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Best Laptops for Artists and Art Students in 2022

Alex Berg

2022-02-17

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The best laptops for artists tend to have a few unique features. It is, however, challenging to decide which laptop is best for an artist. It’s for that reason that we’ve put together this guide to help you select the right laptop for your art career. 

Despite our list of the top ten best laptops for artists, you’ll only be able to choose one. Please don’t worry; we realize it will be a little tricky, so we will do our best to make it easier. 

Finally, we will answer your questions concerning eliminating these laptops one by one until you find one that suits your needs. So, let’s start.

Compare specifications of top 5 picks or jump to the full list below.

10 Best Laptops for Artists

Let’s will go through the list of the top 10 laptops you can choose from. You will find everything you need to know before you can make your purchasing decision on this list.

We also like to assure you that we have done our best in researching these laptops to ensure that whatever we are recommending is nothing but pure quality. 

1. Lenovo Flex 6

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The first on this list is The Lenovo Flex 6. Lenovo has been a reputable laptop brand that has continuously manufactured decent laptops with users in mind. This machine is one of the best that art students should consider. 

It offers the best user experience and high-end performance that any student can rely on. It’s also a two-in-one laptop that you can use in two versions – either as a laptop or tablet.  

This machine’s screen is 14 inches, the size every other student would be comfortable working on. The screen resolution is also desirable – 1920 by 1080, which is just enough for any artwork. If you will always be drawing sketches, then this laptop would be a perfect match for you. The best of all is that the bezel design will not strain your eyes, so there is no need to fret about your eyes getting damaged because of the screen. 

This gadget is powered by AMD Ryzen, an octa-core processor, which will be excellent for any artwork. Even more, this machine comes with a clock speed of 2.0GHz that can expand up to 3.2GHz when you are handling way more complex tasks. This kind of speed (2.0 to 3.2GHz clock speed) will help increase your laptop’s speed, making you complete tasks as fast as possible. If you also wish to do some design work or play some games during the weekend, this laptop will help you achieve that because it comes with an Integrated 8GB Radeon GPU. 

We love the Lenovo Flex machine because this gadget comes with 32GB RAM, which is always rare with most laptops. This much memory means that you can multitask using this laptop without it hanging or overheating. This machine also offers users up to 256GB SSD, which can help you store your files without much hassle. The SSD storage is also one of the latest storage technologies meant to speed up your laptop’s boot time, so you will no longer wait for too long for your laptop to power on. 

The laptop is a bit lightweight – 3.68 pounds, allowing for portability from one place to another. The battery can also last for up to ten hours when fully charged. That means that you can comfortably use this laptop to complete pending tasks even when there is a power blackout. As an art student who needs a laptop, the Lenovo Flex will be your perfect match. 

2. ASUS ZenBook 14

ASUS ZenBook 14

Specs:
CPU: 4.1GHz Intel Core i7-8565U
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
Battery: 8 hours

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

The second laptop for artists on our list is the Asus ZenBook 14, known for its sleek design. This machine is also known for its power and excellent performance serving every user perfectly. 

This laptop’s manufacturers also knew that your laptop’s security is a top priority, so they included an infrared camera that supports a face unlock. So instead of entering a password or a pin so that your laptop can securely unlock, you will just need your face to do that. This is important because people can always guess your password, but we doubt someone will ever have the same face as you do. 

Fourteen inches of screen size will just be enough if you are just looking forward to carrying out your artwork as a student. The best of all is that this laptop comes with a bezel design. This machine also features 1920 by 1080 pixels. 

This laptop is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor, which is quad-core, perfect for any student who’d be looking forward to completing their artwork tasks in time. This gadget also features a 1.8GHz clock speed that can always expand to 4.1GHz when running heavy applications. In simple terms, what this means is that you will not have to worry when you have heavy programs to run on your laptop. 

Another thing we love about this gadget is that it features 16GB RAM, which will allow you to multitask, helping you complete tasks in time without any inconveniences. You will also get 512GB SSD storage, which will also boost your laptop’s booting time. Ideally, what this means is that your laptop will no longer take a long time to power on. 

This machine is lightweight, only weighing 2.6 pounds. This makes the ASUS ZenBook more portable. The best of all is that you can always work on your laptop without worrying if the power suddenly goes off. This laptop’s battery can go up to eight hours when fully charged. Honestly, this is a laptop you should consider putting in your top priority list of best laptops for art students. 

