Discover the ultimate tool for digital artists with the best laptop for artists.
As a digital artist, the laptops you choose may make or break your digital art. From display to processing power, graphics quality, and so on, you require a laptop that can keep up with your digital workflow.
Fortunately, many laptops for Artists are specifically intended to create different types of digital art, such as graphics, hand-drawn digital art, Website and UX Design, 3D modeling, and so on.
After conducting considerable study and testing, as well as my personal experience as a digital artist, I have found the most precise and dependable laptops for artists to craft their digital art and do massively better than their peers in 2024. So, let us dig right in!
Which is the best laptop for artists?
The Apple 2023 MacBook Pro is my best pick for digital art. Its bright display and strong M-series chip make it a favorite among artists, and I use it myself. The touch bar provides quick shortcuts, and efficient cooling enhances the creative experience.
Best Laptop for Artists and Digital Art Creation
Apple 2023 MacBook Pro: Best Overall
CPU: 12 cores, GPU: 19 cores, storage: 1 TB, RAM Memory size: 16 GB.
Graphic designers, digital painters, and video editors need high-performance tools to push their creative boundaries. The Apple 2023 MacBook Pro combines speed, functionality, and creativity, making it an ideal tool for those who appreciate innovation and quality.
The M2 Pro chip, which includes a 12-core CPU and a 19-core GPU, ensures that artists can use resource-intensive software like Adobe Creative Cloud, Xcode, and Affinity Designer at lightning-fast speeds. Imagine sketching elaborate designs or generating high-definition videos without a hitch; that’s how efficient this technology is.
Battery life is frequently the Achilles heel of powerful laptops, but not with the MacBook Pro. With up to 18 hours of battery life, animators and video editors may work on long-term projects without continually reaching for the charger.
The Apple 2024 MacBook Pro is a powerful tool for any creative worker. From its superior performance to its stunning display, the best laptop for digital art is designed to maximize your artistic potential. While it has a higher price tag and some limits, its sheer power and features make it an investment to consider.
| PROS | CONS |
| ➕ Excellent performance with M2 Pro chip. | ➖ There is no facial recognition on the display notch. |
| ➕ Bright Liquid Retina XDR display. | ➖ Costly RAM and SSD upgrades, with no future internal upgrading possibilities. |
| ➕ Long battery life. | |
| ➕ Numerous connectivity options. | |
| ➕ Integrates well with other Apple devices. |
The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is visually stunning. It has over 1000 nits of brightness, delivering great contrast and lifelike colors, allowing digital painters and illustrators to see their creations in stunning detail with vibrant color fidelity.
Lenovo Flex 5: The Best Artist Laptop for Multitasking
AMD Ryzen 5 5500U CPU, AMD Radeon Graphics 5500 GPU, 512GB storage, and RAM. Memory size: 16GB.
The Lenovo Flex 5 is a good choice for professionals who need a versatile and personalized creative solution. Its extensive capabilities are designed to improve workflows for professionals like graphic designers and animators.
The Flex 5 delivers blistering performance thanks to its AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor and 16GB of RAM. For illustrators creating concept drawings or animators generating sequences, this means less lag and faster software reactions.
The 14-inch WUXGA touchscreen has a 16:10 aspect ratio and four-sided narrow bezels. This means more screen area for web designers and digital artists to see their work in greater detail. The larger display ratio might be especially useful for storyboard artists and comic book producers, as it provides a more vertical workspace.
The Flex 5 may be used in a variety of settings thanks to its 360° hinge. For example, architects visualizing structures can switch to tablet mode for hands-on alterations, while graphic artists can exhibit designs in tent and stand modes.
A 512GB SSD gives photo editors and game designers enough space for high-resolution content and speedier retrieval times.
The Lenovo Flex 5 is a fantastic alternative for professionals who demand a tablet that can do numerous activities concurrently. This laptop for art is specifically built to fulfill the needs of digital art professionals and makes multitasking easy. Investing in this device allows you to swiftly transition between projects and maintain a smooth workflow.
| PROS | CONS |
| ➕ AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor | ➖ Battery life may be a concern. In certain outside settings |
| ➕ 16GB RAM – 360° hinge | ➖In some outdoor settings, the screen brightness may not be appropriate. |
| ➕ 512GB SSD storage | |
| ➕ Digital pen for precise design work | |
| ➕ Free 3-month Xbox Game Pass. | |
| ➕ AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor |
Dell XPS 13 Plus: The Best Laptop for Digital Drawing, Illustrators and Animators
CPU: 12th Intel Evo i7-1260P | GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Storage: 1TB | RAM: 16GB
As an artist, you require the proper instruments to produce your masterpiece. The Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop is ideal for graphic artists, animators, and architects. This creator laptop meets your digital drawing and animation demands and simplifies your work experience.
