In the world of graphic design, a powerful and reliable laptop is an essential tool. Whether you’re a beginner, a student, or a professional, having the right laptop can make a world of difference in your work. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect laptop for your graphic design needs. That’s where we come in. We have tested and reviewed a wide range of laptops to bring you our list of the top laptops for graphic design in 2023.
When it comes to graphic design, performance is key. You need a laptop that can handle demanding software and complex design projects without any lag or slowdowns. That’s why all the laptops on our list have powerful processors and ample RAM to ensure smooth and seamless performance.
One laptop that stands out from the rest is the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo. This laptop features a stunning 15.6-inch 4K OLED display, perfect for showcasing your designs in vibrant detail. It also boasts an Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card, making it one of the most powerful laptops on the market. With its innovative ScreenPad Plus, a secondary display that sits above the keyboard, the ZenBook Pro Duo offers increased productivity and multitasking capabilities, allowing you to work more efficiently.
For Apple enthusiasts, the MacBook Pro is a popular choice for graphic designers. The latest model features the new M1 chip, which delivers incredible performance and efficiency. The MacBook Pro also boasts a stunning Retina display and a long battery life, perfect for working on the go. Additionally, the MacBook Pro offers a range of powerful creative tools, such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, making it a great choice for graphic designers who also dabble in video editing or music production.
If you’re on a budget, the Dell XPS 15 is a fantastic option. It may not have the most powerful specs compared to some of the other laptops on our list, but it still packs a punch. With an Intel Core i5 processor and a dedicated NVIDIA graphics card, the XPS 15 can handle graphic design tasks with ease. It also features a stunning InfinityEdge display with minimal bezels, giving you a truly immersive visual experience.
Another laptop worth considering is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme. This laptop combines power and portability, making it perfect for graphic designers who are always on the go. With an Intel Core i7 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, and a bright and vibrant 4K display, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme delivers incredible performance and visual quality. It also features a durable and robust build, ensuring that it can withstand the rigors of daily use.
When choosing a laptop for graphic design, it’s important to consider factors such as display quality, processing power, and storage capacity. You may also want to consider additional features like a touchscreen, a stylus pen, or a high-resolution webcam, depending on your specific needs.
The best laptops for graphic design right now

1. MacBook Pro 16-inch (M2, 2023)
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU:Â M2 Pro/M2 Max, both 12-core CPU
- Graphics:Â M2 Pro, 19-core GPU / M2 Max, 38-core GPU
- RAM:Â M2 Pro, 16GB, 32GB / M2 Max, 64GB, 96G
- Screen:Â 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
- Storage:Â 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB
- Ports:Â SDXC card slot, HDMI, headphone jack, MagSafe 3, 3 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
PROS
- Great battery life
- Plenty of ports
- Beautiful big screen
- Super powerful
CONS
- You pay for the M2 magic
We’ve picked the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) as the overall best laptop for graphic design because it’s one of the most powerful laptops on the market right now. With the excellent M2 Pro and M2 Max CPUs, it’s lightning quick, and it boasts a huge, bright screen that provides an astonishing 1,600 nits when you’re consuming HDR material. For context, the average is roughly 500 nits. Apple calls the screen a Liquid Retina XDR display, and it incorporates mini-LED tech so the colors are bright and brilliant. There’s also a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio — great for design work.
If you’re often working on the move, the 22 hours of battery life will be more than enough. If, on the other hand, portability is your aim, then the 14-inch MacBook Pro might be your best bet. What’s more, the newest MacBook Pro retains a smattering of beloved ports, such as the HDMI slot and an SD card reader.
2. ASUS ProArt Studiobook OLED (H7604)
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU:Â Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Graphics:Â Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB)
- RAM:Â Up to 64GB
- Screen:Â 16.0-inch, glasses-free 3D OLED display, 3.2K (3200 x 2000)
- Storage:Â Up to 8TB (2x4TB SSD)
- Ports:Â Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2, SD Express reader, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm headset jack, Ethernet
PROS
- Excellent spec
- Runs cool and quiet
- Thunderbolt 4
CONS
- Expensive
- Keyboard may take a bit of getting used to
- Battery life a little low
With its ProArt Studiobook OLED (H7604) laptop, Asus has accomplished something truly spectacular. It has packed the device full of expensive parts that are ideal for a wide range of difficult creative jobs, yet it manages to maintain calm and composure practically constantly. The laptop from Asus will be quite alluring if you want to be able to handle your hard workloads without fearing that it would melt. Indeed, it was stated that “the machine is powerful enough to deserve a place in any workplace that has a need for creative software”.
