The top 15 best laptops for graphic design, based on real user reviews, designer insight, and zero brand loyalty.
So, let’s get this out of the way first: I haven’t personally tested every laptop on this list. Not even close. But what I have done is dig through an absurd number of reviews, Reddit threads, forum posts, YouTube videos, and real feedback from other designers I trust (plus a few opinions from my own team). I also threw in my own experience and gut feeling about which models to add to the list, because after a while, you start to recognize which machines are actually worth looking at and which ones are just shiny for the sake of it.
Now, full disclosure, I’m a Mac person. I like the design, I like the UI, and honestly, I just feel at home in the Apple ecosystem. This, however, did not influence the list because I totally get that it’s not everyone’s thing and the very idea of the list is to have something for everybody. Quite a lot of designers need Windows for their software stack, others prefer more upgradeable machines or want total control. That’s why this list covers a bit of everything. There’s no winner laptop here, but 15 great options to choose from when you want to find a laptop that actually fits your creative work and preferred setup.
And here they are, each with a YouTube review if you just feel like skimming over the specs tables and seeing the machine in action.
1. Apple MacBook Pro 16″ (M3 Max, Late 2023)
Best for: Creative pros who want raw power and a killer display
If you’re working with heavy files, complex layers, or long video timelines, this thing doesn’t sweat. The MacBook Pro 16″ with the M3 Max chip still feels like a desktop replacement in laptop form. It runs smoothly in apps like After Effects, Blender, and Photoshop even when you’re flipping between them mid-project. The color-accurate Liquid Retina XDR screen looks gorgeous, especially if you’re working with HDR or wide-gamut content.
The M3 Max version isn’t the very newest chip (Apple dropped the M4 Pro/Max for the 14″ in mid-2024), but for the 16″ version, this is still the current powerhouse. And let’s be honest, most design projects won’t come close to maxing this thing out.
| Specs (M3 Max configuration) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M3 Max, 16-core CPU (12 performance + 4 efficiency cores) |
| Graphics | 40-core GPU (integrated in the chip) |
| Memory | Up to 128 GB unified memory |
| Storage | Starts at 1 TB SSD, configurable up to 8 TB |
| Display | 16.2″ Liquid Retina XDR (3456×2234), ProMotion 120Hz, HDR, P3 color |
| Battery | Up to 18 hours (100 Wh battery) |
| Dimensions | 0.66″ thick, 14.01″ wide, 9.77″ deep |
| Weight | 4.8 lbs (2.16 kg) |
| Price Range | ~$2,400 to $7,199 depending on build |
2. ASUS ProArt P16 (2024, H7606)
Best for: Designers who need high color accuracy and stylus support
The ProArt P16 is built for creatives doing digital illustration, photo retouching, or 3D rendering. Its 16″ 4K OLED touchscreen is Pantone-validated, and it just looks stunning in person. Every pixel is crisp, and color work feels incredibly natural. You also get stylus input and touch support, which adds flexibility for sketching or refining details directly on-screen.
Performance-wise, this laptop packs AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip (which is one of their top-tier CPUs right now) and either an RTX 4060 or 4070. So yeah, you’ll be just fine running Blender, DaVinci Resolve, or big Photoshop files. And that little ASUS Dial by the trackpad? Surprisingly helpful for brush size, scrubbing, or zoom. A few designers on Reddit even said they grew to rely on it more than they expected.
| Specs (2024 H7606 configuration) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12-core / 24-thread) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or 4070 (8 GB GDDR6) |
| Memory | Up to 64 GB LPDDR5X RAM |
| Storage | Up to 2 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
| Display | 16″ 4K OLED (3840×2400), Pantone-validated, touchscreen with stylus support |
| Battery | 90 Wh, typically 8- 10 hours depending on workload |
| Dimensions | 0.89″ thick, 14.1″ wide, 10.3″ deep |
| Price Range | ~$1,500 to $2,900 based on configuration |
3. Acer Swift Go 14 (2024, Intel or Snapdragon X Plus)
Best for: Budget-conscious designers who want OLED and solid performance
The Acer Swift Go 14 makes a strong case for itself if you want something light and portable without draining your wallet. The Intel version features a bright 14″ OLED with a 2880×1800 resolution and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, which is a big deal in this price range. It’s excellent for web design, illustration, and basic video editing. And the thing weighs under 3 pounds, which makes it easy to throw in a backpack.