3. HP Envy 13 inch

HP Envy 13 inch

Specs:
CPU: 1.8GHz Intel Core i7-8565U
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 13-inch Touchscreen (3840 x 2160)
Battery: 12 hours
GPU: Nvidia GeForce MX250

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

A digital artist may just be comfortable working on a 1080 pixels screen. However, you might need something better, say a 4K quality, if you will be working on something more significant. This machine comes with a 13-inch screen size with a screen resolution of 3680 by 2160 pixels, which is better than most gadgets would offer at the same price. This is one reason why including this machine at the top of your priorities would be a better idea. 

Like other machines, this gadget features a bezel design, including a camera that should come in handy when you need to be on a call. You will also get a fingerprint scanner functionality to enhance your laptop’s security; so that not anyone else can access your laptop without your consent. Security is always crucial to sensitive devices such as a laptop. That is why you may want to consider any laptop’s security features you will be purchasing any time soon. 

This machine is powered by an Intel Core i7, eighth generation, one of the latest generations with higher performance. With this, you can rest assured of excellent performances. This gadget also features a 1.8GHz clock speed, which can always expand to 4.1GHz when running heavy programs. Additionally, such a clock speed will only mean that your laptop will be faster. We love this gadget because it comes with a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GPU, making its performance top-notch. 

The gadget comes with a higher memory than an art student will need – 16GB RAM and 512GB storage space, which is more than what an art student might need. You will not have to worry about the Operating System booting slowly because it offers very fast booting and can run most of the programs you wish without any inconveniences. 

This machine only weighs 2.6lbs, making it easily portable; you can carry it to class and back to your hostel without any conveniences. The battery is also excellent because you can use it for another 9 hours even when the power goes off unexpectedly. This is one of the machines you should put on your list of top priorities because it will offer you more than you may need as an art student. 

4. LG Gram

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LG is mostly known as a TV brand, but you will also agree with us that it is one of the reputable laptop brands that has consistently delivered nothing but pure gold to laptop users. The LG Gram is one of the most decent machines an art student should be looking at, especially if they will be running a few heavy programs because this machine has all it takes to offer excellent performances at all times. 

One thing we love about this gadget is the screen size. It’s quite rare to find a laptop with such a big screen – 17 inches. Even more, this machine features a screen resolution of 2560 by 1600 pixels, with a 2K quality. In terms of what we have been discussing, this is far more than an art student would need, and we will consider this a steal. 

This gadget is powered by an Intel core, eighth generation with a quad-core GPU. This machine’s clock speed stands at 1.8GHz, but can always expand up to 4.1GHz when running heavy programs. The best of all is that this gadget comes with a higher memory – 16GB RAM, enabling you to work on multiple tasks without it hanging or overheating. 

The storage is also arguably enough – 512GB SSD, featuring the Solid State Drive, a new storage technology ensuring that the booting speeds are enhanced. The computer is much faster in speed and performance. 

This laptop also features many ports, so you can’t complain about connectivity issues with external devices. It weighs 2.9 pounds, making it one of the lightweight machines on your list, which means that easy portability. What’s even more, this laptop’s battery can serve you for another 19 hours when the power suddenly goes off, mostly when you were in the middle of something. It is, therefore, a good option for art students. 

5. Acer Spin 3 Convertible

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Acer is also another giant in the laptop industry, and most will agree with what Acer has achieved so far. They build their laptops with users in mind – whether you just need a laptop that will serve you for a more extended time or you need a laptop that will never disappoint you when it comes to performance, you’ve got to look at what Acer has got to offer you. 

This machine is a 4-inch screen laptop, an average size an art student will need to carry out their tasks comfortably. The best of all is that this gadget can detect a capacitive pen input, which is an added advantage. This gadget also features an IPS display, which makes the viewing experience even better. That means that watching videos and playing games in your free time will be a lot more fun. 

This laptop is powered by Intel Core i7, eighth generation, one of the most recent generations. Of course, you should expect much from such a current generation, like the upgrades in speed and performance. Running heavy programs will not be much of an issue because this laptop is suited to handle even some of the thought heavy programs due to the 16GB graphics performance. 

You will love this laptop because of the excellent memory capacity – 16GB RAM is usually a decent amount of memory. That means that you can always run programs simultaneously without having to worry that your laptop will hang or overheat when you are in the middle of a task. The best of all is that you will get 512GB storage (SSD), which should also contribute to enhancing the speed of your booting time, apart from just storage space. 

This laptop weighs just 3.6 pounds, making it a lightweight machine that can be carried from one place to another without inconveniences. What’s even more, this laptop will save you a few bucks because it is half the price of the majority of laptops that we have discussed previously. 

The company claims that this machine can last for an additional 12 hours when fully charged. We can confirm that 9 hours is when this machine’s laptop will go when the power goes off. Not still bad, but at least you deserve to know the exact amount of time that this laptop can go when fully charged. 

