14+ Best Drawing Laptops in 2023 (May)

Are you an artist looking for the best laptop? Here are the best drawing laptops for you. 

There are many laptops to choose from when you’re a graphic artist. But when it comes to the best drawing laptops, it really boils down to what your needs are and your creative process. We have a wide selection on this list, each with advantages and disadvantages.

Some of these laptops are more suitable for beginners just trying digital drawing for the first time. We also have a few that are more suited for industry professionals.

We have laptops more suitable for artists who are always on the go, while others are more suited for artists at home. Whatever you’re looking for, we have a laptop for you.

Aside from laptops, we’ve also included devices that can function as tablets. This gives you the flexibility you need if you occasionally jump from drawing to media consumption.

We’ve tested out these laptops just for you to give you an honest and unbiased review. We highlighted how the features could help artists tackle common problems with digital drawing.

Our Top Pick
Apple MacBook Air
Best Budget
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
Best Value
Acer Spin 5
$999.00$799.99
$401.78
$669.99
Description:

If you are a professional looking out for a laptop that features flexibility, portability, excellent storage, and performance, Apple MacBook Air is our top pick for you.

Description:

Our recommended laptop for those budding artists who are in search of an affordable laptop that comes with a detachable keyboard is Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook

Description:

If you are in search of a great laptop that is popular among college students and business people for its affordability, Acer Spin 5 is what we suggest for you.

Our Top Pick
Apple MacBook Air
$999.00$799.99
Description:

If you are a professional looking out for a laptop that features flexibility, portability, excellent storage, and performance, Apple MacBook Air is our top pick for you.

Best Budget
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
$401.78
Description:

Our recommended laptop for those budding artists who are in search of an affordable laptop that comes with a detachable keyboard is Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook

Best Value
Acer Spin 5
$669.99
Description:

If you are in search of a great laptop that is popular among college students and business people for its affordability, Acer Spin 5 is what we suggest for you.

05/17/2023 04:43 am GMT

 

14+ Best Drawing Laptops in 2023 — Overview

  1. Apple MacBook Air — The best drawing laptop overall (Editor’s Choice)
  2. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook — The best budget drawing laptop
  3. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 2-in-1 Chromebook — The best simple-to-use drawing laptop
  4. Lenovo Yoga 9i — Most powerful drawing laptop
  5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 — The best drawing laptop for professionals
  6. HP Envy X360 — The best drawing laptop with a long-lasting battery
  7. Microsoft Surface Book 3 — The best large drawing laptop
  8. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 — The best 2-in-1 drawing laptop
  9. HP ZBook Studio x360 G7 — The best 4K UHD drawing laptop
  10. ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 — The best dual-screen drawing laptop
  11. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 — The best portable laptop for artists
  12. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 — The best Chromebook for drawing
  13. Dell XPS 13 2in 1 — The best attractive display drawing laptop
  14. Acer Spin 5 — The best drawing laptop with a large number of ports

Also see our posts on the best art projectors, the best drawing gloves, the best tablets for drawing, and the best laptops for graphic design.

What is the Best Laptop for Drawing?

The Apple MacBook Air is our pick for the best laptop for drawing but check out the comparison table below to see what’s best for you.

