Artists are always on the lookout for tools that will help them create their next masterpiece. Whether you’re an artist who wants to sketch, paint, or even just take notes, these 5 laptops will help you get the job done.
The best laptops for artists 2023 is a question that has been asked multiple times. There are 5 best laptops for drawing artists in 2023.
What are the finest laptops for artists that want to draw? A drawing artist’s conventional instruments, such as a brush, paint, canvas, pen, pencil, and paper, are still vital, but today, a laptop is also an important tool.
This laptop, on the other hand, should be excellent, which means that you, as an artist, will need to do some research in order to discover one of the finest laptops for drawing artists.
There are a few key considerations to make to ensure that the laptop you select has all you need to produce digital art efficiently and successfully.
You should also get familiar with the laptop’s basic capabilities and create a list of the applications you’ll need for your digital job.
There are a few more things to think about, as well as the minimum specifications you should seek for in a laptop for sketching, in order to obtain a smooth performance.
Apart from your budget, professional drawing artists and amateur enthusiasts should consider a strong and fast CPU, a decent enough GPU, quicker RAM and storage, and more when choosing a laptop.
If you believe this is a difficult task for you, here is a list of the best five laptops for drawing artists, along with a purchasing guide, to aid you in your decision.
Remember that your needs and money will influence your decision. As a result, set aside some time to study and evaluate all of the options before making your final decision.
Price of Laptops for Artists who Draw
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 15.6″ 4K UHD NanoEdge Bezel Touch, Intel Core i7-9750H, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 15.6″ 4K UHD NanoEdge Bezel Touch, Intel Core i7-9750H, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD ASUS ZenBook Pro
$3,090.96
$3,967.51 for 3 new
From $1,949.00, 11 were utilized.
as at 1:27 p.m. on August 26, 2023
Apple 15.4in MacBook Pro Laptop (Retina, Touch Bar, 2.2GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) Apple 15.4in MacBook Pro Laptop (Retina, Touch Bar, 2.2GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) Apple 15.4in MacBook
$1,099.99
5 new items starting at $1,099.99
as at 1:27 p.m. on August 26, 2023
Silver Surface Pro 4 by Microsoft with Windows 10 Anniversary (Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB)
$636.00
4 brand new for $634.00
From $270.00 for ten used
as at 1:27 p.m. on August 26, 2023
Flex 6 is a Lenovo product. 14″ 2-in-1 FHD (1920×1080) Touchscreen IPS Laptop PC, Intel Quad Core i5-8250U, Lenovo Flex 6 14″ 2-in-1 FHD (1920×1080) Touchscreen IPS Laptop PC, Lenovo Flex 6 14″ 2-in-1 FHD (1920×1080) Touch
$1,199.55
From $1,199.55, 1 was utilized.
as at 1:27 p.m. on August 26, 2023
Spectre x360 from HP-13t Quad Core (8th Gen Intel i7-8550U, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, IPS) – Newest HP Spectre x360-13t Quad Core(8th Gen Intel i7-8550U, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, IPS) – Newest HP Spectre
$1,499.95
2 brand new items starting at $1,499.95
2 times used for $1,249.95
as at 1:27 p.m. on August 26, 2023
The information on this page was last updated at 1:27 p.m. on August 26, 2023.
The Importance of a Laptop for Artists who Draw
Over the years, there has been a digital revolution, and many professions, both amateur and professional artists, have begun to use technology to execute their work.
You may be wondering how utilizing a laptop for sketching might help you as a creative worker.
Artists have recently realized that they can sketch on computers as well. They can simply draw, sketch, and paint on the screen using a laptop that has a touchscreen and a stylus pen. That does not need the use of a pen and paper.
The digital drawing software’s color pallet has also removed the necessity for the usage of paints and brushes. Painting on a laptop is considerably simpler because to the simple interface.
These machines are powerful enough to run full versions of digital art software such as Adobe programs, depending on the specifications you select.
There are many applications and software programs available that are intended especially for artists.
These applications are designed to operate on a laptop’s bigger screen. These applications may assist in sketching, drawing, painting, layout modification, and vector generation, among other things.
