The 10 Best Laptop for Digital Art for the Ultimate Artist

Technology continues to change the way we live, and this includes the way we create. It has opened a new avenue for artists, the world of digital art. If you are looking for the best laptop for digital art, check out the top picks below:

Best Laptop for Digital Art : Apple MacBook Pro

When it comes to power and performance, the 2021 Apple MacBook Pro is a well-rounded choice for artists. It has an unbelievable Liquid Retina XDR display so you can easily check on the details of your work on the 16-inch screen.

Even with multiple arts and imaging applications on, the 2021 Apple MacBook Pro is capable of handling your workload as it uses the Apple M1 Chip with a 16-core GPU, 10-core CPU, and 16GB RAM.

This 2021 Apple MacBook Pro has 512GB storage, which can be expanded up to 8TB, so you don’t have to worry about deleting older versions of your work as you make revisions.

Even with all of the power it offers, you don’t have to worry about your battery. The 2021 Apple MacBook Pro can last almost an entire day with a full charge, up to 21 hours.

  • 10-core CPU + 16-core GPU
  • 16-inch display (Liquid Retina)
  • 21-hour battery life
  • 16GB RAM

Runner-Up: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio gives you the freedom to create digital art directly onto it. It has a touchscreen display and the laptop itself can be converted into tablet mode.

The unit pairs perfectly with the Surface Slim Pen 2 (sold separately) so you can draw and sketch as if using pen and paper. In addition, it can also double as a drawing tablet when you connect it to a desktop or another monitor.

You can expect true-to-life colors on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio as it uses PixelSense Flow and Dolby Vision technology. The laptop also comes with a dedicated graphics card, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio runs on the latest Windows 11 and is quite fast, thanks to its 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor.

  • Intel Core i5, 11th Gen
  • Touchscreen
  • Dolby Vision + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
  • Windows 11

Budget Laptop for Digital Art: ASUS VivoBook Flip 14

Digital art tools can be very pricey but that doesn’t mean that a laptop for it doesn’t exist. The ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 offers a more budget-friendly version of a convertible laptop for artists.

This laptop has an Intel Core i3 processor (11th Gen) and even comes with an Intel Iris Graphics card. The 14-inch display is a touchscreen and works perfectly with the ASUS Pen (sold separately).

Its unique 360-degree hinge allows you to work however you are most comfortable: tent, stand, laptop, or tablet. The ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 has a very thin bezel so you have more room for your screen.

Other excellent features of this laptop include a backlit keyboard, Harman Kardon sound system, and a microSD card reader. The ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 is surprisingly light, only 3.31lbs, and is only 18.2mm thin.

  • 11th Gen, Intel Core i3
  • FHD touch display
  • Intel Iris Graphics
  • 360-degree hinge

Best 2 in 1 Laptop for Digital Art: HP Envy x360 15 Convertible

One of the best things about convertible laptops is it allows you to work however you want. The HP Envy x360 15 Convertible is no exception, you can lay it flat so it’s like sketching on a notebook or on tent mode so it’s like painting on a canvas.

You can expect bold and brilliant graphics from the HP Envy x360 15 Convertible. Not only does it have a full high-definition display but it also uses Intel Iris Xe graphics. Its edge-to-edge display measures 15.6 inches and is multi-touch enabled.

If you are working on animation and require audio, the HP Envy x360 15 Convertible boasts HP Audio Boost with tuning from Danish brand Bang & Olufsen. This laptop has an 11th Gen Intel i7 processor and 8GB RAM.

You can work remotely with the HP Envy x360 15 Convertible as its battery can last over 9 hours, charging is fairly quick—30 minutes charging gives you 50% battery.

  • FHD multi-touch display
  • Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • Fast-charging, over 9 hours battery life
  • HP Audio Boost + Bang & Olufsen

Best Laptop for Digital Art and Gaming: MSI Creator Z16 Professional Laptop

MSI has been making waves in the gaming industry with its laptops with amazing graphics and performances. It’s no surprise that the brand has expanded its laptop line to include a creator series.

The MSI Creator Z16 Professional Laptop boasts an 8-core processor running on the 11th Gen Intel Core i9. It is also powered by the powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060. What’s more, this laptop has a 16-inch touch display that boasts QHD+ and offers a P3 color gamut.

Overheating is a major problem when you have a full workload. But the MSI Creator Z16 Professional Laptop comes prepared as it is installed with Cooler Booster technology—3 fans with 0.1mm blades and 5 heat pipes.

You can expect multiple connectivity options with the MSI Creator Z16 Professional Laptop, including Thunderbolt and microSD card reader. This laptop gives you the perfect balance between creation and play.

  • QHD+ True Pixel Display
  • 8-core 11th Gen i9
  • Cooler Boost technology
  • Touch display

Other Digital Art Laptop Options

If you find that the best laptop for digital art isn’t up your alley, don’t worry. There are other options available for all types of artists, whether you are a newbie, focused more on video editing, or someone who needs a laptop on the go.

Apple MacBook Air Laptop

If you are not ready to go Pro, the 2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop is a good alternative. It is also powered by the Apple M1 Chip, has an 8-core CPU, and 8GB RAM. You can still expect vibrant colors, thanks to its Retina Display.

