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We have seen the invention of the laptop significantly impact many aspects of our lives. Now, you can take it wherever you go. Despite its lightweight, it is powerful enough to carry out all our tasks.
Additionally, many artists use laptops to work on their drawing projects, and some also prefer using tablets for work. Tablets are also highly portable but are less powerful than laptops.
Many laptops offer more performance for less money than top-end tablets. Additionally, you have the option of choosing from low-cost to high-end laptops on the market.
Furthermore, there are various laptops, such as Ultrabooks, Pro books, and Gaming series. Such laptops are designed for making specific types of work. But there isn’t a particular laptop category that is made for drawing.
As a result, one artist needs to be very careful when purchasing a laptop for drawing purposes. You may need to have a stylus pen, touchscreen, and other basic features on your laptop. Hence, we did the work for you.
It saves you from the trouble of researching and getting confused. The purpose of this article is to reveal the top 10 best laptops for artists. All of these laptops are ideal for drawing. Let me help you pick the right laptop.
Best laptops for drawing
1. Dell XPS 9310
RAM: 32GB 4267MHz LPDDR4x
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 13.4 Inch FHD+ Touchscreen
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Dell 9310 XPS is one of the best convertible laptops you can choose if you want to do drawings. With four cores and 12 threads, it supports a core i7-1165G7 processor. Based on these cores, it can generate a base frequency of 2.8GHz.
The Turbo Boost technology allows it to reach 4.7GHz. Meanwhile, it has the Iris Xe graphics card that is capable of handling all your tasks. Further, A 13.4-inch IPS screen with a 1920 x 1200p is featured on the Dell 9310 XPS.
The 16:10 ratio makes this display ideal for productive work. It allows you to view more content vertically than other displays. This display also has pen and touch input capabilities, which further boosts productivity.
Therefore, without having to use the keyboard and mouse, you can operate this entire laptop. Besides, it turns 360 degrees into a giant tablet. Dell 9310 XPS also comes with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD.
Another feature that makes the device very interesting is the lid sensor. The lid-closed sensor will shut down the laptop and start it again when the lid is opened. In addition to this, it supports the Dell fast-charging technology and has a battery life of up to 12 hours.
2. HP Envy 13
RAM: 8GB DDR4-2933 SDRAM
Storage: 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Display: 13.3-inch diagonal, Full HD (1920 x 1080), multitouch-enabled, IPS
HP Envy 13 is another high-end laptop that is ideal for drawing. Its display has a narrow bezel around the edges and is extremely thin, making it a very lightweight device. Regarding its display, it comes with a 13.3-inch screen having a resolution of 1920 × 1080p.
Using this display, you can achieve true life colors as it covers 100% sRGB color space. A few bezels help make the display as immersive as possible. Further, it comes with a Core i7-1165G7 processor that provides high performance.
This quad-core processor has eight threads and supports Turbo Boost. It can then reach 4.7GHz, which is a great clock speed. It consumes less power whenever it is working at maximum performance, which is another reason to invest in HP Envy 13 laptop.
Besides, an SSD with 512GB of storage and 8GB RAM is present in this device. In addition, this laptop includes the Intel Xe GPU, which is powerful enough to perform regular graphical tasks.
Moreover, the laptop includes both an HD webcam and a fingerprint reader that can recognize 3D fingerprints. There is a physical switch to shut off the webcam on the front of the device, which provides additional privacy.
3. Asus ZenBook Duo 14
RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X RAM
Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Display: 14 inch Full HD NanoEdge touchscreen + 12.6 inch matte touchscreen
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
If you have a higher budget, you can also try the Asus ZenBook Duo 14 for drawing, as it comes with a few additional features. Unlike other laptops, it has a big display, making it easy to draw on the laptop. It also has a second display over the keyboard.
Further, the primary display has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and comes with a 14-inch screen. You can also use any stylus with this laptop since it is a touchscreen. Its primary display has a screen-to-body ratio of 93%, allowing for a truly immersive experience.
Besides that, it has a maximum brightness of 400 nits and a color gamut of 100% sRGB. Therefore, it makes an excellent primary display for artists as it is also sharp enough to draw on.
Furthermore, the display on the secondary display is 12.6-inches in size and features a matte finish that reduces the glare. Similar to the primary display, the secondary display is also touch-enabled.
This laptop also features an Intel i7-1165G7 processor from the 11th generation of Intel’s processor range. It has a base clock speed of 2.80GHz, which can go up to 4.7GHz with the help of Turbo boost technology.
4. HP Pavilion X360
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Display: 14-inch diagonal Full HD (1920 x 1080) multitouch
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
HP Pavilion X360 is another consideration for the best laptop for drawing. This laptop features a 14-inch touchscreen that you can transform into a rotating 360-degree display.
A Core i5-1135G7 processor and Iris Xe card come with the Pavilion x360 laptop. Further, this laptop has a moderate battery life that should easily last around 5-6 hours when used casually.
