What are the Best Laptops for Graphic Designers and Video Editors in 2023? Our Top Picks!

As a graphic designer or video editor, you don’t want a laptop that slows you down or makes your work look dull. You want a laptop that can keep up with your brilliant ideas and deliver stunning results. But finding the perfect laptop can be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you and tested the top 5 laptops for graphic design and video editing in 2023. Whether you’re looking for something light and stylish or powerful and versatile, we’ve got you covered. So sit back, relax, and let us help you find the laptop of your dreams!

 

Here are the main topics that we’ll cover

• Criteria for Selection
• A Review of the Best 5 Laptops
• Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
• Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
• Dell XPS 17
• Huawei MateBook X Pro
• Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2
• Conclusion

 

Criteria for Selection

To select the best laptops for graphic design and video editing, we used the following criteria:

1. Processing power: This is the most important factor for creative work, as it determines how fast your laptop can run multiple programs, render graphics, and edit videos. You need a laptop that has a powerful CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphics processing unit) to handle your tasks. Generally, you want a CPU that has at least 4 cores and 8 threads, and a GPU that has at least 4 GB of VRAM (video memory). You also want a laptop that has enough RAM (random access memory) to support your CPU and GPU. Generally, you want at least 16 GB of RAM for graphic design and video editing.
   
   

2. Display quality: This is another important factor for creative work, as it determines how accurately your laptop can display colors, contrast, brightness, and details. You need a laptop that has a high-resolution screen (at least 1920 x 1080 pixels) with a wide color gamut (at least 100% sRGB) and good viewing angles. You also want a laptop that has an IPS (in-plane switching) panel or an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panel for better color accuracy and contrast. You may also prefer a touchscreen or a stylus pen for more precise control over your work.
   
   

3. Battery life: This is an important factor for portability, as it determines how long your laptop can last without plugging in. You need a laptop that has a good battery life (at least 8 hours) so that you can work on the go without worrying about running out of juice. You also want a laptop that has a fast charging feature or a removable battery for convenience.
   
   
   
4. Storage space: This is an important factor for performance and convenience, as it determines how much data your laptop can store and access. You need a laptop that has enough storage space (at least 256 GB) to store your files, programs, and projects. You also want a laptop that has an SSD (solid state drive) or an NVMe (non-volatile memory express) drive for faster read and write speeds than a HDD (hard disk drive).
   
   

5. Price: This is an important factor for budget, as it determines how much money you are willing to spend on your laptop. You need a laptop that fits your budget without compromising on quality and performance. You also want a laptop that offers good value for money and has good customer reviews.

    

 

A Review of the Best 5 Laptops

Based on our criteria, we have reviewed 5 best laptops that are suitable for graphic design and video editing. Here are our reviews:

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch

 

The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is our top pick for the best overall laptop for graphic design and video editing. It has the best performance, design, display, battery life, and ports among all the laptops we reviewed. It is the ultimate laptop for creative professionals who want the best of the best.

 

Features

1. CPU: Apple M1 Pro 8-core – M1 Max 10-core
2. GPU: Integrated 14-core – 32-core GPU
3. RAM: Up to 64GB
4. Screen: 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
5. Storage: Up to 8TB
6. Battery life: Up to 21 hours
7. Price: $1,999.00 to $3,099.00

Pros

1. Amazing performance with Apple’s own chips
2. Sleek and elegant design and build quality
3. Best-in-class screen with high resolution and brightness
4. Long-lasting battery life with MagSafe charging
5. SD card slot and HDMI port for connectivity

 

Cons

1. Screen size may not be enough for some users
2. Expensive compared to other laptops
3. Overkill for casual users who don’t need that much power
   
   

The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the best overall laptop for graphic design and video editing. It delivers incredible performance with its Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, which can handle any creative task with ease. It also has a stunning screen with high resolution and brightness, which is perfect for displaying colors and details. It has a long battery life, a sleek design, and a variety of ports for connectivity. It is the ultimate laptop for creative professionals who want the best of the best.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

 

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is our top pick for the best laptop for mobile professionals. It has a versatile performance, an innovative design and display, and an excellent battery life. It also has Surface Pen and Slim Pen 2 support for precise control over your work. It is a laptop that can adapt to your needs and preferences.

Features

1. CPU: Up to Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ H35 i7-11370H
2. GPU: Up to Intel® Core™â€¯i7 models: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™3050 Ti  laptop GPU with 4GB GDDR6 GPU memory 
3. RAM: Up to 32GB
4. Screen: 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen display
5. Storage: Up to 2TB
6. Battery life: Up to 19 hours
7. Price: Starting from $1,373.99

Pros

1. Versatile performance with a fast CPU and GPU
2. Innovative design and display with three modes and a hinge mechanism
3. Excellent battery life for a laptop
4. Surface Pen and Slim Pen 2 support for precise control

 

Cons

1. Expensive compared to other laptops
2. Display could be brighter and more colorful
   
   

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a fast CPU and GPU, an innovative design and display, and an excellent battery life. It also has Surface Pen and Slim Pen 2 support for precise control over your work. It is a laptop that can adapt to your needs and preferences.

