Best Laptop For Drawing

If you are one of those engineering students or designers then you must be looking for the best laptop for drawing. It is because things have changed so much due to modern technology. Previously people used to draw maps and plans on large sheets. Now there is AutoCAD, photoshop, illustrator, and many more programs for that.

Best Laptop For Drawing

However, a drawing laptop needs to have powerful specs. It is because these laptops usually handle intense graphics related tasks which isn’t the job of regular components.

With so many options selecting the best laptop for drawing can be a challenge. Therefore, we did some research for you. During our study, we analyzed the top-notch devices on the market and checked their pros and cons carefully. After a thorough analysis, we were able to compile a list of the best laptops that will serve you well.

So without any further ado, let’s take a look at some of our favorite devices for drawing and other designing related jobs.

Our Favorite Laptops

• Microsoft Surface Book 3 Best Overall
• ASUS 2-in-1 Best Budget
• Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Best GPU

Best Laptop For Drawing: 12 Detailed Reviews

So, let’s now take a closer look at the best picks, shall we?

1. Dell New XPS 13

Specifications

CPU	Intel core i7
GPU	Intel iris plus
RAM	16GB
Storage	512GB SSD
Battery Life	12 hours

The first device on our list of recommendations is the Dell XPS 13. It proves to be the best laptop for drawing because of a few qualities.

Physical features – The laptop comes in a pretty amazing shape. It is super thin like a razor which makes it quite fantastic and lightweight. Apart from that, the device possesses a 13.4 inch touch display that gives you the freedom to draw anything you want. Touch screens make drawing extremely easy as compared to a mouse or trackpad.

Processor – The laptop comes with a state of the art intel core i7 CPU. Its 10th generation CPU is powerful enough to handle even the heaviest processing tasks without any problem. You won’t experience any issues or lags due to its increased efficiency. In addition to this, the processor also allows you to overclock and increase the base frequency if you need to.

Memory and Storage – The Dell XPS 13 possess 16 GB RAM which uses DDR4 technology and provides excellent speed. The RAM on this laptop is truly a beast when it comes to handling heavy-duty tasks. It will leave you astonished with its outstanding performance. 

As for the storage, the laptop possesses a whopping 512GB SSD card which provides fast booting and superb storage.

GPU – XPS 13 features the Intel iris plus graphics which of course, can’t match NVIDIA but it does the job. You can use pretty much every software on this device without any problem.

2. Apple MacBook Air

Specifications

CPU	Intel Core i3 10th generation
GPU	intel iris graphics
RAM	8GB
Storage	256GB/512GB SSD
Battery Life	12 hours

Another top-notch device for drawing is the Apple MacBook Air. It is available in 3 different colors and possesses some powerful components that make it the best laptop for drawing. People who are into graphics designing and engineering will love this device because of its features.

Physical features – As soon you take this device in your hands you will feel quality. The Apple MacBook is very lightweight and easy to use. It comes with a 13 inches retina display that provides amazing colors. Moreover, the display provides amazing results from different viewing angles.

Processor – The CPU on this device is still a bit outdated for some users. Especially if you are looking for the Core i5 or something higher than this device isn’t for you. However, the 10th generation core i3 CPU still provides the best of its performance to the user. 

One thing that we like the most about Apple devices is their insane level optimizations. They are highly optimized so that even dated components can provide the best results.

Memory and Storage – We were quite amazed when we learned that this device had 8GB RAM. It provides enough memory to let your device perform optimally even under a heavy work load. 

Even if you are multi-tasking you shouldn’t face any problem with this laptop. While for the storage the laptop comes with two options. You can either get a 256GB or 512GB SSD card which is totally up to you.

GPU – It also has the intel iris graphics which is great for lightweight gaming and drawing. Apart from that, you can also install an external GPU using thunderbolt 3.

3. Dell Inspiron

Specifications

CPU	Intel Core i3 8th generation
GPU	Intel UHD Graphics
RAM	8GB DDR4
Storage	128GB SSD
Battery Life	Approx 5 hours

If you are a huge fan of the dell laptops then we’ve found something special for you. The Dell Inspiron is one of the best laptops for drawing because of its powerful processor and amazing performance.

Physical features – the device comes with a standard 15.6 inches display that provides crystal clear output. Apart from that, it is slim and stylish and very easy to carry around. The device weighs only 4.41 lbs which makes it an outstanding device for designers. It provides 760P resolution which may not be suitable for all of you. However, in our opinion, the device is perfect for its price.

