Top 5 Best Laptops for Graphic Design in 2025

If you’re looking for the best laptops for graphic design, you’ll need a machine that can handle a lot of creative software, has a lot of RAM, and has a long battery life. Naturally, there is a cost associated with this, so choosing the appropriate laptop for your needs is essential. To assist you, we have compiled a list of requirements for a graphic design laptop.

However, we’ve hand-picked the models in the list below based on our professional testing and reviews if you want to get right to the point and discover the best of the best. We’ve carried out both benchmark tests and real-world projects (see the testing section below and how we test laptops for graphic design).

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Last update on 2025-01-24 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Laptops for Graphic Design in 2025

1.Apple MacBook Pro M4

Last update on 2025-01-24 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Following closely behind the M4-enhanced iMac and the completely revamped Mac mini is the M4-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro, which is the entry-level model of Apple’s 2024 laptop lineup. (Apple did not simultaneously update its well-liked MacBook Air with M4.) The 14-inch model with the standard M4 chip is a very powerful laptop for power users and content creators, even though the MacBook Pro scales up to a 16-inch screen with powerful workstation-class silicon in the form of the M4 Pro and M4 Max. The MacBook Pro 14-Inch is a great option for both consumers and professionals who want something more powerful than the MacBook Air but don’t need the unrestrained power (or correspondingly higher price) of the 16-inch model.

However, customers who are willing to pay for more power have a lot of options with the MacBook Pro’s size. The M4 Pro and M4 Max processors can be installed in the 14-inch model, and the maximum memory and storage capacities are 128GB and 8TB, respectively. A MacBook Pro 14-Inch configuration can cost up to $7,049, but even if you don’t go near that amount, you’ll still get great value for your money.

If you require a larger screen, the 2024 16-inch MacBook Pro, which comes with a 512GB SSD, 24GB of RAM, and the M4 Pro chip, starts at as an alternative. It costs to configure the larger chassis with the same memory and storage ceilings as the 14-inch model. (That’s with the M4 Max and the nano-texture screen option.)

The MacBook Pro 14’s physical design is identical to that of the previous model, despite some great processing and AI-powered features. Given that Apple maintains its designs for years on end, that is hardly surprising. With the exception of a new port lineup and the replacement of the previous glowing-white Apple logo with a gleaming chrome emblem, the company’s laptops are as sophisticated as they come, which is why it works.Regardless, the 14-inch MacBook Pro isn’t just recognizable—it’s the exact replica of the 2023 model, with dimensions of 0.61 by 12.3 by 8.7 inches, a weight of 3.4 pounds, and a fingerprint-repellent matte Space Black finish.

The screen is superb, with a high-resolution 3,024-by-1,964-pixel panel backed with mini LED backlighting for near-OLED levels of contrast and excellent HDR performance. Apple dressed up our sample with a nano-texture glass layer whose microscopic etchings scatter ambient light. The idea is to cut down on glare and reflections, while maintaining the color and contrast of the underlying Liquid Retina XDR display, and it works.

With a peak refresh rate of 120Hz for gaming and media creation, the panel’s high refresh rate is also a nice feature. It is supported by Apple’s ProMotion adjustable-refresh-rate technology, which adapts the screen redraw to the type of media, including movies, games, and document editing. The Extreme Dynamic Range capabilities of the Liquid Retina XDR display include a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits for HDR content and up to 1,000 nits for outdoor readability. (Sadly, the laptop uses an ambient-light sensor to increase brightness in response to sunlight, which we had problems reproducing in our test space, so we were unable to replicate the 1,000-nit brightness in our display tests.)

2.Apple MacBook Air M3

Last update on 2025-01-24 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

A few improvements over the 13-inch MacBook Air M2 are welcome, but the new MacBook Air 13-inch M3 isn’t a revolution. The addition of an Apple M3 chip, which aligns it with the latest generation of Pros, is the primary selling point. This processor boasts graphical and artificial intelligence enhancements in addition to outstanding CPU performance. Furthermore, compared to its predecessor, the already remarkable battery life has been enhanced.