Now, if you’re curious about AI tools, the Snapdragon X Plus model is worth a look, BUT most creative software still runs better on Intel, which is why the i7 version is a safe and flexible choice for most workflows.
| Spec | Intel Version (Best Value) | Snapdragon X Plus Version |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700H (14-core, up to 5.0 GHz) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics | Qualcomm Adreno X1-45 |
| Memory | 16 GB LPDDR5 | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 512 GB PCIe SSD | 1 TB SSD |
| Display | 14″ OLED (2880×1800), 90Hz, 16:10 | 14.5″ IPS (1920×1200), 120Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 10- 11 hours | Up to 15- 16 hours |
| Dimensions | 12.3″ × 8.6″ × 0.59″ | N/A (slightly thicker) |
| Weight | 2.76 lbs (1.25 kg) | 2.97 lbs (1.35 kg) |
| Price Range | ~$799 to $1,099 USD | ~$999 to $1,299 USD |
4. Apple MacBook Air 15″ (M4, 2025)
Best for: Apple fans who want a light, capable machine with great screen space
If you’re team Apple but don’t need the heavyweight specs (or price tag) of a MacBook Pro, this 15-inch MacBook Air with the new M4 chip hits a sweet spot. It’s light, sleek, and surprisingly powerful for such a slim design. Design tools like Figma, Sketch, Affinity, Lightroom, and even Final Cut Pro run beautifully, thanks to that improved M4 chip and its upgraded neural engine.
The biggest highlight? The M4 brings in Apple’s latest-gen NPU (neural processing unit), which gives a noticeable boost when you’re using AI-enhanced features across Adobe’s Creative Cloud or native macOS tools like Visual Lookup and enhanced dictation. The display’s bright, sharp, and bigger than most ultraportables. And for folks working from coffee shops or tight desks, it’s hard to beat the portability without giving up screen real estate.
You’re also getting all-day battery life and silent operation, no fans here. For most creatives who don’t need ProMotion or active cooling, this is a seriously solid pick.
| Specs (MacBook Air 15″, M4, 2025) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M4 (10-core: 4 performance + 6 efficiency cores) |
| Graphics | Integrated 10-core GPU with media engine + NPU |
| Memory | 16GB unified memory (upgradeable to 24GB or 32GB) |
| Storage | 256GB SSD (up to 2TB available) |
| Display | 15.3″ LED-backlit Retina (2880 × 1864), 500 nits, True Tone |
| Battery | 66.5Wh – up to 18 hrs video playback, 15 hrs web |
| Dimensions | 13.4″ x 9.35″ x 0.45″ |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.51 kg) |
| Price Range | Starts at $1,299 USD; tops out around $2,399 |
5. Dell XPS 17 (9730, 2024)
Best for: Creatives who want desktop-class power in a portable package
If your workflow lives in After Effects, Blender, Unreal Engine, or DaVinci Resolve and your laptop has to keep up, the Dell XPS 17 is a beast. It’s big, yes, but that 17-inch UHD+ screen is great for detailed work, and the power under the hood makes it feel more like a mobile workstation than a regular laptop.
Inside, you’ll find a 13th-gen Intel Core i9 and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, a serious combo for rendering, real-time previews, and GPU-heavy tasks. You can spec it out with up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and 2TB of lightning-fast SSD storage, which comes in handy when you’re juggling large project files or 3D scenes. Despite all that power, it runs surprisingly quietly unless you’re pushing it with high-end rendering.
| Specs (Dell XPS 17 9730, 2024) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i9-13900H (24 cores, up to 5.4GHz) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 (Laptop, 12GB GDDR6) |
| Memory | Up to 64GB DDR5 (4800MHz) |
| Storage | Up to 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
| Display | 17″ UHD+ (3840 × 2400) Touch, 500 nits, anti-reflective |
| Battery | 97Wh – all-day use depending on workload |
| Dimensions | 14.74″ x 9.76″ x 0.77″ |
| Weight | ~4.8 lbs (2.18 kg) |
| Price Range | Starts around $2,999 USD; can hit ~$4,599 fully loaded |
6. HP ZBook Studio G10 / G11 (2024)
Best for: Designers working in CAD, 3D modeling, and animation-heavy workflows
If your day includes tools like SolidWorks, Blender, Maya, or Adobe Substance 3D, the HP ZBook Studio line is worth a serious look. These machines are purpose-built for demanding creative workloads, especially ones that rely on accurate rendering and ISV-certified stability. You can get either the G10 (2023) or the newer G11 (2024), depending on how much you want Intel’s newer AI-focused chips and GPU options.
