Almost all students need laptops for meeting their educational and relaxation needs. If you are a student, you will need a laptop to complete your assignments, online exams, or surf websites for online streaming and playing games in your leisure time. As a student, you need a laptop with long battery life and a fast processor. A reliable laptop is not easy to find but an essential part of student life. Some students prefer lightweight laptops that are easy to carry. These laptops usually lack advanced specifications.
Art students usually need a laptop that is compact and can be carried away easily. Still, some art students who need laptops with high storage, advanced graphics, and have the ability to run software like Photoshop, Affinity Designer, Procreate, and so on.
While keeping the interests of Art’s students, here is a list of some laptops with all the features to fulfill their work needs. All these laptops are durable. In this list, we have added laptops from reliable and reputed brands and with the best specifications. These are also budget-friendly and would never let you down. So let’s jump on to the list of best laptops for art students, but first let’s talk about minimum and maximum system requirements that we have covered.
Minimum System Requirements
Minimum system requirements for art students are 8th generation intel core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM with 256GB storage, 13.3inch display, Integrated Intel/AMD Graphics and battery lasting up to 5 hours.
Maximum System Requirements
Maximum requirements include Intel core i7 8th generation CPU, 16GB RAM with 512GB hard drive storage, 15.6 FHD display, Graphics with 2GB VRAM and battery life approximately equal 18 hours.
9 Best Laptops for Art Students
In this list of 9 best laptops for art students, some laptops have sleek, lightweight body designed with larger display and advanced looks. Some have a battery lasting up to many hours, while some have all the latest specifications as present in a high-end personal computer and can run all software without any error to allow you to perform your work smoothly.
Specifications
CPU: 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8550U (1.8 GHz, up to 4 GHz, 8 MB cache, 4 cores)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX150 Graphics (2 GB GDDR5 dedicated)
Screen: 15.6″ diagonal 4K UHD UWVA eDP BrightView WLED-backlit (3840 x 2160) Touchscreen
Memory: 32GB DDR4 RAM
Storage: 2TB SSD (Solid State Drive)
Operating system: Windows 10 Home 64
Stylus: HP Active Stylus Pen
ODD: No Internal ODD
Webcam and microphone: HP Wide Vision FHD IR Camera with Dual array digital microphone with 1Thunderbolt 3
Wireless connections: Intel 802.11ac (2×2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 Combo
Ports: 1 HDMI; 1 headphone/microphone combo; 1 Thunderbolt 3 (HP Sleep and Charge); 1 USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 1 (HP Sleep and Charge); 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 (HP Sleep and Charge)
Keyboard: Full-size island-style backlit keyboard
Battery: 6-cell, 79.2 Whr Battery
Dimensions (W X D X H): 14 x 9.88 x 0.7 in
Weight: 4.42 lbs
About
HP Spectre ×360 15T is a stunning and high-end laptop with its best quality, specifications and unique features. Its 2 in 1 convertible body makes your work easier, especially in presentation mode. When used as a tablet, it is still the big one. It gives you easy positions for online surfing, travelling and other purposes.
Its quality is as amazing as its looks. Anti-glare treated aluminum lid hides fingerprints. As an Art’s student, you can invest in the best laptop because of its reliable processor and aesthetic looks. All your needs and preferences are fully provided by this portable device.
The 8th generation core i7 processor copes up with its high speed up to 4GHz. Its powerful hexacore processor is enough for many domains like Graphic designing, video editing, spreadsheet management, accounting and much more. Its graphics are reliable to perform all graphic centric tasks efficiently without any mismanagement.
This high-quality laptop is good enough to run all apps like PHOTOSHOP, Affinity Designer, Illustrator and others you need for your work purposes. 2 GB GDDR5 dedicated graphics efficiently supports and manages many games and other leisure time demands.
The next remarkable feature of the HP Spectre x360 15T is its powerful memory and storage. 32 GB RAM is more than your need to open and process data at high speed to fulfill your multiple tasking demands and manage your high-volume work. With its 2TB SSSD storage, you can save and have easy access to all your audios, videos, pictures, documents and other data. This exceptional storage is good enough to meet the requirements of not only students but also professionals.
This laptop is packed with pre-installed Windows 10 to support all features, an active stylus pen, Flash drive and a trial version of MS Office. Full-size island-style keyboard with backlit support helps Art’s students to complete their assignments. Its battery lasts more than 13 hours to keep you connected with your work.
