Looking to upgrade your computer? Are you buying a new one to accommodate the Adobe Illustrator specs? Wondering what’s the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator? Read on.
Do you use Adobe Illustrator regularly or are you just getting started with it? Either way, there’s one important thing you need to consider. There are system requirements for Adobe Illustrator. You need to have these essentials in your computer to run this graphic design application at its optimum. While the bare minimum works, it may not give you the best experience.
So what’s the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator? What considerations should you take into account to accommodate the Adobe Illustrator specs?
Admittedly, choosing the best laptop for Illustrator is a daunting task. There are plenty of laptops available today. So in this article, we’ll explore the system requirements for Adobe Illustrator as it relates to today’s laptop selection. This way, we hope to help you answer the question: What’s the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator?
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Best Laptop for Adobe Illustrator – Top Reviews
Now that we’ve covered the system requirements for Adobe Illustrator software for PC, let’s get to the good stuff. Let’s talk about laptops.
Undoubtedly ascertaining what is the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator today can be very challenging. For one, there are many computers to choose from. Each of them is “the best” in their own right, having impressive specs to run at optimal performance for Adobe work.
In no particular order, we’ve listed down computers to choose from. Up to you which of them you deem the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator.
Asus Zenbook UX360CA
Looking for the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator that meets your budget? You’ll love the Asus Zenbook. Its pros include having a touchscreen display that features the color, contrast, and brightness you get from a higher-priced laptop.
When it comes to portability, the Asus Zenbook is lightweight and has an average battery life of six hours. It’s perfect if you’re the on-the-go type of graphic illustrator. Whether you need to go from one office to another work space. Or if you need to go from one client meeting to another. It’s a wonderful travel companion. The downside, however, is that its CPU may not be as fast as you want it. But you can add an external hard drive.
As for its looks, the Asus Zenbook is sleek and slimmer. But don’t let its ultra-thin body fool you. This laptop packs an Intel SkylakeCore M3 processor. And because it has 512 GB of solid state drive, it is very responsive. You can run demanding problems without a hitch. Everything loads smoothly and in a flash. Truly an amazing laptop.
The Asus Zenbook is designed with an anti-glare display. No more distracting glare while you work at a café with the sun’s outside or in the office under bright lights. It also has an ergonomic full-sized keyboard to ensure comfort for hours end.
And did you know this laptop is covered by a one-year international warranty? What’s more, there’s also a one-year accidental damage protection and a 30-day zero bright dot guarantee. Isn’t that wonderful? You are protected against unintentional spills, drops, or electrical surges that can potentially cause serious damage to this laptop.
Should something happen, there’s a free technical support line you can call. It’s available 24/7. And for repairs, there’s a two-way free standard shipping.
Features of Asus Zenbook
- Designed with a 13.3-inch touchscreen display
- Display resolution is 1920 x 1080
- Equipped with a 6th gen Intel Core M3-6Y30 CPU
- Storage is 512 GB solid state drive with 8 GB onboard memory
- First Zenbook that certified with Microsoft Cortana with Voice-Premium
- Windows 10 operating system
- Covered by a one-year international warranty
- Also covered by a one-year ASUS accidental damage protection
Dell XPS9360-1718SLV
What’s the best thing about this Dell computer? Does it possess the system requirements for Adobe Illustrator software for PC? Is it good for the daily commute? Does it have a longer battery life? Would you say its screen makes it the best laptop with integrated graphics? The answer to these questions is a resounding YES!
Dell creates durable and dependable laptops. So when it advertises itself as having these Adobe Illustrator specs, you can bet it’s truly equipped with these features. And to top it all, Dell computers are truly value for money. That’s what this laptop is.
The Dell XPS9360-1718SLV has the attributes of the best laptop for Illustrator. Why? Let’s start with its price. Are you tight on the budget? Or are you simply looking for a cheap Adobe Illustrator laptop/starter kit? This computer is for you.
Like all Dell computers, the XPS9360-1718SLV has an exceptional build quality. Yet it’s lightweight, making it perfect for your daily commute. Weighing only about 3 lbs., and measuring not more than 15 millimeters, this super-slim laptop is exceptionally light. It has the characteristics of a laptop that’s ideal for taking on the road.
However, the drawback is that it has a tendency to run hot. Your option is to get a cooling pad. Another shortcoming is its small storage. It’s a solid storage drive though. You might want to invest in an external drive for more memory storage space.
Features of Dell XPS
- Equipped with a 7th generation Intel Core i5 2.50 GHz processor
- Designed with an 8 GB RAM with 128 GB solid-state drive storage
- 13.3-inch infinity edge touchscreen display
- 1920 x 1080 maximum screen resolution
- Windows 10 operating system
HP Envy 15t
As mentioned, the Dell laptop is an affordable starter kit for those looking to start on graphic designing or illustration. In that respect, it is best laptop for Adobe Illustrator for the budget-conscious.
But if you’re looking to move up into the higher price range, here’s a laptop you might be interested in. Of course, it offers more features and other pros that the Dell laptop doesn’t have. For instance, it has an Intel i7 processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology; Dell has an Intel i5. And this one’s got bigger memory and storage capacity too.