Artists have greater freedom with these applications since they may choose the one that suits them best.
Drawing on a laptop is also made easier by the many attachments that come with or connect to a laptop. When you combine a keyboard with a stylus, for example, the creative possibilities appear limitless.
System Requirements for Drawing Artists (Minimum and Recommended)
If you’re interested basic Studio Art and want to utilize a laptop for sketching, be sure the device has the absolute minimal specifications.
These include an Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2 CPU, a good graphics card that supports OpenCL 1.2 or above, at least 4 GB of RAM, 2.4 GB of free hard drive space for the program files, and a screen that is 12 or 13 inches in size.
If you want to work like a professional drawing artist, though, you’ll need to utilize more advanced tools and applications.
To ensure that they function well in your laptop, you’ll need a machine with much better and higher-performing specifications than the ones listed above. The following is a list of suggested specifications for drawing artists.
Minimum system requirements: Intel Core i5 CPU 6th generation or above| 4 GB RAM | 128 GB SSD or higher | Integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics chip| 12 inches screen | 1280 x 800 pixels screen resolution or higher
8th generation Intel Quad Core i5 or higher processor| 8 GB RAM or more | 512 GB SSD or larger | Dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics card | 14-inch screen or greater | 1920 x 1080 pixels screen resolution
2021’s Top 5 Laptops for Drawing Artists:
Best Overall: UX581 Asus ZenBook Pro Duo
Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581
Bottom Line: The Intel Core i7 9th generation processor, with its four efficient cores, pairs perfectly with the high-end Nvidia GeForce RTX graphic chip to help drawing artists run all of the necessary software with ease, ensuring the best overall performance to create the best art, simple or complex.
Characteristics
- 15.6-inch display
- 1 TB PCIe SSD storage
- DDR4 SDRAM (16 GB)
- 9th generation Intel Quad Core i7 9750H processor
- Windows 10 Professional (OS)
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU
Pros
- A full-size keyboard with a separate numeric keypad is included with the laptop.
- The screen has an extremely narrow bezel all around it, which allows for more viewing area.
- Using this laptop is made simpler and more pleasant by the app switcher screen pad.
Cons
- The system isn’t equipped with an optical drive.
- The laptop is a little on the hefty side, weighing in at over 5 pounds.
- The USB Type C connector on this laptop cannot be used to charge it.
This is a laptop designed for creative workers in the future. The Screen Pad Plus, which serves as an app switcher, is the finest element of the design.
You may use this pad to move any open program or window into the switcher icon. You get a multi-window experience when you run it on the Screen Pad.
Professionals such as drawing artists, musicians, 3D animators, video editors, programmers, and photographers would benefit greatly from this Screen Pad.
This will help you get the most out of your watching experience by allowing you to utilize it as a secondary display thanks to the View Max feature.
Its organizer will assist you in keeping things properly ordered by categorizing them the manner you desire.
You may modify the multi-screen configurations using the Task Group icon on this screen for fast access, drawing, sketching, taking notes, and editing with the active stylus.
You may also utilize the App Navigator icon to see all of the active windows and applications, launch them, bring them to the main display, and shut them.
The device’s other features, such as the strong, gaming-grade graphics card, are also worth noting.
This will not only create the finest pictures, but it will also allow you to multitask more effectively.
The graphics card enables quicker ray tracing when combined with the newest 9th generation Intel quad core CPU, allowing you to get more done in less time.
With its 4K, UHD, and OLED HDR features, the laptop’s screen is similarly impressive. It has a four-way Nano Edge design that maximizes real estate. It produces pictures with richer colors and darker blacks.
The laptop’s independent numeric keypad is likewise lit by LEDs and is incorporated into the touchpad.
By clicking on the top-right symbol, you can turn it on or off, and you can change the brightness by tapping on the top-left icon.
There are a variety of I/O ports available that are not only fast but also allow you to attach additional external devices to the laptop.
With the newest Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit Plus wireless connectivity choices, you won’t need a dongle to connect and can still expect a robust and stable connection.
