Are you an up-and-coming artist, Illustrator or graphic designer looking for the best laptop that’s perfect for your workload? Look no further!
We have spent countless hours reviewing the latest laptops available in 2023, specifically tailored towards Illustrators & Photographers, to provide you with a comprehensive review so you can make an informed decision.
From useful features, hardware power and design aesthetics – we provide unbiased reviews of all the top models ranging from entry-level portables to higher-performance workstations.
So if you’re looking for one of the 10 Best Laptops For Illustrator & Photoshop in 2023, read on!
10 Best Laptops For Illustrator & Photoshop in 2023
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch – Best Apple Laptop for Illustrator Under 2000$
- Dell XPS 17 9710 (2021) – Best Dell Laptop for Illustrator
- Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 (2020) – Best Apple Laptop for Illustrator under $1000
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – Best 2 in 1 Laptop for Illustrator
- Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR XC (2021) – Best Laptop Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop Under $2000
- Apple MacBook Air M1 (2020) – Best Apple Laptop for Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop under $1000
- Lenovo IdeaPad L340 – Best Laptops For Illustrator Under $800
- HP Envy x360 13 (2020) – Best HP Laptop For Illustrator Under $1000
- Best Heavy-Duty Option: Powerful Asus Best Laptops For Illustrator & Photoshop
- Acer ConceptD Ezel 7 – Powerful touchscreen Best Laptops For Illustrator & Photoshop
1. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch – Best Apple Laptop for Illustrator Under 2000$
Key features:
- Display 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR
- Graphics 14 or 16-core GPU (part of Apple M1 Pro Chip)
- Processor Apple M1 Pro Chip
- Memory 16GB unified memory
- Storage 512GB or 1TB SSD
- Operating System Mac OS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is quickly rising to the top of many lists for being the best laptop for creative work, such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. This is due, in part, to the efficiency and speed of its new M1 chip. In fact, according to Adobe, “Photoshop performs 1.5x faster” on an M1 Chip Mac, while Illustrator users experience up to a 65 per cent increase in performance.
Furthermore, in addition to this processing power, this laptop also boasts increased battery life and a brilliant mini-LED display that takes your artistic endeavours to the next level. All these phenomenal features make this laptop an ideal choice for working with Adobe CC. It is no surprise why it tops my list of best laptops for any aspiring designer or Illustrator.
2. Dell XPS 17 9710 (2021) – Best Dell Laptop for Illustrator
Key Features
- Display 17-inch FHD+ InfinityEdge non-touch anti-glare
- Graphics Intel or NVIDIA GeForce RTX Graphics
- Processor 11th Gen Intel Core i7 11800H or i9 11908 HK
- Memory Up to 16GB, 2x8GB, DDR4, 3200MHz
- Storage 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
- Operating System Windows 11 Home
Dell XPS 17 9710 laptop offers a luxurious feel blended with excellent build quality. The 17-inch screen size makes this laptop portable while providing 100 per cent RGB coverage for even the most demanding image editing. The baseline specs of the XPS 17 9710 are impressive, with options to upgrade to 11th Gen Intel Core i7 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series graphics card available.
This allows creative professionals to use software such as Adobe Creative Cloud & Photoshop with considerable power. These features make the Dell XPS 17 9710 a top-notch portable workstation ideal for editors, designers, and other graphical professionals who need both performance and convenience.
3. Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 (2020) – Best Apple Laptop for Illustrator under $1000
Key Features
- Display 13-inch Retina with True Tone
- Graphics 8‑core GPU (part of Apple M1 chip)
- Processor Apple M1 chip
- Memory 8GB or 16GB unified memory
- Storage 256GB SSD storage
- Operating System Mac OS
Apple’s MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 (2020) is utterly impressive with its ability to triple CPU performance and increase graphics speed by fivefold. Any user of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop knows the vast improvement running their software on this new hardware can offer.
