Vssmonitoring.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

9 Best Laptops for Digital Art Reviews in 2023 | Powerful Enough for Top-Quality Projects!

Top Picks

4 Reviewers

40 Hours of Research

30 Options Considered

Choosing a laptop for general use can be easy. But, choosing one for digital art can be tricky. There are many options to choose from. But what should I look for in a laptop for digital art?

My top picks include laptops with an appealing design, portable laptops, premium build quality, and, most importantly, top performance. I have also considered powerful laptops with dual screens and the latest ultrabooks. You'll be delighted to learn that some laptops have stylus support for easy navigation.

3 Top Lap Tops for Digital Art

1. [Best Overall]

 Lenovo Flex 5 Laptop

4.9/5

The premium features integrated into this laptop made it top of my list of the best laptops for digital art. Several features impressed me, including the slim and compact design, portability, build quality, and performance.

  • Supports Windows Alexa
  • Touchscreen display
  • Accurate colors

2. [Best For The Money] Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-53S3 Laptop

4.8/5

One thing I love about this laptop is its extensive display. With a 15.6 inches screen, I have enough space to work on my digital art project. The performance of this laptop is also top-notch.

  • Fingerprint sensor
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Dedicated GPU

3. [Best 2-in-1 Design] Microsoft Surface Go

4.7/5

You can switch from laptop to tablet mode in a matter of seconds. The fact that it's a touchscreen laptop makes it easy to work on any pending projects. I also don't have to worry about it going off because it has an impressive battery life.

  • Long battery life

  • Touchscreen display
  • Portable design

After reviewing several laptops, I came up with a list of the best ones for digital arts. You can consider one from the list below. Also, I have included a guide to help you decide on the most important specs to consider when buying the best laptops for digital art.

Minimum System Requirements

The minimum system requirements for digital arts are listed below.

  • Processor - 4-core Intel processor
  • RAM - 8GB
  • Storage - 256GB
  • Color gamut - 95% RGB
  • Resolution - 1440p (2k)

Recommended System Requirements

The recommended system requirements for digital arts are listed below.

  • Processor - 4-core Intel processor
  • RAM - 16GB
  • Storage - 512GB SSD
  • Color gamut - 100% RGB
  • Resolution - 4K

Best Laptops for Digital Art Reviews

[Best Overall]

4.9/5

The premium features integrated into this laptop made it top of my list of the best laptops for digital art. Several features impressed me, including the slim and compact design, portability, build quality, and performance. This thin laptop is powered by a more powerful AMD Ryzen 5 5500U mobile processor that ensures a smooth run of activities. Find its features below.

Lenovo Flex 5 Laptop Features

Lenovo Flex 5 Laptop features are listed below.

  • The laptop has dedicated Radeon graphics, ensuring the production of quality and real-life images, especially in 3D modeling.

  • I was impressed by the high-power AMD Ryzen 5 5500U mobile processor that facilitates a smooth run of activities to boost my productivity.

  • I run processes smoothly and open multiple programs simultaneously without lag, thanks to the 16GB DDR4 RAM.

  • The laptop's 256GB NVMe SSD storage allows me to save my files and other documents efficiently. I can also launch apps instantly and retrieve files faster using SSD storage.

  • It has a wide 14 inches display that lets me have ample space to display more content on my digital art software.

  • It has a touchscreen display that's easy to operate and navigate the laptop. Drawing on a touchscreen is easier than on a non-touch screen.

  • I enjoyed the wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction of the IPS panel which makes it easier to deliver quality projects.

  • It has a Full HD screen resolution (1920 x 1080) that produces high picture quality, which is great for digital art.

  • It is compatible with 2x2 WiFi 6 (802.11AX), which keeps me connected.

  • The laptop has two USB-A, one USB-C, and one HDMI port, letting me connect it to external display and charge accessories.

  • I find it easy to control this laptop. With Windows Alexa, I can use my voice commands to make commands and configure the laptop.

Pros

  • Supports Windows Alexa
  • 360⁰ hinge for more flexibility
  • Touchscreen display
  • Accurate colors

Cons

  • I would love it if the display could have been a little brighter than it is.

[Best for the Money]

4.8/5

One thing I love about this laptop is its extensive display. With this 15.6-inch laptop, I have enough space to work on my digital art project. The performance of this laptop is also top-notch, I couldn't ask for more. The 11th Gen. Intel Core i5 processor delivers a high processing power ideal for running digital art software.

Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-53S3 Laptop Features

Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-53S3 Laptop features are listed below.