Processor – When it comes to CPU, it comes with the intel core i3 8th generation processor. The processor features 2 cores which makes it able to withstand heavy loads without any issue. Even if you put it in multi-tasking situations the processor provides excellent results. though you may get some frame drops here and there overall it is perfect.

Memory and Storage – The Dell Inspiron is equipped with 8GB DDR4 technology RAM. It is capable of providing enough volatile memory to perform daily tasks. Apart from that, you have enough power to use software like photoshop, ink space, CorelDraw, etc.

In addition to this, the laptop comes with 128GBs of a solid-state drive. The PCI-e SSD of this device provides speed and storage at the same time. However, the storage may be less for some people and you may want to add extra if you need it.

GPU – It comes with stock intel graphics which is our only complaint about this device. However, for such a price range it still is a better choice especially when you are on a budget.

4. Microsoft Surface Book 3 Best Overall

Specifications

CPU	Intel Core i7 10th generation
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce 1660Ti
RAM	16GB
Storage	256GB
Battery Life	15.5 hours

Another perfect device that we found during our research is the Microsoft Surface book 3. It also proves to be the best laptop for drawing due to its ultimate capabilities. It is a two in one device that can be converted to a tablet when needed.

Physical features – The laptop possesses 13.5 inches display which provides true and bright colors. Moreover, it provides HD resolutions and comes in a very portable design. You can take it to your school, cafe, or your workplace without any issue. You can take the tablet-only part or the whole laptop; it is totally up to you.

Processor – The new core i7 10th generation processor provides enough power to handle any kind of situation. It provides better processing and smoother performance. Apart from that, this device works much better than the previous surface version.

Memory and Storage – When it comes to memory the device is truly a powerhouse. The 16GB RAM of this laptop can handle the wildest tasks without any problem. Even if it is a multi-tasking situation you won’t experience any lag. 

It saves time and provides a better user experience with its blazing fast speed. While at the same time, the 256GB storage will provide you plenty of space to store your data. Oh! we almost forgot to mention that this laptop comes with an SSD.

GPU – You will be pleased to hear that Surface Book 3 comes with a powerful NVIDIA GPU. It can handle any kind of rendering or graphics-related tasks with its powerful GPU and provides better results. You will get a much smoother experience like butter with these components.

5. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Best for GPU

Specifications

CPU	AMD Ryzen 7
GPU	AMD Radeon RX VEGA
RAM	16GB
Storage	512GB SSD
Battery Life	11.5 hours

If you want to go for an alternative option then the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 with Ryzen is a better option. It comes with a bunch of cool features that made us include it in our list of the best laptop for drawing.

Physical features – The device possesses a thin razor-like structure, keeping its surface book tradition. It features a 15 inches touch screen that allows you to draw anything you want. Apart from that, the display provides amazing resolution and better viewing angles.

Processor – The new AMD Ryzen 7 is one of the more powerful CPUs on the market. It is famous for hyper-threading technology that makes it able to withstand heavy-duty tasking. Most people don’t like AMD CPU due to their heating issues but Ryzen is different from that. You can overclock it and get its maximum potential without any problem.

Memory and Storage – The 16GB RAM will handle anything no matter if you are using multiple windows at the same time. It comes with enough bandwidth to do the job and provides better performance to the user. Apart from that, the 512GB SSD drive will amaze you with its true power and capacity.

GPU – The Microsoft Surface Book 3 possesses AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 Graphics card in its 15-inch version. The AMD Radeon is a powerful GPU especially when you are into 2D and 3D animation. You will see its true potential during rendering and drawing.

6. HP 15

Specifications

CPU	Intel Core i5 10th generation
GPU	Intel UHD Graphics
RAM	16GB
Storage	512GB SSD
Battery Life	9 hours

HP is another top-notch brand to consider if you are looking for the best laptop for drawing. It is capable of doing amazing things due to its powerful components.

Physical features – The HP 15 possesses 15.6 inches HD display that provides crystal clear output. In addition to this, the laptop also has a very responsive touch screen which helps designers to draw whatever they want. It also makes online teaching quite easy especially when you want to write the lesson and illustrate some examples.

Processor – For CPU, the manufacturer has installed the latest intel core i5 10th generation processor. It is one of the most powerful CPUs that are capable of handling heavy-duty operations. It provides 3.6GHz of an outstanding base frequency. Apart from that, the turbo boost option allows you to push the CPU beyond its limits.

