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The best laptops for graphic designers: Expert tested and reviewed
Graphic design software can be some of the most demanding programs you can run on a laptop. Sure, almost any new laptop will be able to run them, but not all are built to run them well. If you’re a designer and need a computer that can breeze through the most intensive visual tasks, you’ll want to spring for a machine designed for that specific use case.
Also: The best laptops for college in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed
Luckily, we’ve gone hands-on with many great laptops built to handle demanding graphic design tasks. This means powerful processors, video cards, and usability features like style, brush, and toolkit hotkeys. Of course, we can’t forget to mention high-quality, color-accurate displays. Let’s help you choose which laptop for graphic design is best for you.
What is the best laptop for graphic design right now?
We tested many excellent laptops to create this list, but our pick for the best laptop for graphic design is Apple’s M4 MacBook Pro (2024). It has a stunning display and excellent M4 chip performance. As good as the MacBook Pro may be, it’s not the best for everyone, as people have different needs. This list includes various other top-tier options from Asus, Dell, and Lenovo, so there’s an option for a wide range of budgets and use cases.
The best laptops for graphic designers in 2024
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Apple MacBook Pro M4
Best laptop for graphic design overall
Apple’s new M4 MacBook Pro takes the top spot as the best graphic design laptop. This should come as no surprise. MacBook Pros are often lauded for their top-tier performance and high-quality screens. In fact, this model shares many similarities to the previous number one pick: the M3 MacBook Pro. It just does everything better.
The latest MacBook Pro houses the tech giant’s M4 chipset, improving the laptop’s ability to handle resource-heavy software such as illustration apps. ZDNET’s Senior Reviews Editor Kerry Wan recently reviewed the M4 MacBook Pro, and according to his tests, the model “outperforms its predecessors, as well as some of the latest Windows machines running Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) chipsets.”
The hardware makes “demanding workflows like 4K video editing feel natural.” This MacBook Pro also comes with 16GB, which it needs to run Apple Intelligence features and the now-upgraded Siri.
Review: I replaced my M1 MacBook Pro with a base model M4 – and it blew my $3,000 system away
You have a choice between either a 14-inch or 16-inch Liquid Retina Display, with the latter having a maximum resolution of up to 3,456 x 2,23 pixels. The M3 MacBook Pro had a similar screen, but the M4 MacBook Pro has a nano-texture coating. This gives the display a “matte-frosted layering [that] significantly reduces glare.” In short, you can take this laptop under the sun and still see the screen clearly.
Apple M4 MacBook Pro specs: CPU: Apple M4 | GPU: M4 integrated graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: Liquid Retina XDR
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Apple MacBook Air M3
Best MacBook alternative for graphic design
If you want Apple hardware that’s easier on your wallet (and even more portable), we recommend the MacBook Air M3. The M3 chipset is a force to be reckoned with, even on the lightweight MacBook Air. Right now, Amazon has the M3 MacBook Air on sale
Review: M3 MacBook Air review: Apple’s AI computer for the masses has arrived
Besides the ultra-thin form factor, graphic designers will love that it can output up to two different external monitors simultaneously, allowing you to do your work on a bigger screen. The M3 chip on board the Air also allows for future-proofing down the line, with integration with Apple Intelligence and all the upcoming AI features.
MacBook Air M2 specs: CPU: Apple M3 | GPU: M3 integrated graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina
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Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1
Best 2-in-1 laptop for graphic design
Earning its place as the best 2-in-1 graphic design laptop is Lenovo’s recent Yoga 9i 2-in-1 refresh. Convertible 2-in-1 laptops lend themselves very well to professional creative work, as you can write up a document while the machine is in laptop mode and immediately flip the screen to place it into tablet mode.
Review: Lenovo’s latest 2-in-1 laptop wowed me with clever design and a bold outlook
The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 features a stunning 2.8K OLED with vibrant colors; this is something graphic designers and creatives will love working on. Furthermore, the speakers are housed on the hinge, which help them sound great (especially for a laptop). The system comes complete with subwoofers for that extra punch. Also, you get a free stylus, letting you jump right into your work.
Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 OLED specs: CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | GPU: Integrated Intel graphics card | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 14-inch 2.8K resolution OLED
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Asus ProArt PZ13
Best drawing laptop for graphic design
Microsoft has made some great drawing laptops, but now Asus is giving the tech giant a run for its money with the ProArt PZ13, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus. Similar to Surface laptops, this device consists of a 3K AMOLED touchscreen tablet connected to a detachable keyboard, but Asus’ machine is better suited for creative professionals.
