Top-rated Laptops Ideal for Sketching and Digital Artistry: Marvel at Spectacular Displays Suitable for Artists
In search of the ultimate laptop for drawing and digital art, we've dived deep into the world of touchscreen devices that support styluses. These machines provide artists a natural drawing experience, but with so many choices, it can be overpowering to decide which one fits your needs best.
To assist you in your quest, we've tapped our team of experts who've meticulously evaluated laptops tailored for artists, combining benchmark tests and hands-on drawing sessions. Our focus in creating this list is on screen quality, color accuracy, resolution, and responsiveness – elements that will have a direct impact on your artistic adventure.
However, if you don't really need a keyboard, you might fancy exploring our guide to the best drawing tablets instead. In need of some creative inspiration? Take a glance at our pick of the digital artists you must know.
Erlingur, knee-deep in laptops practically every waking moment, is a champion of discovering the most powerful tech for various creative workflows. With personal experience in developing rigorous testing processes specifically for creatives, he's a die-hard fan of ASUS machines thanks to the innovation they offer.
The Quick List
Best Overall
Price
This 2-in-1 reigns supreme as our top pick overall due to its exceptional value for money and a stunning screen. Included in the package, you'll find a stylus and other accessories – so you won't need to shell out extra cash to get drawing.
Good value
Best Premium
★★★★
This is our top premium recommendation for the best laptop for drawing due to its brilliant screen, generous battery life, and high performance – especially when paired with a Surface Slim Pen 2.
Best Budget
Design
Want to save some dough? Offering superb value for the money, the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 features a glorious screen, a handy USB-C port (great for connecting a stylus), and zippy performance.
Sleek and sharp
Most Portable
★★★★★
More tablet than laptop, The Surface Pro 9 delivers a fully-fledged Windows 11 experience while offering added portability – and an optional keyboard for added versatility.
Best Screen
Performance
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) boasts a truly stunning screen. This 3K OLED touchscreen display offers a 120Hz refresh rate, a 100% sRGB color gamut, and 1.07 billion colors.
Great for drawing, not for moving images
Best 2-in-1 Screen
★★★
The HP Spectre x360 offers a brilliant screen and is highly responsive with 8.5 hours of battery life. It's not the lightest laptop, and the port selection could be better, but the graphics power should suffice for most digital artists – although it might struggle with heavier workflows.
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Battery life
The Best Laptops for Drawing in Full
Above average
The Best Laptop for Drawing and Digital Art Overall
★★★★
01. ASUS ProArt PZ13
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Reasons to Buy
- You want everything included: This laptop/tablet comes with a stand, Micro SD adapter, keyboard, and stylus.
- Battery life is important to you: The ASUS ProArt PZ13 lasted over 20 hours in our tests.
Price
Reasons to Avoid
Premium pricing
- You're a 3D Artist: This laptop/tablet doesn't have enough heft for 3D work.
- You want a lightweight tablet: Once you add in the accessories, the PZ13 weighs over a kilo.
★★★
🔎 The ASUS ProArt PZ13 is an all-round solid choice as a drawing laptop, and its OLED screen is delightful to work with. The overall design combines refinement with ruggedness. ★★★★
What You Need to Know:The ASUS ProArt PZ13 blends refinement and ruggedness in a unique way. The screen is fantastic for digital art, and the stylus is included, as well as other accessories, so you won’t need to purchase anything extra to have the perfect 2-in-1 for drawing. This laptop is best for artists with a well-rounded workflow and extra cash to spare.
Design
Design:This sleek OLED-screen tablet computer has a 13.3-inch screen and is impeccably designed. It weighs 850g, although the weight racks up once you add in the included screen and keyboard.
Innovative and versatile
Connectivity:The ProArt PZ13 offers two USB-C ports plus an SD card reader. It could be better, but it could be worse.
★★★★★
Display:The 3K touchscreen is 2880x1800 and sports a 16:10 ratio, which we think works brilliantly for drawing. The screen is Pantone validated and, in our tests, showed a 100% P3 and 99.4% sRGB color coverage. It's sharp, it's bright, it's responsive, and our tester loved it.
Performance:We found that the ProArt PZ13 lags slightly behind other Copilot+ releases we’ve reviewed, though, for the price tag, our reviewer still found the performance to be more than adequate. Note that this laptop is not for you if you want to create artwork for games, as the graphics driver isn’t up to processing and rendering moving images, though for still images, it works just great.
