The designer laptop requires a high performance for various software that are used for graphic designing and artwork. So, you need to pay attention to the CUP, GPU and RAM to ensure your laptop is the best suit to run all those software smoothly. Anyways, numerous manufacturers coming out with much more updated laptops packed with excellent features and functionalities, it might b a bit hard for many of you to get the right choice. If this is the situation with you as well then do not worry at all as we are here.
- Which Macbook Air To Buy
- Which Macbook Is Best For Designers 2020
- Which Macbook Pro To Buy
- Which Macbook Is The Best
- Which Macbook Is Best For Designers 2019
This article contains a list of the best laptop for designers, so keep reading and it will definitely help you to take the right buying decision.
I am looking for some feedback and input on deciding on which MacBook to purchase that would be best suited for my job requirements. I am a Graphic Designer and spend most of my time working simultaneously between Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Bridge and iMovie. From underpowered to one of the fastest ultrathin laptops around, the new MacBook Air with M1 is the best Mac for most people. It takes a familiar design and turbocharges it with record-setting.
Buying Guide
The designing community is one of the most active among all communities because innovation is a necessity in their world. If you are a professional designer and looking for the best laptops designers are looking to buy in 2021, you have come to the right place. Here are some crucial factors that should be taken into account before you buy a laptop for your designing work.
- Color accuracy – In the budget range of laptops, this is a feature you can't possibly demand. For those who spend thousands of dollars on a laptop, the display should be color accurate which meets Adobe RGB standards as it is crucial for design.
- Display size – An obvious point but yes, you should make sure your display size is as large as possible. While most designers invest in an external monitor, the laptop's size should be 15-inch or even 17-inch which compromises portability but allows you to work remotely irrespective of your location.
- Increased RAM – Designers will use lots of plugins on software programs like Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, Lightroom and many others. Every one of those plugins will consume a lot of RAM and 16GB RAM, which is usually considered high, is actually basic for laptops running designing programs and software. Look for laptops that allow you to expand RAM storage for better productivity.
- Onboard graphics – No, the intel HD graphics is not a graphics card irrespective of what some people might argue. Look for a laptop with AMD graphics onboard or a dedicated Nvidia GPU which are vital for designer applications to work as intended. They ensure the computer is working without lags and annoyingly slow response.
- Spacious keyboard – The keyboard placement will help in typing, accessing shortcut keys seamlessly and to use the laptop for extended hours without straining your hands. They also help have more space for a larger battery and maybe some colorful RGB lights.
See Also: Top best gaming laptops under $1000
8 Best Laptops For Designers
One Of The Best Designers Laptop With Touch Screen From Dell
Dell Precision 5510 Mobile Workstation Laptop
Which Macbook Air To Buy
A great laptop for the designers equipped with a high-end configuration that ensures excellent performance all the time. The lag-free performance is really enjoyable while you will find it great to complete all your tasks. This PC is powered with Quad-core Intel Core i5 6300HQ processor at 2.3 GHz with 8GB DDR4 RAM and 500GB Hard drive at 7200 rpm. The 2GB NVIDIA Quadro M1000M graphics card ensures every high-end software and game can be enjoyed in this laptop lag-free. 3,840 x 2,160-pixel touch screen is another great thing to mention that makes it one of the best pieces in the list.
Why Should You Buy This?
- The huge storage makes it ideal to store large and complex files of different types like video, multimedia and 3D.
- Good display with less strain on the eyes, so ideal for long hours of use.
- The dedicated graphics memory ensures that the system depicts excellent performance during graphics related tasks like modeling and rendering.
See It On Amazon
Best 4K Graphic Designers Laptop
ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501VW Laptop
If you are planning to own a laptop from ASUS then this ASUS ZenBook Pro is a great choice for designers. This laptop has 100% sRGB, 74% Adobe RGB and 72% NTSC which indicates this is no doubt an excellent choice for the designers. Its configuration includes a very powerful Intel Skylake Core i7-6700HQ Quad-core processor at 2.6 GHz, turbo up to 3.5 GHz, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512 GB SSD and the Nvidia GTX960M GPU. With all these this laptop has a big 15.6-inch 4K display (ultra HD) with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 which lets you view and capture even smallest to micro mistakes. Overall, this is an amazing laptop from ASUS for the designers.
