24 Jun, 2025
Best Laptops For Graphic Design: Tested For Every Workflow
Design Tools • Jayshree Ochwani • 10 Mins reading time
In the ever-evolving world of digital design, having the right laptop can make or break your workflow. From 3D rendering to heavy photo editing and UI/UX prototyping, your machine needs to be fast, color-accurate, and reliable.
In this detailed Design Journal guide, we list the 12 best laptops for graphic design, tested across a variety of use cases and budgets.
Whether you’re a professional, a student, or someone looking for a budget laptop for graphic design, this list has something for you.
12 best laptops for graphic design
We’ve carefully selected the 12 best laptops for graphic designers based on real-world testing, specifications, and overall value across various workflows and budgets.
From ultra-premium powerhouses to affordable student-friendly models, this list reflects the diverse requirements of modern creatives.
1. MacBook Pro (M4, 2024)
Specifications:
- Chipset: Apple M4 (up to 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU)
- Display: 14.2-inch or 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
- RAM: Up to 96GB unified memory
- Storage: Up to 8TB SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 22 hours
- Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3
Apple’s latest MacBook Pro with the M4 chip is an absolute beast in terms of performance.
With industry-leading color accuracy, up to 96GB of unified memory, and a jaw-dropping 22-hour battery life, this machine is built for serious designers.
The Liquid Retina XDR display is perfect for tasks like photo manipulation, 3D design, and video editing.
2. ASUS ProArt P16
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB GDDR6)
- Display: 16-inch 3.2K OLED 120Hz, Pantone Validated, 100% DCI-P3
- RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5
- Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
- Ports: USB 4.0, HDMI 2.1, SD Express 7.0, Ethernet
Tailored specifically for content creators, the ProArt P16 features a stunning OLED display and top-tier GPU for smooth rendering and real-time graphics performance.
3. HP Victus 15
Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS / Intel Core i7 13620H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / GTX 1650
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD, 144Hz, 250-nits
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB to 1TB SSD
- Ports: USB-C, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, SD card reader
This budget laptop for graphic design delivers solid performance and efficiency. While the screen may lack full professional-grade color accuracy, its performance per dollar is unmatched.
4. MacBook Air M4 (2024)
Specifications:
- Chipset: Apple M4 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU)
- Display: 13.6-inch / 15.3-inch Liquid Retina
- RAM: Up to 24GB unified memory
- Storage: Up to 2TB SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, headphone jack
The MacBook Air M4 redefines what a thin-and-light laptop can do. Powered by Apple’s latest M4 chip, it delivers smooth performance for apps like Adobe Illustrator, Lightroom, and Figma.
Its fanless design keeps it silent while maintaining efficiency even during multitasking. The Liquid Retina display supports P3 wide color gamut, making it the best laptop for graphic design for tasks that require accurate color visuals.
5. MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024)
Specifications:
- Chipset: Apple M4 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU)
- Display: 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR
- RAM: Up to 96GB unified memory
- Storage: Up to 8TB SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 22 hours
- Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3
Apple’s most powerful laptop to date, the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro is a true desktop replacement.
With its large display and expansive memory options, it’s perfect for multitasking, running After Effects and Final Cut Pro, or rendering complex 3D scenes.
The Liquid Retina XDR display provides extreme dynamic range and color accuracy.
6. HP Spectre x360
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7 1360P / i7 155H
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe / Intel Arc Graphics
- Display: 13.5 or 16-inch OLED UHD touchscreen
- RAM: Up to 32GB LPDDR5
- Storage: Up to 2TB SSD
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI 2.1
Combining power with flexibility, the HP Spectre x360 is a 2-in-1 laptop that shines for digital illustration and photo editing.
The OLED UHD display delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors, while the touchscreen with stylus support enhances drawing and design workflows. Its sleek aluminum design and long battery life make it a travel-friendly option.
7. Gigabyte Aorus Master 16
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090 (16GB)
- Display: 16-inch QHD+, 240Hz refresh, 100% DCI-P3
- RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5
- Storage: Up to 4TB SSD
- Ports: HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, USB-C, Ethernet, SD card
This performance-heavy and best laptop for graphic design brings gaming-grade power to design.
Featuring an RTX 4090 GPU and 240Hz refresh rate, it’s ideal for 3D rendering, animation, and simulation tasks.
The QHD+ display supports 100% DCI-P3 color space, giving designers vibrant and true-to-life visuals. Its superior cooling keeps it stable even under prolonged stress.
8. Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Gen 9
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
- Display: 14.5 or 16-inch 3.2K PureSight OLED
- RAM: Up to 64GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: Up to 2TB SSD
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI
Sleek and powerful, the Yoga Pro 9i offers the perfect blend of form and function. With its AI-powered Intel Ultra chip and a PureSight OLED screen, it delivers brilliant visuals and smooth performance.
The RTX 4070 GPU ensures fast rendering and playback for video, animation, and graphic design work. Its hinge flexibility allows easy presentation and sketching modes.
9. ASUS ZenBook Duo (2025)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 / 7
- GPU: Intel Arc / RTX 4050
- Displays: Dual 14-inch 3K OLED (120Hz)
- RAM: Up to 32GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
- Ports: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, headphone jack
A futuristic pick, the ZenBook Duo comes with two full-sized OLED screens stacked vertically, revolutionizing multitasking. Designers can work on one screen while referencing or editing assets on the other.
It supports stylus input, making it ideal for prototyping, storyboarding, and timeline editing. Despite the dual displays, it maintains a compact form factor.
10. MSI Creator A16 AI+
Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
- GPU: AMD Radeon 780M Graphics
- Display: 16-inch QHD+, 165Hz, CalMAN verified
- RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5
- Storage: Up to 2TB SSD
- Ports: HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet
Optimized for next-gen creative workloads, the Creator A16 AI+ features AMD’s powerful Ryzen chip and CalMAN-verified display for professional color accuracy.
Its AI engine improves design workflows like image upscaling, layer masking, and intelligent noise reduction. This best laptop for graphic design is ideal for heavy-duty creative applications, even supporting 8K editing workflows.
11. ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED
Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8940H / Intel Core i7 13700H
- GPU: Intel Arc / NVIDIA RTX 3050
- Display: 14.5-inch 2.8K OLED, 120Hz, 100% DCI-P3
- RAM: Up to 32GB
- Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
- Ports: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI 2.1, headphone jack
Striking a balance between price and performance, the Zenbook 14X OLED is one of the most capable budget laptops for graphic design. It offers a 2.8K OLED display with vivid color accuracy and smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Despite its slim profile, it features a powerful processor and discrete GPU option, making it ideal for day-to-day graphic work.
12. ASUS ProArt Studiobook OLED (H7604)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 (8GB)
- Display: 16-inch 4K OLED HDR, 100% DCI-P3, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600
- RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5
- Storage: Up to 4TB SSD
- Ports: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, SD Express
Tailored for high-end professional use, the Studiobook OLED features ISV certification for compatibility with industry software like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Adobe Suite.
Its 16-inch 4K OLED panel offers supreme contrast and color fidelity. The robust chassis and advanced cooling allow it to handle large files and demanding render sessions with ease.
Conclusion
Choosing the right tool is the foundation of good design. Whether you’re working with heavy 3D models, refining pixel-perfect UI layouts, or editing large RAW photo files, the laptop you use will significantly impact your workflow speed and output quality.
Our list of the best laptops for graphic design offers something for every kind of creative—from students on a budget to professionals working in fast-paced studios.
If you’re looking to fulfill essential graphic design laptop requirements, aim for at least a 2.5GHz processor, 16GB RAM, a dedicated GPU, and a high-resolution color-accurate display.
For those starting out, even a budget laptop for graphic design like the HP Victus or Zenbook 14X OLED can serve you well with smart hardware choices.
Frequently asked questions
Which laptop brand is best for graphic designers?
Apple remains a favorite among professionals due to its M-series chips, color-accurate Retina displays, and seamless integration with creative software.
However, brands like ASUS (ProArt series), HP (Spectre and Victus), Lenovo (Yoga Pro), and MSI (Creator series) also offer excellent machines optimized for graphic design workflows.
Which budget laptop is best for graphic design?
The HP Victus 15 and ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED are two of the top contenders when looking for a budget laptop for graphic design.
They offer powerful mid-range CPUs, dedicated GPUs, and respectable display quality at an affordable price point.
Are laptops good for graphic design?
Yes, modern laptops are more than capable of handling graphic design tasks—especially those equipped with dedicated graphics, high-speed SSDs, and high-resolution color-accurate screens.
Many laptops are also portable enough to let you work from anywhere without sacrificing performance.
Which software is best for graphic design in a laptop?
Some of the best and most widely used graphic design software includes:
- Adobe Photoshop – For photo editing and manipulation
- Adobe Illustrator – For vector-based design
- Sketch – For UI/UX design
- Affinity Designer– As an alternative to Adobe tools
- CorelDRAW – Popular for illustration and layout
Jayshree Ochwani
Content Strategist
Jayshree Ochwani, a content strategist has an keen eye for detail. She excels at developing content that resonates with audience & drive meaningful engagement.
Read More