Top 6 Best Laptop For Graphic Design 2024

By GirlBoss Team | February 24, 2024

Crafting exceptional visuals in graphic design, a complex and challenging field, necessitates robust and trustworthy equipment. A laptop capable of meeting the rigorous demands of this profession is a critical asset for any graphic designer. The ideal laptop for graphic design should boast a commanding processor, a top-tier display, and a devoted graphics card. Plus, its design should be light and portable for on-the-move convenience.

When it comes to choosing the best laptop for graphic design, there are a few critical factors to consider. First and foremost, you need to ensure that the laptop has a high-quality display that can accurately represent colors and details. This is essential for creating designs that look great on any screen or print medium. Another important consideration is the laptop’s processing power. A powerful processor will help you work quickly and efficiently, especially when working on large files or complex designs.

Finally, you need to consider the laptop’s graphics card. A dedicated graphics card is essential for running graphics-intensive software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Without a good graphics card, your laptop may struggle to keep up with the demands of your work, leading to slow performance and frustrating delays.

In this article, we spent countless hours researching and testing the top laptops for graphic design to identify the ones that offer the best combination of power, performance, and portability. We’ll take a closer look at the critical features you need to consider when choosing a laptop for graphic design, and we’ll provide our top picks for the best laptops on the market. Whether you’re a professional graphic designer or a student just starting, we’ve got you covered.

Best Laptops for Graphic Design

As graphic designers, we know that having the right tools is essential to create stunning designs. A high-performance laptop with a powerful processor, dedicated graphics card, and accurate color display is a must-have for any graphic designer. After extensive research and testing, we have compiled a list of the best laptops for graphic design. Whether you’re a professional designer or a student, these laptops will help you create your best work yet.

HP 17 Laptop

If you’re looking for a laptop that can handle graphic design tasks with ease, the HP 17 Laptop is worth considering.

Pros

The 64GB high-bandwidth RAM and 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive allow for smooth multitasking and fast bootup and data transfer.
The 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U Processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics provides excellent performance for graphic design software.
The 17.3″ diagonal, HD+ (1600 x 900), Touch Screen, Narrow Bezel, BrightView display offers a great viewing experience for graphic design work.

Cons

The HD+ resolution may not be sufficient for some graphic design tasks that require higher resolution.
The laptop is on the heavier side, which may not be ideal for those who need to carry it around frequently.
The battery life could be better.

We had a chance to use the HP 17 Laptop for a few weeks, and we were impressed with its performance. The laptop handled graphic design software with ease, and the high-bandwidth RAM and SSD made multitasking a breeze. The display was also great for viewing designs, although we would have preferred a higher resolution.

One downside to the laptop is its weight. It’s not the most portable option out there, so if you need to carry your laptop around frequently, this may not be the best choice for you. Additionally, the battery life could be better, so you may need to keep the charger handy if you plan on using it for extended periods of time.

Overall, if you’re looking for a laptop that can handle graphic design tasks with ease, the HP 17 Laptop is definitely worth considering. With its powerful processor, high-bandwidth RAM, and SSD, it’s a great choice for designers who need a reliable and fast machine.

Lenovo Flex 5 14 2-in-1 Laptop

If you’re looking for a lightweight, versatile laptop that can handle graphic design, the Lenovo Flex 5 14 2-in-1 Laptop is a solid choice.

Pros

The 360-degree hinge allows you to use the laptop in a variety of modes, including tablet mode for drawing and sketching.
The included digital pen is a nice touch and works well for note-taking and drawing.
The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U mobile processor with Radeon graphics provides speedy performance for graphic design tasks.

Cons

The battery life is decent but not exceptional, with up to 10 hours of use on a single charge.
The keyboard could be better, with some users finding it a bit shallow and lacking in tactile feedback.
The speakers are adequate but not particularly impressive, so you may want to use headphones or external speakers for better audio quality.

Overall, the Lenovo Flex 5 14 2-in-1 Laptop is a solid choice for graphic designers who want a versatile, lightweight laptop with good performance and a reasonable price point. While it’s not perfect, it offers a lot of value for the money and should meet the needs of most users.

