access to frequently used files.
The 15.6-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) display provides a clear, sharp image, perfect for graphic design and illustration work. The 1TB SSD provides ample storage space for large Illustrator files and other design assets.
Its specifications like the RAM, GPU and screen display seem to be high end and premium. However, the 1 TB storage can not handle the very many heavy files used by professional video editors. It requires an upgrade to at least 2 TB and above for the best experience.
Additionally, 11 hours of battery life allows for extended work sessions without needing to be plugged in. However, it is a bit expensive and may not be suitable for those on a budget.
Pros
- 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750h processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card
- 16 GB of RAM
- 15.6-inch 4K UHD display
- 1 TB SSD
- 11 hours of battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- It may not be suitable for those on a budget
Top Considerations When Choosing a Laptop for Graphic Design
The first way we picked the best is by outlining the laptops we like as graphic designers and why. After over 10 years of graphic design experience, it is easy to just highlight the laptop I use on a daily basis.
After that, I contacted other professionals in the field to get a taste of the laptops they preferred and why. We tried to cut across different types of graphic design specializations, such as animation, video editing, and illustration.
Output intent was our last consideration. After consulting the experts, we were able to draw a conclusion based on the intended final output of the work.
For example, designers who made artwork for printing required laptops with high screen accuracy. Those who made digital designs concentrated more on screen brightness.
How you can Choose the Best Laptop for Graphic Design
Choosing the very best laptop as a graphic designer can pose a challenge, especially if you are not sure what to look for. However, if you can understand the most important elements to consider, you can easily tell if a laptop will be ideal for design or not.
Below are the most important specifications and why.
Display
Display refers to the nature of your screen, screen size, color accuracy, brightness, and resolution. For the best experience, choose a large screen at least 14 inches in size with 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution and above.
We recommend OLED screens and IPS panel screen types for the best user experience. Make sure your screen is bright enough and displays accurate colors as per your requirements.
Power and performance
Simple graphic design software will not require too much processing power and RAM. For example, an Intel Core i3 processor and 2 GB of RAM will work just fine with Adobe Illustrator.
However, you may experience subtle lags, so we recommend 4 GB and Intel Core i5 and above. For more complex designs and video editing, choose a laptop with more RAM and a modern processor like the Intel Core i7.
Metallic-finished laptops are more durable than plastic ones. They will withstand more problems and still remain intact than the latter.
Laptop Quality
Ergonomically laid-out laptop keyboards and mouse pads will provide a great user experience and speed up your work.
Operating System
Choosing a Mac or Windows system comes down to personal preference. Mac OS laptops are, however, more expensive compared to Windows.
Storage space and speed
The storage space is where you will save files and install software. Choose a large storage space, preferably 256 GB and above.
Additionally, make sure to check whether the storage is expandable or not. Expandable storage can be upgraded to a larger space.
The type of drive you choose will determine how fast your laptop will retrieve saved files on your computer. For the fastest retrieval time, choose a laptop with an SSD hard drive instead of the older HDD hard drive type.
Battery life and portability
If you like using your laptop away from the office, choose a laptop that is lightweight and easy to carry. Additionally, consider how long the laptop battery can last without having to recharge.
8 hours of battery life and above is perfect because it represents a full working day.
Connectivity
You will sometimes be required to move files across devices or use your laptop with other gadgets, such as drawing tablets. Choose a laptop with many different ports, such as HDMI, USB-C, etc.
Touchscreen Support
If you are into drawing, illustration, or animation, you will get the best experience by choosing a touch-screen laptop with a stylus. Alternatively, you can choose a regular laptop and buy a graphic tablet separately
| Feature | Dell 2023 XPS 17 | Apple 2023 MacBook | Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 17 inches | 14.2 inches | 16 inches |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2400 pixels | 3024 x 1964 pixels | 2560 x 1600 pixels (3K) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | Not specified | 16:10 |
| CPU | Intel i7-12700H | 12-core Apple M2 Pro or M2 Max | Intel 13th Gen Evo Core i7-13700H |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3060 | 30-core GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 |
| Storage | 4 TB SSD | 1 TB | 1 TB SSD |
| RAM | 64 GB | 32 GB | 16 GB |
| Battery Life | 9 hours | 18 hours | Not specified |
| Operating System | Windows 11 | macOS | Not specified |
| Brightness | 500 nit with Anti-glare coating | 1000 to 1600 nit | Not specified |
| Webcam | 720p HD | 1080p HD | Not specified |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best laptop for graphic designers?
Apple MacBook Pro M2 Max is the best laptop for graphic design. It comes with a 14.2-inch screen size and a powerful M2 Max chip processor. To save files you have up to 1 TB storage space.
What are the best specs for graphic design laptops?
A good grapic design laptop should have at least a quad core processor and above, 4 GB RAM and above, a large storage space at least 256 GB but bigger is better. For complex tasks like 3D animation, you will need an Intel Core i7 processor and 16 GB RAM.
By
Denis is a Graphic Designer with over 8 years experience. He can design logos, convert existing logos to vector format and print ready files. He enjoys designing fliers, banners, labels, social media graphics and posters. He spends most of his time creating digital art and vectors for different clients when not writing for this blog.