Overview
Best overall
Apple M3 14-inch MacBook Pro
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Best for PC users
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
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Best dual-screen laptop
ASUS Zenbook Duo Laptop
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Best for illustrators
Apple iPad Pro M4
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Best for beginners
HP Chromebook Plus 15.6–inch
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When most of us are looking for a laptop, our lists of requirements isn't extensive. As long as we can get online, write in a word doc, and stream music and shows, we're happy. But graphic designers have abiggertask, sincerunning Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator will slow down the wrong computer.
And we’re not talking about us amateur designers working on Canva. Professionalsneed tobe able to swiftly and efficiently use programs like Adobe Suite and Procreate. That’s why we turned to professional graphic designers who have years of experience for recommendations. We spoke over email with Johnny Selman, founder and Executive Creative Director atSelman Agency, alongside René Ramos, a designer at Mashable’s parent company, Ziff Davis.
While theMacBook Prois aclearfavorite laptop among graphic designers, there’s also no wrong answer. “My hot take is that I don’t think there’s any one machine that’s objectively ‘the best’ out there,” says Ramos.
No matter your expertise level or your preference for Mac vs. Windows, there’s a laptop here to suit your needs and budget.
What makes a laptop “good” for graphic design?
When speaking with our experts, two features stood out as the most importantthingsto consider when choosing a graphic design laptop: Memory and displays.
RAM is the star of the show here. As a starting point, Selman says, “16 GB should be fine for most designers.” However, more memory should always be a priority, especially if you’re working with animated or video graphics. In that case, you should kick your RAM requirement up to 32 GB.
“One of my beliefs regarding computers for art production is that one should max memory out wherever possible,” Ramos says. “Most computersare capable of managingmemory more efficiently than they were previously able to. However, I still like to know I can havea large amount ofthings open and my computer won’t crash.”
In addition to RAM, displaysmatter for graphic design,since you are working in a visual field. Resolution has a little bit to do with personal preference. “As long as the display is high resolution and crisp, I’m perfectly fine with it,” says Ramoswhoprefers HD quality over the 4k their monitor offers.
Meanwhile, Selman says, “You are 100% going to want something over 4k for display resolution.”
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Either way, don’t go below a 1920 x 1080 display and strive for 4k. However, it’s worth it to go and take a look at different laptops with varyingresolutions,to get a sense of your own visual needs and preferences.
What are the best laptops for graphic design?
The consensus across our expert sources — and the internetalike —is that MacBook Pros are the go-to for most graphic designers. “MacBook Pros have been the gold standard for graphic design since I started in the industry 20 years ago,” Selman says. And it’s for good reasontoo. With the latest M3 chip, the display and processing capabilities are hard to beat.
But choosing a Macbook means jumping into the Apple ecosystem, which isn't appealing to everyone. “Windows and macOS computers are generally comparable in this modern day and can go toe to toe, so it’s just up to yourpersonalpreference,” says Ramos.
Sowhilethe Macbook Pro takes the top spot, Windows options like the Microsoft Studio 2 and ASUS Zenbook Duo are phenomenalchoices. Check out our picks, based on expert advice and hands-on testing from the Mashable staff.
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Our Pick
Best overall
Read Mashable's full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3).
Who it’s for:
The MacBook Pro is for everyone — beginners and experts alike. The laptop comes loaded with powerful processing, so you don’t have to worry about getting slowed down while you work. Plus, novice designers already familiar with the Apple ecosystem will feel comfortable working in the system.
It’s ideal for designers whose set-up involves other Mac products from iPads to Mac desktops. Ramos, who designs with a MacBook Pro says, “It makes sending things between devices simple – shout out to AirDrop!”
The MacBook Pro is great for students or professionals who are on the go since it weighs just 3.5 pounds and is slim enough to tote around. Plus, its 17-hour battery life will last you all day — so you won’t be stuck searching for an outlet in the conference room.
Why we picked this:
The MacBook Pro with M3 chip checks all the boxes when it comes to memory, processing speed, and displays. Unfortunately, the MacBook Pro starts with only 8GB of RAM, but when you upgrade to a 16GB model, that gives you plenty of memory for creative work. In our full review of the MacBook Pro, Mashable tech editor Kimberly Gedeon noted that it scores 11,998 on Geekbench, which beats out the Apple MacBook Air's score of 10,416. The models are otherwise comparable, but as Gedeon noted, the Geekbench performance score highlights that it's the superior Apple laptop for working in design software that can be taxing on your laptop.
Additionally, it's powered with TrueTone technology, making the colors on Macbook Pro vibrant and accurate.
There are PC laptops that can compete with the MacBook along these lines, but the reason why the Pro comes out on top is its battery life. Lasting nearly 17 hours, that’s two full days of work the MacBook can run on a single charge.