Why Should You Buy This?
- 83% Screen to body ratio. NanoEdge bezel for more display and less bezel.
- Battery: fast charging – charges to 60% in only 49 minutes.
- The Thunderbolt 3 technology supports power delivery and dual 4K UHD external displays.
- 16GB RAM ensures that the laptop does not experience any lag when multiple tasks are carried out at a time.
See It On Amazon
One Of The Best 2-In-1 Laptops For Designers
Lenovo Flex 4 Convertible 15.6 inch Touch-Screen Notebook
This is a 2-in-1 laptop that can be easily converted to a tablet. It is packed with the high-end features and specifications but the price is really unbeatable. Lenovo has shipped this laptop for designers incorporating Intel core i7 7500U processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and a Full HD touch screen display of 15.6 inches. And the main point that ensures the smooth running of the graphic design is the AMD Radeon R7 M460 graphics card. This GPU card is really powerful to deliver excellent performance. It runs on Windows 10 Home out of the box. You can use this laptop as you want from the options available such as laptop, tablet, tent or stand.
Why Should You Buy This?
- It can be used as a laptop, stand, tent and a tablet as well.
- Permits you to store a lot of multimedia content like music, videos and photos.
- It has both a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader.
- The touchpad on this system is multi-touch capable.
- 4-in-1 SD card slot if you need to add storage.
- Easily switch between the touch screen and keyboard/touchpad for optimum efficiency.
- The full-HD display presents pictures, presentations, movies and more in a stunning HD (1920×1080 resolution).
See It On Amazon
Best Laptop From Apple With Retina Display For Designers
Apple MacBook Pro MJLT2LL/A 15.4″
This is a very powerful laptop from Apple that is compact and portable also to ensure designers can carry it with them everywhere with ease. Even though this laptop is bit expensive but the high amount of RAM and powerful processor help every graphic design package to run faster. Apple has included the very powerful the fourth generation Crystalwell Intel Core i7 quad core processor which delivers lag free performance all the time. Also, the 16GB RAM is another reason to offer an amazing performance.
With all these, another main attraction of this laptop is the retina display. The 15.4-inch display is packed with retina display and includes the force touch trackpad.
Why Should You Buy This?
- It offers excellent battery life that can last for several hours.
- A high amount of RAM and powerful processor help every graphic design software run faster.
- Dedicated video card makes it best suited for designing purpose.
Best Laptop For Designers With Great Storage Option
Lenovo Z70 17.3-Inch Laptop
Another great laptop from Lenovo that is made to help the designers in accomplishing their job successfully. The high-end configuration of this laptop ensures each and every software and package of graphics run well on this laptop. Lenovo has made this laptop perfect for the designers incorporating Intel core i7 5500U processor at 2.2GHz, 16GB DDR3L RAM, 1TB HDD and the powerful 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT840M graphics card. The big 17.3-inch display is really helpful that aids in the designing job with ease. The best part is that you can buy this laptop under $1000, so what can be better than this?
Why Should You Buy This?
- With 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD and 2GB graphics card, this laptop offers value for money.
- 6th Gen Intel Core i5-6300U Quad-Core processor with a speed of 2.40GHz
- Backed by the increased speed of 12GB DDR4 memory, it gives you the power of a desktop PC and the freedom of a portable laptop.
- Power Bridge Technology allows you to swap out a battery and replace it with a fully charged one, without having to turn your machine off.