6. Microsoft Surface Pro

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Microsoft will know what users need because they are also the makers of Windows. When it comes to an understanding or even guessing what users would prefer, they will beat any emerging laptop company. Microsoft Surface Pro is one of the best art laptops that students should consider buying – whether you want to sketch diagrams or want to surf the internet, this machine will come in handy. 

This is one of the machines that we have always recommended to art students because of the screen resolution that we believe is hard to find – 2736 by 1824 pixels. Our primary concern, though, is the screen size, which is just 12.3. We know how a small screen can be downright frustrating to most people because it will lower your viewing experience. 

This is a fifth-generation laptop, which may also turn many people off, but you have got something to celebrate because an Intel Core i5 powers this laptop with a clock speed running up to 3.5GHz; one of the fastest clock speeds we have discussed on these laptops for art students list. The best of all is that this machine features an Intel 620 GPU, making it arguably one of the best laptops for drawing. 

This machine offers an 8GB memory, which is decent because this is a fifth-generation laptop. Right now, we should be talking about 10th and 11th generation laptops. All the same, you will find some relief on this laptop because you will get a 256GB SSD storage space. As we have consistently said, the SSD will not just give you decent storage but will also ensure that your booting time is enhanced, allowing your machine to boot faster. 

We love this laptop because it is one of the lightweight laptops we have discussed on this list – 1.69 pounds is very much easily portable. This laptop can also go for an additional thirteen hours when fully charged, making it an excellent machine to use in rural areas where power failure is no biggie. 

7. Lenovo Flex 4

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If you are a student who fancies a touch screen laptop with excellent performance, then look no further because what Lenovo Flex has got to offer is more than what you may need. This machine can help you with basically any task apart from the artwork tasks. So if you are an art student who wants to purchase a laptop, and for this case a two-in-one laptop, then you’ve got no other better choice than this powerful gadget.  

This gadget is powered by Intel Core i5, with a decent clock speed of up to 2.3GHz. This means that you do not have to worry about speed because this amount of clock speed is enough for any art student. Additionally, this amount of clock speed will allow you to run heavy programs without your laptop hanging or overheating. Apart from this, the gadget offers users an Intel 520 GPU, which will also be advantageous to students who may wish to play games or do some light design work part-time. 

This machine offers users 8GB RAM, which is enough for most of the artwork you will be doing. Even more, you will get 1TB HDD storage, which is enough to enable you to store all your files without having to worry about storage space after some time. We are only a little bit concerned that this doesn’t come with the latest technology – SSD. However, that shouldn’t stop you from getting this laptop because it is all that you need. 

If you are looking for a laptop that will be easier to carry from your hostel to class or lecture halls, then this laptop will be your perfect match. This laptop weighs 3.6 pounds, which is not heavy for portability. The best of all is that this machine can serve you for another eight hours if you go without power for the same period. 

8. Lenovo Flex 5

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Our eighth machine on this list is the Lenovo Flex 5, which is also a two-in-one laptop. If you need a laptop to easily convert into a tablet when you need to browse or read something, this machine will make a perfect match for you. The battery life is also decent enough to enable you to work for extended periods without 

Contrary to what we have seen with other laptops we have discussed on this list, one of the laptops features a perfect screen size – 15.6 inches. It also comes with a desirable screen resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. The best of all is that this machine features a bezel design that will enhance any user’s viewing experience. 

Intel Core i5 powers this machine with not a very decent clock speed of 1.6GHz. While this laptop may not be fast due to the clock speed, you can rest assured that it will stay for an extended period, consuming less power. Additionally, you will also have something to be happy about because this machine features 620 GPU. 

This machine comes with 8GB RAM, which should enable you to carry out most of the tasks simultaneously without having to fret about your laptop overheating in the middle of your artwork assignments. Additionally, you will love the fact that this machine features a 256GB SSD, which should give you a better storage capacity and enhance your booting time. 

Because this laptop has a lower clock speed, it is a no-brainer that it will consume less power, and that is why it can last up to another ten hours when fully charged. It also supports fast charging, which means that it will save you a great deal when you live in rural areas or even travel to rural areas where power failure is the norm. 

9. Lenovo Yoga 710

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If you are a student who’s just looking for a decent laptop with a smaller screen, the Lenovo Yoga 710 will be a good option for you. This machine is an 11.6-inch laptop and offers excellent performance regardless of the screen size. It also comes with a screen resolution of 1920 by 1080, common with most laptops you’d find out there. 

This machine is powered by Intel Pentium, contrary to the many machines we have discussed on this list. The majority will not love what Intel Pentium will have to offer, but rest assured that this laptop will still provide almost the same performance as the others we have discussed. This gadget features a 1.5GHz clock speed, not decent enough compared to some of the laptops we have discussed, but it will still get the job done, regardless. 