The newer G11 model ships with Intel Core Ultra processors and upgraded RTX Ada GPUs, while the G10 version runs on the still-powerful 13th-gen Intel Core i9. Either way, you’re looking at a workstation-grade laptop with up to 64GB of RAM, 4TB of SSD storage, and a seriously sharp 16-inch 4K display that’s perfect for high-res texture work or color-sensitive projects.
| Specs (HP ZBook Studio G10 / G11) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Up to Intel Core Ultra 9-185H (G11) or i9-13900H (G10) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA RTX 4070 or RTX Ada 3000 (Laptop GPUs) |
| Memory | Up to 64GB DDR5 RAM |
| Storage | Up to 4TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
| Display | 16″ 3840×2400 (WQUXGA), optional touch, DCI-P3 color |
| Battery | 83Wh – typically 10-12 hours depending on usage |
| Dimensions | 13.9″ x 9.2″ x 0.76″ |
| Weight | Starts at 3.81 lbs (1.73 kg) |
| Price Range | Around $2,043 for base model; up to ~$3,500+ fully specced |
7. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (2022)
Best for: Designers who want durability, upgrade options, and workstation-grade performance
If you’re the kind of designer who likes a bit of muscle in your laptop but doesn’t want to drag around a chunky beast, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 hits that sweet spot. It’s built like a tank (true to the ThinkPad name), yet it’s surprisingly sleek for what it packs inside. We’re talking serious hardware that handles large PSDs, motion graphics, 3D modeling, and 4K video edits like it’s nothing.
The Gen 5 stands out because it gives you powerful options like the RTX 3080 Ti GPU and up to 64GB of RAM, but it also keeps things flexible; both RAM and storage are user-upgradeable. The keyboard’s comfortable, the build is solid, and the display can go all the way up to a 4K touchscreen if you’re after pixel-perfect detail. And while newer models (Gen 6 and 7) are already out, Gen 5 remains popular for its better thermals, value pricing, and availability in top-tier configs on the used and refurbished market.
| Specs (ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-12700H / i7-12800H / i9-12900H |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 / 3070 Ti / 3080 Ti (up to 16GB VRAM) |
| Memory | Up to 64GB DDR5 (4800MHz) |
| Storage | Up to 8TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
| Display | 16″ WQUXGA (3840×2400) IPS touchscreen or 16″ WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS anti-glare |
| Battery | 90Wh – ~8- 10 hours real-world usage |
| Dimensions | 17.9mm thick; 359.5mm × 253.8mm (14.1″ × 10″) |
| Price Range | ~$1,860 base | $2,100- $3,200+ fully loaded |
8. LG Gram Pro 16 (2024)
Best for: Creatives who travel often and still need GPU power
If you’re always on the move and still want something that can handle serious design work, the LG Gram Pro 16 is one of the lightest GPU-powered laptops around. It weighs just 2.73 pounds, which is wild when you realize it packs a dedicated NVIDIA RTX 3050, a 2.8K OLED display, and a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 chip.
This one’s perfect for mobile video editing, motion graphics, or high-res illustration, basically anything that needs strong visuals and smooth performance. The OLED screen is a dream to look at, especially with its 120Hz refresh rate. Plus, it’s got handy extras like facial recognition and quiet thermals, which are great if you’re working in cafés or shared studios.
Right now, this 2024 version is still the top Pro model available – LG hasn’t released an MTL or Snapdragon X refresh with the same specs in this form factor. So if you need GPU horsepower without weighing down your backpack, this is still one of the smartest picks.
| Specs (LG Gram Pro 16, 2024) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (16-core, Meteor Lake) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop GPU (6GB VRAM) |
| Memory | 32GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD |
| Display | 16″ OLED (2880×1800), 120Hz, 16:10 aspect ratio |
| Battery | 77Wh – ~8- 10 hours real-world use |
| Dimensions & Weight | 2.73 lbs (1.24 kg); ultra-thin chassis |
| Price Range | ~$2,200 retail | ~$1,494 with coupons | 2-in-1 variant as low as $1,099 |
9. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024)
Best for: Designers who want a compact, AI-ready laptop with an amazing screen
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) is one of those rare laptops that looks simple on the outside but punches way above its weight class. It’s slim, quiet, under 3 pounds, and still runs like a champ. Thanks to Intel’s new Core Ultra 7 chip and integrated NPU, it’s especially good at handling creative workflows with AI features, like real-time noise reduction, AI-based upscaling, or faster background processing in creative apps.
