Advice needed - Best laptops for Graphic Design work!
I'm new to graphic design and I've always used Windows, however recently I've been having problems with bigger files and crashing. I am thinking about updating my laptop and getting a Macbook Pro. Do you have any recommendations on which one graphic designer use etc? Thank you!
Replies18
- @April L Thank you April!
- @Emma De Nege Thank you Emma! Good point about the memory, I will definitely prioritise that over the screen size.
- @Jonathan White Thank you so much!
- @Ryan Fox Thank you Ryan! That's really useful!
- A Mac is good, and used in the industry.If you want another Windows- I use a HP one, but amkes sure it has a Graphcis Card, and has a big storage and is quick to handle design, motion work. Ignore the aesthetics, study the actual technicals of the laptop. Hope this helps.
- Getting a mac will make things so much easier for you! I've always used a macbook pro and have opted for a smaller screen size so I can afford more memory. I'd choose the memory based on what you work on. I work across a lot of the adobe suite with some massive files, so memory is essential but you might not need so much. Always worth heading into the apple store as they give great advice on this
- @Konstancja Smolorz Yes why not, the extra 2" is a serious cash in MacBook terms (£800 extra) , versus a proper 27" external monitor is around £200-£300 on Amazon.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKTz0qPt1-c
- IMHO, invest in something that will last as many years as possible.I just bought an m3 Pro Max 16in /16 core / 40 core GPU / 128gb RAM. Wildly expensive but it handles everything and anything i throw at it with ease while powering 2 32" 4k 10-bit screens.It may seem overkill now but i doubt I'll regret it in 5 years :)
- @Chris Reed Thank you Chris! That's good to know that MacBooks Air do the job.
- @Jessica Mabaso Thank you Jessica! Agreed! I have an ipad as well so I guess the MacBook Pro is the one to get. :)
- @Jonathan White Thank you! So do you think the 14 inch one would work rather than 16 inch and then I can get a monitor?
- @Evie Watson Thank you!
- I use a four-year-old MacBook Air M1 and it's perfectly capable for running the latest Adobe suite, so you'll be well away with the latest model. I primarily work in InDesign (which I heavily automate, so the processor gets a good workout), and transcode video (ditto).What I would strongly advise is to also get yourself a decent external monitor, then you can put your palettes etc to one side on the laptop screen without cluttering up your main workspace.
- I totally get the frustration of dealing with crashing laptops when working with big design files—I've been through that too. the MacBook Pro is hands-down one of the best investments for graphic design. With the M2 chip or even the M1 Pro/Max, it handles massive files, multitasking, and resource-heavy software like a breeze. Plus, the Retina Display is phenomenal for color accuracy, which is crucial in design.
- Not Windows! Go for a MacBook Pro if you can afford one, ideally the latest M3 chip but my M2 is super fast! Maybe splash out on an extra monitor to link up when you're working from home.
- My Macbook Pro has been amazing. Especially if you have a iPhone. The way it links directly to devices is incredible. My bestfriend who's a Graphic Designer also swears by them. Hope this helps :)
- @Christopher Cobb Thank you so much, that's really useful! :)
- Mac is industry standard in graphic design and it will certainly make life easier. I do know people who run windows successfully but I can’t speak for its reliability. And the constant transition between OS’s might be hard for you and your files. I’ve used Mac for near 20 years now and haven’t been asked to use Windows once.I would recommend the MacBook Pro over the Air. Go for the M3 chip and prioritise memory. At least 16 gig to handle every day design tasks and more demanding files you receive from clients.Hope this helps
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