What Computer Would You Recommend to Do Graphic Art on

I become a lot of questions from both established and new aspiring artists about what computers, and particularly notebook computers, are best for digital fine art, and so I decided to put this guide together to answer some bones questions:

What is the best laptop for artists and digital art on the market today?
Is an Apple or Windows Computer Best for an Creative person?
Is a Laptop or a Tablet All-time for an Creative person?

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Tabular array of Contents

What Specifications should a Laptop for Digital Art Take?
Should You Get a Laptop or a Tablet?
Overview: The All-time Laptops for Artists and Digital Fine art in 2022
- Asus Zenbook Pro Duo UX581LV xv.6-Inches
- Apple MacBook Pro 16"
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 fifteen"
- Asus ZenBook Duo UX481 14"
- Apple MacBook Air 13.iii"
- HP Envy x360 Touchscreen 2 in i 15.half dozen"
- Lenovo Flex 5 Touchscreen 2 in 1 14"
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 12.iv"
Final Thoughts: Who Makes the All-time Laptops for Artists and Digital Art in 2022?

I will talk hither a little nearly Windows versus Apple tree, tablets versus laptops, and fifty-fifty about how much RAM and storage an artist needs on their computer as well every bit some other basic specifications.

Then we will get into the computers themselves, several different recommendations for the best Windows notebook computers for digital art and the best Macintosh notebook computers for digital art, with a few brief words virtually each of the recommended laptops.

I have also talked a lot about what computers may be best for digital art, and in my recent article – The Ultimate Guide for the Self-Taught Creative person – I gave some specific recommendations for the all-time Apple and Windows laptop computers.

How Much Should You Spend on a Good Laptop as an Artist?

Having a adept, loftier quality laptop calculator tin make all the difference. Yes, there are lots of computers out at that place at very low prices, and they are generally fine for near uses – binge watching, surfing the cyberspace, playing most games and using basic programs like discussion processors.

But artists need more from their computers. We demand fast processors, good storage and brilliant, high resolution screens with first-class colour fidelity.

And at that place'southward another matter, and that'south immovability and reliability. Artists are not necessarily rougher on their computers than normal people, or more clumsy or heavy-handed – in fact, perhaps the reverse is truthful. Simply we do tend to fall in love with our tools, and if we get a good laptop estimator that really works well for us, and supports and even enhances our creativity, we will employ information technology more and more and want it to last forever.

So, lesser of the line opening model computers are out for usa, and I can't stress this enough. Even if you lot're on a budget, or just starting out, don't skimp on your workhorse. You need to run any and all art software without problems or delays, see your work (and possibly prove information technology to clients) with accurate colors and in real particular, and keep your entire portfolio on your local drive if you choose

You lot may not even call back you are going to exercise actual artwork on your new laptop – maybe you have a tablet for that, or are more into traditional media – just you will still want a estimator which displays your (and others') art beautifully, opens files immediately, never runs out of storage, looks great and lasts forever. Well, maybe not forever, only long enough for it to really be cheaper in the long run than a budget model.

A last idea about cost: If y'all are a new, aspiring artist, yous don't have much money and/or oasis't yet established a clientele or reliable income, please don't over-spend on a computer! At the same time, actually pay attending to, and follow, the minimum requirements I'grand suggesting.

To spend as well little on your laptop can even be a worse thought than spending too much – you tin easily end up with a car that will exist frustrating to use, that will discourage you and even concur you back in your learning, advocacy and enjoyment. And i that might fifty-fifty cost y'all more in the long run due to wasted fourth dimension, missed opportunities and maintenance costs.

What Specifications should a Laptop for Digital Art Have?

Fifty-fifty though I'm not into specifications that much, I even so know that functioning is extremely important for an creative person's figurer, and lack of performance ofttimes drives a working artist crazy – and can even frustrate and block creativity.

