Best laptops for graphic design and Editing of 2023
In this article, we will introduce the best laptops for graphic and video editing available on the global market from various companies.
Laptops are used for a variety of purposes based on technical specifications, design, and performance, ranging from gaming and programming to design and 3D engineering. However, in today’s world, with people’s appetite for content creation and profit-making, one of the primary concerns is a laptop that delivers the best performance in graphics and video editing.
Before we present the models, it’s better to describe the features of an ideal laptops for graphic and video editing so that you can choose the suitable model with an open and informed mind. After reading this article, you’ll be able to find the laptop you desire.
Table of contents
- Features to consider when purchasing a laptops for graphic design and video editing
- Best laptops for graphic design and Video Editing for Small Businesses
- Asus VivoBook S15 K3502ZA-MA294 15.6-inch Laptop
- Acer Aspire A715-51G-580P 15.6-inch Laptop
- HP Victus 15 FA1034NIA 15.6-inch Laptop
- Asus VivoBook Pro 15 M6500QC 15.6-inch Laptop
- Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 15.6-inch Laptop
- Best Asus Laptops for Graphic Design and Video Editing
- Lenovo Laptops for Graphic Design and Video Editing
- MacBook Laptops for Graphic Design and Video Editing
- The Most Powerful laptops for graphic and Editing
- Is It Reasonable to Buy a Laptop Solely for Graphics and Video Editing?
Features to consider when purchasing a laptops for graphic design and video editing
Graphic designers primarily use tools like Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, or even After Effects. These tools require a powerful processor, high-capacity RAM, and strong graphics. On the other hand, for those working in the field of graphics, color accuracy and display color space coverage are also of great importance.
In the upcoming buying guide, we have attempted to provide models for graphic designers who use a modern processor, have over 16 gigabytes of RAM, and a display with 100% sRGB color space coverage or higher.
People working in video editing utilize tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve. For this group, processor power and RAM capacity are crucial, along with screen resolution and brightness. Additionally, the graphics processor plays a prominent role as an accelerator in executing graphic effects and obtaining project outputs.
Perhaps the main difference between graphic design and video editing lies in the lesser reliance on graphic processor power for graphic design tools (especially for beginners). Consequently, practically speaking, for more professional users working on heavy projects, similar models can be recommended for both graphic design and video editing categories.
Best laptops for graphic design and Video Editing for Small Businesses
In the category of budget-friendly laptops for graphic design and video editing, we’ve aimed to maintain display quality and processor performance while keeping the device price as low as possible.
Accordingly, I’ve chosen the most affordable laptop among options that come with 8 gigabytes of RAM, with the possibility of upgrading the RAM size in the future. The following models are listed in ascending order of price:
Asus VivoBook Pro M3402QA-KM125 14-inch Laptop
The Asus VivoBook Pro M3402QA-KM125 is one of the few budget-friendly Windows laptops in the global marketmarket equipped with a high-quality display.
This 14-inch laptop uses an OLED display with a resolution of 1800 × 2880 pixels at 90Hz refresh rate and is powered by a Ryzen 5 5600H processor. It also comes with 8GB of DDR4-3200 RAM and a 1TB PCIe NVMe Gen 3.0 SSD.
While the Asus 14-inch laptop may not have the most powerful processor on the market, it can be a good choice for those engaged in regular graphic work or light video editing. Fortunately, it is possible to upgrade the RAM of the device up to 16 gigabytes.
Asus VivoBook S15 K3502ZA-MA294 15.6-inch Laptop
If you increase your budget by about 20%, you can opt for the Asus VivoBook S15 K3502ZA-MA294 15-inch laptop. This laptop features an OLED display with a resolution of 1620 × 2880 pixels and is powered by a 12th-gen Core i5-12500H processor, 8GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
The Core i5-12500H processor performs better in applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro compared to the Ryzen 5600H. On the other hand, you can upgrade the laptop’s RAM to 16 gigabytes in the future.
Acer Aspire A715-51G-580P 15.6-inch Laptop
With a slight budget increase of less than 10%, you can consider purchasing the 15-inch Acer Aspire A715-51G-580P laptop. Acer’s IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels doesn’t match the color vibrancy of the previous two laptops and only covers 62% of the sRGB color space.
