The 10 Best Laptops for Drawing

Artists rely on pen, paper, and paint for their living. In traditional days, this was true. But now, thanks to technology, a new tool’s added to that list – a laptop.

Not just any laptop – we will be talking about the best laptops for digital art.

We will talk about powerful laptops that can handle graphics programs and offer advanced editing capabilities. A solution, as used by many artists, is using a tablet plugged to their PCs. But a major drawback here is the level of inaccuracy and difficulty to draw.

What if you can draw directly on the laptop screen using a stylus?

That’s right. It is now possible to buy a high-resolution laptop with features that make every artist swoon. Color-accurate touchscreen displays and pressure-sensitive pens are only two of them. This post will help you find the best laptop that makes your artwork come to life.

That’s not it, we’ve taken things up a notch by adding a simple buying guide. It will help you buy a new laptop if you’re passionate about art. You don’t have to worry about converting your art in the digital form any longer. You create your drawings in one!

Don’t know which laptop to pick though? If you want your work cut out, you can simply go back to the 10 amazing laptops on our list.

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Quick Picks

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Best Laptops for drawing Reviews

Not sure which laptop will be the best for your needs?

Here’s a compilation of 10 laptops perfect for people who love drawing. These machines designed specifically for artists come with the features of graphics tablets. They save you the hassle of plugging in wires to complete an artwork.

#1- Microsoft Surface Pro 7

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This versatile laptop by Microsoft is one of the best-selling products in the world. It features a powerful processor that makes it perfect for heavy usage. The detachable keyboard makes it comfortable to transition from a laptop to a tablet on the go. What makes this laptop more endearing is its compatibility with the Surface Pen. The pen boasts 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, making it the best choice for drawing.

With that said, it is not included as an accessory with the laptop. You may have to pay extra to get your hands on the Surface Pen. But for the excellent features and affordable price of the laptop, the deal is too sweet to resist.

Moving on to the specifications, the Surface Pro 7 lets you choose between the i5 and i7 processors. Both alternatives come with different innards. For example, with the i5 processor, you get 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. Whereas with the latter, you get a 16GB RAM and 1TB of SSD. This is by far the most powerful and impressive set of specs we’ve come across in convertible laptops.

Pros

• Ultra-slim design for maximum portability
• Beautiful display
• Amazing GPU and CPU capacity

Cons

• Keyboard and stylus not included with the laptop

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#2- Microsoft Surface Book 2

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For artists who want nothing but the best drawing experience, the Surface Book 2 is a great option. Based on your style of drawing, you can choose between four modes. This separates it from the many laptops currently available in the market.

The premium lightweight materials used to manufacture this laptop add to its adaptability. Surface Book 2 works as the user wants it to. Drawing is extremely easy thanks to its Studio Mode. The Surface Book 2 packs in a good eight-plus hours of battery life, making it a reliable choice for artists.

The Surface Book 2, with its 13-inch screen, may seem larger than devices in this category. But its detachability balances this rather beautifully. It is a tailor-made device for art students as it offers many features that may pique their interest.

Surface Book 2 is a versatile product capable of handling heavy graphics. It simultaneously provides highly detailed visuals of your artwork. The Surface Pen is part of the deal, but users need to purchase the Surface Dial separately. With the Surface Book 2, users also get to choose a suitable screen size. 13.5-inch or 15-inch, you can get a size that meets your requirements.

Pros

• Vibrant screen resolution
• Long-lasting battery life
• Impressive stylus pen input
• Minimalistic design

Cons

• Priced on the higher end
• No Thunderbolt 3

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#3- Lenovo Yoga C940

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Lenovo has come up with a solution for the only reason preventing you to switch to a digital medium for drawing. The brand has brainstormed an innovative idea that features pinpoint accuracy. This makes drawing on the Yoga C940 a breeze. The laptop features multiple unique aspects that make it perfect for drawing.

The specifications include a beautiful 14-inch multi-touch display with an integrated web camera. Powered by a hardcore 10^th gen i5 processor, you get a massive SSD storage of up to 2TB. With its stunning 4K display, you also get the Active Pen. Using this pen is not quite different than using a regular pen when drawing. As a bonus, users can access Windows Ink with the device. This provides them more flexibility to create unique artworks on their laptop.

Lenovo Yoga 940 is great for multitaskers. Users can run many high-end applications together without experiencing any lagging. This ability is especially important for artists who use many applications simultaneously.

Pros

• Active pen (stylus) included in the box
• Multifaceted
• Powerful processor for smooth performance
• Impressive touchscreen display
• Practical design
• Amazing battery life

Cons

• All ports are on the same side causing inconvenience
• The stylus is a bit smaller

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#4- Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Laptop

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The Dell XPS 13-inch laptop is one of the world’s smallest 2-in-1 models tailor-made for users. The stunning design, paired with an InfinityEdge touchscreen display, makes it irresistible and a device you will love to own. You get to experience a virtually borderless display and fabulous ultra-sharp QHD+ resolution.