As such, the best laptop computers for artists should have, at a minimum:

8 GB of Ram – and preferably 16-32 GB
256 GB Storage – and preferably 512 GB – i TB
HD Display – and preferably Total Hard disk or 4K (all Apple laptops have full hard disk drive+ resolution)
A fast, powerful latest generation processor and a proficient, fast graphics co-processor

Now a computer with 32 GB retentivity, 1 or two TB of onboard storage and total 4K brandish may cost more than some of united states of america paid for our last car. Only if we stick to at to the lowest degree the minimums (like every laptop estimator on my list) we tin can find dandy laptop computers for artists, which is actually reasonably priced and which volition fully support our work (and even our occasional play) and never stand in our fashion.

Because, believe me, in that location is nothing worse than being in the flow and having your estimator, or any creative person's tool, stand in your mode.

Should You Get a Laptop or a Tablet?

Many people want to get some sort of tablet, or even a phablet (I dear new words!), so they can work directly on the screen – drawing or painting, retouching, stuff like that – and and so they end up trying to exercise everything else on it besides.

This tin end upward being pretty frustrating and limiting, and the way I run into it, every artist should accept a good laptop computer. You can also go an attachable display tablet or cartoon pad (see my article Which Tablet is Meliorate – Wacom or Huion?), and do incredible piece of work on information technology, or even get a laptop with a touchscreen, or a two in 1 (convertible laptop/tablet), and work right on its screen.

Merely an artist – and a professional artist in detail – will also need to employ their computer for administrative tasks as well as lots of other work, and no matter how adept yous are with thumb typing this can get footling frustrating on a tablet.

Besides, true Apple or Windows computers will run lots of the best and well-nigh industry standard fine art software that iPads or Androids won't, and will let you lot (or, over again, clients and prospective clients) to see your work in all its glory on their big, beautiful screens.

I myself have a very dainty iPad, and I use it all the time, but I couldn't get by without my MacBook!

Is an Apple Mac or a Windows Laptop Improve for Digital Art?

Equally y'all may imagine, i of the questions I hear virtually often is should I get a Mac or a Windows computer for my artwork?

For many years, decades now fifty-fifty, the Mac was always considered the "artist's reckoner" and the Windows PCs to be more than for… Well, I don't know – the sort of mysterious daily activities that all those non-artists get themselves up to all the time. Spreadsheets? Databases? Coding?

Simply that is definitely not the case anymore. In fact, there are at present (I hate to admit information technology) more than of the very best, almost advanced and nigh capable professional fine art programs available for Windows than for Apple.

That said, the most important loftier cease art software is at present being made available for Macintosh likewise – the brilliant Adobe Suite, for example – and many fantastic art programs available on Apple – like my favorite, Procreate – are non available on Windows computers.

At the end of the day, either the right Windows laptop or an Apple MacBook can exist a fabulous computer for any artist. Both can have extremely high performance, incredible high resolution screens and all of the best fine art software (from the simplest to the virtually absurdly complex and avant-garde) you could want or demand.

Then, if you lot know and dear Macintosh, go a MacBook, and if y'all are a Windows fan – fifty-fifty if you're not really certain what a spreadsheet is used for – get a Windows laptop. Either manner, you will be amazed at how the right figurer can help, inspire and even advance you and your art.

Overview: The All-time Laptops for Artists and Digital Art in 2022

Dorsum to the basic question: What is the All-time Laptop for Artists and Digital Art in 2022?

I have put together a list of a dozen dissimilar notebook computers, both MacBooks and Windows PC, whatsoever of which would be a great selection for any artist – whether yous are a fully established working professional person artist, a fine artist, or fifty-fifty if you're just starting out.

I am choosing brands and models which I know to exist extremely well made and reliable, and which piece of work particularly well for artists – based on my ain experience, on the feedback and recommendations of many of my colleagues and artist friends, and on countless Amazon verified customer reviews I pored through to prepare for this article.

They all are available with at least the minimum specs and performance you as an artist will demand, and as you go upwards in cost you lot will encounter a proportionate increase in performance (not necessarily, though, in reliability, as they are all well fabricated and high quality laptop computers).

They all also take really good monitors, with superb color allegiance and resolution and low distortion. Almost of them (though not the Macs) also have fully accurate and sensitive fine-detail touchscreens, even though nigh working artists will have some kind of cartoon pad or display tablet attached to their reckoner as well. Still, the all-time impact screens definitely are fine plenty to exercise even quite exacting and precise work, and they can brand interacting with the computer itself – windows, menus and commands – quite intuitive and absurd.