HP Spectre is a master-piece and the lightest 2 in 1 in the market despite all specifications. There are many ports for wired connections and other wireless connectivity options as well. All the specs completely justify the price and worth it.
Pros and Cons
HP Spectre comes with a face recognition feature, touch screen, longer battery life and fingerprint reader but it overheats and has an annoying speaker at maximum volume. Battery life is also affected due to new features being added. Overall, it is the best laptop an art’s student can get.
Specifications
Standing screen display size: 14 Inches
Max Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Pixels
Processor: 4.1 GHz apple_ci7
RAM: 16 GB LPDDR3
Memory Speed: 2133 MHz
Hard Drive: 512 GB Flash Memory Solid State
Graphics Coprocessor: Intel UHD Graphics 620
Chipset Brand: Intel
Card Description: Integrated
Graphics Card Ram Size: 16 GB
Wireless Type: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Number of USB 2.0 Ports: 1
Number of USB 3.0 Ports: 2
Weight: 2.6 pounds
About
The ASUS ZenBook 14 is an ultra-slim laptop with a 14inch wide, large screen and 1920 x 1080 Pixels resolution. It is a powerful laptop with many compact features. It has an infrared camera that supports Window Hello Face lock feature. 2133 MHz speed enables you to perform your tasks in less time.
An Art student can also log into the laptop without needing a password. Just open the lid and complete your tasks without wasting time. Its widescreen with a vivid visual display is an exceptional feature. Its USB ports provide you with wired connections for data transfer and other purposes.
The ZenBook 14 offers 16GB of RAM, adequate enough to keep you up with multitasking demands. You can open various windows and use various software simultaneously without hanging risks. With its 512 GB storage, you can also download different software and applications, store and manage all your data.
Its battery takes one and a half hours to be charged fully and lasts up to 8hours. Its weight is just 2.6 pounds, making it the best laptop for graduating art’s students who need lightweight machines that are easier to carry and offer great performance. But this laptop does not work as a high-end device for gaming.
Pros and Cons
Thin, light, easy to carry, near-borderless screen, two Thunderbolt 3 ports and battery life lasting above-average span make it an easy-to-use laptop. But there is still some flex in the chassis, and it is a bit expensive too.
Specifications
Microprocessor: Intel® Core™ i7-8565U (1.8 GHz base frequency, up to 4.6 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology, 8 MB cache, 4 cores)
Chipset: Intel® Integrated SoC
Memory: 16 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM (onboard)
Video graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® MX250 (2 GB GDDR5 dedicated)
Hard drive: 512 GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
Display: 13.3″ diagonal FHD IPS BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch-enabled edge-to-edge glass with Corning® Gorilla® Glass NBT™ (1920 x 1080)
Wireless connectivity: Intel® Wireless-AC 9560 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2×2) Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® 5 Combo
Expansion slots: 1 microSD media card reader
Ports: 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C™ (5 Gb/s signaling rate, Power Delivery 3.0, DisplayPort™ 1.2, HP Sleep and Charge); 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (HP Sleep and Charge); 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (Data Transfer Only); 1 AC smart pin; 1 headphone/microphone combo
Weight: Starting at 1.17 kg
Battery type: 4-cell, 53 Wh Li-ion polymers
Webcam: HP Wide Vision HD Camera with integrated dual array digital microphone
Audio features: B&O, quad speakers, HP Audio Boost, HP Far-field Cortana support
Operating system: Windows 10 Home Single Language 64
Software included: McAfee LiveSafe™
Pre-installed software: iQiyi
About
1080p laptop screen is enough for graduating ART students but for professional-level projects and entertainment purposes, you would need a 4K screen. That is what HP Envy 13 provides.
Its 13inch display with 3680 x 2160p resolution and touch screen provide you with a colorful experience. It has an HD camera on top of the screen. Fingerprint sensor in it keeps your device secure from unauthorized access. 8th generation core i7 processor and speed up to 4.1 GHz support all the software. Along with a built-in screen, it can also drive a secondary 4K display.
Its 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage help smooth all programs and fulfill all your multitasking demands. You can save and download many heavy files and applications. 2.6pound weight makes it the lightest portable device with a 4K display.
