The Best Laptops for Graphic Designers in 2020
Technology changes every day and what was the best option out there even six months ago can suddenly be yesterday’s news. With 2020 in full swing, we wanted to make sure that we provide you with the best tech available so you can be successful all year long.
With our list of the best laptops for designers in 2020, the technology featured makes it a perfect time for a brand new laptop that can help all of your work wow your clients. To know what you should look for, we created a shopping list of what you should focus on with any laptop.
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Shopping list for your next design laptop
CPU
The processor controls the functions of your laptop. With graphic design work, you need a processor that’s fast and powerful so that it can run complex design software. While the best processor brands can change from time to time, your best choice for a CPU is one with a quad-core or even an extreme series processor.
RAM
The memory holds the data that your computer users when the computer is being used when you’re working on a design project. When you work on large files or tend to have multiple programs over, more RAM will allow you to do these types of tasks much easier. Your laptop should come with as much as possible. However, if it doesn’t include enough RAM, you can always buy and install more easily.
Storage Drive
With laptops, you’re going to run into either a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive. Hard disk drives tend to be cheaper and offer more capacity but they can cause problems in your laptop. Solid State Drives, on the other hand, are lighter, faster, and have better durability. Most newer laptops come with Solid State Drives. If it doesn’t, the computer can be retrofitted with a Solid State Drive if you want one that badly.
Display Size
Graphic design is a visual medium meaning that all of the work you do is meant to be seen. Choosing a laptop with a small screen will only make things harder when it comes to getting work done. The optimal screen size should be at least 15 inches. Having a 17-inch display is better for workspace but it could become a burden to carry.
The Best Laptops for Designers in 2020
- Apple MacBook Pro (2019) — $1692
- Acer Predator Helios 300 — $962
- Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15-inch) — $2130
- Dell XPS 13 — $1099
- Apple MacBook Air (2019) — $1015
- Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 — $1598
- Apple MacBook 12-inch (2017) — $1049
- Huawei MateBook X Pro — $1719
- Asus Vivobook Pro 17 — $1249
- HP Spectre x360 15t — $989
The Best Laptops for Designers in 2020 Compared
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Best Overall
Most Powerful
Best Laptop & Tablet
Best Mac
Best for 4K
Title
Huawei MateBook X Pro Signature Edition Thin & Light Laptop, 13.9" 3K Touch, 8th Gen i7–8550U, 16 GB…
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" Full HD IPS, Intel i7 CPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD,…
Microsoft Surface Book 2 15" (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512 GB)
New Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage) — Space Gray
Dell XPS 13 9380 (2019 Model) 13.3" Ultrabook Core i7–8565U 512GB PCIe SSD 16GB RAM FHD 1080P…
New Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage) — Gold
Prime Status
-
-
Star Rating
-
Reviews
412 Reviews
2,028 Reviews
596 Reviews
671 Reviews
-
1,279 Reviews
CPU
1.8GHz Intel Core i7–8550U
Intel 6-core Core i7–8750H processor
Intel Core i5–7300U — Intel Core i7–8650U 1.9GHz
8th-generation | Intel Core i5–8th-generation Intel Core i5
8th generation Intel Core i5 — i7
1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
Intel UHD Graphics 630; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5)
Intel UHD Graphics 620; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (2GB GDDR5 VRAM)
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645–655
Intel UHD Graphics 620
Intel UHD Graphics 617
RAM
16GB
16GB
8GB — 16GB
8GB — 16GB
8GB — 16GB
8GB — 16GB
Screen
13.9-inc
15.6” (1920×1080)
3,000 x 2,000 (267 PPI) PixelSense display, 3:2 aspect ratio
13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2,560 x 1,600
13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) — 4k (3840 x 2160)
13.3-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display with IPS technology
Storage
512GB SSD
256GB PCIe SSD
256GB — 1TB SSD
128GB — 2TB SSD
256GB — 1TB SSD
128GB — 1TB SSD
Price
$1,199.00
$958.97
$2,599.00
$1,599.99
$1,099.99
$827.99
Buy Now
Best Overall
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Title
Huawei MateBook X Pro Signature Edition Thin & Light Laptop, 13.9" 3K Touch, 8th Gen i7–8550U, 16 GB…
Prime Status
-
Star Rating
Reviews
412 Reviews
CPU
1.8GHz Intel Core i7–8550U
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM
16GB
Screen
13.9-inc
Storage
512GB SSD
Price
$1,199.00
Buy Now
Most Powerful
