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The designer laptop requires a high performance for various software used for graphic designing and artwork. So, you need to pay attention to the CUP, GPU, and RAM to ensure your laptop is the best suited to run all those software smoothly. With numerous manufacturers coming out with much more updated laptops packed with excellent features and functionalities, it might be a bit hard for many of you to get the right choice. If this is the situation with you as well, don't worry.
This article contains a list of the best laptops for designers, so keep reading.
Before you look at the models of laptops, we are going to share a quick buying guide. Here is a short list of things to consider when buying a laptop.
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Buying Guide
The designing community is one of the most active among all communities because innovation is a necessity in their world. If you are a professional designer looking for the best laptops to buy in 2024, you have come to the right place. Here are some crucial factors that should be considered before you buy a laptop for your design work.
- Color accuracy – In the budget range of laptops, this is a feature you can’t possibly demand. For those who spend thousands of dollars on a laptop, the display should be color accurate and meet Adobe RGB standards, as it is crucial for design.
- Display size – An obvious point but yes, you should make sure your display size is as large as possible. While most designers invest in an external monitor, the laptop’s size should be 15-inch or even 17-inch, which compromises portability but allows you to work remotely irrespective of your location.
- Increased RAM – Designers will use lots of plugins on software programs like Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, Lightroom, and many others. Each of those plugins will consume a lot of RAM and 16GB of RAM, which is usually considered high, is basic for laptops running design programs and software. Look for laptops that allow you to expand RAM storage for better productivity.
- Onboard graphics – No, the intel HD graphics is not a graphics card, irrespective of what some people might argue. Look for a laptop with AMD graphics onboard or a dedicated Nvidia GPU, both of which are vital for designer applications to work as intended. They ensure the computer is working without lags and annoyingly slow response.
- Spacious keyboard – The keyboard placement will help in typing, accessing shortcut keys seamlessly, and using the laptop for extended hours without straining your hands. They also help have more space for a larger battery and maybe some colorful RGB lights.
See Also: Top best gaming laptops under $1000
Best Laptops For Designers
Two-Screen Laptop with 1 TB Storage-Space Drive
Asus Zenbook Pro Duo Windows 11 Pro Laptop
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When you work as a designer, you cannot settle for a mediocre screen. This laptop by Asus boasts a 15.6-inch display screen that produces a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and offers crystal-clear images. The additional screen is unique and works extremely well for designers. Detachable palm rest has also been provided for designers who do most of their work on their laptops. The device runs on Windows 11 Pro, so you can expect it to run smoothly at all times.
It is powered by the 11th generation Intel Core i9-11900H processor that ensures it performs efficiently even when multiple activities are being carried out at the same time. Since this laptop comes with 32 GB of high-bandwidth RAM, you can be sure it does not suffer from any lagging issues. Designers keep working on new ideas and therefore, they need a device that offers adequate storage space. This laptop comes with a hard disk that offers 1 TB of storage space.
- A very suitable option for designers looking for a laptop with a dual-screen setup.
- It is also recommended for those who have been planning to invest in a high-end laptop with advanced features.
- Dual screen setup
- Good storage support
- High bandwidth RAM
- Fast-performing processor
- Average quality keyboard
- The design could be more user-friendly
Premium Quality Laptop with High-Bandwidth RAM
CUK Clevo X170 KMG 17.3-inch Display Screen Laptop
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Though the CUK Clevo X170 KMG has been largely promoted as a gaming laptop, it comes with all the features that designers would find highly useful. It features a large 17.3-inch display screen that produces high-quality visual output. The screen offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and is ideal for creating and presenting designs. The viewing angles of the screen make it suitable for multimedia consumption.
The laptop comes with 32 GB RAM, ensuring you perform all your computing tasks efficiently. The brand offers a three-year warranty on the laptop which makes it a very good product to invest in. At 8.39 pounds, the laptop is quite heavy and not the most suitable option for those who travel frequently. This laptop boasts a very effective internal cooling system. Even if you run it throughout the day, you will not face any heating issues.
- Recommended for designers planning to acquire a well-performing laptop with a large and vibrant display screen.
- It is also recommended for avid gamers who need a highly efficient and graphically strong laptop device.
- Efficient performance
- Large high-definition screen
- Good thermal management
- Strong gaming performance
- Heavy
- Fairly expensive
16-inch Display Screen Laptop with Portable Structure
MSI Creator Z16 1 TB Storage-Space Drive Laptop
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This MSI laptop features a lightweight and portable structure, making it easy to carry around. The total weight of the device is just 5.07 pounds, and you will never face the slightest strain while moving around with it. The grey-colored design of the laptop makes it look highly sophisticated and pleasant. The 16-inch screen is touch-enabled, so you can draw various designs and make presentations very conveniently.
The Intel Core i7 11800H CPU functions at an operating speed of 2.4 GHz and enables you to finish your tasks on time. The 32 GB high-bandwidth RAM also contributes to the stable performance delivered by the device. The laptop comes equipped with advanced Cooler Boost Technology that ensures there is no chance of it overheating despite extensive usage. The keyboard is very comfortable to use and offers a backlit feature.
- A good option for designers who travel frequently and need a lightweight laptop at their disposal.
- Also recommended for those who have been looking for a professional laptop that can be used for long hours.