Because of its OLED display’s brightness, clarity, touchscreen capability, and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, it should have no trouble doing jobs requiring color accuracy. Additionally, the built-in dial that is located above the trackpad can be customized and its function can alter based on the app you are using. For instance, you can use it to change the brush sizes in your preferred image editor or to go over a timeline. If you’re not a fan of Apple’s MacBooks, the ProArt Studiobook OLED is the laptop to choose from because it has so many positive attributes.
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core H
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti  laptop GPU
- RAM:Â 16GB or 32GB
- Screen: PixelSense Flow 14.4in 2400 x 1600 touch display
- Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
PROS
- Great screen for drawing, with MPP stylus compatibility
- Solid specs for graphics work
CONS
- A little heavy
- Can get more power for the money elsewhere
This may be the best option if you need a drawing screen for designing. This is a fantastic option for graphic designers, digital artists, or pen-based photo editors because it has a sharp 3:2 screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and support for your preferred MPP stylus. It also has an ergonomic design that’s specifically great for drawing, giving you far more potential angles for the screen than a simple L-shaped laptop.
The battery life, which our reviewer used all day, every day while testing the 2-in-1 laptop, was the first thing that stood out to her. Additionally, the electricity was fairly good, however, you could pay more for the power you want.
There is enough power here with quad-core Intel Core i5 or i7 processors with either Intel Xe graphics or an Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti, albeit it does result in a somewhat large design. You can also get alternative laptops with the power you need for less money, but you would have to give up the sketching capabilities that make this a wonderful choice for designers in the first place. For more information, see our evaluation of the Surface Laptop Studio.
4. Dell Precision 5470
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU:Â Intel Core i7-12800H
- Graphics:Â Nvidia RTX A1000
- RAM:Â 32GB
- Screen:Â 14-inch 1440p (2560 x 1600) or 1080p (1920 x 1200)
- Storage:Â 1TB
- Ports:Â 4x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MicroSD card reader, 3.5mm headphone jack
PROS
- Extremely powerful
- Highly portable
- Exceptional battery life
- Robust, sleek design
CONS
- Limited ports
Good things frequently come in little packaging, and the Dell Precision 5470 laptop is a prime example of this. Although it doesn’t have the large display of the 16-inch MacBook Pro, this 14-inch package has a ton of power for its small size. In fact, according to our tests, it performs quite similarly to a 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with Apple’s M2 Pro chip, a fantastic laptop chip for graphic design work.
In our review, the Dell Precision 5470’s battery lasted more than 12 hours, and the ergonomic keyboard makes typing pleasurable. All of this is housed in a nicely constructed chassis that feels sturdy and oozes quality. Therefore, Dell’s product might be perfect for you if you want portable power but are turned off by some of the larger laptops on the market.
5. MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU:Â Apple M2 with 8-core CPU
- Graphics:Â 8-core GPU or 10-core GPU
- RAM:Â 8GB, 16GB, 24GB
- Screen:Â 13.6-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
- Storage:Â 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Ports:Â 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe
PROS
- Larger screen
- Great new design
- Excellent battery life
- Very good performance
CONS
- Expensive
- Not as good value as previous model
- Gets hot when under pressure
Everyone loves Apple’s MacBook Air line of laptops, and the 2022 model with the M2 CPU upgrades the design with a brand-new style. You’ll get a lot more than just cosmetic updates, though, as the most recent MacBook Air is still a fantastic tool for graphic design work.
Its M2 chip is one of the causes. The M2, an improvement over the M1, maintains the exceptional balance of power and efficiency that we’ve come to expect from Apple technology. In fact, the MacBook Air is so effective that it doesn’t even require a fan. While it may become somewhat warm under the most demanding workloads, it generally maintains an icy cool and quiet environment. Additionally, there are all the usual Apple goodies, like a stunning display, Touch ID button, and superb metal build.
If you require a larger display, Apple has recently released a 15-inch MacBook Air, which is a great option for graphic design work. If that’s too big, the 13-inch MacBook Air is a good alternative.
6. Asus Zenbook 14X OLED
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU:Â Intel Core i9-13900H
- Graphics:Â Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB)
- RAM:Â 16GB, 32GB
- Screen:Â 14.5-inch, 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED
- Storage:Â 1TB
- Ports:Â 1x USB-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1x HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm headphone jack
PROS
- Powerful processors
- Thunderbolt 4
- OLED screen
CONS
- A touch on the heavy side
- Screen is reflective
- Attracts fingerprints
Are you looking for a laptop that can output the most power while being portable? If so, the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED is surely something to think about. It performs on par with the MacBook Pro and “offers about as much power as you’re going to find in a portable computer right now without getting yourself an RGB-festooned gaming PC.” A built-in touchscreen is also included, and the price is lower than that of the MacBook Pro.