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Title
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" Full HD IPS, Intel i7 CPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD,…
Prime Status
-
Star Rating
Reviews
2,028 Reviews
CPU
Intel 6-core Core i7–8750H processor
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 630; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5)
RAM
16GB
Screen
15.6” (1920×1080)
Storage
256GB PCIe SSD
Price
$958.97
Buy Now
Best Laptop & Tablet
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Title
Microsoft Surface Book 2 15" (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512 GB)
Prime Status
Star Rating
Reviews
596 Reviews
CPU
Intel Core i5–7300U — Intel Core i7–8650U 1.9GHz
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (2GB GDDR5 VRAM)
RAM
8GB — 16GB
Screen
3,000 x 2,000 (267 PPI) PixelSense display, 3:2 aspect ratio
Storage
256GB — 1TB SSD
Price
$2,599.00
Buy Now
Best Mac
Thumbnail
Title
New Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage) — Space Gray
Prime Status
Star Rating
Reviews
671 Reviews
CPU
8th-generation | Intel Core i5–8th-generation Intel Core i5
Graphics
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645–655
RAM
8GB — 16GB
Screen
13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2,560 x 1,600
Storage
128GB — 2TB SSD
Price
$1,599.99
Buy Now
Best for 4K
Thumbnail
Title
Dell XPS 13 9380 (2019 Model) 13.3" Ultrabook Core i7–8565U 512GB PCIe SSD 16GB RAM FHD 1080P…
Prime Status
Star Rating
-
Reviews
-
CPU
8th generation Intel Core i5 — i7
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM
8GB — 16GB
Screen
13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) — 4k (3840 x 2160)
Storage
256GB — 1TB SSD
Price
$1,099.99
Buy Now
Thumbnail
Title
New Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage) — Gold
Prime Status
Star Rating
Reviews
1,279 Reviews
CPU
1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 617
RAM
8GB — 16GB
Screen
13.3-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display with IPS technology
Storage
128GB — 1TB SSD
Price
$827.99
Buy Now
MacBook Pro
The Best Apple Laptop for Graphic Design
CPU: 8th-generation | Intel Core i5–8th-generation Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645–655 | RAM: 8GB — 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2,560 x 1,600 | Storage: 128GB — 2TB SSD
The MacBook Pro from Apple is many people’s definition of an incredible laptop. With an included touch bar that gives you a quicker way to access applications or even log in. A beautiful 13-inch screen makes all your work look amazing while the Core i5 processor can handle your design work with ease. While it’s not the cheapest choice on our list, the quality speaks for itself.
Looking for a case for your precious laptop? Check out LAUT for some neat designs.
Latest Price on Amazon:
Sale
671 Reviews
New Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage) — Space Gray
- 2.4 GHz 8th-Generation quad-core Intel Core i5 Processor
- Brilliant Retina Display with True Tone technology
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
- Ultrafast SSD
$1,599.99
Acer Predator Helios 300
A powerful graphic design laptop
CPU: Intel 6-core Core i7–8750H processor | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5) | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6” (1920×1080) | Storage: 256GB PCIe SSD
Packed with 16GB of RAM and a Core i7 processor, the Predator Helios 300 is a beast of a machine. You can create amazing artwork with color accuracy and the 15-inch screen has great resolution. While there are many other options out there, the Helios 300 is a great deal for anyone.
Latest Price on Amazon:
2,028 Reviews
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" Full HD IPS, Intel i7 CPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD,…
- Latest 7th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor 2.8GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.8GHz | Windows 10 Home 64-bit
- Latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen IPS display, Red Backlit Keyboard
- 16GB DDR4 DRAM Memory & 256GB SSD | Extra empty expandable hard drive slot for 2.5" hard drives
- Up to 7-hours of battery life
$958.97
Microsoft Surface Book 2
The Best Laptop/Tablet Combination
CPU: Intel Core i5–7300U — Intel Core i7–8650U 1.9GHz | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (2GB GDDR5 VRAM) | RAM: 8GB — 16GB | Screen: 3,000 x 2,000 (267 PPI) PixelSense display, 3:2 aspect ratio | Storage: 256GB — 1TB SSD
2-in-1 laptops offer many designers the best of both worlds — a traditional laptop with a tablet you can work on. One of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops available, the Surface Book 2 is packed with enough hardware so you can handle everyday tasks and with a dedicated graphics card, can handle all of your design apps. If you aren’t a fan of MacOS, you’re in luck as the Surface Book 2 uses Windows 10.