Finally, the built-in Alexa with light bar will assist you in controlling the gadget through voice commands. Review of the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581.
Runner-Up: MacBook Pro (Apple)
Apple MacBook Pro
Bottom Line: The Intel Core i7 CPU’s six cores would have made this the finest laptop on our list, but the SSD storage is somewhat less and the AMD Radeon Pro graphics processor is slower, making it the second best. It’s also an excellent gadget for drawing artists to utilize because of the snappy touch bar and Retina display.
Characteristics
- 15.4-inch display
- 256 GB SSD storage
- 16 GB DDR4 RAM
- Intel Core i7 8th generation processor
- High Sierra is the latest version of Mac OS X.
- AMD Radeon Pro 555X GPU
Pros
- The touch bar on the laptop is excellent and snappy.
- The screen seems to be bigger because to the thin bezel all around it.
- The system’s performance is very remarkable.
Cons
- The system is very large, weighing about 4 pounds.
- The keyboard does not have a separate numeric keypad.
- This system has a restricted number of ports.
Take a look at the specifications of this gadget first, and you’ll see why it’s ideal for artists.
It has an 8th generation Intel Core i7 CPU with six cores running at 2.2 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.1 GHz, 16 GB DDR4 RAM running at 2400 MHz, a faster SSD with plenty of storage, a powerful AMD Radeon Pro graphics card with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, and the Mac High Sierra operating system.
All of these specifications guarantee a high level of performance and power in the system. It will assist you in giving form to your creative thoughts in the most efficient manner possible. The pictures are presented with more vivid details thanks to a 70 percent increase in speed and power.
This machine can effortlessly handle all of your drawing applications, allowing you to produce and modify your work at breakneck speed. It will also enable you to launch several virtual computers to monitor how your job is progressing.
You should anticipate the greatest results utilizing the Final Cut Pro X function, which allows you to run up to nine streams of full-resolution 4K movies on this MacBook Pro, whether you’re editing photos or videos.
You’ll receive a 3D graphics experience when rendering your 3D models in Cinema 4D with fluid and real-time performance.
You can also anticipate an optimum and extremely responsive performance from this laptop if you wish to play games on it in your spare time. Check out our review of the Apple Macbook Pro.
3. Microsoft Surface Pro 4 – Excellent Value
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Bottom Line: When used by drawing artists, the touch support of the small screen, which comes with PixelSense technology, a long enough battery life, Windows Hello support, which allows faster sign in without a password, and other features and specs of this thin and light laptop provide a higher value for money.
Characteristics
- 12.3-inch display
- 128 GB SSD storage
- 4 GB RAM
- Intel Core i5 6th generation processor
- Windows 10 Professional (OS)
- GPU: Graphics Processing Unit
Pros
- There is a touch function on the gadget.
- The laptop’s battery life is excellent.
- The gadget is highly portable due to its low weight.
Cons
- This laptop’s RAM is very limited.
- There might have been more storage available.
- The screen is very tiny in size.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is ultrathin and light, making it ideal for travel.
This laptop’s features and specifications make it very speedy, high-performing, and flexible. This gadget exemplifies the best of both worlds: power and functionality.
The system is equipped with an Intel Core i5 CPU from the 6th generation, which is capable of handling all of your computer requirements.
Storage, RAM, and integrated graphics are all enough, powerful, and quick enough to run any sketching and professional applications and apps.
The screen is adequate in terms of quality and refresh rate, despite its tiny size.
It has the PixelSense Display technology, which displays the graphics card’s pictures in stunning color and contrast.
You can make the most of the screen’s touch capability by using the Surface Pen. This screen is sensitive enough to bring all of the pictures to life, whether you’re just looking at them or editing them while sketching.
The Surface Pen that comes with the device allows you to write, draw, and doodle right on it.
The battery life on this laptop is also adequate, as it will give you with enough power to allow you to work on it all day, even when you are on the move. In fact, the battery life will allow for up to 9 hours of movie playback.
The tablet also has the Windows Ink feature, which allows you to take notes in the most natural way possible at rapid speed. The greatest thing is that you won’t have to log in to do it.