Thumbnail
Best Overall
Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit...
Best Budget-Friendly
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1" Full HD Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook, MediaTek Helio P60T, 4GB RAM, 128GB...
Best simple to use
Lenovo - 2022 - IdeaPad Flex 5i - 2-in-1 Chromebook Laptop Computer - Intel Core i3-1115G4 - 13.3"...
Best 2-in-1
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 Laptop, 15.6” 4K UHD NanoEdge Touch Display, Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB...
Best Dual-Screen
Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen 13.4 inch FHD Thin and Light Laptop - Intel Core i7-1185G7, 16GB...
Best Chromebook
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 XE530QDA-KA1US 13.3" Touchscreen 2 in 1 Chromebook - Full HD - 1920 x...
Title
Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit...
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1" Full HD Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook, MediaTek Helio P60T, 4GB RAM, 128GB...
Lenovo - 2022 - IdeaPad Flex 5i - 2-in-1 Chromebook Laptop Computer - Intel Core i3-1115G4 - 13.3"...
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 Laptop, 15.6” 4K UHD NanoEdge Touch Display, Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB...
Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen 13.4 inch FHD Thin and Light Laptop - Intel Core i7-1185G7, 16GB...
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 XE530QDA-KA1US 13.3" Touchscreen 2 in 1 Chromebook - Full HD - 1920 x...
Prime Status
-
-
Reviews
14,091 Reviews
37 Reviews
588 Reviews
202 Reviews
127 Reviews
192 Reviews
Star Rating
Screen
13.3-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 Retina True Tone display (backlit LED, IPS)
10.1-inch FHD
13.3-inch FHD
12.3-inch PixelSense (2736 x 1824)
14-inch FHD Touch (1920 x 1080)
13.3-inch FHD
Graphics
Apple 8-core GPU
ARM G72 MP3 800GHz
Intel UHD Graphics
Integrated Intel UHD 620
2GB NVIDIA GeForce MX450
Intel UHD Graphics
Processor
Apple M1 Chip
MediaTek Helio P60T Processor
Intel Core i3-1115G4
10th Gen Intel Core i7, i5, and i3
2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7
10th Gen Intel Core i3
RAM
8GB
4 GB LPDDR4X
8 GB
8 GB DDR4
16GB
8 GB
Storage
256GB SSD
64 GB eMMC
128GB SSD
256 GB
1TB SSD
128 GB 
Price
$899.00
$275.80
$299.99
$2,765.17
$1,675.00
$499.00
Best Overall
Thumbnail
Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit...
Title
Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit...
Prime Status
Reviews
14,091 Reviews
Star Rating
Screen
13.3-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 Retina True Tone display (backlit LED, IPS)
Graphics
Apple 8-core GPU
Processor
Apple M1 Chip
RAM
8GB
Storage
256GB SSD
Price
$899.00
Buy Now
Best Budget-Friendly
Thumbnail
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1" Full HD Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook, MediaTek Helio P60T, 4GB RAM, 128GB...
Title
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1" Full HD Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook, MediaTek Helio P60T, 4GB RAM, 128GB...
Prime Status
Reviews
37 Reviews
Star Rating
Screen
10.1-inch FHD
Graphics
ARM G72 MP3 800GHz
Processor
MediaTek Helio P60T Processor
RAM
4 GB LPDDR4X
Storage
64 GB eMMC
Price
$275.80
Buy Now
Best simple to use
Thumbnail
Lenovo - 2022 - IdeaPad Flex 5i - 2-in-1 Chromebook Laptop Computer - Intel Core i3-1115G4 - 13.3"...
Title
Lenovo - 2022 - IdeaPad Flex 5i - 2-in-1 Chromebook Laptop Computer - Intel Core i3-1115G4 - 13.3"...
Prime Status
Reviews
588 Reviews
Star Rating
Screen
13.3-inch FHD
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics
Processor
Intel Core i3-1115G4
RAM
8 GB
Storage
128GB SSD
Price
$299.99
Buy Now
Best 2-in-1
Thumbnail
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 Laptop, 15.6” 4K UHD NanoEdge Touch Display, Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB...
Title
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 Laptop, 15.6” 4K UHD NanoEdge Touch Display, Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB...
Prime Status
-
Reviews
202 Reviews
Star Rating
Screen
12.3-inch PixelSense (2736 x 1824)
Graphics
Integrated Intel UHD 620
Processor
10th Gen Intel Core i7, i5, and i3
RAM
8 GB DDR4
Storage
256 GB
Price
$2,765.17
Buy Now
Best Dual-Screen
Thumbnail
Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen 13.4 inch FHD Thin and Light Laptop - Intel Core i7-1185G7, 16GB...
Title
Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen 13.4 inch FHD Thin and Light Laptop - Intel Core i7-1185G7, 16GB...
Prime Status
-
Reviews
127 Reviews
Star Rating
Screen
14-inch FHD Touch (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
2GB NVIDIA GeForce MX450
Processor
2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7
RAM
16GB
Storage
1TB SSD
Price
$1,675.00
Buy Now
Best Chromebook
Thumbnail
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 XE530QDA-KA1US 13.3" Touchscreen 2 in 1 Chromebook - Full HD - 1920 x...
Title
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 XE530QDA-KA1US 13.3" Touchscreen 2 in 1 Chromebook - Full HD - 1920 x...
Prime Status
Reviews
192 Reviews
Star Rating
Screen
13.3-inch FHD
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics
Processor
10th Gen Intel Core i3
RAM
8 GB
Storage
128 GB 
Price
$499.00
Buy Now

 

The Top 14+ Best Drawing Laptops in 2023

1. Apple MacBook Air (Editor’s Choice)

Apple MacBook Air - Best Drawing Laptops
Apple MacBook Air. Image credit: Apple/Amazon

The best drawing laptop overall

Screen: 13.3-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 Retina True Tone display (backlit LED, IPS) | Graphics: Apple 8-core GPU | Processor: Apple M1 chip | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD

Let’s admit it, despite being extremely expensive, the MacBook Air is just one of the best laptops out there because of how seamless the overall experience is.

And as we tested out this beast of a laptop, we agree! The verdict is out, and the audience has spoken. The MacBook Air is definitely one of the best drawing laptops in 2023.

Along with many more users online, we testify to how convenient and easy our lives are with the iOS ecosystem and how powerful the M1 chips are.

This laptop becomes even handier if your other devices for digital art are also Apple devices. This allows you to integrate apps like Procreate with Adobe Suite.

If you’re the kind of artist who likes working on your iPad, getting a MacBook Air is a no-brainer, as it just works.

We like the option and flexibility to sketch on an iPad and then transfer it easily to the MacBook Air for the actual artwork.

This laptop packs so much power in an extremely portable build. The M1 chip and 8GB RAM ensure a smooth experience no matter what program you open. This includes the Adobe Suite, which is an absolute staple for all digital artists around the world.