The XPS 13 Plus features a powerful 12th-generation Intel Core i7-1260P processor, which ensures that even the most complex tasks run smoothly. Consider sketching sophisticated architectural representations or animating complex scenes; this laptop guarantees no compromise in performance.
The gorgeous 13.4-inch 3.5K OLED touch screen is a major selling point for visual artists. Each pixel self-illuminates, producing vivid colors, deep blacks, and great contrast ratios. Whether you’re photo-editing, illustrating for digital publications, or getting into 3D modelling, the XPS 13 Plus displays content with excellent clarity.
This laptop for artists, made of CNC-machined aluminum and glass, combines form and function, making it ideal for the fast-paced, style-conscious world of fashion designers, art directors, and digital painters. The lighted touch interface and edge-to-edge keyboard look sleek and improve efficiency and comfort.
The two Thunderbolt 4 ports connect to a variety of devices, increasing its versatility. The high-speed interface keeps you agile while transmitting huge design files or connecting to several screens. Overall, the Dell XPS 13 Plus is an excellent laptop for the diverse demands of artists and designers. Balancing strength and elegance, it demonstrates what current technology can do for creative professions.
| PROS | CONS |
| ➕ Stunning 3.5K OLED touch panel with vibrant images. | ➖ OLED display may improve battery life. |
| ➕ Powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor. | ➖ Port diversity is limited. |
| ➕ The design is luxurious and quality. | ➖ The Folio keyboard is available separately. |
| ➕ Thunderbolt 4 ports are efficient and high-speed. |
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo: The Best Computer for Artists and Gamers
CPU: Intel i7-12700H 14-Core | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 | Storage capacity: 2TB | RAM Memory size: 32 GB.
Meet the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo, a game-changer in the digital art and gaming space. This laptop is more than just a technology; it’s an artist’s canvas, a designer’s playground, and a gamer’s paradise wrapped in celestial blue splendor. With two screens and unparalleled performance, it is designed to boost your creativity and productivity.
The 15.6″ 4K UHD OLED touchscreen brings digital artwork and creations to life with amazing detail. The strength of the 12th Generation Intel Core i7-12700H means that you can render, animate, and even game without issue. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 improves on this, making 3D modeling, video editing, and high-end gaming a breeze.
Connecting is likewise impressive, with Wi-Fi 6E assuring fast and stable internet connections and a wealth of ports, including two USB 3.2 Type-C Gen2, making data transmission and peripheral connecting a breeze.
Given the dual screens, the laptop may be a little bigger for individuals who are constantly on the go. While it’s a wonderful workstation for architects imagining structures, it may not be as suitable for frequent travel.
Furthermore, some customers have found the trackpad positioning to be inconvenient, and the battery life may be shorter than one would expect for such a powerful device.
| PROS | CONS |
| ➕ Enhance productivity with dual screens. | ➖ A bulkier design may impact portability. |
| ➕ Enjoy a stunning 4K OLED display. | ➖ Trackpad positioning may require adjustment. |
| ➕ Powerful performance with Intel i7 and NVIDIA RTX 3060. | ➖ Battery life could be improved for this class. |
| ➕Connectivity possibilities are seamless. | |
| ➕ Stylus support for precise tasks. |
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio: The Best Laptop for Digital Art and Graphic Design
CPU: i7 | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti | Storage: 512GB | RAM Memory Capacity: 16GB
When it comes to choosing the best laptop for digital art and graphic design, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is an excellent choice. Its creative design and powerful features make it an ideal tool for graphic designers, animators, concept artists, and others.
Consider easily going from building a website interface to drawing a digital comic. The Surface Laptop Studio’s 14.4-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 2400 x 1600 does just that.
