Best budget laptop for graphic design
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In the dazzling world of graphic design, having the right laptop is like having a magic wand. It can turn your creative visions into stunning realities. But hey, we get it – not everyone wants to break the bank for a high-end device. And guess what? You don’t have to! 💸🚫
In this post, we’re going to explore the best budget laptops that don’t skimp on performance, perfect for all you graphic design maestros out there.
Powerful processors, vibrant displays, and sleek designs – all without burning a hole in your pocket. Sounds like a dream, right? 🚀
So, tighten your seatbelts, tech enthusiasts! We’re about to embark on a journey to find the ideal balance between cost and performance.
Your perfect budget laptop for graphic design is out there, and we’re here to help you find it! 🕵️♀️🕵️♂️ Let’s dive in, shall we? 💦🤿
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As the years have progressed, the usage of photo editing software and graphic design software has evolved into a common practice in current times.
The number of individuals who are familiar with the different digital software that has made our life simpler and much better in terms of editing and graphic design increases on a daily basis.
More and more people are getting familiar with these programs/Software.
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Because of this, there has also been a growth in the sorts of software that are currently accessible for our day-to-day usage, such as the well-known Photoshop, Picasa, and others, as well as the numerous graphic-designing tools that we have today.
All of these come with unique capabilities and layouts, and they work on a variety of computers.
Some of them are compatible with virtually every fantastic model and require even less RAM, starting at 2 and rising upwards, while others begin at 8 and go beyond.
Although everyone would want to be able to do their graphic design work on a high-priced laptop like an Apple MacBook Pro or a Dell Precision Laptop, the reality is that not everyone has the financial means to purchase such a machine.
It should not follow that as a result, you won’t be able to get an affordable laptop with excellent performance.
We believe that it should never be necessary to take out a second mortgage in order to purchase a fantastic product, as this should never be necessary.
Not only do the laptops on our list of the Best Budget Laptops for Graphic Designers & Creatives in 2023 provide you with excellent performance, but we also took care to choose them so that they won’t put too much strain on your financial situation.
11+ Best budget Laptops for Graphic Design 2023
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 — The best budget laptop For value & blending (My Personal Choice)
- Acer Chromebook 714 — The best Budget laptop for gaming & Video Editing
- Apple MacBook Air — The reasonably priced laptops Apple MacBook, the best laptop for Illustrators.
- HP Pavilion X360– The best Budget for Editors & Graphic designers (best laptop for graphic design & best laptop for illustrator )
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook — The best budget & best bargain laptops for making videos
- Lenovo Chromebook Duet — The best Super duper-budget laptop and best laptop for Photoshop under 500
- Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 — The best budget-friendly convertible laptop-best mid-range ultrabook
- ASUS VIVA Book laptop– the best Budget-friendly Chromebook Alternative and the best laptop for the graphic design student-gaming laptop-best laptop for creative
- Acer Swift 3 — The best Windows laptop for Apple fans(A kind of Apple alternative in Windows)
- Dell Inspiron 15 3505 Laptop – the best cost-effective HD Laptop for Graphic Designers
- Microsoft Surface Go 2 — The best 2-in-1 budget laptop- best budget laptop for programming 2023
- Dell Inspiron 11 3180 — The best laptop for non-Chrome lovers -best budget gaming laptop
- Samsung Chromebook 3 — The best waterproof laptop
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Interested in some of our other top choices? Check out our comparison table below.
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Our Pick
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Description: Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5 14 laptop is a 2-in-1 convertible that delivers exceptional computing capability for half the price of competing models. |
Description: Chromebooks haven't had the same influence on the corporate sector as they have on students and schools because of their cost-effective design. Acer's Chromebook 714 attempts to change that trend by offering low pricing and an aluminum body. |
Description: This MacBook Air, which is built on the M1 chip, is the best option to go with if you're looking for a portable laptop that's not just light but also powerful. |
Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5 14 laptop is a 2-in-1 convertible that delivers exceptional computing capability for half the price of competing models.
Chromebooks haven't had the same influence on the corporate sector as they have on students and schools because of their cost-effective design. Acer's Chromebook 714 attempts to change that trend by offering low pricing and an aluminum body.