Dell takes things a step further by providing various customization options. From the processor to the SSD storage, users get a personalized laptop experience. The Intel Iris Plus backed graphics can fuel many drawing apps on the machine.

What we love most about this convertible laptop is its premium 360-degree hinge. It lets you use the laptop in four flexible positions–tablet, tent, laptop, and stand mode.

When we talk about its battery life, the device lasts up to 15 hours on a single charge. The long-lasting battery life makes it one of the best laptops for drawing.

Pros

• Stunning visuals
• State-of-the-art cooling system
• Appealing configuration
• Impressive battery life

Cons

• No standard USB Type-A ports
• Weird webcam placement

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#5- New Apple MacBook Pro

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If you’re accustomed to using apps exclusive to the macOS, the new MacBook Pro is for you. This is the only Apple device that made it on our list for the best laptops for drawing.

Many programs like Adobe Suite have adapted to both the platforms (Apple and Windows). However, there are a few design tools you can only access on macOS.

For artists who prefer Apple products to Microsoft, this 16-inch laptop is the best bet. The MacBook Pro boasts a powerful 16GB RAM and Radeon graphics. These stunning graphics let users run any image editing tool on the versatile device.

Although it’s a new model, you must know that it is not a touchscreen laptop. Sure, you get a cool Touch Bar feature, but it only suggests what buttons to use. Next, you will also look at three USB Type-C ports and no card reader. This means you will also need to buy an adapter.

For the price, you don’t get the touchscreen functionality or a stylus. Yet, the MacBook Pro is a good option if you use applications made solely for macOS.

Pros

• Slim design offers portability
• Vibrant 16-inch screen with Radeon graphics
• i9 processor with Turbo Boost up to 4.8GHz

Cons

• Expensive
• No stylus included
• Touchscreen functionality is missing

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#6- HP Spectre X360 15-inch Convertible Laptop

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Hybrid laptops are among the most preferred models by designers. They look phenomenal and give them the freedom to move around their workstations. 

If you want a mixture of style and substance, the HP Spectre x360 is for you. There are many configurations available, so make sure to get one that works for digital art.

This 2-in-1 laptop by HP is among the most popular models currently. What makes it so popular? 

The 4K display, cutting edge processor, and unbelievable memory make it one of the best. The HP Spectre ticks all the right boxes for artists. The lightweight and durable design adds to its portability and longevity. When working, artists can count on the HP Spectre to remain virtually silent. This lets them focus on their artwork better.

Pros 

• Sleek and portable design
• Extremely responsive touchscreen technology 
• Fast and powerful processor
• A good amount of connectivity ports

Cons

• Shorter battery life

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#7- Samsung Notebook 9 Pro

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For all the Samsung fans, the Notebook 9 Pro is an amazing option. The device has remarkable specifications and is just as good as the premium laptops on this list. Also, if you need a large storage space, the Notebook 9 Pro boasts 2TB of storage space.

This convertible laptop is exclusively launched to serve artists and designers. It comes with an intuitive, pressure-sensitive S Pen that lets artists draw easily. The S Pen features an always paired mode for easy navigation and designing. Palm detection, quick select, and note creation are some of the features you get to enjoy.

With all these additions, you also get a robust i7 processor with a 16GB RAM. The 13.3-inch LED display with integrated graphics provides the best viewing experience. Outstanding display quality is an absolute necessity when looking for a laptop. And in terms of features and specs, the Notebook 9 Pro does not disappoint.  

Pros

• Smooth performance
• Lightweight and portable
• Fast charging speed and long battery life
• Built-in S Pen
• Stunning display and graphics

Cons

• Average audio quality
• The keyboard could be better

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#8- Lenovo Yoga Book C930

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Without any doubt, the Yoga series is one of the best when talking about convertible laptops. Out of all the variants, however, the C930 is the most exciting and affordable model yet.

The Yoga Book C930 comes with a unique hinge enabling it to convert into different modes.

That said, the laptop comes with a Real Pen that lets you digitize notes or drawings. Whatever you draw on, the Yoga Book C930 gets digitized with perfection.

The Real Pen works beautifully to create illustrations, designs, and drawings. You can use it for precision and get pressure-sensitive touches for accurate drawings. That’s not even the best part. Unlike the stylus included in other laptops, the Real Pen needs no explicit charging. It uses the Electro-Magnetic Resonance (EMR) technology to connect to the laptop. In simple words, users can directly plug it in without charging or pairing with the Yoga Book.

Besides the Real Pen, you also get an assortment of accessories in the box. These enable artists to get the maximum value out of the laptop. The hardware specifications are amazingly powerful – there is enough juice to run all drawing applications smoothly.  

