Laptops have become an essential tool for graphic design. With the suitable model, you can take your work anywhere. As a designer, you require a laptop that can keep up with your creative processes and handle the demands of your software. Laptops are an essential tool for any designer. They offer portability, allow you to work on the go, and give you the power to run complex design software. When seeking laptops for graphic design, you must consider the specs that matter most to you.
For example, if you’re working with Photoshop or other image-editing software, you’ll need a laptop with a good CPU and plenty of RAM. And if you plan on video editing, you’ll need a powerful GPU.
What will you see here?
Apple Macbook Pro 2021 Model (16-inch)
There are few laptops on the market as well-suited for graphic design as the 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro. This model got a large, beautiful display and powerful specs under the hood, and it runs macOS - the operating system of choice for many creatives.
The Retina display is its best feature for designers. With a resolution of 3456x2234 and also support for the P3 wide colour gamut, it can display images and video with stunning detail and vibrancy. The large size also gives you more space to work on complex designs.
Under the hood, it is powered by an M1 graphic chip processor and 16-core GPU - more than enough power to handle even the most demanding tasks. Plus, with 16GB of RAM (upgradable to 32GB), you can keep multiple design programs open without slowing down your computer.
macOS is also an excellent platform for designers. With professional apps like Adobe Creative Suite, Mac users have everything they need to create stunning visual content. What's more, macOS is known for being stable and reliable - important qualities when working on time-sensitive design projects.
So if you're looking for the best laptops for graphic designers, then Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch) should be at the top.
- Liquid Retina XDR.
- Good battery life.
- Beautiful look.
- Full-size HDMI and Thunderbolt 4 ports are excellent port choices.
- Good Speakers.
- Apple's most high-performance laptop ever produced.
- No wired USB-A ports are available.
- Quite Expensive.
- Heavier than the previous model.
Dell XPS 17
The Dell XPS 17 is among the most powerful laptop with a large screen, making it ideal for designing tasks. It has an Intel Core i9-12900HK CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, and features a 1TB hard drive and 16GB of RAM.
The 17-inch view on the XPS 17 makes it great for graphic design work. You'll be able to see your work in great detail and make any necessary changes with ease. The powerful Intel CPU and GPU will allow you to run any software you need for your work, and the 16GB of RAM will ensure that your laptop can handle anything you throw at it. The 1TB hard drive gives plenty of storage space for your files and projects.
However, there are a few drawbacks:
- The XPS 17 is quite heavy, so it's not ideal for carrying around.
- It's not the cheapest laptop on the market.
- The battery life could be better.
Dell's XPS 17 is a robust graphic design laptop. It has a giant screen and a speedy CPU, making it perfect for working with large files and complex graphics.
- Maintains predecessor's old good look.
- The keyboard and trackpad are quite comfortable.
- Superb creative performance.
- Strong build quality.
- Four Thunderbolt 4 ports.
- Not that cheap.
- Low battery life.
- Limited ports option.
- Big size.
- Heavyweight.
- No option for OLED.
Apple Macbook Pro 2021 Model (14-inch)
The Apple MacBook Pro with M1 is one of the best laptops available right now, thanks to its unrivalled combination of power and endurance. The performance of the MacBook Pro M1 can be summed up simply by saying that obstacles to productivity dissolve. It almost seems like the laptop is missing. Modern games can be played on the MacBook Pro at fairly high frame rates. The MacBook Pro M1’s touchpad is just as roomy and responsive as before. It is unusual for input and output ports to be the main selling point of a laptop, but that is unquestionably the case with the new Pro.
Both older version power adapters and MagSafe apparel for the iPhone and iPad cannot be used with the MagSafe 3 port. However, these laptops have the advantages of both cleanly disengaging if you trip over the cord and not consuming a USB-C/Thunderbolt connector when the battery needs to be charged. The 14-inch model’s trackpad has roomy proportions and provides consistent clicking neither matter where your fingertip is placed, thanks to haptic feedback.
- Great and powerful M1 Pro CPU.
- An SD card reader and an HDMI output.
- Stunning audio performance.
- A 1080p high-definition webcam.
- Attractive HDR display.
- Endurance of a battery.
- Luxurious touchpad and keyboard.
- Expensive.
- For some users or applications, the camera notch may be intrusive.
- Outdated style.
- Two Thunderbolt ports in total.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
When it comes to laptops, there are many options on the market. But if you want graphic designing, you need a laptop that can handle all your design needs. That's where the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio comes in.
This laptop is a powerhouse when it comes to design. It's got a large, high-resolution display and enough horsepower under the hood to handle even the most demanding tasks. Plus, it's got a sleek, stylish design that any designer would be proud to own.
It is a high-performance, portable laptop with a detachable keyboard and a large, high-resolution touch screen. The Surface Laptop Studio is ideal for designers who need a high-performance machine they can take on the go.
It also features a large 15-inch PixelSense with a resolution of 3240x2160px. This high-resolution view is perfect for working on detailed designs, and the large size means you'll have plenty of space to spread your work.
In terms of USB port and connection, the Surface Laptop Studio has everything you need for easy file transfer and external device integration. It features two USB 3.0 ports, one Mini DisplayPort, one Surface Connect port, and an SD card reader. It also has Bluetooth 4.0 support for wireless peripherals.
The Surface Laptop Studio's hardware is just as impressive as its design and display. It is powered by an Intel Core i7-11700 processor and 16GB of RAM, making it more capable of handling demanding software applications. The built-in NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti GPU provides ample power for intensive tasks, while the 512GB hard drive SSD ensures quick file access and loading times.
