As a Graphic Designer one of the tools you need to have is a good computer. More Graphic Designers are becoming mobile and are going to need a laptop to keep up with their workflows. The thing is not having a good laptop can actually slow down a designer’s workflow. That is why you need to make sure that you get a laptop with the right specs. This article will not only help give you the tools to pick out the right laptop for graphic design. It will also give you some of the best options in 2020 for the best laptop in graphic design for different price ranges.
What makes the best laptop for graphic design
There are only a few things that make a good laptop for graphic design. No matter whatever features or other things you are looking for in a laptop you need to look for 3 main things. Below are the main 3 things you should keep in mind when buying a laptop for graphic design.
- The CPU of the laptop
- How much RAM does the laptop have
- Does it have fast storage
The main thing you need to look for when getting a laptop for graphic design is the CPU. Think of this as the brain of the computer. You need to have a fast CPU to make sure that you can handle the tasks you are wanting to throw at it. When looking for a laptop to use for graphic design you should get one with an Intel i5 CPU or AMD Ryzen 5 APU. These are the two options I would recommend for the base model for any laptop that is going to be used for graphic design. If you want to take it to the next level or have a bigger budget you could go for a laptop with an Intel i7 CPU or an AMD Ryzen 7 APU. A laptop with any of the CPUs would be the best results for using it with graphic design programs.
The next most important thing in a laptop is how much RAM it has.. Think of RAM as the short term memory of the computer. Having more in your laptop will allow you to have more programs run and help you with more intensive tasks. The rule of thumb is when it comes to a laptop for graphic design, you should have around 8 GBs of RAM. This should be the minimum for any graphic designer’s laptop. If you have a bigger budget or feel like you need more RAM you could have 16 GBs or even 32 GBs of RAM. This will make sure that your laptop will last longer or not need to be upgraded sooner.
The last important thing to look at when getting a laptop is having fast storage. You can get away with having a laptop that has a mechanical hard drive. The thing is though it will last but will eventually start slowing down. When looking for a laptop to use for graphic design it should at least have a ssd. This will make sure that your laptop can be as fast as it can. Once you start working with a faster drive you will never be able to go back. It is something designers do not think about when getting a laptop but the faster you can get your files the faster you can work.
There might be some other things that you are looking for a laptop but if you look for these you will have a great laptop. You need to make sure that you are not getting distracted by the marketing fluff when buying a laptop. You need to get something that is going to get the job done for you.
Best Laptops for Graphic Design in 2020
Let’s get down to why you are really here to find some of the best laptops for graphic design. Some of these will come to no surprise. Others might be a little weird to see on this list. Remember these laptops will be following the criteria talked about above. They will be broken down into a couple of categories to help you choose the best one.
- Budget Laptop for Graphic Design
- Mid Level Laptop for Graphic Design
- Best Laptop for Graphic Design
- Best Macbook for Graphic Design
Budget Laptops will be laptops that are priced around $300-$500. These will be some of the best laptops you can get to start you off or for someone who does not have a lot of money to send to begin with. These will still be great laptops for graphic design but might need some upgrades down the road to get the longest life out of them.
Mid Level Laptops will be laptops that are priced around $600-900. These laptops will be great laptops for anyone wanting to do graphic design. These laptops will have a longer life with minimum upgrades.
Best Laptop for Graphic Design will be laptops that are priced $1000 and hire. These laptops are for those who do not want to waste any performance or do not want to upgrade their laptop. These will be some of the best laptops you could ever get for doing anything. These will also usually include a graphics card as well.
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Best Budget Laptop for Graphic Design in 2020
Budget laptops are a good option for someone starting out or for a student. When buying a budget laptop you are going to have to give up some things or not have all the newest features. Most of the time you are going to give up on build quality, screen, and potentially some specs. But if this is all you can fit in your budget it is probably worth getting something to start and get you going the experience of working with the software. A lot of these options will need some form of upgrade but that is what you get when you buy a budget laptop.
Acer Aspire 5 Slim
Best Mid Level Laptop for Graphic Design in 2020
Once you move out of the budget group of laptops then your selection really starts to open up for you to have. You can get a laptop that has better build, specs, screen, and an overall laptop. This range is mostly for someone either just coming out of college or is starting off with a bigger budget. These laptops can last someone a lot longer with little to no upgrades.
Asus TUF FX505DT
Lenovo ThinkPad E595
Best Laptop for Graphic Design in 2020
Is there anything to say about these laptops? These are for the true professionals or someone who has no budget and want the best of the best. These laptops have no corners cut and are some of the best laptops made today.
MSI Creator 15M A9SE-043
Razer Blade 15
Best Macbooks for Graphic Design in 2020
Macbooks are an option for those who prefer the Apple ecosystem. The only issue with Macbooks is that they typically are out people starting out budget. Even some of the lower end and cheaper MAcbooks are still far out of the budget laptop group. If you want to get a Macbook on a budget the best way to is to buy a used or a refurbished Macbook.
Budget Macbook: Macbook pro 13 inch
Best Macbook: Macbook pro 16 inch
