Best Laptops for Designers: Top Picks in 2023
As a designer, having a reliable laptop that meets your needs is critical for accomplishing your creative goals.
From graphic design to animation, the right laptop can make a significant difference in productivity and efficiency.
In today’s fast-paced design world, professionals require top-notch performance, high-quality displays, and plenty of storage to store large files and projects.
Laptops designed for designers need to handle resource-intensive tasks, including running powerful design software, rendering high-resolution images, and showcasing accurate and vibrant colors.
Although general-purpose laptops can manage basic design tasks, specialized laptops with powerful processors, discrete graphics cards, and ample RAM are better equipped to handle these demands.
When selecting the best laptop for your design endeavors, consider factors such as processor speed, graphics capabilities, display quality, and battery life.
Portability may also be crucial if you need to work on the go or present your work to clients.
Storage capacity, particularly SSD storage, is also vital for managing large design files and ensuring quick and efficient load times.
With so many options in the market, I’ve spent countless hours researching and testing a variety of laptops specifically tailored for designers, to help you find the perfect device for your creative journey.
Let’s dive into the top contenders that will elevate your design work and make your creative process as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
Best Laptops for Designers
I’ve carefully researched and put together a list of the best laptops for designers, just for you.
Check it out below!
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop for Designers
The Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is a great choice for designers looking for an affordable yet capable machine.
Pros
- Sleek and lightweight design
- Vibrant Full HD IPS display
- Impressive battery life
Cons
- Limited RAM out of the box
- Windows 10 in S mode
- No dedicated GPU
When I first unboxed my Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop, I was taken with how sleek and lightweight it is, making it the perfect companion for on-the-go designers.
The AMD Ryzen 3 Processor offers smooth performance for handling design tasks and the backlit keyboard also adds a nice and comfortable touch.
The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display is truly impressive, providing crisp visuals and accurate color representation that’s crucial for designers.
Working on projects has been a breeze, and the integrated AMD Radeon Vega 3 Graphics are decent for light graphic tasks.
However, for more intensive tasks, you may need a dedicated GPU.
One of the drawbacks of the Acer Aspire is that it comes with only 4GB of RAM, which I recommend upgrading for better performance.
Another aspect I found restricting is Windows 10 in S mode, which limits the apps you can install to those exclusively found in the Microsoft Store.
Fortunately, switching out of S mode is easy and free.
The battery life is also quite impressive, lasting up to 7.5 hours, allowing me to work without constantly searching for an outlet.
Acer Aspire 5 A515-46-R3UB
I highly recommend the Acer Aspire 5 for designers who want a powerful and budget-friendly laptop with a crisp display.
Pros
- Powerful AMD Ryzen 3 processor
- Color-rich Full HD IPS display
- Backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader
Cons
- Limited 4GB RAM out of the box
- 128GB storage could be limiting for some users
- No dedicated GPU
I found the Acer Aspire 5 exceeded my expectations when it came to performance and productivity.
The AMD Ryzen 3 3350U processor handled most of my graphic design tasks seamlessly, and the battery life was quite impressive, allowing me to work for extended periods without needing to recharge.
The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display was a pleasure to work on, offering vibrant colors and sharp visuals.
The inclusion of a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader made working in low-light conditions and securing my laptop a breeze.
The Acer Purified Voice technology provided clear audio during virtual meetings and video chats.
While the base model’s 4GB RAM and 128GB storage may be enough for some users, I would recommend upgrading to a higher configuration if you plan on running more resource-intensive applications.
Despite the lack of a dedicated GPU, the integrated AMD Radeon Vega 6 graphics performed admirably for most of my design work, though some users may require a more powerful graphics card.
Lenovo 2022 Newest Ideapad 3 Laptop
I would definitely recommend the Lenovo 2022 Newest Ideapad 3 Laptop for designers, thanks to its reliable performance and user-friendly touchscreen.
Pros
- Smooth multitasking with 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Convenient 15.6″ HD touchscreen
- Fast boot-up and data transfer with 256GB NVMe SSD
Cons
- Sound quality could be improved
- Bulky charging plug
- Below-average battery life
Based on my experience with the Lenovo Ideapad 3, it’s a perfect choice for designers.