Performance
Battery Life:Our tester was very impressed with the battery life on this machine, which lasted over 20 hours in our streaming video test. This is superior to the other machines on this list.
Good for art, moderate for heavy tasks
Price:The ASUS ProArt PZ13 retails at $1,099 / £1,099, which makes it very competitive, particularly considering it comes with a stylus, keyboard, stand, and protective sleeve (at least in the US and UK).
★★★★
Read More: ASUS ProArt PZ13 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating || --- | --- | --- || Price | Good value | ★★★★ || Design | Sleek and sharp | ★★★★★ || Performance | Great for drawing, not for moving images | ★★★ || Battery life | Above average | ★★★★ |
Battery life
The ASUS ProArt PZ13 is the most compact member of ASUS' newly retooled ProArt family, but it's certainly not the runt of the litter. It's unique and ideal for creatives.
Below average
The Best Premium Laptop for Drawing and Digital Art
★★★
02. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Reasons to Buy
- You want a versatile drawing device: The 3-position design is perfect for digital artists.
- Touch and pen input are priorities: The 120Hz display with Surface Pen support is excellent.
Price
Reasons to Avoid
Excellent value
- You need long battery life: The 5-6 hour battery life may not last through a full workday.
- You need maximum processing power: M3 MacBooks offer better performance at similar prices.
★★★★★
🔎 The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 excels as a premium drawing device due to its versatile design and gorgeous screen, though battery life and price may give some artists pause. ★★★★
What You Need to Know:The Surface Laptop Studio 2 stands out as a versatile choice for artists, offering a three-position design that transforms from laptop to tablet. Our reviewer found its stunning 14.4-inch touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate makes drawing feel incredibly natural and responsive. While it packs the latest 13th Gen Intel processors and NVIDIA RTX graphics options, it's more suited to digital art and design—rather than demanding 3D work.
Design
Design:Microsoft has created a beautifully engineered device here, with smooth chamfered corners and sleek edges. The innovative split-hinge design enables three distinct positions: laptop, stage (45-degree angle), and studio (flat tablet) modes. At slightly over 4 pounds, it's heavier than competitors, but the premium aluminum build quality and robust construction justify the weight.
Solid build quality
Connectivity:Port selection on this laptop is adequate though not exceptional, with Thunderbolt 4 ports supporting external displays and high-speed data transfer. The Surface Connect port provides proprietary charging, while USB-A and 3.5mm headphone jack offer legacy support. Modern wireless standards include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.
★★★★
Display:The 14.4-inch touchscreen is a highlight, featuring a sharp 2400x1600 resolution with 201 PPI and 120Hz refresh rate. The 3:2 aspect ratio provides more vertical space for artwork, while the display offers excellent color accuracy and brightness. Best of all, touch response with the Surface Pen is exceptional, making it ideal for digital artists.
Performance:Equipped with 13th Gen Intel Core processors and various NVIDIA GPU options (from RTX 4050 to 4060), the Studio 2 handles creative tasks well but falls short of M3 MacBook Pro performance. Our tests showed relatively modest Geekbench scores of 1296 single-core and 6008 multi-core.
Performance
Battery Life:Despite Microsoft's claim of 16 hours, our testers found real-world usage delivered around 5-6 hours, which is disappointing if you want to draw on the go and can't access a power socket.
Good for ChromeOS apps
Price:This laptop starts at $1,999 / £2,069, with higher-end configurations reaching nearly $3,000 / £3,000. While expensive, it offers unique functionality for digital artists that few competitors can match.
★★★★
Read More: Surface Laptop Studio 2 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating || --- | --- | --- || Price | Premium pricing | ★★★ || Design | Innovative and versatile | ★★★★★ || Performance | Good for art, moderate for heavy tasks | ★★★★ || Battery life | Below average | ★★★ |
Battery life
The Microsoft Laptop Studio 2 is a pro laptop with a beautifully engineered design and a stunningly good display. It has a high starting price, though.
Above average
The Best Budget Laptop for Drawing and Digital Art
★★★★
03. Acer Chromebook Spin 514
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Reasons to Buy
- You're on a budget: This Chromebook offers great value for basic digital art needs.
- You're comfortable with ChromeOS: It works well with Android drawing apps and web-based tools.
Price
Reasons to Avoid
Premium pricing
- You need professional creative software: You can't run Windows or macOS apps on a Chromebook.