Memory and Storage – It has 16GB DDR4 RAM that makes it capable of doing some serious things. No matter what software you are running on your computer you will never run out of memory. Apart from that, the device also possesses 512GB of PCI-e NVMe SSD card. The SSD helps in faster bootup, copying files, and installations.

GPU – Although this laptop has some powerful components it is still missing a sound GPU. The Intel UHD Graphics still provides much better output but it would be best if it had at least the NVIDIA 930MX GPU.

7. Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop

Specifications

CPU	AMD Ryzen 5
GPU	AMD Radeon Vega
RAM	12GB
Storage	256GB SSD
Battery Life	12 hours

It is nearly impossible when talking about the best laptop for drawing and not considering the Lenovo devices. The Lenovo Flex 14 is one of the most efficient devices that you will ever use and that too on a budget range. The device comes with some cool features that will amaze you.

Physical features – It comes in a pretty cool design that allows the user to flip the device and make it a tablet. Apart from that, the device comes with a cool pen that makes drawing and writing on the screen extremely easy. 

Moreover, the slim and super-lightweight structure of this device makes it portable to the next level. In addition to this, the screen provides 1080P resolutions which makes it a better option for entertainment and work.

Processor – The Lenovo Flex 14 comes with one of the most powerful processors on the market. The Ryzen 5 3500U provides enough processing power to handle daily tasks and your work. 

You won’t face lagging or losing even a single frame for a second with this amazing CPU. It offers enough base frequency to let you do everything super smoothly without any tension. However, if you ever feel a need for more frequency you can simply overclock it.

Memory and Storage – When it comes to RAM, this device features a total of 12GB RAM. The RAM has enough bandwidth to provide excellent performance throughout the day. You can play games, stream, or even use heavy programs such as Matlab, or Adobe Softwares. 

Moreover, the 256GB storage on this device is more than enough. It is capable of storing a huge amount of files, folders, and programs. Apart from that, the transfer rate of the SSD is remarkable on this device.

GPU – If you want to have some fun with work then the AMD Radeon Vega GPU is a perfect fit for this device. It can handle tough graphics processing tasks with ease and let you enjoy the session. At the same time, the GPU isn’t too expensive which keeps the overall laptop in a budget range.

8. Acer Chromebook Spin 311

Specifications

CPU	Intel Celeron N4020
GPU	Stock Intel graphics
RAM	4GB
Storage	32GB eMMC
Battery Life	10 hours

Chromebooks are also quite interesting devices when it comes to drawing and sketching. During our research, we stumbled upon the Acer Chromebook spin 311 and noticed some amazing things about it. We decided to include it on our list of recommendations.

Physical features – The device features a very lightweight structure that makes it very easy to carry. You can take it anywhere you want whether it be your class, lab, or just a cafe where you work and enjoy the coffee. 

Apart from that, It has an 11 inches HD display with a very responsive touch screen. Now for some people that display might be a bit small but it is perfect for those who are teaching and drawing on the screen.

Processor – The Intel Celeron N4020 CPU on this device isn’t rated for handling extremely heavy-duty tasks. But it provides enough processing power to help you fulfill your daily needs. It isn’t too bad when compared to the price of the device and other components. 

A Chromebook is after all a Chromebook. If you need to handle powerful software then you should select something appropriate. Chromebooks are suitable for students and office use only.

Memory and Storage – When it comes to memory the Acer Chromebook features 4GB LPDDR4 RAM that allows it to handle tasks. You can install different kinds of software and run them at the same time without facing any problem. The device offers 32GB eMMC storage and 100GB additional google drive storage. Cloud storage is quite perfect; it allows you to access your files from anywhere you want.

9. Acer Spin 3 Convertible Laptop

Specifications

CPU	Intel Core i7 8th gen
GPU	Intel UHD graphics
RAM	16GB
Storage	512GB
Battery Life	4 hours

Another top-quality laptop that you can consider for drawing and stuff is the Acer Spin 3. It also features some stunning components and amazing qualities. Let’s take a look at some of its features and learn how this laptop can be the best laptop for drawing.

Physical features – The Acer Spin 3 features a remarkable design that allows you to flip it and turn it into a tablet whenever needed. Apart from that, it has a very lightweight structure that allows the user to carry it freely. 

