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The best laptops for graphic designers, according to experts
Apple's professional users -- especially those working in creative industries -- have welcomed the company's renewed focus on its professional Mac products, following the long-awaited introduction of the 2019 Mac Pro desktop and the 16-inch revamp of its flagship MacBook Pro laptop. But there's no doubt that Apple took its eye off the ball in the Mac market while it spent years concentrating on the iPhone, and that has allowed rival PC manufacturers to capture a slice of Apple's creative pie.
Intel got the ball rolling back in 2018 with its Creator PC initiative, which was further boosted by Nvidia's Studio campaign the following year. Nvidia aimed to extend the company's graphics technologies beyond its traditional gaming audience and into the creative industries.
Now, Lenovo is upping their game. At CES 2023, they unveiled the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i that will feature two 13.3-inch HDR OLED screens. And with its folio stand, it operates dual screens in portrait and landscape mode.
Most PC manufacturers now offer extensive portfolios of laptops and desktop PCs that are specifically aimed at creative users in fields like graphic design, photography, video editing, and animation. The involvement of Nvidia, with its RTX ray-tracing graphics technology, has also attracted gaming specialists such as Razer and Gigabyte, whose expertise with high-end gaming graphics has allowed them to design some impressively powerful laptops for professional users.
Creative users are now spoilt for choice, with dozens of laptop and desktop systems now vying for their attention. We've rounded up the best "creator" laptops to help save you time and money.
Also: Best graphic design monitors
- Excellent display
- Fantastic CPU performance
- Great battery life
- An expensive option
- New design won't wow you
Tech Specs: CPU: Apple M2 | GPU: M2 integrated graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256 GB SSD | Display: 13-inch Retina with True Tone
The newest version of the Apple MacBook Pro elevates performance with Apple's M2 Chip. This chip contains a zippy 8-core CPU, allowing you to get more work done without sacrificing in other areas.
For designers, it provides enhanced graphics performance. And best of all, with Unified Memory, you can run and toggle between multiple apps without a reduction in performance -- a must for designers working on multiple projects concurrently.
Read the review: Apple MacBook Pro review
ZDNET's Cliff Joseph reviewed the new MacBook Pro and noted that "the M2 chipset does provide a welcome speed bump, and could well prove a tempting upgrade for owners of older Intel-based MacBook Pros." Overall, the laptop's performance continues to set the benchmark for creative professionals.
- 4K display
- Ample customization options
- Workstation performance
- Good connectivity
- Expensive
- Has a 720p webcam
Tech Specs: CPU: Up to 11th gen Intel Core i9 | GPU: Up to Nvidia RTX A4000 | RAM: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 1TB SSD | Display: FHD or 4K
The ZBook is HP's mobile workstation range, but there are several models within the range that are specifically designed for particular tasks and applications. The ZBook Fury -- recently updated with this 8th generation (G8) model -- is a top-of-the-range option, suitable for 3D graphics and visualization, game development, and 4K video editing.
HP's website provides an almost dazzlingly wide range of customization options, including both 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch displays, but if you're aiming for no-compromise performance then it makes sense to opt for the 17-inch model that we review here. It's a bit of a beast, measuring 27mm thick, but it packs all the power of a high-end desktop graphics workstation.
There's an entry-level model with i5 processor, integrated graphics, and 1080p display for around $2,139, but serious graphics and video work will require a few upgrades. You can expect to step up to $4,164 for a more powerful model with an 11th gen i7-11800H, Nvidia RTX A2000, full 4K display, 16GB memory, and 256GB solid-state storage.
And, as mentioned, there's a wide range of further upgrades also available, including i9 and Xeon processors, and up to RTX A5000 graphics. The high-quality display doesn't cut any corners either, providing HDR400, 120Hz refresh rate for clear, sharp graphics for game developers, and DCI-P3 color for video editing.
