Graphic design is an incredibly creative medium, but you have to have the right device to bring your ideas to fruition. A good laptop is more than a machine. It's a creative tool as important to the graphic designer as the brush is to the artist. It needs to run demanding software, display color with precision, and handle massive files without stuttering or overheating.
We tested the top models of 2025 to find which ones meet the demanding needs of today's graphic artists.
Also: Best laptops for video editing
What is the best laptop for graphic design right now?
We tested many excellent laptops to create this list, but our pick for the best laptop for graphic design is Apple's M4 MacBook Pro. It has a stunning display and excellent M4 chip performance. However, our top pick might not be the best fit for every designer's needs. We've rounded up various other top-tier options from Dell, Asus, and Lenovo, so there's many options for a wide range of budgets and features.
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The best laptops for graphic designers in 2025
Show less View now at Amazon View now at Apple Apple's new M4 MacBook Pro takes our top spot as the best graphic design laptop. This should come as no surprise, as MacBook Pros are often lauded for their top-tier performance and high-quality screens. In fact, this model shares many similarities to the previous number one pick: the M3 MacBook Pro. It just does everything better. The latest MacBook Pro houses the tech giant's M4 chipset, improving the laptop's ability to handle resource-heavy software like illustration apps. ZDNET's Senior Reviews Editor Kerry Wan recently reviewed the M4 MacBook Pro. According to his tests, the model "outperforms its predecessors, as well as some of the latest Windows machines running Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) chipsets." Wan said the hardware makes "demanding workflows like 4K video editing feel natural." This MacBook Pro also comes with 16GB, which it uses to run Apple Intelligence features and the now-upgraded Siri. Review: Apple MacBook Pro M4 You have a choice between either a 14-inch or 16-inch Liquid Retina Display, with the latter having a maximum resolution of up to 3,456 x 223 pixels. The M3 MacBook Pro had a similar screen, but the M4 MacBook Pro has a nano-texture coating. This gives the display a "matte-frosted layering [that] significantly reduces glare." In short, you can take this laptop under the sun and still see the screen clearly, which is perfect for working or creating outdoors this summer. Apple M4 MacBook Pro specs: CPU: Apple M4 | GPU: M4 integrated graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: Liquid Retina XDR Value 8 Performance 9 Design/Build 10 Battery life 8 Display 8 Pros Stunning display
Awesome performance from M4 chip
Fast transfer speeds Cons Very expensive Apple MacBook Pro M4 (2024) Best laptop for graphic design overall 4.3 / 5 Score Apple's new M4 MacBook Pro takes our top spot as the best graphic design laptop. This should come as no surprise, as MacBook Pros are often lauded for their top-tier performance and high-quality screens. In fact, this model shares many similarities to the previous number one pick: the M3 MacBook Pro. It just does everything better. The latest MacBook Pro houses the tech giant's M4 chipset, improving the laptop's ability to handle resource-heavy software like illustration apps. ZDNET's Senior Reviews Editor Kerry Wan recently reviewed the M4 MacBook Pro. According to his tests, the model "outperforms its predecessors, as well as some of the latest Windows machines running Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) chipsets." Wan said the hardware makes "demanding workflows like 4K video editing feel natural." This MacBook Pro also comes with 16GB, which it uses to run Apple Intelligence features and the now-upgraded Siri. Review: Apple MacBook Pro M4 You have a choice between either a 14-inch or 16-inch Liquid Retina Display, with the latter having a maximum resolution of up to 3,456 x 223 pixels. The M3 MacBook Pro had a similar screen, but the M4 MacBook Pro has a nano-texture coating. This gives the display a "matte-frosted layering [that] significantly reduces glare." In short, you can take this laptop under the sun and still see the screen clearly, which is perfect for working or creating outdoors this summer. Apple M4 MacBook Pro specs: CPU: Apple M4 | GPU: M4 integrated graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: Liquid Retina XDR Read More Show Expert Take Show less
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