On the flip side, the processing power of the Core i5-1240P processor is slightly lower than the Core i5-12500H, but the Acer laptop uses an RTX 3050 graphics card, improving performance when executing certain effects in Premiere Pro.
HP Victus 15 FA1034NIA 15.6-inch Laptop
HP’s Victus 15 FA1034NIA laptop is one of the few current devices In the global market with an Intel 13th-gen processor, which you can purchase with a 20% budget increase compared to the previously suggested model.
The budget-friendly HP laptop, equipped with a Core i5-13420H processor, older RTX 2050 graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, offers satisfactory performance and is considered an affordable option for graphic design and video editing. However, note that like the previous model, the display of this laptop also covers only 62% of the sRGB color space.
Asus VivoBook Pro 15 M6500QC 15.6-inch Laptop
With a slightly higher budget compared to the previous model, you can choose the Asus VivoBook Pro 15 M6500QC laptop.
This Taiwanese 15-inch laptop uses a Ryzen 7 5800H processor, RTX 3050 graphics, and appears to be about 10-15% weaker in Premiere Pro compared to the HP Victus laptop.
However, it offers a higher build quality, 512GB of storage, and most importantly, it utilizes a 120Hz OLED display with a resolution of 1620 × 2880 pixels, displaying more vivid and sharp colors.
For a slightly higher price, you can opt for the ZenBook Pro 15 UM535QE laptop instead of the VivoBook Pro. This laptop features the same processor but with a slightly more powerful graphics processor, a larger battery, and, of course, an upgraded 60Hz display. I prefer it from the list of best laptops for graphic design and video editing.
Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 15.6-inch Laptop
The Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 laptop is one of the relatively updated options available in the market. This 15.6-inch Lenovo laptop is powered by a 13th-gen Core i7-13620H processor, new-generation Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
Therefore, the device can provide you with excellent performance in both Premiere Pro and Photoshop. The laptop’s display uses an IPS panel with a resolution of 1440 × 2560 pixels and can cover 100% of the sRGB color space.
Best Asus Laptops for Graphic Design and Video Editing
Typically, laptops from the ZenBook family are Asus’ best options for graphic designers and video editors, thanks to their high-quality displays and powerful hardware.
However, In the global market has a different situation, as it currently offers only a limited number of Asus gaming models with updated hardware, while ZenBook laptops are mostly powered by 12th-gen Intel processors and RTX 30 series graphics at best.
Nevertheless, the following models are considered the best Asus laptops for graphic design and video editing:
Asus ROG Strix G16 G614JI 16-inch Laptop
The 16-inch G16 laptop from Asus is the most powerful Asus laptop currently available in the market. It features a 13th-gen Core i9-13980HX processor, powerful RTX 4070 graphics, expandable 16GB RAM, and a 1TB storage drive, making it a strong choice for video editing and graphic design.
While the laptop’s IPS display at 1200 × 1920 pixels may not be among the best for graphic design and video editing, it can cover 100% of the DCI-P3 color space.
Asus ZenBook UX582ZM 15.6-inch Laptop
The ZenBook UX582ZM laptop is the flagship model for Asus ZenBook globally. It is powered by a 12th-gen Core i7-12700H processor with RTX 3060 graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
The laptop’s 15.6-inch 4K OLED display offers a visually impeccable experience for graphic designers and editors.
In the same price range, we can mention two other laptops: the Zephyrus M16 GU603ZW and the ProArt StudioBook 16 H7600ZM. The former offers a more powerful processor and graphics along with 16GB of RAM, but lacks the clarity and vibrancy of the ZenBook’s display.
The latter, with similar hardware, provides better color accuracy and 16GB more RAM at the cost of omitting the touchscreen feature.
Lenovo Laptops for Graphic Design and Video Editing
Normally, laptops from the Lenovo Yoga or ThinkPad series, with their high-quality screens and powerful hardware, are suitable choices for graphic designers and video editors. However, due to the limited availability of powerful models in this series In the global market, we must turn to Lenovo’s gaming models.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 16-inch Laptop
The Legion Pro 7 laptop is currently the most powerful Lenovo laptop in the market. It boasts a 13th-gen Core i9-13900HX processor, RTX 4080 graphics, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, making it a complete workstation for gaming.