- Slimline, lightweight design
- Good connectivity
- Lots of customization options
- Robust 17-inch display
- No audio line-in
- Heavy power supply
- Upgrades add weight
Tech Specs: CPU: Intel Core i7-11850H | GPU: Nvidia RTX A2000 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Display: 17-inch 3840x2400
Dell made quite an impact with its 17-inch Precision 5750 last year, combining impressive workstation levels of performance with a slim and (relatively) lightweight design that can go head-to-head with Apple's revamped 16-inch MacBook Pro. As you might expect, the new Precision 5760 is this year's follow-up, bringing new CPU and GPU upgrades, while still retaining the slimline profile of its predecessor -- just 13.2mm thick.
There are three standard configurations on Dell's website, although all three provide a wide range of customization options, so you can effectively build your own laptop to suit your needs. The entry-level model only costs around $1,500 but relies on an i5 processor with integrated graphics and a relatively modest 1080p display.
Creative users will therefore probably prefer the i7 model, which steps up to an 11th gen, 8-core i7 processor, Nvidia RTX A2000 graphics, 16GB memory, and 256GB solid-state drive. It also includes a UHD touch-screen display with 3840x2400 resolution (266.4dpi), which supports HDR400, Adobe RGB, and 99% of the DCI-P3 color standard for professional-level video editing work. There are also additional options for memory and storage upgrades, as well as a choice of i9 and Xeon processors, and RTX A300 graphics.
Read the review: Dell Precision 5760 review
ZDNET's Sandra Vogel reviewed the Precision 5760, and wrote that "the near bezel-free screen is superb in its 4K iteration, as sent to me for review, and the speakers do it proud." However, the battery life could be better.
- Competitive price
- Wide range of customization options
- Great connectivity
- Heavy
- Entry-level model only has 1080p display
Tech Specs: CPU: Intel Core i5-11500H | GPU: Nvidia T1200 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 15.6-inch 1080p
Lenovo's updated ThinkPad P15 Gen 2 isn't as light as previous models in the range, but it provides an affordable mobile workstation for students and professional users in fields such as engineering and CAD.
The P15 Gen 2 measures 31mm at its thickest point and is probably more suited for indoor use on the desktop rather than outdoors. However, the low price and Lenovo's wide range of customization options will still appeal to many users. There are a dozen "ready to ship" models available on Lenovo's website, with prices starting at $1,865 with a 6-core, 11th generation Intel Core i5 processor, Nvidia T1200 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. That price includes a 15.6-inch display with 1080p resolution, which should be adequate for 2D graphics and simple video editing.
But you can upgrade to a 4K display for a little over $300 if you need it. Lenovo also provides a "Build your own ThinkPad" option which allows you to start with a clean slate and select all the core components yourself, including the Intel Core i7, i9, and Xeon processors and a variety of Nvidia graphics cards. There is also a high-end display option, which will set you back another $500 or so, which supports Dolby Vision and HDR500 and sports a 17-inch screen.
- Slim, lightweight design
- Adjustable easel display
- Solid build
- 1600p display
- Limited customization options
- Limited connectivity
- Less suited for video editing
Tech Specs: CPU: Intel core i7-11370H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 14.4-inch 1600p
The Surface Book was Microsoft's first attempt to lure creative users away from Apple, but the new Surface Laptop Studio for Business goes all-out to focus on graphics and design work.
Like other Surface models, the Laptop Studio has a convertible, 2-in-1 design that allows you to fold the screen flat so that you can use it either as a tablet or a conventional laptop. However, the screen also has an additional hinge that lets you tilt the screen like an easel; this is perfect for use with Microsoft's Surface pen for illustration work.
Read the review: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio review
ZDNET's Simon Bisson reviewed the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and called it "innovative and powerful." Bisson said: "The Surface Laptop Studio is a worthy machine, with design chops to compare with the MacBook Pro."
The Laptop Studio feels very sturdy, despite its lightweight design and slimline profile. The 14.4-inch, touch-sensitive display is bright and sharp with 1600p resolution, and it is a delight to work with. However, Microsoft makes no mention of Adobe RGB or DCI-PE support, so you'll probably still need an external display for high-end graphics or video work. And, to be fair, the Laptop Studio isn't meant to act as a mobile workstation in the same league as some of its rivals, focusing on portability and ease of use rather than high-end performance.
