Hey there, digital artists!
Are you thinking of upgrading your drawing tools or simply looking for the best laptop for digital drawing? In this article, we will narrow down your choices by sharing the list of best laptops for drawing that will give you an awesome working experience.
Living in a digital era allows you to explore so many drawing tools where you can produce 2D or 3D drawings. You may opt to buy a conventional laptop but most artists these days are fond of touchscreen and 2-in-1 laptops where they can use stylus pens so that they can draw anywhere and anytime.
Putting this list of best laptop for digital drawing together is a result of thorough research on the specs and on what most artists prefer so you will only see the best laptop for drawing available in the market today. They offer the necessary features that you will need for drawing.
You need to remember that a laptop that is specifically made for animation or drawing will give you a greater opportunity to control contrast, color accuracy, and resolution at the point of a stylus pen. Drawing laptops are created to provide the best rendering quality that every artist will like.
List of Best Laptops for Drawing to Buy Online
Image | Product | Price |
---|---|---|
![]() | ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581Good Choice
| Check Price |
![]() | Samsung Galaxy Book ProAmazon’s Choice
| Check Price |
![]() | Microsoft Surface Pro 7Good Choice
| Check Price |
![]() | Microsoft Surface Laptop 2Good Choice
| Check Price |
![]() | Acer ConceptD 3 Ezel CC314-72G-72SXGood Choice
| Check Price |
![]() | HP Envy X360Good Choice
| Check Price |
![]() | HP ZBook Studio x360 G5Good Choice
| Check Price |
![]() | 2021 Apple MacBook ProAmazon’s Choice
| Check Price |
![]() | NEW Microsoft Surface Book 3Good Choice
| Check Price |
![]() | HP Pavilion x360Good Choice
| Check Price |
1. Best Touch Screen Laptop – ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10750H
- Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
- Screen Size: 15.6 inch
- RAM: 16 GB
- Battery Life: Up to 6 Hours
- Weight: 5.50 lbs
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 is an exceptional and the best touch screen laptop for drawing because of its dual-screen feature.
The Core i7-10750H processor in this laptop comes with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU for a boost in performance. Another good thing about the laptop is the 16 GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB PCIe SSD storage space that lets you store and run numerous files.
It has a 15.6 inch 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen main display and a 4K secondary glossy touchscreen display that helps in optimizing your workflow. The maximum screen resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels.
The laptop comes in with detachable palm rest as well as stylus pen so you can unleash your artistry conveniently, without needing another drawing pad on the side.
It runs on a lithium-ion batteries that can last for several hours and weighs around 5.50 pounds. In terms of connectivity, it has 802.11ax, HDMI, audio jack, Bluetooth, Thunderbolt 3 USB-C, and USB 3.1 Gen 2.
For an on-the-go drawing experience, get ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 – the best touch screen laptop for drawing.
Pros
- ScreenPad Plus: App Switcher feature that allows you to have a multi-window experience
- Shows excellent color reproduction regardless of brightness level to enjoy vivid colors
- LED-illuminated NumberPad that is included in the touchpad
Cons
- Quite pricey
- May be quite big for others
2. Best Lightweight Laptop – Samsung Galaxy Book Pro
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Screen Size: 15.6 inch
- RAM: 16 GB
- Battery Life: Up to 20 Hours
- Weight: 2.31 lbs
Want a laptop that is a premium choice among digital drawing artists?
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro is the best laptop for drawing because of its superb features. It has a sleek and dual-color design that gives an elegant vibe.
The 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and its amazing graphics coprocessor can make rendering of animation a smooth process and displays sharp drawings that look great from any angle.
Art enthusiasts will appreciate the 16GB LPDDR4 RAM and the 512GB SSD storage space that provides a lag-free performance.
The 15.6 inch AMOLED screen display and 1920x 1080pixels resolution promise a vibrant viewing experience while working under different light conditions.
The laptop has USB 2.0 ports, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi features for connectivity. This superior laptop that weighs 2.31 pounds has the power to last for 20 hours.
This Samsung Galaxy Book Pro has all that it takes to qualify as the best laptop for drawing and animation.