Popular digital creators like Charley Pangus, who has 264 thousand YouTube subscribers, have switched to the MacBook Air M1. He, along with thousands of other digital artists online, use this laptop for their digital art needs.

The biggest downside to this laptop is its price. It’s costly, so there may be better choices if you’re an artist just starting out or don’t do art for a living. You can check out the full breakdown of the prices of the MacBook Air M1 here.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Incredible display ➖ No touchscreen
➕ Amazing battery life ➖ Expensive

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

Sale
Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit...
14,091 Reviews
Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit...
  • All-Day Battery Life – Go longer than ever with up to 18 hours of battery life.
  • Powerful Performance – Take on everything from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming with ease. The Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than the...
  • Superfast Memory – 8GB of unified memory makes your entire system speedy and responsive. That way it can support tasks like memory-hogging multitab browsing and opening a huge graphic file quickly...
  • Stunning Display – With a 13.3” Retina display, images come alive with new levels of realism. Text is sharp and clear, and colors are more vibrant.
  • Why Mac – Easy to learn. Easy to set up. Astoundingly powerful. Intuitive. Packed with apps to use right out of the box. Mac is designed to let you work, play, and create like never before.

 

Apple MacBook Air Review

Check out this Apple MacBook Air review video to explore more impressive features:

Video Credit: Max Tech / YouTube 

 

2. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook - Best Drawing Laptops
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook. Image credit: Lenovo / Amazon

The best budget drawing laptop

Screen: 10.1-inch FHD | Graphics: ARM G72 MP3 800GHz | Processor: MediaTek Helio P60T Processor | RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4X | Storage: 64 GB eMMC

Looking for a budget-friendly laptop that performs well for its price point? Then we’ve got the perfect laptop for you! Compared to the other devices on this list, this one is budget friendly and is perfect for budding artists.

What we really like about the Lenovo IdeaPad is that it has a detachable keyboard. This transforms the device into a 25.65 centimeters tablet that you can easily bring anywhere. It’s perfect for artists who are always on the go and prefer to travel light.

In addition to its extreme portability, we enjoy its battery life of 22 hours. This is perfect for when you’re out traveling and don’t want to bring bulky chargers.

It is important to note that this device runs on Chrome OS. You won’t be able to find any Windows apps here, so if you’re used to that, this may not be the right laptop for you.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ 22 hours of battery life ➖ Not the most powerful
➕ Budget-friendly

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1' Full HD Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook, MediaTek Helio P60T, 4GB RAM, 128GB...
37 Reviews
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1" Full HD Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook, MediaTek Helio P60T, 4GB RAM, 128GB...
  • MediaTek Helio P60T processor, 8-core, 2.0GHz
  • 10.1" Full HD (1920x1080) IPS touchscreen display
  • 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM, 128GB solid state drive (SSD)
  • Integrated 802.11AC Wi-Fi allows you to access the internet from wireless networks
  • Bluetooth 4.2 technology quickly pairs up with your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as smartphones, tablets, wireless headphones, and more

 

3. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 2-in-1 Chromebook

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 2-in-1 Chromebook - Best Drawing Laptops
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 2-in-1 Chromebook. Image credits: Lenovo / Amazon

The best simple-to-use drawing laptop 

Screen: 13.3-inch FHD | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics | Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4 | RAM: 8 GB | Storage: 128GB SSD

If you’re looking for something portable but can still run heavy programs like the Adobe Suite, then the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is the perfect option for you.

It’s a touch-screen laptop that can stretch its screen all the way back so the laptop can stand on its own. We and many other artists prefer this angle because it doesn’t require you to hunch your back over your table to draw. You can simply sit upright, and the screen is in front of you, like a drawing tablet.

This device weighs 3.3 pounds or 1.5 kilograms and is only .82 inches thick. When we tested the battery life, one full charge can last you around 6 to 7 hours of light browsing.

But if you’re using it for heavy design, it may only last around 4.5 hours. This makes it perfect for artists who like traveling light.

It’s important to note, though, that this laptop only runs on Intel Core i3 and RAM of 8GB. This isn’t the best in the industry and can be a limitation for highly intricate designs and artworks.

This is why we suggest this laptop to mid-tier artists who are a little more advanced than beginners but less experienced than professionals.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Touchscreen ➖Lacks HDMI ports
➕ Excellent sound quality
➕ Full-HD IPS display

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

Sale
Lenovo - 2022 - IdeaPad Flex 5i - 2-in-1 Chromebook Laptop Computer - Intel Core i3-1115G4 - 13.3'...
588 Reviews
Lenovo - 2022 - IdeaPad Flex 5i - 2-in-1 Chromebook Laptop Computer - Intel Core i3-1115G4 - 13.3"...
  • The IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook is simple to use – just login to your Google account and you're ready to go with access to your email, documents, calendar, and more
  • Laptop or tablet – why not both? With a 13" FHD touchscreen, you can use your Lenovo Chromebook the way that works best for you to browse online, listen to music, stream movies, or video chat with...
  • With the streamlined Chrome OS packed with the latest features, this convertible Chromebook offers a quick and nimble system response time
  • The IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook streams audio that's surprisingly loud and clear for a compact device, thanks to its enhanced stereo speakers and built-in amplifier that's certified by Waves Audio
  • Watch and stream shows and videos with no distractions, thanks to the narrow bezels and wider viewing angles on the Full-HD IPS display

