Are you wondering what is the best laptop for Cricut makers? Or maybe what are the factors you should consider before buying one? A good Cricut Laptop is easy to come by and can be surprisingly cheap. The very fair price range is thanks to the fact that, unlike other creative fields, the specifications required for a Cricut laptop are not too high.
If you are however yet to get a Cricut Machine or want to use a tablet instead, check out our guide for the best Cricut machines and the best tablet for Cricut.
Table of Contents
What kind of laptop do you need for a Cricut?
For optimal performance, most Cricut programs will smoothly run on the following laptop specs. A newly released processor version.
- 4 GB RAM and above
- 256 GB storage space and above
- 15-inch screen and above
How to choose the best laptop for Cricut?
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the best laptop for Cricut.
Operating system
An ideal laptop for Cricut programs should be able to run Windows 8 and above, preferably Windows 10 as the best. It is however important to note that you can run Cricut Software on both MAC and Windows operating systems.
RAM and Processor
A newly released processor version such as Intel Dual-Core or equivalent AMD processor is required for a Cricut Laptop. Together with a minimum of 4 GB RAM will ensure the Laptop runs without lag even when multitasking.
Free disk space
To install Cricut applications, a minimum of 2 GB of free disk space is needed. This is in your C disk or where you will store your Software. Additionally, you will need some space where you can store your files for future reference. A minimum of 256 GB of storage space is required.
Screen Size and Resolution
For most graphic design requirements, a 13 to 15 inches screen and above is recommended. This is a comfortable view to work on without strain or needless zooming. For screen resolution, most laptops qualify because anywhere from 1024 pixels to768 pixels will work well.
Connectivity
You will need to move files from the USB port to your laptop and back. You, therefore, need to consider the laptop’s ability to connect to external storage.
What are the best laptops for Cricut machines?
- Dell XPS 15 Best Windows laptops for Cricut machines
- Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is The best budget laptop for Cricut
- MacBook Pro 14-inch (M1, 2021) The best MacBook for Cricut markers
- MacBook Air (M1, 2020) The best value MacBook for Cricut
- Acer Aspire 5 is One of the cheapest laptops for Cricut makers
- HP Pavilion x360 14”
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio.
- Asus Zenbook Duo 14
Dell XPS 15 Best Windows laptops for Cricut machines
- Operating system: Windows 10 / Windows 11
- CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 – Intel Core i9
- RAM: 8GB – 64GB
- Display: 15.6-inch
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 / 3,840 x 2,400
- Connectivity: 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports, USB-C port, SD card reader, audio jack
The Dell XPS 15 takes the spot for Best Windows laptops for Cricut machines. First of all the Laptop is powerful and a fast performer. The Dell XPS comes with a large 8GB RAM with options up to 64 GB. To add to this it has a nice Intel Core i5 processor, with an Intel Core i9 processor.
When it comes to processors, both core i5 and core i9 are both some of the latest technology you can get for PCS.
Combined power from the massive RAM, Processor, and a dedicated Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card, ensure your laptop will run programs without hanging or unnecessary lags.
The screen size is well above the 13 inches minimum and what is great is that the 1920 x 1080 HD resolutions are well above the minimum. It is a great Laptop with a wide range of options because you can even opt for a 4K screen resolution option.
Although this is more crisp and clear, it is unnecessary and the HD option and 15.6 inches of screen size are more than enough. The Laptop can run on both Windows 10 and 11 systems and surely overperforms on the checklist provided earlier. Unfortunately, however, this is not a cheap laptop and will cost over 1000$.
Pros
- Fast Performance
- Long Battery Life
- High Resolution both HD and 4K options
Cons
- Expensive
- More than you need
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is The best budget laptop for Cricut Makers
- Operating system: Windows 10
- CPU: 11th gen Intel Core i3 / Intel Core i5
- RAM: 4GB
- Connectivity: HDMI, 3 x USB, audio jack, Novo Button, SD card
- Screen Size: 14-inch
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
The Dell XPS is almost perfect for the job but is a little expensive. If you are on a budget, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is a cheaper alternative with adequate specifications to comfortably run Cricut apps without problems.
The RAM meets the minimum 4GB requirements and added to the new 11th Generation Intel Core i3 / Intel Core i5 is fast enough. The HD screen that comes at 14 inches size is adequate for this task.
If you work remotely without power, however, the battery life is short and may disappoint you. All in all, however, this is a great device, that can get the job done and comes at a very fair price.
Pros
- Not too expensive
Cons
- Short Battery Life
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M1, 2021) The best MacBook for Cricut markers
- Operating system: MACOS Big Sur
- CPU: Apple M1 Pro / M1 Max
- RAM: 8GB – 64GB
- Connectivity: 3x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3 port
- Display: 13.3-inch
- Screen Resolution: 2,560 x 1,600
Although the screen size on the MacBook Pro 14-inch is so far one of the smallest at 13.3 inches, it makes up for it with a large2,560 x 1,600 screen resolution that is one of the best of all reviewed devices so far.
The Apple M1 is one of the best processors in the market today. Additionally, just like most MAC laptops, the laptop has a cool and sleek body. Although the screen size on the MacBook Pro 14-inch is so far one of the smallest at 13.3 inches, it makes up for it with a large2,560 x 1,600 screen resolution that is one of the best of all reviewed devices so far.
The Apple M1 is one of the best processors in the market today. Additionally, just like most MAC laptops, the laptop has a cool and sleek body. This laptop is however not cheap and its premium features come at a price.
If you like the MAC alternative over PC but are on a budget, then the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is the one for you. It takes the spot for the best value MacBook for Cricut.
MacBook Air (M1, 2020) Specifications
- Operating system: macOS Big Sur
- CPU: Apple M1
- RAM: 8GB
- Connectivity: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C ports
- Display: 13.3-inch
- Resolution: 2,560 x 1,600
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