10 Best Laptops for Photo Editing on a Budget

We have consulted several professional photographers to know that what kind of laptops they are using for photo and video editing. After through research, we have come up with ten best laptops for photo editing on a budget.

Let’s check each laptop one by one…

Laptops are not just for streamers, students, or gamers, it is a versatile device that has a lot of functions. As a matter of fact, laptops are used by photographers to edit images to make them look even better or more dramatic depending on the theme.

Photo editing is another skill that every photographer possesses. That is the reason why there are many photographers looking for the best laptop for editing photos on a budget.

It is indeed important to have a laptop and photo editing software like Lightroom that can lead to the completion of editing tasks. So, picking the right device, specs, and software is extremely important.

Of course, a high-end laptop or desktop is the best choice for professional photographers, but this is not applicable to everyone.

There will always be someone who would want a laptop with excellent specs without going over budget. Keeping that in mind, we decided to put together the top laptops for photo editing on a budget under $2000!

Before getting your new laptop, there are some factors that you must consider which will be provided in the buyer’s guide. For your convenience, we will also include the specs of the ten best laptops for photo editing as well as some of the frequently asked questions.

Are you ready to spot the best laptop for photo editing under $1000? Let’s get started then!

Configuration Requirements for Photo Editing Laptops

Here are the specs that you must consider before buying a laptop for photo editing. Following this guide, you’ll be able to get the laptop that you really need.

Depending on your budget, you can choose a laptop with the minimum requirements, or you can choose to buy one with the recommended requirements.

	Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
Battery	4 hours	8 hours
CPU	10th Generation Intel Core i3	10th Generation Intel Core i7
Display	13.3” FHD – 1920×1080 pixels	15.6” FHD IPS – 1920X1080 pixels
GPU	Integrated Intel UHD/Iris	NVIDIA GeForce MX350 or better
RAM	8GB	16GB
Storage	256GB SSD	512GB SSD

List of Best Laptops for Photo Editing

1. Best Gaming Laptop for Photo Editing – MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062

The MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062 is a photo editing laptop that suits every need of a pro photographer.

It has an impressive specs such as 2.3 GHz core i7 10750h processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU and 16GB RAM.

This MSI laptop can support photo editing tasks, rendering images, and post-editing stuff swiftly.

The manufacturer designed this laptop with a sizable 512GB NVMe SSD storage capacity.

As a photo editor, you sure need a good screen that will match the prowess of GPU. The 15.6 inch full HD display and 1920×1080 pixels resolution does the job perfectly.

The device features Wi-Fi 6, USB 3.1 and 3.2 ports, as well as Bluetooth as connectivity options. It runs on a 6-cell 51Wh Li-Ion 230W battery that can withstand a few hours of usage.

MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062 is a photo editing laptop that will never allow you to miss a single task.

2. Best Dual Screen Laptop – ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482

ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482 is the best laptop for photo editing that offers endless possibilities because of its ScreenPad feature, a secondary touchscreen that makes multitasking easier.

Considering its price point, this laptop has so much to offer. In terms of processor, it has Intel Core i7 1165G7 and NVIDIA GeForce MX450 GPU. The combination of RAM and storage is exemplary for it has 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD storage capacity.

This is great for photo editors who use heavily loaded apps and tools.

The 14 inch full HD NanoEdge touchscreen display with ‎1920 x 1080 pixels resolution works smoothly with the GPU. It has a secondary touchscreen display that increases productivity.

The laptop is powered by a lithium-ion battery that can last for a few hours. You may connect other devices through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, audio jack, HDMI, USB 3.2 Gen 1, and a microSD reader.

For a great level of convenience, buy ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482 – the best laptop for photo editing!

3. Best Large Screen Laptop – Dell Inspiron 17 I3793-7275SLV-PUS

Dell Inspiron 17 may not be the best laptop for photo editing under $1000 but it is still the best laptop for photo editing! Find out the reasons as you continue reading this article.

The storage is 256GB SSD and the RAM is ‎16GB 2666MHz DDR4. The processing prowess is rendered by ‎10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor 1.3GHz with enhanced GPU integration – NVIDIA GeForce MX230 Graphics. This only means that the device operates satisfactorily and offers quality outputs as well as visuals.

Focusing on the display, the laptop has an enormous 17.3 inch anti-glare, LED-backlit, full HD screen with 1920×1080 pixels.

If you’re a full-time photo editor and battery life is one of your concerns, you need to know that this laptop runs on a 3-cell 42WHr battery which may last for a few hours so there’s nothing to be worried about. Conveniently connect other devices too through the different ports, HDMI, headphone and mic jack as well as a card reader.

Get all the fantastic specs through Dell Inspiron 17, the best laptop for photo editing.

4. Best Budget Laptop – Dell Inspiron 15 3501

Our top pick for the best laptop for photo editing under $1000 is Dell Inspiron 15 3501 because of its decent combination of features.

The laptop has a 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive that gives a quieter and more reactive performance than the usual hard disk drive. This laptop is specifically designed to keep you moving efficiently with its 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, Intel Iris Xe Graphics with shared graphics memory, and 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM.

Enclosed in stylish borders, the 15.6 inch full HD, anti-glare display that has 1920×1080 pixels resolution provides bright and clear images that are pleasing to the eyes.

This is powered by a lithium-ion battery which may last for more than a couple of hours. Choices for connectivity include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports.

For an elevated photo editing experience, buy this Dell Inspiron 15 3501 – truly, the best laptop for photo editing on a budget.

5. Best High Performance Laptop – HP Envy 17t

This laptop which is a little over than $1000 has a premium and exceptional design. This HP Envy 17t High Performance Laptop is a desirable option for those who are trying to find the best laptop for lightroom.

