1. Quick list
2. FAQs
3. How to choose
4. How we test
5. Top picks
▶ Best overall
▶ Best budget
▶ Best Windows
▶ Best 2-in-1
▶ Best dual-screen
▶ Best battery life
To produce impeccable artwork that aligns with your vision, selecting the best laptop for graphic design is crucial.
These laptops are tested to excel from digital to print media, ensuring your creations meet every specification. A suitable graphic design laptop requires a processor of at least Intel i5, AMD Ryzen 5, or M3, with a recommendation of 512GB storage and at least 16GB RAM—though 32GB is preferable for intricate projects.
The display should offer 1080p resolution or better, with superior color fidelity across sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 color gamuts, ensuring on-screen designs translate flawlessly to their final forms.
We've thoroughly reviewed various models, including those optimized for photo and video editing, assessing their specs, build, and performance with professional design software to bring you the best laptops for graphic design, ranging from premium MacBooks to cost-effective options.
The quick list
The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Pro/M3 Max) sets the benchmark for graphic design laptops, with its powerful Apple chips handling 4K and 8K video editing effortlessly and a fingerprint-resistant design for a clean appearance.
This 2-in-1 Chromebook offers incredible value for money, with a stunning OLED display and detachable keyboard making it perfect for graphic designers on the go (and on a budget).
The Dell XPS 14, with its elegant design and optional 3.2K OLED display, offers unmatched visual clarity and color accuracy, making it a superior choice for graphic designers seeking performance and aesthetics.
Though primarily a business laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 impresses with its robust build, responsive keyboard, and excellent port selection, making it a powerful option for design professionals.
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i excels in graphic design with its dual-screen setup that enhances multitasking and creative flexibility, combined with powerful performance and up to 9.5 hours of battery life.
Read more below
The Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024) shines for graphic designers with its sleek, portable design, vibrant display, and strong performance, complemented by a comfortable keyboard and long battery life.
Best laptops for graphic designers: FAQs
What is the best laptop requirements for graphic design?
Depending on the kind of tools you are using, your GPU and CPU hardware requirements may vary, but there's one thing that all laptops for graphic design must have: memory.
Media files can be quite large, and if you're working with a design that features a lot of layers or effects added into the mix, these are all going to fill up your app's RAM memory allocation very quickly. You'll need at least 16GB, but 32GB RAM is ideal.
Are Macs really better for graphic design?
There are some things that Macs do better than Windows laptops when it comes to graphic design work, with font rendering being one of the biggest. But overall, Windows laptops have come a very long way in the past several years to closing that gap. Now, it really is a matter of preference for the OS ecosystem, since all major graphic design software appears on both platforms and display quality (as well as color gamut coverage) for the best Windows laptops can even exceed what you'd get on the best MacBook.
How to choose the best laptops for graphic design for you
When choosing which laptop is best for graphic design, there’s no one answer. With so many makes and models on the market, the trick is to first identify how you’re planning to use the device.
There's no one graphic design laptop - it all depends on the work you'll be doing. As a baseline, however, we recommend minimum specs of 16GB RAM and 1TB of SSD storage - paired with one of the best photo cloud storage services for backups. Ideally, choose a display that features DCI-P3 for the most accurate on-screen colors.
Alternatively, a screen with a very high-percentage sRGB coverage will suffice. A machine with this power will keep you in the zone.
Professionals and power-users will want to opt for portables that ramp up the power and performance as high and as hard as they go. Graphic design apps like Adobe Illustrator can take their toll on hardware, so it’s important to select one that can manage running them smoothly without any lag.
Look for the best RAM, best CPU, and best GPU specs that your budget allows- and consider a device that offers plenty of storage space, too. You can really spend out on the very best graphic design laptops, but it’s not always necessary - especially if you’re more of a casual user or you’re designing using less resource-intensive tools like the best logo makers and best free logo makers or online design apps like Canva.
Check the screen specs. As a graphic designer, particularly if you’re working with print assets, what you create on the screen should be as accurate to the finished article as possible. Look for those with a wide color gamut, ideally hitting 100% DCI-P3, although a high-percentage sRGB coverage will be fine for more general use.
As the recommended specs are similar, it’s also worth exploring the best monitors for graphic design and the best monitors for photo editing if you need a second display.
How we test the best laptops for graphic design
We test hardware built for a range of industries and professions, including the best laptops for writers, best laptops for engineering, and best video editing PCs.
When it comes to best laptops for designers, we rigorously test each device against a list of features, with special focus on screen quality and performance. These are two of the most important assets when running creative apps like graphic design software, photo editors, and graphics-hungry apps like the best VFX software, and best 3D modeling software. In our tests, we frequently use Photoshop and Lightroom, as generally any of the best Photoshop alternatives and the best Lightroom alternatives should be good if Adobe products run well.
Generally, we opt for laptops with at least 16GB of RAM - although 32GB is preferred - with internal SSD storage of 1TB and above. They also feature the latest-generation CPUs from AMD, Intel and Apple.
Some of the devices we’ve assessed are often marketed as the best business laptops or best gaming laptops - perhaps that’s no surprise, since these also need to be able to handle hardware-hogging applications without missing a beat.