Moreover, it comes with a pretty decent screen that provides Full HD resolution in its 14 inches size. You will enjoy your designs and entertainment on this device.

Processor – When it comes to processing, the Acer Spin 3 has an Intel Core i7 8th gen CPU. It is still one of the most powerful devices in 2020 that will run almost all software related to drawing and sketching. 

It can reach up to 4.6GHz which is way more than awesome for those who want to run some heavy software on their laptop.

Memory and Storage – The device comes with 16DDR4 RAM which allows it to be super smooth in all conditions. You will always have enough RAM to work on the different software side by side. 

Besides that, the 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD provides enough storage to store all of your necessary data without any problem. You can store games, movies, software setups, or anything you want because you have plenty of storage.

GPU – It comes with Stock Intel UHD graphics which in our opinion is a bit dated. The manufacturer should have installed something to match the other components. However, the UHD graphics still work for most of the cases.

10. Lenovo Flex 5

Specifications

CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
GPU	AMD Radeon graphics
RAM	16GB
Storage	256GB SSD
Battery Life	10 hours

After using the Lenovo Flex series we are sure you won’t like using another device for drawing. It is quite suitable for designers due to its amazing capabilities.

Physical features – The device comes in a pretty neat design. It features an ultra-thin and lightweight design that allows you to carry without any issue. In addition to this, the device also has a 14-inches display that provides amazing output from different viewing angles.

 It features 1080P resolutions which is the secret behind its crystal clear display. It weighs only 3.6 pounds which makes it extremely easy to carry from place to place.

Processor – The Lenovo Flex 5 features a state of the art processor that makes it capable of doing so many things. The Ryzen 5 4500U CPU on this device makes it a true machine for running all kinds of heavy software without any lag. 

Moreover, the processor provides its full performance with its base frequency but you can push it beyond its limits when needed. It won’t have any heating issues or other problems.

Memory and Storage – As for the memory, the Lenovo Flex 5 comes with 16GB DDR4 RAM. It has enough RAM for playing games and using heavy softwares. 

Apart from its high RAM, the laptop also features 256GB of NVMe PCIe SSD card that provides enough storage to the user to store all of your data at a higher speed.

GPU – This laptop comes with AMD Radeon graphics which makes it an outstanding device. The Radeon graphics processing units are quite amazing while still being in a budget range.

11. Lenovo 300e Flagship 2-in-1 Laptop

Specifications

CPU	Intel Celeron N3450
GPU	intel HD graphics 500
RAM	4GB DDR4 SDRAM
Storage	64GB eMMC
Battery Life	8 hours

During our research, we also found the Lenovo 300e flagship laptop. It is one of the most underrated laptops from Lenovo that has better components for its price.

Physical Features – The device seems a bit bulky which may not impress a lot of users in 2020. however, it isn’t very heavy and still provides a good user experience when handling. It comes with an 11 inch screen that offers 760P resolutions. 

You will get much better output even in a bright outside environment. Apart from that, the touch screen on this device is pretty amazing.

Processor – It still has the Intel Celeron N3450 processor which features 4 cores. Now the multiple cores may help the CPU to perform a bit better under load condition. But we don’t recommend using this device for very heavy tasks. It will still give you much better fps than a lot of Chromebooks on the market though.

Memory and Storage – It has 4GB DDR4 SDRAM which allows the device to perform smoothly. You can run pretty much all graphics related softwares as it has enough memory. apart from that, the device allows you to store your data in its 64GB eMMC SSD. Now you might be thinking that it provides very low storage. Luckily you can store additional data on cloud platforms.

GPU – this laptop comes with the stock intel HD graphics 500 and has no dedicated GPU. However, at this price range, it is still a beast.

12. ASUS 2-in-1 Best Budget

Specifications

CPU	intel core i5 7th gen
GPU	NVIDIA GTX 940MX
RAM	8GB RAM
Storage	1TB HDD + 128GB SSD
Battery Life	16 hours and 42 minutes

Last but not least, we have this Asus 2-in-1 laptop on our list of the best laptop for drawing. It comes with some outstanding features that will amaze you. Apart from that, the device features a lot of powerful components that make it a better choice.

Physical features – The laptop features a pretty thin structure, that makes it look fantastic. Apart from that, you can flip the screen in any direction you want. It can be turned into a tablet when needed to make the drawings easier. In addition to this, it has a 15.6 inches HD display that provides crystal clear image quality. Moreover, the viewing angles on the screen are remarkable.

