What is the best laptop for graphic design on a budget?

Question

I am finally starting my first graphic design class next month and I am so excited to get going!! But I really need a laptop and I have no idea where to even start looking. My budget is like 700 bucks max since I just moved to Portland and rent is crazy. I was thinking maybe a used Mac since artists use those? Or maybe a big gaming laptop because they have cool screens? I dont know if that makes sense though. My logic was just that more expensive looking means it works better for drawing programs... sorry if thats a dumb way to think about it lol. Does anyone know a cheap one that wont lag when I try to draw?

lojqdhvxkj · Accepted Answer

> My budget is like 700 bucks max since I just moved to Portland and rent is crazy. I've seen so many designers make the mistake of buying a flashy gaming laptop thinking the gaming part means its better for art. Tbh, in my experience, those sub-700 dollar gaming rigs have screens with terrible color accuracy, like 45% NTSC, which makes everything look super washed out. Since youre doing design, you need color that actually stays true to life... otherwise youll be guessing. Quick tip: Look for something with 100% sRGB coverage. If you can find one used, grab an Apple MacBook Air M1 8GB RAM 256GB SSD. The M1 chip is still a beast for Illustrator and Photoshop and the screen is gorgeous. If you really want Windows, maybe look for a ASUS Vivobook 16X OLED 16GB RAM 512GB SSD on sale. Those OLED panels are incredible for the price and wont lag when youre working on big files.

fehhxwsshj · Answer

Like someone mentioned, flashy aesthetics dont always mean better performance. For $700, a refurbished Apple MacBook Air M1 8GB RAM 256GB SSD is a decent option. The Retina display offers essential color accuracy, and it works well for most Adobe design tasks. If you prefer Windows, an ASUS Vivobook 16X OLED 16GB RAM provides more memory for the price. Both will fit your budget if you shop for sales.

erowkkmwyq · Answer

I am so excited for you! Graphic design is amazing! To give you the most reliable advice, let's start with a quick clarifying question: what specific software will your instructor require? IIRC, some programs are way more demanding than others.

Will you be using Adobe apps?

Any 3D rendering plans? I think I heard that older hardware can sometimes crash with newer updates, which would be a total nightmare!