Best Laptop For Designers From Acer Under $800
Acer Aspire VX 15 laptop
This is a 15.6-inch laptop that is manufactured using the high-end specification especially for graphic designers and gamers. The performance it delivers due to the high-end configuration is very smooth and you can use all kinds of graphics software hassle-free. Also, playing any kind of games including 3D and high-end is really enjoyable on this device. The specifications of this laptop include the very powerful 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7300HQ Processor which can be turbo up to 3.5GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and the 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 card. The 15.6 inch IPS display is just perfect to complete all kinds of graphics tasks.
Why Should You Buy This?
- You can use all kind of graphics software without any hassles.
- Advanced cooling and stellar audio capabilities support intense gaming sessions.
See It On Amazon
One Of The Best Designers Laptop under $900
Toshiba Satellite Fusion 15 L55W-C5259 laptop
This is a 2-in-1 laptop that can be converted into a tablet when required. It has a 15.6-inch touch screen display where every image looks really great. Apart from delivering great performance this laptop also looks stylish with a frameless keyboard. Other specification includes Intel Core i5-5200U processor at 2.2GHz, 8GB DDR3L SDRAM, 256GB SSD storage while it is made to run on Windows 10. All these features indicate that the designers can easily complete their tasks in this laptop hassle-free.
Why Should You Buy This? Apple keyboard to buy.
- 360-degree hinge and five unique viewing modes.
- This laptop can be easily converted into a tablet when required.
- A large 6-inch screen makes viewing photos and videos very comfortable.
FAQs
What are the three most important features a designer must consider while buying a laptop in 2021?
Display size, RAM and graphics card are the three most important features to look for because if they are larger and more powerful, it enables seamless operation of your essential Adobe software programs.
Can I upgrade the RAM in my laptop?
Not every laptop has an additional RAM slot and it will be a bit more expensive. You can, however, upgrade an 8GB stick with a 16GB stick manually but it will void the warranty on your laptop.
Why buy a laptop for designing and not a desktop?
Desktops are never meant to be portable and will not let you work on the spot. Designers will benefit a lot from having a laptop that they could use in a photo shoot or a venue where there is an activity going on and needs instant processing.
Can I buy a gaming laptop for designing purposes?
Yes, you can; but make sure you have access to a power socket. Gaming laptops often have lower battery life at just 2-3 hours and are not meant to last an entire day of usage.
Should I buy a 4K laptop?
It is a future proof decision and with the entire media industry moving towards 4K resolution, it will allow you to work on high-res photographs and images without any difficulty. However, they will stress your laptop more and such models are usually more expensive.
Is SSD storage mandatory for designers?
SSD is the best and fastest solution available as it makes your designing software more responsive. You can opt for an SSD, HDD combo or consider purchasing a laptop with a 1 TB SSD storage while using an external hard disk for further expansion.
Should I buy a Macbook or a Windows laptop for using design software?
MacBook Pro by Apple is proprietary and works with a specific set of software while Windows OS is more open-ended. Choose based on what your peers are using and your budget.
Conclusion
So, this list includes a total of 8 laptops for graphic designers and all of them are really well configured to ensure great performance. Most of the laptops mentioned here come at an affordable price so that all can easily get them to make their designing job easier and faster with no lag at all in the performance.
See Also: Top best keyboard apps for iPhone 6
Students preparing to head back to school for the spring semester or even embark on a new college journey can benefit from having the right technology at their fingertips. Between desktop Macs, MacBook Pro laptops, and even iPads, choosing the perfect device for school can mean sorting through hundreds of different configurations.
AppleInsider is breaking down your list of options to find the best MacBook for students, whether you're a college student heading off to campus this fall or the parent of a child in elementary school needing a budget-friendly Apple computer for remote learning. From the longest battery life to the lowest Apple prices on machines that offer best-in-class performance, we've got you covered.
Best Performance Laptop: 16-inch MacBook Pro
The 16-inch MacBook Pro still has Intel processors, and when configured with higher-end processors and graphics, it remains the fastest Mac laptop in most cases. Users who want an M-series processor in the big-screen MacBook Pro will have to wait a little longer.