- You want a lightweight tablet: The 1.5kg weight is noticeable in tablet mode.
★★★
🔎 The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 offers an impressive value for budget-conscious artists, with a quality touchscreen and solid performance, although software limitations may restrict professional users. ★★★★
What You Need to Know:If you're looking for an affordable 2-in-1 drawing device, the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 offers an impressive value. While ChromeOS limits your choice of software (you can't run the desktop version of Illustrator, for instance), our reviewer found its 14-inch Full HD touchscreen and versatile design make it ideal for digital sketching and note-taking. The AMD Ryzen 5 processor delivers snappy performance for ChromeOS apps and Android drawing applications.
Design
Design:Built with a sturdy aluminum chassis, the Spin 514 feels more premium than its price suggests. At 1.5kg it's a bit heavy for extended use in tablet mode, but the robust hinges allow smooth transitions between laptop, tent, and tablet positions. The keyboard offers comfortable typing with slightly raised keys, while the touchscreen provides responsive input for drawing and navigation.
Excellent build quality
Connectivity:Port selection is comprehensive, featuring two USB-C ports, one USB 2.0 port, HDMI, a MicroSD slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack. While the inclusion of older USB 2.0 makes the profile slightly thicker, it offers practical compatibility for artists connecting drawing tablets and other peripherals. Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth provide reliable wireless connectivity.
★★★★★
Display:The 14-inch Full HD touchscreen is a standout feature, offering 1920 x 1080 resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Our reviewer found the display produces vibrant colors with sharp whites and good brightness levels, though you'll need to increase brightness for optimal use. The widescreen format provides ample space for drawing and running multiple apps.
Performance:The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor with 8GB RAM handles ChromeOS tasks smoothly, achieving impressive benchmark scores (887ms in Kraken). While perfect for web-based creative apps and Android drawing applications, it can't run professional desktop creative software. The integrated AMD Radeon Graphics are sufficient for basic creative work but not for demanding 3D applications.
Performance
Battery Life:This laptop delivers nearly 10 hours of continuous use, though this decreases with screen brightness turned up for drawing. Still, it's enough for a full day of creative work.
Excellent (Intel), Good (SQ3)
Price:Starting at $399 / £379 for the Ryzen 3 model, with our recommended Ryzen 5 version at $579.99 / £599.99. We reckon this is excellent value for artists on a budget who can work within ChromeOS limitations.
★★★★ (Intel) ★★★ (SQ3)
Read More: Acer Chromebook Spin 514 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating || --- | --- | --- || Price | Excellent value | ★★★★★ || Design | Solid build quality | ★★★★ || Performance | Good for ChromeOS apps | ★★★★ || Battery life | Above average | ★★★★ |
Battery life
The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 features a 14-inch touchscreen and a quad-core AMD powered performance. It's a seriously smart 2-in-1 that is great for drawing.
Excellent (SQ3), Good (Intel)
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★★★★★ (SQ3) ★★★★ (Intel)
The Best Drawing Laptop for Portability
04. Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Reasons to Buy
Price
- You need a premium build: The design and materials of this laptop are top-notch.
- You already own Surface accessories: This will work with previous generation peripherals.
Competitive for features offered
Reasons to Avoid
★★★★
- You're on a budget: This laptop is expensive, especially for well-equipped models.
- You need maximum performance: Consider a dedicated laptop instead.
🔎 The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 delivers a premium 2-in-1 experience for artists with full software compatibility, though at a premium price. Avoid the SQ3 model for creative work. ★★★★
Design
What You Need to Know:The Surface Pro 9 is Microsoft's premium 2-in-1 tablet that comes in two distinct variants. Our reviewer found the Intel models (i5/i7) are ideal for artists, offering full Windows software compatibility and enough power for creative work. The 13-inch PixelSense display with 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth pen input and vibrant colors. However, the ARM-based SQ3 model, while offering better battery life and 5G connectivity, struggles with professional creative software, making it less suitable for artists.
Thin, light and portable
Design:Built with premium materials and available in four attractive colors (Graphite, Sapphire, Forest, and Platinum), the Surface Pro 9 exemplifies refined engineering. The clever pen storage integrated into the keyboard cover shows thoughtful design for artists. While the bezels are slightly thicker than iPad Pro, they house an impressive 1080p camera with AI-powered features. The Alcantara keyboard cover provides a premium feel and comfortable typing experience.