With great features like Apple’s trademark 13-inch Retina display and improved battery life, it is easy to see why the MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 (2020) is the top pick for laptops specific to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator needs. It can provide all of these advantages without the high prices associated with other M1 devices, such as the MacBook 14-inch (2021), which will be an attractive option for many users.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – Best 2 in 1 Laptop for Illustrator
Key Features
- Display 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow
- Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Processor 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7
- Memory 16GB or 32GB
- Storage 256GB–2TB SSD
- Operating System Windows 11 Home
The Surface Studio Laptop was designed with content creators in mind as it functions as a regular laptop, drawing board/easel, and tablet – all in one! The best part about this device is its flexibility and form factor. You can use it on the go or set it up like a traditional drawing board if you choose to. This leads to a comfortable experience no matter how you wish to use it.
Digital artists will find that this laptop fits their needs perfectly, particularly if they’re working with programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Although if you plan on getting heavy with 3D renders and video editing, an upgrade to a faster processor and dedicated graphics card would be recommended for maximum performance. All-in-all, this innovative machine from Microsoft is great for creating digital artwork.
5. Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR XC (2021) – Best Laptop Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop Under $2000
Key Features
- Display 17.3-inch UHD anti-glare LCD
- Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- Processor 11th Gen Intel Core i7 11800H or i9 11908 HK
- Memory 2 DDR4 slots (max 64GB)
- Storage 2 M.2 SSD slots
- Operating System Windows 10 Pro
All this visual data is displayed in stunning 4K HDR clarity on the award-winning Gigabyte Aero 17. But what makes it my number three pick for the best Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator laptop? It has a lot to do with its performance, starting with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series GPU that can handle any workload you through at it.
You’ll also appreciate the large 17-inch screen size, plus the 100 per cent RGB coverage, anti-glare display, and colour-calibrated experience that requires little to no adjustment out of the box. No wonder tech reviewers across the board are hailing the Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR as one of the best laptops on the market today.
6. Apple MacBook Air M1 (2020) – Best Apple Laptop for Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop under $1000
Key Features
- Display 13.3-inch Retina with True Tone
- Graphics 7-core GPU, 8-core GPU (part of Apple M1 Chip)
- Processor Apple M1 Chip
- Memory 8GB or 16GB unified memory
- Storage 256GB–2TB SSD
- Operating System Mac OS
The MacBook Air M1 vs the MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) can be tricky to compare. However, there are some key differences that may impact a purchasing decision. While the Pro comes with an eight-core GPU and can handle more computationally intensive tasks, the seven-core GPU of the Air does work well for many Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop projects and tasks.
Furthermore, one significant advantage of the Air is that it does not have a fan, so it offers superior portability without sacrificing performance in terms of visuals or battery life. Another plus is that both the Pro and Air have an excellent Retina display capable of producing P3 colour space. Ultimately, for illustrators and photoshop designers on a budget or who need great portability for travel, the MacBook Air M1 offers a good price-to-performance ratio which is difficult to beat.
7. Lenovo IdeaPad L340 – Best Laptops For Illustrator Under $800
Key features:
- CPU: Intel Core i5
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- RAM/Memory: 8 GB
- Screen/Display: 15.6 Inch FHD (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS Display
- Storage: 512 GB
- Battery: 9 hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 is the perfect laptop for any designer looking for an affordable option with a large screen. Its 15.6″ FHD and IPS display (1920 x 1080 pixels) provides plenty of space to get work done in Adobe Illustrator.
It also offers an Intel Core i5 processor that is powerful enough for any task you need to do and 8 GB RAM that can be easily upgraded if you require more power. The only downside to this laptop is its lack of battery life, so keep the charger handy. Nevertheless, it’s worth every penny at less than $1000!
8. HP Envy x360 13 (2020) – Best HP Laptop For Illustrator Under $1000
Key Features
- Display 13.3-inch FHD multitouch IPS with BrightView
- Graphics Intel Iris Xe
- Processor 11th Gen Intel Core i7
- Memory 8GB DDR4
- Storage 256GB SSD
- Operating System Windows 10
The HP Envy x360 13 is an incredibly versatile laptop under $1,000. With its ability to pivot 360 degrees, the powerful Intel i7 processor, and Iris Xe GPU, it stands out among its peers. Despite its reasonable price tag, this laptop boasts superior components and build quality, making it a great choice for students or anyone learning Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Tablets often lack the same precision and speed as laptops, so paying a little extra for the adaptability of HP’s Envy x360 13 ensures you get the best of both worlds – a seamless transition from laptop to tablet mode. Plus, with its strong battery life, you won’t be tethered to your outlet all day.
