The best laptops for graphic design in 2024 feature the latest hardware, which enables the execution of resource-intensive software, making it essential for the graphics design industry. Choosing the best laptop for graphic designers can be challenging due to overspending on unsuitable models or poor-quality displays. Key factors include a high-resolution screen, a good CPU, and a dedicated GPU for complex 3D designs. A comfortable, large screen with color accuracy is essential for comfortable work.
Portable laptops with sufficient battery life are ideal for travel. Keyboard and touchpad quality is also crucial, and port selection should be considered based on your needs.
Join us as we explore the cutting-edge technology and creative designs that define the current year’s best laptops for graphic design.
Top Picks
| Best Beginner-Friendly Laptop for Designers: Surface Laptop Studio Best 2 in 1 Touch-Screen Laptop: Lenovo Yoga Book 7i Top Touchscreen Lightweight Laptop: Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED Best MacBook for Graphic Design: Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max Best Display with Vibrant Visual Laptop: Dell XPS 9730 Laptop |
5 Best Laptops for Graphic Design
Choosing the best laptop for graphic design can take time due to overspending and poor-quality displays. But we have made a list of laptops to help you choose the best one for your graphic design endeavors.
Let’s have a look at the 5 best laptops for graphic design in 2024:
1. Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max
| Generation | M3 Max chip | Processor | 16-core CPU, 40‑core GPU |
| Display | 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display | Ports | HDMI, 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, headphone jack, USB 4, MagSafe 3 |
| Memory | 48GB unified memory | Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
| Storage | 1 TB SSD | Operating requirement | Line voltage: 100V to 240V AC Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz |
The MacBook Pro now features the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips, built on 3‑nanometer technology and an advanced GPU architecture. These chips offer more pro performance and capability, with dynamic caching optimizing fast on-chip memory for increased GPU utilization. Hardware-accelerated mesh shading enhances geometry processing. It allows games to portray more visually complex scenes. This is Apple’s biggest graphics breakthrough yet.
Pros
- Stronger 3D graphics
- Stunning display
- Excellent performance
- M3 chips show a tangible speed boost
- Great battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- The space black finish might show scratches
- No touch screen
2. Lenovo Yoga Book 7i
| Processor | 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U 10-Core | Camera | IR FHD webcam with TrueBlock Privacy Shutter |
| Storage | 1TB SSD | Battery | 71 Whr |
| Display | 14 inches, Premium aluminum body | Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x mSD reader, 1x Headphone, 2x Thunderbolt 4 |
| Memory | Up to 16 GB | Pen | Optional: Stylus Pen Optional: E-color Pen |
The Yoga 7i is a 14-inch laptop with the Intel Evo platform. It offers responsiveness, long-lasting battery life, stunning visuals, and a sleek metal chassis and webcam privacy shutter for portability and performance. The Yoga 7i is a comfortable laptop made from sandblasted anodized metal in Slate Grey or Dark Moss. It features rounded edges, a 360-degree hinge for stability, and a color-matched keyboard with backlighting.
Pros
- 360-degree touchscreen
- A good battery life
- Large, high-resolution screen
- Superb design with elegant features
- Premium look and feel
Cons
- Fan noise
- The active pen is supported but not included
- sensitive trackpad
3. ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED
| Display | 14 inches | Memory | 16 GB |
| Processor | 5 GHz core_i7 | Storage | 1 TB SSD |
| Power supply | TYPE-C, 65W AC Adapter Input: 100-240V AC, 50/60GHz universalOutput: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W | Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C 2x Thunderbolt 4 1x Combo Audio Jack 1 x HDMI 2.1 |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Battery | 75 WHrs |
The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED comes with a compact and elegant device with a 14-inch OLED NanoEdge touchscreen with color-accurate visuals. 13th Gen Intel Core CPUs power it, and it has a 75 WH battery. Its lightweight 1.5 kg chassis is 15.9 mm thin and features a powerful Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos sound system. Its modern design and fresh colors make it perfect for busy lifestyles.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Good battery life
- Sharp OLED display
- Solid build quality
- Fast 13th generation Core i7 processor
Cons
- The display could be a little brighter, still
- No fingerprint scanner
- It runs a little hot
4. Dell XPS 9730 Laptop
| Processor | 13th Gen Intel Cor i7, 14 cores, up to 5.00 GHz Turbo | Storage | 2TB SSD |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | Memory | 16 GB |
| Display | 17″ Non-Touch Screen with FHD+ (1920×1200) resolution | Battery life | Up to 14 hours with FHD+1 |
| Camera | 720p at 30 fps | Power | 130 Watt Type-C Adapter |
In the Dell XPS, the Dell Performance app allows users to customize their laptop’s performance with four modes: quiet, ultra-performance, cool, or optimized. Optimized mode balances performance and thermals, while cool mode limits temperature or reduces fan noise. The InfinityEdge display offers a vibrant visual experience with high resolution and a 93.7% screen-to-body ratio. Optional 100% Adobe RGB color is available for creators.
Pros
- Good battery life
- Strong graphics performance
- Attractive design
- Thin chassis
- Huge 17-inch 16:10 display
Cons
- No touchscreen
- Low-resolution webcam
- No OLED screen option
- A bit heavy
5. Surface Laptop Studio
| Display | 14.4 inches | Weight | 4.00 lbs |
| Processor | Quad-core powered 11th Generation Intel Core i7, Windows 11 | Battery life | Upto 18 hours |
| Memory | 16 GB to 32 GB | Ports | 2x USB-C with USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 Headphone jack 1x Surface Connect port |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | Camera | 1080p resolution front-facing camera |
The Surface Laptop Studio is one of the best laptops for graphic design. It features quad-core processors, passive cooling, and an industry-leading thermal design for app creation, video editing, and animation rendering. The 14.4″ 120Hz touchscreen allows multitasking with touch, pen, and the large Precision Haptic touchpad. Dolby Atmos provides cinematic sound for movies and shows. The touchpad features built-in sensors for customizable feedback and intuitive gestures for productivity. Surface Laptop Studio supports recording, editing, posting, coding, and design. It has quad omnisonic speakers, four stereo 2-way speakers, and dual invisible woofers.
Pros
- A great 120Hz screen with Dolby Vision
- Unique pull-forward touchscreen
- Groundbreaking haptic touchpad
- Strong digital stylus support, including magnetic holder
- Long battery life
- Detailed speakers
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited ports
- Slim Pen 2 doesn’t come included
Conclusion
Selecting the best laptops for graphic design in 2024 is an important decision that can significantly impact a graphic designer’s creative workflow. As we have explored the top 5 laptops for graphic design in this guide, we have seen the evolution of technology and the incorporation of features that enhance performance, display quality, and the overall user experience.
It’s important to assess your requirements, considering factors such as processing power, graphics capabilities, display resolution, portability, and budget.
FAQs
What are the specs of the best laptops for graphic design in 2024?
A top laptop for graphic design in 2024 should have a minimum of 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and good display quality.
How important is the display quality for graphic design work?
Display quality is important. Look for a laptop with a high-resolution display, good color accuracy, and a wide viewing angle. A designer requires a superior display monitor to accurately visualize and produce their creative work.
What software is commonly used in graphic design?
Common graphic design software includes Adobe Creative Cloud applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc., and others like CorelDRAW.