Pros

• Real pen included in the box
• Crafted using high-quality alloy
• Signature hinge makes the transition easier

Cons

• Lacks SD card reader
• No dedicated GPU

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#9- HP ZBook Studio x360 G5

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If your artwork contains a lot of 3D designing or intricacies, you need a powerful machine. The HP ZBook Studio is an incredibly versatile and powerful laptop for artists. With a wide range of smart features, the laptop comes with an  HP ZBook Pen. This pen can sense up to 4096 levels of pressure and works smoothly on the device.

The HP ZBook is the most powerful option for drawing on this list. However, it also comes with a price tag that matches its amazing features. So, we recommend this device only to artists who create complex drawings regularly.

You can choose between a full HD touch display or a 4K variant to enjoy even more accurate colors. It comes with advanced features and spoils users for choice with multiple configurations. The device normally runs on the i7 processor. But users can upgrade to Intel Xeon processor and Nvidia Quadro graphics.

Despite such impressive hardware, the device weighs below 5 pounds. The HP ZBook Studio does not fail to impress buyers in any aspect.

Pros

• Powerful processing unit
• HP ZBook Pen included in the box
• Massive SSD storage space

Cons

• Extremely expensive, not recommended for beginners
• A little heavier than the other options on the list

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#10- ASUS Chromebook Flip C214MA

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So far, we’ve only discussed options for professional use. The ASUS Chromebook, however, targets a different audience. This laptop is for beginners and children who love to sketch their ideas down. The device sports an HD display and wide viewing angles.

The ASUS Chromebook Flip 11 is very affordable and comes with a pen. As for the hardware, the processor goes up to 2.6GHz of clock speed. The device comes with 4GB of RAM, which is enough for children.

Just like many options on our list, this device works in four different positions. What separates the ASUS Chromebook Flip 11 from the rest is its price. The laptop is ridiculously affordable and boasts a battery life of more than 10 hours. What more could you ask for?

Pros

• Extremely affordable
• Supports different modes
• A great choice for kids who love to draw

Cons

• Not very impressive under the hood
• Little storage

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Buying Guide

Buying a good laptop for artists is not an easy feat. You must consider many factors before making a choice. These may include battery life, type of laptop, processing speed, and so on. But what is most important?

To buy the best laptop for drawing, the following four factors are of utmost importance.

Display Screen Size

The screen size matters when buying a laptop, especially for drawing. The bigger it is, the better you can identify the tiny details. For artists, it is always recommended to buy a laptop with a 13′-inch display or bigger. However, an HD resolution must accompany the big screen size of the laptop.

Graphics Configuration

To ensure a premium drawing experience, get a laptop with exceptional graphics. The colors and sharpness of the device make your creations come alive. As an artist, you know how important it is for the artwork to look visually appealing. Any compromise in the graphics configuration will negatively impact your work. Therefore, a laptop with high resolution is important for creating accurate drawings.

Operating System

Another important aspect is the OS. With a complicated interface, the user may not be able to work as efficiently as they would. For artists who want amazing outcomes, a user-friendly OS is their safest bet. Windows 10 is the current favorite followed closely by the macOS. Both systems offer a user-friendly interface with a wide range of features.

Performance

To get the most out of your laptop, it must perform well. After all, there is nothing worse than a lagging device that cost you a fortune. Consider buying a laptop with an i5 processor or above. This will amp up the performance and prevent your laptop from lags. Most drawing software needs a powerful processor to function effortlessly. This makes the performance a vital factor to consider.

Screen Fluidity

You need a laptop to express your inner artist. You don’t just want any laptop for that. You need to be able to create intricate shapes and make even the smallest pressure points appear on the screen. To do that, you may want a good pen – and laptops like the Surface Pro series offer just that. It’s just the right mix of power and art – something you will want to own. Check if the laptop you buy has the right accessories – like a pen. You don’t want to draw with your hand.

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FAQs

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Conclusion

The ten laptops mentioned above are the best to draw, paint, and work on. The design of each one of the options aims at satisfying the needs of an artist. They are lightweight, feature powerful hardware, and include a stylus (in most cases).

The only exception is the ASUS Chromebook. It is not recommended for professional use as it targets mainly kids and beginners who love to draw.

Buying a laptop for regular use is quite different than buying it for drawing. You cannot simply buy an affordable laptop with average features.

Professional artists must consider a lot of factors to buy an optimal laptop. Out of which the four most important factors are:

• Screen size
• Graphics
• Performance
• Operating system

Make a list and find which laptop works best with your requirements. Once you’re done, you will know what’s right for you.  

Sources:

• The best 2-in-1 laptops for creatives
• Best 2-in-1 Laptops for Drawing from HP
• Video: Best Laptops for Artists
• Best Buy: Drawing Electronics
• USA, >$1,000 Laptop for Drawing (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Animate, etc.)
• The 10 Best Laptops For Writers
• Best Laptops For Artists
• Best Laptops For Computer Science