Students who need a bit more power, such as artists and designers, can easily find it here. The large, 16-inch screen provides ample working space at a 3072-by-1920 native resolution, perfect for working in programs like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. The option to upgrade to a Core i9 processor means you'll always have power to spare, regardless of the project.
Depending on what programs students will be running, they have several memory and graphics options available to them. For general use, the base 16 gigabytes of memory will be more than enough for most students and has the added benefit of saving them money. If a student plans on doing extensive video editing or 3D modeling, they can upgrade to either 32 or 64 gigabytes of RAM at an additional cost.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro has a variety of options when it comes to graphics, as well. The base model features an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M card with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, which is sufficient for most users. However, power users may find that upgrading to the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M option gives them better results when working in programs like Maya or AutoCad.
For students in creative majors, such as digital arts and design, we suggest upgrading storage to at least 1TB, if not more. That assures that you won't be butting up against storage caps during finals week. For multi-device users, an iCloud account is recommended, especially for students who like to split between working on a MacBook Pro and an iPad.
Users who need Windows via Bootcamp or prefer multiple monitors will need an Intel-based MacBook Pro. This is still the best overall choice for users who need the biggest portable display, most versatility, and more external monitor support.
As always, it's suggested that prospective students speak to their academic advisors about what sort of computer may best suit their needs.
- High performance
- Long battery life
- Big screen
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Huge footprint
The MacBook Air with an M1 processor packs a serious punch and even competes with Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro for single-core performance. You can get a new baseline MacBook Air for $899 with a student discount. The 13.3-inch retina display will display your notes and video in brilliant colors at a high 2560-by-1600 resolution.
There are two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the side, which means you can charge your device and connect an external drive or peripheral at the same time. The M1 processor limits this laptop to connecting to a single external display up to 6K.
Because it weighs in at only 2.8 pounds, your back will thank you as you move about the campus during the day. Customers can configure the Apple Silicon based MacBook Air with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and between 256GB and 2TB of internal storage.
The MacBook Air has no fan, has a slim and light chassis, and remains one of the best MacBooks for the money. The M1 also gives users an extended battery life of up to 20 hours on a single charge, so no matter how long the school day you'll have plenty of battery left.
- Low price
- Lightweight
- Small form factor
- Only two ports
- Fanless design limits peak processing
Whether you're a commuter, living in a dorm, or simply want the option to take your MacBook Pro to class, the best all-around choice is the new 13-inch MacBook Pro. It combines portability with enough power for nearly any project most students will encounter.
The small size means it fits easily into most backpacks and laptop bags, but the 2560-by-1600 native resolution allows for ample working space. This makes it ideal for writing papers or working in your college's course management system, and the gorgeous retina display is ideal for streaming your favorite Apple TV+ shows.
This MacBook has several different storage options to choose from. We suggest that students upgrade to the one terabyte storage option, which allows them to store papers, projects, and pictures without fear of butting up against the storage capacity. For users who save a lot of music or video files, we suggest at least two terabytes to be safe.
The introduction of the M1 processor changes how students should choose their MacBooks. The 13-inch MacBook Pro has a fan, which means the M1 can run longer at higher loads without throttling, and has 8-cores instead of 7 for better multi-core performance. What this means is that students designing games or editing film will be able to process larger projects faster over time than what the fanless MacBook Air can handle.
You can configure the 13-inch MacBook Pro with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and between 256GB and 2TB of internal storage. There are only two Thunderbolt 3 ports and you can only connect a single external monitor up to 6K.
Users who need more monitors, external GPUs, or Windows emulation should look to the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
If you're not sure what upgrades you should pick, your academic advisor or a professor in your major should be able to help point you in the right direction.
