Graphic designers require particular criteria when selecting a laptop. Besides needing a powerful processor capable of managing creative jobs and sufficient RAM to ensure smooth operation of design software, they must also look for a screen that is vibrant, has high resolution, and is properly calibrated to view their projects accurately down to each minute detail. If someone works extensively with videos or three-dimensional graphics, an adequate GPU becomes essential. Furthermore, since large amounts of data accumulate rapidly during multimedia workflows, having plenty of internal storage space is crucial. Taking all these factors into account highlights how simply opting for the priciest model or the newest technical specifications does not guarantee finding the ideal laptop tailored for graphic design purposes.
As a local laptop aficionado in Burnsville and someone with extensive experience doing design work for various clients such as law offices and university-related non-profits, I have delved deeply into technical specifications, scrutinized display quality, and applied my knowledge to compile a list of the top five laptops ideal for graphic designers in 2025. These range from machines powered by Apple’s cutting-edge chips to hybrid tablets equipped with styli for digital artists—there truly is something for every type of creator. Be it traditional professionals following established practices or innovative artists looking to break away from conventions, these selections cater both those seeking high-end devices and others preferring more budget-friendly alternatives. Therefore, presented below are five outstanding choices among 2025’s lineup specifically tailored for graphic designers.
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10 of the Neatest & Most Practical Devices for Your Workspace at Home or Office
Ideal for Mac Enthusiasts: Apple MacBook Pro
Apple’s
MacBook Pro
Has long been cherished by individuals in creative fields, these devices have further improved for graphic design ever since the tech behemoth based in Cupertino switched from Intel chips to their proprietary, ARM-based processors. The M-series processors have demonstrated remarkable power, particularly with applications tailored for them. One point to keep in mind is that instead of an OLED screen, you will find yourself equipped with a mini-LED display.
Graphic design software like
Adobe Illustrator or another substitute
, applications such as Canva or Procreate perform seamlessly on Apple’s latest MacBook Pro models. Even when handling sizable, high-resolution video files using software like Adobe Premiere or Apple Final Cut Pro, these devices efficiently manage timelines and effortlessly export videos. The best part is that they consume minimal power from the laptop due to the efficiency of ARM processors compared to conventional x86 systems.
Burnsvet
gave it an Editor’s Choice award and a flawless 10/10 rating in our review.
For graphic designers, the primary drawback of the MacBook Pro lies in its cost. With an entry-level configuration featuring an M4 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage, the initial price stands at $1,599 without additional extras. This base model comes with the standard M4; however, upgrading to the more powerful M4 Pro would bump the price to around $2,000, whereas opting for the top-tier M4 Max version can set you back approximately $3,200. At these prices, one might consider purchasing a high-end Windows laptop along with a graphics tablet, leaving enough budget remaining for premium design software.
Ideal for Windows Users: ASUS ProArt P16 (H7606)
If your search is for the top alternative to the MacBook Pro running Windows, consider checking out the
ASUS ProArt P16
As suggested by the ProArt name, this brand targets creative professionals. With features like a 16-inch, 4K, OLED, touch-enabled screen, it’s evident that this machine is designed for individuals focused on intensive design tasks.
Inside, the ProArt P16 features an advanced AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 processor, among the most recent offerings from the manufacturer. Users leveraging on-device artificial intelligence will find satisfaction in this CPU’s powerful 50TOPS neural processing unit (NPU). This processor works alongside 64GB of cutting-edge LPDDR5X memory to ensure lightning-fast operation speeds. Additionally, it comes equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 mobile graphics card suitable for handling demanding tasks like 3D rendering and video editing, as well as occasional gaming sessions. While some might express disappointment over not having access to the newest generation 5000-series GPUs due to their tumultuous release period, many could value the proven dependability associated with the 4070 model instead. The device also boasts a comprehensive array of input/output options such as high-speed USB-C and USB-A ports, complemented by HDMI connectivity. As noted during reviews,
PCMag
I found this creator-class laptop to be potent and its display to be stunning, though I observed that it tends to get quite warm during intensive tasks.
Tom’s Guide
Meanwhile, they referred to it as “a creative powerhouse that surpasses the MacBook Pro,” but also mentioned experiencing similar sweat levels when under heavy use.
Nonetheless, numerous designers might consider this laptop beyond their budget. Priced at a staggering $2,900, it comes close to being as costly as the priciest MacBook Pro. Lower-tier models begin at $1,700, featuring alternatives such as reduced RAM or an RTX 4060 instead of the more robust 4070 included in the top-of-the-line version.
Top Tablet-Like Laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Gen
For graphic designers who enjoy sketching by hand, there’s nothing quite like drawing directly onto the screen. This is precisely what makes devices such as the Microsoft Surface Pro stand out. While not alone among Windows laptops with their touchscreens and styluses, the Surface Pro offers this functionality in a versatile tablet format. This feature proves crucial since you won’t need to flip open the display or perform awkward maneuvers; instead, you can easily set it flat on a desk or an artist’s easel and start working right away. Designers valuing both compactness and accuracy will find the Surface Pro particularly appealing. However, although it might suit certain needs perfectly, potential buyers should know about several idiosyncrasies associated with the device.
