What Computer Shoul I Buy for My Kids Graphic Arts

I go a lot of questions from both established and new aspiring artists about what computers, and especially notebook computers, are best for digital 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 tree or Windows Computer Best for an Creative person?
Is a Laptop or a Tablet Best for an Artist?

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What Specifications should a Laptop for Digital Art Accept?
Should Y'all Get a Laptop or a Tablet?
Overview: The Best Laptops for Artists and Digital Art in 2022
- Asus Zenbook Pro Duo UX581LV 15.6-Inches
- Apple MacBook Pro sixteen"
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15"
- Asus ZenBook Duo UX481 14"
- Apple MacBook Air 13.three"
- HP Envy x360 Touchscreen 2 in 1 15.6"
- Lenovo Flex 5 Touchscreen 2 in i 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 here a petty near Windows versus Apple, tablets versus laptops, and even about how much RAM and storage an artist needs on their figurer as well as some other basic specifications.

And so 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 about each of the recommended laptops.

I have also talked a lot near what computers may exist best for digital fine art, and in my recent article – The Ultimate Guide for the Self-Taught Artist – I gave some specific recommendations for the best Apple and Windows laptop computers.

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

Having a proficient, high quality laptop computer can make all the difference. Aye, at that place are lots of computers out there at very low prices, and they are generally fine for nigh uses – binge watching, surfing the net, playing most games and using basic programs like word processors.

Just artists need more from their computers. Nosotros demand fast processors, expert storage and bright, loftier resolution screens with excellent color fidelity.

And there'south another thing, and that's immovability and reliability. Artists are not necessarily rougher on their computers than normal people, or more clumsy or heavy-handed – in fact, maybe the contrary is true. But nosotros do tend to fall in dear with our tools, and if we go a skilful laptop computer that really works well for united states, and supports and even enhances our creativity, nosotros will utilise it more than and more and want it to last forever.

And then, lesser of the line opening model computers are out for us, and I can't stress this enough. Even if yous're on a upkeep, or just starting out, don't skimp on your workhorse. You need to run any and all art software without bug or delays, see your work (and mayhap show it to clients) with accurate colors and in real detail, and keep your unabridged portfolio on your local bulldoze if yous choose

Yous may not even think you are going to do actual artwork on your new laptop – maybe yous have a tablet for that, or are more than into traditional media – only y'all will nonetheless desire a estimator which displays your (and others') fine art beautifully, opens files immediately, never runs out of storage, looks great and lasts forever. Well, maybe not forever, but long enough for it to actually be cheaper in the long run than a upkeep model.

A terminal thought about cost: If you lot are a new, aspiring creative person, you lot don't have much coin and/or haven't yet established a clientele or reliable income, please don't over-spend on a figurer! At the same time, really pay attention to, and follow, the minimum requirements I'thousand suggesting.

To spend too little on your laptop can even be a worse thought than spending too much – you can easily end up with a machine that will be frustrating to use, that will discourage you and even concur y'all back in your learning, advancement and enjoyment. And one that might even cost you more in the long run due to wasted time, missed opportunities and maintenance costs.

What Specifications should a Laptop for Digital Fine art Accept?

Even though I'thou not into specifications that much, I nonetheless know that performance is extremely of import for an artist's calculator, and lack of functioning often drives a working artist crazy – and tin can even frustrate and block inventiveness.

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

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

Now a computer with 32 GB memory, 1 or two TB of onboard storage and full 4K display may cost more than some of us paid for our last machine. But if we stick to at to the lowest degree the minimums (similar every laptop computer on my list) we can find great laptop computers for artists, which is really reasonably priced and which volition fully support our work (and fifty-fifty our occasional play) and never stand in our way.

Because, believe me, there is nothing worse than being in the flow and having your calculator, or any artist'southward tool, stand in your way.

Should You Get a Laptop or a Tablet?

Many people want to get some sort of tablet, or even a phablet (I dearest new words!), so they can work straight on the screen – drawing or painting, retouching, stuff like that – and then they end up trying to do everything else on information technology as well.

This can finish up being pretty frustrating and limiting, and the way I see information technology, every creative person should have a good laptop reckoner. You tin besides get an attachable display tablet or drawing pad (see my commodity Which Tablet is Meliorate – Wacom or Huion?), and do incredible work on it, or even get a laptop with a touchscreen, or a two in i (convertible laptop/tablet), and piece of work correct on its screen.