This high-refresh 120Hz monitor makes animations and video edits look very fluid. For 3D modelers and game creators, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti visual pushes the envelope, providing visual capabilities that far beyond expectations.
The Surface Slim Pen 2’s built-in storage and charging facility under the keyboard allows digital painters and illustrators to sketch, draw, and design with ease, as if they were working on paper. The Surface Laptop Studio offers an 18-hour battery life, ideal for workers who are always on the go. This, together with Windows 10 Pro and a powerful Intel Quad-Core i7-11370H CPU, allows you to handle demanding programs anywhere.
| PROS | CONS |
| ➕ Features include a vibrant 14.4-inch 120Hz touchscreen | ➖ Limited port selection. |
| ➕ powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics | ➖Fixed to three positional modes. |
| ➕ an 18-hour battery life, and more. | ➖Premium Pricing |
| ➕ Integrates seamlessly with the Surface Slim Pen 2. |
Apple 2023 MacBook Air: The Best MacBook for Digital Art
CPU: 8-core CPU | GPU: 10-core GPU | Storage capacity: 256GB | RAM memory size: 8GB
Brace yourselves, digital artists and designers! The Apple 2023 MacBook Air is more than just a laptop; it’s your ideal creative partner. This gadget, equipped with the ground-breaking M2 chip and a large 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, is designed to bring your most ambitious designs to life.
The Liquid Retina display is a game changer for individuals who need a bright display for their artwork, architectural designs, or video edits. With 500 nits of brightness and support for a billion colors, it ensures that your creations shine in stunning detail. The M2 chip offers a smooth experience, whether you’re creating elaborate 3D models or planning a complex web design. With its 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, multitasking in Adobe Creative Cloud and creating elaborate storyboards is a breeze.
The fanless design eliminates interruptions, allowing digital painters and editors to work uninterrupted, regardless of the workload.
Two Thunderbolt connections enable fast data transfers, which is critical for huge design files or 3D renderings. Furthermore, with the sophisticated 1080p FaceTime HD camera and three-mic array, virtual cooperation is clearer than before.
However, people working with large video files or heavy 3D modeling projects may find that the 256GB SSD storage is insufficient. We propose investing in external storage or choosing a greater storage option. While the 8GB Unified Memory is powerful, professionals working on memory-intensive activities might consider upgrading for better performance.
| PROS | CONS |
| ➕ Features include a vibrant Liquid Retina display | ➖ Storage capacity is limited to 256GB. |
| ➕ An ultra-responsive M2 microprocessor | ➖ The base model features 8GB of RAM. |
| ➕ Fanless, silent operation. | |
| ➕ Increased battery life |
How We Tested the Top Laptops for Digital Art
Once we received our chosen list, we needed to thoroughly test these laptops to guarantee that they truly fit the criteria of the digital art community. Our testing procedure was as follows:
1. Real-world professional applications
Each laptop was given to professionals for a trial period. Fashion designers, for example, used them to create digital patterns, and game designers put them to the test with real-time graphics rendering and simulations.
2. Software Performance Testing
We stress-tested industry-standard software, including Adobe’s Photo Editor suite and Autodesk’s 3D Modeling tools. Laptops were tested for boot-up times, rendering speeds, and multitasking efficiency.
3. Precision Display Assessment
Aside from calibrating tools, we created side-by-side comparison scenarios to see how each monitor performed versus its counterparts. Peak brightness, viewing angles, and touch response (if applicable) were thoroughly investigated.
4. Battery endurance
We replicated typical professional workdays, ranging from continuous sketching sessions by Illustrators to long coding hours by Web Designers, to see if the laptops could genuinely survive a full day without needing to be recharged.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is better for digital art: a laptop or a desktop?
In general, desktops excel because of their upgradeability, which includes more RAM slots and higher-quality GPUs. Laptops frequently lag slightly, with GPUs performing at 70-80% of desktop speeds.
Are gaming laptops acceptable for digital art?
Indeed, gaming computers can be quite useful for digital artists. Their powerful GPUs, CPUs, and abundant RAM make them capable of running resource-intensive software and complicated art projects.
How crucial is display quality in choosing a laptop for digital art?
When selecting a laptop for drawing digital art, display quality is quite important. Accurate color representation and good resolution are vital for artists to guarantee their work appears as intended, making it an important factor.
