Best Laptop for Graphic Design in 2024

Alongside artistic talent, design professionals rely on state-of-the-art technology solutions to do their work.

In this article, we will discuss the most popular devices for designers, their pros and cons, and provide tips on how to make a selection based on your budget.

Understanding Your Specific Needs

First, identify your primary role in graphic design and your day-to-day tasks. This way, you can choose a device that will fit in with your workflow, rather than the other way around.

Professional designers typically handle multiple high-stakes projects, necessitating high-performance hardware to manage intensive tasks efficiently. It is your digital canvas and often your closest companion during late-night creative sprints. So your laptop requirements match your lifestyle, not the other way around. They require powerful CPUs, dedicated GPUs, ample RAM (ideally 32GB or more), colour-accurate displays, and fast storage solutions like NVMe SSDs.

Students learning graphic design need a balance between efficiency and affordability, with a decent CPU, an entry-level dedicated GPU, and at least 16GB of RAM. Portability and durability are important considerations. Freelancers require portable yet robust machines with long battery life, lightweight design, and reliable connectivity. Creative professionals focusing on specific design niches demand tailored specifications based on their specialisation.

Specific Needs Based on Design Focus

Video editors require high-performance GPUs and ample storage to cope with video rendering and editing tasks. Recommended specifications include a high-end dedicated GPU, at least 1TB of SSD storage, and 32GB or more of RAM. Thunderbolt ports for connecting external drives and a 4K display for accurate video previewing are beneficial.

Illustrators prioritise high-resolution displays and pen support for detailed and precise work. A 4K touch display with pressure-sensitive stylus compatibility is ideal. Colour accuracy, with 100% sRGB coverage, and an ergonomic design for comfortable long drawing sessions are vital considerations.

3D modellers should ask for muscular CPUs and GPUs to handle complex rendering operations. Recommended specifications include a high-end CPU with 8 or more cores and a workstation-class GPU. Additionally, 32GB or more of RAM and NVMe SSDs are essential for faster rendering and file access.

UI/UX designers prioritise colour-accurate displays and portability for on-the-go work. A lightweight design and a long battery life are crucial. A display with 100% sRGB coverage ensures accurate colour representation, and a comfortable keyboard is significant for coding and design assignments.

Choosing Between a Laptop and Desktop for Graphic Design

When it comes to graphic design, the choice between a laptop and a desktop computer can have a significant impact on your workflow and productivity.

If you collaborate with clients or work remotely, laptops can give you the freedom to move. However, desktops can offer more powerful hardware configurations. This can include higher-end processors, dedicated graphics cards, advanced cooling systems, and the ability to accommodate multiple high-resolution displays.

This can make or break a resource-intensive job like video editing or 3D modelling. Desktop computers tend to outperform notebooks with regard to raw output due to their more powerful hardware. On a desktop PC, it’s easier to upgrade components such as RAM, storage, and GPUs.

Desktop computers allow for easier and more frequent upgrades of components. This includes memory, storage, and graphics cards. Upgrading components allows you to extend the life of the machine and keep pace with the evolving demands of graphic design software and workflows.

Unfortunately, laptops tend to be more limited when it comes to upgrades. This is because their components are often more integrated and less accessible.

For professionals who require both, investing in a beefy desktop for the office and a portable computer for the road, may be the ideal way to get the best of both worlds and ensure you have the right tool for the job, whether you’re in the studio or on the go.

Whether you call for a basic setup or a high-efficiency machine with the newest Intel or AMD components, HardSoft offers custom-built PCs to suit your specific needs. We have 40 years of experience, can guarantee the highest build quality, and work with the UK’s top IT hardware suppliers.

Essential Laptop Specifications for Graphic Design

CPU

A powerful processor is the productive heart of your laptop, keeping design software running smoothly.

For designers, choosing the right power processor for your notebook is vital. The processor has a direct impact on the speed of graphics file processing and the performance of demanding software. The best choice would be Intel Core i7 or i9 processors with the H prefix, or similar chips from AMD—the Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9.

These offer high output thanks to:

• multi-threading capabilities
• high clock speeds (starting at 3.0 GHz)
• the presence of 4 or more cores

More cores mean faster processing and better graphics. Models with fewer than 6 cores will struggle with anything beyond some light Photoshop.

Mobile workstations can also come equipped with server-grade Intel Xeon or desktop CPUs. Although these sacrifice battery life (server-grade CPUs need a lot of juice), they make up for it with lightning speed and huge amounts of processing power.