This MacBook Air, which is built on the M1 chip, is the best option to go with if you're looking for a portable laptop that's not just light but also powerful.
The Best Overall: Lenovo flex Laptop- A cool blend of performance, flexibility, and value
Lenovo Flex 5 Laptop
Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5 14 laptop is a 2-in-1 convertible that delivers exceptional computing capability for half the price of competing models.
The Flex 5 is a well-designed laptop that boasts a wide range of networking choices, a sturdy frame, and a comfortable keyboard.
However, despite its 14-inch screen's lack of brightness and overall weight, the Flex 5 is an excellent laptop for graphic designers because of its low price, making it one of the most cost-effective options available.
Its combination of power, versatility and pricing make this laptop our pick for the best affordable laptop for designers and artists.
- A very impressive performance
- Excellent value
- There is a privacy shutter included with the webcam.
- Durable body
- There is support for input through touch.
- 3.3 pounds is rather a lot for an ultraportable device and its display is Quite dim
A great Budget laptop for Gaming & Video Editing
Acer Chromebook 714
Chromebooks haven't had the same influence on the corporate sector as they have on students and schools because of their cost-effective design.
Acer's Chromebook 714 attempts to change that trend by offering low pricing and an aluminum body.
Acer's Chromebook 714 is a decent cheap laptop for most tasks, with the sole drawback being that the display isn't as bright as we would like.
This laptop's keyboard isn't as good as some others, but it's also not terrible. It's not as sharp or rock-solid as you'd want, though, when it comes to the actual action.
The Intel Core i3 CPU and a 14-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1080p make it an excellent choice for boardrooms and offices thanks to the inclusion of Google Assistant and a fingerprint reader.
- Excellent battery life
- An elegant Design
- Limitations of ChromeOS
- It's a little hefty.
- The screen's brightness may need a boost.
The best budget-friendly MacBook
Apple MacBook Air
Apple MacBook Air has a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, an integrated 7-core and 8-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, a 13.3-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology, and 256GB to 2TB of SSD storage. Its dimensions are 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches.
The MacBook Air is a wonderful value for the money, even though some of you will yell at us for suggesting it isn't "budget-friendly" because it is an Apple product. Well, One of the most economical Apple computers for graphic design is the MacBook Pro 13".
The MacBook Air's ARM-based M1 CPU, designed by Apple, gives you a notebook with outstanding performance and cutting-edge technology to back it up.
Many thrifty designers may find the MacBook Air beyond their price range, but if you can afford it, you'll walk away perfectly happy.
- Great use of a retina display
- Keyboard and trackpad of the most recent generation.
- Touch ID offers excellent performance thanks to Apple's latest M1 CPU.
- Battery life is excellent
- Lightweight
- Compared to other MacBooks, the sound quality is excellent.
- Port options are limited (only 2 USB C available)
- There isn't a touchscreen option.
Acer Swift 3
Acer's Swift 3 is one of the few inexpensive laptops on the market with an Intel Core i5 CPU that is nearly as powerful as the MacBook Pro that was introduced a few years back.
This Acer laptop, one of the best on the market right now, costs about half as much as an Apple MacBook.
Laptops for graphic designers can't get much more portable or lightweight than this one.
The fingerprint reader and backlit keyboard are two of the most notable features of the Acer Swift 3. One of the most inexpensive laptops for graphic design is this model.
- Great construction and a solid frame Display with a high contrast ratio a long life for the battery
- The computer's hardware is mediocre.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
One of the greatest Windows tablets currently on the market, the Surface Go 2 is Microsoft's second generation of its tablet PC series.
You may browse, play, and binge-watch on its high-resolution touchscreen.
With its enhanced battery life, performance, and slightly larger screen, the Surface Go 2 is a fair contender for conventional laptops and tablets, like the Apple iPad, and with its inexpensive pricing, is more than deserving of earning a position on our list.
- Battery life is excellent
- A well-thought-out plan
- There is an option for a dual studio microphone.
- There is a kickstand available.