This is a 2-in-1 laptop that can be easily converted to a tablet. It is packed with the high-end features and specifications but the price is really unbeatable. Lenovo has shipped this laptop for designers incorporating Intel core i7 7500U processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and a Full HD touch screen display of 15.6 inches. And the main point that ensures the smooth running of the graphic design is the AMD Radeon R7 M460 graphics card. This GPU card is really powerful to deliver excellent performance. It runs on Windows 10 Home out of the box. You can use this laptop as you want from the options available such as laptop, tablet, tent or stand.
Why Should You Buy This?
- It can be used as a laptop, stand, tent and a tablet as well.
- Permits you to store a lot of multimedia content like music, videos and photos.
- It has both a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader.
- The touchpad on this system is multi-touch capable.
- 4-in-1 SD card slot if you need to add storage.
- Easily switch between the touch screen and keyboard/touchpad for optimum efficiency.
- The full-HD display presents pictures, presentations, movies and more in a stunning HD (1920×1080 resolution).
See It On Amazon
Best Laptop From Apple With Retina Display For Designers
Apple MacBook Pro MJLT2LL/A 15.4″
This is a very powerful laptop from Apple that is compact and portable also to ensure designers can carry it with them everywhere with ease. Even though this laptop is bit expensive but the high amount of RAM and powerful processor help every graphic design package to run faster. Apple has included the very powerful the fourth generation Crystalwell Intel Core i7 quad core processor which delivers lag free performance all the time. Also, the 16GB RAM is another reason to offer an amazing performance.
With all these, another main attraction of this laptop is the retina display. The 15.4-inch display is packed with retina display and includes the force touch trackpad.
Why Should You Buy This?
- It offers excellent battery life that can last for several hours.
- A high amount of RAM and powerful processor help every graphic design software run faster.
- Dedicated video card makes it best suited for designing purpose.
Best Laptop For Designers With Great Storage Option
Lenovo Z70 17.3-Inch Laptop
Another great laptop from Lenovo that is made to help the designers in accomplishing their job successfully. The high-end configuration of this laptop ensures each and every software and package of graphics run well on this laptop. Lenovo has made this laptop perfect for the designers incorporating Intel core i7 5500U processor at 2.2GHz, 16GB DDR3L RAM, 1TB HDD and the powerful 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT840M graphics card. The big 17.3-inch display is really helpful that aids in the designing job with ease. The best part is that you can buy this laptop under $1000, so what can be better than this?
Why Should You Buy This?
- With 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD and 2GB graphics card, this laptop offers value for money.
- 6th Gen Intel Core i5-6300U Quad-Core processor with a speed of 2.40GHz
- Backed by the increased speed of 12GB DDR4 memory, it gives you the power of a desktop PC and the freedom of a portable laptop.
- Power Bridge Technology allows you to swap out a battery and replace it with a fully charged one, without having to turn your machine off.
Best Laptop For Designers From Acer Under $800
Acer Aspire VX 15 laptop
This is a 15.6-inch laptop that is manufactured using the high-end specification especially for graphic designers and gamers. The performance it delivers due to the high-end configuration is very smooth and you can use all kinds of graphics software hassle-free. Also, playing any kind of games including 3D and high-end is really enjoyable on this device. The specifications of this laptop include the very powerful 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7300HQ Processor which can be turbo up to 3.5GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and the 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 card. The 15.6 inch IPS display is just perfect to complete all kinds of graphics tasks.
Why Should You Buy This?
- You can use all kind of graphics software without any hassles.
- Advanced cooling and stellar audio capabilities support intense gaming sessions.
See It On Amazon
One Of The Best Designers Laptop under $900
Toshiba Satellite Fusion 15 L55W-C5259 laptop
This is a 2-in-1 laptop that can be converted into a tablet when required. It has a 15.6-inch touch screen display where every image looks really great. Apart from delivering great performance this laptop also looks stylish with a frameless keyboard. Other specification includes Intel Core i5-5200U processor at 2.2GHz, 8GB DDR3L SDRAM, 256GB SSD storage while it is made to run on Windows 10. All these features indicate that the designers can easily complete their tasks in this laptop hassle-free.