Similar to the Air M2, this upgraded notebook has a vibrant 13.6-inch Retina display that is ideal for working, playing games, and watching videos. It features a comfortable keyboard, a responsive touchpad, MagSafe charging, and the same flat, useful design as the latest MacBook Pros.While the 13-inch MacBook Air M3 isn’t particularly inexpensive, it’s still more affordable than the more expensive MacBook Pro 14-inch or MacBook Pro 16-inch models. Despite the fact that the MacBook Air M2 now starts , the new Air M3 still offers great value for the money. Right now, it’s the most reasonably priced M3 MacBook available.The MacBook Air 13-inch design for the M3 is the same as its predecessor, which is good because I like the device’s flat, practical look. As before, the Air M3 is so thin that, at first glance, it might almost pass for one of the top iPads. It is the ideal travel companion due to its compact size and low weight.

The sturdy unibody aluminum chassis not only looks great but feels good to hold. As before, it’s easy to open the lid and hold the laptop with one hand — gliding smoothly and effortlessly on that hinge. Even if you’re walking with the laptop open, the lid won’t wobble.Silver, Space Gray, Midnight, and Starlight are the four color options. The latter is the most intriguing since it makes use of the same fingerprint-resistant technology that was first seen on the MacBook Pros in Space Black last year. All of the colors look fantastic, but my personal favorite is midnight.

The laptop’s port selection is equally limited. On the left are two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, and on the right is a headphone jack. Although you can choose to charge the laptop using the USB-C ports, there is also a MagSafe charging port.

The Air M3 can simultaneously support one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz and up to 5K resolution at 60Hz with the lid closed, and full native resolution on the built-in display with 1 billion colors. It’s wonderful to see that the new laptop has dual monitor support, as we requested this feature with the previous model. You’ll be let down, though, if you prefer to keep your laptop open while it’s connected to external displays so you can use its keyboard and trackpad.

The MacBook Air 13-inch M3 still has the same 13.6-inch display as the M2, which I like because it delivers vibrant, colorful images regardless of what we’re looking at.

The pink energy coming from the dorsal side of Godzilla plates in the latest Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire trailer looked positively radiant on the Air M3’s display. And despite the 13.6-inch display’s size, I was able to make out a lot of fine detail — even when there was a lot of action happening. Lies of P, with its moody Victorian era-inspired settings also looked phenomenal on the MacBook Air’s display.

3.Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1

Last update on 2025-01-24 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

With an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB NVMe solid-state drive, Windows 11 Home, and an OLED touch screen with 2,880-by-1,800 pixels and Intel Arc integrated graphics, our Yoga 9i (model 83AC0001US) is a Best Buy setup. Along with a carrying sleeve that matches the laptop’s Cosmic Blue color, it includes a Lenovo Slim Pen stylus.Lenovo.com offers a sharper 3,840-by-2,400-pixel OLED display as an option, but it only has a vanilla 60Hz refresh rate rather than our system’s smoother 120Hz. The convertible is slightly more expensive there, with only a 512GB SSD.

With dimensions of 0.64 by 12.4 by 8.6 inches and weighing 2.98 pounds, this aluminum-clad Yoga falls under the ultraportable category. Its HP Spectre x360 14 rival is virtually the same size (0.67 by 12.4 by 8.7 inches) but a fraction heavier at 3.19 pounds.Slim bezels surround the laptop’s 16:10 aspect ratio display; a slight ridge at the top holds the webcam with a sliding privacy shutter and makes it easier to open the laptop one-handed. The camera features IR face recognition, which joins a fingerprint reader at the bottom right of the keyboard for two ways to skip typing passwords with Windows Hello. As on past models, the near-full-width screen hinge not only lets you flip and fold the Yoga into tablet, tent, and kiosk modes but serves as a soundbar for the laptop’s quad speakers (two 2-watt tweets and two 2-watt woofers).

Two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports and one USB 3.2 Type-A port are located on the laptop’s rounded left edge. On the right are a Type-C USB4 port, an audio jack, and the power button. Unfortunately, this laptop does not have an HDMI port for an external monitor, so you will need a USB-C DisplayPort adapter. Standard features include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6E.