On top of its great processor, this laptop features impressive RAM, SSD, and HDD drives. You can’t ask for more. With the HP Envy, you get 32 GB RAM, 512 GB solid storage drive, and 1 TB hard drive. What’s more, you get a 4K IPS display with a maximum display resolution of 3840 x 2160. You get all that from its 15.6-inch screen with edge-to-edge glass display.
The HP Envy 15t also features the HP Wide Vision HD camera with dual array digital microphone, full-sized island-style keyboard (with backlights), and HP Imagepad with multi-touch gesture support.
Features of HP Envy
- Equipped with an Intel Core i7 processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology
- 15.6-inch screen with edge-to-edge glass display
- 3840 x 2160 maximum display resolution
- 32 GB RAM with 1 TB hard drive and 512 GB solid storage drive
- Full-sized, island-style backlit keyboard
- Bluetooth 4.0 combo
- Other features include HP Wide Vision HD camera and dual array digital microphone
- Windows 10 operating system
DELL XPS 15
Not to sound biased or anything but we love Dell computers. They’re durable and reliable. And the price, they range in amounts that are friendly to a budget-conscious individual. That being said, the brand is up there in the running for best laptop for Adobe Illustrator when it comes to practicality. This model isn’t any different.
The Dell XPS 15 is a wonderful computer. It has the features that meet the system requirements for Adobe Illustrator software for PC. And for the people starting out on graphic designing or illustration, it’s a cheap Adobe Illustrator starter kit. Not too pricey yet having the right features so you can do your work. It’s right on the money.
This laptop has one of the best displays that’s affordable. With a friendly price tag to match, the Dell XPS 15 has a touch screen display with impressive pixel density, contrast, color, and brightness. It also top-notch memory and storage capacity, graphics, and processor. Definitely it’s processor.
Did you know the Dell XPS 15 is equipped with a 6th Generation Intel Skylake Core i7? It has a 16 GB RAM and hard drive size of 512 GB. This laptop runs on Windows 10 operating system.
Let’s talk about its display. It’s gorgeous! The Dell XPS 15 has a virtually borderless screen, maximizing its 15.6-inch display. Its sleek, ultra-thin body measures just 5.7 mm and weighs less than 4 lbs.
Features of Dell XPS 15
- 6th Generation Intel Skylake Core i7-6700HQ Quad Core processor
- 15.6-inch screen with 4K Ultra HD display
- 3840 x 2160 maximum display resolution
- Features InfinityEdge touchscreen display
- Equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M with 2GB GDDR5
- Designed with a 512 GB solid state drive with 16 GB (8 GB x 2) 2133 Mhz DDR4 memory upgrade
- Windows 10 operating system
Microsoft Surface Book
What’s not to like about this laptop? It’s sleek and stylish-looking. And it packs a big punch, bringing out the big guns in the race of being the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator.
The Microsoft Surface Book features a 6th generation Skylake Intel Core i7 processor. Talk about being up-to-date. This dual-core processor has a stock speed of 2.6 GHz and can reach a maximum single-core speed of 3.4 GHz. This laptop also has a dedicated L3 cache and 16 GB of RAM. Isn’t that awesome? With these great features, this product allows multitasking efficiently and quickly.
Looking for a laptop with impressive high-resolution display for a clear viewing experience? You’ll love the Surface Book’s 13.5-inch Pixel Sense display. First off, you get a 3000 x 2000 maximum screen resolution. And it’s got the PixelSense Display with 10-point multi-touch support. To give you the best viewing experience, it also features a calibrated screen that gives true-to-life color, low glare, and high contrast. And did we mention it’s a touchscreen?
For faster Internet connectivity, the Surface Book features the Intel dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi. You get broader coverage, quicker access, and longer battery life compared to other Wi-Fi standards. This model also comes with Bluetooth 4.0.
The Surface Book comes with a Surface Pen. It’s like an actual pen, which gives you a natural feel and the best writing experience. Perfect for graphic designing and illustration. It also offers other uses like marking up your visual presentations and art apps or sign documents.
All these are housed in an ultra-thin, meticulously crafted body that only weighs 3.4 lbs. Truly a representation of the future of laptop technology.
Features of Microsoft Surface Book
- 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display
- 3000 x 2000 maximum display resolution
- Includes a Surface Pen
- Equipped with a 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 Skylake
- Designed with a 16 GB RAM and 1 TB solid state drive
- Features a dedicated NVIDIA GPU and 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0
- Windows 10 operating system
Apple MacBook Pro
No list of contenders for the title of “best laptop for Adobe Illustrator” is complete without the MacBook Pro. We only hope we didn’t come across as biased with that statement. But it’s undeniable that Apple always had this impressive reputation in the graphics world. And the MacBook Pro isn’t any different. This laptop model definitely won’t disappoint any graphic designer or illustrator.
MacBook Pro has one of the best, if not the best, displays in the laptop market. Great display quality, even better viewing experience. It’s remarkably colorful and bright considering all of that is housed in a lighter and thinner body. This laptop model is much faster and more powerful than ever.
