Are you an art student looking for a laptop that will cater to your design and art needs? You need a laptop that will help you actualize your ideas by implementing them digitally.
There are hundreds of laptops on the market with each claiming to offer unrivaled performance, but you need the best. As an art student, you need a screen with great resolution and is large enough to enhance precision designing. You will also need a good-quality graphics card to ensure you get quality images and videos.
It would be better if you also picked a laptop that comes with a decent amount of RAM and CPU power. Besides that, display, battery life, and portability are some of the other factors you should keep in mind.
We’ve researched the very best the market has to offer.
See our best laptops for art students below!
Our Recommendations
- Microsoft Surface Go 2 – Best Overall
- Lenovo Flex 14 – Best Value For Money
- Acer Spin 3 – Best In Build Quality
- HP Spectre X360 – Best Battery Life
- Apple MacBook Air (13 inches) – Best In Visuals
- Microsoft Surface Pro – Best In Multitasking
- Apple MacBook Pro – 15-Inch – Best For Professional Artists
- Lenovo Flex 4 – Best In Features
- Lenovo Yoga – Best In Graphics
- Microsoft Surface Book – Best In Storage
Microsoft Surface Go 2
To begin this list, we’ve got a laptop that’s both budget-friendly and suitable for art students. The Microsoft Surface Go 2 strikes out an even balance between price and power.
Let’s start by discussing the processor section. It comes with an 8th gen Intel Pentium Gold m3 Processor. The laptop has three separate operating modes including a studio mode which is perfect for art students. It also comes with a decent enough integrated GPU in the form of Intel HD Graphics 615.
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 has a couple of variants in terms of memory and storage. You can pick either 4GB Ram and 64GB storage, or 8GB Ram and 128GB SSD storage. We prefer the 2nd option as it comes with fast SSD storage. With 10 hours of battery life, you won’t have to worry about your battery draining too quickly.
The display is really good too. The Surface Go 2 comes with a 10.5” PixelSense Display. As the display can also be used as a tablet, you have a touch screen enabled. The pixel sense technology enhances the sharpness of the pixels to provide a better visual output.
However, the exclusion of the keyboard cover doesn’t make any sense. And although the price is low, once you add up the accessories it turns out to be quite expensive.
Overall, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a handy laptop for art students as it can not only be used as a laptop but also as a tablet and art studio. We highly recommend it.
Pros
- The 8th gen Intel Pentium Gold m3 Processor is strong enough to handle the intense workload.
- The Studio mode is perfect for art students.
- Up to 8GB RAM option to choose from.
- Option to choose from either 64 GB or 128GB storage.
- The 10.5” PixelSense Display provides clear visuals.
- Decent 10-hour battery life.
Cons
- Keyboard cover is not included with the laptop.
- Accessories are quite expensive.
Lenovo Flex 14
If you’re looking to get a convertible laptop, you should take a look at the Lenovo Flex 14. At a mid-range price, this laptop provides insane value for money.
The Lenovo Flex 14 comes with an 8th Gen Intel Core i3 processor. It has a base clock speed of 2.20 GHz which can be overclocked up to 3.4 GHz. It has a beautiful-looking Onyx black finish. You’ll also find an Integrated Intel Ultra HD Graphics 620 which can handle most of your graphic-intensive work with ease.
In terms of memory and storage, you’ll be getting a decent combination. With 8GB DDR4 2400MHz RAM and 128 GB PCIe SSD storage, you won’t face any kind of lag while using this laptop. Lenovo did a great job by including an SSD. You can also add an HDD if you want to do so in the future.
The display of the Lenovo Flex 14 is truly vibrant and beautiful. You’ll be getting a 14″ HD glossy display with 1366 x 768 max resolution. It’s a convertible laptop so you can also use it as a tablet hence the display is touch-enabled. As for the battery backup, you’ll be all set for up to 10 hours on a single charge.
However, the screen can seem a bit dim at times. On top of that, the pen isn’t included with the laptop and needs to be bought separately.
Overall, The Lenovo Flex 14 is a solid midrange laptop for art students. If this laptop is within your budget, you should go for it.
Pros
- The 8th Gen Intel Core i3 processor can be overclocked up to 3.4 GHz.
- The Intel Ultra HD Graphics 620 can render heavier graphics with ease.
- The inclusion of a 128GB SSD was very thoughtful.
- Fast 8GB 2400 MHz RAM.
- The vibrant 14″ HD glossy display can also be used as a tablet.
- Decent 10-hour battery life.
Cons
- The screen can get a bit dim at times.
- The pen needs to be bought separately for drawing.
Acer Spin 3
If you can push up your budget just a bit more, I’d suggest you go for the Acer Spin 3. The Acer Spin 3 is a better version of the previous 2 laptops with upgraded specs.