 

4. Lenovo Yoga 9i

Lenovo Yoga 9i - Best Drawing Laptops
Lenovo Yoga 9i. Image credit: Lenovo / Amazon

Most powerful drawing laptop 

Screen: 14.0-inch FHD | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Processor: 11th Generation Intel Core i3 – i7 | RAM: up to 16 GB LPDDR4X | Storage: up to 1 TB PCIe SSD

The Lenovo Yoga 9i is perfect for professional artists who want a PC’s power wherever they go. This is a beast of a device, and it was a delight for us to test it out.

This laptop runs on an Intel Core i7 and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. It also has a GPU of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti, so handling intricate designs and graphics-heavy programs is easy for this device. It also comes with 1TB SSD storage, so you won’t have to worry about running out of space for your artwork.

Our team was excited about this laptop because its build is perfect for professional artists. It has such powerful parts that running the Adobe Suite is easy, no matter how intricate the designs are.

We didn’t experience any lag in rendering our artwork or other Adobe processes, so we’re sure you won’t.

The ultimate con, though, in our opinion, is that this laptop can be quite pricey, especially for the average user. That’s why this laptop may be too expensive if you don’t make a living out of your digital drawing. Other devices on this list may be more suitable for your budget.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Great battery life ➖ Expensive
➕ Stylus is included

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

2021 Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 15.6', Intel Core i7-10750H, FHD (1920x1080) IPS Touchscreen Display 500...
5 Reviews
2021 Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 15.6", Intel Core i7-10750H, FHD (1920x1080) IPS Touchscreen Display 500...
  • Window 10 Home; Intel Core i7-10750H (6C / 12T, 2.6 / 5.0GHz, 12MB)
  • 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) IPS 500nits Glossy, HDR 400, Dolby Vision
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4GB GDDR6
  • 16GB Soldered DDR4-2933;not upgradable
  • 1TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0x4 NVMe

 

5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6. Image credit: Lenovo / Amazon

The best drawing laptop for professionals

Screen: 14-inch | Graphics: Intel Xe Plus | Processor: 11th generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | RAM: 8 GB | Storage: 256 GB SSD

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 is a pretty mid-tier laptop perfect for artists looking for upgrades. Just like the other Lenovo laptops, the highlight of this laptop is that you can bend the screen backward.

This is perfect for artists who are traveling and would want to emulate the feeling of working on a drawing tablet.

It has a decent Intel Core i7 which isn’t the best in the market but is already good enough for semi-complicated artworks. It’s powerful enough to run the Adobe Suite smoothly.

What we’re not a fan of is that the stabilization of the strokes with this device is not that good. When you’re new to digital art and not used to quick strokes, they can have noticeable jitter, which we aren’t thrilled about. However, you can easily overcome this with practice, so it shouldn’t be that big of a problem.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Great 16:10 display ➖ Plain design
➕ Great battery life

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 20XY002RUS 14' Touchscreen 2 in 1 Notebook - WUXGA - 1920 x 1200 -...
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 20XY002RUS 14" Touchscreen 2 in 1 Notebook - WUXGA - 1920 x 1200 -...
  • Processor Manufacturer: Intel
  • Processor Type: Core i7
  • Processor Model: i7-1165G7
  • Processor Core: Quad-core (4 Core)
  • Processor Speed: 2.80 GHz

 

6. HP Envy X360

HP Envy X360
HP Envy X360. Image credit: HP/Amazon.

The best drawing laptop with a long-lasting battery

Screen: 15.6″ FHD IPS Touchscreen | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8 | Processor: AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5 2500U | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD

The HP Envy X360 is a good balance between a good-performing drawing laptop and a budget-friendly laptop. It can perform better than a lot of beginner drawing laptops and won’t break the bank.

This is why even Brad Colbow, who has 776 thousand subscribers on YouTube, also considers this device an excellent budget drawing laptop.

We highly suggest this laptop for artists looking to upgrade from their starting drawing laptops or tablets.

This laptop comes with an AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB RAM, which are enough to run the Adobe Suite smoothly. Since it’s a Windows laptop, you can also run other design programs like Clip Studio Paint.

It also has a storage of 256 GB SSD, but we don’t think it’s enough, especially for full-time artists. This is why we highly suggest you still get dedicated external SSD storage if you’re working with many different artworks.

You can also flip this laptop around so it can stand independently. We really enjoy this option because we don’t need to hunch over to draw. But if drawing on a flat surface is what you’re used to, you can lay it flat on a tabletop too.

It is important to note, though, that a downside of this laptop is the pen that comes with it. When we tried it out, it didn’t feel as nice as other drawing tablets and could be smoother.