★★★★
Connectivity:The device offers modern connectivity options including Thunderbolt 4 ports on Intel models, though specific ports aren't detailed in the review. The SQ3 model includes 5G connectivity for on-the-go work.
Display:The 13-inch PixelSense screen impresses with 2,880 x 1,920 resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio, perfect for digital art. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth pen input, while Dolby Vision IQ (on Intel models) provides excellent color management. The touchscreen is responsive and accurate, making this laptop an excellent choice for detailed artwork.
Performance
Performance:Intel models (i5/i7) handle professional creative software like Photoshop, though they're slightly slower than dedicated laptops. The SQ3 variant, while offering excellent battery life (12 hours), struggles with demanding art applications: our reviewer couldn't run Rebelle 5, though lighter apps like ArtRage 6 worked fine.
Impressive, with Good with AI acceleration
Battery Life:Based on tests, you can expect up to 14 hours of video playback and over 11 hours of more intensive use from this laptop.
★★★★★
Price:Expensive, starting at $999 / £1,099 for Intel i5, $1,599 / £1,599 for i7, and $1,299 / £1,299 for SQ3. High-end Intel configurations with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage reach $2,599 / £2,599.
Read More: Surface Pro 9 review
Battery life
| Attributes | Notes | Rating || --- | --- | --- || Price | Premium pricing | ★★★ || Design | Excellent build quality | ★★★★★ || Performance | Excellent (Intel), Good (SQ3) | ★★★★ (Intel) ★★★ (SQ3) || Battery life | Excellent (SQ3), Good (Intel) | ★★★★★ (SQ3) ★★★★ (Intel) |
Above average
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a quality 2-in-1 laptop that feels great to use. Just make sure you pick the right build for you.
★★★★★
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The Best Laptop Screen for Drawing
05. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405)
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Price
Reasons to Buy
Premium but justified
- Color accuracy matters: The 3K OLED screen offers 100% DCI-P3 coverage.
- You want a lightweight drawing device: At just 1.28kg, it's extremely portable.
★★★★
Reasons to Avoid
- You need tablet-style experience: While it lays flat, it doesn't convert to a tablet.
- You want dedicated graphics: The Intel Arc Graphics may limit intensive creative work.
Design
🔎 The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED offers an exceptional drawing experience in a lightweight package, with its stunning OLED display and included ASUS Pencil 2. ★★★★★1⁄2
Elegant and practical
What You Need to Know:The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED combines a gorgeous 3K OLED touchscreen with the new Intel Core Ultra processor featuring AI acceleration. The included ASUS Pencil 2 and the ability to lay completely flat make it particularly suitable for digital artists who prefer a traditional laptop form factor.
★★★★★
Design:At just 1.49 cm thick and weighing 1.28 kg, it's incredibly portable. The Ponder Blue finish offers a professional look, while the solid build quality ensures stability during drawing sessions. The ability to lay completely flat is particularly useful for left-handed artists, as it prevents palm interference while drawing.
Connectivity:Port selection is limited but functional. You get 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A 3.2 port, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Performance
Display:This 14-inch 3K OLED touchscreen display offers a 120Hz refresh rate and excellent color accuracy. Artists can also benefit from a 100% sRGB color gamut, 1.07 billion colors on display; response time of 0.2ms, and while the brightness is just 500 nits, the OLED tech makes it feel much brighter and sharper than that in reality. In the words of our reviewer, "It's the finest laptop screen on sale right now, and it worked perfectly throughout my testing."
Strong CPU, limited GPU
Performance:This is a capable and powerful laptop, thanks to the team of Intel's latest Core Ultra processors with integrated AI capabilities (NPU), offering performance comparable to some higher-end laptops. Improved integrated Intel Arc Graphics are very capable of handling gaming and creative tasks too.
★★★★
Battery life:Based on tests, you can expect up to 14 hours of video playback and over 11 hours of more intensive use from this laptop.
Price:Starting at $1,300 / £1099.99, this offers good value compared to similarly-specified competitors, particularly considering the OLED display and included pen.
Battery life
Read More: ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) review
Above average
| Attributes | Notes | Rating || --- | --- | --- || Price | Competitive for features offered | ★★★★ || Design | Thin, light and portable | ★★★★★ || Performance | Impressive, with Good with AI acceleration | ★★★★★ || Battery life | Above average | ★★★★★ |
★★★★
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If you're looking for lots of power in a fairly lightweight package but don't need top-level graphics grunt, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is ideal.
