Are you looking for a new computer for your digital art creations? Maybe you’re in the market for a portable model to replace your ancient desktop?
There are plenty of laptops for artists to choose from nowadays, from solid mid-priced offerings to pricy top-of-the-line units that deliver outstanding performance.
Here we review some of the best computers for artists available on the market. All options offer excellent bang-for-the-buck, with features and capabilities that will suit the needs of even the most demanding digital artists.
So if you are looking for the best laptop for art at a reasonable price, check our reviews below.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a laptop suitable for drawing – take a look at our list of best laptops for drawing.
What to Look for When Buying a Laptop for Art
Digital art is generally pretty resource-intensive. Drawing and animation both place high demands on graphics and system components, often well beyond the capabilities of most midrange computers.
Consequently, an artist laptop should have a robust graphics system, a powerful processor, and plenty of memory and storage space.
An art laptop should also have a high-resolution screen capable of accurate color reproduction. It would also be helpful to have enough ports to connect external storage devices, graphics tablets, and other peripherals.
If you’re in the market for a good laptop for art, here are the minimum specs to look for:
Processor
In general, you will want to get the fastest processor you can afford. This will ensure smoother performance when working on complex projects.
If you are going for an Intel processor, choose one with at least four cores and eight threads. If you prefer an AMD processor, go for one with six cores and six threads at the minimum.
Memory
Make sure you can upgrade the memory with additional RAM chips. It is advisable to go for at least 8 GB of RAM, or 16 GB if you can afford it. You can add more RAM as funds allow for improved stability and more efficient multitasking.
Storage
Always go for as much storage space as you can afford. Graphics files take up quite a lot of space, and you will fill up a small hard drive soon enough.
Go for 256 GB of storage at the minimum. If an SSD drive is beyond your budget, an NVMe drive should be fine.
Screen
Go for a screen capable of 4K output @ 60 FPS when connected to an external monitor. For optimum color accuracy, choose a model capable of at least 90% sRGB color gamut coverage. You will also want a screen with a brightness of at least 300 nits.
Best Laptops for Artists
Now that you know what to look for when picking an art laptop, here are our recommendations for the best artist’s laptops available.
You’ll find descriptions including key features for each laptop listed. By clicking on the images below, you’ll be redirected to Amazon to see the current prices.
1. MacBook Pro
Macintosh computers have long been the tools of choice for digital and print artists, videographers, filmmakers, and photographers. MacBook Pros offer many of the same capabilities as the desktop models with the added advantage of a laptop’s portability.
This particular model boasts an 8th generation quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, which should be powerful enough for most graphics and video editing tasks. The screen is only 13”, which is on the small side, so you will want to connect it to an external monitor for detailed work.
If you take your MacBook Pro on the road with you, the excellent Retina display will be a definite perk. Images are bright and vivid, with the accurate color reproduction that Macs are known for.
Other features include an ultrafast SSD and two Thunderbolt 3 ports for connecting essential peripherals. And like all MacBooks, it has excellent battery life, so you could get quite a lot of work done before you have to hunt for a power outlet.
2. HP Chromebook
Chromebooks aren’t as highly regarded in the graphics world as MacBook Pros. But their higher-end models are surprisingly capable machines for graphics work.
The HP Chromebook x360 is a good example, offering features and capabilities that go well beyond what you would expect from a consumer model. The 14” touchscreen strikes the perfect balance between portability and real estate. It keeps the laptop light while providing a sufficiently large work area for graphics and video editing.
The 8th Gen Intel Core i3-8130U might not seem that impressive on paper. But the clock speed of 2.2GHz (3.4GHz boosted) and 4M cache gives it an edge over even i5-7200U processors.
This combination provides enough grunt for even demanding rendering and editing tasks.
Perhaps the most appealing feature is the 14” FHD screen, which is an IPS micro-edge design. Boasting multitouch capabilities, it displays colors vividly and in stunning detail, letting you do the bulk of your work without having to plug in an external monitor.
3. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 7 might seem a bit gimmicky with its combination laptop-tablet design. But the detachable touch screen is surprisingly useful for graphics work, giving you the best of both worlds in terms of portability and utility.
Even without the ability to transform into a tablet, the Surface Pro 7 is an excellent choice for artists with its superb display and state-of-the-art graphics capabilities. It even works with a stylus (available separately), so you don’t need to purchase a dedicated graphics tablet for freehand coloring and illustration.
Of course, power is what counts for graphics applications. The Surface Pro 7 definitely delivers on that score, with a 10th generation Intel core processor that is a significant step up from the previous Surface Pro 6. With this much processing power on tap, you get excellent performance even on the road.
4. HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre x360 costs a bit more than the Chromebook we reviewed earlier, but you do get a lot more for the money. For starters, it has a powerful i7 processor that should let you zip through even the most rigorous tasks with ease. Coupled with the 16 GB of RAM, the HP Spectre x360 is a fast and capable machine that should rival even your current desktop.
The highlight of the Spectre x360 is the high-quality touchscreen, which is as smooth as you would need for illustration work. Images are crisp and detailed, so you won’t even have to plug in an external monitor unless you need more screen real estate.
The Spectre x360 is more than just a powerhouse computer designed for studio use. It is remarkably light and portable with an amazingly slim design that lets you carry it comfortably on trips.
And with nearly 17 hours of battery life, you can get some serious work done even if you aren’t anywhere near a power outlet.
5. Lenovo Flex
The Lenovo Flex is yet another laptop-tablet combo, this time geared for the entry-level market. Despite its low cost, it delivers pretty respectable performance due to its highly efficient Ryzen processor.
The Flex has a 1080p touch screen, which isn’t quite as impressive as the screen on the Surface Pro and the Spin 3. Even so, it is more than usable for graphics applications, and you could easily do the bulk of your editing and illustration work without having to plug in an external monitor.
The Flex comes with an active pen, which is an excellent addition. It also boasts up to 10 hours of battery life, making it an ideal choice for lengthy drawing and editing sessions on the road.
Final Thoughts On The Best Computers For Artists
That’s our rundown of some of the best laptops for artists available on the market. As you can see, there are plenty to choose from, and we’ve only just scratched the surface. There are many other worthy options available out there, so you will have to choose wisely based on the criteria outlined above.
But don’t stress about your decision too much. As important as it is to get an art computer with the right specs, you pretty much can’t go wrong with any model that meets the bare minimum requirements.
At the end of the day, laptops are merely tools you use to communicate your artistic and creative vision. Like brushes or graphics tablets, they are devices that you use in the service of your art. Ultimately, it is all about you and your skill.
The most important lesson to take away from all this is: choose the best artist laptop you can afford that meets the basic criteria.
Any one of the models reviewed here should serve you well for a long time, so rest assured that you have the right tool for the job!
Want to learn more about working online? Read one of the following guides:
