Laptop vs. Desktop: Which is Better for Graphic Design?


Mac advantages are that their displays tend to be very color accurate with good display quality. Because Macs have dominated the graphic design world for a long time, there is some specialized graphic design software created only for iOS. This is steadily becoming less true, however, as PCs ramp up their graphic-design friendliness. PC advantages include the ability to run more general software, an advantage if you will also be using your laptop for business or personal work. Lately, Apple® has been removing ports from their devices. This gives the products a sleek, streamlined look, but can be frustrating when plugging in multiple accessories. PCs are more upgradeable than Macs, with the ability to initially configure or upgrade more components. This ability can enable you to upgrade only an outdated or failing component, without replacing the entire laptop.  


What you are doing with your computer makes a difference in deciding between a laptop and a desktop. All computer components give off heat as they operate, and heat dissipation is more difficult in laptops. As a result, laptop components don't run as fast as desktop components in an effort to prevent heat being created. For example, laptop CPUs (processors) typically have 50-60% of the performance of desktop CPUs. Generally, desktop computers can be upgraded with more RAM, as they have more slots available. If you have a dedicated GPU (graphics card), laptop GPUs have a speed 70-80% of desktop GPUs. Desktop GPUs are generally of higher quality, as well.

The next question to ask is if you always need desktop-level performance from your graphic design computer. You will generally notice the CPU and GPU slow downs only when rendering or editing video or processing photos.   

Graphics processing unit (GPU)

Desktop computers also usually come with more memory (RAM) slots available. Usually these slots are not filled, but it's easy to add more memory. You can also upgrade the memory in a laptop computer, but a laptop typically doesn't have as many available slots.

Find out how much RAM you really need for common graphic design software.


Desktop and laptop components have comparable robustness. However, it is easier to swap out components in a desktop if one part is failing or is no longer adequate. Desktops also have more configuration options available without having to customize or change out parts yourself.

Monitors can be an issue with durability. Desktops allow you to choose the size of your monitor and swap it out for another one. Laptop monitor size is limited by the size of the laptop, although you can attach an external monitor if you're not traveling.

Generally, laptops are configured with solid state drives (SSDs), which are more durable in a computer that could be dropped or bumped, but there are other advantages to SSDs. Desktop computers can be configured with either kind of storage drive and can be upgraded after the fact.

Find out what the SSD advantages are.

Crucial solid state drive


The most important difference between desktops and laptops is the portability of laptops. If you travel between sites or clients, and need to bring your work with you, a laptop is your only choice. If your budget permits, you can have the best of both worlds and have both a desktop and a laptop. 

Other options

If your budget won't allow a desktop and a laptop, there are other options. 

If you need the portability of a laptop but also need more storage space than the laptop will allow, you can attach an external storage drive to your laptop to store files you access less frequently.  


An external hard drive

If you need portability, but only for one or two files at a time, there are tablet and notebook computers that can handle a limited number of larger files, sometimes only for viewing. Some tablets also have the ability to run drawing software. How you use your computer, how hard you use your computer, and where you use your computer, along with your budget, will dictate whether you need a desktop or a laptop for graphic design.

Which desktop to choose for Graphic Design



Which CPU?


Read more about integrated and discrete graphics cards.

How much memory?

The computer uses memory, also known as RAM (random access memory), to call up information on the fly and to display the file you're currently working on. If you work with very large files such as video clips, or if you typically have multiple software programs open at the same time, more memory will help you switch between programs and display complex files. Get as much RAM as possible in your computer. If the configurations offered do not include enough memory, it's easy to buy and install more memory.

Find out more about recommended memory amounts for graphic design software.

Which display?



Which laptop to choose for Graphic Design?

Before getting too far in the decision-making process, consider the kind of work you do and your budget. If you do complex 3D work you will need to be on the upper end of all the specifications. If your work is mostly 2D, you can be at the mid to low end of the range. Looking for a laptop to use for graphic design can be a challenge, and different than purchasing a laptop for general use or gaming. You want a laptop that's light enough to be portable but powerful enough to do complicated work. 

The most important specs to look at for graphic design are the operating system, CPU, the memory or RAM, the storage drive, the display type and size, and color accuracy. 







Learn more about how much RAM you need.  

Storage drive


Learn more about SSDs and HDDs.

Display type and size



If you do choose to use a pen as an alternate input device, look around at the one you like the best. That might dictate the laptop you buy. There are no bad pens, just different.

Color accuracy



Use this information with the knowledge of what kind of programs you'll be running, what general business applications you need to use, what kind of compatibility with your clients' systems you need, and what your budget is to find the best graphic design computer for you. Which laptop or desktop is best for graphic design, depends on what you do, design-wise, what your budget is, and what applications you run. There are a lot of good computers out there for graphic design, it's just a question of finding the one that's right for you. 