The Intel Core Ultra 9, AMD Ryzen 9 7000 series, and Apple M3 Pro/M3 Max are among the top contenders for high-performance laptops for graphic designers and other creative professionals in 2024.

RAM

RAM is a critical component that directly affects a laptop’s performance, especially for tasks that require multitasking or running memory-intensive applications.

More RAM allows for smoother operation and the ability to process larger files and more programs simultaneously.

8GB might suffice for very basic operations such as simple Photoshop edits and basic utilities. However, 16GB has become the standard for comfortable multitasking and handling modern design tools.

Professional designers and videographers working with video editing and 3D graphics should shoot for 32GB or more to handle even the most resource-intensive software.

When choosing a workstation, it’s important to consider the possibility of adding more memory in the future. Today’s powerful laptops, such as the Apple MacBook Pro, come with 18GB of RAM as standard, expandable to a whopping 128GB at a cost of £1,000, which has an impact on their performance and price, but is well worth it in the long run.

Graphics Card

To get the most out of graphics, 3D modelling, and video editing, your laptop should have a discrete graphics card with plenty of video memory and processing power. Keep in mind that while the latest generation of NVIDIA GeForce RTX or AMD Radeon RX solutions are usually the best option, previous generation high-end GPUs (e.g. RTX 2080 Super) or integrated graphics can still offer excellent performance at potentially lower prices.

AMD Radeon Vega 8 and Vega 7

The AMD Radeon Vega 8 and Vega 7 graphics integrated into the Ryzen 4000 and 5000 series CPUs offer decent performance and can handle light gaming and basic video editing tasks at lower settings, making them a viable option for users who do not require high-end discrete graphics.

Intel Iris Xe

Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, found in 11th generation and newer Intel Core CPUs, can easily handle casual gaming and light content creation. Many benchmarks show that Iris Xe can cope with 1080p video editing and playback reasonably well, making it a solid choice for users who demand integrated graphics without the need for a dedicated GPU.

NVIDIA RTX 4090

As part of NVIDIA’s next-generation Ada Lovelace architecture, the RTX 4090 with 24GB of onboard GDDR6X VRAM is expected to be one of the fastest GPUs available for notebooks in 2024. It offers incredible performance for gaming, 3D rendering, and other graphics-intensive functions, with features such as real-time ray tracing and AI enhancements. It also supports NVIDIA Studio driver, which optimises graphics applications and accelerates graphics processing. This is a dedicated software and driver suite for creative professionals such as designers, animators, and video editors.

AMD Radeon RX 7900

AMD’s latest Radeon RX 7900 series GPUs with up to 20 GB of GDDR6 VRAM, including the RX 7900 XT and RX 7900 XTX, are also expected to compete strongly in the laptop market, offering high performance for gaming and creative workloads with support for advanced graphics technologies.

Apple M3 series chips

Alternatively, Apple’s M-Series chips, M3 Pro and M3 Max, with integrated GPUs, have demonstrated impressive output and are incredibly powerful, rivalling or exceeding the capabilities of some discrete GPUs in certain tasks, specifically video editing and MacOS-optimised applications. While extremely performant, M-series chips may not be the best option for every specific 3D modelling or graphics-intensive workflow, depending on software compatibility and specific utility optimisation.

File Storage

In a graphic design laptop, the use of a solid-state drive (SSD) over an outdated hard disc drive (HDD) is crucial for performance. SSDs offer much faster read/write speeds than HDDs, resulting in a much more responsive system. In addition, SSDs offer near-instantaneous data access, which is essential when you’re regularly accessing and manipulating large files.

Although SSDs are more costly per gigabyte than bulky HDDs, they are preferred because of their minimal weight, slim shape, and virtually no heat generation. HDDs still have their place, particularly for archiving large files where speed is less critical, and can be combined with SSDs for budget-conscious users. This cost-effective pairing ensures that you have fast access to work files thanks to the performance of the SSD, while the HDD provides space for storing larger, less frequently accessed files.

While 256GB may be enough for some, 512GB is a good starting point to ensure you have enough space for your operating system, software, and active projects. For professionals working with large files, especially video editing or 3D modelling, 1TB or more is highly recommended to avoid running out of space.