Off the bat, you’ll notice that The Acer Spin 3 has a good build quality. It comes with an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor that can be boosted up to 4.6GHz. It’s also thin and lighter than most other laptops, at just 0.78 inches and 3.7 pounds, you can put it in your backpack and continue your classwork comfortably.
In the performance section, you’ll find an Intel Ultra HD Graphics 620 as GPU. The GPU is accompanied by a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD and 16GB DDR4 Memory. Altogether, these three form a buttery smooth UI.
One other thing we liked about this laptop is the inclusion of the stylus. We’ll be honest here, most laptops don’t come with a stylus. As for the display, you’ll be getting a 14” FHD IPS touch display. The laptop has a 78.9% screen-to-body ratio. So it’s quite clear that the bezels aren’t that visible. And finally, the battery backup is quite good with a 12 hour lifetime on a full charge.
However, the display is average and there isn’t any USB type-C port which doesn’t make much sense in 2024.
Overall, the Acer Spin 3 is a great laptop for art students as it carries a good amount of power with it. Though it has a few downsides, they won’t affect much in the long run.
Pros
- Solid Build Quality.
- The 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor can handle even the most CPU-intensive work with ease.
- At just 0.78 inches and 3.7 pounds, this laptop is thin and lighter than most other laptops.
- Superfast 16GB DDR4 RAM.
- As it has a 78.9% screen-to-body ratio, you won’t notice bezels that much.
- Super long 12-hour battery life.
Cons
- Average display.
- No USB Type-C port.
HP Spectre X360
Now we’ll start venturing into the more expensive area of laptops for art students. If you’re willing to spend a decent amount, the HP Spectre X360 would be an ideal choice for you.
The HP Spectre X360 runs on a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor. It has a base clock speed of 1.3 GHz that can be boosted up to 3.9 GHz. It also has Intel integrated HD graphics 520. Though it’s a bit older model, it’ll be more than enough for art students.
Onto the memory and storage section now. You’ll find 16GB LPDDR4 (3200MHz) Ram which is quite powerful. Couple that up with the 256 GB M.2 SSD and you won’t have to see your laptop stutter ever again.
As it’s a convertible laptop, it’s quite clear that there’s a 360-degree hinge present. As for the display, you’ll be getting a 13.3″ diagonal FHD IPS display. It also features a touchscreen that has radiance Infinity function enabled. The battery backup of 12 hours on a single charge is phenomenal too.
Overall, the HP Spectre X360 is a high-end laptop with a good set of utilities. Though it’s a bit pricey, the features are worth the price.
Pros
- The quad-core Intel Core i7 can run at a max speed of 3.9 GHz.
- The silver finish gives it a classy look.
- Super Long 12 hour battery life.
- Super strong 16GB 3200MHz RAM.
- The 256 GB M.2 SSD loads applications faster than traditional HDD.
- The display is touch-enabled and can be used in 4 different modes.
Cons
- It’s a bit heavy so it can be a bit of a hassle to carry in your backpack.
Apple MacBook Air (13 inches)
If you aren’t a stylus user and want to use office applications alongside your daily usage, you should opt for the MacBook Air. It’s one of the best non-Windows laptops at this price.
The MacBook Air runs on a dual-core 5th-gen Intel Core i5 processor. It has a base clock speed of 1.8GHz which can be boosted up to 2.9GHz. The GPU is an integrated Intel HD Graphics 6000. Though the GPU is a bit old, it can handle modern graphical work with ease.
The MacBook Air has no issues regarding stuttering or lagging. This is because of the 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD storage. The combination of these two hardware doesn’t let the laptop lag even for a second.
The display, although isn’t the best, it’s far from being the worst. MacBook Air features a 13.3-inch retina display. This display comes with True Tone technology which lets the user experience visuals in the most natural tone possible. And finally, the battery is quite good with 12 hours of backup on a full charge.
However, we don’t recommend using this laptop for intense work sessions.
Overall, the Macbook Air provides a premium experience and it can be a good laptop for art students. You should give this laptop a look.
Pros
- A well-optimized 5th-gen Intel Core i5 processor.
- The 128GB SSD storage has decent read and write speed.
- Stylish design and durable build quality.
- A vibrant 13.3” display that provides stunning visuals.
- Portable
- The 8GB RAM maintains a smooth UI experience.
Cons
- Not recommended for intense work sessions.
Microsoft Surface Pro
The Microsoft Surface Pro is a great laptop not only for students but also for all creative pros. The latest model of this laptop has been configured to accommodate the needs of all artists which makes it a worthy machine for any artist. It is fitted with better quality and long-lasting battery allowing you to work for a long while on the go. While the unit does not come with a surface pen, you can buy one separately to suit your needs.