The laptop’s display supports Dolby Vision, VESA DisplayHDR True Black, and the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, all of which work together to deliver a “stunning visual experience.” Unique to this device is the Creator Hub, a dashboard app that lets you adjust the color output of the ProArt PZ13’s display on the fly. It’s a handy tool that ensures colors are shown more accurately. There’s even a special mode that enhances the visual fidelity of movies.
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Besides the display and lightweight design, Asus’ ProArt PZ13 has a ridiculously long battery life, capable of lasting over 21 hours on a single charge. You can leave it on overnight and still find it running the next morning.
Asus ProArt PZ13 specs: CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus | GPU: Integrated Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite GPU | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 13-inch 2880 x 1800 AMOLED touchscreen
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Asus Zenbook S 16
Best Windows laptop for graphic design
ASUS consistently develops powerful graphic design laptops, and the Zenbook S 16 continues the trend. The device houses AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 365 chipset. “AI” is the most important indicator in that name because it signifies the fact the model has a neural processing unit, the AMD XDNA 2 NPU.
When reviewing this laptop, we found a very capable machine, able to easily support image and video editing workloads. Graphics designers will get a lot of mileage out of the chipset and the gorgeous 16-inch, 3K OLED touchscreen. The display runs at a fast refresh rate of 120Hz and is Pantone validated. This means it can show off various hues with a high degree of accuracy.
Review: This Asus has one of the best OLED displays I’ve seen, and I’ve tested hundreds of laptops
In addition to the solid internal hardware, the Zenbook S 16 is quite the looker. It is made out of ceraluminum, a composite material “made of ceramic and aluminum” as the name suggests. Not only does ceraluminum give the laptop a unique aesthetic, it ensures strength and durability. Those two things are important to have on a laptop if you plan to take it on the road.
Asus Zenboook S 16 specs: CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 | RAM: 24GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 16-inch 3K OLED
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Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i
Best graphic design laptop for content creators
The IdeaPad Pro 5i is a versatile 16-inch laptop, but its solid stack of hardware paired with the 2K OLED makes it shine in the office.
Under the hood, you’ll find an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card, resulting in rock-solid performance. We tested the hardware by running many common workplace tasks from web browsing to writing documents and video conferencing platforms simultaneously. It handled everything we threw at it without skipping a beat.
Review: One of the longest-lasting laptops I’ve tested also has one of the best displays
Additionally, it has 32GB of memory, ensuring load times are all but nonexistent. This hardware configuration even allows the IdeaPad Pro 5i to act as a capable gaming laptop, perfect for when you want to relax with a game after a long day.
The IdeaPad Pro’s generous heft allows for a full-sized keyboard, which, when paired with the rubber-like keycaps, results in a very comfortable typing experience. And lastly (but perhaps most importantly), the battery is quite good — particularly for a laptop with an OLED — lasting almost nine hours straight during our livestream video test.
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i specs: CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 | RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 16-inch 2K OLED
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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360
Best graphic design laptop for Samsung users
One reason why the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 makes for a good graphic design laptop is because of its high-quality display. It has a 16-inch 3K touchscreen that runs at a 120Hz refresh rate and “covers 120% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.” Everything listed coalesces into stunning visual fidelity second only to a MacBook Pro.
The display would’ve been enough for the laptop to secure a place on this list, but the experience is made even thanks to the in-box S-Pen. This stylus writes very smoothly on the glass. Its responsiveness makes using the accessory a pleasure, and it was a highlight during our testing.
Review: I tested Samsung’s flagship laptop and it gave my MacBook Pro a run for its money
Although it lacks the Nvidia GeForce graphics card seen on the Galaxy Book4 Ultra, the device still performs quite well due to its next-gen Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor and integrated Intel Arc 140V graphics card. Our testing shows it easily handled having many open tabs, windows, and apps running at the same time. There wasn’t a single dip in performance.
Because it is a Galaxy Book, you will need to own a recent Samsung Galaxy smartphone to use all its features, such as Quick Share, Multi Control, and Second Screen.