There were jitters in the lines, which can be frustrating if you’re just starting out. But then again, with the price point of this laptop, it’s pretty decent.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Lots of storage space ➖ CPU could be better
➕ Great battery life ➖ Graphics performance can be disappointing

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

HP Envy X360, 15.6' FHD IPS Touchscreen, 2019 Flagship 2 in 1 Laptop, AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5...
598 Reviews
HP Envy X360, 15.6" FHD IPS Touchscreen, 2019 Flagship 2 in 1 Laptop, AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5...
  • AMD Ryzen 5 2500U: AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5 2500U Processor, 2.0GHz Base Frequency, up to 3.60GHz, 6 MB Smartcache
  • Expanded Storage: 8GB 2400MHz DDR4 SDRAM, 256GB PCle Solid State Drive, Can Exactly Reach Your Expectation
  • HP Envy X360 15: 15.6" Full HD ( 1920 x 1080 ) IPS Touchscreen WLED Display, Boasts Impressive Color and Clarity, AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 Graphics Integrated
  • External Ports: 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C, 2 x USB 3.1, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Headphone/microphone Combo Jacks, 1 x microSD Media Card Reader
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64 bit, Built-in FHD IR Webcam, 802.11ac (2x2), Bluetooth 4.2, Backlit Keyboard, Windows Ink, up to 10.5 Hours Battery Life

 

7. Microsoft Surface Book 3

Microsoft Surface Book 3
Microsoft Surface Book 3. Image credits: Microsoft / Amazon

The best large drawing laptop

Screen: 15-inch ( ‎3240 x 2160 Resolution) | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q | Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7 | RAM: 16 GB| Storage: 256GB SSD

We were both excited and intrigued when reviewing the Microsoft Surface Book 3 because it can be both a laptop and a tablet. As a laptop, it’s built with really powerful pieces that will let you run any design and art program smoothly.

But then, when you detach the screen, this fantastic 15-inch tablet has a 3240 x 2160 resolution! If that doesn’t get you excited, we don’t know what will.

This laptop runs on a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB RAM. It also comes with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card. Combined, that’s more than enough to handle the Adobe Suite without lagging.

The display has a very responsive multi-touch function. This is convenient and can be many artists’ bane of their existence because palm rejection may not be the best.

You can get random dots or strokes on your artwork if the screen detects your palms as input, and that’s always annoying. You can easily solve this by wearing gloves for digital art, though, so it’s not that big of a problem.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Robust laptop ➖ Expensive
➕ Portable
➕ Powerful graphics processor

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

Sale
NEW Microsoft Surface Book 3 - 15' Touch-Screen - 10th Gen Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - 256GB SSD...
545 Reviews
NEW Microsoft Surface Book 3 - 15" Touch-Screen - 10th Gen Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - 256GB SSD...
  • Most powerful Surface laptop yet, with quad-core powered, 10th Gen Intel Core processors. Now 30% faster than Surface Book 2 15”.
  • Fastest graphics on Surface, powered by NVIDIA GTX GeForce GPU.
  • Power when you need it. Up to 17.5 hours battery life[1] — plus improved standby that extends battery life when you’re away.
  • Robust laptop, powerful tablet, and portable studio in one.
  • The connections you need, including USB-A, USB-C, and full-size SD card slot.

 

8. Microsoft Surface Pro 8

Surface Pro 8
Surface Pro 8. Image credit: Microsoft / Amazon

The best 2-in-1 drawing laptop 

Screen: 13-inch PixelSense Flow display | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Processor: Up to 11th-gen Intel Core i7 | RAM: Up to 32GB LPDDR4x | Storage: Up to 1TB

What makes Microsoft Surface Pro 8 an outstanding laptop for drawing is that they have fixed the pen that comes with it. The problem with the previous versions was that the pen was extremely wobbly. The stabilization wasn’t good, so the lines were usually jittery. Finally, Microsoft fixed that, and the pen now works great, and we’re excited about it.

We tested out the pen, and it now works just as well as a lot of drawing tablets on the market. It’s much smoother now and feels great in hand because of its design. We enjoy the flat design because it fits our hands well, but it may also be a challenge to get used to since it’s an odd shape.

When it comes to how efficient this device is in running design programs like the Adobe Suite, it’s got the right gear to run smoothly. It’s powered by Intel Core i5 or i7 and 8GB to 32GB of RAM. Partner these specs with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, and you can rest assured that the Adobe Suite and any other design program will run smoothly.

It’s also worth mentioning that this device has a gorgeous 13-inch display with a resolution of 2880 x 1920! Partner that with a refresh rate of 120 hertz, and you’ve got a smooth navigation experience.

It also has a reliable stand to help you prop up the screen. We tested it out, and it’s pretty sturdy, but if you draw with a heavy hand and tend to lean on the screen, it might slip away.

What is worth noting, though, is that the product advertises 10 hours of battery life. We’re guessing this is for light browsing. When we tested it out, it lasted for about 3 to 4 hours while we used it for digital drawing. Of course, you can easily solve this by bringing the charger with you.

