Best budget laptops for photoshop and graphic design

Are you passionate about graphic design but lack the money to invest in the right technology? You don’t have to worry since you can find an affordable laptop for this.

Getting the right equipment can help you begin your creative journey. A good laptop is all you need to get familiar with different digital software and take your imagination to the next level. Today, graphical software and picture editorial have become the trend. As you look for the best budget laptops for photoshop and graphic design, you have to focus on certain features. Before discussing this in detail, we will give you examples of some of the best budget laptops that many people buy for photoshop and graphic design. Read on!

Comparison table

Reviews

HP Pavilion X360– It has a convertible design

We started with this laptop since it comes with a stylus pen that can help you do things such as draw or take notes. It also features the IPS panel cable that is useful in displaying sharp and accurate colors. You should consider this model since it comes with a reasonable price tag.

Some people find the SSD storage to be a bit limited.

Features

• Processor: i5 7200U
• Screen: 15 inches
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• RAM: 8GB
• SSD: 128 GB

The specs of this 2 in 1 laptop are quite impressive apart from the SSD storage. Graphic designers also find this laptop quite responsive since it comes with the graphics card known as AMD Radeon. You can even use it for light gaming during your free time. When it comes to connectivity, this laptop does not disappoint due to its numerous ports. For instance, it features an HDMI port, a 3.1 USB port, USB Type C port, and card reader. It also features HP audio boost, B&O PLAY, dual digital microphone, and HP webcam.

When you buy this laptop, you also get a standard keyboard that features a numeric keypad. Unfortunately, this keyboard is not backlit, like in some models. The laptop, however, comes in a convertible design and different modes.

Verdict

HP Pavilion x360 is a fancy laptop that has useful features for photoshop and graphic design. You can use it for at least 8 hours without worrying about low power. You can switch from one mode to the other such as the laptop mode to the tablet or stand mode.

Lenovo Ideapad 330S– Great for home use

Choosing such a multimedia oriented computer can help you achieve a lot. This model not only allows you to browse the web but also run different software, including graphic designing and photoshop. Lenovo Ideapad features Core i5-8250U, 256GB SSD, and RAM of 8GB. The display of this laptop is around 15 inches. We included it in our list since it can provide you with excellent color and enhances the ability to view different angles.

Unfortunately, the battery only lasts for five hours. If you work a lot, you have to keep on charging this laptop from time to time.

Features

• Speed: 1.6GHz
• Processor: Core i5-8250U
• RAM: 8G
• SSD: 256 GB

It also comes with a powerful graphics card known as NVidia GeForce 940 MX and Bluetooth 4.1. Some of the ports available include 1 Type C USB port, HDM port, 2 3.0 USB ports, DVD slot, and a card reader.

Verdict

Though this laptop’s battery life is not that decent, it is among the cheapest laptops for graphic design and photoshop.

Acer Aspire E 15– Suitable for everyday use

If you need an affordable laptop for photoshop and graphic design with impressive battery life, you should consider Acer Aspire E 15. You can use this laptop for up to 15 hours without the need to recharge it. The laptop is not only affordable but also of high quality. The screen size of this model is about 15. 6 inches while the RAM available is 8GB.

Some customers are not, however, impressed by the limited viewing angles.

Features

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Processor: Core i5-8250U
• Graphics card: >Nvidia GeForce MX150
• SSD: 256 GB

Though the RAM can seem limiting it is possible to upgrade it to 32 GB. Many people also like this laptop since it comes with numerous ports for connecting peripheral devices. It also features Bluetooth 4.1 and a card reader.

Verdict

Acer Aspire E 15 is on high demand due to its attractive design and powerful processing. It also comes with Windows 10, which is beginner-friendly.

Dell XPS 15– Suitable for professionals

The best budget laptops have good processors. Since this acts as the computer’s brain, it determines the kind of performance the laptop can deliver. Dell XPS 15 does not disappoint since it is equipped with the Intel Core i7 processor. This also makes use of a quality graphics card that makes it highly responsive while running different software.

Unfortunately, it comes with a poor webcam.

Features

• RAM: 8-32 GB
• Screen size: 15 inches
• Processor: i7
  Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels

Though this laptop is not as cheap as the rest of the models, it includes some powerful components that can help you achieve a lot in graphic design. For instance, this laptop features AntiGlare IP and storage of up to 1TB. If you like bringing along your laptop with you when traveling, you will appreciate the thin design of this product. It is easy to carry around.

Verdict

The touch screen of this laptop stands out since it is quite intuitive. Most photographers also choose this laptop since it delivers a 4K color display. The ability to produce rich color and sharp detail makes it perfect for graphic design and editing images. Unlike some laptops, Dell XPS 15 has a battery life of about 11 hours.

MacBook Pro-It offers an excellent viewing experience

We cannot fail to include an Apple laptop on our list since this brand is known for producing quality machines that you can use for photoshop and graphic design. One of the reasons why we like this model is because it is made with IPS technology and comes with an LED-backlit display. You will also like the beautiful design of this laptop.

It is, however, not solidly built like other models.

Features

• Screen size: 15 inches
• Processor: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 16-32 GB
• Video Memory: 4BG
• Resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels

This laptop offers great features for graphic design and has fast processing. It also stands out among conventional models due to the inclusion of a fine Touch ID and an improved Touch bar. If you have been doing photo editing for a while, you are probably searching for a powerful laptop. MacBook Pro will not let you down since it can help you accomplish a lot. It also comes with a Retina display and is made using advanced technology. Unlike some laptops, this one comes with 4 Thunderbolt ports and a force touch track pad.

