Arek Dvornechcuck
Branding Expert
I'm a branding expert and graphic designer based in NY. I specialize in the development of brands: brand strategy, identity & web design. Need help with your project?—Get in touch
The best computer overall for graphic designers. A great choice for creatives that are looking for the best overall computer
The most versatile computer for graphic design. It is sleek and powerful enough to handle all your graphic design software
The everyday graphic design computer. It has a great combo of specs that will be able to handle all your creative software
I'm a branding expert and graphic designer based in NY. I specialize in the development of brands: brand strategy, identity & web design. Need help with your project?—Get in touch
Graphic design computers are one of the primary tools for creative professionals, so choose them wisely.
They are needed for graphic design tools in addition to laptops and tablets for on-the-go productivity.
What are the best computers for graphic design?
Choosing the best computer for graphic design comes down to what you’ll need to use it for, as well as your ideal desk configuration and budget.
Some of them come with a monitor as part of the package, but the rest won't—so you'll also need to find the best graphic design computer monitors.
Here’s my list of the 10 best computers for graphic design in 2023.
Do you want to add your product to the list?—Find my address on the contact page and send your product for review.
As a graphic designer, you want to have a smooth workflow, easy multitasking, and quick rendering, but without going overboard with specs or features that you might not use.
There are a few things to look out for when choosing a computer for your graphic design needs.
As a graphic designer, you want to have a smooth workflow, easy multitasking, and quick rendering, but without going overboard with specs or features that you might not use.
When it comes to choosing the best computer for your specific graphic design needs, there are 7 factors to consider:
In fact, there’s no need to be a tech expert, let me explain what these are and how they make a difference in graphic design work.
Below, you will find some requirements to look out for when choosing your next computer.
The most important software that runs on a computer is the operating system.
Firstly, you need to know if you’ll be working on Windows or MacOS, based on your personal preference and the programs you’ll be using.
I used Windows when I first started as a graphic designer, and then, after a few years, I eventually switched over to MacOS.
The main thing to consider when deciding on which computer to get is how powerful it is.
And any serious graphic design software will require a powerful processor (CPU) to run all your tasks smoothly.
Find out what processor is required for certain software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as well as any programs you plan to utilize.
A graphics card is responsible for generating an image feed for a display device.
We often work with large, graphically intensive files, and these often require the help of a processing unit specially dedicated to handling graphics.
Its duty is to assist you with zooming in and out of Photoshop, scrubbing through a Premiere Pro project, and rendering a 3D animation, among others.
The next component to consider is RAM, which will determine how much multi-tasking you can do.
Plenty of system memory will enable you to not only run multiple programs but will also help in handling large, heavy files as projects progress.
You can never have too much RAM, so acquire the biggest you can afford so you can access all your apps and data without strangling your machine.
Our graphic design work often requires handling and storing many large files, and I’m sure you’ve seen designers walking around with multiple external hard drives in hand.
Beyond size, there's speed: SSDs are faster than mechanical hard drives but have smaller storage capacities.
HDDs are slower in reading and writing but have significantly bigger storage capacities for the same price.
For graphic designers, the monitor is not something to hold back on.
Have a screen that is bright enough to see your work, accurate enough to color match it, and big enough for your digital workspace.
Since all of the other PCs on this list are stand-alone towers, you have more options when it comes to choosing the finest monitor for your graphic design needs.
And finally, you’ll need to make sure the computer you want is affordable enough.
Unlike a new entertainment system, this computer will be a significant investment in your work.
That being said, you should determine your budget range first, then explore options within it, and with many cool new features out, just remember to be practical.
Now that you have an idea of what to look for, check out my guide for the best computers for graphic designers in 2023.
The Apple iMac 27“ is a great choice for creatives that are looking for the best overall computer for graphic design.
The best computer overall for graphic designers.
Apple products are often the preferred choice of graphic designers, and the same is true for their desktop line.
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The 27-inch Apple iMac is an all-in-one PC that offers a solid combination of power, color accuracy, and elegant design.
It comes with powerful pair of processors and graphics to ensure a quick and responsive working experience.
This Apple iMac comes with a matching Apple Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, which give your desk a wireless, minimalistic look.
On top of its impressive hardware, the latest iMac also comes with an upgraded 1080p HD camera, fitted with a studio-quality triple microphone array.
If you are looking for the best Apple computer for graphic design, there is no other perfect option than the Apple iMac 27".
