Discover the Best laptops for photo editing 2024 here
Perfect performance elegant designs and ultra portability define best laptops for photo editing 2024 . We visited with top models from Apple, Dell, and more personally to learn which laptops would be ideal for designers, photographers and artists.
Should you find yourself working from the house, workplace, studio, or any other location you must have a laptop capable of matching your output. Since who knows when and where inspiration might strike? Although picture editors are not particularly resource-hungry you still need one with sufficient hardware to run programs like Photoshop and Lightroom.
Generally speaking, we advise seeking for minimum requirements of 16GB RAM and 512GB as well as strong color space coverage. There are several of those devices, though, and choosing the correct one might seem difficult.
Our knowledgeable staff has painstakingly tested, examined, and compared a variety of creatively oriented gadgets, including the top photo editing PCs and video editing laptops. We can thus assist you to spot what to avoid and what to seek out for.
To identify the best-rated picture editing laptops, we examined important specs including CPU, GPU, and RAM in tandem with performance testing during our evaluation process.
To identify the ideal mix of power, performance, and portability fit for every photographic project we also compared weight, size, thermal management, screen resolution and color accuracy.
Quick list
- Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
- MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)
- Dell XPS 14
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
- Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8
- Gigabyte Aero 16
- Lenovo ThinkPad P16
- Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
- MSI Creator Z17
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
The most capable MacBook ever
Specifications
CPU: Apple M3 Max
Graphics: Up to Integrated 40-core GPU
RAM: Up to 48GB
Screen Size: 16-inch, 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR show
Storage: Up to 1TB
Reasons to buy
- Incredible performance
- Plays games
- Space Black is a welcome new color
Reasons to Skip
- Very expensive
- Only nine months since last version
Like past generations, you may customize your 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro or M3 Max CPUs and up to 128GB of unified memory but, as you cannot update your laptop later you should make sure you nail your choices before you buy. Naturally this already pricey laptop will cost more the better specs you choose.
Performatively, this is a flawless workstation. Even when editing 4K footage with several 4K and 8K video files the new 16-inch MacBook Pro performed remarkably and could not manage any task during our tests.
Though that’s obviously not a negative thing, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3) does nothing new design-wise. Why play about with such outstanding design? Apple might have included a touchscreen or perhaps revive the Touch Bar but these would merely be tweaks for convenience.
Based on its incredible performance, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3) could challenge several of the top gaming laptops. Though the section of the chassis right above the keyboard did get fairly hot to touch impressively the fans did not get as noisy as other gaming laptops while they did kick in.
MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)
The finest laptop available overall for teachers
Specifications
CPU: Apple M3 chip
RAM: 8GB – 24GB unified memory
Screen Size: 13.6-inch Retina display
Storage: up to 2TB
Reasons to buy
- Great performance
- Very good value
- Stellar battery life
Reasons to Skip
- Base specs are somewhat outdated
- Not a lot of ports
With its stylish, modern form that makes it rather sleek and light weight ideal for on the-go creative the Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024) stands out as the best value laptop for picture editing.
For anyone in need of a strong but portable editing tool, its improved mobility is essential. Reduced bezels allow the MacBook Air to present a bigger brighter, more vivid display hence improving photo editing chores without compromising the laptop’s small form.
With quick boot times and flawless application performance the MacBook Air (M3, 2024) performs performance-wise above expectations therefore meeting the demanding needs of picture editing software.
More importantly the MacBook Air boasts up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge, allowing continuous photo editing sessions much beyond the usual business day and even during long trips.
Along with its intriguing display this mix of mobility robust performance and long-lasting battery life sets the MacBook Air (M3, 2024) as the finest value laptop for picture editing on the market.
Dell XPS 14
The first pick for Windows users
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5
Screen Size: Up to 14.5-inch 3.2K OLED touchscreen
Storage: Up to 4TB
Reasons to buy
- Powerful new processor
- Stunning 3.2k OLED
- Keeps its own against the 14-inch MacBook Pro
Reasons to Skip
- Gets expensive quickly
- Touch bar and trackpad are accessibility challenges
With unmatched capabilities beginning at $1,499, the Dell XPS 14 sets itself out as the best Windows laptop for picture editing among the praised XPS family. All housed within a superbly built body that sets a new benchmark in laptop aesthetics it boasts a modern processor and the option for an amazing 3.2K OLED display.