Latest Price on Amazon:
Sale
596 Reviews
Microsoft Surface Book 2 15" (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512 GB)
- Microsoft Surface Book 2 Features a 8th generation Intel Quad Core i7 Processor, 512 GB of storage, 16 GB RAM, and up to 17 hours of video playback
- Enhanced Graphics performance with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 discrete GPU w/6GB GDDR5 Graphics Memory
- The fastest Surface Book yet, with 4x more power
- Vibrant PixelSense Display: now available with a new 15" touchscreen. Weight : Starting at 4.2 pounds including keyboard
- Four versatile modes of use and new USB-C port
$2,599.00
Dell XPS 13
The Best 4K Laptop
CPU: 8th generation Intel Core i5 — i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB — 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) — 4k (3840 x 2160) | Storage: 256GB — 1TB SSD
The perfect laptop for graphic design, the XPS 13 from Dell is impressive with an amazing 4K display along with an 8th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7. Dell is known for the options they offer when it comes to customization of their products and there is no lack of options with the XPS 13. At the top of the range, you can have 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storage, effectively turning this machine into a beast.
Latest Price on Amazon:
Dell XPS 13 9380 (2019 Model) 13.3" Ultrabook Core i7–8565U 512GB PCIe SSD 16GB RAM FHD 1080P…
- Dell XPS 13 9380 13.3" — 2019 Model | Dell Factory Certified Refurbished
- Intel 8th Gen Core i7–8565U (Quad Core 1.80–4.60Ghz) 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD | 16GB RAM
- 13.3" Full HD (1920x1080) Non Touch IPS Anti-Glare Display | Fingerprint Reader in Power Button
- Windows 10 Home 64-Bit | 4-Cell 52Whr Battery | Silver Color Chassis
- Internal Backlit Keyboard | HD Webcam on Top of Screen
$1,099.99
Apple MacBook Air (2019)
The thinnest laptop for graphic design
CPU: 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 617 | RAM: 8GB — 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display with IPS technology | Storage: 128GB — 1TB SSD
Seeing more than one laptop from Apple on the best-of list should not be a surprise to anyone. The quality of their products speaks for itself and that is evident with the MacBook Air. With a design that is thinner and lighter with a Retina display makes this arguably the best MacBook Air available. Packed with an 8th-generation processor and 16GB of RAM when all things are considered this is one of the most affordable MacBooks out there and a great choice for anyone just getting started.
Latest Price on Amazon:
Sale
1,279 Reviews
New Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage) — Gold
- Stunning 13.3-Inch Retina Display with True Tone
- Touch ID
- Dual-core 8th-Generation Intel Core i5 Processor
- Intel UHD Graphics 617
- Fast SSD Storage
$827.99
Dell XPS 15 2-in-1
The Best 2-in-1 for Graphic Design
CPU: Intel Core i5-i7 | Graphics: Radeon RX Vega M GL Graphics with 4GB HMB2 Graphics Memory | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
Despite its 2018 release, the XPS 15 2-in-1 is still one of the best graphic design laptops out there. Being able to switch between using the XPS as a laptop and a tablet makes it very versatile for the work you do. With a Kaby Lake G-series CPU from Intel and a Radeon graphics card, this laptop stands out from the crowd. With the power this laptop is packing, it certainly does that.
Latest Price on Amazon:
Dell XPS 9560 Intel Core i7–7700HQ X4 2.8GHz 16GB 1TB SSD 15.6in, Silver (Renewed)
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product…
- 15.6-inch (3840 x 2160) UHD Display
- Intel Core i7–7700HQ Processor (Quad-Core, 2.8GHz, 6MB Cache)
- 16GB DDR4 System Memory
- 1TB PCIe Solid State Drive (SSD)
$1,598.88
Apple MacBook 12-inch
The Best 12-inch Laptop for Graphic Design
CPU: Intel Core M3 1.2GHz — Intel Core i7 1.4GHz | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615 | RAM: 8GB — 16GB | Screen: 12-inch, (2,304 x 1,440) IPS 16:10 | Storage: 256GB — 512GB SSD
The Apple Macbook is the perfect little brother to the MacBook Pro. With a 7th generation Kaby Lake processor along with improvements to both the battery life and the performance of the laptop, the 12-inch MacBook is only outdone by the beautiful design and the quality that Apple puts into their products. While it’s not the productivity powerhouse that its big brother is, there is no doubt that for your graphic design work, it is an amazing laptop.