Although it is not as convenient as convertibles with a slot or garage for storing the stylus, the flattened, 5-inch Lenovo Slim Pen attaches magnetically to the left edge of the lid or either edge of the bottom of the Yoga instead of the side. With respectable palm rejection on the touch screen, the pressure-sensitive pen followed my swiftest swipes and scribbles. A cap,which once removed is impossible to put back on—I swear, I’ve tried a hundred times—covers the USB-C charging port at the end.

Lenovo’s 5-megapixel webcam surpasses 1080p (or, yuck, 720p) hardware by capturing crisp 2,560-by-1,440-pixel (16:9) or 2,592-by-1,944-pixel (4:3) images and videos. Oddly, the Windows Camera app doesn’t include the recently added AI auto-framing and background-blur options, but the webcam’s images are bright and colorful with no noise or static. It also provides presence detection to lock the system when you leave and unlock it when you return.

The backlit keyboard has a column of four custom keys at the right that cycle through power modes; music, movie, and game audio presets; normal or a yellowish anti-blue-light screen setting; and launch a favorite website or application. The keys would be perfect for Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down, but those functions are relegated to the Fn key and cursor arrow keys, the latter arranged in a clumsy row instead of inverted T that I invariably curse in HP laptops. 

4.Asus ProArt PZ13

Last update on 2025-01-24 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The ProArt PZ13 is marketed by Asus as being for “active creators” who wish to use AI outside, which sounds as good as going on a hike to trigger an allergic reaction. However, if you ignore the hype surrounding Copilot+ AI, the PZ13 is a successful variation on the detachable laptop tablet-plus-keyboard model, and it’s hundreds less expensive than its rival, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11. The two share a software compatibility warning because they are Arm (Qualcomm Snapdragon) devices rather than x86 (Intel or AMD) ones, but the ProArt outperforms the Surface Pro in terms of value to earn our Editors’ Choice for the best detachable Windows 2-in-1 right now.

If you choose the middle of the three (good, better, best) available keyboards and match the ProArt’s 16GB of RAM and 1TB solid-state drive, the OLED version of the Surface Pro—which has a faster Snapdragon X Elite chip—costs more than $1,500. However, PZ13 buyers do not have the option of 5G mobile broadband, which is available for use in situations where Wi-Fi is unavailable.

In response, Asus offers a microSD adapter and an SD card slot for the swappable storage that the Surface Pro does not have. Sketchers and scribblers will have to either shell out cash for the expensive Asus Pen 2.0 or turn to a third-party stylus because the company failed to include a pen with the keyboard in its tablet.

The OLED version of the Surface Pro, which has a faster Snapdragon X Elite chip, costs more than if you choose the middle of the three (good, better, and best) keyboards that are available and match the ProArt’s 16GB of RAM and 1TB solid-state drive. Nevertheless, 5G mobile broadband, which can be used in places without Wi-Fi, is not an option for PZ13 customers.

In response, Asus provides an SD card slot and a microSD adapter for the swappable storage that the Surface Pro lacks. Because the company did not include a pen with the keyboard in its tablet, sketchers and scribblers will have to either buy the pricey Asus Pen 2.0 or use a third-party stylus.

Like all tablets with kickstands and keyboard covers, the PZ13 is much steadier on a desk or table and almost impossible to use in your lap—indeed, move the kickstand so it doesn’t slide off your knees, and the whole thing falls over backward. Nor was I able to fold the keyboard flap so as to elevate or tilt the keyboard, and since it connects physically instead of via Bluetooth, you can’t use it when detached as you can the Surface Pro’s.

Otherwise, the keyboard works well, if you don’t mind the perennial pain of pairing the Fn key and cursor arrows in the absence of dedicated Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys. It’s nicely backlit and has a shallow but snappy typing feel, better than a number of real laptop keyboards I’ve used, and handy top-row controls including microphone mute and adjustment (single- or multi-voice audio optimization) as well as brightness and volume and an emoji key. The good-size, buttonless touchpad glides and taps smoothly and has a solid, hollow click.