 

Dell XPS 17

The Dell XPS 17 has the best balance of performance, portability, and price among all the laptops we reviewed. It is a great laptop for graphic design and video editing that won’t break the bank.

 

Features

1. CPU: Up to 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-12900HK (24 MB cache, up to 5.4 GHz Turbo)
2. GPU: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX™ 3060, 6 GB GDDR6
3. RAM: Up to 32GB
4. Screen: 17-inch FHD+ or UHD+ display
5. Storage: Up to 8TB
6. Battery life: Up to 13 hours
7. Price: $1,299.00 to $2,449.00

Pros

1. Excellent value for money with powerful performance
2. Stunning design and display with thin bezels and high resolution
3. Good battery life for a large laptop
4. Thunderbolt 4 ports for fast data transfer and charging
5. SD card slot and HDMI port for connectivity

 

Cons

1. Fans can get loud under heavy load
2. Webcam quality could be better
   
   

The Dell XPS 17 offers a great balance of performance, portability, and price. It has a powerful CPU and GPU, a large and beautiful display, and a good battery life. It also has a sleek and sturdy design, and four Thunderbolt 4 ports for fast data transfer and charging. It is a great laptop for graphic design and video editing.

 

Huawei MateBook X Pro

The Huawei MateBook X Pro has a similar design and features as the MacBook Pro, but with a Windows operating system and a lower price tag. It is a great laptop for graphic design and video editing that offers a lot of value.

 

Features

1. CPU: Up to 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1360P Processor
2. GPU: Intel® Iris® Xᵉ Graphics
3. RAM:  Up to 32GB
4. Screen: 14.2-inches LTPS touchscreen display
5. Storage: Up to 2TB
6. Battery life: Up to 13 hours
7. Price: starting at $2,000.00

Pros

1. Sleek and lightweight design with a metal body and a thin profile
2. Sharp and colorful display with high resolution and touch support
3. Good performance with a fast CPU and a decent GPU
4. Long battery life with fast charging feature
5. Fingerprint scanner and pop-up webcam for security and privacy

 

Cons

1. Limited GPU power for intensive tasks
2. Speakers could be louder
   
   

The Huawei MateBook X Pro has a similar design and features as the MacBook Pro, but with a Windows operating system and a lower price tag. It has a fast CPU, a decent GPU, a large and vibrant display, and a long battery life. It also has a fingerprint scanner for security and a pop-up webcam for privacy. It is a great laptop for graphic design and video editing that offers a lot of value.

 

Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2

 

The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2 is a powerful workstation that can handle any creative software with ease. It has a sturdy and reliable design, a comfortable keyboard and touchpad, and plenty of ports and options for customization. It is a laptop that can handle any graphic design or video editing project you throw at it.

Features

1. CPU: Up to 11^th Generation Intel^® Core™ i7-11800H Processor (2.30 GHz, up to 4.60 GHz with Turbo Boost, 8 Cores, 16 Threads, 24 MB Cache)
2. GPU: Up to NVIDIA^® T1200 4GB
3. RAM: Up to 128GB
4. Screen: 15.6-inch FHD or UHD display with optional touch support
5. Storage: Up to 4TB
6. Battery life: Up to 9 hours
7. Price: $2,439.00 -$2,499.00

Pros

1. Robust performance with a powerful CPU and GPU
2. Durable and reliable design with a military-grade chassis and a spill-resistant keyboard
3. Good keyboard and touchpad with a TrackPoint and a numeric keypad
4. Plenty of ports and options for customization and upgrade
5. ISV certified for professional software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk Maya, Blender, and more

 

Cons

1. Heavy and bulky for a laptop
2. Average battery life for a workstation
   
   

The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2 is a powerful workstation that can handle any creative software with ease. It has a sturdy and reliable design, a comfortable keyboard and touchpad, and plenty of ports and options for customization. It is also ISV certified for professional software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk Maya, Blender, and more. It is a laptop that can handle any graphic design or video editing project you throw at it.

 

 

Conclusion

The best laptop for graphic design and video editing requires careful consideration of various factors. The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the best overall, while the Dell XPS 17 offers excellent value for money. The Huawei MateBook X Pro is an attractive choice for those on a budget, the Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2 is ideal for those seeking a powerful workstation, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is the best laptop for mobile professionals. By considering the pros and cons of each laptop and evaluating them against your specific requirements, you can choose the best laptop that fits your needs and budget.