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8 Best Laptops for Graphic Design in 2020
Modern graphic design is a complex job that requires some specialized high-quality
computing hardware. Currently, there is a large market for laptops due to their size and
portability. In today’s world of “digital nomads”, a quality laptop is virtually a
necessity for the budding graphic designer (especially if you want to start your own
graphic design business).
To this end, we have compiled a list of the best laptops for graphic design. Our
selection is based on a few key qualities of good laptops for graphic design; features
like performance (RAM and processor), screen size and resolution, input features
(keyboard, touchscreen, etc.) and battery life and portability. The best laptops for
graphic design have a solid mix of all these qualities. We also have lists of laptops
for video editing and laptops for programming.
That being said, the sheer number of products on the market can make narrowing down the
choice that much more difficult. So sit back as we go over a list of the best laptops
for graphic design.
TOP PICKS
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LAPTOP FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN
In general, laptop performance can be boiled down to RAM, processor, GPU and storage.
The CPU (central processing unit) is the central unit that performs the most basic
computations. Essentially, the processor is the thing that allows your computer to have
multiple applications working at the same time. A better processor means faster
computations which result in faster performance on all open applications.
GPU is also important but comes into play when you work with animation and 3d modeling.
RAM (random access memory) is part of the hardware that temporarily stores information
for processing. Basically, the more RAM you have, the more tasks your processor can
handle. Some graphic design applications are heavy and a large amount of RAM makes these
applications run smoother.
The storage can be an HDD or SSD. Unlike RAM, data in the storage device is stored
permanently (unless manually deleted). An SSD is faster than HDD and can make processing
quicker and reduce boot and load times.
SCREEN
Another important feature for graphic design laptops is the screen. A better resolution
screen means higher graphical details and a wider range of colors. The size of the
screen also determines how easy it is to work on the laptop. In general, a 15-inch
screen is considered standard among the graphic design industry. Many laptops for
graphic design and multimedia are 2-in-1 laptops that double as a computer or a tablet.
INPUT FEATURES
A good graphic design laptop should have enough ports to connect a mouse, keyboard,
drawing pad, or even an integrated touch screen.
Touch screens are an increasingly popular addition to graphic design laptops as you can
work on your stuff by directly touching the screen, almost like drawing on a piece of
paper. Whether or not you should want a touchscreen depends on your personal
preferences; some designers love them because of the integrated features and ease of
use, others may prefer a more traditional approach to graphic design.
BATTERY LIFE AND PORTABILITY
As much as working in an office is the standard locale, many graphic designers like a
change of scenery and take their work with them to different places. That’s why it is
important to have a laptop that has a good battery life, so you can work wherever
without worrying about a drained battery. Portability ties into this too, as the more
compact and transportable your laptop the easier it is to work while enjoying your
freedom.