It runs on a 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor allowing it to handle any software you install on it. This is further enhanced by 8 GB RAM which lets you multitask and run heavy applications with ease. It comes with Intel Iris and HD graphics making it interesting for designers.
Pros
- This is an all-around laptop for students allowing them to study, design, and play games.
- With 13.5 hours of battery life, you can carry it to class and when.
- It sports a premium quality body, a high-resolution screen, and an incredible performance.
- It comes with PixelSense Touchscreen and can use a pen for users who love hands-on art.
- The laptop is light and takes less time to boot.
Cons
- Even with all the good features, the laptop battery lasts the normal time which is contrary to its specifications.
Apple MacBook Pro – 15-Inch
The Apple 15-Inch, MacBook Pro, lives up to Apple’s reputation for producing quality products. It has been configured to make it better for art students and art pros. While the laptop was engineered for professional artists, it comes in handy for art students. Even better, it is engineered with the latest configurations which make it worth buying for students running the latest design and art software.
It is considered a great laptop for those who love drawing and designing. As a reading laptop, it gives you amazing features. It sports a 2.8GHz quad-core Intel corei7 processor allowing it to operate heavy design software with ease. Like the Surface Pro above, it has a 256GB SSD storage. It also has a 16BG LPDDR3 memory and 2GB Radeon Pro 555. This further enhances the graphics of the computer for design.
Pros
- Each unit comes with a 2880 x 1800 pixels screen resolution which makes it screen great for precision design.
- You can expand all software windows to full screen, and access all features precisely.
- The screen is also bright and crystal clear allowing you to get to the smallest details.
- It sports a strong build to last long and a long-lasting battery. For any kind of application, the laptop performs exemplary fast.
Cons
- Unlike other laptops that have three or more ports, the Apple 15-Inch MacBook Pro has two USB ports.
- If you need to transfer data from a Windows device, the task will be hard.
Lenovo Flex 4
Need a laptop that you can easily convert into a tablet? This is your best bet, and it comes with great recommendations. It comes packed with a horde of features while allowing you to switch between a keyboard and a touchscreen for hands-on art.
It is fitted with an Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD storage. This allows the laptop to run different design applications with great ease. Further, it sports a 1920×1080 resolution screen for precision design.
Pros
- Each laptop comes with the latest Windows 10 installed giving you access to all the good features.
- It is known for its lightning-fast booting and its large touchscreen.
- This laptop is easy to switch between its keyboard version and its tablet mode.
- It has an excellent resolution for all design apps.
- Lightweight and portable.
Cons
- Like the Apple MacBook Pro, the unit does not come with enough USB ports, and again, its keyboard feels uncomfortable.
- If you have lots of videos, you will need an external storage device.
Lenovo Yoga
This is another great laptop from Lenovo. It is engineered to run drawing programs perfectly. Like the Lenovo Flex, it comes with a detachable keyboard allowing you to convert it to a tablet for touchscreen use.
It runs on the 7th gen of Intel Core i7 dual-core processor with 2.7 GHz. For great graphics, it is fitted with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 940MX. Its performance is further enhanced by 16GB DDR4 RAM. It has a 256GB solid-state drive.
Pros
- The laptop comes installed with the latest Windows 10 allowing you to get started immediately.
- With its specifications, there is no application the laptop cannot run.
- Its quality build promises durability.
Cons
- The unit is relatively heavy as compared to other laptops on this list.
- It comes with average battery life.
Microsoft Surface Book
The Microsoft Surface Book is a great option when you are not on a budget. Like its counterpart, the Microsoft Surface Pro, this laptop comes with PixelSense Touch which makes it an ideal choice for artists who love hands-on art. Besides, it is packed with amazing features to enhance its performance.
It features a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 512 GB SSD storage, and 16 GB RAM. This is double the storage of other laptops on this list making this a better option. It sports NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M for quality graphics.
Pros
- It comes with a detachable screen with 3000 x 2000 pixels resolution to accommodate all sorts of software.
- Its processor is super-fast.
- Its display is bright and its battery is long-lasting.
Cons
- The laptop is relatively expensive while having most of its features similar to most other design laptops.
Conclusion
Finding a laptop for art students can be easy. Most of the time, they’d want something at a cheaper price. This is why we’ve put together this list consisting of some of the best laptops for art students at a decent price.
As art students prioritize performance, battery, and display, we’ve prioritized them too. Look at the options we presented to you. You’ll find something that suits you for sure!
As an art student, buy the best art laptop you can. You can start with a modest laptop and upgrade as your skills and your earnings go up or as your needs evolve. Don’t forget, you’ll also need a great high-quality printer for your art prints, and we’ve got a guide just for you!