If you’re a graphic design student, having a powerful and reliable laptop is essential to keep up with the demands of your coursework. A good laptop for graphic design should have a high-quality display, a fast processor, plenty of RAM and storage, and a dedicated graphics card. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best laptops for graphic design students, with specifications, pros and cons, reasons to buy, and price ranges to help you choose the right one for your needs and budget. Here are some laptops with their specifications, pros and cons, and reasons to buy for graphic design students:
1. MacBook Pro 16-inch
Specifications:
- Retina display with True Tone technology and a resolution of 3072 x 1920
- 9th-generation 8-core Intel Core i9 processor
- 16GB of RAM
- 512GB SSD
Pros
- High-quality display and sound system
- Lightweight and portable design
- Smooth performance for graphic design software
- Great battery life
Cons
- Expensive compared to other options
- Limited ports
- Not easily upgradeable
Reasons to buy:
- Macs are known for their reliability and longevity
- Integration with other Apple devices and software
- High-quality display and sound system
Price range: Starts at around $2,399
2. Dell XPS 15
Specifications:
- 15.6-inch InfinityEdge display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160
- 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
- 16GB of RAM
- 512GB SSD
Pros
- Thin and lightweight design
- Good battery life
- Great display and graphics performance
- Plenty of ports
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited upgradability
- Not the most durable build quality
Reasons to buy:
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Plenty of ports for peripherals
- Thin and lightweight design for portability
Price range: Starts at around $1,549
3. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581
Specifications:
- 15.6-inch OLED 4K UHD touchscreen display and a secondary 14-inch 4K UHD ScreenPad Plus
- 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
- 16GB of RAM
- 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
Pros
- Unique dual-screen design for enhanced productivity
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Good performance for graphic design software
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky design
- Limited battery life
Reasons to buy:
- Dual-screen design for enhanced productivity
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Plenty of ports for peripherals
Price range: Starts at around $2,499
4. HP ZBook Studio G7
Specifications:
- 15.6-inch 4K UHD DreamColor display
- 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
- 16GB of RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA Quadro T1000 graphics card
Pros
- High-quality displa
- Durable and rugged build qualityraphics performance
- Good performance for graphic design software
Cons
- Heavy and bulky design
- Expensive
- Limited upgradability
Reasons to buy:
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Durable and rugged build quality
- Plenty of ports for peripherals
- Price range: Starts at around $2,000
5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme
Specifications:
- 15.6-inch 4K UHD display with HDR400 and Dolby Vision
- 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
- 16GB of RAM
- 1TB SSD
Pros
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Durable and rugged build quality
- Good performance for graphic design software
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited upgradability
- Heavy and bulky design
Reasons to buy:
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Durable and rugged build quality
- Plenty of ports for peripherals
Price range: Starts at around $1,749
6. Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel
Specifications:
- 15.6-inch 4K UHD touchscreen display with Gorilla Glass 6
- 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
- 16GB of RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card
Pros
- Flexible convertible design with multiple modes
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Good performance for graphic design software
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky design
- Limited battery life
Reasons to buy:
- Flexible convertible design for enhanced productivity
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Plenty of ports for peripherals
Price range: Starts at around $3,149
7. Microsoft Surface Book 3
Specifications:
- 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 3000 x 2000 or 3240 x 2160 respectively
- 10th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor
- 8GB or 16GB of RAM
- 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD
Pros
- Detachable screen for versatility
- Lightweight and portable design
- Good battery life
- High-quality display and graphics performance
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited upgradability
- Not the most powerful graphics performance
Reasons to buy:
- Detachable screen for versatility
- Lightweight and portable design for on-the-go work
- High-quality display and graphics performance
Price range: Starts at around $1,599
8. MSI Creator 17
Specifications:
- 17.3-inch 4K UHD mini-LED display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160
- 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
- 32GB of RAM
- 1TB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card
Pros
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Good performance for graphic design software
- Plenty of ports
- Thin and lightweight design for its size
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited battery life
- Not the most durable build quality
Reasons to buy:
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Good performance for graphic design software
- Plenty of ports for peripherals
Price range: Starts at around $2,999
9. Razer Blade 15
Specifications:
- 15.6-inch Full HD or 4K UHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 or 3840 x 2160 respectively
- 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
- 16GB of RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or 2070 graphics card
Pros
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Thin and lightweight design
- Plenty of ports
- Good performance for graphic design software
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited upgradability
- Limited battery life
Reasons to buy:
- High-quality display and graphics performance
- Thin and lightweight design for portability
- Plenty of ports for peripherals
Price range: Starts at around $1,699
Final Word
Choosing the right laptop is crucial for graphic design students to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow. Our list of best laptops for graphic design includes options from various brands and price ranges to fit different needs and budgets. When making your decision, consider the specifications, pros and cons, and reasons to buy of each laptop, and prioritize the features that matter most to you. With the right laptop, you’ll be able to create stunning designs and excel in your coursework.