- Backlit keyboard
- High bandwidth RAM
- Lightweight and slim design
- Sharp touch-enabled screen
- Moderate battery life
- No HDMI port
15.6-inch Display Screen Laptop with Backlit Keyboard
Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Windows 10 Pro Laptop
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The Lenovo ThinkPad might boast an over-simplistic design, but the device proves to be highly durable in the long run. It is made with tough components that wouldn’t give you any trouble for several years. The display screen is 15.6-inches wide and has a 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution. Apart from professional designers, the sharp display screen would work very well for those who watch many movies or spend hours browsing the internet.
One of the highlights of the device is its keyboard. It is one of the most durable keyboards you will come across on a laptop, and the backlit functionality offered by it is very impressive. The Intel Core i9-11950H CPU runs at an operating speed of 2.6 GHz and ensures the device runs efficiently. The laptop has modern security features like a responsive fingerprint reader to keep your files and data safe. It features multiple connectivity ports, including a 3.5mm audio jack and a microSD card reader.
Why You Should Buy This?
- Recommended for designers looking for a well-performing laptop with a sturdy backlit keyboard and a vibrant screen.
- It is also a good option for those who need a laptop with strong connectivity support that enables them to connect multiple peripherals simultaneously.
Pros
- Durable structure
- Excellent keyboard
- Colorful display screen
- Multiple connectivity options
Cons
- Slightly heavy
- The design needs to be upgraded
Lightweight Laptop with Long-Lasting Battery
LG Gram 16Z90P 1 TB Storage-Space Drive Laptop
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Undoubtedly, one of the biggest reasons for buying the LG Gram 16Z90P is its battery life. When you charge the battery optimally, it lasts for as long as 22 hours. Another factor that makes it a good investment device is its portable structure. At 2.62 pounds, the laptop is lightweight and easy to travel with. The SSD drive offers a storage space of 1 TB which should be adequate for most users. It does not feature an optical drive, but you will find several other connectivity ports on it.
The display screen is 16-inches wide and offers a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. With such a high-resolution screen at your disposal, creating new designs would be a very enjoyable experience. The only issue with the display screen is that it does not offer touch functionality. The Intel EvoCore i7 CPU works at a processing speed of 4.7 GHz, enabling the laptop to work efficiently. Since the device offers Alexa support, you can get many tasks done using voice commands.
- Strongly recommended for designers who travel extensively and need a lightweight laptop that offers strong battery support.
- Also a good option for those looking for a well-performing laptop that offers a lot of storage space.
- Built-in Alexa
- Lightweight structure
- Strong battery support
- Fast-performing processor
- No optical drive
- The screen is not touch-enabled
Large Screen Laptop with a Backlit Keyboard
HP Pavilion Windows 10 Laptop
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The HP Pavilion features a gorgeous 17.3-inch display screen that offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Apart from assisting in your professional design work, the display screen is most suitable for watching movies, browsing the internet, and going through e-mails. The laptop's silver metallic design makes you instantly attracted to it and check out all it has to offer. Aided by the high-bandwidth 32 GM RAM and 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7, the laptop delivers super-fast performance.
The device does not feature an optical drive but comes with every other modern connectivity feature. The backlit keyboard present on the device is of very high quality. It offers good travel space between the keys and is comfortable enough to be used for several hours at a stretch. The laptop runs on Windows 10 and does not offer any lagging issues. The high-definition webcam, along with the sensitive digital microphone, makes the process of doing video calls effortless.
Why You Should Buy This?
- Recommended for designers looking for a laptop with a big display screen, good storage support, and reliable performance.
- It's also a good option for those who plan to invest in a sturdy professional laptop with advanced features.
Pros
- Large HD screen
- Robust processor
- Backlit keyboard
- High-resolution webcam
Cons
- No optical drive
- Slightly expensive
FAQs
What are the three most important features a designer must consider while buying a laptop in 2024?
Display size, RAM, and graphics cards are the three most important features to look for because if they are larger and more powerful, it enables seamless operation of your essential Adobe software programs.
Can I upgrade the RAM on my laptop?
Not every laptop has an additional RAM slot, which will be a bit more expensive. However, you can manually upgrade an 8GB stick with a 16GB stick, but it will void the warranty on your laptop.
Why buy a laptop for designing and not a desktop?
Desktops are never meant to be portable and will not let you work on the spot. Designers will benefit a lot from having a laptop they could use in a photo shoot or a venue where an activity is going on that needs instant processing.
Can I buy a gaming laptop for designing purposes?
Yes, you can; but ensure you have access to the power socket. Gaming laptops often have a lower battery life of just 2-3 hours and are not meant to last an entire day of usage.
Should I buy a 4K laptop?
This is a future-proof decision, and with the entire media industry moving towards a 4K resolution, it will allow you to work on high-res photographs and images without difficulty. However, they will stress your laptop more; such models are usually more expensive.
Is SSD storage mandatory for designers?
SSD is the best and fastest solution available as it makes your design software more responsive. You can opt for an SSD or HDD combo or consider purchasing a laptop with a 1 TB SSD storage while using an external hard disk for further expansion.
Should I buy a Macbook or a Windows laptop to use design software?
The MacBook Pro by Apple is proprietary and works with a specific set of software, while Windows OS is more open-ended. Choose based on what your peers are using and your budget.
Conclusion
So, this list includes eight laptops for graphic designers, all of which are well configured to ensure great performance. Most of the laptops mentioned here come at an affordable price so that all can easily get them to make their designing job easier and faster with no lag in performance.
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