Whichever computer you choose from this commodity – Best Laptops for Artists and Digital Art : An In-Depth Buyer'southward Guide – y'all will terminate up with a great and useful tool. Really, y'all can't go wrong!

And so hither'south my selection of best laptop computers for artists available on the marketplace today, presented hither from highest to lowest toll:

Asus Zenbook Pro Duo UX581LV 15.6-Inches

My PC Option

ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 15.6"

CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10980HK 2.40GHz ProcessorGPU (Graphics Processing Unit): NVIDIA RTX 2060 6GB GDDR6 Graphics, VR Ready

Many artists say that you shouldn't try to brand fine art directly on your laptop's screen, simply I'one thousand sure none of them ever tried this incredible machine, with its amazing dual screen, cute 4K resolution and loftier sensitivity pen.

An expensive calculator, the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo is also one of the virtually innovative, advanced and genuinely useful laptops ever made, and incredibly fast and powerful, and even at this price users consistently report that it is well worth the money – and then some!

The ZenBook Pro comes standard with xvi GB of ultra-fast RAM and i TB of internal SSD storage, then fifty-fifty the most serious or advanced artists, animators, three-D modelers or photographers will have the memory, processing power and storage space they need.

And that screen!!! Someday all computers will be this cool and clever, but for now y'all will have to pay to go what might well be the best computer for artists ever made – a true advancement and a brilliant tool, this should be a serious consideration for whatsoever advanced artist.

Features of Asus Zenbook Pro Duo UX581LV 15.6"

CPU: tenth Gen Intel Core i9-10980HK 2.40GHz ProcessorGPU (Graphics Processing Unit): NVIDIA RTX 2060 6GB GDDR6 Graphics, VR Ready
RAM: 16 Gigabytes DDR4
Internal Storage: 1 Terrabytes PCle SSD
Screen Size: 15.vi"
Display Resolution: 4K UHD (3840×2160)
Operating Arrangement: Windows 10

Apple MacBook Pro xvi"

My Apple Pick

The best Apple laptop made, the MacBook Pro has an admittedly top-notch screen – so good, in fact, with so much depth, resolution and energy and such beautiful colors that it tin make any creative person better (and whatever prospective client more appreciative).

The Apple MacBook Pro is likewise extremely fast and powerful and incredibly well built, and in my experience is and then glitch gratis and problem costless that it never stands in my way when I'grand working. It merely supports me and allows me to do whatever I want to do, and shows me the results exactly and beautifully.

Capable of running any and all art software on the Macintosh platform, and able to store the largest files and even complete portfolios and display that piece of work with awesome detail, color and life, the Apple MacBook Pro is definitely the best Apple reckoner for artists on the market today.

Features of Apple MacBook Pro xvi"

CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Cadre i7 or 2.3GHz Intel Cadre i9
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 retentiveness and automated graphics switching
RAM: 16 Gigabytes
Internal Storage: 512 GB or 1 TB Ultrafast SSD
Screen Size: xvi.0-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit brandish with IPS engineering
Brandish Resolution: 3072×1920
Operating System: Mac Os

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15"

Lean and Powerful

I've already talked a couple of times elsewhere well-nigh the Microsoft Surface Pro seven, which is a 2 in i convertible tablet/keyboard and a really peachy computer for artists (and itself highly recommended).

Only hither nosotros're going to include the new Microsoft Surface Pro laptop, which is a beautifully built computer – calorie-free, sleek and sturdy – with a bright, striking loftier resolution touch screen and plenty of processing power and retentiveness for fifty-fifty the most advanced art or blitheness software.

Forth with its highly authentic and sensitive 15 inch affect screen, the Surface Pro laptop has the fastest, latest generation processors, Radeon graphics co-processor and hyper-fast DDR4 RAM, and is a perfect choice for fifty-fifty the nearly circuitous work – animation, high resolution graphics, professional photography editing and all types of big files.

And it has a removable SSD bulldoze, which tin can be very handy and especially useful to artists and photographers and makes the computer easy to upgrade.