Although the base model might call for improvements including the dedicated Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 coverage, these additions albeit more expensive ensure that the laptop stays cutting edge for years.
Among its successors the XPS 14 has various design innovations including better top mounted speakers that provide enhanced audio quality without compromising keyboard space. Its tiny bezels not only complement its elegant form but also include a 1080p webcam, hence improving its usefulness for photo editors.
Photo editing professionals looking for a dependable high-performance and fashionable Windows laptop will find this laptop the perfect fit for their needs thanks to its strong performance, arresting design and portability.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
Strong enough for designing and creative processes
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i7
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
RAM: 64GB
Screen Size: 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow (2400 x 1600)
Storage: 1TB
Reasons to buy
- Foldable sketching screen
- Discrete gaming graphics
- Onboard AI acceleration
Reasons to Skip
- Expensive
- Lighter alternatives
- No stylus included
For those who can afford this business laptop, the special touch features of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 complement the more potent Intel 13th Gen and Nvidia 40 series components to guarantee no hardware restrictions to your creativity.
For a Windows 11 creative workstation, battery life is fair six hours and forty seven minutes for light work. The revised CPUs will provide sufficient power and have a few minor conveniences including microSD card reader and USB Type A socket.
Its screen is the hero in this story. At a 2400 x 1600 pixel resolution Microsoft is leveraging the same PixelSense Flow display it employed on previous models. For anyone wishing to use it to jot notes for meetings or create using a pen it is an amazing piece of technology that can fold totally back on itself to provide a terrific drawing experience.
Choose the setup including an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU if you are ready to pay a little extra. Though some of that is attributable to the additional RAM and storage allocation which will benefit professional applications it is far less than the 4050 model.
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8
The best 2-in-1 laptop for photo editing
Specifications
CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1360P
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
Screen Size: With 100% DCI-P3, VESA Certified DisplayHDR True Black 500, Dolby Vision, up to 14-inch 3840 x 2400 400-nit OLED touchscreen
Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
Reasons to buy
- Absolutely stunning design
- Gorgeous display
- Great battery life and performance
Reasons to Skip
- Too expensive for most people
- Display averages at 350 nits
With its fast speed and quality features at a value beyond its well-known rivals, Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 reigns supreme as the ultimate 2 in 1 laptop for picture editing, so highlighting Lenovo’s ingenuity.
Perfect for thorough photo editing chores this model enthralls with its OLED display (encompassing 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut) that shows outstanding picture quality.
Particularly in creative endeavors the Yoga 9i Gen beats rivals such as the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 in performance standards. Its speed in processing and exporting a large number of high-quality photographs from Adobe Lightroom shows its ability to manage difficult photo editing requirements.
Another benefit is battery life; the gadget runs over 10 hours on a single charge during web browsing testing therefore guaranteeing extended production periods for photo editors.
Though the OLED screen’s brightness might not meet every expectation at roughly 350 nits its vibrancy and touch responsiveness are unquestionable and offer a simple and exciting editing experience.
Offering creative professionals a flexible tool that excels in realizing their artistic vision this mix of performance, portability, and precision establishes the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 as the finest 2 in 1 laptop for photo editing on the market.
Gigabyte Aero 16
Designed for artists and creatives
Specifications
CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i9
Graphics: 8GB GDDR6 GPU from Nvidia GeForce RTXTM 4070 Laptop
RAM: Up to 64GB
Screen Size: 16-inch, 4K UHD+ 3840×2400, OLED, 16:10
Storage: Up to 4TB
Reasons to buy
- Fantastic overall power
- High-quality OLED screen with 16:10 aspect ratio
- Great aesthetic look
- Intuitive keyboard
Reasons to Skip
- Odd port placement
- Battery life could be better
Specifically created as a video and photo editing laptop for creatives, the Gigabytes Aero line.
First impressions really are excellent. a straightforward, cleanly designed metal frame. an exact, tactile keyboard. A startling 16:10 4K OLED display with lots of space to explore with images. Given its scale this laptop is shockingly lightweight for photographers.
No less amazing is under the hood. Along with up to 4TB SSD storage and up to 64GB RAM, you will discover an RTX 4070 GPU. You will need it since the computer runs on a 13th-generation Intel Core i9 CPU.