Its storage capacity is 256GB SSD, and its RAM is 8GB DDR4. Though the storage is a bit conservative, you might be able to expand it even further with additional slots.
Besides, the backlit keyboard makes typing comfortable even in a dark room. The Pavilion x360 has many ports, including a USB 3.0, security lock slot, and many more.
5. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
RAM: 4GB DDR4
Storage: 64GB eMMC
Display: 13.3 Laptop, FHD (1920 x 1080) Touch
GPU: Intel Integrated Graphics
It is not only their price that makes Chromebooks so popular, but also their performance. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is one such device that is well-known because of its affordable price and high performance.
On the outside, the device features a 13.3-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. This device can rotate 360 degrees to become a large tablet, thanks to the 360-degree hinge.
It is also a touch screen so that you can control it with your fingers or a pen. The pen, however, will not come with the laptop, so you’ll need to purchase it separately. In terms of the hardware, this Chromebook comes with a Core i3 processor.
Although it has a base clock of 2.1GHz, it is primarily designed for power efficiency. Using Intel’s Turbo Boost technology, it can reach 4.1GHz. In addition, it comes with the Intel HD Graphics 620, which can handle all of the graphics work effectively.
Additionally, this processor supports the VP9 codec, which contributes to better video graphics performance. In addition to this, it is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 for more reliable connections.
As Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, they do not require a lot of RAM and storage. As a result, this device only includes 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
6. Microsoft Surface Studio
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Display: 14.4 touchscreen PixelSense Flow 120Hz
Compared to a simple drawing laptop, Microsoft Surface Studio has much more power. As a result, content creators can also choose it as an option. The laptop’s specifications are equipped with a Core i5-11300H processor, manufactured in a 10nm ultrathin process.
The chipset provides a quad-core CPU with eight threads. This processor’s base clock speed can range from 2.60GHz to 3.10GHz, which can go up to 4.40GHz. Additionally, it also supports Iris XE graphics to deliver outstanding graphics performance.
Display quality has always been a selling point for Surface laptops. The Surface Studio laptop features an IPS LED-backlit display with a diagonal size of 14.4 inches. In addition to this, it has a resolution of 2400 by 1600p to produce high-end visuals.
Moreover, its color accuracy is better than that of FHD panels. A display with this aspect ratio offers plenty of space while keeping side bezels at an optimum level. Further, this panel offers excellent picture quality with multi-touch support and Dolby Vision technology.
7. HP Spectre x360
RAM: 16GB SDRAM
Storage: 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Display: 13.3 diagonal FHD IPS micro-edge WLED-backlit touch screen with NBT
HP Spectre x360 is another primary recommendation for those who wish to draw on a laptop. Its hardware is impressive, and its design is unique, making it a great device for drawing.
The device’s screen can turn 360 degrees and function as a giant tablet. With its 13.3-inch display, it has IPS technology and an FHD resolution. With a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 and pixels per inch of 221, this device presents high-definition visuals.
Moreover, HP Spectre x360 offers a Core i7-1065G7 processor, which uses the 14nm process. On the inside, it comes with four cores and eight threads that offer enhanced performance. This laptop can achieve a clock speed of 3.9GHz using this chipset.
It has an integrated Intel Xe graphics card, and on top of that, it has 16GB of RAM. Using this RAM and GPU, you can easily handle routine drawing tasks.
Additionally, you can easily store and multitask thanks to a 512GB SSD drive. Overall, the HP Spectre x360 laptop offers a powerful set of specifications and a stylish design.
8. Lenovo Flex 5
RAM: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
Display: 14.0 FHD (1920 x 1080) Touch
GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
There is yet another convertible laptop for drawing by Lenovo, the Flex 5. It has only a touchscreen so that you can use it with the stylus pen. This device has a 14-inch screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Its screen can rotate 360 degrees so that you can use it as a tablet if necessary. It means you can use the screen both with your fingers and a pen. The bezels around the display are kept very small to make it look more stylish.
Moreover, the device supports a Ryzen 5500U processor, which is a powerful CPU, having six cores and 12 threads. It can produce clock speeds of up to 2.1GHz, which can reach up to 4.0GHz at maximum. It comes equipped with a Radeon RX Vega 7 card that produces top-class visuals.
Besides a 256GB SSD drive, this laptop also has 16GB of DDR4 RAM. Memory is plenty, but storage isn’t that extensive, but these are upgradeable. Putting a large SSD drive in place of the existing one will provide you with more storage.
9. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB SSD
Display: 13 Touchscreen 2880 x 1920
Microsoft recently introduced their Surface Pro 8 as their latest addition. Considering it for drawing projects is a great idea as it offers the latest and high-end specifications.
The PixelSense display measures 13 inches and has a resolution of 2880 x 1920 pixels. In addition to the higher resolution, the display features a touchscreen. The panel has an ambient light sensor and is highly color-accurate.