The 16-inch Lenovo laptop uses an IPS panel with a 240Hz refresh rate and 1600 × 2560 pixels, covering 100% of the sRGB color space.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16-inch Laptop
With slightly less power than the Legion Pro 7, another Legion laptop is offered for graphic designers and editors. The Legion Pro 5 16-inch laptop uses a 13th-gen Core i7-13700HX processor, RTX 4060 graphics, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Its screen can display 1600 × 2560 pixels at 240Hz, covering 100% of the sRGB color space.
MacBook Laptops for Graphic Design and Video Editing
Apple laptops are the top choice for graphic designers and editors due to their powerful and optimized processors, high-quality displays, and deep software-hardware integration. These laptops excel in video editing and offer consistent performance whether connected or disconnected.
MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch with M1 Pro / Max and M2 Pro / Max Processors
The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops with M1 Pro / Max and M2 Pro / Max processors are the best choices from Apple for graphic designers and editors. The 16-inch display provides a larger workspace for graphic designers, but you can also choose the 14-inch model based on your needs.
MacBook Pro 16-inch with 38-Core M2 Max
For about 30% less, you can opt for the MacBook Pro 16-inch laptop with the M2 Max chip, featuring a 12-core CPU, 38-core GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Its IPS LCD display with 120Hz refresh rate and Mini LED technology offers extremely high brightness, contrast, and excellent color accuracy.
MacBook Pro 16-inch with 32-Core M1 Max
For roughly 15% less, you can go for the MacBook Pro 16-inch laptop equipped with the M1 Max chip, powered by a 10-core CPU, 32-core GPU, and offering 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Note that this laptop’s display matches the new generation in terms of brightness, color accuracy, and contrast. The M1 Max MacBook Pro has a CPU that’s 15% slower and graphics that are 20% weaker compared to the most powerful current model from Apple.
MacBook Pro 16-inch with 19-Core M2 Pro
With a budget reduced by about 15%, you can select the MacBook Pro 16-inch laptop with the M2 Pro chip, featuring a 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
This laptop’s display matches the new generation in terms of brightness, color accuracy, and contrast. The M2 Pro MacBook Pro has a CPU that’s 15% more powerful than the previous model, but its graphics are about 35% weaker.
MacBook Pro 14-inch 16-Core M2 Pro
By reducing your budget by around 15%, you can choose a laptop like the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip, powered by a 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Similar to the 16-inch model, this laptop uses a 120Hz display with Mini LED technology and offers a flawless visual experience.
Please note that these laptops are offered at different price points, and the choice should be made based on your specific needs, budget, and preferences.
The Most Powerful laptops for graphic and Editing
If you have an unlimited budget, and money is not an issue for you (!), we at Wesam Web suggest purchasing the most expensive Apple laptop available In the global market.
16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Max 38-Core CPU and 64GB RAM
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 Max processor, featuring a 12-core CPU, 38-core GPU, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB storage, is the most powerful laptops for graphic and editing available in the market.
Is It Reasonable to Buy a Laptop Solely for Graphics and Video Editing?
The challenging economic situation and the chaotic market in the country mean that people often do not have the financial means to afford powerful, brand-new laptops.
In such cases, it might be reasonable to explore the option of purchasing a used laptop. However, it’s important to note that the complexity of computer components and the challenging post-sales service situation in our country make buying a used laptop for graphic design a risky endeavor.
Therefore, in such cases, make sure to consider the following points:
- Purchase from reputable and trustworthy sellers.
- Ensure you request a few days for testing.
- Verify the performance of both the CPU and GPU by running benchmarks.
- Evaluate the cooling system’s performance through continuous graphics testing.
- Confirm the charger’s reliability and the functionality of ports.
- Check the laptop’s charging time during intensive daily use.
- Examine the device’s body for any signs of battery swelling.
- Verify the condition of displayed pixels, viewing angles, light leakage, and brightness.
- Seek the latest models if possible; Intel and AMD processors are currently in their thirteenth and seventh generations, respectively, and Nvidia offers the RTX 40 series graphics cards.
In your opinion, which laptops for graphic and video editing is the best choice? Is there a hidden gem that we might have overlooked? Please share your thoughts in the comments