The best laptop for graphic design in 2024: Top picks
The best laptop for graphic design in 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find full write-ups for each candidate for the best laptop for graphic design. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
Best laptop for graphic design overall
The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Pro/M3 Max) is unparalleled in its suitability for graphic design, offering unmatched power with Apple's latest chips.
It excels in handling intensive design tasks, including 4K and 8K video editing, without faltering, marking a significant advancement in performance over previous models. Its design remains consistent, with a new Space Black option that resists fingerprints, keeping the device looking pristine.
Benchmark tests reveal a substantial performance boost, particularly in graphics-intensive applications, streamlining creative workflows. With up to 24 hours of battery life, it supports prolonged creative sessions on a single charge.
Although priced at a premium, its formidable capabilities justify the investment for graphic designers seeking a top-tier laptop that combines efficiency, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
Read the full Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) review
Best graphic design laptop on a budget
For graphic designers relying on cloud-based applications, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 5 stands out as an exceptionally affordable option without compromising on quality.
Its detachable keyboard and tablet functionality, coupled with a stunning 1080p OLED display, make it perfect for designers who need portability, flexibility, and vibrant image clarity for their creative projects. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2 processor and equipped with 8GB RAM, it ensures smooth operation across web-based graphic design tools.
With an impressive 16-hour battery life, significantly longer than average Chromebooks, it supports extended design sessions. Although its price was initially higher than its predecessor, its value has increased over time due to price reductions, positioning it as an unrivaled choice for designers seeking a cost-effective, versatile device for cloud-based graphic design work.
Read the full Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook review
Best Windows laptop for graphic design
The Dell XPS 14 positions itself as a prime choice for graphic design, boasting an elegant design with a cutting-edge processor and an optional 3.2K OLED display that sets a new standard in visual clarity and color accuracy within the XPS series.
Starting at $1,499, the laptop may require additional investment in upgrades like the Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU to fully unleash its potential, making it a worthy investment of nearly $2,400 for professionals seeking longevity and performance.
It features notable design enhancements including superior top-mounted speakers for improved audio quality and slim bezels around a 1080p webcam. Despite its slim profile, the XPS 14, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and Nvidia RTX 4050, efficiently manages a wide range of tasks from basic computing to complex content creation, marking it as an essential device for graphic designers who prioritize power, durability, and aesthetics.
Read the full Dell XPS 14 review
Best 2-in-1 laptop for graphic design
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 might be pricey but the high-quality makes it worth every penny - especially if you're looking for a performance-driven laptop for professional use.
It may not be centered on content creators and designers - this is, after all, a business laptop. But that heritage means it's built for power and efficiency.
We found the form factor to be great. The Aluminum casing gives this a real robustness, with a responsive trackpad and a comfortable keyboard. There's something about those ThinkPad keyboards. They offer the perfect amount of feedback without making typing overly taxing. However, it's also pretty no-frills. You won't find any fancy bells and whistles, no flagship features , outside of the 2-in-1 nature of the device. But that's part of its charm. This is no-nonsense stuff.
The laptop's screen is gorgeous, made better by the 16:10 golden ratio screen which when we used it, felt far larger than it really was. If you're looking for a well-sized canvas in a small form, this is just ideal.
Port selection is excellent - we like to see so many connectivity options especially in a laptop of this size. You'll find a HDMI port, two USB-A and two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a headphone jack. Overall, we found the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 an excellent laptop for core design. The power is impressive, the looks are stunning.
Read the full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 review
The best dual-screen laptop for graphic design
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is a top-tier laptop for graphic designers, boasting an innovative dual-screen feature that expands creative possibilities and enhances multitasking without compromising portability.
This versatile design simulates a dual-monitor setup, ideal for comprehensive design projects, allowing graphic professionals to optimize their workspace for tasks like sketching, image editing, and managing design software simultaneously.
Equipped with an Intel Core i7-1355U processor, the Yoga Book 9i delivers powerful performance while maintaining efficiency, crucial for intensive design sessions without the risk of overheating.
Its dual OLED screens not only offer vivid colors and deep blacks essential for accurate graphic work but also provide up to 9.5 hours of battery life, extendable with strategic screen use.
Despite its premium price, the Yoga Book 9i's innovative features, including its unique design, mobility, and endurance, make it a worthy investment for graphic designers seeking a laptop that matches their dynamic and creative workflow demands.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
The best laptop for graphic design for battery life
The Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024) stands out as an exceptional laptop for graphic designers, offering a modern, sleek design that's both light and portable—ideal for professionals on the go.
Its expansive, vibrant display, with minimized bezels, provides an immersive experience for detailed design work without sacrificing the laptop's compactness. Performance-wise, the MacBook Air excels with fast boot times and smooth application handling, crucial for managing complex design projects.
The comfortable, redesigned keyboard facilitates prolonged design sessions, enhancing productivity.
Additionally, its impressive battery life of up to 16 hours supports extended creative endeavors without the need for frequent recharging, making it perfect for designers working on long projects or while traveling.
Read the full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) review
Today's top deals on laptops for graphic design