The laptop has cutting-edge specs such as Intel Core i7 1165G7  (4 Cores, 8 Threads, 12MB Cache, and 1.2GHz up to 4.7GHz) processor, and it comes with Intel Iris Xe Graphics. It can process photo editing software without a glitch.

Added to these specs are the 1TB SSD storage and 32 GB DDR4 RAM. Yes, a portable laptop that houses incredible system to aid you in your photo editing job.

The 17.3 inch display is WLED-backlit, has an edge-to-edge glass frame, and is multi touch-enable.  The maximum screen resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Connecting external devices is never a problem with this laptop because it has USB type-A ports, HDMI, headphone and mic jack as well as Thunderbolt 4. It also comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features.

Given the specs, this is a remarkable laptop that has an affordable price tag.

6. Best 2-in-1 Laptop – HP Pavilion x360 14-dh1021nr

The HP Pavilion x360 14 2-in-1 Laptop is known for having a quality system that is reasonably priced. This is another best laptop for photo editing that you would definitely want to own.

The fantastic components of this laptop are the 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10210U processor, ‎Intel UHD Graphics.

GPU, 512 GB SSD storage, and 8GB RAM. This laptop will be able to facilitate your photo editing tasks without lag and unwanted glitches while providing you vivid visuals.

It has a 14 inch touchscreen display with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution making everything accessible at the point of your fingertips.

Another good thing about HP Pavilion x360 14 2-in-1 laptop is that it can last for up to 12 hours and 15 minutes. Moreover, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,  HDMI, USB ports, and a card reader are also available just in case you want to connect extra devices.

Based on functionality, HP Pavilion x360 14 2-in-1 Laptop is the best choice among photo editors.

7. Best Laptop for Professionals – 2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop

To some photo editors, this is the best laptop for lightroom or for photo editing in general – the 2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop. This is one of the thinnest and lightest laptops from Apple but it has so much more power than what you imagine.

The device is packed with a System on Chip (SoC) Apple M1 chip; 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores; 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB RAM, Apple 8-core GPU, and 512GB SSD.

Take on your photo editing tasks and produce quality images with the help of ultra-fast memory and a responsive system. This can support multi-tab browsing and load huge graphics easily when editing images.

The stunning retina display measures 13.3 inch with LED-backlit display, IPS technology, and 2560×1600 pixels resolution capable of producing realistic images with color accuracy.

With regards to connectivity, it has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Thunderbolt ports, and a USB 3.1 Gen 2 port that connects quickly and transfers files or images easily. The battery life can stay functional for up to 18 hours.

This easy-to-setup and use Mac Air laptop is definitely a life-changer. It is the best device for your photo editing jobs.

8. Best Laptop for Photo Editing on Budget – 2019 Lenovo Ideapad L340

Another contender for the best laptop for photo editing under $1000 is the 2019 Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop. This is a laptop not just for gaming but also for photo editing. This is a durable performer that is reasonably priced.

It has a 9th Gen Intel Quad-Core i5-9300H up to 4.1GHz processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB SSD. The laptop has commendable processing power and the inclusion of the storage allows photo editors to process and work on larger files with precision and accuracy.

When talking about display, this has a 15.6 inch Full HD display, LED-backlit, and a 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution that makes it standout from other laptops of the same price tag.

The battery can last up to 8 hours which is decent enough to finish photo editing tasks regardless of the time of the day. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.2, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB ports, RJ-45, HDMI, and mic/headphone jack.

2019 Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop is an efficient device that every photo editor will love.

9. Best Laptop Under $2000 – ASUS VivoBook K571

ASUS VivoBook K571 Laptop is the best laptop for photo editing on a budget, with a price that is a little over than $1000. This laptop is an absolute steal because of its fully packed system.

ASUS VivoBook K571 Laptop is run by an Intel Core i7-9750H processor that provides a lag-free and responsive performance. It is further paired with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics which is ideal for those into photo editing tasks.

The storage capacity is 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD + 1TB HDD and has 16GB RAM. This means multiple tabs working simultaneously are allowed. There is enough storage too if you wish to keep your files on this laptop.

A 15.6 inch full HD display will welcome you every time you use the laptop for any photo editing job.

It is powered by a lithium-polymer battery that can last for a few hours and has comprehensive connections namely Wi-Fi, USB type C and A, HDMI, Bluetooth.

This laptop from Asus was specifically designed to match the productivity of photo editors.

10. Best Ryzen Laptop – Lenovo Legion 5

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop is the last laptop on this list. It is considered by some photo editors as the best laptop for lightroom while the best photo editing laptop for others.

This innovation from Lenovo has AMD Ryzen 7 4800H mobile processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD storage.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti GPU gives the best graphics experience. This device offers improved frame rates and can keep up with photo editing tasks without causing any trouble.

It has a full HD, IPS screen measuring 15.6 inch with 1920×1080 pixels. It has an incredibly nice screen that lets you view images clearly.

The battery can approximately last 5 hours. It also comes with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB ports to let you connect multiple devices at once.

With Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop, there is no need to compromise quality vis-a-vis price. Getting this laptop is like enjoying the best of both worlds.

FAQs on Laptops for Photo Editing

Conclusion

In brief, above were the best laptops for photo editing on a budget under $2000.

If you are considering a laptop that may be used for photo editing, streaming videos, and gaming you have to get a device that has high-end specs so you won’t have trouble launching different apps or browsers simultaneously.

But if you are going to use it for photo editing alone, you can have a pretty decent laptop that is affordably priced.

Choose the best laptop by considering the buyer’s guide provided in this article so you will never go wrong. Go and get one now!