The 13 best laptops for graphic design in 2024 recommended by experts
You work with graphics programs and know how to use colors, textures, shapes, and lighting to create a unique message that will 100% please the client. In this case, you spend most of your working time in graphics programs and applications, which, as you know, place high demands on the designer’s equipment. To make you work quickly and efficiently, we are ready to dive into the magical design world with you and pick the best laptops for graphic designers.
Believe it or not, good notebooks aren’t limited to Apple devices. You are offered many exciting options, from Asus to Razor, that vary in price. Look through our selection of laptops for graphic design that no one can refuse.
TOP 13 Picks of the Greatest Notebooks for Graphics
Designers and architects are always highly demanding of their laptops. No one will like it if the program constantly stops and prevents the project from developing. Ideally, 16 GB of RAM, a processor, and a new-generation video card are the necessary characteristics of a graphics computer. We bring to your attention the best laptops for graphic design 2024 at different performances and price policies. After all, if you invest in your work, it should be a suitable device with exceptional characteristics.
1. Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro
Undoubtedly, Apple leads the list of the most wanted apparatus for professional use. We will not discuss the design and the most luxurious display with natural color reproduction and contrast — these qualities are always at their best. Most likely, you will be pleasantly surprised by the power and battery life.
Best features:
- Excellent color rendition and screen contrast.
- High performance.
- Long hours of autonomous work.
2. Dell XPS 17
The laptop’s extraordinary power will help you cope with almost any work in rendering. Manufacturers have awarded it with an Intel i9 processor and tons of RAM, except for GeForce 3060. You can easily edit not only pictures but also videos in all possible formats.
Best features:
- Stylish design.
- Excellent computing quality.
- Long hours of autonomous work.
3. Gigabyte Aero 17
The price will give you satisfaction for sure! Of course, the machine has pros and cons, but it is the best offer compared to its competitors. Consider that the battery life is not enough for long hours of autonomous work. This laptop for designer tasks can only last four to six hours on a single charge. If you do creative, resource-intensive work, you must keep your computer plugged in.
Best features:
- Gorgeous display.
- Many ports are available.
- Attractive price.
4. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8
Have you ever dreamed of a fantastic widescreen? You will get even more with Lenovo + excellent computing performance and the latest generation parts. The laptop will work quite a long time on a single charge so that you can work on your project outdoors without losing a single detail.
Best features:
- Comfortable keyboard.
- Flexibility.
- Gorgeous display.
- Great speakers.
5. Dell XPS 15 (2022)
With the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, you can handle image and video editing with ease. Its stunning screen and exceptional battery life will make you forget about any flaws this laptop may have. With its user-friendly design, it’s no wonder the XPS is consistently ranked Dell’s best-design laptop.
Best features:
- Intuitive design.
- Powerful performance.
- Long-lasting battery.
6. Razer 14 Blade
Every designer dreamed of such a gift! Thin and light but at the same time powerful, the machine is suitable for work in the office, at home, and whenever you want. You can work on a project everywhere and make edits directly during a meeting with a client without connecting to the network. The latest-gen graphics card, battery, and powerful processor ensure smooth operation for many hours.
Best features:
- Great computing speed and power.
- Vivid, colorful display.
- Enough connecting ports.
7. HP 17 G8 ZBook Fury
If, when choosing between a reasonable price and excellent quality and modern components, performance is essential to you, the ZBook is the best laptop for graphic design you may find. This is the most desirable premium model for graphic professionals because you invest in a portable workstation with tons of power. You’ll love the intelligent design, long-lasting battery, and easy upgrades.
Best features:
- Wide possibility of an upgrade.
- Powerful device.
- Supports any programs and updates
8. Gigabyte 16 Aero
Powerful hardware, exceptional productivity, high energy efficiency, a simple and at the same time elegant design — all this is the AERO 16 laptops. Inspired by new projects, carry out your plans anywhere, anytime, at home, or on the road with AERO 16!
Best features:
- Fantastic overall power.
- Intuitive keyboard.
- High-quality OLED screen.
9. Acer Swift X 14
The first thing you must check out is the screen — perfect and contrasty for a laptop. Also, excellent and high-quality work will be ensured by a powerful video card, RTX 3050, and enough memory and SSD.
Best features:
- Optimal price for those who want to save money.
- Good equipment.
- 1 TB of disk space.
- Beautiful picture.
10. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
The device proved perfect for gaming and watching videos, as well as for developing projects in graphic editors. A new generation 4-core processor and a powerful graphics card ensure smooth operation. Feel free to make presentations by changing the display location mode. Buy and appreciate the best laptop that a graphic designer can use at any project stage.
Best features:
- Lightweight and durable.
- Excellent display.
- Modern equipment that will be relevant for a long time.