Why Should You Buy This? Apple keyboard to buy.
- 360-degree hinge and five unique viewing modes.
- This laptop can be easily converted into a tablet when required.
- A large 6-inch screen makes viewing photos and videos very comfortable.
FAQs
What are the three most important features a designer must consider while buying a laptop in 2021?
Display size, RAM and graphics card are the three most important features to look for because if they are larger and more powerful, it enables seamless operation of your essential Adobe software programs.
Can I upgrade the RAM in my laptop?
Not every laptop has an additional RAM slot and it will be a bit more expensive. You can, however, upgrade an 8GB stick with a 16GB stick manually but it will void the warranty on your laptop.
Why buy a laptop for designing and not a desktop?
Desktops are never meant to be portable and will not let you work on the spot. Designers will benefit a lot from having a laptop that they could use in a photo shoot or a venue where there is an activity going on and needs instant processing.
Can I buy a gaming laptop for designing purposes?
Yes, you can; but make sure you have access to a power socket. Gaming laptops often have lower battery life at just 2-3 hours and are not meant to last an entire day of usage.
Should I buy a 4K laptop?
It is a future proof decision and with the entire media industry moving towards 4K resolution, it will allow you to work on high-res photographs and images without any difficulty. However, they will stress your laptop more and such models are usually more expensive.
Is SSD storage mandatory for designers?
SSD is the best and fastest solution available as it makes your designing software more responsive. You can opt for an SSD, HDD combo or consider purchasing a laptop with a 1 TB SSD storage while using an external hard disk for further expansion.
Should I buy a Macbook or a Windows laptop for using design software?
MacBook Pro by Apple is proprietary and works with a specific set of software while Windows OS is more open-ended. Choose based on what your peers are using and your budget.
Conclusion
So, this list includes a total of 8 laptops for graphic designers and all of them are really well configured to ensure great performance. Most of the laptops mentioned here come at an affordable price so that all can easily get them to make their designing job easier and faster with no lag at all in the performance.
See Also: Top best keyboard apps for iPhone 6
Students preparing to head back to school for the spring semester or even embark on a new college journey can benefit from having the right technology at their fingertips. Between desktop Macs, MacBook Pro laptops, and even iPads, choosing the perfect device for school can mean sorting through hundreds of different configurations.
AppleInsider is breaking down your list of options to find the best MacBook for students, whether you're a college student heading off to campus this fall or the parent of a child in elementary school needing a budget-friendly Apple computer for remote learning. From the longest battery life to the lowest Apple prices on machines that offer best-in-class performance, we've got you covered.
Best Performance Laptop: 16-inch MacBook Pro
The 16-inch MacBook Pro still has Intel processors, and when configured with higher-end processors and graphics, it remains the fastest Mac laptop in most cases. Users who want an M-series processor in the big-screen MacBook Pro will have to wait a little longer.
Students who need a bit more power, such as artists and designers, can easily find it here. The large, 16-inch screen provides ample working space at a 3072-by-1920 native resolution, perfect for working in programs like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. The option to upgrade to a Core i9 processor means you'll always have power to spare, regardless of the project.
Depending on what programs students will be running, they have several memory and graphics options available to them. For general use, the base 16 gigabytes of memory will be more than enough for most students and has the added benefit of saving them money. If a student plans on doing extensive video editing or 3D modeling, they can upgrade to either 32 or 64 gigabytes of RAM at an additional cost.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro has a variety of options when it comes to graphics, as well. The base model features an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M card with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, which is sufficient for most users. However, power users may find that upgrading to the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M option gives them better results when working in programs like Maya or AutoCad.
For students in creative majors, such as digital arts and design, we suggest upgrading storage to at least 1TB, if not more. That assures that you won't be butting up against storage caps during finals week. For multi-device users, an iCloud account is recommended, especially for students who like to split between working on a MacBook Pro and an iPad.