Prices start at $1,600 for a model with an i5 processor and integrated Iris graphics. However, you'll need to double that price for the top-of-the-range model that we tested which costs $3,099.99. Our testing model was outfitted with an 11th gen i7 CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 TI graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD. Connectivity is a little disappointing, though, with just two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone socket. So Microsoft is clearly hoping you'll pay another $260 for the additional ports provided by its Surface Dock 2.
- Attractive, slim design
- Nvidia RTX 30 Series GPU
- High-quality display
- Heavy
- Limited upgrade options
Tech Specs: CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti | RAM: 32 GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 17-inch 1600p
Last year's Creator 17 model with 10th gen Intel processors is still available on MSI's website, and a few online retailers, but if you want to get bang up to date then the new Creator Z17 provides a powerful mobile workstation with a stylish design that MSI describes as "tech meets aesthetics".
Like Apple's MacBook range, the Creator Z17 has a 'unibody' design carved out of metal. It measures just 19mm thick, and its 'lunar grey' coloring is also designed to shimmer and change hue as the ambient light around it changes during the day. However, its 3.0Kg weight reminds you that this is a mobile workstation, rather than a stylish ultrabook.
There's plenty of power hidden within that stylish design too. Prices for the Creator Z17 start at $3,149 for a model with a 14-core, 12th-gen i7 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU, 32GB memory, and 1TB memory. There are also upgrade options for an i9 processor and RTX 3080 graphics, but it's a shame that all Z17 models share the same 2560x1600 display. To be fair, it's an attractive, touch-sensitive display, with a 16:10 aspect ratio, smooth 165Hz refresh rate, and support for DCI-P3 for video editing work. It's a shame, though, that there's no option to upgrade to a 4K display, so high-end graphics and video work will require an external display.
- 4K display
- Slim, lightweight design
- Powerful, 14-core i9 processor
- Limited customization options
- Only one Thunderbolt port
Tech Specs: CPU: Intel Core i9-12900H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 15.6-inch 4K
Razer is well-known for its range of gaming gear and its popular Blade gaming laptops, but the recent move towards hybrid and remote working has encouraged it to move into the business and professional market too. Its new Razer Book laptops are an attractive convertible rival for Microsoft's Surface range, although their integrated graphics are more suited for general office work rather than content creation.
However, there are several models in the recently updated Blade range that will appeal to creative users. Screen sizes vary from 14.0 to 17.0 inches, but the sweet spot for creative users is probably the 15.6-inch Blade 15 (which replaces last year's Blade 15 Studio Edition).
Described as "the world's thinnest gaming laptop," the Blade 15 measures just 17mm thick and weighs a highly portable 2Kg. Prices start at $2,900 for a model with an i7 processor and 1080p display, while a QHD display (2560x1440) steps up the price.
The new top-of-the-range Blade 15 model pulls out all the stops, offering a 4K display with a super-smooth 144Hz refresh rate and DCI-P3 support for high-end video editing. The Blade 15 earns its keep, as it's powered by the latest 12th gen, 14-core Intel i9 processor, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, along with 32GB memory and 1TB solid-state drive. The only disappointment is that Razer doesn't provide many customization options, so you simply have to select the handful of pre-configured models listed on its website.
What is the best laptop for graphic design?
We chose the Apple MacBook Pro as the best laptop for graphic designers based on its exceptional processing and graphics performance. This table allows you to compare the best graphic design laptops based on price, screen size, and CPU.
Best laptop for graphic design | Price | Display | CPU |
Apple MacBook Pro | $1,149 | 13 inches | Apple M2 |
HP ZBook Fury 17 G8 | $2,139 | 15.6 inches | 11th gen Intel Core i9 |
Dell Precision 5760 | $1,459 | 17 inches | Intel Core i7-11850H |
Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2 | $1,865 | 15.6 inches | Intel Core i5-11500H |
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | $1,600 | 14.4 inches | Intel core i7-11370H |
MSI Creator Z17 | $3,149 | 17 inches | Intel Core i7-12700H |
Razer Blade 15 | $2,900 | 15.6 inches | Intel Core i9-12900HI |
Which graphic design laptop is right for you?