11. MSI Creator Z17
You are holding a powerful solution for generating creative ideas in your hands! The machine is built on the classic combination of the latest i7 generation and legendary NVIDIA graphics, and the device itself has the appropriate certification. Thanks to a decent performance reserve, the device will be relevant for several years, mainly if you stick to design, not gaming.
Bets features:
- Slim and attractive design.
- Powerful video card.
- Superb visual display.
12. Razer Blade 15
Meet the ultraportable best graphic designing laptop with a superb IPS display and extremely comfortable keyboard. The machine features a thin bezel and exquisite color, lightweight and portable with a 10th Gen Intel processor.
Best features:
- Powerful i9 processor.
- Lightweight, thin design.
- 4K display.
13. Lenovo 9i Yoga Book
The uniqueness of this device is that you can change its configuration and use it as a book, laptop, or tablet. It can be highly convenient when using many renders or working on dummy projects. Of course, such a modern-looking machine must have superb components, a powerful processor, and enough RAM capacity.
Best features:
- On-screen keyboard.
- Speedy, smooth performance.
- Sturdy yet elegant design.
- Audio performance.
5 Steps to Choose Your Perfect Graphic Laptop
Designers, architects, photographers, and other graphics specialists come to work with powerful graphics editors who dictate their rules for choosing a laptop. Let’s look at what you should look for when selecting the best laptops for a graphic design.
Understand Your Needs
Graphic editors and applications can put a severe strain on your laptop and stop the creative process. Therefore, for the creative process to proceed on time and according to plan, it is necessary to determine the machine with what power and what qualities you need so as not to overpay for unnecessary functions.
Decide on the Right Processor
For tasks involving extremely «heavy» content, such as video editing and 3D rendering, a minimum of 4 cores of processing power is required.
Choose Enough RAM
- 8 GB is enough for Photoshop and similar programs.
- 16 GB is a version for productive work and creativity.
- 32 GB or more — this volume is helpful for video editing.
SSD or HDD
Nothing is better than a good designer machine with two drives — you will win in price and speed. SSD is especially helpful for the OS and applications, and HDD is perfect for photos, videos, and projects.
Determine the Budget
Manufacturers offer many options for graphic laptops for any task. Don’t look for a cheap product. Because graphics laptops must meet such high standards, they can be expensive.
Summing Up
Now, deciding on the best laptops for graphic design, you can quickly narrow your search. Still, selecting a suitable machine is not so easy, and it often happens that the designer has high software requirements but needs more finances to purchase. We at Genense Studio are ready to help you design and print your photo materials. This way, you won’t have to waste precious resources on buying a laptop with powerful graphics. You’d be much more productive to focus on developing your next brilliant idea, and our specialists will support its implementation.
FAQ
When aiming for top-notch graphic design, opt for a laptop boasting a robust processor – aim for Intel i7 or i9, or AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 – a generous serving of RAM (minimum 16GB), a top-tier display boasting spot-on color accuracy, a dedicated graphics card, ample storage space (preferably SSD), and a sturdy construction. Don't overlook its weight and portability, especially if your work keeps you on the move.
To keep your graphic design workflow seamless, a minimum of 16GB of RAM is essential. This guarantees smooth multitasking, enabling you to effortlessly run multiple design applications and manage large files without any sluggishness. However, for more demanding tasks like video editing or 3D rendering, it's advisable to aim for no less than 32GB of RAM.
Some of these laptops that are specifically optimized for graphic design duties are:
- Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch or 14-inch): This one has an amazing retina display and is very powerful.
- Dell XPS 15: The screen resolution is high, and the specifications are good enough for designers.
- HP Spectre x360: This one comes with strong hardware and has an awesome 4K OLED display.
- Microsoft Surface Book 3: The detachable screen makes it flexible while performing, and it does not disappoint.
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G14: A gaming laptop that is a powerful system that has a good display suitable for graphics designing works.
Generally speaking, a dedicated graphics card would be highly recommended when doing graphic design since it offers improved rendering capabilities, support for larger file sizes, and high-resolution images. Integrated graphics will do for simple design tasks; however, if you are dealing with more professional work or demanding applications, then it is better to have a dedicated graphics card as this makes your designs run smoother and faster.
The most important display specifications that should be noted in laptops used for graphic design include:
- Resolution: For better clarity, Full HD (1920x1080) with 4k (3840x2160) is best.
- Color accuracy: Displays that have accurate colors are usually quoted as having around 100% sRGB, Adobe RGB or DCI-P3.
- Panel type: IPS panels offer superior color reproduction and wider viewing angles than TN panels.
- Brightness: Higher brightness (300 nits or above) is preferable if you want to use the laptop under different lighting conditions.
- Matte vs glossy: Matte screens reduce glare, while glossy ones increase color brilliance but can reflect more light.
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