More often, when people think of drawing tools, a drawing tablet, a pen, and paper come to mind first. Laptops are effective drawing tools for graphic designers, artists, and even architects.
With the growth in technology and changes in the field, you can purchase a touchscreen laptop and a stylus pen to aid in drawing.
This guide will give information on some things to consider when shopping for a drawing laptop and recommends the three best drawing laptops in the market.
Top 7 Laptops for Drawing Comparison Table
| Image | Name | Screen Size | Weight | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 1. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | 12.3 inches | 1.70 lbs | 4.4 |
  | 2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 | 13.5 inches | 5 lbs | 4.6 |
  | 3. HP Envy X360 | 15.6 inches | 6.60 lbs | 4.5 |
  | 4. Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop | 14 inches | 3.52 lbs | 4.5 |
  | 5. HP Pavilion x360 14 Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop | 14 inches | 3.50 lbs | 4.7 |
  | 6. Acer Spin 5 Convertible Laptop | 13.5 inches | 2.60 lbs | 4.5 |
  | 7. Acer Spin 3 Convertible Laptop | 14 inches | 5.50 lbs | 4.4 |
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Drawing Laptop
The digital world is becoming more confusing with the high specs and many zeros in the price tag. This is why people have switched from manual sketching to digital drawing using laptops. However, while many will consider using a tablet for drawing, laptops with drawing features have proved practical in getting digital artwork done.
Nonetheless, the issue is that few drawing laptop models are on the market. Countless models are designed to accommodate comic artists, creative professionals, and graphic designers.
All you need to know is how to point them out. When you are ready to buy a drawing laptop, consider the following things.
Display
The screen is important because it is like a gate that lets you see how your work is going. It is, therefore, your responsibility to choose a screen that will do justice to your work. Look at the size, its resolution, and the type of panel.
Size and resolution will tell how sharp and clear the images will look. The screen sizes range from 11 to 18 inches. You can pick any laptop within the 13 to 15 inches range because they are ideal for this job.
On the other hand, screen resolution is the number of pixels your screen will display. A bigger screen will require more pixels and vice versa. However, we recommend you go for 1920 by 1080 pixels if your screen size is 13 inches.
Panel type is also important because it determines the accuracy of color and how you view your screen from different angles.
There are three-panel types: twisted nematic, vertical alignment, and In-plane switching. For artists, always go for the In-panel switching because it brings out accurate colors and does not take much of the screen.
Touchscreen
Drawing can be done with a mouse or a stylus on the touchpad. However, with a touchscreen, you can finish the work faster. If you go for a touchscreen, buy a two-in-one laptop since this will enable you to use it without a keyboard.
Pen
A drawing pen helps you control the drawing line, provided you know how to use it. Look for drawing laptops with a pen or support using a stylus pen. I recommend the option with a pen; if not, ensure that the pen you purchase is compatible with the device.
Performance
The laptop’s CPU determines performance, and it also controls the prices of the devices. Drawing is unlike video editing or content creation; going with a high-end CPU is always essential. Low-end CPUs are slow and cause lags, thus interrupting your work, which is why they are not ideal.
Make sure to have these two things in mind when choosing a processor, the speed and the number of cores.
The clock speed allows you to interact with one program faster, and the core determines the speed at which the device will run multiple programs. You can try the Intel Core i5 because this will allow you to run programs like Procreate, and Photoshop, among others, comfortably.
Hard Drive and RAM
RAM is the laptop’s storage capacity and determines how the laptop runs multiple tasks smoothly. On the other hand, the hard drive is the laptop’s permanent storage.
Both RAM and hard drive determine the speed of the laptop. A minimum of 8GB RAM can work perfectly, but you can go for 16 or 32 GB if your budget is high.
If you want a quality hard drive, go for an HDD or an SSD. HDD will give you much space, while the SSD delivers good performance. It is upon you to choose the one that will suit your needs.
Operating System
There are two options to go for: Windows or macOS. Most people love Windows because it is affordable, rich in features, and used by many brands. Others like the macOS because of the quality of its display and the smooth performance.
However, the price is high compared to Windows. Both options are great, except that macOS does not support a touchscreen, which can be a turn-off for most artists. It is up to you to choose the one that you feel will get the job done.
Graphics
This is more helpful for digital designers and those working in 3D modeling. One should consider getting a high-end GPU to get their jobs done quickly.
Top 3 Best Drawing Laptop Reviews
1. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Microsoft is a common name for buyers looking to buy drawing laptops. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is versatile, and its utility comes in studio mode, tablet mode, and view mode.
