The best laptops for graphic designers in 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

With the school year kicking off and client deadlines stacking up, graphic designers need hardware that can keep pace. A good laptop should render high-res images without lag, display colors with accuracy, and handle heavy creative software without slowing down.

We tested the leading 2025 models to find the machines that can balance all of these things, and more. These are the essential machines to choose from, whether you're in the studio or on the move this fall.

Also: Best laptops for video editing

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What is the best laptop for graphic design right now? 

We tested many excellent laptops to create this list, but our pick for the best laptop for graphic design is Apple's M4 MacBook Pro. It has a stunning display and excellent M4 chip performance. However, our top pick might not be the best fit for every designer's needs. We've rounded up various other top-tier options from Dell, Asus, and Lenovo, so there's many options for a wide range of budgets and features. 

The best laptops for graphic designers in 2025

• Stunning display
• Awesome performance from M4 chip
• Fast transfer speeds

• Very expensive

If you want Apple hardware that's lighter on your wallet and in your bag, we recommend the MacBook Air M3. The M3 chipset is a force to be reckoned with, even on the lightweight MacBook Air.

Review: Apple MacBook Air M3

In addition to the ultra-thin form factor, graphic designers will love that the M3 can output up to two different external monitors simultaneously, allowing you to do your work on bigger screens. The M3 chip on board the Air also allows for future-proofing down the line, with integration with Apple Intelligence and all the upcoming AI features.

MacBook Air M2 specs: CPU: Apple M3 | GPU: M3 integrated graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina | Price: $1,209 (used)

• Lightweight and slim
• Support up to two external monitors
• Great performance

• Substandard speakers
• Limited array of ports

If you want Apple hardware that's lighter on your wallet and in your bag, we recommend the MacBook Air M3. The M3 chipset is a force to be reckoned with, even on the lightweight MacBook Air.

Review: Apple MacBook Air M3

In addition to the ultra-thin form factor, graphic designers will love that the M3 can output up to two different external monitors simultaneously, allowing you to do your work on bigger screens. The M3 chip on board the Air also allows for future-proofing down the line, with integration with Apple Intelligence and all the upcoming AI features.

MacBook Air M2 specs: CPU: Apple M3 | GPU: M3 integrated graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina | Price: $1,209 (used)

Lenovo's recent Yoga 9i 2-in-1 refresh earns our title of the best 2-in-1 graphic design laptop. Convertible 2-in-1 laptops lend themselves very well to professional creative work, as you can write up a document while the machine is in laptop mode and immediately flip the screen to place it into tablet mode.

Review: Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1

The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 features a stunning 2.8K OLED with vibrant colors, so this is something graphic designers and other creatives will love working on. Furthermore, the speakers are housed on the hinge, which helps them sound super crisp and clear, especially for a laptop. The system even comes complete with subwoofers for that extra punch. You also get a free stylus with purchase, allowing you to jump right into your work.

Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 OLED specs: CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | GPU: Integrated Intel graphics card | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 14-inch 2.8K resolution OLED | Price: $1,490

• Gorgeous 2.8K touchscreen
• Compact design
• Comfortable keyboard
• Comes with a stylus

• Short battery life

Lenovo's recent Yoga 9i 2-in-1 refresh earns our title of the best 2-in-1 graphic design laptop. Convertible 2-in-1 laptops lend themselves very well to professional creative work, as you can write up a document while the machine is in laptop mode and immediately flip the screen to place it into tablet mode.

Review: Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1

The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 features a stunning 2.8K OLED with vibrant colors, so this is something graphic designers and other creatives will love working on. Furthermore, the speakers are housed on the hinge, which helps them sound super crisp and clear, especially for a laptop. The system even comes complete with subwoofers for that extra punch. You also get a free stylus with purchase, allowing you to jump right into your work.

Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 OLED specs: CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | GPU: Integrated Intel graphics card | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 14-inch 2.8K resolution OLED | Price: $1,490

Microsoft has made some great drawing laptops, but now Asus is giving the tech giant a run for its money with the ProArt PZ13, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus. Similar to Surface laptops, this device consists of a 3K AMOLED touchscreen tablet connected to a detachable keyboard, but Asus' machine is better suited for creative professionals.

Also: Best drawing tablets

The laptop's display supports Dolby Vision, VESA DisplayHDR True Black, and the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, all of which work together to deliver a "stunning visual experience." Unique to this device is the Creator Hub, a dashboard app that lets you adjust the color output of the ProArt PZ13's display on the fly. It's a handy tool that ensures colors are shown more accurately. There's even a special mode that enhances the visual fidelity of movies.

Review: Asus ProArt PZ13

Besides the display and lightweight design, Asus' ProArt PZ13 has a ridiculously long battery life, capable of lasting over 21 hours on a single charge. You can leave it on overnight and still find it running the next morning.

Asus ProArt PZ13 specs: CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus | GPU: Integrated Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite GPU | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 13-inch 2,880 x 1,800 AMOLED touchscreen | Price: $1,150

• Stunning OLED display
• Long-lasting battery
• Powerful hardware
• Supportive apps

• Limited array of ports
• Substandard keyboard

Microsoft has made some great drawing laptops, but now Asus is giving the tech giant a run for its money with the ProArt PZ13, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus. Similar to Surface laptops, this device consists of a 3K AMOLED touchscreen tablet connected to a detachable keyboard, but Asus' machine is better suited for creative professionals.

Also: Best drawing tablets

The laptop's display supports Dolby Vision, VESA DisplayHDR True Black, and the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, all of which work together to deliver a "stunning visual experience." Unique to this device is the Creator Hub, a dashboard app that lets you adjust the color output of the ProArt PZ13's display on the fly. It's a handy tool that ensures colors are shown more accurately. There's even a special mode that enhances the visual fidelity of movies.

Review: Asus ProArt PZ13

Besides the display and lightweight design, Asus' ProArt PZ13 has a ridiculously long battery life, capable of lasting over 21 hours on a single charge. You can leave it on overnight and still find it running the next morning.

Asus ProArt PZ13 specs: CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus | GPU: Integrated Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite GPU | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 13-inch 2,880 x 1,800 AMOLED touchscreen | Price: $1,150