As a bonus, this MacBook Pro version has the Touch Bar. It’s a revolutionary addition to an already awesome laptop. The Touch Bar is an enabled strip of glass—a multi-touch bar incorporated near the hinge, delineating the keyboard and the base of the display. This innovation allows instant access to what you need when you need it. Truly another groundbreaking idea from one of the leading laptop technology creators.
The MacBook Pro is a quiet machine that doesn’t overheat during prolonged use or under stress. And it has a long-lasting battery life at 10 hours. And did we mention it’s lightweight too? Perfect for taking on the road—to the office, to the café, or your next meeting.
Of course, like all Apple products, the MacBook Pro carries a higher price. That may be its downside. Other than that, it’s an awesome piece of technology. It’s a great laptop that’s worth its price, that’s all we could say.
Features of Apple MacBook Pro
- 15.4-inch screen with a maximum display resolution of 2880 x 1800
- Powered by a 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7
- Features a 16 GB RAM and 512 GB solid-state drive with a memory speed of 2133 MHz
- Equipped with an Intel HD Graphics 530 graphics compressor
- Wireless connectivity technology includes 802.11B, 802.11G, and 802.11n
- Average battery life of 10 hours
- Weighs about 4 lbs.
- Mac OS Sierra operating system
System Requirements for Adobe Illustrator
If you’re looking to get the Adobe Illustrator software for PC, you need to look for a laptop that meets certain system requirements. Among these requirements include performance, portability, and quality. Let’s discuss each.
Performance
The Adobe Illustrator software for PC takes up a lot of space on your computer’s memory, storage, and processor. When there isn’t enough, it results in your computer’s slow performance. Thus, if you want to get work done fast, you need to have the right Adobe Illustrator specs.
There are 3 components that have a direct correlation with a laptop’s performance.
Processor
For the processor, it is highly recommended that you get a laptop with an Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64 processor or higher. Take note, that there are only the bare minimum system requirements for Adobe Illustrator. For optimum performance and computer speed, get a laptop that has a higher-version processor.
Why is it important to get a higher-version processor? This vital component is responsible for processing all the tasks performed by your laptop. Think of it as the computer’s brain. The higher the processor’s version, the more capable it is of performing its tasks, and at better efficiency at that.
Currently, the best processor to have is any of the Intel i5 or i7 series. By getting these Adobe Illustrator specs, the graphic design applications won’t lag or freeze.
Memory
One of the crucial system requirements for Adobe Illustrator is memory. It is where the processor stores data, which will be accessed later. The bigger the memory capacity, the better. The recommended memory capacity is 2 to 3 GB of RAM. However, most graphic designers or illustrators will say the bare minimum is 4 GB. But for the best experience, go for at least 8 GB of RAM.
Storage
The conventional storage stage is the hard disk drive (HDD). In this respect, speed is measured by how fast the disk is able to retrieve the data. When the memory space is full, the computer takes longer to get the information from the RAM. This is why, you need an upgraded, bigger memory capacity, among other Adobe Illustrator specs, for a smooth and efficient operation.
For your computer’s HDD, you need at least 7200 RPM. If you require more memory storage, you can always get an external hard drive.
Portability
Are you always on the go? Do you regularly hop from one client meeting to the next? Do you often go from one workspace to another? Then you require a portable computer.
Portability is a crucial characteristic to consider when you’re searching for the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator. When looking for a laptop, check for its power, design, weight, and reliability. Does it have a longer battery life? Does it have a sleek design? Is it lightweight? Is it durable?
If you expect to use your laptop in one place most of the time, these portability concerns may not mean much to you. But if you need to take it out or move around with it often, these are critical Adobe Illustrator specs that you need to take into account.
Take battery life for instance. If you need to go out of your office or usual workspace, it’s highly likely that you won’t have easy access to power. Thus, it is important to look for a laptop with longer battery life.
Quality
To get the best visual experience with your laptop, you need an upgraded version for your display and graphics card.
The higher the display resolution, the sharper and more detailed the display. So the Adobe Illustrator specs for the display must be at least 1024 x 768. However, many graphic illustrators recommend getting the 1280 x 800 resolution. If you have HiDPI, the ideal resolution, however, is at least 1920 x 1080. That’s because HiDPI gives you twice the number of screen pixels.
On the other hand, a good starting point for your graphics card is the NVIDIA GEForce GTX 9xx series. However, the NVIDIA GTX 1060 can give you a wonderful visual experience when you want a good laptop for working with gaming or video. Other graphics card recommendations include the Intel HD Graphics 4600 Series and the AMD series.
Best Laptop for Adobe Illustrator – Conclusion
Are you a budding graphic designer or illustrator and perhaps you’re looking for a cheap Adobe Illustrator laptop as your starter kit? Or are you more inclined to a laptop that’s got more than enough to meet the Adobe Illustrator specs?
We hope this article gave you all the information you need so you can make a well-informed decision on what is, for you, the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator.
Did you see what you particularly liked? Did we miss a laptop you fancied? Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions on our website. Be sure to visit our other help guides on anything Adobe, Photoshop, graphic designing, and illustration.