Display Quality

Even the most productive laptop for a designer is virtually useless without a good display—unless you use it with a connected monitor. The type of screen you use affects the quality of the image, its colour fidelity, and viewing angles. Choosing the right mobile computer for graphics and video work means getting to know the most common types of displays:

• TN (Twisted Nematic) is a budget option with fast response but poor colour reproduction and narrow viewing angles. Not recommended for professional graphic work.
• IPS (In-Plane Switching) is the gold standard for designers offering excellent colour reproduction and wide viewing angles similar to WVA/SVA (Wide Viewing Angle  and Super Wide Viewing Angle LCD displays), often preferred by professionals.
• VA (Vertical Alignment) occupies an intermediate position between TN and IPS. The quality depends on the model that you choose.
• OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) provides excellent colour reproduction and contrast but is still rare in laptops.
• Retina (custom Apple displays) is a premium variant of the IPS panel, known for its excellent colour accuracy and wide colour gamut. Liquid Retina XDR displays can deliver up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness for HDR content and have an extremely high pixel density—typically 226 pixels per inch (PPI) on MacBook Pro models—making them brilliant for professional video editing, photography, and graphic design. This density makes individual pixels indistinguishable to the human eye at normal viewing distances, resulting in incredibly sharp and detailed images. The latest MacBook Pro models feature ProMotion technology, which enables adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz.

Haptic Feedback in Graphic Design Laptops

Imagine drawing on a digital canvas that feels like real paper—without the annoying eraser crumbs. As graphic design continues to go digital, the machines are getting touchy: haptic feedback and tactile interactions are becoming an integral part of laptop design, creating a more intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable experience for creatives.

High-end notebooks like the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga feature advanced pen support with haptic feedback that simulates the feel of drawing on paper. This tactile response allows for more natural, fluid strokes, potentially increasing both quality and efficiency for illustrators and digital artists.

Pushing the boundaries even further, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo’s ScreenPad Plus offers a secondary touchscreen that streamlines workflows by allowing designers to manipulate toolbars, colour palettes, or entire applications on a separate touch surface.

Studies suggest that multi-sensory feedback improves cognitive processes, benefiting both students and professionals transitioning to digital workflows, but the effectiveness of haptic feedback remains subjective. What feels natural to one designer may be distracting to another, underscoring the importance of personal testing when choosing a laptop. Your fingertips will thank you for it. After all, even the best technology can’t replace the classic feeling of scribbling on the back of a napkin.

Assess your budget

Unless you’ve recently won the lottery, your budget is likely to be a key consideration before you choose a laptop. Knowing how much you’re willing to spend on a new or pre-owned computer will help narrow down the options and ensure you get value for your money. There’s a device for every budget, but your expectations should be adjusted accordingly.

Cost-Effective Computer Leasing Solution

Computer hardware leasing from HardSoft provides a flexible and cost-effective solution for businesses to access the latest technology without the financial burden of an outright purchase. By leasing state-of-the-art laptops at a fraction of the cost, companies can preserve their cash flow while ensuring regular hardware refreshes. This approach prevents technology obsolescence, allowing your business to keep innovating and focus on growth rather than the rapid depreciation and escalating replacement costs associated with owned equipment.

Budget-Friendly Laptops

If you’re working on a budget, focus on finding laptops that offer the best value for money rather than the lowest price. Entry-level devices (£ 800 – £ 1200) are suitable for students and beginners, but you may have to sacrifice some speed or colour accuracy. You may have to compromise on storage capacity, but this can often be upgraded or supplemented with external peripherals down the line. Expect integrated graphics, decent colour fidelity, and enough power for basic design operations.

Look for models that prioritise vital components such as a high-performance CPU, a dedicated GPU and plenty of RAM. Consider refurbished or last-generation models, which can offer significant savings without sacrificing core performance.

Mid-Range Laptops

Mid-range laptops (£ 1200 – £ 2000) are the sweet spot for many freelancers and professionals, striking the right balance between power and practicality. Look for models with the latest processors, high-end dedicated GPUs, and generous amounts of RAM and storage that can cope with most design software with ease.

Pay close attention to display specifications, as a high-resolution, colour-accurate panel can make a significant difference to your design routine. Look for ways to future-proof your investment, such as upgrading the SSD or adding more RAM as your needs evolve.

Premium Laptops

Top-of-the-range laptops (£ 2000 – £ 5000) are for power graphic designers with a larger budget who work with demanding 3D, video, or multiple heavy programs simultaneously and require uncompromising performance, premium features, and the ability to handle whatever you throw at them.