2020 Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display (27-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage)
$1732.93
Rated 4.7 out of 5 by 929 reviewers on Amazon.com
Display: 27“ 5120x2880 Retina 5K Display
Processor: 3.1GHz 6-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5
Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300 graphics
Memory: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 256GB SSD
The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is an excellent choice for designers looking for the most advanced desktop computer.
The best most versatile computer for graphic design.
It is sleek, versatile, and powerful enough to handle all your graphic design software, from creative apps to 3D simulators.
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The Surface Studio 2 is an all-in-one computer that includes a full touchscreen with pen support, allowing it to double as a desktop drawing tablet.
Microsoft's Surface line of products has recently discovered a niche in the graphic design field, and their latest desktop computers are unique.
The Surface Studio 2's flexible monitor stand and flawless integration with the Surface Pen make it unique in the graphic design field.
The stand allows you to easily tilt down to 20 degrees for Studio Mode or upright in Desktop Mode, and the glass display features full 10-point multi-touch support.
If you’re a graphic designer who does a lot of digital drawing, write-ups, or art, you can’t go wrong with the Microsoft Surface Studio 2.
Microsoft Surface Studio 2 (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB) - Newest Version
$4699.00
Rated 4.1 out of 5 by 76 reviewers on Amazon.com
Display: 28“ 4500x3000 PixelSense Display
Processor: 1.3GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Buy Microsoft Surface Studio 2 on Amazon
The Dell XPS 8930 features some powerful components inside an office-friendly case design, making it a great choice for graphic design professionals.
The best everyday graphic design computer.
It also has one of the best graphic design computer setups, so you could easily game on it when you’re done working.
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Once you pair it with the monitor and peripherals of your choice, the XPS 8930 is a highly capable machine.
It still isn’t the most powerful out there, but it has a great combination of specs that should be able to handle all your creative software and more.
You won't need to worry about storage because the XPS 8930 comes with 6GB of dedicated 1660ti storage and a 1TB hard drive for extra source files and backups.
Dell’s XPS laptop made its way onto my list of best laptops for graphic design, and its desktop counterpart carries the same great reputation.
The Dell XPS 8930 is a great choice if you’re a professional that is looking for the best graphic design computer for everyday use.
Dell XPS 8930 Tower Desktop - 9th Gen Intel 8-Core i7-9700 Processor up to 4.70 GHz, 64GB…
$2299.00
Rated 4.3 out of 5 by 51 reviewers on Amazon.com
Display: None
Processor: 3 GHz core_i7
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
Memory: 64 GB DDR4
If you’re looking for a high-performance all-in-one desktop computer for your creative needs, then the Lenovo Yoga A940 27 is a must-buy for you.
The best graphic design computer for professionals.
This computer boasts a tilting 4K display with pen support, and it is designed to provide the ultimate workspace for your creativity.
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The Yoga A940 27's innovative dual-hinge design makes it easier to slide into drafting mode with one hand-and-palm-rejection technology.
You can use it to assign settings and features in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and other creative software that you need.
You can now scroll, calibrate, and make precise adjustments to your work with a twist of the Yoga A940's content creation dial.
It provides a pen-to-paper experience whether you’re sketching out your next project or tweaking details in Lightroom.
If you are looking for the best graphic design computers for professionals, consider buying the Lenovo Yoga A940 27.
Display: 27 Inches
Processor: 4.7 GHz core_i7
Graphics: Up to 10GB of graphics RAM
Memory: 32 GB
Storage: 1 TB Solid State Hard Drive
Buy Lenovo Yoga A940 27 on Amazon
If you’re currently doing a freelance job and want to have the best desktop that you can use at home, the HP Workstation Z2 Mini G5 is the best buy.
The best graphic design computers for working from home.
This is a well-designed computer for creatives, and it offers great performance and durability at the same time.
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Compared with other graphic design computers today, the Z2 Mini G5 is much cheaper, which makes it ideal for both beginners and pros.
It is an amazing mini-pc from HP and it is also portable, allowing you to work anywhere you are comfortable.
The Z2 Mini G5 is an excellent choice for freelance graphic designers that want to have a great everyday computer.
Additionally, it also has 16GB of RAM, which means you can run your creative software seamlessly and without lag.
So if you’re working from home and are looking for the best computer deal for you, then the HP Workstation Z2 Mini G5 is a go-to choice.