Users who need Windows via Bootcamp or prefer multiple monitors will need an Intel-based MacBook Pro. This is still the best overall choice for users who need the biggest portable display, most versatility, and more external monitor support.
As always, it's suggested that prospective students speak to their academic advisors about what sort of computer may best suit their needs.
- High performance
- Long battery life
- Big screen
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Huge footprint
The MacBook Air with an M1 processor packs a serious punch and even competes with Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro for single-core performance. You can get a new baseline MacBook Air for $899 with a student discount. The 13.3-inch retina display will display your notes and video in brilliant colors at a high 2560-by-1600 resolution.
There are two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the side, which means you can charge your device and connect an external drive or peripheral at the same time. The M1 processor limits this laptop to connecting to a single external display up to 6K.
Because it weighs in at only 2.8 pounds, your back will thank you as you move about the campus during the day. Customers can configure the Apple Silicon based MacBook Air with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and between 256GB and 2TB of internal storage.
The MacBook Air has no fan, has a slim and light chassis, and remains one of the best MacBooks for the money. The M1 also gives users an extended battery life of up to 20 hours on a single charge, so no matter how long the school day you'll have plenty of battery left.
- Low price
- Lightweight
- Small form factor
- Only two ports
- Fanless design limits peak processing
Whether you're a commuter, living in a dorm, or simply want the option to take your MacBook Pro to class, the best all-around choice is the new 13-inch MacBook Pro. It combines portability with enough power for nearly any project most students will encounter.
The small size means it fits easily into most backpacks and laptop bags, but the 2560-by-1600 native resolution allows for ample working space. This makes it ideal for writing papers or working in your college's course management system, and the gorgeous retina display is ideal for streaming your favorite Apple TV+ shows.
This MacBook has several different storage options to choose from. We suggest that students upgrade to the one terabyte storage option, which allows them to store papers, projects, and pictures without fear of butting up against the storage capacity. For users who save a lot of music or video files, we suggest at least two terabytes to be safe.
The introduction of the M1 processor changes how students should choose their MacBooks. The 13-inch MacBook Pro has a fan, which means the M1 can run longer at higher loads without throttling, and has 8-cores instead of 7 for better multi-core performance. What this means is that students designing games or editing film will be able to process larger projects faster over time than what the fanless MacBook Air can handle.
You can configure the 13-inch MacBook Pro with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and between 256GB and 2TB of internal storage. There are only two Thunderbolt 3 ports and you can only connect a single external monitor up to 6K.
Users who need more monitors, external GPUs, or Windows emulation should look to the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
If you're not sure what upgrades you should pick, your academic advisor or a professor in your major should be able to help point you in the right direction.
- Smaller size
- M1 runs without limits with a fan
- Best combination of size vs performance
- High starting price when compared to similar MacBook Air
- Only one external monitor
We might all want a MacBook Pro, but if you can live without the portability, then invariably –– invariably –– a desktop computer will give you more performance, more power, and more storage than a laptop for the same price. Plus, no MacBook Pro can match the screen of a 27-inch iMac.
Which Macbook Is Best For Designers 2020
That clearly makes this machine a perfect buy for arts, graphics, or media students. However, you don't need to be running Photoshop or Final Cut Pro X to appreciate the benefits of an exceptional screen.
Plus, the way the 27-inch iMac 5K is effectively a slim screen with a computer hidden inside it, means that it's a great buy for a small dorm. You could do with a good lock on that dorm, but you couldn't do better than this iMac.
The same iMac range does include a 21-inch model, with a screen that is optionally 4K, but it isn't recommended. The 27-inch version doesn't just come with six more inches of screen diagonally, it comes with higher resolution, and processors up to 8-core Intel Core i9.
The 21.5-inch iMac can have up to six cores and Intel Core i7. The non-Retina edition has only two cores and an Intel Core i5 processor. The 27-inch model easily beats both of these with its graphics processor options, too.