Pros and Cons
Although this laptop does not have Thunderbolt 3 ports and is not suitable for gaming, its 4K display with touch screen and fingerprint sensor and battery lasting up to 12 hours is adequate.
Specifications
Standing screen display size: 17 Inches
Screen Resolution: 2560 x 1600
Max Screen Resolution: 2560 x 1600 Pixels
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Processor: 1.8 GHz core_i7
Processor Brand: Intel
RAM: 16 GB DDR4
Memory Speed: 2400 MHz
Hard Drive: 512 GB Flash Memory Solid State
Graphics Coprocessor: Intel HD Graphics 610
Card Description: Integrated
Graphics Card Ram Size: 16 GB
Number of USB 3.0 Ports: 4
Average Battery Life (in hours): 15 Hours
Item Weight: 2.95 pounds
About
LG is a well-known brand for providing thin, lightweight and powerful portable computers. LG gram 17 is an easy to carry device despite its 17inch large display. Passing seven industrial standard tests is adequate to prove its durability. Software requiring a high-end CPU runs smoothly on this device. This gadget is best for watching movies and editing videos and photos.
You can log in to your device with a fingerprint sensor without entering the password. This password-free sign-in gives you fast and secure access to your window device and saves your time. With the battery lasting up to 15 hours, you can complete all your work and stay connected for a long time without the trouble getting a power source for a long time.
Integrated webcam and microphone give you the best video and audio calling experience. Face timing, online presentations become easier with it. An ART student can use software like Photoshop, Illustrator and other software in Adobe suite efficiently with its 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage. Process all your data freely and save your work with this durable gadget.
Its USB Type-C port enables data transfer and video output at a higher speed. 8th Gen Intel Core 8565U quad-core GPU gives a peak CPU frequency of 4.1GHz. You can work efficiently with this versatile portable device. This laptop is lighter than many 15inch laptops making it easy to carry. It is the best device if you need a laptop with high-end internals and a long-lasting battery.
Pros and Cons
This laptop has an amazing 17inch vivid screen, sleek body, easy to use comfortable keyboard and bright QHD display, but it lacks touch screen options, has a glare screen and a bit higher rate. Its specifications are definitely worth the price.
Specifications
Standing screen display size: 14 Inches
Max Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Processor: 3.7 GHz core_i5_1035g4
Operating system: Window10
RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4
Storage: 512GB SSD
Hard Drive: flash memory solid state
Chipset Brand: Intel
Card Description: Integrated
Wireless Type: Bluetooth
Number of USB 3.0 Ports: 2
Average Battery Life (in hours): 12 Hours
Weight: 5.5 pounds
About
Acer is a remarkable brand for providing portable computers with long battery life. Acer spin 3 is one of them. This laptop comes with a 14inch wide visual display having 1920 x 1080 resolution. It is a convertible gadget which gives you an open choice to use it as a regular laptop or a wide touch screen tablet.
Large display and greater resolution give you an incredible video watching and online streaming experience. Its touch support can also detect pen input. For art’s students, it provides a reliable performance as they want in their laptop.
It is powered by an intel core i7 8th generation processor making it better than many other competitive devices. 8 GB RAM and 512 GB storage make it a student-friendly laptop. You can use all the necessary software and handle multiple tasks efficiently. This laptop has enough space for storing heavy work volume.
Its advanced wireless internet technology and Bluetooth keep you connected and improve data transfer speed. Acer Rechargeable Active Stylus helps in drawing and notes taking as efficiently as using fingers. The stylus’ dock secures it from loss and can also act as a charger.
Although this laptop weighs 5.5 pounds heavier than other laptops with the same features, its price is half than them. Its battery lasts for approximately 12 hours. If you are an art student and need all-important specifications in a tight budget, this inexpensive portable device is the best option.
Pros and Cons
Despite its heavyweight and old fashion design, this portable computer is still best because of its lesser price. It does not heat up easily even after a long-time of usage. Having high storage capacity, better specifications is more than you get at such an affordable price.