  • I used this laptop for long sessions without its battery draining off. The long 8.5 hours of battery life keeps the battery on power as I work on my projects.

  • The powerful 4-core Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor has a frequency of up to 4.20 GHz, delivering enough power to run heavy animation and drawing tools.

  • The 15.6 inches screen has ample space I need to work on my projects efficiently, that way, I can multitask without straining.

  • Full HD screen resolution produces sharp and clear images, which is great for my digital art experience.

  • The IPS panel has accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angles, enhancing my coverage of the user experience.

  • The dedicated Intel Iris Xe Graphics delivers the perfect performance, especially when modeling in 3D.

  • The high 8GB DDR4 Memory ensures a smooth run of operations. With this, it's hard to get tired easily.

  • The 256GB NVMe SSD is enough for storing my data files and other tools I use for modeling and drawing.

  • It has one USB 3.2 Gen 1, two USB 3.2 Gen 1, one USB 2.0, and HDMI Port with HDCP support.

  • The Acer Fingerprint Reader lets me sign in quickly and with improved security.

  • Its backlit keyboard looks attractive and has well-spaced characters, improving my typing experience.

Pros

  • Fingerprint sensor
  • Rich port connectivity
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Dedicated GPU

Cons

  • I didn't like how the touchpad of this laptop was positioned. It's a bit strenuous, especially for right-handed individuals.

[Best 2-in-1 Design]

4.7/5

Want a laptop for digital art but don't have enough cash? Don't worry. Microsoft Surface Go is an entry-level budget laptop with features I recommend for digital art. I was particularly impressed by the 2-in-1 design. You can switch from laptop to tablet mode in a matter of seconds. Also, the fact that it's a touchscreen laptop makes it easy to work on any pending projects. I also don't have to worry about it going off because it has an impressive battery life.

Microsoft Surface Go Features

Microsoft Surface Go features are listed below.

  • I loved the light portable design of this laptop. With only 1.18 lbs, I conveniently carry it around, allowing me to work from anywhere.

  • The touchscreen display of this laptop gives me an easy time working on my digital art tasks.

  • I love the fact that this laptop has a long battery life of up to 11 hours.

  • It supports Bluetooth 5.0, which lets me share files wirelessly and connect to other Bluetooth devices for an enhanced multimedia experience.

  • The laptop produces accurate and sharp images thanks to the high 1920 x 1280. It also allows me to display more screen content without compromising the display's quality.

  • Compatibility with WiFi means that I can easily connect to the internet.

  • It has 64GB SSD storage that allows me to launch apps instantly.

  • Its 10.5 inches display has enough space to display digital art tools on my screen.

Pros

  • Portable design
  • Supports laptop and tablet mode
  • Touchscreen display
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • I'd have preferred if the RAM, storage, and processor were slightly higher.

The Acer Spin 5 Convertible Laptop is a sleek, high-end laptop that every digital artist should have. What I loved the most about this laptop was its powerful processor - everyone loves a super fast laptop. Besides, it has rich port connectivity that lets me connect to an external display, storage devices, and charge accessories.

Acer Spin 5 Convertible Laptop Features

Acer Spin 5 Convertible Laptop features are listed below.

  • The powerful 10th Generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor has a frequency of up to 3.9 GHz, delivering enough power to run heavy animation and drawing tools.

  • I run processes smoothly and open multiple programs simultaneously without lag, thanks to the 16GB LPDDR4X Memory.

  • The laptop's 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD storage allows me to save my files and project tools efficiently. I'm able to launch my apps instantly.

  • It has a 2k (2256 x 1504) resolution that produces clear and sharp images, which is great for digital art.

  • The extensive 13.5 inches display offers me ample space to display more content on my digital art software. It also allows me to multitask efficiently.

  • The IPS panel has accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angles, enhancing my coverage of the user experience.

  • It has a touchscreen display that's easy to operate and navigate. Drawing on a touchscreen is easier, thus improving my performance.

  • The dedicated Intel Iris Plus Graphics delivers the perfect performance, especially when modeling in 3D.

  • The WiFi 6 AX201 802. 11ax wireless technology lets me connect to the internet and browse for new trends in digital art.

  • The fingerprint ensures I sign in faster and more securely.

  • The powerful battery has a long life of up to 15 hours, ensuring I work all day long.

Pros

  • Fingerprint reader
  • Stylus support
  • Accurate colors
  • Powerful processor

Cons

  • I didn't like this laptop's thick bezels that reduce its workable space.