The Windows Hello function on this laptop is another helpful feature. It enables you to sign in to the system without having to enter your password every time.
This function enables you to unlock the smartphone in the fastest and most secure manner imaginable.
Furthermore, the firewall, anti-virus, and anti-phishing technologies included in the Windows 10 Professional operating system offer the most complete protection for the machine.
This is in addition to the fact that it runs professional drawing software applications like Adobe Creative Cloud, AutoCAD, Citrix, and Visual Studio without a hitch. Check out our review of the Microsoft Surface Pro 4.
4. Lenovo Flex 6 – Security and Versatile Design
Lenovo Flex 6
Bottom Line: All those drawing artists who need to work mostly on the go will find this machine to be a very good one to use because of its versatile design, which allows it to be used as a laptop or a tablet, as well as its security aspect, which allows for safer, simpler, and faster login thanks to its fingerprint reader.
Characteristics
- 14-inch display
- 128 GB SSD storage
- 8 GB DDR4 SDRAM RAM
- 8th generation Intel Quad Core i5 8250U processor
- Windows 10 Home is the operating system.
- Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU
Pros
- This laptop’s screen has a touch-sensitive surface.
- This system’s keyboard has backlights to make typing in the dark more pleasant.
- The system’s fingerprint reader provides for safe and secure login.
Cons
- This machine lacks an optical drive.
- The gadget does not have a separate numeric keypad.
- The screen’s brightness and contrast are both lacking.
The full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels is available on this 2-in-1 laptop. The IPS display’s touchscreen enables you to use the device in a variety of ways, including as a laptop or a standalone tablet.
The Intel Core i5 CPU has four cores that run at 1.6 GHz and can be boosted to 3.4 GHz using Turbo Boost technology.
It has sufficient support for Intel UHD graphics to create pictures with improved refresh rates, color reproduction, and clarity.
The illuminated keyboard makes typing more pleasant, and the fingerprint reader makes login safer and quicker.
Because of its 64-bit architecture, the Windows 10 operating system includes all of the capabilities that improve speed and safety in operation.
Although the 8 GB RAM with 2400 MHz speed and 128 GB storage are modest, the SSD and DDR4 technology make them both quicker and more capable.
The laptop’s 360° hinge is very robust and flexible, allowing you to easily rotate the screen into a comfortable position to use and work on it.
A 720p HD webcam is included in the system architecture, which captures clearer and sharper images, and Dolby Audio Premium technology enhances both listening and watching enjoyment.
With one HDMI, two USB 3.0 connections, and one USB Type C connector, the laptop has plenty of connectivity choices. A four-in-one memory card reader is also incorporated in the system’s architecture.
In terms of connection, this system supports both 802.11ac wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 4.1 compatibility. Both of these ensure that the connection is robust and reliable.
The 4-cell lithium polymer battery can power the system for up to 8 hours, allowing you to work on the move all day with this lightweight laptop weighing just 3.67 pounds. Take a look at the Lenovo Flex 6 Review.
5. HP Spectre x360 – Sleek Design and Smart Technology
HP Spectre x360
Bottom Line: This is a laptop for drawing artists who want greater performance as well as a more attractive appearance. This gadget has a stylish appearance and is loaded with smart technologies. A good CPU, touchscreen, Thunderbolt 3, HP TrueVision FHD IR camera, Image pad, and other features are included.
Characteristics
- 12″ wide screen
- 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage
- DDR4 SDRAM (16 GB)
- 8th generation Intel Quad Core i7 8550U processor
- Windows 10 Home is the operating system.
- Intel UHD Graphics 620 integrated GPU
Pros
- The device’s battery is great, with a lengthy life.
- The system is portable and low in weight.
- An Image pad is included with the laptop, which enables multi-touch motions.
Cons
- Under high stress, the laptop’s fans may make a lot of noise.
- When the system is utilized for an extended period of time, it quickly overheats.
- While typing, the touchpad is too broad for the palm to contact it.
