When it comes to finding the best laptops for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, the process is not as complicated as it may seem. From my experience with different laptops, The MacBook Pro 14-inch stood out as the best overall laptop for illustrator. Before we go to why it is the best, let me first introduce myself and share the factors to consider when choosing a laptop.
My name is Denis and have been a passionate Graphic Designer and Digital Artist for the last 7 years. I have gained experience in using illustrator and Photoshop as they are my daily tools of trade. Over the years, I have worked with different machines and know exactly what to look for for the best user experience.
What to Consider When choosing a laptop for Adobe Illustrator
- Operating System
- Processor
- RAM
- Storage Space
- Budget
- Battery Life
A powerful processor such as an Intel Core i7 or i9, a high-end graphics card, such as an NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon, and large RAM from 16 GB will be necessary for smooth performance. The large RAM is important for multitasking.
Top 5 best laptops for Adobe Illustrator
- MacBook Pro 14-inch – Best Overall
- Dell XPS 17 (2021) – Best 17 inch Laptop for Adobe Illustrator
- Lenovo IdeaPad L340 – Best Budget
- MacBook Pro 16-inch – Best Large Screen MAC for illustrator
- Dell XPS 15 – Best Windows Laptop for illustrator
MacBook Pro 14-inch Best Overall
- Screen Size: 14 inch
- Resolution: 3024 x 1964 Pixel 4K Liquid Retina XDR
- GPU: 14/16 core
- Processor: Apple M1 Pro Chip
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage Space: 512 GB and 1 TB SSD
- OS: MAC OS
MacBook Pro 14-inch is the best overall laptop for Illustrator. It packs powerful hardware and a high-resolution display. The Apple M1 Pro Chip and 14 or 16-core GPU provide fast performance for running complex Illustrator tasks, such as working with large files and multiple layers.
This MacBook laptop comes with a 3024 x 1964 Pixel Liquid Retina XDR 4K display resolution that provides excellent color accuracy. This makes it ideal for graphic design and illustration work. The display offers a high dynamic range, which allows for more vibrant and detailed images.
The large 16 GB RAM ensures that the laptop can handle multiple applications and large files without slowing down. Additionally, the 512 GB with a 1TB SSD option storage provides plenty of space for storing large Illustrator files and other design assets.
MacBook Pro 14-inch runs on Mac OS operating system which is optimized for use with Adobe Illustrator and other creative software, providing a smooth and seamless experience for users.
Overall, the MacBook Pro 14-inch’s powerful hardware, high-resolution display, and optimized operating system make it a great choice for Illustrator users who demand high performance and require a display that can show their work in the best way possible.
Pros
- High-performance hardware
- High-resolution Liquid Retina XDR display
- Ample storage space
- Optimized for use with Adobe Illustrator and other creative software
Cons
- Expensive
- Mac OS operating system may not be suitable for everyone.
Dell XPS 17 (2021) Best 17 inch Laptop for illustrator
- Screen Size: 17 inches
- Resolution: 1920×1200/ 3840 x 2400 Pixels
- Graphics: Intel/NVIDIA GeForce RTX Graphics
- Processor: Intel Core i7 / i9
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Dell XPS 17 (2021) is a high-performance laptop that offers a powerful hardware and high-resolution display, making it a great option for Illustrator users. It Features a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10875H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card, and up to 32GB of DDR4 memory, it can handle complex Illustrator tasks with ease.
The 17-inch has a1920x1200 Full HD resolution, and a 4K UHD+ (3840 x 2400) Infinity Edge touch display option that offers excellent color accuracy and high resolution, which is suitable for any graphic design work.
Additionally, it has ample storage space with up to 2TB SSD storage. However, it may not be the best option for those who prioritize portability and cost-effectiveness.
Pros
- High-performance hardware
- High-resolution 4K UHD+ display
- Ample storage space
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card
- 10th Gen Intel Core i7/i9 processor
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Not optimized for MacOS, may need to adjust to Windows or Linux.
Lenovo IdeaPad L340 Best Budget
- Screen Size: 16 inches
- Resolution: 1920×1080 Pixels
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card
- Processor: 9th Generation Intel Core i7
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 is a great budget-friendly option for Illustrator users. It is equipped with an Intel Core i5 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, and 8 GB of RAM, which can handle basic Illustrator tasks with ease. The 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS display provides a clear and sharp image, suitable for graphic design and illustration work.
Lenovo IdeaPad L340 comes with 512 GB of storage space which provides ample space for storing Illustrator files and other design assets. The 9 hours battery life makes it suitable for on-the-go use, and it’s lightweight and portable. However, it may not handle heavy and complex Illustrator tasks as well as more expensive models, and the GPU may not be suitable for more demanding tasks.
Pros
- Long Battery life
- Large Screen
- Affordable Pricing
- Good Processor and Large RAM
- Lightweight and Portable
Cons
- Not the latest Processor
Dell XPS 15 – Best Windows Option
- Screen Size: 15.6-inch
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 Pixels 4K UHD display
- RAM: 16 GB of RAM
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Processor:9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750h processor
- 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 and sharp image, perfect for graphic design and illustration work. The 1 TB SSD provides ample storage space for large Illustrator files and other design assets.
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
- May not be suitable for those on a budget
Top 5 best laptops for Adobe Illustrator
- MacBook Pro 14-inch – Best Overall
- Dell XPS 17 (2021) – Best 17 inch Laptop for illustrator
- Lenovo IdeaPad L340 – Best Budget
- MacBook Pro 16-inch – Best Large Screen MAC for illustrator
- Dell XPS 15 – Best Windows Laptop for illustrator