3 of the best laptops for drawing

Professional artists and casual drawing enthusiasts alike can create digital masterpieces with the right laptop, with the ability to draw on a touchscreen included in many new machines. At price points ranging from $400 basic models to $2,500 supreme processors, you can find the drawing laptop that’s right for you. Here are seven features to consider when shopping for a drawing laptop.

Graphics processing and memory‌: The laptop’s graphics processing power is extremely important. Art software often needs powerful graphics processors and memory. Look for a computer with at least 8GB of graphics memory for a high-caliber performance level.

RAM‌: Random access memory is another important feature — it holds the large graphics files while you’re working on them. Look for at least 8GB of RAM, though more is better.

Pen compatibility: Make sure the touchscreen 2-in-1 laptop gives users the ability to use a stylus or specialized pen to draw freehand on the screen.

Resolution‌: Go for a laptop with a high-definition screen resolution, which starts at 1920-by-1080 pixels. Many of the best laptops for drawing have even higher screen resolutions.

Battery life‌: A laptop with 8 hours of battery life or more is best, to allow for uninterrupted drawing time.

CPU‌: The central processing unit is an important feature in every laptop, and especially those using processing-intense art programs. Look for a CPU speed of at least 2 GHz. If you can afford more, higher speeds mean better performance.

Display size‌: Laptop sizes are measured from one corner to the diagonal opposite. A 14- or 15-inch screen is common, but they can range from 10 to 17 inches. The larger the screen, the easier to see the details in what you’re drawing.

Tablet vs. laptop

A tablet and stylus may be a more affordable option. Keep in mind that most tablets aren’t built to run power-hungry graphics software. Laptops usually have better processors and more software.

3 laptops to try‌

The least expensive laptops with a touchscreen for drawing cost $400-$750. Expect to pay anywhere from $750-$2,500 for a laptop with outstanding processing power and a touchscreen. Below are three recommendations to consider:

Microsoft Surface Book 2

This 2-in-1 laptop has the processing power you want in a high-end laptop with a high-quality detachable screen. It’s highly portable, weighing only 4.2 pounds. Its 15-inch screen has better-than-HD resolution. However, it doesn’t come with an HDMI port. Starting at $1,454.99 for 16GB RAM, 256GB memory on Amazon. Pen sold separately.

Microsoft Surface Go

For those who need a drawing laptop that they can carry anywhere, this 1.15-pound, 10-inch laptop is an ideal size, and one of the lowest price points you’ll find in a 2-in-1 laptop. The small screen size gives the display an odd 3:2 aspect ratio. Starting at $549 for 8GB RAM, 128GB memory on Amazon. Pen sold separately.

Samsung Notebook 9 Pro

This machine has more processing power than you might expect for a 2-in-1 laptop in this price range. It offers a high-level graphics processor and a long-lasting but quick-charging battery. The keyboard’s responsiveness is disappointing, so it’s better for artists than for those who need to type a lot. Starting at $1,029.59 for 16GB RAM, 256GB memory on Amazon.

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