The new 11th-generation Surface Pro offers a 13-inch OLED screen option, ideal for creative professionals. It utilizes either the advanced Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite chipsets from Qualcomm, known for their high performance and energy efficiency. These processors excel at handling artificial intelligence tasks directly on the device. While Windows on ARM has significantly improved, ensure that your preferred design applications have been optimized for ARM architecture to achieve optimal outcomes; otherwise, x86 programs may require emulation when running.
Microsoft’s Prism emulator
, which may result in certain performance problems. Up until now,
Adobe Illustrator and InDesign offer native ARM editions.
, whereas Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro operate through emulation. The Surface Pro similarly does not have a dedicated graphics card.
Video editing remains quick and responsive.
Thanks to ARM’s efficiency, it comes with a cost. The price starts at around $1,000 for the Snapdragon X Plus version, or goes up to $1,200 for the Snapdragon X Elite model. While this might seem reasonable, you should know that both the keyboard and stylus are not included in these prices and must be purchased separately for an additional $279 as part of a bundle deal.
Top Midrange Window Laptop: HP Spectre x360
If other items on this list cost more than you’d like to spend, and you prefer sticking with Windows, you may want to consider checking out
HP Spectre x360
It’s a dual-mode laptop where the display can flip completely around the hinge to function as a tablet. While it doesn’t match the performance of the Asus ProArt P16 or offer the power-saving benefits of the Surface Pro with ARM chips, this model comes at a lower price point of $1,465 and includes a stylus in the package.
The most recent version of the Spectre x360 comes equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor, which represents Intel’s latest offering in the mid-range category. This device also features Intel Arc integrated graphics along with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage space. Essentially, these specifications fall into the standard average range—until you consider the screen quality. To make this model particularly appealing to graphic designers, HP enhanced the x360 by integrating a vivid 14-inch, 2.8K OLED touch display. For those designers heavily involved in
Canva or other online substitutes
This could very well be the perfect laptop for you because of that display. Additionally, the x360 stands out due to its sleek, angular design, which distinguishes it from other Windows laptops that aim to mimic the MacBook aesthetic.
The HP Spectre x360 has received high praise, earning an almost flawless rating of 9 out of 10.
CNET
The primary concern raised by the reviewer was the limited number of ports, which consisted only of two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, one standard Type-A port, and a headphone jack. Tom’s Hardware awarded it an impressive rating of four and a half stars out of five, describing it as the most stylish convertible laptop available.
Top Midrange Mac Laptop: Apple MacBook Air (M4)
If the MacBook Pro exceeds your budget but you’re still eager to acquire a MacBook, there’s essentially just one choice available. Fortunately, this single option happens to be quite excellent. When Apple last updated its lineup,
MacBook Air
At the start of 2025, nobody anticipated significant changes. However, Apple transformed what could have been an unremarkable update into something attractive by equipping it with their newest M4 chip, boosting the standard RAM to 16GB, increasing the battery size, and improving the camera. They further enticed buyers by reducing the entry-level price back below $1,000.
For just $256GB of storage at the starting price point, many buyers might choose to upgrade to 512GB for an extra $200. Despite this cost increment, it remains quite reasonable considering how well this model performs almost every task similar to higher-end models such as the pricier MacBook Air. However, compared to the latter, this device lacks certain connectivity features—specifically retaining dual USB-C Thunderbolt 4 connections, support for MagSafe charging, and inclusion of a headphone jack—and does not feature active cooling technology either. Additionally, you won’t have access to enhanced processor versions; instead, you’ll stick with the basic M4 chipset without Pro or Max variants available. This limitation somewhat hampers performance when handling intensive video-editing workloads. Nonetheless, it should suffice admirably for applications like Adobe Photoshop provided you’re okay foregoing an OLED screen option. Similar to the MacBook Pro lineup, expect nothing beyond a mini-LED Liquid Retina display here too.
Even with its minor flaws, this laptop received excellent reviews as well.
Ars Technica
astonished that Apple managed to enhance such a top-tier laptop further and still drop the cost even more, making it stand out even more as one of the best overall options available.
WIRED
issued a score of 9 out of 10.
How These Graphic Design laptops Were Selected
To meet Burnsvet’s stringent editorial guidelines, each laptop featured here underwent a thorough examination of specifications, professional critiques, user feedback, and input from this author. The selection process focused specifically on identifying those most suited for use within a graphic design environment. Consequently, the listed models aren’t meant to encompass all top-tier laptops; instead, they’re chosen according to specific criteria deemed essential through personal assessment. It’s important to recognize that these choices might not cover every high-performing option currently available since only certain contenders were evaluated. Thus, consider this piece merely as part of your research toolkit when seeking out ideal devices tailored towards creative professionals.
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