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 specs: CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | GPU: Intel Arc 140V | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 16-inch 3K AMOLED
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Dell XPS 13 (2024)
Best compact laptop for graphic design
Graphic design professionals who are constantly on the go should check out this year’s Dell XPS 13. The series is known for having sleek designs and top-of-the-line performance. That tradition continues as this model has the same stylish zero-lattice keyboard and capacitive touch panel.
It is about 13.4-inches across and weighs a measly 2.6 pounds. You can stuff it inside a bag and easily take it with you. Dell’s machine is not going to encumber you in any way.
Review: I tested Dell’s XPS 13 and its eye-catching design is its second best feature
Most of the important changes on the 2024 XPS 13 are found inside the laptop. The early model boasts an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, an Intel Arc graphics card, and 32GB of memory. Everything together results in fast processing speeds, quick load times, and smooth multitasking. Of course, we can’t forget the high quality display, which is capable of outputting a 3K image resolution.
The OLED model has a peak refresh rate of 60Hz. If speed and accuracy is important to you, then we recommend purchasing the mid-range since its refresh rate can go up to 120Hz.
Dell XPS 13 specs: CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | GPU: x | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 13.4-inch 3K OLED touchscreen
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We chose the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro from 2023 as the best laptop for graphic design due to its exceptional high-resolution display and great hardware performance.
If you’re thinking about getting something else, the table below compares the best graphic design laptops according to price, screen size, and CPU.
| Best laptop for graphic designers | Starting Cost | Display | CPU |
| Apple MacBook Pro M4 | $1,474 | 14″ Liquid Retina XDR display | Apple Silicon M4 |
| Apple MacBook Air M3 | $900 | 13.6″ Liquid Retina display | Apple Silicon M3 |
| Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 | $1,450 | 14″ OLED touchscreen | Intel Core Ultra i7-1360P |
| Asus ProArt PZ13 | $1,100 | 13″ AMOLED touchscreen | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus |
| Asus Zenbook S 16 | $1,400 | 16-inch 3K OLED | AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i | $1,876 | 16″ OLED touchscreen | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
| Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 | $1,700 | 16″ 3K AMOLED touchscreen | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
| Dell XPS 13 | $1,440 | 13.4″ 3K OLED display | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Graphic design laptops can handle many tasks, but some are better than others in certain scenarios. Hardware-demanding work, such as video editing, requires a high-end computer.
For this reason, you need to know what you’re looking for in a laptop. You don’t want to buy a device that’s going to struggle. Here’s how to figure out which laptop for graphic design works best for you:
| Choose this laptop for graphic design… | If you want… |
| Apple MacBook Pro M4 | The best graphic design laptop overall. The MacBook Pro with the M4 chipset offers top-tier performance, a long battery life, and a stunning screen. |
| Apple MacBook Air M3 | An alternative to the MacBook Pro. It’s significantly cheaper than its counterpart but still offers great performance. |
| Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 | The best 2-in-1 laptop for graphic designers. Its 2.8K resolution touchscreen and comfortable keyboard lets you work all day. |
| Asus ProArt PZ13 | The best drawing laptop. Its angled sitting posture and high-resolution touchscreen make it ideal for illustration. |
| Asus Zenbook S16 | This is the best Windows graphics design laptop. It houses AMD’s next-gen AI chipset and a 3K display that accurately shows a wide array of colors. |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i | The best graphic design laptop for work. The device’s long-lasting battery and powerful hardware make it ideal for traveling to and from the office. |
| Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 | The best graphic design laptop for Samsung users. It is a convertible laptop that has a 3K AMOLED and comes with an S Pen stylus. |
| Dell XPS 13 | The best compact laptop for graphic design. The 2024 model boasts a new processor to better handle tough workloads and a high-resolution OLED touchscreen. |
A laptop for creative users must provide more power than a laptop aimed at general usage. Here are some of the top factors you’ll want to consider before making a purchase:
- Hardware: Creative professionals rely heavily on their laptops’ graphics cards to do their work. Graphics cards must also be paired with strong CPUs and a good amount of RAM to perform at a high level.
- Display: All that performance doesn’t mean squat if the laptop’s display can’t accurately showcase your work. Creative professionals greatly prefer high-resolution displays.
- Screen size: 16-inch or 17-inch laptops are much heavier than 13-inch or 14-inch devices. Regular travelers may want something smaller so they can leave the laptop with the big screen at the office or at home.