Also available is the Microsoft Surface Laptop three xiii.5" – smaller screen, slightly different specs and hardware, merely all the same a powerful and highly desirable estimator for any working professional or fine creative person.

And every bit the perfect accompaniment – pretty much required, in fact – yous should consider getting the Microsoft Surface Pen, which doesn't come standard with the Surface Laptops.

Features of Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 fifteen"

CPU: AMD Ryzen™ v 3580U or AMD Ryzen™ 7 3780U
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Radeon Vega 9 or RX Vega 11
RAM: 8, 16 or 32 Gigabytes
Internal Storage: Removable 256 GB, 512 GB or i TB Ultrafast SSD
Screen Size: 15" PixelSense Display
Display Resolution: 2496×1664
Operating System: Windows 10

Asus ZenBook Duo UX481 14"

Small-scale and Powerful

Asus ZenBook Duo UX481 fourteen"

CPU: tenth Generation Intel i7-10510U

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): NVIDIA GeForce MX250 or Intel UHD Graphics 620

Ok, then possibly you lot can't afford a ZenBook Duo Pro – does this hateful you should miss out on what may exist the coolest, most innovative and useful screen pattern for artists?

Non with the next computer in my best laptops for artists buyer's guide, the Asus ZenBook Duo. Not quite the jaw-dropping 4K resolution of the Pro, but all the same full high definition, and way more than sufficient for even the near detailed and complex images to really come up to life, and for you to exist able to work at the highest levels and ever see perfectly what you're doing.

Information technology's as well way more powerful and faster than virtually any creative person might need, and will run all professional art and photography software with no problems.

And really it'due south pretty much just as cool as the Pro – and at around half the price!

Features of Asus ZenBook Duo UX481 xiv"

CPU: tenth Generation Intel i7-10510U
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit of measurement): NVIDIA GeForce MX250 or Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 8 or sixteen Gigabytes
Internal Storage: 512 GB or 1 TB PCIE SSD
Screen Size: 14″ FHD Bear upon Display
Display Resolution: 1920×1080
Operating System: Windows 10

Apple MacBook Air xiii.three"

Best Value MacBook for Artists

This is the lowest priced Macbook currently bachelor, and for the price you get a whole lot of computer.

It should exist said right up front end that this is a smaller screen than I would normally recommend, but this thirteen.3 inch total HD+ monitor is so bright and articulate as to make information technology quite usable, and this cool little notebook is admittedly perfect for working on the get, for taking to clients' offices or for even simply moving effectually your home or studio.

To make the "work on the go" experience fifty-fifty more fun and productive, you might likewise consider the bright new Wacom Ane digital pen display and stylus to plug into your new MacBook Air – a complete working mobile art studio in your rucksack!

Inexpensive and yet fully up to Apple'south high standards of quality and functioning, and able to run, and nicely display, whatsoever professional art software on the Macintosh platform, the Apple MacBook Air is the perfect small computer for any artist.

Features of Apple tree MacBook Air 13.iii":

Apple M1 Chip: eight-core CPU; 16-core Neural Engine
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Apple 8-cadre GPU
RAM: viii Gigabytes
Internal Storage: 256 GB SSD
Screen Size: 13.iii-inch LED-backlit widescreen display
Display Resolution: 2560×1600
Operating Arrangement: Mac OS

HP Envy x360 Touchscreen two in ane 15.6"

ii-in-1

The HP Pavilion is a great example of the cool new generation of touch on screen notebook computers.

Not a convertible, the Envy's keyboard cannot be detached from the beautiful FHD (Full High Definition) screen, but it will fold all the way over, making it effectively a slightly weighty just solid tablet, and the screen will also fold to whatsoever bending, so you tin can use it equally a stand for watching videos… I hateful, ahem, working on art.

This system does not requite you quite the control, or the paper-like feel, of the best art tablets (run into my article xxx), but it is definitely a dainty and accurate plenty pen and screen interaction for all but the nigh detailed and enervating work (the first-class HP Tilt Pen is sold separately).

And, similar all the items on this list of best notebook computers for artists on the market today, it has more than than enough processing power, memory and storage to meet whatsoever artist'south needs. This model in particular as well features that legendary HP reliability and over-engineering.