Talk of premium and lovely laptops. The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 Laptop has all I ever dreamt of in a digital art laptop. One outstanding feature that impressed me was its extensive screen. The main laptop screen can be extended, presenting a great way to multitask. Below are its features.

ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 Laptop Features

ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 Laptop features are listed below.

  • The laptop has a wide 15.6 inches screen that offers ample space to display more content and multitask.

  • The 4K matte touchscreen is easy to navigate, ensuring I create quality digital art projects.

  • The laptop supports a stylus pen, ensuring I easily draw and navigate the laptop.

  • The powerful 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H Processor has a frequency of up to 5.0 GHz, delivering high power to run my drawing tools.

  • The dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Graphics delivers the perfect performance, especially when modeling in 3D.

  • The laptop's 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage lets me save files and data efficiently. I can also launch my apps instantly.

  • Thanks to the 16GB DDR4 RAM I run my projects smoothly and open multiple programs simultaneously without lag.

  • Its 4K display produces sharp and clear images, great for my digital art experience. The high display also allows me to display more content on my screen.

  • It has a wide 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, ensuring my display has deep colors.

  • It is compatible with 2x2 WiFi 6 (802.11AX), which keeps me connected all day.

  • The laptop is compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology that lets me connect it to external soundbars to enhance my multimedia experience. I also share files wirelessly.

Pros

  • Wide DCI-P3 coverage
  • Extensive display for multitasking
  • 4K resolution
  • Sharp and clear images

Cons

  • While this laptop ticks almost every box, it is a bit heavy which can be a bit inconvenient.

Mac laptops have been instrumental to digital artists. 2021 Apple MacBook Pro is no different. The laptop has a 10-core CPU with high frequencies, which is ideal for a laptop for artists. I also liked its liquid Retina XDR display that produced sharp and clear images. Find other features below.

2021 Apple MacBook Pro Features

2021 Apple MacBook Pro features are listed below.

  • What's not to love about a laptop's long battery life? I'm able to use it for up to 21 hours before going off.

  • Being compatible with WiFi, I browse the internet, which helps me research my ongoing art projects.

  • The laptop allows me to save my animation tools, data, apps, and files, thanks to the high 1TB SSD. SSD storage is fast and allows me to launch apps and retrieve files quickly and instantly.

  • The liquid Retina XDR display produces quality images with good clarity, enhancing my modeling experience.

  • The 32-core graphics card delivers swift rendering quality for the digital art experience.

  • The laptop's compact and portable design is great for professional artists. This allows me to work from anywhere.

  • I can easily transfer data and media files from my laptop to other devices and vice versa using Bluetooth. 

  • The high 16GB RAM allows me to run operations smoothly. I can run multiple programs simultaneously without lag, which is great for my projects.

  • The extensive 16 inches display is great for viewing. I can display more screen content, allowing me to render and edit my digital art projects efficiently.

  • It has three Thunderbolt ports that let me connect the laptop to an external storage device when my storage runs out. 

Pros

  • Thunderbolt port connectivity
  • Lightweight design
  • High storage
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • I didn't like this laptop's standard color setting. It's a bit dull.

This laptop must be a favorite for 2-in-1 laptop lovers. I particularly liked its processor model, Intel 11th Generation Core i5. It has the high processing power I need to run my digital art programs. I was also impressed by its long battery life. This laptop can last for 19 hours without recharging.

14.4” Touch Screen Laptop

Microsoft - Surface Laptop Studio Features

Microsoft - Surface Laptop Studio features are listed below.

  • I can easily share data and media files between my devices, which support Bluetooth wireless connectivity. 

  • The laptop's compact and portable design is great when moving around more frequently. I could easily carry it around, thus allowing me to work from anywhere.

  • The extensive 14.4 inches screen is great for viewing. I can display more screen content, allowing me to edit my digital art projects efficiently.

  • The high 2400 x 1600 resolution produces clear and sharp images, great for digital art.

  • The high 16GB RAM allows me to run operations smoothly. I can run multiple programs simultaneously without slowdown, which is great for my projects.

  • The laptop has a touchscreen display that is easy to work on.

  • I was impressed by this laptop's long battery life. I was able to use it for up to 19 hours before it drained.

  • Being compatible with WiFi, I could surf the internet efficiently, which is a great way to keep up with the ever-changing, innovative, and technology-driven world.

  • The laptop allowed me to save all my files and retrieve them fast, thanks to the high 256GB SSD storage.

