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Best Laptop For Photo Editing | Top Brands in 2023

Matthew

If you’re after a top of the range laptop for photo editing, then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an enthusiastic creator, when it comes to photo editing, there are plenty of options for you to choose from some of the biggest brands, including Apple, Acer, HP, Dell, and Asus.

The beauty of having a top-notch zippy laptop like these slimline marvels on this list – is that it’s quite likely to outperform that old desktop in your office.

However, there are top of the range desktop monitors on the market today – if you’re looking to be more at home than on the go.

A machine with plenty of RAM, a large drive, and a faster processor is ideal for any photo editor.

Getting a reasonable laptop or tablet for photo editing doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive machine out there. Take a look at the best laptops for photo editing to make things easier.

Best laptops for photo editing Reviewed

1. Apple MacBook Pro New 16-inch Review
2. Razer Blade 15 15-inch Intel Core i7 Review
3. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Review
4. Acer Aspire 5 Slim 15.6-inch Review
5. Dell XPS 15 4K Touchscreen Display Review
6. ASUS ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop- 13.3” Full HD Review
7. LG gram Laptop – 17″ IPS Display Review
8. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo Review
9. Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5-Inch Review
10. Acer Spin 3 Convertible Laptop 14-inches Review

The Best Laptop For Photo Editing Compared

There’s a number of factors to consider when choosing a laptop for editing photos. Here’s a table of all our top picks for you to compare.

Tablet	Best For	Image	Budget	Overall	Check Price
New Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch	Work		$$$	9	Check Price
LG Gram Laptop - 17 - inch	Work		$$$	8.8	Check Price
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop 15.6-Inch	Everyday		$	8.8	Check Price
Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop	Work		$$$	8.4	Check Price
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12.3-inch	Work		$$	8.4	Check Price
ASUS ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim	Everyday		$$	8	Check Price
Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15.6-inch	Work		$$$	8	Check Price
Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5-inch	Everyday		$	8	Check Price
Acer Spin 3 14-inch	Everyday		$	9	Check Price
Dell XPS 15	Work		$$$	8	Check Price

Best Photo Editing Laptops: Must-Have Features

Our clear favorite photo editing laptop is the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch. Extremely high quality, this MacBook Pro is the ultimate photo editing laptop.

Here are some other top quality laptops for photo editing.

• LG gram Laptop – 17″ IPS Display
• Razer Blade 15 15-inch Intel Core i7
• Microsoft Surface Pro 7
• Dell XPS 15  4k Touchscreen display

Our Favorite Laptops for Photo Editors Under $1000

Laptops can be pricey when it comes to finding the best laptop for photography or photo editing. Our recommended laptop for all beginners or anyone on a budget in photo editing and photography, the Acer Aspire 5 Slim 15.6-inch, is our top pic.

Here are some other top picks for the best cheap laptops for photo editors.

• ASUS ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop

Most Versatile Laptops for Photo Editing

Can’t decide between a laptop and a tablet? All in all, if budget is no problem for you, then the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo is the top of the range 2-in-1 laptop for photo editing.

Here are some other top picks for 2-in-1 laptops for Artists.

• Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5-Inch
• Acer Spin 3 Convertible Laptop 14-inch

10 Best Laptops for Photo Editing Reviewed

Here are our top picks of the 10 best laptops for photography and photo editing currently on the market. You’ve got an idea of the clear top winners in their different categories, but here they are in an in-depth review.

In this list, you’ll notice a few key points about the product.  For you to see what price range the product is in, also take a look at the included a price rating of $-$$$.

Take a look at our buyer’s guide section at the end of the article, which explains some confusing terms used and what to look out for when buying a laptop for photo editing. 

Apple MacBook Pro New 16-inch Review

• 9th-Generation 6-Core Intel Core i7 Processor
• 16-inch Retina Display with True Tone Technology
• Touch ID and Touch Bar
• Intel UHD Graphics 630
• $$$

The 16-Inch MacBook Pro is, hands-down, the best MacBook Pro to date. The new addition to the famous brand’s line, for starters, is the new larger screen that offers a spectacular display of graphics.

Apple has refined the MacBook Pro in a number of other ways. The new edition has switched its keyboard from Butterfly switches for Scissor switches found in the Magic Keyboard.  With this in mind, it keeps the laptop’s shape unbelievably slim.

This ultra-thin design 16-inch model uses the next generation of AMD graphics and gives this model a performance edge alongside Intel core i7 and i9 automatic graphics switching. This makes a real difference in speed when editing the most complex visual edits and plug-ins using high-resolution imagery. 