5.Asus Zenbook S 16

Last update on 2025-01-24 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is a stunning laptop with a ton of cool AI features and an amazing OLED display. It’s nice to see a system with AMD hardware perform well in AI tests after a summer of Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered notebooks showing off Microsoft Copilot+ PC features. However, how does this new machine-learning device compare to other alternatives to the 16-inch desktop? There are some genuinely amazing parts and some utter failures in that tale of highs and lows. Together, they make a respectable 16-inch laptop that is surpassed by industry leaders in content creation, such as the Editors’ Choice-winning Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 Gen 9.

The Zenbook S 16 (model UM5606) has a Ceraluminum finish, which is a bonded ceramic layer. In addition to giving the laptop lid a unique matte texture, this layer provides a long-lasting finish that guards against wear and scratches. The Scandinavian White color of our review unit contrasts with the darker Zumaia Gray of Best Buy models.The lid is etched with an enlarged, abstracted version of Asus’ stylized “A” logo. Although I wish the ceramic finish had extended to the palm rest and chassis base, the visual combination of matte ceramic and etched aluminum lines is unquestionably elegant.The 16-inch Zenbook weighs only 3.31 pounds and is pleasantly thin, measuring only 0.51 inches thick. However, it’s not sufficiently light to be categorized as an ultraportable, it’s about as feathery as you’ll find for high-end desktop.

You’ll also notice Asus’ 16-inch OLED touch screen. With a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a resolution of 1800p, this display is incredibly bright and has rich color. Although this feature is a little awkward in a traditional clamshell laptop design, you can also draw on the screen thanks to the touch screen and included stylus. Six Harman Kardon speakers with Dolby Atmos sound are connected to the OLED screen.

With one addition that has become commonplace in recent months—a required Microsoft Copilot key to initiate AI assistance—the square-tiled keyboard is comparatively standard. The Copilot key is your one-button entryway to the newest features (more on those later). The Zenbook S 16 was designed for local AI functions.

The accompanying touchpad comes with some unexpected features. In addition to the usual tapping and swiping, Asus has introduced more built-in controls. Sliding a finger up or down along the left side of the pad lets you adjust the sound volume. Move your finger up and down on the right to change the screen brightness. Move a finger horizontally across the top border of the touchpad to scrub forward and backward in media, like videos or music. The touchpad’s size is generous, measuring 5.9 by 3.7 inches—Asus says 40% bigger than last year’s model to accommodate these new functions.

FAQs

What laptop specs do I need for graphic design?

For a good Windows laptop, you’ll want a modern processor from either Intel or AMD: ideally, an 13th gen Intel or AMD Ryzen 7000 mobile processor. When it comes to MacBooks, Apple has its own chips – M1, M2, M3 and M4 – which perform brilliantly as well; the higher the number, the more advanced the processor. When it comes to RAM, the more you have, the better, especially if you want to multitask. We suggest a minimum of 8GB RAM, but ideally 16-64GB if your budget can stretch to it.

For Windows laptops, a dedicated graphics card is also worth thinking about, especially for graphically intensive workloads. However, these can up the price of a laptop considerably, and modern integrated GPUs are good enough for day-to-day graphic design use. For any heavier usage, though, a discrete graphics card is a must.

Are laptops for graphic design expensive?

It’s true that laptops made especially for graphic design and other creatively demanding tasks are typically more costly than standard laptops. The reason for this is that in order to run programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign efficiently, they need strong hardware, including top-tier processors, specialized graphics cards, lots of RAM, and quick storage. A high-resolution display with broad color gamuts and good color accuracy is also necessary for color work.

Though they might not have the same features or performance as the more expensive models, there are also less expensive options in the price range that can manage graphic work fairly well for people on a tighter budget.

What operating system is best for graphic design?

Although both Windows and macOS are good choices, many graphic designers tend to favor macOS because of its close compatibility with Adobe’s Creative Cloud applications and color management systems. But when it comes to hardware configurations, Windows laptops provide more options.

How much RAM do I need for graphic design?

At least 16GB RAM is recommended for graphic design work, as graphic apps can be very memory-intensive. 32GB or more is ideal for working with large, complex files.