- No USB Type-C port (only one available)
HP Pavilion X360
The HP Pavilion X360 is a laptop that comes at a reasonable price and was created with editors and graphic designers in mind. It comes with a stylus pen that can be used for drawing, sketching, taking notes, creating a to-do list, and other activities.
When using a display that has full HD IPS capabilities, you can anticipate incredible color accuracy.
Due to the fact that the 2-in-1 laptop possesses AMD Radeon graphics as well as an Intel i5 7200U processor, it is an excellent choice for design work as well as for light gaming.
This HP laptop is a reliable option for mobile computing thanks to its extensive selection of ports and its high-quality speakers that are built in.
- The laptop is light and compact for traveling
- The touch screen is handy
- Gets Overheated
- Noisy fan
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 2 in 1
When shopping for a good laptop on a budget, it's easy to get caught up in specifications. Let's make things a little easier.
An excellent laptop for online browsing or watching your favorite program, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is lightweight and easy to put up when you're done.
The Lenovo Duet is an excellent option for a budget-friendly laptop, despite the fact that it's a tablet.
- A decent camera and moderate performance.
- Great battery life
- Only one USB port There is no jack for headphones. There is no place for a memory card here.
Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11
An inexpensive Chromebook is a good thing, but finding one that is also a two-in-one laptop is a deal.
But even if the Dell Chromebook 11 2-in-1 laptop isn't as fast as some of its competitors, it's still an excellent option for those looking for an affordable Chromebook with a decent amount of power.
You'll be able to take on any job with an 11.6-inch screen.
Compact design Because the speakers are located at the bottom, the sound quality isn't great.
Overall, the battery life is excellent; however, the display may be improved upon Google Chrome OS has received an upgrade.
Dell Inspiron 11 3180
Although Chromebooks have a tendency to dominate the market for low-cost laptops, the Dell Inspiron 11 3180 is an excellent choice to consider if you do not like Google's operating system.
It comes preinstalled with Windows 10 S, and despite the fact that it is not the quickest laptop available, it is speedier than many other low-cost laptops.
The Inspiron 11 comes equipped with a microSD reader, which is a feature that is becoming increasingly uncommon in modern computers but is included as standard in this model. Dell's Inspiron 11 is an excellent choice for a laptop that will stand up to the rigors of your busy day and won't break the bank.
- Portable and resistant to spills are two advantages of this product.
- Includes Microsoft Windows 10
- short life for the batteries
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Laptop
A competent and well-designed product is not only conceivable, but it also does not necessarily have to be pricey.
This product has the excellent build quality and a hinge that can rotate a full 360 degrees. In addition to its decent battery life and stylish almond-colored metal casing, the Flex 3 also features an SD card reader that can be used to enhance the device's 64GB of internal storage.
Despite the fact that it has a touchscreen, this product is not of particularly high quality, despite the fact that it is available at a price that makes it accessible to a wide range of customers.
- Excellent construction quality;
- SD card reader and USB-C charging port included
- High-quality design, Excellent touchpad, Crisp audio quality, Long lasting battery
- Perky performance, Solid keyboard and touch pad, Long battery life, Plenty of ports
- Dull Screen, Shallow, mushy keyboard, Weak performance,
- Thick display bezel, Limited viewing angles, SD cards stick out of the slot
ASUS VivoBook 15 Business Laptop
When looking for a laptop at a low cost, the first thing you should think about is the maximum amount of money you are willing to spend.
Consider purchasing the Asus Vivobook 15 if you are looking for a laptop that can be purchased for less than $500.
The fundamental specifications are noticeably superior to those of the vast majority of Chromebooks sold at this price point.
The seamless operation of all of your programs can be facilitated by the inclusion of a Nano-edge display and the choice to utilize Intel's Optane memory.
At this price point, you get access to some premium features, and the display size of 15.6 inches looks fantastic.
- The clear and vivid 15.6-inch screen
- The latest generation of Intel processors, top-notch design, and construction.