This turns the MacBook Pro 16-inch into a serious video editing powerhouse. If you have the budget for it, this is one of the best laptops on the market that you can buy.

Razer Blade 15 15-inch Intel Core i7 Review

• 9th-Generation Intel Core i7-9750U processor
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• 6” FHD 144HHz matte display
• NVIDIA GeForce 1660Ti
• $$$

The Razer Blade 15 laptop is primarily focused on the gaming market. However, with a faster processor and dedicated graphics card, this makes it a good laptop for photo editing too. 

It comes with a super-fast core i7-9750H processor, along with an NVIDIA graphics card, and a 256GB SSD hard drive. Not to mention it comes equipped with a fast GeForce RTX 2070 graphics.

What makes this laptop a fantastic photo-editing laptop is its 15.6-inch 4k display screen, boasting factory color calibration.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Review

• 10th-Generation Intel Core i5 processor
• 3-inch PixelSense pressure-sensitive display
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• $$

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 offers versatility when it comes to the range of Windows laptops.  Enjoy the flexibility of a tablet and laptop in one, making it ideal for photographers and creators to edit and view pictures on the go.

The display is excellent for viewing all angles as it covers a wide color gamut. The Intel Core i5 process, with a 256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM, is ideal for most users. Moreover, you can buy a detachable keyboard giving you another advantage for any photo editor.

Surface Pro 7 is a complete powerhouse in all aspects. With premium grade material, it is commendable in handling graphics, multimedia, heavy applications, and more.

Acer Aspire 5 Slim 15.6-inch Review

• 10th-Generation Intel Core i5 Processor
• 6-inch Full HD ISP Display NVIDIA GeForce MX250
• Nvidia GeForce MX250 2GB DDR5 Graphics
• 8GB DDR4
• 512GB SSD
• $

The Acer Aspire 5 10th Generation Intel Core laptop delivers on every aspect when it comes to computing. When it comes to creativity, this laptop glides through tasks with ease with sharp, crisp visuals showcased on the 15.6” thin Full HD IPS screen.

The Acer Aspire 5 is the ideal laptop under budget with reliable battery life and can handle heavy image editing. It’s designed for speed and mobility and is relatively lightweight, making it easy to carry around.

Dell XPS 15 4K Touchscreen Display Review

• 8th-Generation Intel Core i7-8750H Processor
• 4K Touchscreen display
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti 2GB DDR5 Graphics
• 16GB DDR4 and 512GB SSD
• $$$

The Dell XPS 15 offers the next level of screen resolution when it comes to its 4K display (3840 x 2160). It gives you a bright and crisp screen display and covers 100% Adobe sRGB color spectrum.

It gives you the power to run even the most demanding software for photo editing and is one of the best laptops for photoshop. Enjoy dazzling detail with 6 million more pixels than Full HD.  You can edit images with perfect accuracy without worrying about jagged lines.

ASUS ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop- 13.3” Full HD Review

• 8th-Generation Quad-Core Intel Core i5 Processor (Turbo to 3.9 GHz)
• 3-inch Full HD Display resolution 1920 x 1880
• 8GB DDR4 RAM
• Intel UHD 620 Graphics and 512GB SSD
• $

The Acer Aspire 5 10th Generation Intel Core laptop delivers on every aspect when it comes to computing. When it comes to creativity, this laptop glides through tasks with ease with sharp, crisp visuals showcased on the 15.6″ thin Full HD IPS screen.

The graphics on this laptop are excellent, driven by NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics giving you another advantage in creating.

The Acer Aspire 5 is the ideal laptop under budget with reliable battery life and can handle heavy image editing.  It’s designed for speed and mobility and is relatively lightweight, making it easy to carry around.

LG gram Laptop – 17″ IPS Display Review

• 10th-Generation Intel Core i7-1065G7
• Quad Core 1.3 GHz Processor (Turbo up to 3.9 GHz)
• 16GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB SSD
• 17-inch IPS Display (114% sRGB) (2560 x 1600 Resolution)
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics
• $$$

If it’s a large screen you want, take a look at the LG Gram Laptop 10th Generation, Intel Core i7 processor powered with 4K content production. It’s perfect for video filters and a high resolution for photo editing, and for gaming.

The LG Gram comes with a 17-inch IPS display with 114% color gamut, and powerful hardware, putting it at the top of the list when it comes to photo editing laptops.

Enjoy the perfect colorful display, Intel Iris Plus graphics, and powerful configuration, making it ideal for photoshop.

ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo Review

• 9th Generation Core i7-9750H Processor
• 4K UHD NanoEdge Bezel Touch
• GeForce RTX 2060
• Innovative Screen Pad Plus
• 16GB RAM
• $$$

If you’re looking to treat yourself, then get the dual-screen laptop ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo 15.6-inch 4K glossy UHD NanoEdge touchscreen. Not to mention the ScreenPad Plus 14-inch 4K matte touchscreen.

This laptop offers versatility with the latest specifications. Enjoy endless ways to optimize your multitasking experience – split windows and apps using dual screens.

It’s powered by the latest Intel Core i7-9750H 6-core processor. It includes Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU paired with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5-Inch Review

• 8th-Generation Intel Core i5-8350U Quad-Core Processor (Turbo up to 3.6GHz)
• 8GB LPDDR3 RAM
• Intel HD Integrated Graphics
• 5-inch PixelSense Touchscreen 267 PPI Display with 3000 x 2000 Resolution
• $

If you’re looking for a dual purpose 2-in-1 detaching keyboard laptop for editing and creativity, the Microsoft Surface Book 2 is ideal.

It’s the fastest Surface Book yet, with 2x more power with the latest quad-core Intel processors, paired with the best graphics performance and latest NVIDIA GeForce GPUs. Enjoy the vibrant PixelSense Display with a 13.5-inch touchscreen.

It comes with Intel Core i5 and i7 processors with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage.

Acer Spin 3 Convertible Laptop 14-inches Review

• 9th-Generation Intel Core i7 Processor 8565U Processor (Up to 4.5GHz)
• 14-inches Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Multi-Touch
• 16GB DDR4 Memory and 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• $

If you’re looking for versatility, take a look at the Acer Spin 3 14-inches convertible laptop. With ultra-slim and light convertible laptop functions, this laptop offers the complete experience.

Enjoy the FHD IPS touch display boasting a 0.38-inch thin bezel, giving you a 78.9% screen-to-body ratio. Unleash your creativity with the rechargeable active stylus ideal for drawing, and artistic techniques.

The Acer Spin 3 offers a perfect combination ideal for any creative mind at an affordable price.

What to look for in a Photo Editing Laptop | Buyer’s Guide

Editing Photos requires a powerful computer, especially if you are shooting in RAW. It’s important to know which components are crucial in terms of improving photo editing speed and have an understanding of computer technology.

Take a look at some key specifications you need to look out for when shopping for a photo editing laptop.

Processor

The laptop’s CPU plays a vital role when deciding the overall performance of your computer, especially when it comes to running high-performance software like Photoshop.

It’s recommended to get a laptop with the latest generation Intel i5, i7, or i9 processor. Laptops powered by the Intel Core i3 processor also work well if you are a student or beginner in the editing field- the higher the number, the faster the processor.

RAM

As a professional photographer or photo editor, you’ll be multitasking with various files and programs. Ensuring your laptop runs smoothly without lag is crucial while editing photos. It’s recommended at least 8GB of RAM for editing photos smoothly.

Also, take a look to see if there are any extra RAM slots so that if you need extra space, you can still increase the RAM.

Screen Display and Resolution

The display of the laptop should be bright and should display accurate colors (also check sRGB rating). Find a laptop with a display full HD resolution for standard editing work, such as 1920 x 1080. If you need to edit very high-resolution images, you’ll need a laptop with a 4K display such as 3840 x 2160.

Graphics Card

The graphics card is responsible for what appears on your laptop’s screen. There are two main options, namely integrated and discrete graphics cards.

An integrated graphics card means your CPU is going to handle all the graphics tasks.

The discrete graphics card favored by gamers and most modern photo editing applications takes advantage of discrete graphics. It’s recommended to get a laptop with a discrete graphics card if possible. These are either made by Nvidia or ATI/AMD.

Hard Drive and Storage

To keep many photos on the laptop, you can buy a laptop with a 1TB hard drive, or to buy a laptop with an SSD. It’s recommended to look at the SSDs because they are faster than hard drives and improve the overall performance of the laptop.

Final Thoughts On The Best Laptops For Photo Editing

Editing photos is one of the essential parts of any photographer or artist’s workflow. It can be one of the more frustrating parts when using old and outdated hardware. Therefore, finding the right laptop for photo editing is vital.

In the market today, the clear winner is the latest MacBook Pro. It’s the best all-arounder laptop for photo editors with Apple’s astounding true tone light monitoring retina display.

If it’s a big-screen you’re looking for, the LG Gram 17 is ideal. Not to mention the Asus Zenbook Pro gives you versatility like no other. So there you have it, our top recommended laptops available on the market for photo editors and photographers.

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