- Superb speakers.
- Good for video editing.
- Excellent 120Hz refresh rate.
- Flexible screen placements without substantial trade-offs.
- Decent trackpad and keyboard.
- Excellent battery life.
- Good for creative tasks.
- Ports are limited.
- Not that affordable.
- Small function keys.
- Performance is short as per price.
Asus ROG Strix Scar II Gaming Laptop
The Asus ROG gaming laptop has a large, high-resolution view, making it a better option for those who need a high-performance laptop for graphic design. The size is perfect for working with complex graphics, and the laptop also has plenty of RAM, making it possible to multitask between different programs.
The Asus ROG gaming laptop also has a wide variety of ports, making it an excellent choice for connecting multiple devices. There are three USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI port, one Mini DisplayPort, one Ethernet port, and one headphone jack.
The USB 3.0 port is perfect for connecting external hard drives or devices needing high-speed data transfer. The HDMI port allows you to connect the laptop to a TV or monitor, while the Mini DisplayPort is great for connecting to an external display with a higher resolution. The Ethernet port is perfect for wired internet connections, and the headphone jack allows you to use headphones or speakers without lag.
Asus ROG is a top-of-the-line gaming laptop that can also be an excellent graphic design laptop. It has a large 17.3-inch model that is perfect for working on complex graphics and designs. It has a resolution of 1920 x 1080, which is ideal for high-resolution graphics. The Asus ROG also has an Intel Core i7 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU that can handle even the most demanding graphic software. And with 8GB of RAM, it can efficiently multitask between different programs.
Asus ROG is a popular gaming laptop that is also increasingly used for graphic designing. The laptop offers excellent features and specifications ideal for graphic design work. Some key features that make the Asus ROG gaming laptop a good choice for graphic designing include its large screen size, strong Intel Core processor, and high-quality GPU.
The large size of the Asus ROG gaming laptop is perfect for working on complex graphics and designs. The Intel Core processor ensures that you can run demanding design software smoothly, while the high-quality GPU enables you to create stunning visuals. In addition, the Asus ROG gaming laptops come with a range of ports and connections that make it easy to connect to external displays and peripherals.
If you are seeking laptops that can handle your workload, then the Asus ROG gaming laptop is worth considering.
- Strong keyboard
- Also, one can perform video editing.
- 144Hz refresh rate.
- Good GPU-CPU combo.
- Below average battery life.
- Average look.
- The audio quality could be better.
Acer Predator Helios 300
When it comes to graphic design, the most crucial factor to consider is the performance of your laptop. After all, it would help if you had your machine to handle the demands of your design software. That's where the Acer Predator Helios 300 comes in. This laptop is designed for power and performance, making it an excellent choice for graphic tasks.
The Predator Helios is equipped with an Intel 14-Core i7 12700 CPU and 16GB of RAM, so you can be sure it can handle even the most demanding design software. Plus, with an NVIDIA RTX 3060 graphics card, you'll enjoy smooth visuals and fast rendering times. So whether you're working on complex illustrations or browsing design inspiration online, the Predator Helios can keep up with you.
In addition to its impressive specs, the Predator Helios also features an enormous 15.6-inch Full HD display. This means that you'll be able to see your designs in crystal precise detail, making it easier to spot any imperfections. And with Acer's ColorBlast technology, you'll enjoy accurate colours and vivid visuals when working on your projects.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has many ports, making it one of the excellent laptops for graphic design as it can be connected to various devices. It has one USB-C 3.2 (DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4, USB charging 5V 3A, DC-in port 20V 100 W), three USB-A 3.2 (one with Power-off Charging), one Mini DP 1.4, one RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet, one Audio Jack, and one HDMI 2.1.
The Acer Predator Helios is a great choice for any graphic designer looking for a robust and performant laptop. With its impressive specs and large display, it's sure to make work simple for even the most demanding design tasks.
- Good selection of ports.
- The price is quite competitive.
- RTX 3060.
- Superb build quality.
- Both wired and wireless connectivity is good.
- Good game performance.
- SD or microSD card slot is missing.
- Weak battery life.
- Poor sound quality.
- Low-quality webcam.
Things to consider in laptops for graphic design
Laptops are one of the most important tools for graphic designers, whether working on simple or complex projects. There are various laptops on the market, so choosing one with the right specs is crucial. The most important things to take into consideration when choosing laptops for graphic design are the processor, graphics card, battery, screen size and resolution, and features hard drive.
Graphic design software can be very resource-intensive, so choosing a laptop with a powerful processor is essential. The processor is important because it determines how fast the laptop can run design software. Some of the best processors for laptops are Intel Core i7 and AMD Ryzen 7.
The graphics card is also an important consideration for graphic designers. A sound graphics card will allow you to see your designs in great detail and can make a big difference when working with complex designs. The best laptop graphics cards include the NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3060 and AMD Radeon RX 580.
Screen size and resolution are also important factors when choosing a laptop for graphic work. A larger screen size will provide you with more space to work on your designs, while a higher resolution will allow you to see more detail in your work. If you decide to do a lot of work with video or photography, consider a laptop with 4K display support.
Finally, storage is another important consideration for graphic designers. You will need enough space to store your project files, fonts, stock photos, and other resources that you use frequently. A smart move is to choose a laptop with at least 256GB of hard drive SSD and 16GB of RAM.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing a laptop for designing, it is essential to consider the processor, graphics card and screen. A powerful processor, dedicated graphics card and high-resolution screen will be necessary to render complex graphics quickly and smoothly. There are several options available on the market, but it is important to research to find a laptop that meets your specific needs and budget.