Pros
- Has a technology that reduces harmful blue light
- Light laptop with dual-color, sleek and stylish design
- Capable of downloading large files and documents in a snap
Cons
- May be quite big for others
- Connectivity options is underwhelming
3. Best Drawing Laptop Under $800 – Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Screen Size: 12.3 inch
- RAM: 8 GB
- Battery Life: Up to 10.5 Hours
- Weight: 1.70 lbs
Stand out from the ordinary is the tagline of Microsoft for this device; what’s amazing about it is its portability and functionality that may be used in tablet, studio, or view modes depending on the necessity.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a famous option among buyers who are trying to find the best 2-in-1 laptop for drawing.
Students and even professionals find this laptop on the competitive side because of its mechanism to load and run heavy apps and programs, thanks to the 10th Gen Intel Core i5 and the good graphics coprocessor of this device.
The stunning 12.3 inch touchscreen display and 2736×1824 pixels resolution is just enough to help you check the quality of photos that you are working with on your laptop.
You won’t worry about running out of battery because it can last for 10.5 hours and you can also bring it wherever you go for it only weighs 1.7 pounds.
Transferring files is not a daunting task too because of the availability of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other ports that you may use to connect to nearby gadgets.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is the right choice as the best touchscreen laptop for drawing.
Pros
- Features password-free Windows Hello sign-in
- May be used in different modes such as: laptop, studio and tablet
- A versatile laptop that allows users to type, draw, write, work, and play conveniently
Cons
- No USB Thunderbolt port
- Storage capacity could be higher
4. Best Small Laptop – Microsoft Surface Laptop 2
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Screen Size: 13.5 inch
- RAM: 16 GB
- Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours
- Weight: 5.00 lbs
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 is popular among beginning artists right now for several reasons.
After studying the features of this laptop and the reviews given by experts, it is finally time to unveil what is fascinating about this laptop – it runs on a 1.6 GHz core i5 8400t CPU and has Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU.
Moreover, the 16GB RAM and the 512GB storage space added to the preference value of the device. Whether you’re running a drawing app or doing an intensive editing task, this laptop won’t fail you.
The screen display that helps in analyzing and checking the quality of images when editing is around 13.5 inch and has a maximum resolution of 2256×1504 pixels.
The battery may last for a few hours and it’s easy to bring around for its weight is only 2.76 pounds. Connectivity options are outstanding, it has Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi, USB type A, and surface connect.
If you need a laptop that supports the seamless accomplishment of tasks, make Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 your top choice.
Pros
- Flaunts an elegant and clean design
- Comes with integrated UHD graphics
- 13.5 inch PixelSense touchscreen that is perfect for artists
Cons
- Limited connectivity options
- May be quite heavy for some
5. Best Convertible Laptop – Acer ConceptD 3 Ezel CC314-72G-72SX
- Processor: Intel i7-10750H
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- Screen Size: 14 inch
- RAM: 16 GB
- Battery Life: Up to 14.5 Hours
- Weight: 3.7 pounds
Strike your creative side through Acer ConceptD 3 Ezel CC314-72G-72SX Convertible Creator Laptop that can cater to all your artistic endeavors.
It can effortlessly process and handle images with its 10th Generation Intel Core i7 10750H 6-Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU. You can unleash your creativity at the speed of your own imagination with the help of 16GB DDR4 and 512GB NVMe SSD storage.
Be accurate with your drawings that are made visible in the 14 inch full HD touchscreen anti-glare display that comes with 1920×1080 pixels resolution. The display also supports a stylus pen, making it as best touchscreen laptop for drawing. It is also worth mentioning that it has an amber backlit keyboard that you can use even in a low-light environment.
In addition, the laptop weighs about 3.7 pounds and the battery may last for 14.5 hours before plugging it into a socket. There is also variation in terms of connectivity, such as 802.11ax, HDMI, Bluetooth, and USB ports.
Accelerate your aesthetic creations and ensure that every detail is visible by using Acer ConceptD 3 Ezel CC314-72G-72SX Convertible Creator Laptop.
Pros
- Get a lot of things done with Alexa technology
- The stylus pen offers incredible precision and gives an incredible pen on paper feel
- Acer’s innovative Ezel hinge offers 6 convertible modes to easily share and collaborate with others
- Has Micro-Arc Oxidation that gives another level of hardness, strength and oxidation resistance to laptop’s metal surfaces
Cons
- No optical drive
- Connectivity options could be better
6. Best 2-in-1 Laptop – HP Envy X360
- Processor: AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5 2500U
- Storage: 256GB PCle SSD
- Screen Size: 15.6 inch
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Battery Life: Up to 10.5 Hours
- Weight: 4.49 lbs
Envy X360 hails from a brand that is known for making durable laptops, HP. Its ultra-fast processor is attributed to AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5 2500U(>i7-7500U) that is matched with AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphic coprocessor.