Examining the gadget we discovered the Aero 16 easily and silently handled basic documents and online browsing. This laptop even started to spin its i9 when we progressed to photo and video processing.
On the down side, even considering Apple Macs, this is not the most reasonably priced choice available on the market. In our tests the battery ran eight hours and twenty three minutes; honestly we expected more.
And the arrangement of connections to the rear typically connected to mobile workstations took some adjusting. Still performance was good generally getting 7158 on the baseline PCMark test we conducted.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16
For when performance and power rank higher than mobility
Specifications
CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i7 – i9
Graphics: Nvidia RTX A2000 – A4500
RAM: 8GB – 32GB
Screen Size: OLED, Anti-Reflection/Anti-Smudge, Dolby VisionTM, Touch, 100% DCI-P3, 400 nits, 60Hz. Up to 16″ WQUXGA (3840 x 2400).
Storage: 256GB – 512GB
Reasons to buy
- Incredibly powerful
- Durable design and build
- Full keyboard with numpad
- Multi-touch, OLED display
Reasons to Skip
- Very large size
- Expensive compared to some of the competition
Not one to be carried around all day since the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is a large bold mobile workstation much over double the weight of a MacBook Air. But we discovered this one ripped straight through every test we threw at it if you want a powerhouse machine.
While outside the full-sized keyboard with numpad is pleasant to type on the enclosure is robust and seems solid. And the 4K OLED screen is bright and clear even in the middle of the day, we could readily view every location on our screen.
Inside, you will find a huge engine work horse. With the 12th Gen Intel i9 configuration the photo editing laptop displayed a strength for more intricate creative or design projects and processes when tested.
Although it’s not the quickest, it’s close that is, comparable to other devices having scored 7651 on our lengthy PCMark testing.
All things considered, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is robust and suited for demanding creative work 3D modeling and like activities.
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
The top dual-screen laptop for photo-editing
Specifications
Processor: Intel Core i7
Screen size: 2 x 13.3-inch
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB – 1TB
Reasons to buy
- Impressive dual displays
- Multiple modes, plenty of features
Reasons to Skip
- Takes a while to get used to
- Expensive
With OLED panels providing 100% DCI-P3 color coverage for unparalleled visual accuracy the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i sets the benchmark as the best dual screen laptop for photo editing.
Its dual screen capacity presents a breakthrough method of photo editing allowing remarkable multitasking and productivity inside a small and elegant form-fitting design.
This special ability replics a multi-monitor configuration and provides large screen real estate necessary for handling challenging photo editing projects without compromising mobility.
Designed for the demanding requirements of photo editing, the Yoga Book 9i guarantees a range of adjustable configurations so that any user may choose the best one for their workflow.
Driven by an Intel Core i7-1355U CPU, it offers strong performance for fluid application operation so balancing power and efficiency to reduce overheating a common issue with thinner laptops.
The Yoga Book 9i remarkably gets up to 9.5 hours of battery life extendable to over 12 hours with one screen in use despite its twin OLED screens. This lifetime offers extensive photo editing sessions free from regular recharging needs.
Priced at a premium, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i justifies its price with innovative features such its dual-screen design great portability and efficient performance, so benefiting picture editing experts looking for the best dual screen laptop experience.
MSI Creator Z17
A sturdy but portable creative powerhouse
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i9
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
RAM: 64GB
Screen Size: 17.3-inch QHD+
Storage: 2 x 2TB
Reasons to buy
- Excellent build quality
- Great performance
- Beautiful 17-inch screen
Reasons to Skip
- Expensive
- Weak speakers
- Tricky magnet on stylus
A larger, beefier 17 inch laptop the MSI Creator Z17 is a modest vertical side stepper ahead for the creative leaning line of high performance laptops owned by the Taiwanese manufacturer. Though MSI has a heritage in the gaming laptop market, the MSI Creator Z17 approaches creatively first.
This laptop was a delight to use for photo and video editors it also performed rather well on our Puget Bench Photoshop and Premiere Pro benchmark tests. When trying to color in patches or use the healing brush pen performance was rapid as well Photoshop can process high resolution images with several layers and output to many file types swiftly.