The Best 2-in-1 Screen for Drawing
06. HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)
Our Expert Review:
Price
Specifications
Premium pricing
Reasons to Buy
★★★★
- You want a convertible device: The sturdy 360° hinge and included stylus make it perfect for digital artists.
- You need a vibrant display: The OLED touchscreen offers excellent color accuracy and responsiveness.
Reasons to Avoid
Design
- You need dedicated graphics: The integrated Intel Arc GPU may limit performance in demanding creative apps.
- You want a lightweight tablet: At 1.44kg, it's rather heavy for extended handheld use.
Revolutionary dual-screen setup
🔎 The HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) excels as a premium convertible laptop with its stunning OLED display and included stylus, though the lack of dedicated graphics may limit some creative workflows. ★★★★★1⁄2
★★★★★
What You Need to Know:The HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) stands out as a versatile 2-in-1 laptop with a focus on creative work. The responsive 14-inch OLED touchscreen features a crisp 2880 x 1800 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, while the included HP Rechargeable MPP2.0 Tilt Pen offers precise input for digital artists. Powered by Intel's latest Core Ultra 7 processor, it handles creative tasks well, though the integrated graphics may limit more demanding applications.
Design:HP has created an elegant device with thoughtful design touches, including cleverly angled corners housing ports and a robust dual-point hinge system that enables smooth transitions between laptop and tablet modes. The premium metal construction eliminates flex, while the compact 14-inch form factor balances portability with usability. The keyboard offers good typing experience despite limited key travel, and the large trackpad provides precise control.
Performance
Connectivity:Port selection includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB-A (10Gbps), HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Wireless connectivity has been upgraded to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support.
Strong CPU, limited GPU
Display:The 14-inch HDR OLED touchscreen is a standout feature, offering 100% P3 color coverage and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The anti-reflective Gorilla Glass coating provides durability while maintaining clarity, and the screen's vibrant colors and deep blacks make it excellent for creative work.
★★★★
Performance:Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor and 32GB RAM, the Spectre handles productivity and creative tasks well. However, the reliance on integrated Intel Arc graphics continues to limit performance in GPU-intensive applications. Benchmark scores show strong CPU performance with a Geekbench 6 multicore score of 12,423.
Battery life:Our testing showed 8.5 hours of real-world usage, making it suitable for a full day of work when properly managed.
Battery life
Price:Starting at $1,899, this laptop sits in the premium segment, but the high-quality construction, versatile design, and included stylus help justify the cost.
Good with 1 screen only
Read More: HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) review
★★★★
| Attributes | Notes | Rating || --- | --- | --- || Price | Premium but justified | ★★★★ || Design | Elegant and practical | ★★★★★ || Performance | Strong CPU, limited GPU | ★★★★ || Battery life | Above average | ★★★★ |
"How is it possible not to adore such a mad, brilliant piece of PC engineering? Two OLED screens and a wireless keyboard that can be put together in a way that resembles a traditional laptop, then unfurled into a glorious portable workstation with enough screen space to run multiple apps at once."
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The Best Dual-Screen Laptop for Drawing
07. Asus ZenBook Duo (2025)
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Reasons to Buy
- You want cutting-edge tech: Two 14-inch OLEDs provide exceptional flexibility for drawing.
- You need a versatile setup: Arrow Lake CPU and Wi-Fi 7 provide future-proof performance.
Reasons to Avoid
- You need dedicated graphics: The integrated Intel Arc graphics remain a limitation for demanding creative work.
- You're looking for value: The premium dual-screen design commands a significant price.
🔎 The ASUS ZenBook Duo (2025) is a unique, dual-screen wonder that builds on its predecessor with upgraded internals, though it's still held back by the lack of dedicated graphics. ★★★★★1⁄2
What You Need to Know:The ASUS ZenBook Duo (2025) boasts an innovative dual-screen concept, featuring two 14-inch OLED touchscreens that can be arranged in multiple configurations. The included ASUS Pen 2.0 stylus offers excellent sensitivity with interchangeable tips for different drawing experiences, making it ideal for digital artists and designers.
Design:In this latest version, ASUS maintains the groundbreaking form factor that transforms from standard laptop to dual-screen workstation. The built-in stand provides multiple viewing angles, while the detachable wireless keyboard offers flexible workspace arrangements. At 1.65kg, it's remarkably portable considering its dual-screen capabilities and robust build quality.