Latest Price on Amazon:
Sale
100 Reviews
Apple MacBook (12", 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core m3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — Space Gray
- 1.2 GHz Dual-core Intel Core m3
- Intel HD Graphics 615
- Fast SSD storage
- 8GB memory
- USB-C port
$740.46
Huawei MateBook X Pro
The Best Overall Laptop for Graphic Design
CPU: 1.8GHz Intel Core i7–8550U | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | Nvidia GeForce MX150 2GB GDDR | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.9-inc | Storage: 512GB SSD
Not many people are aware of the quality products that Huawei produces including the MateBook X Pro. Packed with an Intel Core i7 processor along with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, the MateBook has the specs a graphic designer needs to create their best possible work. Along with an affordable price tag, good battery life and lightning-fast speed, Huawei has created a high-quality laptop that may be able to change a lot of graphic designers’ minds about the laptop they use.
Latest Price on Amazon:
Sale
412 Reviews
- World’s First FullView Display: Immersive 13.9-inch 3K touchscreen with 91% screen-to-body ratio, only 0.57-inch thin and weighs only 2.93 lbs., perfect for at-home or on-the-go computing
- Powerful Inside: Windows 10 Home Signature Edition with no bloatware. 8th Gen Intel Core i7 8550U processor + NVIDIA GeForce MX150 — boosts performance up to 40% over its predecessor
- Home Theater: 3K touchscreen with 3, 000 x 2, 000 resolution, 1500:1 contrast ratio and 260 PPI allow you to see vivid details when viewing HD content. 2nd Gen Dolby ATMOS for immersive audio
- One Touch Power Button: Enabling users to power on the notebook, finish identity authentication through Windows Hello and access the desktop in less than 8 seconds. Bluetooth — Bluetooth 4.1
- Includes compact Mate Dock 2.0: USB-A port, USB-C port, HDMI port and VGA port. Includes 1 year Office 365 Personal and 1 year manufacturer warranty.60Hz refresh rate
$1,199.00
Asus Vivobook Pro 17
A Graphic Design Laptop With a Beautiful Screen
CPU: Intel i7–8550U | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 17.3-inch | Storage: 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD
The large 17.3-inch screen is the first thing that many people notice when they look at the Vivobook Pro 17 from Asus but a peek under the hood will show any graphic designer a powerful laptop that can fulfill their needs. An Intel i7 processor plus 16GB of RAM will help make any program a breeze to use and with storage options from a 256GB SSD to a 1TB HDD, it comes with enough space to save all of your work.
Latest Price on Amazon:
45 Reviews
ASUS VivoBook Pro 17 17.3 Thin and Portable FHD Laptop, 8th Gen Intel Core i7–8550U Processor ,…
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7–8550U (Turbo up to 4.0GHz) processor
- NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB discrete graphics for flawless visuals
- 17.3" Full HD Wide View display with 72% NTSC; Ergonomic backlit keyboard with number pad; Slim 16.2 wide, 0.8 thin
- 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD storage combo
- Comprehensive connections with USB-C (Gen1), USB 3.0 Type-A, USB 2.0, HDMI, & headphone/mic ports for every device
$1,249.00
HP Spectre x360 15t
The Most Powerful Laptop for Graphic Design
CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i7–8750H | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch | Storage: 512GB + 1TB SDD
The Spectre X360 15t from HP is easily the most powerful option for graphic designers on our list. This is especially good for those who have to have the best technology available. The beautiful 15.6-inch screen hides a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card, 16 GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. All in all, the Spectre x360 is a mighty laptop and also has a responsive touchpad that makes your graphic design work easy. While the price is a bit high if it’s within your budget, it’s well worth the purchase.
Latest Price on Amazon:
78 Reviews
HP Spectre x360 15-CH011DX 4K IPS 2-in-1 Touch Screen Laptop — Intel Core i7–8550U NVIDIA GeForce…
- Intel Core i7–8550U (1.8 GHz base frequency, up to 4 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 8 MB cache, 4 cores)
- 15.6" diagonal 4K IPS BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit touch screen with Corning Gorilla Glass (3840 x 2160)
- 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, 16 GB DDR4–2133 SDRAM, NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (2 GB GDDR5 dedicated)
- Full-size island-style backlit keyboard with numeric keypad, 1 HDMI; 1 Thunderbolt 3 (Data up to 40 Gb/s, Power Delivery, DP1.2, HP Sleep and Charge)
- 1 headphone/microphone combo; 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 (HP Sleep and Charge); 1 USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 1 (Data up to 5 Gb/s, Power Delivery, DP1.2, HP Sleep and Charge)
$1,049.99
The Best Laptops for Designers in 2020
A great laptop can make all of your design work that much easier to complete and much easier to make your projects look their absolute best. We hope that with our list of the best laptops for designers in 2020 you can have a productive and successful 2020.
Do you have a laptop that you can’t stop raving about? Let us know about it in the comments below!!