These computers often come with Intel Xeon processors and/or Intel desktop CPUs, the most powerful dedicated GPUs, large high-resolution displays with a wide colour gamut, and robust build quality. While the initial investment may be higher, these notebooks are designed to manage the most demanding design tasks with ease and provide a reliable, long-lasting experience.

Remember, the most expensive option isn’t always the best for your requirements. A mid-range laptop with the right specs can often outperform a pricier model that’s not optimised for design work.

Investing a little more now for higher specs or upgradeability could save you money in the long run by extending the life of your machine.

The Distinction Between Gaming Laptops and Mobile Workstations for Graphic Design

Many users find themselves torn between high-performance gaming laptops and more specialised graphics hardware, often referred to as mobile workstations. While both types of laptops feature impressive NVIDIA RTX Series graphics processors, mobile workstations are the better pick for creative professionals.

Gaming Laptops are Optimised for Entertainment

Gaming laptops are optimised for speed, visual fidelity, high performance, and an immersive gaming experience. They often feature the best consumer-grade NVIDIA RTX 40-series graphics cards. They are brilliant at rendering high-frame-rate graphics, handling complex gaming workloads, and delivering next-gen visuals. Despite this, a gaming laptop may not be the right choice for the kind of work in a design workflow.

The decision between a gaming laptop and a graphics laptop should be based on the specific task. For serious graphic designers, the reliability, precision, and purpose-built capabilities of the latter make it the superior tool for professional design work.

Graphics Laptops (Mobile Workstations) are Made for Creatives

Graphics laptops or mobile workstations, on the other hand, are designed to meet the needs of creative professionals. They feature NVIDIA RTX professional GPUs designed to combine speed, portability, and large memory capacity with enterprise-class reliability and cutting-edge RTX technology. These features, including real-time ray tracing, advanced graphics processing, and AI acceleration, are essential for tasks such as 3D modelling, video editing, CAD work, and other design-focused tools.

The key advantages of NVIDIA RTX professional laptop GPUs over their consumer counterparts include:

1. RTX professional GPUs are optimised for creative applications, delivering fast rendering, smooth playback, and seamless multitasking compared to gaming-orientated GPUs.
2. Creative workloads often require large amounts of video memory to handle high-resolution assets, complex 3D scenes, and advanced effects. RTX professional GPUs typically offer more VRAM than their gaming counterparts.
3. These GPUs are designed for enterprise-level reliability and stability. If a game crashes, you reload the save and keep going. If a job crashes in the middle of a complex workflow, it’s going to affect your bottom line.
4. RTX professional GPUs feature innovative RTX technologies, including real-time ray tracing, advanced graphics processing, and accelerated AI-powered functionalities that can improve creative workflows.

Mobile workstations use NVIDIA Studio drivers optimised for a wide range of software, ensuring fewer crashes, improved performance, and unique features for designers. Their reliability is essential in professional environments where deadlines actually mean something. In addition, these workstations offer heavy-duty build quality, better thermal management, and displays with exceptional colour precision and wider gamuts. They also include advanced memory and storage options to efficiently manage large design files and complex projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (provide schema markup)

Can I upgrade the GPU in my laptop for graphic design?

Upgrading the graphics processing unit (GPU) in most laptops is generally not possible. Most consumer and even some professional models have their GPUs firmly integrated (soldered) to the motherboard.

While some high-end gaming notebooks and mobile workstations may offer the option of boosting graphics performance with external GPU (eGPU) solutions, this approach requires additional hardware and presents compatibility challenges.

For those who rely heavily on the power of the GPU for their graphic design, it’s important to choose a device with a powerful, dedicated GPU from the outset. Investing in a future-proof graphics solution upfront not only ensures a seamless workflow but also avoids the hassles and limitations associated with external GPU setups.

What are the best external monitors for graphic design?

The best external monitors for graphic design typically have:

• IPS or OLED panels for accurate colour reproduction
• a wide colour gamut (e.g. 100% sRGB coverage, ideally good Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 coverage)
• high contrast ratios
• and resolutions such as 4K (3840×2160) or higher for pixel-level work.

When choosing a monitor, consider features such as:

• ergonomic adjustments
• hardware calibration capabilities
• and the ability to connect multiple devices with HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C support.
• You may want to consider a screen size of 27 inches or larger for optimal eye comfort.

Top monitor choices include:

The Apple Pro Display XDR

A dream 32-inch Retina monitor for high-end video editing and graphic design. It boasts the following features:

• Otherworldly 6K (6016 x 3384) resolution
• P3 wide colour gamut
• 10-bit colour depth support
• up to 1600 nits of peak brightness
• exceptional colour accuracy and contrast.

But be warned: with a Pro stand and nano-textured anti-glare glass, the £6,448 price tag may cause your wallet to spontaneously combust.

BenQ PD3220U

A 32-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) monitor with 100% sRGB and 95% P3 colour space coverage, designed for designers and creatives who need precise colour reproduction. It features DualView for side-by-side viewing and supports HDR10 for enhanced visual quality.

Dell UltraSharp U2720Q display

Offers great overall performance, featuring:

• 3840 x 2160 (4K) resolution
• 99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage for detailed design work
• USB-C connectivity for a single cable connection to laptops.

ASUS ProArt PA32UCX

A high-end monitor designed for colour-critical applications such as professional photo editing, video post-production, and graphic design.

It features:

• a 32-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS display
• 97% DCI-P3 colour space coverage
• 99.5% Adobe RGB colour space coverage
• 10-bit colour depth.

An astonishing 1000 nits peak brightness, HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR support, flicker-free and blue light filters for eye care, and advanced calibration capabilities make it a top preference for creative professionals who demand the best visual performance.

EIZO ColorEdge CG279X

An excellent choice for professionals who demand supreme visual output in their creative workflows. It features:

• a 27-inch 2560 x 1440 (QHD) IPS display
• 99% Adobe RGB colour space coverage
• 98% DCI-P3 colour space coverage.

With a 16-bit look-up table (LUT) and 3D LUT, the ColorEdge CG279X delivers exceptional colour precision and a 16-bit colour palette. The monitor’s built-in calibration sensor ensures consistent colour accuracy over time, while the included ColorNavigator software allows for easy calibration and profiling.

The ColorEdge CG279X also features an ergonomic stand with adjustable height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, and a shading hood to minimise glare and reflections.

Should I lease or buy a graphic design laptop?

For larger businesses or those who prefer lower upfront costs, computer leasing might be the way to go. Leasing often includes maintenance and support, which can be beneficial for businesses. However, for individual designers, buying a laptop outright might be more cost-effective in the long run.

How often should I upgrade my graphic design laptop?

Upgrading your graphic design laptop is a strategic decision that depends on your workflow. While a general guideline is to upgrade every 3 to 5 years, this timeline is flexible depending on your specific workflow.

For most designers, a 3-5 year upgrade cycle is a good starting point. However, if your current machine is struggling to keep up with your projects, it’s a clear sign to upgrade. This is notably true for power users or professionals working with demanding programs. This can include 3D modelling, video editing, or other graphics-intensive tasks. In these cases, a refresh cycle of 1 to 2 years may be necessary to maintain optimal efficiency.

For occasional or part-time designers, a more relaxed upgrade schedule of 4 to 5 years may be sufficient. However, to ensure access to the latest software and hardware features, full-time professionals should upgrade every 2 to 3 years.

Can I return a laptop if it’s not suitable for graphic design?

When buying a graphic design laptop, it’s important to understand return policies. They generally range from 14 to 30 days, depending on the retailer or manufacturer. Before you buy, research the laptop’s specifications and performance reviews to make sure it meets your demands. Check the return policy carefully, as some retailers may charge a restocking fee, especially for opened products.

For a successful return, the notebook usually needs to be in mint condition, with all original packaging and accessories intact. Reputable retailers, such as HardSoft, offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test the laptop before making a full commitment. Some retailers also offer extended return periods or satisfaction guarantees for an additional fee, which may be worth considering for larger purchases.

To avoid any surprises, contact the retailer directly if you have any questions, and test the laptop thoroughly as soon as possible after purchase. Keep all original packaging and avoid heavy use if you’re considering a return. Remember that return policies can vary, so always check the specific terms and conditions of your chosen retailer or manufacturer.

Conclusion

It is obvious that the correct computer may transform your creative work and even make it enjoyable. There is a laptop out there that strikes the ideal balance for you. You might not need the beefiest GPU; it might just be a question of something a little more responsive and portable.

Evaluate your needs, consider your budget, and don’t be afraid to explore options like leasing to keep your technology up-to-date. If you’re still not sure, talk to some experts and other designers to see what they’re working with.

The right laptop is the one that makes the work easy. While specs and features are important, don’t forget to focus on the real prize: designing things that make people go “Wow!