- The resolution will not change from 1080p
- Display with a 16:9 aspect ratio
Endless | Graphics : Intel® UHD Graphics 620
NVIDIA® GeForce® MX110 2GB GDDR5 | Display 15.6-inch, HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 aspect ratio, LED Backlit, 60Hz refresh rate, 200nits, 45% NTSC color gamut, Anti-glare display, Non-touch screen | Memory : 4GB DDR4 onboard |Storage : 1TB SATA 5400RPM 2.5" HDD |
Samsung Chromebook 3
A drink spilled on a laptop may be disastrous for many of us who work from home since we have small children or are naturally clumsy. However implausible it is, the fact that Samsung has included it does assist the Chromebook 3.
The Chromebook 3's 11-hour battery life and water-resistant keyboard make it ideal for long days at the office. Incredibly lightweight, the Chromebook 3 is a high-quality laptop that can withstand an accidental cup of a coffee spill.
The Samsung Chromebook 3 is an excellent budget laptop for general usage thanks to its long battery life, inexpensive price, and abundance of user-friendly features. The screen could want some work, but otherwise, this laptop is perfect.
The Samsung Chromebook 3 is an excellent laptop for students, professionals, and anybody else who needs a lightweight, high-performance device for their everyday needs.
- An eye-catching, vibrant display
- Batteries with a long-lasting life.
- Exceptional power
- Speakers are not Trustworthy
Dell Inspiron 15 3505 Full HD Laptop
The Dell Inspiron 15 is a straightforward laptop that has a mostly plastic build but gives off the impression of being relatively expensive.
The machine looks more appealing as a whole thanks to the metallic finish that is present on both the keyboard deck and the lid.
The Inspiron 15 gives off the impression of being a contemporary laptop due to the thin bezels that surround the display.
This device is not too heavy or cumbersome to transport, despite having a screen that is 15.6 inches in size. This Dell Inspiron 15 fits wonderfully inside your backpack.
This laptop is a good option for graphic design on a budget, coming in at $550
- Performance-wise, it’s hard to find an equivalent notebook
- Heavy multitasking is possible, as well as running your favorite photo editing software with ease
- The design is rather bland and standard for a budget all-rounder
- tends to get hotter
Body material Plastic / Polycarbonate |
Dimensions 363.9 x 249 x 18 ~ 19.9 mm (14.33" x 9.80" x 0.71") | Weight- 1.96 kg (4.3 lbs
Graphic Design Laptop Requirements
Powerful laptops that can handle demanding tasks are necessary for graphic design, which is a demanding field. When selecting a laptop for graphic design, keep the following things in mind:
- Size of the RAM (the more RAM, the better the laptop will be able to handle larger files).
- CPU and processor speed (The smoother the design program runs, the faster the CPU).
- Display quality (the higher the resolution, the crisper the image)
- Display size (the bigger the screen, the more room you have to work on big, complex artwork with lots of details)-(Bigger the screen is better for Graphic Design work)
- a video card (the better the card, the quicker the laptop will be able to render images)
Minimum Needs for a Laptop for Graphic Design( Or budget gaming laptops)
The best laptop for graphic design work is a mix of important hardware specs and components, as well as a few user choices. This website has hundreds of different business laptops, making it hard for even tech experts to choose.
Lots of RAM to make things go faster
If you can choose a laptop with an AMD processor, go with the A8 or A10 series. In terms of RAM, 8GB should be enough, but it’s always a good idea to be able to add more. RAM doesn’t cost much, and you can always add more later if you need to.
The Intel Core i7 and the AMD FX processor families are both good choices for professionals. AMD also has an A12 series of CPUs, but they may be hard to find.
Graphics card for making complicated scenes and a lot of textures
Having a dedicated Graphic card is Vital. Many people think that graphics cards are only used for games, but every laptop used by a designer needs a graphics card. Almost all of the popular software packages of today make good use of it. If you like to design and paint in 2D, a graphics card will make the program run more smoothly and let you do more complicated tasks.
Display size and size of the screen to make working easier
CG software is hard to use on a small screen because there are so many menus, tools, and color palettes surrounding the small workspace.
The resolution, not the size of the screen, is the problem. When it comes to laptops for designers, the general rule is that the higher the resolution, the better. Most laptop screens have a resolution of 1366768, which is good for surfing the web but not enough for any major design software.
A strong processor/CPU
Using a slow laptop may be unbearable, especially if you are working with graphic applications. Think about using CAD and 3D modeling.
