Best Laptops for Graphic Design for 2019
If you’re looking for the best laptops for graphic design, then wtg is here to help. Finding the best laptop for your needs can be exhausting. There’s so much you need to consider, and so many potential devices that it can all seem a bit overwhelming.
But don’t worry, our best laptops for graphic design guide can help, no matter what sort of budget you’ve got – or what you specialize in. Every device has been hand picked by us, so you can buy in confidence.
Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch)
CPU: Intel Core i9 | Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 555X – Radeon Pro Vega 20, Intel UHD Graphics 630 | RAM: 16-32GB | Screen: 15.4-inch, (2,880 x 1,800) IPS | Storage: 512GB-4TB SSD
If you want sheer power and speed – this is one of the best graphic design laptops you can get. Aimed at creative professionals, this is the most powerful MacBook device ever created with a high RAM capacity, incredible SSD storage (blistering fast) capacity, a choice of six and eight-core Intel i9 processors, discrete graphics cards, and it absolutely looks the part of a graphic design professional.
Take a Look: Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch)
Apple MacBook Air
CPU: 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 617 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display with IPS technology | Storage: 128GB – 1TB SSD | Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.56cm; W x D x H)
The MacBook Air has had a few choice updates that make it a real winner for graphic design work. It’s not quite the powerhouse the MacBook Pro is, but it still packs a punch and it has a bright Retina display which is great for graphic design projects. The processor will cope with Photoshop, Illustrator, and other applications with ease. Apple has sensibly ensured the Air is as portable as ever, with a seriously lightweight design that makes it a great choice for graphics work on the go.
Take a Look: Apple MacBook Air
Microsoft Surface Book 2
CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15-inch PixelSense (3240×2160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
Microsoft’s Surface Book 2 is a top-tier 2-in-1 laptop, even in its lowest spec option. If you’re a designer who draws as well, this an incredible option for you. It’s fast and powerful, thanks to Intel’s quad-core Coffee Lake Core i7-8650 processor and 16GB of RAM. And it boasts an impressive battery life, plus a stunning, crisp display with superb color accuracy.
It’s versatility and mobility sets it apart from other laptops. Just detach the screen and use it as a tablet with the Microsoft Surface Pen, or buy the innovative Microsoft Surface Dial and have an intuitive way of controlling your creative tools. Even better, flip the screen around, reattach it and you can use it to draw at a more natural angle.
Take a Look: Microsoft Surface Book 2
HP ZBook X2
CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro M620 with 2GB dedicated GDDR5 graphics memory | Memory: 16GB RAM | Screen: 14-inch 1920×1200 | Storage: 512GB SSD
Another great laptop created specifically with creatives in mind, the HP ZBook X2 is a serious contender. If you’re contemplating abandoning a desktop or laptop as a primary creative tool, the HP ZBook X2 deserves a look. It boasts some seriously impressive designer-focused specs, including a stunning 10-bit, 100% Adobe RGB, 4K multi-touch UHD dreamcolor display and extra ports to keep you well connected. It’s all backed up with the power of an Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB RAM and NVIDIA Quadro graphics.
Take a Look: HP ZBook X2
Dell Precision 3540
CPU: Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel UHD 620 / AMD Radeon Pro WX 2100 2GB | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) | Storage: 256GB SSD
Dell’s new 15.6-inch Precision 3540 has a specification that can handle even the most advanced features in tools such as Photoshop and Lightroom. It has an Intel Core i5 quad-core processor with a 1080P display and an entry-level discrete AMD Radeon Pro WX 2100 2GB graphics card, which will help with 3D and anything that uses OpenCL. A 256GB fast M.2 SSD, 8GB of system memory and support for Thunderbolt 3 round off a package that’s priced incredibly well as an entry-level computer for visual design.
Take a Look: Dell Precision 3540
Huawei MateBook 13
CPU: 8th-gen Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 , Nvidia GeForce MX150 2GB GDDR5 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13-inch 1440p (2,160 x 1,440) | Storage: 256GB-512GB SSD
Huawei has sensibly built a mid-range MacBook clone that delivers the goods when it comes to processing, so its perfect for students and anyone on a budget. That means ultra-responsive Photoshop performance that can be used for any demanding graphics task you throw at it. With a bright 1440p screen, portable design and Nvidia graphics, it’s not much of a compromise in other areas either.
Take a Look: Huawei MateBook 13
Best Graphic Design Software
The best laptops for graphic design deserve the best graphic design software. We personally use and highly recommend the industry leader Adobe Creative Cloud.
Take a Look: Adobe Creative Cloud