Connectivity:Port selection includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Wireless connectivity has been upgraded to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, with the detachable keyboard functioning wirelessly when removed from the base.
Display:Both 14-inch OLED touchscreens deliver 2880 x 1800 resolution with 120Hz refresh rates. Color reproduction is excellent (98% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB), with measured brightness of 366 nits. While slightly reflective in bright conditions, these displays provide exceptional clarity and vibrancy for creative work.
Performance:The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor with 32GB LPDDR5X RAM delivers impressive CPU performance, with a Geekbench 6 multicore score of 16,052. However, the reliance on integrated Intel Arc graphics continues to limit performance in GPU-intensive applications, making this less suitable for high-end video editing or 3D rendering.
Battery life:Single-screen usage provides over 10 hours of battery life, though using both screens will significantly reduce this duration. Artists should plan to work near power sources when using both displays for extended periods.
Price:Starting at $1,799 / £2,099, this remains a premium device with a price tag to match. The innovative dual-screen design and upgraded internals help justify the cost, but the continued lack of dedicated graphics may disappoint some creative professionals.
Read More: ASUS ZenBook Duo (2025) review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating || --- | --- | --- || Price | Premium pricing | ★★★★ || Design | Revolutionary dual-screen setup | ★★★★★ || Performance | Strong CPU, limited GPU | ★★★★ || Battery life | Good with 1 screen only | ★★★★ |
"How is it possible not to adore such a mad, brilliant piece of PC engineering? Two OLED screens and a wireless keyboard that can be put together in a way that resembles a traditional laptop, then unfurled into a glorious portable workstation with enough screen space to run multiple apps at once."
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Also Tested
Huawei Matebook X Pro- The Huawei Matebook X Pro is a powerful laptop that can handle even the most demanding creative software. It looks gorgeous and the OLED touchscreen is a delight. The only downsides are the lack of ports, the high price, and the fact that all that power might be overkill if you just want a laptop for drawing.
Read our 4.5-star review.
What We Look for in the Best Laptop for Drawing
When we're on the hunt for laptops for drawing, we're primarily interested in 2-in-1 laptop/tablets. We scrutinize these machines to ensure a fantastic touchscreen experience, fantastic OLED or high-spec screens capable of displaying your artwork with high color accuracy, and the inclusion of a stylus.
Obviously, you won't be able to draw without a suitable stylus, and whether or not one is included in the laptop's cost is another variable to consider when making your decision.
Elsewhere, we test each machine to evaluate its performance regarding various programs like Photoshop or Illustrator. We push these machines to their limits with multiple applications running to see how they fare in real project scenarios. Power, speed, portability, and how the laptop feels in use are all variables we consider in our reviewing process. In addition, each laptop we recommend for drawing has to have a good screen that's comfortable for extended periods.
How to Choose the Best Laptop for Drawing
We've done the heavy lifting for you with our top picks, but there are a few factors you might want to consider when making your decision. Your budget is probably the most obvious variable – which is why we've included products at a variety of price points. For example, the powerful Surface Laptop Studio is obviously a very different price point than the more affordable (but less powerful) Acer Spin Chromebook 514.
The right choice for you depends on how much you'll use it for drawing compared to other tasks, and how portable you want your laptop to be. For example, the HP Spectre x360 has a lovely large 16-inch OLED screen; a great canvas for drawing. But its size makes it physically larger than other options on our list (you can also go for the 14-inch version).
In our opinion, it's crucial to have a flippable laptop that can also be used as a tablet because drawing on an upright screen just isn't comfortable and won't allow you to fully exploit your art.
Battery requirements depend heavily on your workflow – if you're often away from a power outlet for extended periods, you'll need a laptop with excellent battery life. If you can compromise on battery life, you might get more power out of a machine with a shorter battery life but more processing power.
Screen
You'll want a high-brightness, sharp screen. For an IPS display, this means anything over 400 nits, or an OLED screen.
A touchscreen is a must when choosing a laptop for drawing so you can draw directly onto the screen. Artists will especially appreciate laptops that can be turned into tablets fully by spinning or sliding into place. The question of whether or not the stylus is included is another important variable to consider when making a decision.
Power
To future-proof your laptop, you'll want 16GB of RAM for most activities. But if you only dabble in digital art and drawing, you might be able to get away with 8GB. We wouldn't recommend anything less unless you're working on the cloud – but Chromebooks are unlikely to have good screens for the job anyway.