When it comes to fan cooling, the Creator Z17 lacks the noise of its predecessor even with the power increase. Be aware that the Dynaudio speakers audio quality suffers from the quieter fans. Though the sonic experience is clear even on the highest volume the volume levels are shockingly low.
The MSI Creator Z17 is clearly costly which is expected of a laptop with such power and adaptability even its lowest configuration starts out more than most casual users would ever dream of spending on a laptop.
FAQS
I want to edit photos; do I need a 4K laptop?
Although it’s not necessary for a photography laptop to have the greatest 4K monitor if it fits your budget it’s a great idea. Regarding photo editing or any other visual creative tool the higher the resolution will help you to view the intricacies in your images and produce more exact designs.
Since 4K screens prices are dropping as well photographers at all phases of their careers will find them more accessible. The finest MacBook Pro laptops in our opinion provide some of the top screens for any kind of content creation if you require a second display there is always the best monitor for photo editing.
What is the ideal screen size for a photo editing laptop?
This will most definitely depend on how portable you wish your machine to be since a larger screen will result in a more pleasing image editing experience but you will need a larger bag to store it in. You will choose a smaller screen if your needs fall more on the bright side of the spectrum.
For the best of all worlds on that front, search for intelligent engineers who can pack a bigger screen in a smaller chassis.
Which GPU should the best photo editing laptops feature?
Usually, your creative job need the best graphics card, thus try to avoid any integrated systems like the Iris Xe. Those seldom if ever, hold a candle to independent GPUs even if they do aid with battery life.
Like everything in computers your machine will be more robust and you will be able to finish tasks faster the more you can pay.
How to choose the best laptop for photo editing
Selecting the best picture editing laptop means negotiating a sea of technical jargon to find important features fit for your creative process.
Whether you’re using Adobe Creative Suite or one of the best Adobe Photoshop alternatives and the best Adobe Lightroom alternatives the specs of your laptop should enable intense photo editing software without compromising speed.
Photo editing laptops require a strong CPU since most photo editing jobs are CPU-intensive unlike graphic design laptops (and usually unlike video editing laptops).
Provided it has a high quality FHD display with great contrast and brightness together with suitable color gamut coverage like DCI-P3 a robust mobile workstation or business laptop can perform really well.
While the GPU might not be as important for photo editing alone it becomes essential for tasks like 3D modeling and running the best video editing software which can occasionally find itself in your workflow when least suspected. RAM is crucial for handling complicated photo editing projects.
Perfect is a color accurate IPS display with wide color gamut great contrast and brightness. Quick file access and plenty of storage depend on fast SSD storage a sufficient number of ports guarantees you can connect all your devices without requiring a separate docking station.
Although photographers love MacBooks for their performance and display quality, Windows laptops provide competitive features and superior upgradability at comparable pricing points.
How we evaluate the greatest laptops for editing photos
We have tested devices designed for many different creative sectors and vocations. This covers the finest laptops for graphic design, authors and music creation as well as other areas.
We evaluate elements including performance, mobility, display type, value for money and general design when we test laptops fit for picture editing.
Particularly on big challenging projects, photo editors sometimes have to be resourceful. We thus use photo editing programs like Adobe Photoshop to observe each’s performance.
Laptops meant for photographers should not have any issue with the industry standard editing tool.
Since creative processes are special, we assess them according to their own merits and degree of fit for their intended users.
For users editing photographs on the fly for instance the Dell XPS 13 will be perfect the 16 inch MacBook Pro is far better suited to individuals who need a creative powerhouse.
Conclusion
- Diverse Options: From the powerhouse MacBook Pro 16-inch to the innovative Lenovo Yoga Book 9i dual-screen laptop, there’s a wide range catering to different creative needs.
- Windows Alternatives: Dell XPS 14 and MSI Creator Z17 provide robust performance and competitive features, offering compelling choices outside of the MacBook ecosystem.
- Key Considerations: Prioritize CPU, GPU, display quality (including color accuracy and resolution), and battery life to match specific workflow demands.
- Portability vs Power: Balance between portability for on-the-go editing and powerful hardware suitable for demanding photo editing tasks.
- Budget and Preferences: Choose based on budget constraints and personal preferences regarding operating systems and design features.
- Future-Proofing: Opt for laptops with upgradable components or sufficient specifications to handle evolving software demands and creative workflows.