Specifications
Standing screen display size: 12.3 Inches
Screen Resolution: 2736 x 1824
Max Screen Resolution: 2736×1824 Pixels
Operating system: Window 10 Home
Processor: 1.3 GHz core_i5_8400t
RAM: 8 GB LPDDR3 1866 MHz
Memory Speed: 1866 MHz
Hard Drive: 256 GB Flash Memory Solid State
Graphics Coprocessor: Intel UHD Graphics 620
Chipset Brand: Intel
Card Description: Integrated
Wireless Type: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 802.11abg, 802.11a/b/g/n, 802.11a
Number of USB 3.0 Ports: 1
Average Battery Life (in hours): 13 Hours
About
Microsoft surface is best for students as well as professionals. It has become a worthy gadget for them by accommodating all necessary applications for their needs and has many features keeping in view the interest of students. It has a 12.3inch bright and colorful display with 2736 x 1824 resolution making it much better than other widescreen portable computers.
You can do all basic graphics with its Intel UHD Graphics 620. Intel core i5 processors with a high speed run all programs smoothly. 8 GB RAM and 256 is good enough for all needs of art students. You can also access external storage with storage devices with its USB 3.0 port.
Microsoft surface pro 5th generation offers great battery life lasting up to 13 hours as other Microsoft surface laptops and supports fast charging. USB ports help to transfer data from one device to another efficiently and create multiple copies of data.
It weighs only 1.69 pounds, making it a lighter notebook with a touch screen. If your need is a higher resolution laptop with greater quality and classy design, Microsoft surface pro 5th generation is all you require.
Pros and Cons
This device does not have a keyboard and is a bit expensive, but its sleek body, unique design, incredible performance and long battery life are worth the money.
Specifications
Standing screen display size: 14 Inches
Max Screen Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
Processor: 2.3 GHz core_i5
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Hard Drive: 1TB mechanical hard drive
Graphics Coprocessor: Intel HD Graphics 520
Chipset Brand: Intel HD Graphics 520
Card Description: Integrated
Wireless Type: 802.11ac
Number of USB 3.0 Ports: 2
Operating System: Windows 10
Item Weight: 3.8 pounds
About
If you need an easily convertible laptop into a tablet, you can go for Lenovo flex 4. It has a 14inch wide display and 1920×1080 pixels resolution for vivid visuals to give you an enjoyable experience. It is best for drawing and making sketches. Ports allow you to share data with other devices. Preloaded window 10 gives reliable performance.
The intel core i5 processor with a high 2.3 GHz speed allows you to run all software and programs without any trouble. Its integrated Intel HD 520 GPU can drive an external display. Window 10 operating system supports all the features in it. You can perform your graphic works with Intel HD Graphics 520.
This laptop has 8GB RAM and 1TB storage that is more than enough for students and professionals’ needs. You can save a heavy volume of audio-video files and other documents in this storage. Complete all your work and enjoy leisure time with this amazing storage capacity.
Its 3.6 pounds weight makes it heavier than other laptops of the same size. You can switch easily between the touchpad and keyboard for more efficiency. Battery lasts up to 8 hours and is still better than other devices. Lenovo Flex 4 is highly affordable with all your required features. You can definitely buy it in your tight budget.
Pros and Cons
This laptop has long battery life, exceptional graphic performance, many ports for wired connections, and inexpensive. However, it is less durable, bulky and heavy.
Specifications
Standing screen display size: 15.6 Inches
Max Screen Resolution: 1920×1080 Pixels
Processor: 1.6 GHz core_i5
Memory: 8 GB DDR4 RAM
Memory Speed: 2133 MHz
Hard Drive: 256 GB flash memory solid state
Operating System: Windows 10
Item Weight: 4.4 pounds
Graphics Coprocessor: Intel HD Graphics 620
Chipset Brand: Intel
Card Description: Integrated
Wireless Type: 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11g
Number of USB 3.0 Ports: 3
Average Battery Life (in hours): 10 Hours
About
Lenovo Flex 5 is for students who need a laptop with long-lasting battery and physical qualities. This bezel-less design has a 15.6inch widescreen and 1920×1080 Pixel’s resolution. There is an integrated webcam on top of the screen for video conferences and online presentations, which is a basic requirement of art students in this era.
Its 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, and 2133 MHz high speed is enough for art students for smooth performance of all programs they need for their educational and entertainment purposes. You can easily edit pictures and videos, save and download different files and use them efficiently with this storage. With better audio and video features, you can enjoy online streaming and watch movies and TV shows.