Display: None
Processor: Core_i7
Memory: 64 GB DDR4
Buy HP Workstation Z2 Mini G5 on Amazon
The Lenovo Legion Tower 5 is a solid PC with excellent performance in creative programs, 3D software, and, of course, gaming.
The finest computer for gaming and graphic designing.
In terms of features and price, it's a good gaming PC with a mid-range processor and a small GTX 1650 Super GPU.
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The Legion Tower 5 would still be appropriate for an office environment, and it is more than capable of being a primary graphic design workstation.
You'll easily get 60fps in AAA games, and that means SolidWorks or Cinema4D will work well, as long as you're not attempting to reach 144fps on an 8K TV or whatever.
Furthermore, the Legion lineup of products from Lenovo features a wide variety of tech, including laptops, computers, monitors, and even gaming phones.
Despite its gaming highlights, the case's design is nonetheless modern, elegant, and not too loud.
The Lenovo Legion Tower 5 is a great choice for people looking for the best graphics design computer specs that are ideal for gaming and working.
This device is one of the best computers for graphic design.
Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gaming Desktop, 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10400F Processor up to…
$1459.99
Rated 4.2 out of 5 by 39 reviewers on Amazon.com
Display: None
Processor: 6-core 2.90GHz Intel Core i5-10400F
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super
Memory: 32GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD
Buy Lenovo Legion Tower 5 on Amazon
Apple created the M1 processor to be fully optimized for their computers, and I was simply blown away by how good they were able to make it.
A budget-friendly Apple desktop for graphic designers.
Apple’s latest refresh of the Mac Mini, with the introduction of the new Apple Silicon M1 Chip, packs some mighty strength in such a small package.
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The new Apple Mac Mini comes in the same little metal box as before, but with its biggest performance upgrade yet.
However, the M1 chip outperforms CPUs costing several times as much in creative applications and video rendering times.
You will have to get yourself a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, but this Mac Mini will allow you to work with all your MacOS-based programs with ease.
If you’re considering getting a Mac for graphic design right now, it’s an easy recommendation from me.
So, if you're looking for the best computer for graphic design on a budget, the Apple Mac Mini is a great choice.
2020 Apple Mac Mini with Apple M1 Chip (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage)
$869.00
Rated 4.7 out of 5 by 3344 reviewers on Amazon.com
Display: None
Processor: 8-core Apple M1 Chip
Graphics: 8-core Apple M1 GPU
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD
The Dell Inspiron 7000 is a beautiful all-in-one computer with a touchscreen display and decent specs for interactive productivity.
The most reliable Dell computer for graphic design and animation.
It offers such a wide range of products that they have something for almost everyone.
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The Inspiron 7000 comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse, and the screen is coated with an anti-glare film to prevent distracting reflections when working.
This computer's design makes it look and feel like a luxury monitor or TV, even though it has a quad-core i5 processor and a built-in pop-up webcam.
The Inspiron 7000 is also touch-sensitive, so you can make creative modifications on the go with colleagues or clients.
If you’re a graphic designer who values touch support and appreciates modern minimalistic design, this computer should be great for you.
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 7000 is a great PC for graphic design to buy in 2023.
Display: 27“ 1920x1080 IPS Anti-Glare Touchscreen
Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
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Since graphic design computers can also be used by other creatives like editors and photographers, I included the Alienware Aurora R10.
The best computer for photo and video editing.
It is definitely the best desktop computer for photo and video editing since it boasts an amazing display.
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The Aurora R10 can also run multiple creative applications, so it will be easier for you to work with your designs.
This Ryzen Edition desktop gives you the power to develop and explore new worlds with up to a 16-core 3rd generation AMD Ryzen processor.
This Alienware model also has an amazing feature that doubles the bandwidth available to graphics cards for enhanced overall gaming performance.
Additionally, any component on your PCI-Express bus is given more bandwidth, so you can experience higher performance while creating, streaming, or recording.
The Alienware Aurora R10 is a great choice for creatives that are looking for the best graphic design computer for photographers and editors.
Display: None
Processor: 4.4 GHz ryzen_7_3700x
Graphics: AMD RX 5700XT
Memory: 16 GB DDR4
Storage: 512 GB SSD + 1 TB
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The MSI Trident AS is a bonafide gaming computer, but it still manages to set itself apart from the rest.
The most powerful computer for gamers, video editors, and 3D artists.
You know it’s a gaming computer as soon as you see it, but you can’t help but notice it’s a unique powerhouse with an innovative design.