For CPU power, machines like the ASUS PZ13 have more than enough power, with Geekbench CPU tests clocking in at 11,000+. Anything with an Intel Core Ultra, the new Snapdragon X, or a new-gen AMD processor will do nicely for quite some time, and last-gen processors that score over, say 9000, on Geekbench (with the required screen specs of course) will serve you well too.
How We Tested the Best Laptops for Drawing
Every laptop in our guide has been tested by a Creative Bloq hardware expert, and every laptop we include as a top draw choice for drawing is tested using drawing and artworking software. We run different benchmark tests on each device we get depending on their intended use by their makers, but the laptops we've included in this particular guide have all been run through the following:
• Cinebench R23/2024 - this benchmark tests the performance of a computer's CPU and GPU using real-world 3D rendering tasks.
• Geekbench 5/6 - this benchmark tests a laptop's CPU performance by using a single core for a single task, testing multicore performance by pushing all laptop cores at the same time.
• PCMark 10 - this benchmark tests a laptop's ability to run everyday tasks, assessing app launch speeds, running drawing and animation software, performing 3D rendering, and testing battery life.
But perhaps more importantly than technical benchmarking, we evaluate machines in real-world scenarios, pushing them to their limits with multiple applications running to see how they perform in real project-like conditions. Power, speed, portability, and what a laptop looks and feels like are all variables in our reviewing process.
In addition, every laptop we recommend for drawing has been through extensive hands-on testing by our experts in the art and design field. Each laptop has been put through strenuous drawing sessions using drawing and artworking software, and its screen's ability to display colors accurately and with high vibrancy has been closely scrutinized.
For more details on how we test computers, please refer to our article on How We Test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use a touchscreen laptop for drawing?
A touchscreen laptop offers multiple benefits for drawing, starting with an intuitive way to use drawing and artworking software. It also provides a more natural drawing experience, eliminating the need to use a mouse or other external device for input. The touchscreen also enables you to make quick edits, zoom in and out, and switch between tools with ease, speeding up your workflow and allowing you to create more effectively.
Do I need a hybrid laptop for drawing?
While a hybrid laptop/tablet isn't strictly necessary for drawing, it offers several benefits over a traditional laptop. The flexibility of being able to switch seamlessly between laptop and tablet modes makes it easier to work on-the-go, in various environments, and to collaborate with others. In addition, tablets tend to be more portable and ergonomic than laptops, which can help reduce strain and improve comfort during long drawing sessions.
What are the cons of using a hybrid laptop for drawing?
While there are many benefits to using a hybrid laptop for drawing, there may also be some drawbacks. The additional ports and connectivity options offered by traditional laptops may be missing from a hybrid laptop, which could limit your ability to connect external devices or use peripherals. In addition, the size and weight of hybrid laptops can be larger and heavier than traditional laptops, making them less portable for some users.
Ultimately, the choice of which type of laptop to use for drawing depends on your personal needs, preferences, and workload. To find the best laptop for drawing, it's important to evaluate your specific needs – including budget, preferred form factor, and desired features – and choose a laptop that meets those needs while providing excellent performance for drawing and artworking tasks.
- The laptops offered in this list are designed for artists, with screen quality, color accuracy, resolution, and responsiveness being key factors considered.
- The ASUS ProArt PZ13 is our top pick overall for drawing and digital art, offering a stunning screen and excellent battery life.
- The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is our top premium recommendation, boasting a versatile design and a brilliant screen, though battery life may be a concern.
- The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 is a budget-friendly option, offering superb value for money and a glorious screen, though it runs on ChromeOS and cannot run professional creative software.
- The Surface Pro 9 is the most portable option, delivering a fully-fledged Windows 11 experience while offering added portability – and an optional keyboard for added versatility.
- The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) has a truly stunning screen with a 3K OLED touchscreen display, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 100% sRGB color gamut, and 1.07 billion colors.
- The HP Spectre x360 offers a brilliant screen and is highly responsive with 8.5 hours of battery life, though it may struggle with heavier workflows.
- In need of some creative inspiration? Check out our pick of the digital artists you must know.
- Other useful creative software in your digital art workflow could include Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketch, or animation software.
- If you don't really need a keyboard, you might consider exploring our guide to the best drawing tablets instead.
- In search of the ultimate laptop for sports-inspired art, particularly football, look for a machine with strong performance and a high-quality screen for capturing vibrant colors and detailed graphics.