The 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor ensures snappy performance for everyday tasks, and its 8GB DDR4 RAM allows for smooth multitasking.
I found opening and switching between multiple applications to be virtually effortless.
Its 15.6″ HD touchscreen display adds a level of convenience and interactivity, especially when working with design software.
However, the screen resolution of 1366 x 768 might not be ideal for those looking for a higher pixel density.
But the Intel UHD Graphics still delivers decent visuals for designing and showcasing your work.
My only concerns with this device were the sound quality and the bulky charging plug.
The audio output through the built-in speakers isn’t the best, so you may want to use headphones or external speakers.
The charging plug is slightly cumbersome, but it’s not a deal-breaker considering the laptop’s overall performance and features.
The Lenovo Ideapad 3 Laptop is a reliable and budget-friendly pick for designers who need a responsive, touchscreen-enabled device.
Acer Swift X Creator Laptop
The Acer Swift X Creator Laptop is a top choice for designers seeking a powerful, sleek, and efficient machine.
Pros
- High-performance AMD Ryzen 7 5800U and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Brilliant 14″ FHD 100% sRGB Display
- Lightweight and slim design with an impressive battery life
Cons
- On the pricier side compared to competitors
- May heat up during extensive workloads
- Not suitable for extremely heavy multitasking
The Acer Swift X Creator laptop exceeded my expectations.
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor, coupled with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, provided outstanding performance while working on intricate design projects.
The display truly impressed me.
The 14″ FHD IPS screen showcased vibrant and accurate colors, which is essential for my design work.
The slim and lightweight design at only 3.31 pounds made it easy to carry around without losing out on any top-quality features.
While I loved many aspects of this laptop, it did heat up a bit during extensive workloads, and it might not be the best option for those who need to deal with heavy multitasking.
However, I still believe the Acer Swift X Creator Laptop is an excellent investment for designers who require a balance between power and portability.
HP Newest 15.6″ FHD IPS Flagship Laptop
I can confidently recommend the HP Newest 15.6″ FHD IPS Flagship Laptop to designers looking for a reliable and powerful laptop.
Pros
- Impressive display with anti-glare and wide viewing angles
- Smooth performance with 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor
- Efficient multitasking with 16GB RAM and 256GB PCIe SSD storage
Cons
- Average keyboard quality
- Some learning curve with Windows 11
- Silver color may not be everyone’s preference
While working on a design project, the HP Newest 15.6″ FHD Laptop’s display impressed me with its 1920 x 1080 resolution, offering fantastic color and clarity.
The anti-glare feature and wide viewing angles made it much more comfortable to work on throughout the day.
The laptop’s performance is powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor which allowed me to multitask with ease.
When dealing with design applications, I found that the 16GB RAM and 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD provided a significant boost in the laptop’s responsiveness.
However, the keyboard quality isn’t as high as I would have hoped.
Upgrading from an older Windows version to Windows 11 may take some time to get used to, but it’s a manageable adjustment.
Overall, the HP Newest 15.6″ FHD IPS Flagship Laptop is a great purchase for designers seeking a reliable and powerful laptop for their work needs.
Buying Guide
Choosing the best laptop can be a daunting task, especially with the plethora of options available.
To help ease your decision-making process, I’ve put together a simple buying guide highlighting the essential features to look for when selecting a suitable laptop for design work.
Performance
One of the top priorities in a designer’s laptop should be performance.
Look for a laptop with a powerful processor, at least 16GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card.
These components ensure a smooth experience while running design applications and working on large files.
Display Quality
A high-quality display is essential for designers, as it greatly impacts the accuracy of colors and the overall visual experience.
Aim for a laptop with an IPS panel and a high-resolution screen (preferably 4K) to make sure your designs look their best.
Portability and Battery Life
You may need to work on the go or move between locations frequently.
That’s why it’s essential to find a laptop with a balance of portability and battery life.
Look for thin and lightweight laptops with excellent battery life, so you can work on your designs without constantly needing a power source.
Storage and Connectivity
Having ample storage space and reliable connectivity options is also necessary for design work.
Opt for a laptop with a large SSD to store and access your files quickly, and ensure it has multiple USB ports, Thunderbolt ports, and an SD card reader for easy file transfers and peripheral connections.
By focusing on these key features, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect laptop to support your design journey.