Processor – The Asus 2-in-1 features an intel core i5 7th generation processor. It is one of our favorite processors because of its capabilities. The device allows you to run any kind of software without any lag. 

Moreover, it can handle heavy-duty processing without any problem. It features 2 cores that distribute the load and make the computer run smoothly. You will get a base frequency of 2.5GHz on this processor. However, if that isn’t enough for you feel free to push it beyond its limits.

Memory and Storage – Asus 2-in-1 comes with 8GB RAM. DDR4 technology allows the device to be smooth like butter. It enhances the overall capabilities of the laptop and makes it a better choice in 2020. 

Apart from that, the device features 2 types of storage which enhances its performance. You will get 1TB storage on standard HDD while 128GB SSD storage for better speed.

GPU – The NVIDIA GTX 940MX GPU allows it to run softwares like CorelDraw or Adobe XD without any problem. You have complete freedom to do whatever you want with your laptop as it has all the sound components to handle the tasks.

Things to Consider When Choosing Your Laptop

If you are a complete beginner and looking for the right type of laptop for your needs we will help you select one. There are a few points that you need to keep in mind while buying the best laptop for drawing. These points will narrow down your search space and help you get the best device for your needs

Graphics

Since you are buying a laptop for drawing you will be running heavy software. By heavy software we mean applications that require a lot of graphics processing. For that purpose, you need to have a laptop with a sound GPU. Your laptop should have at least NVIDIA 940MX or AMD Radeon graphics. 

RAM

While selecting a laptop for drawing make sure it has enough RAM to withstand the daily tasks. Softwares like Adobe and Autodesk eat RAM like a hungry wolf and as a result, you will get a laggy and slow device which is totally unwanted. Always make sure your laptop has at least 8GB of RAM if you want to have a lag-free experience. 

Display

The display of a device totally depends on the requirements of the user. Some people like bigger displays while some people are comfortable on small screens as it allows them to have full control while drawing. 

Additionally, some of these laptops come with a touch screen while others do not. Touch screens are often capable of working with stylus or pencils to truly maximize your drawing potential.

CPU

Whether you are buying a laptop for gaming, engineering, or just digital arts, the CPU is still your main component. The better your device’s CPU is the easier your life will get. You won’t face heating issues and work uninterruptedly on your projects. However, if your CPU isn’t a good one then you will have a very hard time using your laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. Can you draw on a touchscreen laptop?

Touch screen laptops are quite easy to draw. You can use them for class illustrations, graphics designing, and 2D and 3D animations. You can use your fingers to draw on the screen which will give you better results as compared to a mouse. However, if you have a touch pen the results will be even better. 

Q2. How much RAM do I need for digital art?

RAM is one of the essential components that decide your system’s performance. For digital art, since you will be running some heavy applications you need to have at least 8GB of RAM. It will allow your computer to perform smoothly and uninterrupted. However, if you have a budget we would highly recommend going for more RAM. 

Q3. What operating system is best for graphic design?

Normally there are three types of operating systems people use. These include the macOS, Windows, and ChromeOS. However, during our research, we found that Windows and macOS performs pretty amazingly. The operating systems are well optimized and can handle all kinds of operations. 

Q4. Is i5 enough for graphic design?

Intel Core i5 is more than enough for graphics designing. Your CPU provides processing power to the computer which combines with the graphics card. If you are using a laptop for graphics designing and it has a dedicated graphics card then any generation of intel core i5 above 7th generation will give you its maximum performance. 

Q5. Which graphic card is best for Photoshop?

While there is no computer device that can be called the best of the best. We found the Nvidia Quadro GPU quite amazing for photoshop. It is because the GPU has some serious rendering capabilities and provides amazing graphics processing power that enables the computer to run the softwares smoothly. Whether it is raster files or vectors the GPU can process it quite efficiently.

Our Top Picks

• Microsoft Surface Book 3 Best Overall
• ASUS 2-in-1 Best Budget
• Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Best GPU

Conclusion

We have mentioned our top 12 recommended devices when it comes to the best laptop for drawing. We hope after reading our list you will have decided your laptop by now. However, if you are still not sure what to go for then we highly recommend buying the Microsoft Surface Book 3. 

It has extended battery life, a powerful CPU, and an efficient GPU. It will do all kinds of jobs for you quite efficiently without any problem. Moreover, the device is pretty slim and portable which makes it easy to carry around.