You will need to render large models and scenes, which will take a long time. It is very important to have a fast CPU and a lot of RAM. For beginners, think about an Intel Core i5 CPU from one of the newest versions.
In terms of rendering, a CPU with more cores is better. Keep in mind that some entry-level Core i5 machines may only have two cores.
What is a reasonable amount to spend on a low-cost laptop for graphic design?
When it comes to technological devices, understanding the concept of “cheap” can be challenging because there is no universally accepted meaning of the term.
Check out this quick method that’s based on what you’ll be using your device for the most to determine how much you should spend on a laptop. It’ll help you figure out how much money you need to spend on a computer.
Web-based research, simple note-taking, and management of digital files: Although the price of an entry-level laptop can be as low as $200-300(depending on the manufacturer). They will have the basic minimal specifications necessary to assist you in performing a few simple chores online, managing a few word documents, and streaming entertainment from popular providers such as Netflix or Disney+.
If you are looking at some type of graphic design work you should typically anticipate paying between $500 and $1,000 for one.
Its display won’t blow you away, and if you use it to work from home, it might not be able to handle all of the files you need, but it’s a nice place to start for general use.
FAQs
Does Photoshop require a powerful computer?
If you are a light user, for a start, a quad-core with 8GB of ram is okay, paired with a medium-sized SSD of like 128GB.
However, if you are a heavy user that processes a lot of large images and very extensive editing, then you will need something that is a little bit more powerful than the ordinary user, such as one equipped with a Core i5 or i7 processor, 3.5-4 GHz CPU power, 16 to 32 GB
Which one is more crucial for Photoshop: the RAM or the processor?
It is strongly suggested that your laptop or desktop computer has a memory capacity of around 16 gigabytes (GB) if you plan on using the most recent version of Adobe Photoshop[ Adobe Creative Suite]
This will ensure that the software runs smoothly and without any hiccups.
One advantage of having sufficient memory is that it increases the number of tasks that the central processing unit (CPU) can accomplish concurrently without suffering from slowdowns.
Imagine if by simply opening Adobe Photoshop Light, 1 gigabyte of the total RAM available on the PC is immediately used.
Which computer’s CPU is the most suitable for Photoshop?
At this time, the consensus among industry professionals is that the Core i9 10900K processor is the best option available since it is the most powerful CPU currently available and is capable of running Photoshop without a hitch.
Do you require a robust graphics card in order to run Photoshop?
In my opinion, the answer is yes; you need a graphics card with a lot of capability to get the most out of Photoshop.
The GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or the Radeon RX 480 8GB moving up is the one that is most highly suggested to you since you won’t have any problems using any of these strong graphics cards.
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Will switching to an SSD enhance the speed of Photoshop?
Everyone is aware by this point, which is a significant fact, that SSDs perform far more quickly than HDDs. It’s quite great that Photoshop CS5 can open up four times faster on SSD than it can on HDD.
Which platform, Mac or PC, does Photoshop function more efficiently on?
There is not much of a difference between the two computers in terms of how well Photoshop is able to run on either one of them without any problems.
Summing up!
And that’s a wrap, budget-savvy designer! 🎉💻 We’ve explored the top affordable laptops that pack a punch in the graphic design realm.
Remember, finding the right laptop is all about understanding your needs. Need a color-accurate display? Swift processor? Portability? There’s a budget laptop out there just for you! 🎯💼
So, gear up to bring your creative ideas to life without breaking the bank. Every budget laptop we discussed is a pathway to stunning, professional designs.🚀🌈
Ready to create some magic with your new tech companion? We can’t wait to see what you’ll design next. Happy creating, folks! 🖌️✨
About the Author:
Manny Acharya is the co-founder of Artmellows. Your go-to place for Design, Digital Art, Digital sculpting, Photography, Design Tools and gears Info, and Product Reviews. Manny is a Digital Artist, 3D Sculpt Designer, Ardent Photography, Drone flying Enthusiast, and tech Lover. He supercharges Digital Art and design by crafting memorable 3D sculptures & 2D Design and art. Learn more About Manny:
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