Good Laptops for Drawing

For any artist, the right tools are key to unleashing creativity. When it comes to digital art, the perfect laptop can make all the difference. These aren’t your average laptops – they’re built specifically for artists and creatives, balancing raw power with features that streamline your workflow.

Imagine every stroke and color bursting to life on a vibrant, high-resolution display. Good laptops for drawing and digital art make this a reality, transforming your vision into stunning digital masterpieces.

We’ve done the hard work for you, meticulously reviewing laptops and tablets designed for artistic expression. We’ve considered everything from portability and processing power to the display’s quality and battery life.

Affordability is important too, so we’ve curated a list that spans various price tags and includes devices from popular platforms from Lenovo, and Acer, to Dell and Apple.

So, are you a seasoned artist or just starting your digital art adventure? No matter your experience level, our chosen selection of the good laptops for drawing are waiting for you. Find the one that fuels your creativity and perfectly fits your budget – it’s time to bring your artistic vision to life!

 

 

Good Laptops for Drawing

Below is our list of the best possible laptops to help you unleash your creativity. 

 

 

1 – HP Spectre x360

 

 

SPECS

 

The HP Spectre x360 is the ultimate transformer, seamlessly switching between a traditional laptop and a handy tablet. This sleek device boasts a 360-degree hinge that allows you to completely flip the screen, making it perfect for drawing, taking notes, or browsing the web in tablet mode.

This model packs a serious performance punch. It features the latest Intel processors and a generous 16GB of RAM, making it a multitasking powerhouse. Whether you’re juggling tons of open applications or running multiple browser tabs, the HP Spectre x360 keeps up effortlessly.

Battery life is another highlight. During our tests, the laptop delivered an impressive 11 hours and 22 minutes of continuous video playback – more than enough to power you through a workday or a long flight.

While the price tag might be a bit steep, the HP Spectre x360 is a powerful and versatile machine that can handle anything you throw at it. It’s the perfect choice for those who demand flexibility and performance in a portable package.

 

 

2 – Dell XPS 17

 

 

SPECS

 

The Dell XPS 17 laptop boasts a phenomenal 4K display – one of the best we’ve seen – that nearly rivals the OLED beauty of the XPS 13. While the XPS takes the crown, this Dell is no slouch. For media creators, the vibrant visuals are a dream come true.

But the power doesn’t stop at the screen. Packed with an 11th-gen Intel processor and an Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card, this machine devours demanding workloads. It truly shines in creative applications like Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, and Blender. The RTX 3060’s CUDA cores offer a significant speed boost over even the latest MacBook Pro, saving you valuable editing time.

Need to edit 4K video on the go? This Dell won’t let you down. The combination of powerful discrete graphics, ample RAM, and a high-wattage processor makes it a mobile editing powerhouse.

There’s a trade-off, though – all this power comes at a premium price. However, considering the performance it delivers, the price tag starts to feel justified.

 

 

3 – Acer Spin 5

 

 

SPECS

 

The Acer Spin 5 comes with a fantastic 3:2 ratio display, offering ample space for comfortable drawing. While the included stylus might be small and a tad flimsy, it comes with a dedicated charging port and housing on the laptop itself.

Say goodbye to lost or broken pens! And if it does run out of juice, the ultra-fast charging system gets you back to creating in just 15-20 seconds with a 90-minute charge.

Don’t let the sleek design fool you – the Spin 5 packs a punch. The latest Intel Ice Lake processors with integrated Iris Plus graphics are surprisingly capable, handling most tasks with ease. Multitasking is a breeze thanks to the powerful processor and a generous 16GB of RAM, making even memory-intensive applications like Photoshop run smoothly.

 

 

4 – Acer Chromebook Spin 714

 

 

SPECS

 

For artists who prefer Chromebooks over traditional Windows laptops, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 offers a budget-friendly option specifically designed for drawing. In fact, its price tag rivals our top budget pick, making it a compelling alternative to the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5.

While a stylus isn’t included, the Spin 714 is compatible with Acer’s USI stylus, allowing you to replicate a natural pen-on-paper experience. The large 14-inch display boasts a sharp 1920 x 1200 resolution, providing ample space for detailed artwork. And thanks to ChromeOS, even with just 8GB of RAM, programs load quickly and remain responsive.

This Chromebook maintains a sleek minimalist aesthetic with a black base accented by bronze details. The design punches above its weight class, and the minimal bezels surrounding the large display enhance the premium feel.