Overall, it’s an outstanding drawing laptop. If you want something more high-end, you can get the Microsoft Surface Book 3. But if you’re an artist looking to upgrade from the basics and don’t want to spend too much, this laptop is perfect for you.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Fast processor ➖ Expensive
➕ Beautiful design

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

Sale
Microsoft Surface Pro 8-13' Touchscreen - Intel® Evo Platform Core™ i5-8GB Memory - 256GB SSD -...
94 Reviews
Microsoft Surface Pro 8-13" Touchscreen - Intel® Evo Platform Core™ i5-8GB Memory - 256GB SSD -...
  • The power of a laptop with the flexibility of a tablet, and every angle in between, with 13” touchscreen, iconic built-in Kickstand, and detachable Keyboard.*
  • Windows 11 brings your closer to what you love. Family, friends, obsessions, music, creations — Windows 11 is the one place for it all. With a fresh new feel and tools that make it easier to be...
  • The first Surface Pro built on the Intel Evo platform. Do it all with the Intel Evo platform — performance, graphics, and battery life in a thin and light PC.
  • The best pen experience on Pro with rechargeable Surface Slim Pen 2* and Surface Pro 8, for the natural feeling of pen on paper,(4) securely stored in Surface Pro Signature Keyboard.*
  • Type in comfort. Sleek and compact, Surface  Signature Keyboard* performs like a traditional laptop keyboard complete with a full function row and backlit keys.

 

9. HP ZBook Studio x360 G7

HP ZBook Studio x360 G5
HP ZBook Studio x360 G7. Image credit: HP/Amazon.

The best 4K UHD drawing laptop

Screen: 15.6″ 4K UHD | Graphics: Nvidia Quadro P1000 GPU | Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H 2.20GHz (8th Gen, up to 4.10 GHz, 9MB Smart Cache, 6-Cores) | RAM: 64GB | Storage: 2TB SATA SSD

Having a great resolution on your laptop can make any drawing you create look even better. The ZBook Studio x360 from HP comes with a great 4K UHD resolution that any artist will love plus, a super slim design makes it perfect for working away from the office.

Packed with 16GB of memory and an i9 processor, you won’t have any issues with lag, the Studio x360 is lightning-fast.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Beautiful 4K display ➖ Expensive
➕ Two Thunderbolt 3 ports ➖ Bulky and heavy

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

10. ASUS ZenBook Duo 14

ASUS ZenBook Duo 14
ASUS ZenBook Duo 14. Image credit: ASUS/Amazon.

The best dual-screen drawing laptop

Screen: 14-inch FHD Touch (1920 x 1080) | Graphics: 2GB NVIDIA GeForce MX450 | Processor: 2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD

Sometimes no matter how large the display on your laptop is, you could always use more room. The ZenBook Duo from Asus fills that need with two screens available for you to use. Placed right above the keyboard, it provides you with a 14-inch screen that has a 4K resolution and even tilts for better usage.

Beyond the dual display, the ZenBook packs in 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD hard drive so getting things done and having enough room to save them won’t be an issue for any of your projects.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Two Thunderbolt 4 ports ➖ RAM could be better
➕ Ergolift hinges ➖ No Ethernet port

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482 14” FHD NanoEdge Touch Display, Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce...
161 Reviews
ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482 14” FHD NanoEdge Touch Display, Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce...
  • ScreenPad Plus: 12.6 inch matte touchscreen, giving your endless way to optimize your multitasking experience by extending the screen or split windows and apps on both displays
  • 14 inch Full HD 400 nits NanoEdge touchscreen glossy main display
  • Latest 11th generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor 2.8 GHz (12M Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 4 cores) with Discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX450 graphics
  • Fast storage and memory featuring 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD with 16GB LPDDR4X RAM
  • Windows 10 Pro and Built-in IR camera for facial recognition sign in with Windows Hello

 

11. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

microsoft
Image Credits: Microsoft/Amazon

CPU: Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 | Graphics: 2256×1504 / 2496×1664 (201 PPI) | RAM: Up to 32GB | Screen: 10-point multitouch 13.5”/15” PixelSense Display | Storage: Up to 1TB SSD

Even though the laptop is not the latest version, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is still known for its best performance and other capabilities. With a budget-friendly price, the laptop comes with a screen size of 13.5 inches.

With a responsive 10-point touchscreen, the laptop also provides a high 201 PPI pixel density. Along with this, the laptop has a 3:2 aspect ratio making it comfortable and impressive for the artists to draw and carry out their tasks.

With a thin and light design, the laptop is easily portable and you can carry it around easily.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕Offers great touchscreen ➖ Lacks ports
➕Portable
➕Impressive aspect ratio

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

Sale
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 13.5' Touch Screen - AMD Ryzen 5 Surface Edition - 16GB Memory - 256GB...
173 Reviews
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 13.5" Touch Screen - AMD Ryzen 5 Surface Edition - 16GB Memory - 256GB...
  • Power to do what you want with up to 70% more speed and multitasking power than before and exclusive AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition processor.
  • Thin, light, elegant design in choice of two sizes: light, portable 13.5” or larger 15” that’s perfect for split-screen multitasking.
  • Show your best side on video calls with sharp video and image quality, even in low light, thanks to a front-facing 720p HD camera
  • Enjoy theater-like sound for movies and shows with Omnisonic Speakers backed by immersive Dolby Atmos6.
  • Be heard loud and clear on calls with dual far-field Studio Mics that capture your voice and reduce background noise.