Artists always prefer this model because of those specs that can run animated designs and respond to editing software in one click.
Furthermore, the 256GB PCle SSD storage and 8GB DDR RAM guarantee ample space to save and load graphics apps.
The 15.6 inch full HD touchscreen display with 1920×1080 maximum screen resolution is exceptional, and the speed capability is striking.
This laptop is easy to set up so you can directly get to work anytime. Indulge in connecting other devices through the external ports such as USB 3.1, HDMI, headphone/mic jack, and microSD card reader.
Envy X360 is around 4.49 pounds and its battery may last up to 10.5 hours.
Pros
- Offers expanded storage and long battery life
- Contains built-in full HD webcam is readily available
- Boasts impressive color of images made visible through the WLED screen
Cons
- Storage capacity could have been better
- Older version may encounter technical glitch when updating Windows
7. Best Drawing Laptop with Sata SSD – HP ZBook Studio x360 G5
- Processor: Intel i7-8750H 6-Core
- Storage: 2TB m.2 SATA SSD
- Screen Size: 15.6 inch
- RAM: 64GB
- Battery Life: Up to 9 Hours
- Weight: 4.98 lbs
Still can’t decide which laptop to get? HP ZBook Studio x360 G5 2-in-1 laptop might be the one for you.
This touchscreen laptop runs on Intel i7-8750H 6-Core and has a dedicated graphics processor. A huge chunk of RAM is incorporated in this device amounting to 64GB, not only that, it has also a 2TB SSD storage. All your apps and tasks are just one tap away from you.
The touchscreen display when measured is 15.6 inch and has a maximum screen resolution of 3840×2160 pixels. For added convenience, a stylus pen may be used as well.
The ports provided in these devices give an opportunity to use other remote devices via USB ports, HDMO port, Thunderbolt port, Bluetooth or even Wi-Fi. The battery of the laptop may last for 9 hours which is long enough to finish your drawing or rendering within the day.
Why settle for anything less than the best? HP ZBook Studio x360 G5 Laptop-2-in-1 is a great choice!
Pros
- Can be manipulated using a stylus pen
- Excellent device for multitasking because of high storage and RAM
- The storage capacity is big enough to house multiple files and software
Cons
- Quite pricey
- No optical drive
8. Best Laptop with Long Battery Life – 2021 Apple MacBook Pro
- Processor: Apple M1 Pro chip
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Screen Size: 16 inch
- RAM: 16 GB
- Battery Life: Up to 21 Hours
- Weight: 4.7 pounds
Are you an avid fan of Apple? If yes, this is the most recommended laptop by artists and this could be what you are trying to find.
This 2021 Apple MacBook Pro runs on System on Chip (SoC). Apple M1 Pro chip, and 10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores as well as Apple 16-core GPU. Yes, this is a heavy-duty laptop that can keep up with your drawing tasks.
The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage are decent enough to help launch and store your valued outputs quickly.
Its 16.2 inch touchscreen display offers a 3456×2234 pixels maximum resolution equipped with ProMotion technology to give you an awesome viewing experience of the images or animations that you are working with.
The efficiency of this device also lies on the life span of the battery which may last up to 21 hours.
Choosing this laptop that is equipped with a thunderbolt port, USB 3.1, HDMI port, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and SDXC card slot is the best thing that you will ever do because these are essential stuff for every artist.
Pros
- Gives crystal-clear audio and sharp videos or images
- Provides a groundbreaking performance and amazing battery life
- The liquid retina XDR screen display gives an excellent contrast ratio
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Storage capacity could be higher
9. Best Compact Laptop – NEW Microsoft Surface Book 3
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Screen Size: 13.5 inch
- RAM: 32GB
- Battery Life: Up to 15.5 Hours
- Weight: 3.62 pounds
The New Microsoft Surface Book 3 will get you through the day being one of the fastest and best 2 in 1 laptop for drawing. It can aid you in tackling intensive drawing tasks and editing large files anywhere. If you are a photographer, then consider checking these best laptops for photo editing.