  • The Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM delivers swift rendering quality for the digital art experience.

  • Features a backlit keyboard with well-fit characters that improve my typing experience.

  • It supports two USB and one Thunderbolt 4 port for charging accessories and connecting to an external storage device.

Pros

  • Thunderbolt 4 port
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Excellent battery life
  • Vivid display

Cons

  • This 2-in-1 laptop has limited port connectivity, which is not good for digital art.

Apple MacBook Air is a robust laptop for digital art. The laptop features high-end specs that ensure I achieve fast and smooth operations. It's a 13.3-inch laptop and ample space to work on my projects. Besides, it has a large memory that ensures a smooth run of activities. Unlike Windows laptops, the Apple MacBook Air has Apple M1 Chip that guarantees top performance.

Apple laptop

2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop Features

2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop features are listed below.

  • The 256GB SSD Storage has enough space that lets me store my data and other media files efficiently.

  • The Apple M1 Chip is powerful to enhance smooth video playback and a lag-free operation, enhancing my movie-watching experience.

  • It features a retina display that produces sharp and clear images, ensuring I get real-life visuals when doing my tasks.

  • It has stereo speakers that produce studio-quality sounds to enhance my multimedia experience.

  • The high 8GB RAM ensures a smooth run of operations. I also open several programs simultaneously without lag.

  • I loved the extensive 13.3 inches display that gives me enough space to work on my digital art project.

  • The fingerprint sensor lets me sign in quickly and securely to protect my data.

  • The touch ID support lets me sign in quickly, securely, and open password-protected programs.

  • This desktop computer is compatible with WiFi, letting me browse the internet for new ideas.

  • The high 2560 x 1600 resolution produces clear and sharp images, which are great for creating digital art.

  • It is compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology that lets me share files with other laptops and devices.

  • It features a lightweight design, letting me carry it around more easily.

  • It features the True Tone technology that adjusts my display's whites to rhyme with my surroundings, which is great for my eyes.

Pros

  • Slim and portable
  • Well-spaced characters on the keyboard
  • Centrally located touchpad
  • True tone technology cares for my eyes.

Cons

  • The laptop has limited port connectivity.

The last laptop on my list is the 2020 Premium Lenovo IdeaPad. It is a high-performing laptop, thanks to its high-end features. I liked the laptop 10 Gen Intel Quad-Core i7-1065G7 processor that delivers high processing power for digital art. Other outstanding features include a touchscreen display, high RAM and storage, and a backlit keyboard.

2020 Premium Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 laptop

2020 Premium Lenovo IdeaPad Features

2020 Premium Lenovo IdeaPad features are listed below.

  • I love the extensive 15.6 inches screen that gives me enough space to work on my digital art project.

  • It has a Full HD display that produces clear and sharp images, great for digital art.

  • The laptop has a touchscreen display that is easy to navigate.

  • The powerful 10th Generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor has a high processing power to run my drawing tools efficiently.

  • The high 16GB RAM ensures a smooth run of operations. I also launch several programs simultaneously without lag.

  • The laptop supports WiFi technology, letting me browse without any hitches.

  • The laptop allows me to save my animation tools, apps, and files, thanks to the high 1TB PCIe SSD. SSD storage is fast, therefore, I can launch apps and programs fast.

  • It has a backlit keyboard with well-spaced characters that improve my typing experience.

Pros

  • Powerful processor
  • Extensive display
  • High RAM
  • Fast internet connectivity

Cons

  • I don't like the location of the touchpad. It can be unsuitable for right-handed people.

Best Laptops for Digital Art Buying Guide

the designer choosing the colors

Consider the following factors before buying a new laptop for digital art:

Processor

When selecting the best processor for digital art, it is worth noting that the bare minimum is the Intel Core i3 laptop. Besides AMD Ryzen 3, this processor is the entry-level processor that works well for digital art. However, they do not produce the best performance for graphic-intensive digital art.

Finding a laptop with a mid-range processor ensures improved performance. The Intel i5 and AMD Ryzen 5 are good options for this case. However, to ensure the best performance, I recommend high-end processor Core i7 laptop and AMD Ryzen 7. For Mac laptops, I recommend an 8-Core Macbook Pro with an M1 Pro chip. These three processors have sufficient power to handle 3D applications, which is great for digital art.

Display

The best ones for digital art are 4K laptops. This high-resolution display lets me view more details in my artwork without compromising the display quality. It also produces excellent display quality to improve my digital art experience.