But an artist – and a professional artist in item – volition as well demand to utilise their computer for administrative tasks also as lots of other work, and no thing how adept you are with thumb typing this can get footling frustrating on a tablet.

Besides, true Apple tree or Windows computers volition run lots of the all-time and about industry standard fine art software that iPads or Androids won't, and will allow yous (or, again, clients and prospective clients) to see your work in all its celebrity on their large, cute screens.

I myself accept a very overnice iPad, and I use it all the time, simply I couldn't get by without my MacBook!

Is an Apple Mac or a Windows Laptop Amend for Digital Fine art?

Every bit you may imagine, ane of the questions I hear nigh often is should I get a Mac or a Windows computer for my artwork?

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

Just that is definitely not the case anymore. In fact, there are now (I hate to admit it) more of the very all-time, about advanced and most capable professional art programs bachelor for Windows than for Apple.

That said, the most of import high end art software is now beingness made available for Macintosh besides – the brilliant Adobe Suite, for example – and many fantastic fine art programs available on Apple – like my favorite, Procreate – are not available on Windows computers.

At the finish of the solar day, either the right Windows laptop or an Apple MacBook can be a fabulous computer for any creative person. Both can have extremely high functioning, incredible high resolution screens and all of the best art software (from the simplest to the nearly absurdly circuitous and advanced) you could want or need.

So, if yous know and love Macintosh, go a MacBook, and if you are a Windows fan – even if you're not really sure what a spreadsheet is used for – get a Windows laptop. Either way, you will be amazed at how the right computer can help, inspire and even advance you lot and your art.

Overview: The Best Laptops for Artists and Digital Art in 2022

Back to the basic question: What is the Best 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, any of which would be a corking choice for whatsoever creative person – whether yous are a fully established working professional person creative person, a fine creative person, or even if you're just starting out.

I am choosing brands and models which I know to be extremely well made and reliable, and which work especially 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 need, and as you go up in price y'all will meet a proportionate increase in functioning (non necessarily, though, in reliability, as they are all well fabricated and loftier quality laptop computers).

They all also have really skillful monitors, with superb color fidelity and resolution and depression baloney. Almost of them (though not the Macs) as well have fully accurate and sensitive fine-detail touchscreens, fifty-fifty though nearly working artists will accept some kind of drawing pad or display tablet attached to their figurer besides. Still, the best touch on screens definitely are fine enough to practice even quite exacting and precise work, and they tin make interacting with the computer itself – windows, menus and commands – quite intuitive and cool.

Whichever figurer you choose from this article – All-time Laptops for Artists and Digital Fine art : An In-Depth Heir-apparent'due south Guide – you volition terminate upward with a swell and useful tool. Really, you tin't go incorrect!

Then here'due south my selection of best laptop computers for artists available on the market today, presented here from highest to lowest price:

Asus Zenbook Pro Duo UX581LV 15.6-Inches

My PC Selection

ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 15.6"

CPU: tenth Gen Intel Core i9-10980HK two.40GHz ProcessorGPU (Graphics Processing Unit): NVIDIA RTX 2060 6GB GDDR6 Graphics, VR Ready

Many artists say that you shouldn't effort to make fine art directly on your laptop'due south screen, but I'thousand sure none of them ever tried this incredible machine, with its amazing dual screen, beautiful 4K resolution and high sensitivity pen.

An expensive estimator, the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo is besides i of the nearly innovative, advanced and genuinely useful laptops ever fabricated, and incredibly fast and powerful, and fifty-fifty at this price users consistently report that it is well worth the money – and then some!

The ZenBook Pro comes standard with 16 GB of ultra-fast RAM and 1 TB of internal SSD storage, so even the most serious or advanced artists, animators, iii-D modelers or photographers will take the memory, processing power and storage space they need.

And that screen!!! Someday all computers will exist this cool and clever, but for now yous will have to pay to get what might well be the all-time computer for artists ever made – a true advocacy and a brilliant tool, this should be a serious consideration for any avant-garde artist.