 

12. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2. Image credits: Samsung / Amazon

The best Chromebook for drawing

Screen: 13.3-inch FHD | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics | Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i3 | RAM: 8 GB| Storage: 128 GB

Chromebooks are a great option for any artist who may want to get a decent laptop without a sky-high price and the Galaxy Chromebook 2 from Samsung is a great one at that. With a good combination of a Full HD touchscreen, processing power, and battery life, the Chromebook from Samsung is meant to last all day.

With an aspect ratio of 16:9, the laptop has a display of 13.3-inch FHD touchscreen. It comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor and Intel UHD Graphics that are powerful enough to help you sketch at a super-fast speed. No matter how many sketches you have left on your to-do list, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 stays up with you thanks to its ultra-thin design and all-day battery life.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Powerful performance ➖ Lacks HDMI port
➕ Premium sound quality
➕ Sleek design

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

Sale
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 XE530QDA-KA1US 13.3' Touchscreen 2 in 1 Chromebook - Full HD - 1920 x...
192 Reviews
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 XE530QDA-KA1US 13.3" Touchscreen 2 in 1 Chromebook - Full HD - 1920 x...
  • Aspect Ratio:16:9
  • Awarded Best Chromebook by CNN Underscored
  • The power & speed you deserve: Whether your working, studying or relaxing, Galaxy Chromebook 2 has you covered. With the latest Intel Core processor, you'll get super-fast speeds. Plus, Wi-Fi 6 GIG+...
  • Sleek design to make you stand out: Featuring an ultra-thin design , the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is compact and ready for impact. With technology as slim, sleek and savvy as this, it’s no wonder...
  • A Battery That'S Above & Beyond: Stay dialed in on-the-go with an all-day battery that keeps up no matter how many checkmarks your to-do list demands

 

13. Dell XPS 13 2in 1

Dell XPS 13 2in1
Dell XPS 13 2in1. Image Credit: Dell / Amazon

The best attractive display drawing laptop 

Screen:15.6 inches 1920 x 1200 pixels | Graphics: Intel Core i7 | Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 | RAM: 16GB LPDDR4x SDRAM | Storage:512GB PCIe NVMe x4 Solid State Drive

The Dell XPS 13 2-IN-1 is one of the best options among the 13-inch laptops that offer convertibility.

This laptop brings out an attractive display coupled with great performance and has a slim and slick design.

The new Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is among the good laptops for drawing that you can purchase. Dell works with a blueprint of its earlier version, so the Dell XPS 13 with an identical top cover that can transform into a tablet.

You can keep the laptop in tent mode or fold the keyboard to watch shows or movies, as the hinge has the necessary resistance.

The laptop comes packed with the 11th Gen Tiger Lake CPU with Intel Xe Graphics that delivers a great performance.  It also features an IR camera capable of identifying your face and helps you to eliminate typing passwords.

This laptop does not have many ports included in it as it has got one port on each side of the laptop.

The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 laptop comes with a Maglev keyboard, whose keys do not travel much, as it looks as though you are tapping a flat surface. The keys are also quite loud when compared to spring-operated ones.

Of course, this laptop has its own shortcomings with a shallow keyboard and lack of port availability. But with great battery life and an attractive design, this laptop is all set to make a mark for itself.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Good display ➖ Expensive
➕ Great battery life
➕ Good build quality

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

Dell XPS 13.4' 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop, 10th Gen i7-1065G7 CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
18 Reviews
Dell XPS 13.4" 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop, 10th Gen i7-1065G7 CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
  • 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor
  • 16GB LPDDR4x SDRAM 3733MHz RAM
  • 512GB PCIe NVMe x4 Solid State Drive
  • 13.4" Touchscreen InfinityEdge FHD (1920 x 1200) Display & Integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics
  • Backlit Keyboard & Fingerprint Reader

 

14. Acer Spin 5

Acer Spin 5
Acer Spin 5. Image Credit: Acer / Amazon

The best drawing laptop with a large number of ports

Screen: ‎13.3 Inches with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels | Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 | Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U Processor | RAM: 16GB DDR4 2400MHz memory | Storage: 1TB SSD

The Acer Spin 5 is a great laptop and is popular among college students and business people. There is a large number of ports that comes with this laptop which also houses an active stylus that sets it apart from other laptops.

This laptop provides great performance, an excellent battery life, and a 3:2 HD IPS display.

The Acer Spin 5 comes with the Intel Ice Lake CPU that helps you to provide a solid performance despite its thin frame. The Intel Iris Plus graphics produce vibrant colors on the screen.

This laptop comes with an IPS display screen with a 360-degree hinge that helps you to convert it from a traditional laptop to an actual physical tablet, making it versatile.

The Acer Spin 5 touchscreen display has an aspect ratio of 3:2. It is a great laptop for note-taking with a stylus. The laptop comes with a wide screen that makes it easy to conduct searches and research with less page scrolling.