Remember that 4K screens produce up to 100% of Adobe RGB color gamut, unlike an HD display that is limited to 75% of RGB color gamut.

In terms of screen size, I recommend 15.5 inches though you could go lower depending on your needs. Digital arts need enough space. Therefore the ideal laptop for digital art should have enough space to let you view the art software and display more data on the screen. However, I can advise you to go for a larger screen if available and if you have the extra cash.

IPS panels are great for digital arts compared to other panel types. An IPS panel has accurate color reproduction and excellent viewing angles, which are great for 3D modeling, digital art, and animation.

The refresh rate may vary depending on the task complexity. However, the minimum refresh rate should be 60Hz, although higher resolutions, 120 Hertz and above, are preferable.

RAM

The least memory capacity for a digital art laptop should be 8GB but if your projects aren't too heavy then 4GB is just fine. This memory can launch several programs simultaneously without lagging. However, I'd advise you to go for the 16GB or higher RAM if you have the extra cash. Digital arts perform better in laptops with higher RAM.

Storage

It is worth noting that working with digital art software requires enough storage space. Therefore, the ideal laptop for digital art should have at least 512GB storage SSD. A 256GB SSD is too small, while 2TB is expensive and unnecessary for digital art. I chose SSD drive over HDD because SSD is faster. It allows me to retrieve files faster and launch apps instantly.

I would also recommend you choose a laptop with upgradeable storage. This way, when the storage runs out, it will be easy to upgrade to higher storage. Also, ensure the laptop has a Thunderbolt port that lets one connect an external storage device to the laptop.

Graphics

Graphics cards are a crucial player when it comes to digital arts. For instance, I'll need an Intel UHD graphics card to power my 2D drawing software. This software includes but is not limited to Sketchbook, InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

However, more complex 3D projects are graphics-intensive. Therefore, I'll need a dedicated graphics card that performs best. In this case, I'll need an AMD or Nvidia GPU.

Portability

I need no specific place to work on my digital art projects. I can work from anywhere, as such, a portable laptop is ideal because it's easy to carry it around.

However, despite being portable, I do not need to compromise the hardware specifications. The hardware requirement should be up to the latter.

Battery life

Working on digital art takes a lot of time. These time-consuming projects need a laptop with a powerful battery. Therefore, the ideal battery for a digital art laptop should have a long battery life of 10 hours or more.

laptop and equipment for artists on the desk

 FAQs

What Should I Look For in a Laptop for Digital Art?

The specs you should look for in a laptop for digital art are listed below.

  • Processor - A dual-core processor of at least 2 Ghz. However, quad-core processors work better.

  • Memory capacity - 8 GB though 16 – 32 GB works better for 3D animation.

  • Storage - 512 GB

  • Display - 4K resolution

Which Laptop Is Best for NFT Art?

The best laptop for NFT art is Surface Pro 8. It has a powerful Intel Core i5 processor, 128GB SSD storage, 8GB RAM, 120 Hertz refresh rate, and an HD touchscreen display. The laptop also has a powerful battery with fantastic battery life, ensuring I use it for long sessions without charging.

Which Device Is Best for Digital Art?

The best device for digital art is:

  • A 'blind' tablet. An example of a blind tablet is the Wacom. It lets me draw on the table while watching the display.

  • 'Dumb' screen tablets. These devices are detachable screens that I can mount on a PC and work on my digital art, e.g., the Cintique. It allows me to paint and color my scanned sketches.

  • Tablets. Many artists like the iPad Pro for digital art. These are self-reliant, meaning I won't rely on a computer to work on my digital art tasks.

Which Is the Right Processor for Drawing and Animation?

The right processor for drawing and animation is the 12-core AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. This processor has a base frequency of 3.7GHz and a Turbo Clock of 4.8GHz. It delivers high power. I need to run heavy digital art software and animation tools.

What Are the Best Laptops for Digital Art?

The best laptops for digital art are listed below.

  • Lenovo Flex 5 Laptop

  • Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-53S3 Laptop

  • Microsoft Surface Go

  • Acer Spin 5 Convertible Laptop

  • ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 Laptop

  • 2021 Apple MacBook Pro

  • Microsoft - Surface Laptop

  • Apple MacBook Air

  • 2020 Premium Lenovo IdeaPad Flex

About Dusan Stanar

I'm the founder of VSS Monitoring. I have been both writing and working in technology in a number of roles for dozens of years and wanted to bring my experience online to make it publicly available. Visit https://www.vssmonitoring.com/about-us/ to read more about myself and the rest of the team.