With this budget, you will get decent storage to top up if you wish – 128GB SSD, with the latest storage technology that will boost your overall boot time. This machine weighs just 2.6 pounds, which means it is easily portable. The best of all is that this machine can last for an additional nine hours when fully charged, making it a decent option for rural areas. 

10. Microsoft Surface Go

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If you need a laptop that will come in handy when you need to watch movies or surf the internet, this New Microsoft Surface Go will be a perfect match. This machine comes with a screen resolution of 1800 by 1200 pixels, lesser than what we have covered in the previous laptops. However, this laptop will still offer excellent performances regardless of the screen features. 

This gadget is powered by Intel Pentium Gold, a dual-core with 1.6GHz as the clock speed. This is a lower speed than the other laptops we discussed previously, but at least you will rest assured that your laptop won’t consume much power. Otherwise, you don’t expect the machine’s overall speed to be top-notch with such a clock speed. 

The laptop features 4GB RAM, which is also lower than most art laptops we have covered on this list. But as we mentioned earlier, this memory capacity is enough to get most jobs done, so you don’t have to worry about it unless you will be planning to run heavy programs using this laptop, which may force you to get a decent laptop. 

As you’d expect, this machine consumes less power so it will serve you for another nine hours in case power goes off unexpectedly. Also, this machine is lightweight, only weighing 1.15 pounds. This means that you can easily carry this gadget around without any inconveniences. 

Best Laptops for Artists Buying Guide

If your career involves design or art, this guide may be helpful to you. You should consider the following factors as an artist if you plan to purchase a new laptop. 

Processor & GPU

It is the processor of a laptop that performs several basic instructions and commands. There is fierce competition between Intel and AMD over which processor is best for you, which depends on the degree of intensity of your applications and how large your workload is. 

Quad-core processors are more powerful and suitable for laptops than dual-core processors, suitable for most everyday users.  When it comes to GPU, it’s not as important as you think when you’re doing basic graphics work. 

An integrated GPU will be good enough if you are drawing casually, while you will need a dedicated GPU for experienced artwork.

Portability

As art students take classes on campus, they usually carry their laptops around with them. Hence, it would be best to choose a lightweight and portable laptop. As well as art supplies, art students need other equipment with them at all times. So, getting a small & portable laptop can be a great option.

Display

Laptop screen sizes are of far greater importance to artists than anyone else because they determine how well they can see their work. If you want to use your laptop for artwork, a larger screen will provide many benefits. 

We recommend using a monitor of at least 12 inches for maximum comfort. Regarding resolution, your image should be a minimum of 1024 x 768 pixels.

RAM & Storage

Memory plays a crucial role in art. The random access memory on a laptop stores information that is readily accessible. However, if the power goes out, you can lose the data in RAM. 

A laptop should have at least 8GB of RAM when chosen by an artist. The majority of digital artists say that they use a higher level of system resources than their programs require. 

However, if you want to reduce your system resources, you can. An SSD with 256GB of storage is more than sufficient for most drawing workloads. You can decide on the rest depending on your needs.

Design

Many people have difficulty choosing between a laptop and a tablet for artwork. It led manufacturers to develop a hybrid laptop. With a hybrid laptop, you can easily convert it from a laptop to a tablet as needed. 

These laptops are touch-optimized and have a convertible screen. Therefore, design becomes a personal preference. Yet, convertible laptops are a very good choice.

Battery Life

Your device’s battery life can have a dramatic impact on your experience. Working at your desk without worrying about finding a plug is a wonderful experience, especially when traveling. 

It’s common for art students to take one class after another. Often, students don’t have time between classes to charge their laptops. Thus, artists should consider a laptop that has a long battery backup. We recommend that the laptop you get has a 6-hour battery backup at a minimum.

How We Picked/Tested?

Based on our lab tests, we can tell you whether or not a laptop is worth the money you are spending. Benchmarks such as 3DMark and Geekbench are among the tests we run.

It includes testing a laptop against a webpage at 150 nits of brightness until its batteries run out and determining its processing power using a custom spreadsheet. We also test the laptop using 4K videos to determine its suitability for artwork or not. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This concludes our top ten list of the best laptops for artists. Make a list of the top features you’re looking for in a laptop so you can pick one out of the ten listed.

Additionally, many other laptops are available in various price ranges and specifications. Decide on what you need first. You really can’t go wrong picking one of the top 10 laptops and following the guide above if that’s what you need. 

If you were looking for an art laptop, hopefully, this article helped you in your decision-making process. If you have any questions regarding the best laptops for artists, let us know in the comments.