HP 14 Laptop

If you’re looking for a laptop that is affordable and can handle basic graphic design tasks, the HP 14 Laptop is a solid choice.

Pros

Ready for anywhere with its thin and light design
More screen, more fun with virtually no bezel encircling the screen
All-day performance with the dual-core, Intel Celeron N4020 processor

Cons

Limited storage with only 64 GB of eMMC storage
Low resolution display with only 1366 x 768 pixels
Flimsy build quality

We found the HP 14 Laptop to be a great option for those who need a budget-friendly laptop for basic graphic design tasks. The thin and light design makes it easy to take with you on the go, while the 11 hours and 30 minutes of battery life ensures that you can stay productive all day long.

One downside to this laptop is the limited storage, with only 64 GB of eMMC storage. This means you’ll need to be mindful of what you save to your laptop and may need to use external storage options. Additionally, the low resolution display may not be suitable for those who need a high level of detail in their work.

Overall, we recommend the HP 14 Laptop for those who need an affordable option for basic graphic design tasks. The inclusion of Microsoft 365 and the ENERGY STAR certification make it a great value for the price.

HP Envy 15.6″ Full HD Touch-Screen Laptop

If you are looking for a laptop that can handle graphic design, the HP Envy 15.6″ Full HD Touch-Screen Laptop is a great option.

Pros

The 15.6 inches FHD IPS touchscreen is perfect for graphic design work, providing clear and accurate colors.
The Intel 13th Generation Core i7 1355U Evo Platform 10-core 5GHz processor is a powerhouse, allowing for smooth and speedy performance.
With 16GB LPDDR5-5200 MHz RAM (onboard) and 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD storage, you’ll have plenty of space and memory to work with.

Cons

The laptop is on the heavier side, weighing in at 4.22 pounds, which may not be ideal for those who need to carry it around frequently.
While the Intel Iris Xe Graphics are good for most graphic design work, they may not be sufficient for more demanding tasks.
The lack of an optical drive may be inconvenient for some users.

This laptop is a great choice for graphic designers who need a powerful and reliable machine. The 15.6 inches FHD IPS touchscreen provides clear and accurate colors, making it easy to work on detailed designs. The Intel 13th Generation Core i7 1355U Evo Platform 10-core 5GHz processor ensures smooth and speedy performance, while the 16GB LPDDR5-5200 MHz RAM (onboard) and 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD storage provide plenty of space and memory to work with.

However, the laptop is on the heavier side, weighing in at 4.22 pounds, which may not be ideal for those who need to carry it around frequently. While the Intel Iris Xe Graphics are good for most graphic design work, they may not be sufficient for more demanding tasks. Additionally, the lack of an optical drive may be inconvenient for some users.

Overall, the HP Envy 15.6″ Full HD Touch-Screen Laptop is a solid choice for graphic designers who need a reliable and powerful machine.

Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Slim Laptop

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance, the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N is worth considering.

Pros

The 11th Generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor delivers unmatched speed and intelligence, enabling impressive creating, productivity, and gaming experiences. With Turbo Boost Technology, get up to 4.1GHz for your high-demand applications.
The 15.6″ Full HD IPS display with 82.58% screen-to-body, 16:9 aspect ratio and narrow bezels provides sharp details and crisp colors.
The ergonomic hinge lifts the keyboard for comfortable typing, improved cooling, and a better sound experience.

Cons

The laptop comes with 8GB DDR4 on-board memory, with only 1 slot available, so upgrading the RAM may be limited.
The 128GB NVMe solid-state drive storage may not be enough for users who require more storage space.
The laptop comes with Windows 11 Home in S mode, which may limit the installation of certain apps.

We were impressed with the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Slim Laptop’s performance, making it ideal for things like photo and video editing, gaming, and work-related functionality. The Full HD IPS display ensures crisp, true-to-life colors, and the narrow-bezel design provides plenty of screen real estate. We also appreciated the laptop’s Purified.Voice technology, which features enhanced digital signal processing to cancel out background noise, improve speech accuracy, and far-field pickup, making calls clearer and talking to Alexa easier than before.

Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Slim Laptop is a solid choice for users who require a budget-friendly laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance. However, users who require more storage space or RAM may need to consider upgrading or looking for other options.

Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop for graphic design, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop might be a good option for you.

Pros

The laptop is lightweight and easy to carry around.
The anti-glare display makes it easy to work for long hours without straining your eyes.
With 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage and 4 GB of RAM, you can enjoy faster performance and improved multitasking.

Cons

The 14″ HD (1366×768) TN 220nits Anti-glare display might not be the best for high-end graphic design work.
The Intel Pentium Silver N5030 Quad-Core Processor might not be powerful enough for heavy-duty graphic design work.
The 32Wh battery might not last very long if you’re working on intensive graphic design projects.

In our experience, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop is a great budget-friendly option for graphic design students or freelancers who need a laptop for basic graphic design work. The laptop is easy to carry around, and the anti-glare display makes it comfortable to work for long hours. However, the 14″ HD display might not be the best for high-end graphic design work, and the Intel Pentium Silver N5030 Quad-Core Processor might not be powerful enough for heavy-duty graphic design work. Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop for basic graphic design work, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop is worth considering.

Buying Guide

When looking for the best laptop for graphic design, there are several features that you should consider. We have compiled a list of key factors to help you make an informed decision.

Display

A high-quality display is essential for graphic design work. Look for a laptop with a resolution of at least 1920×1080 (Full HD) and a color gamut that covers as much of the sRGB color space as possible. An IPS panel is also recommended for wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction.

Processor

A powerful processor is necessary for running graphic design software smoothly. Look for a laptop with at least an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processor.

Graphics Card

A dedicated graphics card is essential for graphic design work. Look for a laptop with at least an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or an AMD Radeon RX 5500M.

RAM

Having enough RAM is crucial for running multiple applications at once. Look for a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM, but 16GB or more is recommended for graphic design work.

Storage

A fast and spacious storage drive is important for storing large files and running software quickly. Look for a laptop with at least a 256GB SSD, but 512GB or more is recommended.

Other Considerations

Other features to consider include the laptop’s weight, battery life, keyboard and touchpad quality, and connectivity options such as USB-C and Thunderbolt 3.

By considering these factors, you can find the best laptop for your graphic design needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the minimum hardware requirements for a graphic design laptop?

When it comes to hardware requirements for a graphic design laptop, the key components to consider are the processor, RAM, graphics card, and storage. We recommend a minimum of an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, a dedicated graphics card with at least 2GB of VRAM, and a solid-state drive (SSD) with at least 256GB of storage.

How do I select a laptop for both graphic design and video editing?

If you’re looking for a laptop that can handle both graphic design and video editing, you’ll want to prioritize a powerful processor, plenty of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card. We recommend looking for laptops with at least an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM.

What are the best budget-friendly laptops suitable for graphic design in 2023?

If you’re on a budget but still need a laptop that can handle graphic design tasks, there are several options to consider. We recommend looking at laptops with at least an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card with at least 2GB of VRAM. Some budget-friendly options to consider include the Dell XPS 13, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and HP Envy x360.

Which is more suitable for graphic design tasks, an i7 or an i9 processor?

Both Intel Core i7 and i9 processors are suitable for graphic design tasks, but the i9 is generally more powerful and better equipped to handle more demanding tasks. However, the i7 is still a solid choice and can handle most graphic design tasks with ease.

Between MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, which is better optimized for graphic design work?

Both the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are capable of handling graphic design tasks, but the MacBook Pro is generally better equipped with a more powerful processor, dedicated graphics card, and larger display. However, the MacBook Air is still a great option for those on a budget or who prioritize portability.

Can you recommend a laptop that is well-suited for graphic design and gaming?

If you’re looking for a laptop that can handle both graphic design and gaming, we recommend looking for a laptop with a powerful processor, plenty of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM. Some options to consider include the Razer Blade Pro, ASUS ROG Zephyrus, and MSI GS65 Stealth.

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