The 2.8K OLED display is one of the best you’ll find in this size, and it makes your work look incredible, sharper text, rich contrast, and buttery 120Hz smoothness. Even with integrated graphics, it can handle most creative tasks like photo editing, UI design, light animation, or managing large docs and assets. And with 32GB of RAM, it can juggle a lot at once without slowing down.
ASUS has started rolling out a 2025 version, but unless you’re going after the Ultra 9 chip or need minor spec bumps, this 2024 model still feels like the better buy.
| Specs (ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED, 2024) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (16-core, Meteor Lake) |
| Graphics | Intel Arc integrated graphics |
| Memory | 32GB LPDDR5X (soldered) |
| Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD |
| Display | 14″ OLED (2880 × 1800), 120Hz, HDR, 16:10 |
| Battery | 75Wh – up to 19 hours (real-world ~10-12) |
| Dimensions & Weight | 0.59″ thick; 2.82 lbs (1.28 kg) |
| Price Range | ~$1,049 MSRP | often $749-$979 on sale | 2025 models start at $999 |
10. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 (2024)
Best for: Designers working with 3D, VFX, simulations, or anything GPU-heavy
This thing is a beast for 3D design and real-time rendering with Intel’s Core i9-14900HX paired with an RTX 4080 or 4090 doesn’t leave much room for complaints. Blender, Unreal, Cinema 4D, you name it.
What’s nice is that it doesn’t feel like you’re dragging around a brick, even though it’s packing desktop-level power. The 16-inch QHD+ screen is sharp, color-accurate (100% DCI-P3), and fast (240Hz), which makes it great for animation playback or timeline scrubbing.
| Specs (Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9, 2024) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i9-14900HX (24 cores, up to 5.8 GHz turbo) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 (12GB) or RTX 4090 (16GB GDDR6) |
| Memory | 32GB DDR5-5600 (upgradeable) |
| Storage | 2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD (dual M.2 slots) |
| Display | 16″ IPS QHD+ (2560×1600), 240Hz, 3ms, 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3 |
| Battery | 99.99 Whr – around 5-7 hours depending on use |
| Dimensions | 0.86-1.02″ thick; 14.31″ x 10.32″ footprint |
| Weight | 5.8 lbs (2.63 kg) |
| Price Range | ~$1,699 (i7/RTX 4060) to ~$3,864 (i9/RTX 4090) |
11. Apple MacBook Pro 14″ (M3 Pro, 2024)
Best for: Mac-first designers who want pro power without the bulk
If you want Mac power in a size that won’t weigh down your bag, this 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro chip is a sweet spot. It’s fast, handles demanding design tools like Photoshop and After Effects, and stays dead silent even under pressure.
It has a Liquid Retina XDR display with rich color, great for HDR work, and plenty bright for working outdoors or on the go. You also get long battery life (it can go most of the day, according to reviews), and a solid set of ports that make life easier for creatives juggling multiple devices.
| Specs (M3 Pro configuration) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M3 Pro (11-core: 5 performance + 6 efficiency cores) |
| Graphics | 14-core integrated GPU (M3 Pro chip) |
| Memory | 18GB unified memory (configurable to 36GB) |
| Storage | 512GB SSD (configurable up to 4TB) |
| Display | 14.2″ Liquid Retina XDR (3024 × 1964), 120Hz ProMotion, HDR, P3 |
| Battery | Up to 18 hours video playback (70Wh) |
| Dimensions | 0.61″ thick; 12.31″ x 8.71″ |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) |
| Price Range | ~$1,999 (base) to $2,799+ (upgraded) |
12. HP Spectre x360 14 (2024, Intel Core Ultra)
Best for: Designers who sketch, illustrate, or work between touch and keyboard
This one’s a favorite among illustrators and hybrid creatives who like to flip between pen, touch, and traditional design tools. The 2024 HP Spectre x360 14 feels fast and light and the new Intel Core Ultra chips bring better battery life and surprisingly solid performance, especially with creative apps that now tap into AI boosts via the built-in NPU.