The laptop runs on 10th Gen Intel Core i7 and NVIDIA GTX GeForce GPU. To help you show your creativity without a glitch, the device houses 32GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage.
The 13.5 inch touchscreen display has a maximum resolution of 3000×2000 pixels, just enough to handle your drawing tasks.
The laptop weighs 3.62 pounds which is light enough to be carried around and it can last for 15.5 hours. Connectivity options are the best – it has WiFi, Bluetooth, SD card slot and USB ports.
Do your tasks with confidence using the new Microsoft Surface Book 3.
Pros
- Improved standby feature that lengthens the battery life
- The performance is 50% faster than the previous model produced by Microsoft
- Get things done with a durable laptop and powerful tablet that comes with detachable screen
Cons
- Limited ports
- Quite pricey
10. Best Laptop to Tablet for Drawing – HP Pavilion x360
- Processor: Intel Core i5
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Screen Size: 14 inch
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4
- Battery Life: Up to 9.15 Hours
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
Last but not the least in this list of the best touch screen laptop for drawing is the HP Pavilion x360 14 Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop.
This convertible laptop can be used in various modes. It has a fast processor which is 10th generation Intel Core i5 and an Intel UHD Graphics. The fast boot-up is facilitated by the 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage. This means that you can transfer files and launch apps without waiting for a long time.
This is also the best laptop for drawing with stylus because of its 14 inch full HD touchscreen display and 1920×1080 pixels resolution.
The battery can last up to 9.15 hours and has a fast-charging feature. It weighs around 3.5 pounds and has various connectivity options like WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB ports.
This HP Pavilion x360 14 Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop will definitely help you fulfill your tasks as an artist.
Pros
- Multi-touch laptop which is perfect for artists
- Convertible laptop can be used in different modes like tent, stand or tablet
- Has a BIOS recovery and protection technology that protects your device from illegal access, recovers from boot-up problems, secures the storage, and checks the health status of the laptop
Cons
- No optical drive
- RAM could be higher
How to Pick the Best Laptop for Drawing and Animation
There are a few things that you must take into consideration before getting the best laptop for digital drawing. Whether you are an arts and design student or a professional artist making a living by drawing – this buyer’s guide will help you.
CPU and GPU
Being an artist, you will run heavy apps like photoshop or adobe illustrator, in such a case, these programs may affect the performance of your device by slowing down the processing.
Hence, the best laptop for drawing and animation must have at least an i5 processor or processors higher than that. An advanced GPU and a dedicated graphics card are worth considering too.
Display and Resolution
It is recommended to get a laptop with at least 12 inch display size or higher than that for comfortability and in terms of resolution, you will never go wrong with a device having 1024 x 768 pixels or even higher than that.
RAM
Artists look for a laptop with 8GB to 16GB RAM, of course, the higher the RAM, the better because it allows artists to use multiple drawing applications for editing.
Touch Screen Capability
To be able to maximize your potential as an artist, the laptop must have a touchscreen feature for easy navigation because it allows you to draw directly on the screen effortlessly using a stylus pen, without using a drawing tablet.
Long Battery Life
If you are the type of artist who is always on the move, you need a laptop that has long battery life. It is recommended to get a laptop that can last for up to 10 hours so you will have the freedom to work anywhere.
FAQs on Best Drawing Laptops
Laptops with dual functionality offer great performance and convenience, the detachable screen and its ability to recognize stylus pens make it easier for artists to do their tasks. Moreover, it is easy to bring the device anywhere because of the detachable keyboard – get yourself the best 2 in 1 laptop for drawing from the list.
The answer may vary depending on your preferences and lifestyle. If you want portability and convenience, go for a best laptop for drawing and animation. If you only stay at home or office and you want high-end specs, a desktop is the best option.
Yes, get the best touch screen laptop for drawing because it allows you to control tools directly on the screen, no need to use an external drawing pad. You can certainly finish all your work in an instant.
Conclusion
Looking at the list of the best laptop for drawing, you are now closer to getting a new device for yourself. Just make sure to stay on your budget and remember the recommended specifications before buying the device. Your drawing experience will be flawless if you’d be able to get the device that fits you best.