Creative laptops have to manage a wide range of tasks. Video editing or 3D animation will require a lot more power than simple 2D graphics or illustration work, so you should be very clear about your requirements before buying a new laptop or mobile workstation.
Battery life varies enormously too, so you need to decide if you need a high-end laptop that can run at full speed for just a few hours or a less powerful laptop that can last an entire day. And, of course, a laptop with a 16-inch or 17-inch display will be a lot bigger and heavier than a 13-inch or 14-inch model, so regular business travelers may prefer to opt for a more compact laptop when they're on the road, with the option of using a larger, external display when they get back to the office.
Choose this laptop for graphic design... | If you want… |
Apple MacBook Pro | The best overall graphic design laptop. The MacBook Pro with the M2 chip has fantastic performance and great battery life. |
HP ZBook Fury 17 G8 | A great graphic design device with configuration options. The 4K display works with 3D graphics and visualization, game development, and 4K video editing. |
Dell Precision 5760 | Best design laptop for a blend of performance and value. The 17-inch screen displays high performance while still remaining lightweight. |
Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2 | Best laptop for graphic design students. The competitive pricing and customization options appeal to beginners. |
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | Best graphic design laptop for travel. You can tilt the screen like an easel or fold the screen flat to use as a tablet. |
MSI Creator Z17 | Best Apple alternative graphic design laptop. "Tech meets aesthetics" in this powerful mobile workstation. |
Razer Blade 15 | Excellent device for content creators. "The world's thinnest gaming laptop" works well for graphic design and high-end video editing. |
How did we choose these graphic design laptops?
A laptop designed for creative users has to provide far more power than a laptop designed for general-purpose productivity software, such as Microsoft Office. We therefore focused on laptops that provide a discrete graphics card in order to provide extra power for graphics, design, and video-editing work.
A high-resolution display is also essential in order to view your work in detail, and many users will insist on a full 4K display for high-end video editing. Support for specific color standards is also essential for some industries -- Adobe RGB for print and publishing, or DCI-P3 for video and broadcast.
What about battery life?
Battery life is always important for laptops -- but perhaps less so for some of these creative laptops. High-end 3D graphics and video work can drain even the most powerful battery in just a few hours.
Moreover, many "mobile workstations" are primarily intended to be used as a desktop replacement PC that is mainly used indoors and close to a power socket.
What about connectivity?
Many laptops sacrifice connectivity in order to reduce their size and weight (Apple and Microsoft, we're looking at you). However, creative users work with a wide variety of devices and peripherals -- perhaps connecting their laptop to multiple external displays, audio equipment, or cameras with memory cards -- so good connectivity isn't just an optional extra.
Also: The best 5 laptop docking stations
And, bizarrely, many of these powerful, expensive laptops still seem to think they can get away with a mere 720p webcam, which simply isn't acceptable in these days of hybrid and remote working.
Can gaming laptops be used for graphic design?
Absolutely! Gaming laptops are often equipped with powerful processors and graphics cards as well as lots of RAM and larger storage drives, which provide all the power and space you need to create digital paintings, logos, and even 3D models.
They also tend to have faster refresh rates, which makes them a great choice for working with motion graphics and video.
What laptop specs do I need for graphic design?
To get the most out of your laptop when working in graphic design, you'll want to choose a model that has at least 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a dedicated video card like an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, and a newer processor like an 11th or 12th generation Intel Core, AMD Ryzen 5000, or Apple M2.
Are there alternative graphic design laptops to consider?
We chose a variety of laptops based on pricing, performance, display, and much more. However, if these seven don't work for you, here are other graphic design laptops to consider:
The Dell. XPS 15 can handle demanding graphic design tasks with dexterity, with its powerful processor and graphics card.
The Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra is a thin 16-inch laptop with an OLED display that comes highly recommended by graphic design enthusiasts.
The M2 chip in the MacBook Air gives it superior performance and appealing value.