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The Trident AS has an RTX 2060 Super graphics card capable of real-time raytracing, and higher configurations are also available.
With edgy, angular geometry and a profile roughly the same size as an Xbox One or PS4, the Trident AS takes the console versus PC war to another level.
Because of the greater graphics power, a high-quality 4K monitor for graphic design should work nicely on the Trident AS.
To maximize heat dissipation and create a thinner PC, MSI vertically mounted the big graphics card and drew air intake through the side panel.
The MSI Trident AS is definitely a great choice for all kinds of creatives and gamers as well.
Display: None
Processor: 8-core Intel Core i7-10700F
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Without a doubt, the 2021 24-inch iMac is one of the best graphic design computers ever made.
The best iMac computer for graphic designers.
Since the device has a neural processor, it means it can get the most out of applications that use machine learning.
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Hence, the 24-inch iMac is transformed by the M1 chip, stands out in any space, and is a perfect fit for your life.
While it lacks the discrete graphics card of the 2020 iMac, its M1 processor delivers superb performance.
Plus, the overall design of the 24-inch iMac is sleeker and more sophisticated, a welcome update to the dated iMac look before.
The 24-inch iMac also offers a large amount of built-in storage, something that you can use surprisingly quickly.
As a result, the 2021 24-inch iMac is one of the best graphic design computers ever made.
Display: 24-inch 4.5K Retina display
Processor: Apple M1 chip with 8 core
Memory: 8GB – 16GB
Storage: Up to 2TB
Obviously, Apple computers are extremely popular among creative experts who need all the computing power they can get their hands on.
The best high powered computer for graphic designers.
The Mac Studio is still the latest model aimed at exactly this crowd.
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Certainly, Mac Studio can be configured to be one of the most powerful computers ever made by Apple.
In brief, it is powered by an Apple M1 Max chip or an extremely advanced M1 Ultra chip (essentially two Mac M1 chips soldered together).
Without a doubt, the Apple Mac Studio packs outrageous performance, extensive connectivity, and new capabilities into an unbelievably compact form.
Hence, if you do intensive graphic design tasks like editing large files in Photoshop, Mac Studio will perform admirably.
If you do a little less than all of that, the Apple Mac Studio will probably be more powerful than you need.
Display: None
Processor: Apple M1 Max chip with 10-core CPU/ Apple M1 Ultra chip with 16-core Graphics: Integrated 24-core / 48-core
Memory: 32GB –128GB
Storage: Up to 8TB
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Many PCs have gone up against the iMac, but the HP ENVY 34 All-in-One is possibly one of the best we've seen in a while.
The best ultrawide 5k display for graphic designers.
In fact, it's great for performing your graphic design tasks.
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The simple design of the ENVY 34 All-in-One undeniably means it fits perfectly into almost any home or office environment.
In any case, it's highly configurable, and if you're willing to bump the price up a bit, you can get it with a bit more storage or processing power.
In brief, the ENVY 34 All-in-One is packed with good graphics and boasts the simplest configuration.
It can also come with a lot of useful extras, some of which are a bit unexpected
More than capable of handling graphic design tasks and reinforcing the status of the device, the Envy 34 all-in-one computer is a reliable iMac replacement.
Display: 34-inch (5,120 x 2,160) 5K display
Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11700
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
Memory: 32GB
Storage: 1TB
Buy HP ENVY 34 All-in-One on Amazon
The Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 is an all-in-one desktop PC with a 27-inch 4K UHD touch display that, in fact, supports a 100% sRGB color gamut.
The most versatile computer for graphic designers.
This device also received offers as a compelling option for gaming professionals.
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The Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 4K display comes with an optional 99% Adobe RGB color gamut and 99% DCIP3 color space, which, of course, is useful for anyone who needs to optimize color accuracy.
The screen can be shot in full HD vertical with just a tap of a finger if you need a different angle.
The Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 is an all-in-one desktop PC with a 27-inch 4K UHD touch display that certainly supports a 100 percent sRGB color gamut.
The rotating screens can be useful for things other than finding a more comfortable place to work.
You're also getting up to 1TB of SSD storage and the option for a 2TB HDD, which makes the Yoga AIO 7 one of the best computers for graphic design.
Display: 27" 4K UHD
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 4800 H
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Memory: 32GB
Storage: Up to 1TB M.2 SSD + 2TB
Buy the Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 on Amazon
The Acer Aspire desktop computer features a 3.9GHz Intel Core i37100 dual-core processor.