Verdict

The Ultrafast SSD of this laptop enables it to perform well when running different software. Most people also appreciate the 10-hour battery life of this model. It can make you more productive at graphic design and photo editing.

Acer Aspire A515-54-51DJ– Suitable for beginners

Choosing a laptop that comes with numerous ports enables you to enjoy convenience when you want to connect different devices to it. Acer Aspire gives you multiple ports to work with, such as the HDMI port, USB type C, 1 USB 2.0 port, and 2 USB 3.0 ports. We also like this model since it comes with a backlit keyboard that can help you continue working even in low light conditions.

Some people, however, feel that the space is small.

Features

• Screen size: 15. 6 inches
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• SSD: 256 GB
• RAM: 8GB

Such specs make it ideal for photoshop. The laptop manufacturer also tries to increase convenience by including additional features such as Bluetooth and a card reader. It also comes with decent battery life. If you are new to designing or photo editing, this laptop is ideal for you.

Verdict

Acer Aspire is among the lowest priced laptops that even people with a low budget can afford. Most people like this quality laptop since it has a Full HD display and utilizes IPS technology. The numerous connectivity ports also come in handy when multitasking.

Asus Vivobook S15– It is portable

If you don’t need a fancy laptop but still want one to help you run different software, you should not overlook Asus Vivobook S15. We included this computer in our list of the best budget laptops for photoshop and graphics design since it has a lot to offer. For instance, it supports Inkscape, Sketchup, and Photoshop.

Unfortunately, it offers limited space

Features

• Processor: i5-8265U
• RAM: 8GB
• SSD: 256 GB
• Screen: 15 inches
• Graphics: HD 630

Asus Vivobook is a slim laptop that you can easily carry for long without experiencing fatigue. It also comes with a HD screen, famous for producing color accurate and sharp images. This laptop also enhances connectivity by providing different USB ports. People have mixed opinions regarding its battery life. If you will not be using it for long, then the 8 hours battery life should be more than enough for you.

Verdict

This is a simple laptop for newbies in photo editing and graphic designing. Though it does not provide a lot of space, it has an impressive screen resolution and a comfortable keyboard.

These are the two laptops that we don’t recommend for photoshop and graphic design.

Asus 14 inch laptop– It is bulky and slow

This laptop was designed to help you handle daily tasks effortlessly. Despite this, most customers reveal that it is unreasonably slow. You may not accomplish a lot of tasks using it. Apart from that, both the laptop and fan produce noise that can distract you when working. It crashes when you try to run different software and takes minutes to load websites.

Features

• HDD: 500 GB
• Windows 10 Home
• Display: 14 inch

Verdict

Though this model comes from a good brand, the manufacturer should make changes to reduce the high number of complaints people make regarding this model. Most people also don’t like its components’ cheap feel since the keys are made of plastic, and the mouse pad also looks fragile.

Razor blade 15– It overheats

Even though this laptop is marketed for gamers, some creatives have been using it for photoshop and graphic design. The laptop may come in a compact design and an aluminum body, but it is not the best budget laptop for such tasks. Some users reveal that this laptop is not reliable since you have to keep on restarting it frequently. It also tends to get quite hot after extended use.

Features

• RAM: 16 GB
• SSD: 512 GB
• Processor: Core i7-8750H
• Body: Aluminum

Verdict

If you have been thinking of getting this laptop, we recommend looking elsewhere since it offers poor performance.

Finding the best budget laptops for photoshop and graphic design

Every creative needs to invest in a good laptop that they can use for long. If you take your craft quite seriously, you need to pay attention to the following factors as you look for a good laptop for photoshop and graphic design.

Operating system

You need to look at the operating system that a laptop runs on before buying one. Those from Apple often run on the Mac operating system. Though such laptops are user-friendly, they are costly. If you want a flexible laptop, you should go for one that runs on Windows 10. Such a laptop may also come with some useful features that you might like.

Weight and screen size

The size of a laptop’s display also matters. Most of the thin laptops have a screen size of about 12 inches and weigh around 4 pounds. If you need a computer that remains on your desk rather than moving around, you can choose one that has a bigger screen size of about 18 inches. This is also going to be heavier than the rest.

Touchpad and keypad

Ensure you choose a laptop that fits in your hands properly. Focus on the laptop’s keyboard and check if it offers tactile feedback. The keys should also have adequate space between them. You should also ensure that the touchpad responds to your movements well.

Specifications

For you to find a quality laptop that you can use for photoshop and graphic design, you have to know the most crucial specs to look out for. Some include storage size, RAM, and CPU. Choose a laptop that comes with SSD and offers a high storage amount. The best budget laptop that can help you run Adobe photoshop should have RAM of 16 GB.

Battery life

Do not focus on all the above factors and overlook the battery life. You need to choose a laptop that offers a decent battery life so that you don’t have to keep on plugging it to a power source frequently.

Conclusion

A good laptop can help you launch your creativity. If you are a graphic designer, you need to get a laptop that can help you enhance your skills in this field. We have highlighted some of the best budget laptops for photoshop and graphic design that you should check out. Do not forget to consider the crucial factors we have discussed above before buying one.