The 2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop has lower battery life but is still quite good for a digital art laptop—clocking in at 18 hours. This laptop is easy to use and is compatible with other Apple products like the iPad.

Since the 2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop doesn’t have a fan, you can work on your art in peace. With an HD camera built into the laptop, you can use this for experimental art.

  • Apple M1 Chip
  • Retina Display
  • HD Camera
  • Up to 18 hours battery

Dell Inspiron 13 5310

Get inspired with the Dell Inspiron 13 5310. With a 13.3-inch display, you can view your work and art easily. It boasts a QHD display, Dolby Vision, and Intel Iris Xe Graphics. You’ll be seeing more detail and getting less blue light.

The Dell Inspiron 13 5310 weighs less than 2kgs yet packs a punch with its Intel Core i7 EVO processor and 16GB RAM plus 512GB storage. This laptop offers fast charging so you can experience less downtime during work. An hour can boost your battery up to 80%.

Other features of the Dell Inspiron 13 5310 include a fingerprint reader so you don’t have to remember your password, dual thermal heat pipes, and an edge-to-edge keyboard.

  • QHD 13.3 inches
  • Intel Core i7 EVO + Intel Iris Xe
  • Fast charge
  • Dolby Vision

Acer Aspire 5

The Acer Aspire 5 is designed for all-nighters. When the inspiration strikes, it’s really hard to stop, luckily this laptop makes work more comfortable. For starters, it has an elevated hinge so you can change the angle of your keyboard and display.

Working on photo- or video-editing software won’t be a strain on the eyes as the Acer Aspire 5 has a 17.3 FHD display plus Intel Iris Xe graphics. To keep from overheating, there are multiple cooling modes you can choose from. There’s even a single-touch switch on the keyboard for them: performance, silent, or normal.

The Acer Aspire 5 runs on an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB RAM. Its other features include a fingerprint reader, WiFi 6, and a backlit keyboard.

  • 17.3-inch display
  • Intel Iris Xe
  • Elevated hinge
  • Multiple cooling options

ASUS ProArt StudioBook 15 Mobile Workstation Laptop

Match colors exactly with the ASUS ProArt StudioBook 15 Mobile Workstation Laptop. This portable computer boasts 100% Adobe RGB on its 15.6-inch 4K UHD display. What’s more, it has a dedicated 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card.

The ASUS ProArt StudioBook 15 Mobile Workstation Laptop is designed for optimal performance. Whether you are making simple designs or full-on editing animation, this laptop has you covered. It has an Intel Core i7 processor and 32GB RAM.

You can load up photos, digital images, and videos to your heart’s content as the ASUS ProArt StudioBook 15 Mobile Workstation Laptop has 512GB + 512GB SSD. Despite its heavy specs, this laptop is less than 5lbs and only 18.9mm thin. Its highly durable, with a chassis made of magnesium-alloy, making it perfect for artists who travel a lot.

  • 15.6-inch 4K UHD
  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
  • Intel Core i7
  • 100% Adobe RGB

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is a convertible unit that you can use for work, school, or simply any digital art project. With a digital pen (sold separately) you can make sketches and artwork come to life on the thin-bezel FHD display. The IPS touchscreen has a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080.

Running on a 10th Gen Intel i5 processor, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 offers excellent running performance. To allow you freedom of creation, this laptop comes with a 360-degree hinge.

Other features of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 include a fingerprint scanner, a camera with a privacy shutter, and a backlit keyboard. Transferring photos and files is a breeze as this laptop has many connectivity ports, including a 4-in-1 card reader.

  • Convertible laptop
  • Touch display, FHD
  • Wide connectivity options
  • Intel Core i5 processor

Best Laptop for Digital Art Buying Guide

Beyond the processors and the graphics cards, there are still other factors you might want to consider when picking out the best laptop for digital art. Here are some of the laptop features you need to think about:

Portability

If you can’t stick to one desk or work set up, it’s important to get a laptop that is highly portable. Aside from checking on the weight and thinness of it, you also need to consider its footprint. It’ll be fairly hard to work on a 17-inch laptop on a teeny-tiny cafe table.

You also need to think about your own comfort. Do you prefer working while sitting down or maybe drawing while lying on your tummy? See to it that the laptop you choose can accommodate your work positions.

Touch Display

Having a touchscreen display can boost the price of a laptop, do you really need it? It will depend on the type of art that you do as well as your art style.

If you prefer drawing directly onto the screen, then get a convertible laptop. However, if you’ve gotten used to working with a mouse or a tablet for digital art, then you can forgo the touchscreen feature.

Usage

What kind of digital art will you be working on exactly? Is it purely Photoshop or will you also need Adobo Premiere? By figuring out the exact type of work you will do, then you can figure out the right amount of processing power and RAM you will need.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to being a well-rounded laptop for digital art, a lot of artists still prefer the Macbook Pro. It’s powerful and has an outstanding display and gives you the option to work on different types of digital art projects.

However, the best laptop for digital art that is specific to your own needs can vary. Always consider your preferences and your work requirements when choosing.

Did you find our tips on the best laptops for digital art useful? Then be sure to check out our other articles, such as the best acrylic paint brushes and the best canvases for acrylic paint! Thanks for reading!