What makes the best laptop for art students?

Creative work can be demanding on your laptop. One minute you’re sketching, the next you’ve got multiple apps open and loads of layers on the go. So, if you’re shopping for yourself or choosing a laptop for an art student, focusing on a few key factors makes all the difference.

Top features for art students to consider

• RAM: 8GB will cover basic stuff, but 16GB is where things start to feel a lot more comfortable. More RAM means your laptop can handle heavy programs like Photoshop or animation software without stuttering or slowing down.

• Storage: SSD is the way to go. Unlike old-school hard drives, SSDs are quicker to load, boot up, and save your work. As for the amount, 512GB gives you plenty of breathing space for larger files and projects.

• Display: You should definitely aim for at least Full HD. Higher resolutions like 2K or 4K will help you do more detailed work. Look for 100% sRGB, which displays all the colours you need for digital and printed art. And 300+ nits brightness helps you work comfortably in bright spaces.

• Graphics: Integrated graphics are fine for basic art apps, but a dedicated GPU (graphics card) makes a big difference for 3D, animation, and video editing. It speeds up rendering, smooths playback, and keeps things responsive. A lot of creative apps use GPU acceleration, so everything feels faster and more fluid while you work.

• Touch + stylus: Look out for these if you want a drawing tablet and laptop in one. Good pressure sensitivity gives you better line control, and low latency makes your strokes feel responsive. Tilt support is a nice bonus. It lets the laptop recognise the angle of your pen, so you can shade more naturally - similar to how you would with a real pencil or brush.

• Portability: You’ll likely be carrying it around a lot, so lighter is usually better.

If you want even more info on what matters most, our top tips for choosing your college laptop will help you narrow things down.

Best MacBook for art students - MacBook Pro 14”

MacBooks have a well-earned reputation as the best laptops for design students, which makes the MacBook Pro a great shout. Why?

• Processing power: The M5 chip is seriously powerful, handling complex software like Photoshop, Illustrator or Final Cut without lag.

• Apple Intelligence: Its AI tools make organising projects or generating drafts a breeze when you’re brainstorming or stuck on an assignment.

• Liquid Retina display: Perfectly balanced with vivid colours, what you see on screen is what you get in print or on online displays.

Best Microsoft Surface for artists - Microsoft Surface Laptop 13"

If you want a laptop that’s both powerful and portable, with tools to make your work easier (and more fun), the Microsoft Surface 13” is a good choice. Why?

• Flexibility: This laptop has a Full HD+ touchscreen display, so whether you’re researching an assignment or getting creative, you can have a more intuitive experience.

• Battery life: There’s no need to stress if you forget your charger, as the Microsoft Surface can last up to 23 hours on a single charge.

• Added security: Keep your files safe in lecture halls, libraries and labs, as this Microsoft Surface has a fingerprint reader to keep your data secure.

Best HP laptop for artists - HP Omnibook 5 16” Laptop

If you’re looking for an HP laptop that can handle heavy-duty applications and has enough processing power for relaxing with a video game, look no further than the HP Omnibook 5.Why?

• Processing power: Its AMD Ryzen 5 processor is accelerated by AI and has 16GB of RAM to ensure everything runs smoothly and can handle multiple apps at the same time.

• Battery life: With up to 14.5 hours of battery life from a single charge, this laptop will keep going from dawn ‘til dusk.

• Distraction-free display: The anti-glare Full HD+ display keeps any distractions from entering your view while you create your next creative vision.

Best Windows laptop for art students – Asus Vivobook Go 15

If you want a Windows laptop that’s lightweight, budget-friendly and gives great performance for creative courses that involve photography or illustration, the Asus Vivobook Go 15 is ideal. Why?

• Processing power: The AMD Ryzen processor with 8GB of RAM easily powers multitasking, essay research, group work and lighter creative tasks like image editing, plus 512 GB of SSD storage for building your portfolio.

• Lightweight: Although it has a 15.6” display with a full-size keyboard, it’s lightweight at only 1.6kg and has a 180-degree hinge for working and collaborating with others.

Best 2-in-1 laptop for art students – HP OmniBook X Flip

If you want complete flexibility, a 2-in-1 laptop is brilliant for art students, as you can comfortably sketch and catch up on readings in tablet mode and craft first-class essays in laptop mode. The HP OmniBook X Flip is our top pick for college. Why?

• Touchscreen: As it’s a 2-in-1, it has a beautiful 2K touchscreen with scratch- and damage-resistant Gorilla Glass 3.

• Processing power: It has a powerful AMD Ryzen AI 5 processor to put AI at the heart of your productivity. Not to mention the 16GB of RAM to run creative apps and facilitate deadline multitasking!

• Portable: Weighing just 1.39kg, it’s lightweight for travelling to college and moving with you throughout your day on campus.

Need more advice?

If you want to explore more options, our laptop buying guide is a great place to start. Or check out the best student laptops by course for extra inspiration. And don’t forget, you can always pop into a store and chat to one of our colleagues - they’re the laptop experts!

FAQs

Are MacBooks good for drawing?

Yes, MacBooks are great for drawing with their high-quality displays, powerful chips and responsive performance. While they don’t have touchscreens, they work really well with external drawing tablets.

Are gaming laptops good for digital art?

Gaming laptops can be a good option for digital art because they include powerful processors and dedicated graphics. This makes them well-suited to animation, 3D modelling and video editing - although they can be heavier than typical student laptops.

Is 8GB RAM enough for digital art?

8GB RAM is enough for basic digital art tasks like sketching and light editing. For more complex projects, multitasking or professional software, you’ll need at least 16GB of RAM.

Can you use a drawing tablet with a Chromebook?

Yes, a lot of drawing tablets work with Chromebooks, especially newer models. However, software compatibility might be more limited than it is on Windows or macOS. It’s worth checking that your tablet and favourite apps are all supported before you invest in one.