9. Best Heavy-Duty Option: Powerful Asus Best Laptops For Illustrator & Photoshop
Key features:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- RAM/Memory: 16GB RAM
- Screen/Display: 15.6-inch 4K UHD NanoEdge Touch Display (Max 3840X2160 Pixels)
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Battery: 6 hours
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 laptop is ideal for anyone working on heavy-duty file projects such as illustrations, complex drawings, branding visuals, or any design that requires high-quality images. It is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor, making it more than capable of everyday tasks within Adobe Illustrator or another editing program.
One of the most extraordinary features of this laptop is its ScreenPad Plus (extended touch screen above the keyboards). This can be put to excellent use when multitasking and drawing on the original 15.6-inch screen with the support of the ScreenPad Plus to create luxurious designs without compromising on resolution and image quality. With zenbook pro duo UX581 in your hands, you can wholeheartedly tackle any tasks requiring plenty of images with absolute confidence!
10. Acer ConceptD Ezel 7 – Powerful touchscreen Best Laptops For Illustrator & Photoshop
Key features:
Brand: Acer | Processor: Intel Core i7-10875H | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Size: 15.6 inches | Display Resolution: 3840×2160 | Weight: 2.5kg
The Acer ConceptD Ezel 7 is a great choice for illustrators, and its clever hinged display helps make it the perfect device. By tilting forwards, the display can be positioned closer to the user to provide benefits like improved accuracy and more comfortable working angles when using the stylus that comes with it.
In addition to its digitizer tech, the touchscreen support sets this display apart, which further enhances interaction with on-screen objects. As for performance, an H-series 10th gen Intel processor and Nvidia RTX 2080 SUPER GPU should provide enough computing power to handle most professional workloads efficiently. Even though it weighs 2.5kg, making it slightly heavy, it remains portable enough to carry around conveniently.
5 Tips for choosing the best laptop for Illustrator & Photoshop
1. Processor
When choosing a laptop for Illustrator and Photoshop, one of the most important things to consider is the processor. The computer’s processor handles all the calculations and processing power needed to run programs like Illustrator and Photoshop. A good rule of thumb is to choose a laptop with at least an Intel Core i5 processor.
2. Graphics Card
Another important thing to consider when choosing a laptop for Illustrator and Photoshop is the graphics card. The graphics card is responsible for rendering the images on the screen. You will need a graphics card with at least 4GB of memory for programs like Illustrator and Photoshop.
3. Display
When choosing a laptop for Illustrator and Photoshop, it is important to consider the display. The display is part of the computer that shows the images on the screen. You will need a display with at least Full HD resolution for programs like Illustrator and Photoshop.
4. Storage
When choosing a laptop for Illustrator and Photoshop, you must consider storage. Storage is what allows you to save your work on the computer. You will need at least 500GB of storage space for programs like Illustrator and Photoshop.
5. Battery Life
Finally, when choosing a laptop for Illustrator and Photoshop, you must consider battery life. Battery life is how long the laptop can run on a single charge. For programs like Illustrator and Photoshop, you will need a laptop with at least 5 hours of battery life.
FAQ’s
The Core i7-12700 is a powerful choice for Adobe Illustrator creative professionals or hobbyists as it provides great performance, speed and efficiency. It outperforms the Ryzen 9 5900X – the CPU that leads the pack for creative work – in almost every way, proving to be future-proof and prepared to tackle workloads of any size. When running Adobe Illustrator, the Core i7-12700 stands out as one of the best options available today.
If you often use Adobe Illustrator to produce or edit graphic designs, you should consider investing in a laptop with enough RAM to power your work. 8GB of RAM is usually enough for occasional users. Still, if you frequently use Illustrator, especially for larger and more complex projects, it’s worth considering getting at least 16GB of RAM. This will ensure that your laptop can handle the software’s demands with ease, making sure all your graphic design projects run smoothly.
Final Thoughts:
Indubitably, having the best laptop for Illustrator & photoshop can make a user’s creative experience much better. If you are an artist or graphic designer, you know how important it is to have a good computer that can handle the software you need. We hope that our blog post helped you find the best laptop for your needs. Be sure to share this post on social media so your friends and followers can also benefit from our recommendations.