The best budget friendly PC for graphic designers.
The device also offers a single stick of 4GB DDR4 2400 MHz RAM and has an available slot to accept another memory module.
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The Acer Aspire desktop also includes three USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0 ports, as well as an SD card reader.
Graphics processing is handled through the integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 chipset, which delivers detailed images.
The Acer Aspire desktop has five onboard audio jacks for connecting to headphones and speakers.
In addition to the connections, the 1 TB hard drive offers enough space to store and back up important files.
Another notable connection in the Acer Aspire desktop is the Bluetooth 4.0 module for wireless pairing.
Processor: 9th Generation Intel Core i3 9100
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630
Memory: 8GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
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It's hard to find a good video editing computer with a monitor, mouse, and keyboard at an affordable price.
The best computer for photo and video editing.
This makes Lenovo's Idea Centre a smart choice for anyone on a tight budget.
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For a budget all-in-one, the Idea-Centre AIO 3 looks quite luxurious.
The screen's Full HD resolution is enough for casual use, like browsing the web and watching 1080p videos.
The Idea-Centre AIO 3 is not ideal for all-day text viewing and any serious media editing.
The screen measures 21.2 inches wide by 13.2 inches high, and the bottom bezel sits 4.5 inches above your desk.
The Idea-Centre AIO 3 build makes it look more like a business PC than a hub for home entertainment.
Processor: Intel Pentium
Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics.
Memory: 16GB
Storage: up to 1TB
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A 4-core iMac is quite remarkable, but the iMac with 10, 14, or 18 cores is a completely different creature.
The best iMac model for graphic designers.
Add Turbo Boost speeds up to 4.5GHz and the iMac Pro has the power and flexibility to balance multi-core processing with single-threaded performance.
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The Apple iMac Pro has impeccable speed, which makes it one of the best computers for graphic design.
With AVX512 vector instructions and an advanced cache architecture, the processor processes more data, even faster.
The Apple iMac Pro’s highest option comes with an 18-core processor as well as 1TB or 4TB storage options, giving you all the space you could possibly need.
This means you can render images, edit videos up to 8K, edit photos, create real-time sound effects, or compile your next five-star app, all at lightning speed.
The Apple iMac Pro’s stunning 27-inch 5K display is something you have to trust because it can easily deliver up to a billion colors that make every picture look its absolute best.
Display: 27-inch 5K Retina
Processor: 8-, 10- or 18-Core
Graphics: Vega GPU
Memory: 32GB
Storage: 1TB - 4TB
Buy the Apple iMac Pro on Amazon
While easily marketed to PC gamers, the ROG Strix GL10 supports up to a 6-core CPU and features an Nvidia GeForce Gtx 1660.
The best computer for graphics design, and gaming.
It is designed to be expandable, so you can equip ROG with up to 16GB of RAM.
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The ROG Strix GL10 is a powerful gaming computer that is also one of the best computers for graphic design.
This powerful gaming desktop fulfills all your gaming and entertainment needs with an advanced AMD Ryzen processor and GeForce GTX graphics.
The ROG Strix GL10’s distinctive chassis features clean lines and a futuristic armor-inspired finish.
The eSports-inspired case is complemented by stunning RGB lighting to match any high-end gaming setup.
The ROG Strix GL10 combines premium components and Sonic Studio III software to deliver high-fidelity virtual 7.1-channel sound.
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce Gtx 1660
Memory: 16GB
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD+1TB HDD
Buy the ROG Strix GL10 on Amazon
There you have it, my picks for the 10 best graphic design computers in 2023.
With so many options, I hope this guide helped you narrow down your choices and that you benefited from my perspective as a fellow graphic designer.
Designers often use desktop computers for a complete workstation setup.
Without a doubt, graphic design is a broad industry, and the particular programs you use will have their own hardware requirements to be able to run them smoothly.
In the end, a lot of it will come down to personal preference, and once you know what you want, it’s just about picking the right configuration.
Personally, I recommend the 27“ Apple iMac as the best overall computer for graphic designers, thanks to its large, high-resolution Retina display and excellent performance.
I recommend getting slightly higher specs than you need right now so that it’s “future-proof” to some extent and it will be able to keep up as your programs and workloads become more intensive.
But as we saw here, there are many more brands out there, and different form factors that give you more flexibility with your workspace, and options to upgrade in the future.
Let me know what you think, what is your pick for the best computer for graphic design?—Leave a comment below.