Further, the Surface Pro 8 model supports a Core i5-1135G7 processor with a base clock speed of 2.40GHz. It also has Turbo boost technology that will allow this processor to reach a frequency of 4.20GHz.
As for GPU-related tasks, this CPU will handle all of its work with the Intel Iris XE graphics. The device has 8GB RAM and a 128GB SSD that complement the CPU and GPU. It is a tablet-like device that is operated on Windows 11, due to which it does not support a built-in keyboard.
10. HP Envy 17T
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The HP Envy 17T may be a good option for you if you like a big display. Additionally, it offers wider drawing space, as it comes with a 17.3-inch screen with a 1920 x 1080p resolution.
A digital pen supports the touchscreen display, and it covers up to 100% of the sRGB color gamut for stable color mapping. Thus, you can work on this display by using fingers or a digital pen.
All in all, it offers bright and vivid colors. It also has a front camera that sits on top of narrow bezels. Enhanced lighting and the HP Noise Removal software add even more value to HP Envy 17T.
Further, the laptop features a Core i7-1165G7 processor to process data rapidly. Consequently, it uses a 10nm node that is extremely power-efficient. Eight cores and four threads make up the CPU.
Its Turbo Boost technology can reach 4.7GHz, while its base speed ranges from 1.20GHz to 2.80GHz. This processing is in conjunction with a GeForce MX450 card that includes 2GB of video memory.
Laptops for Drawing Buying Guide
If you want to know the essential factors regarding buying a laptop for drawing, you should read this section. Here are a few things you need to consider before buying a drawing laptop:
Processor & GPU
A laptop’s processor is its heart, and many different models are available. That determines how smooth your working experience will be. Try to get a laptop with an Intel i5 or i7 processor.
Additionally, Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 are also worth consideration as AMD processors. You’ll experience rapid performance when using Adobe Photoshop and other similar drawing software.
A graphics card is also an essential part of the computer, along with the processor. A graphics card handles all graphics-related tasks. So, if we don’t have it, we’ll experience lags when rendering our projects.
For that matter, you do not need the latest generation of GPUs. Instead, purchase a laptop that has a dedicated Nvidia graphics card. Apart from that, look for a chipset with an integrated Intel GPU.
RAM & Storage
As far as RAM is concerned, I recommend at least 8GB of DDR4 RAM, while 16GB would be a better choice in 2022. Programs today consume more resources. Using only 4GB of RAM will result in lags every hour you use the computer.
Storage is also essential when it comes to ensuring a fluid experience. Make sure that your computer has at least 512GB of storage. SSD is always the better choice over mechanical hard drives. It will provide you with a faster overall experience.
Display
Artists should place the display at the top of their priority list. The display will be in use all day long. You should choose laptops accordingly. In terms of displays, there are primarily two types- traditional flat displays and touch-enabled displays.
They are both capable of displaying the same content. A touch screen, however, offers a better viewing experience. Furthermore, you can draw with a separate stylus. So make sure your laptop has a touchscreen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, artists prefer convertible laptops that offer a fast processor, large RAM, good performance, an accurate display, and long battery life for creating digital drawings.
Earlier, it wasn’t possible to turn laptops into tablets. Now it’s a common practice. Turning a laptop with a touchscreen into a huge tablet is possible.
In this way, it is possible to sketch and paint with the help of a stylus. Instead of using a mouse or trackpad, you can use a stylus. Having a two-in-one laptop is excellent for an artist, especially.
They are both capable of delivering excellent color accuracy. However, to draw on the screen, you need a touchscreen. You can draw more realistically and accurately. Alternatively, you can draw using a stylus pen. The trackpad is not very useful for doing all those things, however.
You can choose any Core i5 or i7 processor and AMD processor from the 4000 series. These processors are fast and smooth.
How We Picked/Tested?
Our lab tests allow us to determine whether a laptop is worth the price you are paying or not. In addition to benchmarks such as 3DMark and Geekbench, we run various tests.
We have also tested the laptop processing power and the display screen, vital for drawing. Other than this, we also run 4K videos to determine whether the laptop is suitable for watching movies or not.
Conclusion
The laptop you choose as an artist has to be powerful enough to support your design software and allow you to run it smoothly. With the laptops reviewed in this article, designers and artists can edit their work in an environment that meets their professional standards without needing to purchase additional peripherals.
Many of them feature stylus touchscreens and have good graphics displays. Having the ability to move them anywhere makes them convenient. Artists should consider purchasing one of these laptops to make their work more efficient and comfortable.
Consider many factors before buying a laptop as a professional artist. A combination of powerful processor, GPU, memory, and storage is vital to ensure optimal and fast performance.
A missed step will prevent you from getting the experience you wanted. You can choose any laptops listed in this article for your drawing work. All the laptops are ideal and high-performing, resulting in a high-quality drawing.
Hey.. Can u suggest me a laptop under 600$ for using with Photoshop ,Illustrator, 3dsmax and zbrush & keyshot , I already have budget XP-PEN Deco Pro drawing tablet for digital art .