When drawing something with this laptop, use the touch mode. When viewing, you can use tablet mode. The pen is helpful when you are editing your work.
The laptop mode helps in mailing. The device is thin and easy to work with, making it portable.
It uses the 10th core and 8GB RAM for storage and additional 256GB SSD permanent storage. This huge storage allows the user to run executable program applications without experiencing any problems.
2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 2
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 is another good option, and it is known among buyers for various reasons. The laptop has the most powerful CPU, the 8th generation.
It also has an Intel HD graphics coprocessor. This makes it effective to run executable programs and multiple tasks. The storage space is 128 GB to carry all your important files. Regardless of how many tasks you will run on this device, you won’t experience lagging speed.
In addition to the 128 GB storage capacity, the device also has 128 GB SSD permanent storage, which is a good feature. There are also connectivity options, such as the mini display port, the USB 3.0, and the SD card slot. These ports allow the user to connect various devices to the laptop.
The slim design makes it ideal for traveling or moving from one place to another and fits well in a bag.
3. HP Envy X360
This laptop is an Envy series from the HP Company. The HP Envy X360 is known for its fast-speed CPU and powerful GPU. It comes with 8GB DDR4 RAM. As if this is not enough, the laptop also has a 256GB PCIe SSD for storage, making the device perfect for the job because you can store all your important files without slowing down.
The processor and the graphics process enable the user to run animated designs and fast response speed to edit the designs. The Windows 10 operating system home version is available at a relatively low price, meaning it is an affordable laptop.
You can connect third-party devices to this laptop through the built-in FHD webcam. There is also a fantastic backlit keyboard feature that provides the user with an aesthetic look.
The user can draw, sketch and create different designs on this laptop. The battery lasts more than ten hours which is efficient for multiple heavy tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Draw With a Laptop?
Yes, you can draw with a laptop. While most people think of a tablet or a pen and paper when drawing comes up, laptops are also good tools for drawing.
However, not all laptops are powerful to help you create a detailed work of art. This is why you need to find the best laptop, considering various factors such as the processor and storage capacity.
Should I Get a Drawing Pad?
A pad can work perfectly for someone with good eye-hand coordination because it will help make good drawings. So whether you are doing a 2D or 3D drawing, a pad can be a good tool.
Is 8GB RAM Enough for Digital Art?
RAM determines the amount of art you can put on the laptop’s screen before you save it. Usually, 4GB is enough for work that applies light graphics but cannot work effectively with multiple graphic applications running simultaneously.
8GB RAM is perfect for the job, which is why most drawing laptops have this storage capacity.
Can You Use a Laptop for a Drawing Tablet?
Yes, drawing tablets can work perfectly with laptops since most can be hooked to the computer using a USB port. This will depend on the laptop you have.
Others will require you to do driver updates or the installation of extra software to work. Whichever the case, it is possible to use a laptop as a drawing tablet.
How Do You Draw on a Laptop Mouse?
The first thing to do is open a blank page in a program. Then click the brush icon to select how the line should appear. The pencil will help you create thin and hard lines, while the brush will give the lines thickness and other curving effects to the drawing.
Is it Better to Get a Drawing Tablet or Laptop?
Both these drawing tools are effective. However, a drawing tablet does not require special hand-eye coordination, which you must do with a laptop. Also, drawing tablets can work independently without needing a laptop since they have batteries.
Nevertheless, a tablet and a laptop can help you produce quality drawings. They are portable and have durable batteries. This means that it is upon you to pick the tool that you will be comfortable with.
Can I Use a Stylus on my Laptop Touchpad?
Yes, stylus pens are designed to work on a touchscreen touchpad. They are characterized by conductive rubber and slim design to grab with the fingertips easily.
Is it OK to Draw With a Mouse?
Yes, it is OK and possible to draw with a mouse. The hardest part is the time you will use to finish a drawing. Drawing with a mouse is time-consuming, and this is frustrating.
What Apps Do Artists Use to Draw?
Artists use different apps to make their drawings and achieve the desired results. The apps include:
– Procreate
– Adobe Photoshop Sketch
– Adobe Illustrator Draw
– Adobe Fresco
– Inspire Pro
– Pixelmator Pro
Conclusion
If you are looking for a drawing laptop to help you create quality drawings, you must go for a reliable one that can support a heavy application. The market offers various models that are fit for running different drawing applications.
So, you need to find the right one to run drawing-related software well. This is, however, not an easy task, especially if you are a new buyer.
This guide will give you some of the best drawing laptops and the factors to consider before deciding which one to buy.