- Battery life: Decide whether you need a high-end laptop that can accomplish tasks but only run for a few hours, or a mid-ranger that can last an entire day.
- Price: Price is an important factor to consider when shopping for laptops. Obviously, the more expensive options tend to have better hardware. That said, don’t completely discount the cheaper models because many still deliver awesome performance.
There are many excellent laptops for graphic design on the market, and our staff at ZDNET has the opportunity to review many of them. We look at the aforementioned factors, including display, battery life, and value. We then test them as we would use them in the real world, from surfing the internet to streaming videos to more specific use cases for graphic design.
Once all the testing is complete, the ones we liked are reviewed, given a specific category, like the best Windows laptop for graphic design, and placed on the list.
For more on our testing process, check out our comprehensive laptop testing methodology page.
Yes, but it depends on what you have.
Battery life is essential for lightweight, cheap, or travel laptops. These models don’t have the most superb hardware in the world and are often mid-range devices. As a result, they’re not very power-hungry. You won’t have to worry about your laptop dying on you in the middle of a project. Plus, they’re not heavy.
Battery life doesn’t matter as much for bulky, powerful laptops like the MSI Creator Z16. You’ll be using this machine primarily at home, and computers of this caliber are heavy. Speaking from experience, you don’t want to lug around a big laptop daily. Plus, their hardware demands a lot of power, so your battery will drain much more quickly.
Having a wide array of ports on a graphic design laptop is important, but ultimately, it comes down to what you need.
Some manufacturers equip their devices with only a few inputs in order to keep sizes small and the weight low. This is a good design move for ultraportable laptops. That said, creative professionals work with a variety of devices and peripherals. Perhaps they need to connect their laptop to an external display or multiple monitors. This extends to audio equipment and SD cards, too.
Good laptop connectivity options are crucial to many professionals’ work. You can solve this problem by buying a docking station to complement your computer, obtaining way more inputs and outputs than you ever could.
Also: The best 5 laptop docking stations
If you just want a single device, you may be better off buying a heftier laptop with a variety of ports. A lightweight machine is ideal for travel.
When it comes to hardware, not really. Modern MacBooks certainly have powerful M-series chipsets, allowing them to rise above the rest, but Windows laptops have come a long way in bridging the gap. We would argue that Windows hardware is comparable to, and in some cases better than, Apple’s tech.
The main difference between the two comes down to software. MacBooks have a great selection of apps onboard that still trounces Microsoft software. GarageBand is still great for editing music, and iMovie is also fantastic for basic video edits.
Also: Boost your security and productivity with the top Mac apps
Windows 11, on the other hand, doesn’t have the greatest selection. For years, base apps on Windows computers were terrible. No one in their right mind takes Paint seriously. That’s what PhotoShop is for. Things have improved, but base apps on Windows 11 still pale compared to what’s on macOS. Those starting software choices can make a huge difference.
Gaming laptops are definitely a great alternative for graphic designers. They are often equipped with some of the most powerful processors in the tech industry. They also have great graphics cards, huge storage drives, and a ton of RAM, providing professionals with all the power and space they need for work. Many even have stunning displays.
That said, they do have some problems. 1) Gaming laptops can be heavy. In some cases, over seven pounds. 2) They’re expensive. 3) They don’t always have the most pleasing designs. Several models feature bulky, all-black designs, or RGB lighting that not everyone likes.
Laptops constantly go on sale throughout the year, but many devices see deeper discounts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In fact, those two days are usually the best time to find great deals for laptops, although Amazon Prime Day comes close. Many brands get in on the festivities. Apple slashes the price tag on MacBooks, Lenovo does the same with ThinkPads, and Asus discounts its ZenBook laptops. You’ll be able to find these deals across multiple online retailers like Amazon, QVC, Best Buy, and Walmart. You will be hard-pressed to find a website that doesn’t engage.
Also: The 12 best Black Friday laptop deals 2024: Early sales available now
It’s hard to say for sure what will be on sale during Black Friday, but we can look at deals from 2023 to get an idea. For example, looking back at our old roundup, the Dell XPS 15 was $400 off, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 saw a $950 discount, and the Corsair Voyager A1600 saw a huge $1,044 price cut.
We could see similar discounts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2024.
We chose the top laptops based on pricing, performance, display, and more. If the group above doesn’t work for you, here are other models to consider.