This is another another laptop that will greatly assist you in meeting all of your sketching requirements and achieving your objectives.
Despite its tiny size, this laptop’s screen has full HD resolution and IPS technology.
These characteristics make this micro-edge, WLED-backlit, touch screen a suitable choice for working and viewing pictures with more than two million pixels.
When you use the Active Stylus to draw on the screen, the Corning Gorilla Glass NBT protects it from harm.
You can also transmit data at a 40 Gbps pace using the two Thunderbolt 3 connections.
It also uses DisplayPort 1.2 and supports Power Delivery, sleep, and charge.
There’s also a USB 3.1 Gen 1 connector with sleep and charge capabilities, as well as a headphone/microphone combo connection.
The laptop also has an accelerometer, gyroscope, e-Compass, and an HP TrueVision FHD infrared camera with dual digital microphone system, which sets it apart from the competition.
For a more secure login, this camera also supports Windows Hello. The fingerprint reader on the laptop also contributes to the laptop’s safety and security.
The system’s PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD can store a large number of files thanks to its 512 GB capacity and quick speed. The RAM also contributes to the system’s overall performance.
2 × 2 Intel 802.11b/g/n/ac wireless networking and Bluetooth 4.2 combo connection are included with the system.
Bang & Olufsen’s quad speakers include HP Audio Boost technology, which improves sound quality by increasing loudness, bass depth, and tone clarity.
The image pad’s multi-touch gesture support, the latest 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor with 4 cores and 8 MB cache that runs at 1.8 GHz base frequency and up to 4 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost technology, the 16 GB integrated UHD graphics card, and the 64-bit Windows 10 Home operating system all work in perfect harmony to boost this system’s performance to the maximum.
Its system’s slim dimensions fit everything you need for your work, and the clever technology hidden within this elegant shell doesn’t limit its performance or power.
The battery life is excellent at 14 hours, and the battery itself has a Fast Charge function, which makes it even more handy. Check out our review of the HP Spectre x360 laptop.
Before purchasing a laptop for a drawing artist, there are a few things to keep in mind.
As a drawing artist, it makes little difference whether you use a conventional laptop or a 2-in-1 laptop; what matters is how well you can create your work.
If you want to create your work using a mouse and keyboard, you may pick a conventional laptop or a 2-in-1 laptop that allows you to draw right on the screen.
Yes, a few particular kinds of laptops enable you to draw on the screen, but you’ll need to purchase one with a touchscreen to do so. However, keep in mind that these gadgets are not inexpensive.
As a result, apart from your comfort and money, the laptop’s specifications are most important. This implies that any laptop won’t serve for your sketching requirements.
You’ll need a strong computer that can handle all of your required drawing software and graphics applications.
As a result, before you go buying, you should know precisely what to look for in a laptop for artists who sketch.
A laptop with a powerful CPU and a specialized graphics card is usually more suitable for a drawing artist.
It will also be much simpler to produce drawings on laptops that have a fast SSD and more RAM, a great display, and a long-lasting battery.
All of these characteristics in a laptop will ensure a robust performance and provide you more sophisticated editing capabilities to assist you produce high-quality intricate work.
However, narrowing down your choices may be difficult with so many alternatives accessible. This purchasing advice will greatly assist you in locating the finest laptop for your drawing requirements.
Display
You will, without a sure, be the first to view what you have produced and how well it appears on the screen.
As a result, the quality and functionality of the screen should be the first thing you search for in a laptop for sketching.
Make sure the screen is a good size, ideally between 13 and 17 inches. This will enable you to view the pictures more clearly and, more crucially, with all of their features.
The next step is to ensure that the screen’s resolution is sufficiently high, ideally full HD. This will also make it much easier to view the whole design on a large screen.
Before deciding, look at the contrast and aspect ratio, as well as the screen brightness (measured in nits).
All of these tests will guarantee that the pictures shown are as bright, vivid, and sharp as possible in terms of color and detail.
Card for graphics
For your artwork, you’ll need a strong graphics card in your laptop. You will come to regret it if you scrimp on it.
