If you are looking for the best laptop for graphic designers, it is important to note that it will not be as cheap as general-purpose laptops under $300. This is because they are designed to offer powerful performance and run complex creative and design software.
The most reliable laptops for graphic design consider screen display and resolution, processor and RAM, battery life, software, and operating systems. The key factors explained in this guide will ensure that you can easily choose a reliable and powerful laptop for an excellent price range.
Some of these specifications are similar to the ones we covered when explaining the best graphic design computers in our last post. Go to the post if you prefer a desktop computer instead of a laptop for creative work.
In our research, we found out that most artists prefer drawing tablets over computers. Ultimately, the best device choice will depend on specific user preferences and professional level.
| Rating | Product | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Apple MacBook Pro 16 | Check Price |
| Best Budget Laptop | Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) | Check Price |
| Editor’s Choice | Dell 2023 XPS 17 | Check Price |
Top Laptop for Graphic Design
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024)
It features a large 16.2-inch screen with Liquid Retina XDR display and 3456 x 2234 resolution. It is powered by the Apple M4 Pro chip, 24 GB RAM (expandable up to 48 GB). For storage it ranges from 512 GB to 4 TB. It is Ideal for complex animations and 3D software.
Dell 2023 XPS 17 – Editor’s Choice
It comes with a large 17-inch screen at 3840 x 2400 pixels resolution. This is perfect for graphic display. For perfomance it has an Intel Core i7 processor, 64 GB RAM, dedicated NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU, and up to 4 TB storage space.
Acer Swift Go 14 (2024): Best Budget
It features a 14 Inches sxcreen size with 2880 x 1800 pixels resolution and 90 Hz refresh rate. It is powered by a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 and 8 / 16 GB RAM. To save files you have 512 GB / 1 TB SSD options to choose from.
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024) – Best Overall
- Screen Size: 16.2-inch
- Resolution: 3456 x 2234 Pixels
- Screen Type: Liquid Retina XDR display
- Processor: Apple M4 Pro chip
- Graphics: M4 Pro, 20-core GPU
- RAM: 24 GB
- Upgradable RAM to 36 or 48 GB
- Storage: 512 GB to 4 TB
- Connectivity: SDXC card slot, HDMI port, Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports
- Sound: 3.5-mm headphone jack
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 is the latest large-screen laptop released by Apple in 2024. It is intended to upgrade the Apple 2023 MacBook you are sure to expect more premium specifications and performance.
It features a large 16.2-inch screen with a Liquid Retina XDR display at 3456 X 2234 resolution plus 254 pixels per inch. This is one of the best screens you can find in the industry with a rich and vivid color display.
If you are looking for a laptop for complex animation with any 3D software like Maxon Cinema 4D or 3Ds Max, this laptop’s powerful Apple M4 Pro chip and 24 GB RAM allow for smooth performance. Additionally, the RAM can be upgraded to 36 GB or 48 GB if you prefer more power.
You also have a dedicated M4 Pro, 20-core Graphic Processing Unit adding to the performance. With this kind of power, machine lags are simply unheard of whether you are editing images, drawing, or even animating.
To save your files, you have a large 512 GB to 4 TB storage space which is more than you need. The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024) is a premium-level laptop made for professional users who do not mind spending a little extra for premium features.
Pros
- Premium level performance with powerful specs
- Upgradable RAM
- Large storage space
- Long Battery Life
- Allows Thunderbolt connection
Cons
- Expensive Price Range
- Made for 3D designers
Apple 2023 MacBook: Longest Battery Life
- 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 make it an ideal choice for Video editing.
Pros
- Powerful processor and RAM
- Elegant, bright display
- 1080p Webcam resolution
- The longest battery life of all laptops in this review at 18 hours
- Large storage
Cons
- More power than you need
- Expensive
Dell 2023 XPS 17
- Screen: 17 inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2400 pixels
- 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 nits 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 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 make it powerful enough for 3D modeling and Video editing even for large raw video footage.
- Great visuals on a large 17-inch screen with 3840 x 2400 pixels resolution.
- Touch-screen display
- Secure Fingerprint Reader
- Powerful 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
Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) – New version Budget Laptop
- Screen Size: 14 Inches
- Resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 90 Hz
- GPU: Intel ARC
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7
- RAM: 8 / 16 GB
- Storage: 512 GB / 1 TB SSD
If you are looking for the best budget laptop that does not compromise performance and style, the new Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) is the best pick.
The laptop is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor and Intel ARC graphics which makes it perfect for creative work. If you like working on the go or out of the office, the laptop comes with a sleek and portable silver design and long battery life. For multitasking, you have a large 8 GB RAM and lightning-fast 512 GB Gen 4 SSD storage to save your files.
The screen is decent at 14 inches in size with OLED technology. You will view your work in high clarity thanks to the 2.8K resolution and ultra-smooth 90Hz refresh rate. The screen displays rich vivid colors with high contrast between black and bright areas. This together with rich color accuracy makes it perfect for color grading and calibration.
Whether you watching videos, editing photos, or designing in Illustrator, this laptop will work perfectly. To add to the size, the screen orientation is 16:10 aspect ratio making it seem bigger than it is. Most regular options only have a landscape 16:9 aspect ratio.
Finally, Acer has added multiple additional features like an ergonomic backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader for security. This secures your laptop and makes it usable at any time.
Designed for creators, this thin-and-light laptop delivers powerful performance, exceptional visuals, and advanced AI capabilities without breaking the bank.
The 2024 Acer Swift Go 14 is made for creators on a budget but needs a thin lightweight powerhouse with exceptional visuals, and modern AI capabilities. It is the ultimate graphic design laptop for the future.
Pros
- Large screen with OLED display and high resolution
- 16:10 aspect ratio
- Backlit keyboard
- Secure fingerprint reader
- Advanced Ai capabilities
- Affordable Price
Cons
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 14.4″: Best 2-in-1
- 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 a pen
- Bulky
Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra – Best Samsung Laptop For Graphic Designers
- 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: 1 TB 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 ensure 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. However, it will 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 Windows Laptop for Graphic Design
- 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 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
What to Look for in a 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.
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
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
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.
Top Laptop for Graphic Design
- Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024) – Best Overall
- Apple MacBook Pro M2 Max – Longest Battery Life
- Dell 2023 XPS 17 – Editor’s Choice
- Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) – Best Budget
- Microsoft Surface Laptop – Best 2-in-1 Laptops
- Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra – Best Samsung Laptop
- Dell XPS 15 – Best Windows Laptop
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best laptop for graphic designers?
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024) is the best laptop for graphic design. It comes with a 16.2-inch screen size and a powerful M4 Pro chip processor. To save files you have up to 4 TB storage space.
What Laptop Specs Do I Need for Graphic Design?
A good graphic design laptop should have at least a quad-core processor and above, 4 GB RAM and above, and a large storage space of 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. Additionally, consider laptops with dedicated graphics cards, like NVIDIA or AMD, for improved performance.
Normally, laptops with higher-resolution displays, like 4K or QHD, offer better color accuracy. Choose these instead of lower-resolution options.Can Gaming Laptops Be Used for Graphic Design?
Yes, you can use Gaming laptops for graphic design work. This is because they have powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, long battery life, and good display options. However, Gaming laptops are more expensive than regular ones.
Are MAC Laptops Better for Graphic Design?
MAC Laptops offer more powerful specifications and performance compared to Windows laptops. They are considered by most users to be better for creative work. However, the choice of OS to use will depend on user preference.