- Large high-resolution displays
- Highly configurable and upgradable
- Choose your own mouse and keyboard
- Not portable
- Still ships with slow HDD or Fusion Drives in lower-tier models
- Old design that might be changed in next update
The Mac mini is officially a desktop, but it's small enough that you could move it around easily. You wouldn't take it to class, and you couldn't do much with it once you got there, but when you need to move where you set up your work, its small size is convenient. And it belies just how powerful the tiny Mac for students can be.
You do have to buy a separate screen, keyboard, and mouse or trackpad, however. And while the entry-level version now comes with 256GB of SSD storage, that's still not excessive.
This may be the cheapest Mac on the market, but because it has an M1 processor, it rivals even the high-end 16-inch MacBook Pro. Due to having an additional HDMI port, you can connect two monitors to this Apple Silicon based Mac.
- Semi-portable in small casing
- Choose your own monitor, keyboard, and mouse
- Many ports
- 256GB at entry model is untenable
- Less ports than Intel variant
If your coursework can be accomplished via a web app or you do not need any specific desktop-based applications, you may want to try an iPad for school. If you're using an iPad for schoolwork, you'll likely want a keyboard and trackpad as well, which does add to the overall cost.
Which Macbook Pro To Buy
Of course, there is also the option of buying the iPad as an add-on device and use it as a small note-taking tablet with Apple Pencil or as an extended display for your Mac with SideCar. However, should you decide to take advantage of the iPad, the device can significantly enhance any workflow.
As a reminder, the iPad can only run apps from the App Store, so you'll need to ensure you can perform your classwork from the iPad before purchasing the device.
Which Macbook Is The Best
The 10.2-inch iPad has a retina display and lacks some of the more pro-level features to drive the price down. It supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple's Smart Keyboard. The current iPad has an A10 Fusion chip that is still supported by iPadOS and can easily run modern applications.
This is the perfect device for a young student just starting out, and Apple pushes this device for education markets. The base model has 32GB of storage for $329, but it is recommended you upgrade to the 128GB option for $100 more.
The iPad Air is Apple's best iPad that still has Touch ID. It has a laminated 10.9-inch display and supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Its A14 Bionic chip delivers a similar experience to what is found on the pro models with the new flat-sided design.
You'll likely want the iPad Air if you don't want to spend more on the pro models or just want to use it as a secondary computer. The iPad Air starts at $599 with 64GB of storage, but as with the base iPad, it might be wise to upgrade the memory to the next tier. The 256GB model is $749.
Which Macbook Is Best For Designers 2019
The iPad mini is essentially the iPad Air crammed into a 7.9-inch display. There is no Smart Keyboard, but the first-generation Apple Pencil is compatible. The $399 price gets you 64GB, and upgrade to 256GB for $549. The A12 Bionic is used in this model and excels in the smaller display.
The iPad mini is a versatile device. You can attach a keyboard and use it as a miniature computer, or carry it in your pocket with the Pencil and have a portable-digital notepad.
The iPad Pro is Apple's flagship tablet, and the company promotes it as a fully capable Mac alternative. You could use it as a second display or notepad like with the other models, but as these devices cost as much as a MacBook Air or Mac mini, you'll likely want it for more.
The A12Z Bionic, LiDAR camera and full-screen 120Hz display set the iPad Pro apart. Apple also offers a unique keyboard called the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, and it features scissor-switch keys and a trackpad on a thin-designed case. Combine this with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and you'll have a laptop/tablet combo that takes whatever shape you need on the fly.
The 11-inch iPad Pro is $799, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is $999 for 128GB of storage. This can be increased up to 1TB of storage in either for a $500 increase.
All iPad models can be configured with cellular for a $150 price increase at purchase.
Ultimately, the best MacBook for students — or even iMac or iPad Pro — is dependent on each person's particular needs, including grade level, college major, learning environment (remote vs in-person) and budget. To all the students out there, we wish you the best of luck as you hit the books for the spring semester.