Features of HP Envy x360 Touchscreen 2 in 1 15.6"

CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Intel UHD Graphics
RAM: 8 Gigabytes DDR4
Internal Storage: 256 GB SSD
Screen Size: 15.6″ FHD IPS Touchscreen
Display Resolution: 1920×1080
Operating System: Windows 10

Lenovo Flex 5 Touchscreen 2 in 1 14"

2-in-one

Another smashing bear on-screen 2 in 1 notebook estimator, the Lenovo Flex v has a slightly smaller screen than the HP listed just above, which is normally non always desirable, but in this case actually makes this squeamish picayune computer fifty-fifty more than portable and usable on the get.

And, with a sufficient 256 GB SSD bulldoze, and a huge amount of RAM – 16 GB!, the Lenovo Flex v is a great calculator for even the nearly advanced artists and fine art software, and a great value too – particularly considering that the nice Lenovo Agile Pen is included in the price!

Features of Lenovo Flex 5 Touchscreen two in 1 fourteen"

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit of measurement): AMD Radeon
RAM: 16 Gigabytes DDR4
Internal Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB, ane TB or 2 TB SSD
Screen Size: 15.6″ FHD Touchscreen
Display Resolution: 1920×1080
Operating Arrangement: Windows ten

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 12.4"

Affordable

The least expensive notebook computer on our list of best laptops for artists on the market today, the Microsoft Surface Go is also 1 of the most gorgeous, with its sold feel and sleek contour.

The Surface Become laptop screen does not have full Hard disk resolution, but it however manages to be 1 of the best looking, clearest and brightest displays on the market, with numbers all the same well in a higher place the normal Hd resolution standards.

This is also not a fully fold-away screen, like on the ii in 1 laptops higher up, only rather a standard notebook estimator with a squeamish touch screen. This makes really doing artwork on the screen a little bad-mannered, but in combination with the brilliant new Wacom One digital pen brandish and stylus you can take a whole working mobile fine art studio for still a very low price.

With plenty of memory – viii GB – and the fast, powerful latest-generation Intel i5 processor, it is more than up to the challenge any commercial creative person or illustrator can throw at it.

Please note that the Amazon page my link will accept you to is for the higher level 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD drive configuration at the everyman electric current price – you tin can besides opt for 4GB and a 128GB drive, but I would not recommend this simply slightly less expensive selection for an artist.

Microsoft is known as one of the true leaders in pattern and quality, and I remember this new laptop is a great instance of why!

Features of Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 12.4"

CPU: 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor 1035G1
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Intel UHD Graphics
RAM: 8 Gigabytes LPDDR4x
Internal Storage: 256 GB SSD
Screen Size: 12.4" PixelSense Multi-Touch
Display Resolution: 1536×1024
Operating Organisation: Windows 10

Final Thoughts: Who Makes the All-time Laptops for Artists and Digital Art in 2022?

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You still may exist wondering which manufacturer makes the all-time, highest quality and most reliable notebook computers, and the curt answer is – everybody on the list higher up.

Merely to be a little more specific, Microsoft and Apple tree are known for the extremely loftier material quality, workmanship and reliability.

At the same time, Asus, HP, Lenovo and some other brands are also well known for quality. And these days, with so many new notebook computers coming with solid state drives and basically no moving parts or mechanical processes (again, like all the computers above), they can all be expected to concluding a good long time without any problems, and to exist a really skillful investment.

I hope you've enjoyed reading my new article – Best Laptops for Artists and Digital Fine art: An In-Depth Buyer'southward Guide – equally much as I've enjoyed putting it together. Please be sure to cheque out my site – Fine art Side of Life – for more buyer's guides, articles, online fine art courses and all kinds of other resources for artists!

Other articles in the Laptops for Artists and Designers series:

Best Laptop for Animation
Best Laptop for Drawing
Best Laptop for 3D Modeling and Rendering
Best Mouse for Designers
Best Chromebook for Drawing and Artists

Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with "viva"). I am an artist, illustrator, instructor, and the founder of Fine art Side of Life™. I've worked as a commercial creative person since 2009. I believe that nosotros are all creative in infinite numbers of ways and then I've made it my mission to teach yous everything I know, to contribute to waking up your creative genius.