You’ll get about eight hours of battery life, which is respectable for an i9-equipped device but can’t compare to Apple’s laptops. And you still have that touchscreen? It features a bright, clear, and colorful OLED panel that makes it perfect for creative work.
7. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU:Â Apple M1 with 8-core CPU
- Graphics:Â 7-core GPU, 8-core GPU
- RAM:Â 8GB, 16GB
- Screen:Â 13.3-inch Retina display
- Storage:Â 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Ports:Â 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 3.5mm headphone jack
PROS
- Great performance
- Very good price
- Screen supports P3 wide color gamut
- Excellent battery life
CONS
- Same design as previous model
- Lack of ports
- Still pricey
Yes, there is another MacBook on this list. The 2020 MacBook Air, while less expensive than a MacBook Pro, nonetheless holds up to use as a graphic design laptop thanks to its ARM-based Apple M1 CPU. We’re not being biased, though; Apple truly does create some of the greatest laptops for graphic design. Even though the new MacBook Air has the M2 chip, which is also excellent for visual design, we still advise anyone on a tight budget to acquire the older M1 model. That’s because the cost has further decreased, and you can now purchase it for less than $1,000.
Although it operates quietly due to the absence of a fan, the laptop was nonetheless able to handle demanding workloads without overheating. For creative workers, being able to display accurate colors on the screen is crucial because it supports the P3 color gamut. You may create outstanding graphic design laptops by combining an outstanding battery life with a lovely thin and light design.
8. Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED (2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU:Â Intel Core i9-12900H (14-core)
- Graphics:Â Intel Iris Xe, Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti (4GB)
- RAM:Â 32GB DDR5
- Screen:Â 14.5-inch 2880 x 1800 120Hz OLED, 12.7-inch 2880 x 864 IPS
- Storage:Â 1TB SSD
- Ports:Â 2x USB Type-C with Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB-A 3.2, SD card, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio jack, SD card reader
PROS
- Fabulous screen tech
- Excellent connectivity
- Gorgeous build quality
CONS
- Unusual ergonomics
- Mediocre battery life
- Slightly limited performance
The Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti 4GB graphics card and 12th generation Intel processor found in the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED (2022) allow it to handle any visual design jobs you throw at it, as well as some light gaming.
This is a multitasking beast because of the 14-core processor and 32GB of RAM, which may significantly speed up your workflow. The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED (2022)’s dual-screen layout, which includes a gorgeous 14.5-inch 120Hz OLED main panel and a 12.7-inch IPS display above the keyboard, is what really stands out.
Consider the secondary screen as an enhanced Touch Bar that enables you to move applications and utilities to the bottom screen to free up more workspace on the primary one. The second screen can also be used as a drawing pad by using a stylus. Although costly and with subpar battery life, it is a fantastic tool for working on.
9. Dell XPS 13 9315 2-in-1
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU:Â Intel Core i5-1230U, Intel Core i7-1250U
- Graphics:Â Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM:Â 16GB
- Screen:Â 13-inch 3K (2880 x 1920) touchscreen
- Storage:Â 512GB, 1TB
- Ports:Â 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
PROS
- Detachable screen
- Excellent webcam
- Lightweight
CONS
- Folio is tricky to position
- Flat keyboard
- Stylus sold separately
The XPS 13 9315 2-in-1 from Dell carries on the good history of the XPS 13 line, which has delivered some of the best laptops for graphic design with smaller screens. This beautiful laptop is easy to take around and offers a thin and light design combined with some of the most powerful mobile components. It is also powerful enough to tackle graphic design work without breaking a sweat.
Thanks to its potent processor, stylish design, and excellent touchscreen display, we found it to offer a “great balance of performance, portability, and design” in our review. The name of the device implies that the keyboard may be removed, allowing you to use the screen as a tablet when necessary.
10. MSI Creator Z17
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU:Â Intel Core i9-12900H
- Graphics:Â Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080Ti
- RAM:Â 32GB, 64GB
- Screen:Â 17-inch 2560 x 1600
- Storage:Â 2TB
- Ports:Â 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1x USB-A, 1x SD card reader, 1x HDMI 2.1
PROS
- Large and powerful
- Excellent touchscreen
- 8K video output
CONS
- Large and heavy
- Needs a lot of cooling
- Short battery life
You may also like to check out:
- Launch of the New ThinkPhone by Lenovo
- Top New Smartphones of the Week: 18GB RAM, 6000mAh Battery
- The iPhone 14 Pro Max To Be Apple’s First OLED iPhones Without A Notch
- Apple To Launch 10.9-Inch IPad And 16-Inch MacBook Pro With OLED Displays In Early 2022
- Sapphire Trims Down Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT Graphics Card For Budget Seekers
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