The stylus that comes with the laptop is a bit fragile as it has storage space and a charging point on the side of the laptop.

Acer Spin 5 might not have the best battery life of all laptops, but it has a battery life that will last the entire day at the office or at school. The battery life of the stylus lasts for several hours with one single charge and it can also recharge within a matter of minutes.

While this laptop is not a perfect computer, the Acer Spin 5 is a good choice for working professionals and college students.  For a dedicated note-taking app, this laptop works fine with an aspect ratio of 3:2, but it makes watching TV or movies on it appear smaller.

What We liked

What We Didn’t

➕ Perfect note-taking laptop ➖ Not ideal for watching videos or movies
➕ Rich stylus included
➕ Battery life

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

Sale
Acer Spin 5 2-in-1 13.3' FHD Touchscreen Laptop, Intel Quad-Core i7-8565U, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD,...
64 Reviews
Acer Spin 5 2-in-1 13.3" FHD Touchscreen Laptop, Intel Quad-Core i7-8565U, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD,...
  • 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U @ 1.80GHz (4 Core, 8MB Cache, up to 4.60 GHz) Processor, Ultra-low-voltage platform. Quad-core, eight-thread processing provides maximum high-efficiency power to go.
  • 13.3" 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 10-point multi-touch LED backlight 300 cd/m², Anti-glare, ComfyView, One Glass Solution, 25 ms response rate, Acer Color Intelligence Display; Integrated Intel UHD...
  • 【Upgraded by CUE】16GB DDR4 2400MHz memory; 1TB SSD; Webcam and Microphone Ideal for Home, Student, Professionals, Small Business, School Education, and Commercial Enterprise, Online Class, Google...
  • 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wave 2, Bluetooth 5.0; USB-C 3.1 Gen 1/DisplayPort | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 (with power off charging) | USB 2.0 | HDMI | Headphone/microphone combo jack
  • Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition; Steel Gray; Backlight Keyboard; Fingerprint reader; Acer Stylus pen Included. CUE Accessories with HDMI Cable, USB extension cord and Mouse Pad.

 

How to Choose a Laptop for Drawing

How to Choose the Best Drawing Laptop

While there are many different kinds of laptops, manufacturers design some laptops with specific features that can help different people depending on what they need to do. For a laptop that someone might use for drawing, there are certain things you should look for first:

A Strong CPU

The CPU is the “brain” of your laptop and is responsible for processing and executing commands and programs. With such software for artists like Photoshop and Illustrator from Adobe, not having a powerful CPU can lead to slowdowns which no one appreciates. Look for at least an i5 processor for Intel if going with Windows or an i7 if you can afford it.

Beautiful Graphics

A good graphics card will make it much easier for you to draw with advanced options. Visual artists who are looking for the best computer will look for one with a dedicated graphics card.

Touch Screen

If you’re looking for a laptop to draw on, it should have a touch screen otherwise, you’re just ruining the display. A touch screen will help you work to your fullest potential by allowing you to draw with a stylus the same way you might with a pencil.

Battery Life

We all want a laptop with a battery life that will last all day because if you’re moving around, you might not have time to plug in somewhere. Choosing a laptop with a battery life of more than 10 hours on a single charge will give you more freedom to work where you want to.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best dual-screen laptop for drawing?

ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 is the best laptop for drawing with a dual-screen. It helps the user by providing screens for use. It has a 14-inch screen above the keyboard with a 4k resolution.

Why should I use Chromebooks for drawing?

Chromebook is good for users who search for budget-friendly laptops. It can also provide good battery life and security. Chromebook is one of the best tools for tasks like drawing which allows you to use a stylus on the screen. Samsung Chromebook 2 is the best example of a Chromebook. It has a Full HD touchscreen and a powerful processor which makes it the best choice for drawing.

Should I get a tablet or a laptop for drawing?

A tablet offers portability. It's easy to bring around, but some tablets may only be limited to the Android ecosystem. Laptops are a good balance between portability and power.

But if you can't decide between the two, you can pick up a Microsoft Surface Book 3 or Microsoft Surface Pro 8, so you don't have to choose. These are perfect for the on-the-go artist who wants portability and power simultaneously.

Should I get a laptop with a 120-hertz or 60-hertz refresh rate for drawing?

Getting a device with a 120-hertz refresh rate is more of a personal choice. Because of the high refresh rate, your battery can easily drain. But if you prefer a smoother display that lessens the lag of strokes, then a 120 refresh rate is a good choice.

Should I get a high-resolution laptop?

This depends on how intricate your drawings are. You'll appreciate high-resolution displays better if you're more of a professional artist and work with detailed artwork. But if you're just starting out with digital drawing or don't make money out of it, a high-resolution laptop may be too expensive.

 

Wrapping Up!

Drawing is one of the world’s oldest art forms, stretching back to the earliest days of human civilization. Thankfully, technology has advanced and we’re no longer drawing on cave walls. Our list of the Top 12 Best Laptops for Drawing should be able to give you some inspiration and information on what to look for in a new laptop.


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