Fingerprint sensor technology has taken over the password typing inconvenience. It saves your device from unauthorized access and secures your data. With Cortana, you can answer all your queries, open required applications and even make an appointment on your calendar. Its USB ports provide a great wired connection with other devices.
This laptop weighs 4.4 pounds making it heavier and difficult to carry with you. Window 10 efficiently ensures smooth working of all programs and applications. Its battery lasting more than 10 hours keeps you active and connected with your work. If its quality is considered, it is one of the best laptops you can get at an affordable price for all your necessary needs.
Pros and Cons
Lenovo flex 5 has all the built-in features an art student can need with the best battery performance and easy-to-use keyboard. However, it is a bit heavier than others.
Specifications
Standing screen display size: 10 Inches
Screen Resolution: 1800 x 1200 pixels
Processor: 1.6 GHz 8032
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Item Weight: 1.15 pounds
RAM: 4 GB
Hard Drive: 64 GB Flash Memory Solid State
Graphics Coprocessor: Intel HD Graphics 615
Chipset Brand: Intel
Card Description: Integrated
Graphics Card Ram Size: 64 GB
Wireless Type: 802.11abg
Average Battery Life (in hours): 8 Hours
About
Microsoft Surface Go is a budget-friendly and affordable laptop for art students. Window 10 is good enough for all programs to work properly and smoothly. Unlike other laptops in this price range, it provides a higher resolution that is 1800 x 1200 pixels, with glass protection.
It is a versatile laptop and easily adjustable, so easier to carry with you. With a battery lasting up to 8 hours, you can complete your assignments efficiently. A 14inch display with touch screen gives you clear visuals for watching movies and streaming videos.
With Intel Pentium Gold dual-core processor having speed 1.6 GHz all your software would run and process efficiently. Art students can also use editing tools on this laptop but of low level. Its wireless connections keep you connected via wi-fi and others.
Its 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage is a bit less to meet the requirements of modern workflow. If you only want to surf the browser or use software requiring less store, this laptop is not a bad choice. Preloaded Window 10 is compatible with many programs and software.
The weight of the Microsoft Surface Go is just 1.15 pounds. So, it is light, easy to carry and can be used easily daily. 8 hours of battery life is enough for day work. If you need a light weight laptop and has longer battery life, you can definitely go for Microsoft Surface Go.
Pros and Cons
Although this laptop has less memory and limited storage, its other features like being lighter in weight, stylish and sleek looks, touch display and others could not be ignored.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
· Which is the best laptop for art students?
Art students usually need a laptop with better battery life, vivid display with a touchscreen. It should have an adjustable size and less weight to make it easy to carry.
· Do art students need a laptop with touch support?
Art students usually need a laptop for sketching and drawing, which become easier with a device having touch support.
· What is the minimum RAM requirement for an art student’s laptop?
An art student needs a minimum of 8GB RAM to complete multiple tasks easily, but a laptop with 16 GB RAM can fulfill all demands of students.
· Does an art student require a laptop with a high-end CPU?
If you want to use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe after effects, you definitely need a high-end CPU for the smooth running of these softwares. But if you only want to surf websites, then ordinary laptops would do more.
· Is an ordinary laptop enough for art students?
Yes, an art student can definitely use an ordinary laptop. Laptop models, we have reviewed earlier, generally support and fulfill the software requirements of students and have different tools for their ease.
· How can an art student draw on a laptop?
If your laptop supports a touch screen, then sketching and drawing is easier for you. You can also do the same with externally attached gadgets.
· Should a laptop for art students have a GPU in it?
If you need a laptop for just study purposes, then a regular integrated GPU is enough for you, but if you are a gamer, then your laptops should have at least 2 GB of customized video memory.
· Can an art student use a MacBook?
Yes, an art student can use a MacBook because, like Window OS, it also has different software and programs for students’ needs.
Conclusion – Best Laptops for Art Students
As we have discussed earlier, art students need high-end laptops and vivid display supporting touch screens to help make drawings, paintings and present their imaginations. Their priorities are the performance and battery life of the laptop.
You can decide on your new laptop according to your budget and software requirements. If you are an art student, you can definitely buy one of the above-discussed laptops, and you would be satisfied with its performance as they would never let you down.
Go for the best laptop in your range. You can upgrade it later as your skills improve and your requirements increase. You would also need some external devices like a printer for your art study needs.