Features of Asus Zenbook Pro Duo UX581LV fifteen.6"

CPU: tenth Gen Intel Core i9-10980HK 2.40GHz ProcessorGPU (Graphics Processing Unit of measurement): NVIDIA RTX 2060 6GB GDDR6 Graphics, VR Prepare
RAM: 16 Gigabytes DDR4
Internal Storage: 1 Terrabytes PCle SSD
Screen Size: 15.6"
Brandish Resolution: 4K UHD (3840×2160)
Operating Organisation: Windows 10

Apple MacBook Pro 16"

My Apple Pick

The best Apple laptop made, the MacBook Pro has an admittedly pinnacle-notch screen – and so skilful, in fact, with and then much depth, resolution and energy and such beautiful colors that information technology tin make any artist better (and any prospective client more appreciative).

The Apple tree MacBook Pro is also extremely fast and powerful and incredibly well built, and in my experience is then glitch costless and trouble costless that it never stands in my fashion when I'm working. It just supports me and allows me to practise any I desire to practice, 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 fifty-fifty complete portfolios and display that piece of work with awesome particular, color and life, the Apple MacBook Pro is definitely the best Apple estimator for artists on the market today.

Features of Apple MacBook Pro 16"

CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7 or 2.3GHz Intel Core i9
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory and automatic graphics switching
RAM: xvi Gigabytes
Internal Storage: 512 GB or 1 TB Ultrafast SSD
Screen Size: 16.0-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology
Brandish Resolution: 3072×1920
Operating Arrangement: Mac Bone

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15"

Lean and Powerful

I've already talked a couple of times elsewhere about the Microsoft Surface Pro 7, which is a 2 in ane convertible tablet/keyboard and a really great estimator for artists (and itself highly recommended).

But here we're going to include the new Microsoft Surface Pro laptop, which is a beautifully built computer – lite, sleek and sturdy – with a bright, hit high resolution bear on screen and plenty of processing ability and memory for fifty-fifty the nearly avant-garde fine art or animation software.

Forth with its highly authentic and sensitive 15 inch bear upon 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 even the nigh circuitous work – blitheness, high resolution graphics, professional photography editing and all types of big files.

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

Also available is the Microsoft Surface Laptop iii 13.5" – smaller screen, slightly different specs and hardware, but still a powerful and highly desirable computer for any working professional or fine artist.

And equally the perfect accessory – pretty much required, in fact – you should consider getting the Microsoft Surface Pen, which doesn't come standard with the Surface Laptops.

Features of Microsoft Surface Laptop three 15"

CPU: AMD Ryzen™ 5 3580U or AMD Ryzen™ vii 3780U
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Radeon Vega 9 or RX Vega 11
RAM: eight, sixteen or 32 Gigabytes
Internal Storage: Removable 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB Ultrafast SSD
Screen Size: fifteen" PixelSense Brandish
Display Resolution: 2496×1664
Operating Organization: Windows 10

Asus ZenBook Duo UX481 xiv"

Small and Powerful

Asus ZenBook Duo UX481 14"

CPU: 10th Generation Intel i7-10510U

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

Ok, so maybe you lot can't afford a ZenBook Duo Pro – does this mean you should miss out on what may be the coolest, about innovative and useful screen blueprint for artists?

Non with the side by side computer in my all-time laptops for artists buyer'due south guide, the Asus ZenBook Duo. Not quite the jaw-dropping 4K resolution of the Pro, just still full loftier definition, and way more than sufficient for fifty-fifty the most detailed and complex images to really come to life, and for you to exist able to work at the highest levels and always see perfectly what you're doing.

It's besides way more powerful and faster than virtually whatsoever artist might need, and will run all professional art and photography software with no problems.

And really it's pretty much just as cool equally the Pro – and at around half the toll!

Features of Asus ZenBook Duo UX481 14"

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

Apple MacBook Air xiii.3"

All-time Value MacBook for Artists

This is the lowest priced Macbook currently available, and for the toll y'all become a whole lot of computer.

Information technology should be said correct up front that this is a smaller screen than I would normally recommend, simply this xiii.iii inch full HD+ monitor is so bright and clear every bit to make it quite usable, and this cool little notebook is absolutely perfect for working on the go, for taking to clients' offices or for even just moving around your home or studio.

To make the "work on the get" feel even more than fun and productive, you lot might as well consider the brilliant new Wacom One digital pen display and stylus to plug into your new MacBook Air – a complete working mobile art studio in your rucksack!

Inexpensive and nonetheless fully upward to Apple tree's loftier standards of quality and functioning, and able to run, and nicely display, any professional fine art software on the Macintosh platform, the Apple tree MacBook Air is the perfect minor figurer for any artist.