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Best for PC users
Read Mashable's full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2.
Who it’s for:
If your workplace uses PCs or you’re just a Microsoft loyalist, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is your best bet. This is a hefty machine, best for someone who keeps their device stationed on a desk the majority of the day as it weighs just over pounds and is .86 inches tall, both bigger and heavier than the MacBook Pro.
Designers who like to use their hands will especially enjoy the Studio 2 with its dual laptop-tablet design. With Microsoft's Surface Slim Pen, you can draw by hand on the intuitive touchscreen. Plus the adjustable easel-like angle of the screen has you feeling like a true artist putting paint to canvas.
Why we picked this:
The Microsoft Studio 2 offers designers the best of both worlds, combining a tablet and laptop into one. Unlike the MacBook Pro, the base model starts with 16 GB of RAM, plenty for the average designer, but upgraded models offer as much as 64 GB of RAM. That’s plenty of memory for animated and video graphics, however, it will cost you north of $3,200 to get it. Mashable tech editor Kimberly Gedeon also tested the Surface Laptop Studio 2 using Blender (a 3D graphics software tool) and found that the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip (and above) outperforms the Surface Laptop Studio 2.
However, Gedeon notes that "there are very few laptops on the market with discrete GPUs that can convert into three modes: clamshell, tablet and easel," like the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 laptop.
The display measures just over 14 inches and the resolution is a brilliant 2400 by 1600. If you want to jam out while working, enjoy Dolby Atmos-equipped speakers. Even with its pull-out design, you still might want to use it with an additional monitor, and it supports USB-C and -A ports.
Microsoft’s biggest crime is that the Studio 2 doesn’t include a Surface Slim Pen, which you need for drawing on the touchscreen. While it isn’t a deal breaker, plan to spend an extra $129.95 to get it.
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Best dual-screen laptop
Read Mashable's full review of the Asus Zenbook Duo laptop.
Who it’s for:
If working with two monitors is a non-negotiable for you, then the Asus Zenbook Duo is the answer. The stacked screen design has all the perks of working with two screens in the convenience of a laptop. If you’re constantly bopping between Photoshop and Illustrator, the Asus smoothly handles multiple programs at a time.
Why we picked this:
When Mashable’s tech editor Kimberly Gedeon got her hands on the Zenbook Duo, she boldly stated: “Single-display laptops are now canceled.” This laptop is a game changer with its two 14-inch OLED screens: That’s double the amount of screen space as any other model on this list. With all that space, you can run more programs, and luckily it has the RAM to back it up with 16GB to start and upgrades to 32GB available.
The GPU utilized is Intel Arc and has a screen resolution of 1900 x 1200. With a touchscreen display available on one of the screens, you have the option to get hands-on with your designs, and unlike the Studio 2, the Asus comes with a stylus. Plus it doesn’t lack ports. When you want to expand your screen time even further, connect using HDMI, USB-A, or a Thunderbolt port.
Compared to the other dual-screen laptops we’ve tested, this is far superior for the multitasking graphic designer.
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Best for illustrators
Read our first impression of the Apple iPad Pro M4 and check out our benchmark testing on it.
Who it’s for:
The best laptop for graphic designers may turn out to not be a laptop at all in some use cases. “Illustrators are more and more using Procreate on iPad. It has an insane tactile quality, professional output, and it's super portable,” says Selman.
With the advancements in iPads, especially the 2024 iPad Pro, these tablets compete alongside laptops when it comes to performance, but they’re lighter and more portable. Illustrators especially will find the iPad Pro to be the one-stop shop device for getting work done, as corroborated by Ramos: “For my personal projects, which are generally sketches to vector graphics, I find that I’m able to do most of my work on an iPad Pro exclusively, without having to move to a computer at all.”
Why we picked this:
Yes, we know this technically isn't a laptop, but hear us out. iPad Pros have essentially the same computing power as the laptops on this list, just without the keyboard, unless you pair it with the Magic Keyboard — then you’re set. When it first launched, Apple claimed it was going to be the fastest iPad model yet. They neglected to note that its speed surpasses their laptops too.
Tech editor Kimberly Gedeon tested the M4 iPad Pro with Geekbench, and it blew the MacBook Pro's multi-core benchmark score out of the water (14,586 to 11,998). The only laptop that has a higher Geekbench score than the M4 iPad Pro is the $4,000 Lenovo Legion 9i gaming laptop.
With the latest M4 chip, you’ll get faster performance whether you’re working in Procreate, Illustrator, or Photoshop. The responsive touchscreen and Apple Pencil is an illustrator's dream and with the debut of the Apple Pencil Pro, even more design capabilities are getting unlocked.
The Good
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Best for beginners
Read Mashable's full review of the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch laptop.
Who it’s for:
As Ramos told us, sometimes the best laptop for graphic design is whatever you can afford. “I believe you can now do all sorts of design work in varying environments,” they told us.
If you’re new to graphic design and don’t want to spend a ton of money on a laptop to get started, look no further than the HP Chromebook Plus. Its CPU and GPU aren’t as advanced or quick as any of the other devices on this list, but the Chromebook Plus now offers Adobe Express as well as Photoshop on web.
Why we picked this:
The HP Chromebook Plus may look stripped back compared to other laptops on this list and doesn't quite meet our RAM and storage requirements, but it's enough for beginners. The large 15.6-inch display is colorful with 1920 x 1080 resolution. Senior shopping reporter, Haley Henschel, tested the HP Chromebook Plus and called its display "distractingly nice". Though it has about half the nits of a MacBook Pro, Henschel said that overall the Chromebook's display is "not blinding, but its whites aren't dingy."
Henschel found she could move quickly through her workflow which involves juggling multiple apps at a time — something graphic designers know well. Bonus points that it never overheated during testing thanks to a hardworking fan.
This model has a significantly lower Geekbench performance score (4,121) in comparison to other laptops (or tablets) on this list, but that isn't surprising considering it's a Chromebook. What you sacrifice in performance though, you make up for with its affordable $499 price tag.
The Chromebook Plus models are also compatible with Wacom tablets, a staple for graphic designers, that start around $100. That means you can get started with a Chromebook and tablet for under $750.
When looking at the specs alone, the Chromebook doesn’t fit a lot of the criteria we set forth when it comes to what makes the best laptop good for graphic design, so why pick it? Budget is obviously a huge factor here. Professional graphic designers are going to need better processing and memory, but for the student who is just getting started and wants to dabble, this is a great place to start without a ton of upfront investment.
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How we tested
Our recommendations in this guide have all been tested by Mashable staff or contributors. Each pick was chosen based on our experience, in addition to advice from experts in the graphic design field. Here are the specs we considered when choosing our recommendations:
Processor: The central processing unit, better known as CPU, determines how fast your laptop completes task. The more advanced the CPU, the better the computer can manage multitasking beyond web browsing or word processing. Graphic designers prefer more advanced chips like Apple's M3 or Intel's i9.
RAM: Time and time again, our experts emphasized the importance of RAM, aka random access memory. RAM stores the data of active applications. More memory means that more application can run at once. 16 GB is the minimum amount of memory recommended (except we break our own rule here). If you're working with animated or video graphics, 32 GB is a better option.
Displays: When it comes to actual size of your display, any models that are between 14- and 16-inches will work. In terms of resolution, 1920 x 1080 is the minimum you'll want for graphic design, however, our experts recommend going for 4K options.
Storage: Graphic design projects, especially ones that are high resolution, can take up a lot of file space. While many designers keep files in cloud storage, you still want a decent amount of storage on your device. Swing for at least 512GB by 1TB is best.
Special features: While most graphic design work is primarily done on laptops, our experts mentioned the importance of tablets and extra monitors too. That's why special features like dual-monitor or touchscreen displays were held in regard when determining this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve rounded-up several laptop options that are the creme de la creme for graphic designing. But in doing so, there were several specs that experts urged were crucial to a laptop's performance. All the models on our list measure up, but maybe you want to do your own shopping. If so, make sure a prospective graphic design laptop covers these bases: At least 16 GB of RAM and a screen resolution of at least 1920 x 1080.
Universally, the first thing everyone mentions when it comes to laptops for graphic design, isn’t graphics, it's memory — aka RAM. More RAM means your laptop can store more data. This is crucial for designing, especially when you’re handling multiple components and files that you need quick access to.
Selman says that for most designers, 16 GB is a sufficient amount of memory. However, if you have any concerns about not having enough memory to handle your file sizes and projects, then you might want to upgrade to 32 GB. Designers working with animated designs may want to consider that higher RAM.
While many designers like having the most advanced 4K displays, they aren't necessary. At a minimum, the resolution for a graphic design laptop should be 1920 by 1080, however, most of the laptops on this list have a greater resolution closer to 2400 x 1600. The MacBook Pro, our best overall pick, has a resolution of 3024 x 1964.
Besides resolution, another thing to look for when shopping is True Tone technology, which promotes the most accurate color across your designs.
Unless you’re an illustrator, you probably don’t need a touch screen. A touchscreen, like on the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 or an iPad Pro, gives you the ability to hand draw digitally without having to scan in designs.
Boston-based Shopping Reporter, Samantha Mangino, covers all things tech at Mashable, rounding up the best products and deals. She’s covered commerce for three years, spending extensive time testing and reviewing all things home, including couches, steam irons, and washing machines. She thoroughly vets products and internet trends, finding out if those cozy gamer chairs are really as comfortable as TikTok claims.
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