For artists seeking an affordable Chromebook option with a focus on drawing, the Spin 714 is a solid choice. While heavier photo editing tasks might require more RAM, the combination of an 8GB memory and an Intel Core i5 processor proves more than sufficient for your artistic endeavors.

 

 

5 – Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5

 

 

SPECS

 

Looking for a budget-friendly option to unleash your artistic potential? The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i comes in at under $500, a fraction of the cost of high-end options. While it doesn’t boast the same top-of-the-line specs, it maintains Lenovo’s reputation for quality, making it a great choice for artists on a tight budget.

One of the highlights is the impressive display. The 14-inch size offers ample workspace without being too bulky for portability. The 1920 x 1080 resolution ensures crisp visuals, letting you focus on the finer details of your creations. The best part? The “Micro-Edge” design minimizes bezels, maximizing screen real estate and eliminating wasted space.

The IdeaPad Flex 5i comes equipped with a 720p webcam for video calls, an SD card reader for expanding storage, and a respectable 256GB SSD. While you might not be able to edit videos or play demanding games on this machine, it’s perfectly capable of handling your drawing needs and everyday web browsing.

For aspiring artists seeking an affordable introduction to the world of digital art, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is a compelling option.

 

 

6 – Apple iPad Pro 12.9

 

 

SPECS

 

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro isn’t for everyone. While artists will revel in the expansive digital canvas, the hefty price tag and sheer size might deter casual users.

The true star of the show is the stunning Liquid Retina XDR display. This Mini LED technology brings unmatched brightness, surpassing even high-end tablets like the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. Whether you’re binging movies or working on creative projects, the visuals are a feast for the eyes.

Apple’s M1 chip elevates processing power to desktop-level performance in a tablet – a first for the company. Do you absolutely need this raw power? Probably not for everyday tasks. But for intensive activities like gaming, demanding design applications, or extreme multitasking, the M1 leaves the competition in the dust. For casual users, the performance boost might be subtle.

Battery life is impressive, lasting around 10 hours on a single charge. This will vary depending on usage, but creatives will appreciate the ample power to fuel their workflow throughout the day.

 

 

7 – Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

 

 

SPECS

 

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 isn’t just a pretty face (and it is a very attractive device). This 2-in-1 marvel folds seamlessly between a powerful laptop and a convenient tablet, making it perfect for drawing on the go or at your desk. But the beauty goes beyond its innovative design – it’s packed with top-of-the-line hardware to elevate your artistic experience.

A key feature is the stunning 14.4-inch touchscreen display with a sharp 2400 x 1600 resolution. Pair this with the included Surface Slim Pen 2, boasting an impressive 4,000 pressure points and a handy eraser tip for quick corrections. The pen even features haptic feedback, making your digital creations feel more natural.

The muscle behind the magic comes from high-end components like an Intel Core i7 processor, a powerful GeForce RTX graphics card, a massive memory starting from 16GB to 64GB of RAM, and a lightning-fast storage up to 2TB SSD.

But the Surface Laptop Studio 2 isn’t just about raw power – its unique, highly adjustable design lets you find the perfect position for drawing, whether you’re at a desk, a coffee shop table, or even commuting on a train.

Multiple configurations are available, allowing you to tailor the hardware (and price tag) to your specific needs. Storage options range from 512GB to a whopping 2TB, and you can choose a model with less RAM for a more budget-friendly option.

There’s no denying this is a premium product, and the price tag reflects that. You’ll be looking to invest close to US$3,000 to add the Surface Laptop Studio 2 to your creative arsenal. However, if you demand the absolute best 2-in-1 drawing experience without compromise, this Microsoft powerhouse is hard to beat.

This is by far one of the best good laptops for drawing, and a must-have for creatives looking to expand their creativity. 

 

 

Verdict

The search for the ideal drawing laptop is a journey of finding the perfect balance between power, portability, and features that elevate your artistic expression. We’ve explored a range of options, from convertible devices for on-the-go sketching to powerful machines built for demanding design software.

The right laptop can become an extension of your artistic vision. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring digital artist, there’s a machine out there waiting to be your creative partner. Consider your needs, budget, and preferred workflow to find the perfect fit.

So which of these laptops are you interested in? If you find this article enticing, please leave a comment below.   

The world of digital art awaits! With a good laptop for drawing as your canvas, you’re empowered to bring your artistic vision to life. So, browse our selection of recommended devices, choose the one that inspires you, and start drawing today 😀