Features of Apple tree MacBook Air 13.3":

Apple tree M1 Chip: eight-core CPU; sixteen-core Neural Engine
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit of measurement): Apple 8-core GPU
RAM: 8 Gigabytes
Internal Storage: 256 GB SSD
Screen Size: 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen display
Display Resolution: 2560×1600
Operating System: Mac Bone

HP Green-eyed x360 Touchscreen two in ane fifteen.vi"

2-in-ane

The HP Pavilion is a corking 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 merely solid tablet, and the screen will besides fold to any bending, and then you lot can utilize information technology as a stand for watching videos… I mean, ahem, working on art.

This system does not requite you quite the control, or the newspaper-like feel, of the best art tablets (come across my article xxx), merely it is definitely a prissy and accurate enough pen and screen interaction for all only the most detailed and demanding piece of work (the fantabulous HP Tilt Pen is sold separately).

And, like all the items on this listing of best notebook computers for artists on the market place today, information technology has more than enough processing ability, memory and storage to meet whatsoever creative person'due south needs. This model in particular also features that legendary HP reliability and over-engineering.

Features of HP Green-eyed x360 Touchscreen 2 in ane fifteen.6"

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

Lenovo Flex 5 Touchscreen ii in one fourteen"

ii-in-1

Some other great touch-screen 2 in 1 notebook figurer, the Lenovo Flex 5 has a slightly smaller screen than the HP listed just above, which is normally not always desirable, but in this case actually makes this nice little computer fifty-fifty more portable and usable on the go.

And, with a sufficient 256 GB SSD drive, and a huge corporeality of RAM – 16 GB!, the Lenovo Flex v is a swell computer for even the most advanced artists and art software, and a great value too – particularly considering that the prissy Lenovo Agile Pen is included in the price!

Features of Lenovo Flex five Touchscreen two in 1 14"

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): AMD Radeon
RAM: 16 Gigabytes DDR4
Internal Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB, one TB or 2 TB SSD
Screen Size: 15.six″ FHD Touchscreen
Display Resolution: 1920×1080
Operating Arrangement: Windows 10

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 12.4"

Affordable

The least expensive notebook reckoner on our list of best laptops for artists on the market today, the Microsoft Surface Become is besides one of the most gorgeous, with its sold feel and sleek profile.

The Surface Go laptop screen does not accept full Hard disk drive resolution, but it still manages to exist i of the best looking, clearest and brightest displays on the marketplace, with numbers still well to a higher place the normal HD resolution standards.

This is also non a fully fold-abroad screen, like on the 2 in 1 laptops above, but rather a standard notebook computer with a nice touch on screen. This makes really doing artwork on the screen a footling awkward, but in combination with the brilliant new Wacom One digital pen brandish and stylus you can take a whole working mobile art studio for still a very depression price.

With plenty of memory – 8 GB – and the fast, powerful latest-generation Intel i5 processor, it is more than upward to the challenge whatever commercial artist or illustrator tin can throw at it.

Please note that the Amazon page my link volition take you to is for the higher level 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD drive configuration at the lowest electric current price – you tin can also opt for 4GB and a 128GB bulldoze, but I would not recommend this only slightly less expensive choice for an artist.

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

Features of Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 12.iv"

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 Arrangement: Windows 10

Terminal Thoughts: Who Makes the Best Laptops for Artists and Digital Art in 2022?

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Y'all still may be wondering which manufacturer makes the best, highest quality and most reliable notebook computers, and the short reply is – everybody on the list in a higher place.

Just to exist a picayune more specific, Microsoft and Apple tree are known for the extremely high fabric quality, workmanship and reliability.

At the aforementioned time, Asus, HP, Lenovo and some other brands are also well known for quality. And these days, with and then many new notebook computers coming with solid state drives and basically no moving parts or mechanical processes (over again, similar all the computers above), they tin can all be expected to last a adept long time without whatsoever problems, and to be a really good investment.

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

Other articles in the Laptops for Artists and Designers serial:

Best Laptop for Animation
Best Laptop for Cartoon
All-time Laptop for 3D Modeling and Rendering
Best Mouse for Designers
Best Chromebook for Drawing and Artists

Howdy, I am Iva (rhymes with "viva"). I am an artist, illustrator, teacher, and the founder of Art Side of Life™. I've worked as a commercial artist since 2009. I believe that we are all creative in infinite numbers of means and so I've made it my mission to teach you everything I know, to contribute to waking up your creative genius.