The OLED screen is crisp and smooth (120Hz), and it supports a stylus right out of the box. The 2-in-1 form factor feels natural for drawing.
| Specs (2024 Intel Core Ultra configuration) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H or Ultra 7 155H (up to 4.8 GHz) |
| Graphics | Intel Arc integrated GPU (on-chip) |
| Memory | 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5x (7467 MHz) |
| Storage | 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Display | 14″ OLED (2880 × 1800), 120Hz, touch + pen, 16:10 ratio |
| Battery | 68 Whr – usually hits around 11 hours of real-world use |
| Dimensions | 0.67″ thick; 12.35″ x 8.68″ footprint |
| Weight | 3.19 lbs (1.45 kg) |
| Price Range | ~$1,099 (sale) to ~$1,899 depending on build |
13. Framework Laptop 16 (2024)
Best for: Designers who want full control over their hardware and love future-proof gear
If you hate the idea of throwing out a laptop just because one part aged out, the Framework Laptop 16 is probably your dream setup. This thing’s built like Lego for grown-ups, you can swap the RAM, SSD, keyboard, trackpad, ports, and even the GPU. Designers who like to keep their gear running for years (or just enjoy upgrading when it makes sense) will feel right at home here.
Performance-wise, it doesn’t skimp. With up to a Ryzen 9 7940HS and optional Radeon RX 7700S graphics, this laptop powers through 3D modeling, photo retouching, digital painting, or full-on video editing without slowing down. The display is a 16-inch QHD+ panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, perfect for anyone working with fast-paced visuals or detailed illustrations.
| Specs (Framework Laptop 16 – 2024) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS or Ryzen 9 7940HS (up to 5.2 GHz) |
| Graphics | Integrated Radeon 780M or discrete AMD Radeon RX 7700S (8GB, 100W) |
| Memory | Up to 64GB DDR5 5600MHz |
| Storage | Up to 6TB NVMe M.2 SSD (PCIe Gen 4) |
| Display | 16″ IPS LCD, 2560 × 1600, 165Hz, 100% DCI-P3, 500 nits |
| Battery | 85Wh, fast-charging via 180W USB-C, user-replaceable |
| Dimensions | 14.04″ × 11.4″ × 0.82″ |
| Weight | 5.29 lbs (2.4 kg) with GPU |
| Price Range | ~$1,399 (DIY base) to ~$2,544 (fully loaded with GPU) |
14. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 (2024)
Best for: Designers who draw, sketch, storyboard, or retouch with a stylus
This is the laptop you grab when your creative process leans heavily on drawing or touch input. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 nails the balance between a tablet and a laptop, thanks to its clever hinge that flips the screen forward or flat.
Under the hood, you’re getting some serious specs too. You can kit it out with a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 and an RTX 4060 GPU, so Adobe apps, Blender, and even 3D sculpting tools run comfortably. It also includes Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and AI-powered mic noise reduction, which makes it extra appealing for video editors and sound designers.
| Specs (Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 – 2024) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700H or i7-13800H (up to 5.2 GHz) |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe (base) or NVIDIA RTX 4050 / RTX 4060 |
| Memory | 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD |
| Display | 14.4″ PixelSense Flow (2400 × 1600), 120Hz, Dolby Vision, touch-enabled |
| Battery | 58Wh, fast-charging support |
| Dimensions | 12.72″ × 9.06″ × 0.87″ |
| Weight | 4.37 lbs (1.98 kg) |
| Price Range | ~$1,999 to ~$3,700 depending on configuration |
15. ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED (2024)
Best for: Beginners or budget-conscious designers who want a great OLED screen and solid creative performance
And last, if you’re new to design or just want a laptop that looks and feels far better than it should for the price, the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED might surprise you.
This laptop runs on Intel’s new Core Ultra processors and comes with an RTX 3050 GPU, which handles most design software. Editing photos, sketching vector graphics, and even playing around with After Effects or Blender are totally doable. And it doesn’t scream “budget laptop”, it actually feels premium, especially with that OLED panel.
Sure, ASUS has a few different Vivobook models floating around, but this one hits the sweet spot for entry-level creators with real performance in a lightweight, good-looking frame and the pricing stays friendly, especially if you catch one on sale.
| Specs (ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED – 2024) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (up to 5.1 GHz) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU (6GB) |
| Memory | 8GB to 24GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD (M.2 PCIe) |
| Display | 15.6″ OLED, 1920 × 1080, 60Hz |
| Battery | 75Wh, fast-charging (50% in 30 minutes) |
| Dimensions | 355.7 × 235.3 × 19.95 mm |
| Weight | 1.9 kg (4.19 lbs) |
| Price Range | ~$829 to ~$1,699 depending on build |
And there you have it!
I hope this list helped narrow things down or at least gave you a clearer idea of what’s out there.
And if you’re curious about more design tools or need inspiration, we’ve got plenty of guides worth checking out, just like the following: