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 overall laptop for Photoshop. They are ideal both for creative professionals and gamers.
The best Apple photo editing laptop for businesses. It offers gorgeous display and large storage as well.
The most affordable Apple MacBook Pro but provides you with powerful processor and good battery life.
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
Photoshop is one of the best and most widely used graphical software programs available.
Its extensive feature set, on the other hand, means that the service can be quite taxing on your laptop.
Which is the best laptop for using Photoshop?
The best Photoshop laptop is one that can easily handle complex design and photo editing tasks.
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You'll also need a good screen that can display high resolution and accurate color representations.
So without keeping you waiting, here’s my list of the 10 best laptops for Photoshop in 2022.
With a good Photoshop laptop, you can transform your photos and create amazing designs.
There are certain things to take into consideration when choosing the best laptop for your photo editing needs.
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It's not easy to choose the best laptop for Photoshop because there are numerous options available on the market.
You require a device that can withstand the demands of one of the most demanding applications available, Adobe Photoshop.
To further understand why these things should be considered, here’s a further explanation:
For you to be able to use Photoshop on your laptop effectively, you will need a good and modern processor.
As we all know, with the general rule, the bigger, the better, and the higher the processor, the smoother your work will be.
I highly recommend using the 9th generation Intel i5 or a Ryzen 5 3600 processor for your photo editing needs.
If you have more RAM, you will have an easier time working with large graphics projects with multiple layers.
If you intend to use Lightroom and Photoshop, your RAM should not be lower than 16GB.
Standard laptops usually have at least 8GB, but if you’re into serious photo editing, this will never be enough.
Storage is also one of the important factors to consider when choosing the best laptop for your Photoshop needs.
It is especially crucial since modern storage can now reach terabytes in size, unlike before.
The larger the storage, the better its capability to save a variety of projects and images.
A screen capable of 4K visuals can provide a reasonably good display.
A glossy display is a better option for color accuracy if you are working indoors.
However, a matte display can give you ideal results if you are working in outdoor areas.
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized processor that can process large amounts of data, making them ideal for photo and video editing.
Adobe has become more dependent on GPUs to run the most recent versions of Photoshop.
A good GPU will be useful if you’re experimenting with things like video editing and animation.
The above features are all crucial in finding the best laptop for your photo editing needs.
If you intend to use Photoshop and other Adobe CC apps, you must choose a laptop that can effectively run these demanding apps.
Your purchasing power will determine what type of laptop you can afford, but remember that there are lots of options on the market that are within your price range as well.
This is the reason I came up with this list of the best laptops for Photoshop to serve as your buying guide.
The MacBook Pro 16“ is the ultimate Mac laptop, a finely engineered workstation that will excite content creators.
The best overall laptop for Photoshop.
It's a joy to work on, thanks to the inclusion of an SDXC and three Thunderbolt 4 ports.
The MacBook Pro 16“ is the best creative laptop that can quickly complete your media tasks.
This is an extremely expensive laptop, but if you need a powerful laptop, this is worth the investment.
This Pro 16" has an extremely stunning display with a very wide color range and incredibly powerful internals.
It also has an excellent battery life, making it perfect for use in the field.
If you are a professional who makes money through photo and video editing, the Apple MacBook Pro 16“ is the perfect option.
CPU: Apple M1
GPU: M1 Pro
RAM: 16GB
Screen: 16.2 inches
Storage: 1TB
Buy Apple MacBook Pro 16“ on Amazon
Apple MacBook Pro 14", as it is still widely regarded as one of the best laptops for designers.
The best Apple photo editing laptop for businesses.
It has a larger screen than previous models, giving you more space to work with.
The MacBook Pro 14" is also a great option for anyone who wants to use Adobe apps like Photoshop or Illustrator.
Apple was able to maintain the iconic light and slim design while increasing the screen size.
This MacBook is lightning fast, has a larger battery, fantastic speakers, and massive amounts of storage.
It has a Core i9 processor and a massive amount of RAM for running your software smoothly.
If you are a graphic designer who relies on a Mac to produce your best work, this Apple MacBook Pro 14“ is for you.
CPU: Apple M1 pro max
GPU: M1 Pro
RAM: 16GB-64GB
Screen: 14.2 inches, mini-LED
Storage: 512GB-8TB
Buy Apple MacBook Pro 14“ on Amazon
The Apple MacBook Pro 13“ is ideal for creatives who don't require a super-powerful Apple.
The most affordable Apple MacBook Pro.
This is, by far, the most affordable version of all the Apple MacBook.
This MacBook Pro is as powerful as other Pros but at a more affordable price.
It has a larger color palette on display, up to 25% more colors than sRGB, which is important for graphic designers.
This Pro 13 has a fan-less design, which ensures complete silence while operating without overheating.
However, it is not recommended for heavy design work such as video editing or 3D rendering.
If you are an Apple fan and looking for a cheaper laptop option, then the Apple MacBook Pro 13“ is a perfect choice.
CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU
GPU: Integrated 8-core GPU
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 13.3-inch LED-backlit Retina
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Buy Apple MacBook Pro 13“ on Amazon
The Dell XPS 17 is a large, beautiful, full-featured laptop with the best battery life and excellent performance.
The best Windows laptop for photo editing.
This laptop for Photoshop will be your excellent creative companion.
The XPS 17 is one of the best portable workstations available.
The screen supports 100% Adobe RGB and a 94% DCI-P3 color gamut, implying accurate colors.
This Dell laptop is popular among creative professionals due to its superior build quality and powerful components.
It is quite expensive, but that is to be expected for a laptop of this caliber.
The Dell XPS 17 makes it an excellent choice for professional photographers or anyone who wants to edit their photos in Photoshop to make them look their best.
CPU: Intel Core i9, 11th Gen
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: 32GB-64GB
Screen: 17 inches Non-Touch Anti-Glare
Storage: 1TB-4TB
The Gigabyte Aero 17 is a powerful photo editing laptop with an excellent display.
The best photo editing laptop for professionals.
It is by far the best laptop for 3D designers and video editors.
The Aero 17 provides optimized power and speed for high-resolution rendering of your creative projects.
This laptop is a versatile workhorse designed for modern, on-the-go professionals.
Not only that, but Aero 17 also has excellent refresh rates when playing your favorite AAA games.
This laptop provides everything you need in terms of portability and performance, making it ideal for any type of designer.
If you are looking for the best photo editing laptop for professional designers like you, the Gigabyte Aero 17 is an excellent choice.
CPU: Intel Core i7, 10th Gen
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
RAM: 16GB-64GB
Screen: 17.3 inches Retina
Storage: 1TB
Buy Gigabyte Aero 17 on Amazon
The Surface Laptop Studio is another innovative device for creative professionals made by Microsoft.
The most hybrid laptop for Photoshop.
It is ideal for your workstation, photo, and video editing functions, and sketching.
The MS Laptop Studio has a unique hinge and powerful specs, making it ideal for creative professionals.
Its distinct screen characteristics make it not only an ideal digital canvas but also a pleasure to look at.
This MS laptop, like the Book 3, has a convertible touchscreen and also functions as a media center and a tablet.
It is by far the most powerful Surface laptop, featuring an 11th Generation Intel Core H Series processor capable of handling the most demanding workloads.
If you are looking for the best Photoshop laptop to cater to all your complex projects, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is worth the price.
CPU: Intel Core i5, 11th Gen
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB-32GB
Screen: 12.3 Inches QHD, touch
Storage: 256GB-2TB
Buy Microsoft Laptop Studio on Amazon
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga is ideal for creatives who require a powerful yet portable machine.
The best portable photo editing laptop.
If you prefer Windows, this laptop is a great choice.
The Lenovo ThinkPad has a powerful processor and a long battery life in a distinctive and sophisticated design.
Despite its eye-catching appearance and impressive performance, the device is reasonably priced and represents excellent value.
The combination of pro-grade graphics and an Intel Xeon processor makes the Lenovo ThinkPad an extremely powerful laptop.
It is portable, making it a perfect laptop buddy while working inside or outside your office.
If you are looking for a powerful, stylish, and portable laptop for your work, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga is highly recommended for you.
CPU: Core i7
GPU: Nvidia Quadro P1000 or P2000
RAM: 8GB
Screen: 14 inches
Storage: 256GB
Buy Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga on Amazon
The Spectre X360 is a high-end convertible laptop for Photoshop from HP.
The best 2 in 1 laptop for Photoshop.
You get more vertical space to work with a display that's as tall as a 15.6-inch laptop but only as wide as a 13.3-inch model.
The Spectre X360 is a fantastic update to an already excellent laptop with excellent battery life.
And because of its longer battery life, you can use your laptop more and spend less time charging it.
The HP laptop is lighter and smaller than previous models, making it ideal for always-on-the-go creatives.
This laptop is more than capable of video editing, streaming video viewing, and photo viewing.
If you are looking for the best portable laptop with great battery life, the HP Spectre X360 is definitely the thing to buy.
CPU: Core i7
GPU: Intel HD
RAM: 16GB
Screen: 13.3 inches
Storage: 512GB
The ZenBook Pro 15 is a powerful and elegant next-level laptop companion for on-the-go creativity.
The photo editing laptop with the best processor.
It has a stunning 4K OLED HDR touchscreen monitor.
The Pro 15 is stylish and has excellent performance, making it an excellent choice for mobile professionals.
This device allows you to complete tasks smoothly and efficiently.
The ZenBook’s ScreenPad Plus secondary display features a brand-new tilting design for easy ergonomics and seamless workflows.
With its powerful processor, it provides all of the advantages of tomorrow's technology today.
If you are looking for a laptop for Photoshop with the best processor, the ASUS ZenBook 15 is the best option you can buy.
CPU: Intel Core i9, 11th Gen
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: 32GB
Screen: 15.6 inches
Storage: 1TB
Buy ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 on Amazon
The Razer Blade 17 is top-quality gaming and Photoshop laptop at a premium price.
The best all-rounder laptop for Photoshop.
It's very expensive, but surely you will be getting some of the best technology available.
The Blade 17 is an excellent laptop, with cutting-edge Intel 12th generation processors.
The laptop's keyboard has tightened the switches for a snappier and more pleasant keyboarding experience.
The Blade 17 has many advantages, including an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
This is a fantastic creative workstation for people who require a lot of power.
The Razor Blade 17 is an excellent choice for the best laptop for Photoshop that can also be used for gaming.
CPU: 12th-gen Core i7
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
RAM: 32GB
Screen: 17.3“ QHD, 240Hz, G-Sync
Storage: 1TB
Photo editing work requires you to use laptops that are capable of running Photoshop and other apps smoothly.
This was my general buying guide for selecting the best laptop for your photo editing work requirements.
What laptop is best for Photoshop?
The best laptop for Photoshop is the one that can handle all the complex and demanding requirements of photographers and photo editors.
As a graphic designer and as an Apple fan, I highly recommend the Apple MacBook Pro 16.
But if you're not an Apple fan, I also include other top brands such as Dell XPS 17 and Gigabyte Aero 17.
Because of its minimalist design and excellent performance, the Microsoft Surface Laptop remains one of the top choices for many creatives.
However, there are other great brands that produce high-performance laptops at a lower cost, which you can find on my list as well.
As a creative and a photographer, which laptop for Photoshop do you think is the best?—Leave a comment below.