Because sketching is all about generating pictures, and the graphics card in your laptop is the component in charge of reproducing them, your productivity will suffer if you don’t have the most up-to-date, powerful, and specialized graphics card.
The graphics setup should, in theory, be the most important feature to seek for in a laptop for artists who sketch.
It will not only have an effect on your creative work, but it will also guarantee that others see and understand it.
A graphics card from the UHD or GTX series will guarantee that the display sharpness and color vibrancy are above average during picture reproduction.
Any compromise you make with it will result in unacceptably bad digital work, which is probably the last thing you want if you’re an artist.
As a result, a laptop with a high-quality graphics card will assist you in achieving your artistic objectives.
Performance
You’ll need a high-performance laptop for sketching, and this is completely dependent on the kind and grade of CPU included with the device.
When your laptop has a strong CPU, it will be able to run several applications simultaneously without lagging or crashing, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and others.
It will keep up with your demands and won’t keep you waiting when you’re ready to get creative.
If you want to get the most out of your laptop, be sure it has a Core i5 or greater CPU chip.
When you wish to engage in a visionary artwork while achieving your objective, this will speed up the processing, improve the laptop’s performance, reduce lags, and boost your productivity.
System software
For an artist, the laptop’s operating system is equally crucial. If the operating system is user-friendly, you may count on great results as an artist.
Most laptops nowadays, in theory, come with the Windows 10 operating system pre-installed. Without a doubt, this is a fantastic choice, but macOS is also excellent.
Furthermore, a Mac will provide you with more intriguing resolution choices as well as color vividness, making it a worthwhile buy.
Other things to consider
Portability is another feature to look for in a laptop for drawing artists.
For an artist who loves to work from anywhere and at any time when creative inspiration strikes, a portable laptop is a must-have.
If you travel often, you should choose for a laptop that is low in weight, ideally around 3 pounds.
A laptop with a long battery life, preferably 8 to 10 hours, will allow you to work on it for extended periods of time, which is particularly useful while you’re on the move.
You won’t have to waste time searching for charging outlets and can instead concentrate on your job.
In addition, think about how much RAM the laptop has. Although 8 GB of RAM on a laptop is plenty for sketching artists, there is no harm in upgrading to 16 GB if you can afford it.
When it comes to storage, look for a laptop that has at least 256 GB of space and has an SSD. This will provide you adequate storage while also improving the system’s speed and performance.
FAQs:
Which CPU is best for drawing artists in laptops?
When looking for a laptop for sketching, make sure it has a decent and powerful CPU. Drawing artists usually choose for laptops with Intel i5 or i7 processors. These processors assist them in producing the finest possible results. The CPUs have excellent performance, resulting in a substantial improvement in the laptop’s speed. This leads to increased productivity and a more pleasant working environment.
Are 2-in-1 laptops useful for professional and amateur artists who draw?
If you prefer, a mid-range convertible laptop may be sufficient for your sketching needs. These 2-in-1 computers may be used in tent mode, laptop mode, or tablet mode. Because you can draw directly on the screen if it’s a touchscreen, 2-in-1 laptops are better for artists to sketch, paint, or doodle on, as long as the device meets the minimal configuration requirements.
Is it necessary for me to get an expensive laptop in order to draw?
It is not essential to get a high-priced laptop for your sketching needs. You may get away with the less costly versions if the configurations meet your needs. If you’re a professional graphic designer, editor, or on-the-go artist, you’ll want to be extremely precise about the configurations, but it doesn’t necessarily have to imply a costly model.
The best laptop for drawing reddit is a question that has been asked many times. This article will discuss the 5 best laptops for artists in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which laptop should I buy for drawing?
This is a difficult question to answer, as there are many different factors that go into deciding which laptop would be best for you. The most important factor in choosing your laptop is what you plan on using it for. If youre just drawing with the intention of doing some hobby work, then any computer will do. However, if youre looking to become a professional artist or graphic designer, then its better to have a more powerful machine with better specifications.
What laptops do artists use?
Artists mainly use laptops for their work. It is the most efficient way to create art and many artists have a laptop on them at all times.
