We get it, you love moving around with something as light as a laptop, but you also need the power of Photoshop to work on projects while on the move. Therefore, it is necessary you have an effective, efficient, and affordable laptop. Truth be told, finding the right laptop is no piece of cake.
Best Budget Laptops For Photoshop & Photo Editing
We have conducted in-depth research and have identified the 10 best budget laptops for Photoshop for you to choose from
Our Top Picks
Image | Product | Ratings | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Acer Aspire 5 | 8.5/10 Best Value Laptop | Check Price | |
Lenovo Flex 5 | 8/10 Best Convertible Laptop | Check Price | |
Microsoft Surface 3 | 9/10 Best Performance Laptop | Check Price |
Best Budget Laptops For Photoshop
- Acer Aspire 5
- Samsung Chromebook Pro
- Lenovo Flex 5
- Acer Chromebook 714
- Acer Swift 3
- Microsoft Surface 3
- LG Gram
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1
- ASUS VivoBook S
- Acer Aspire E
Acer Aspire 5
Key Specifications:
- AMD Ryzen 3 3000-series CPU
- 4 GB DDR4 RAM
- 128 GB SSD
- 15.6 inches full HD LED IPS display
- AMD Radeon Vega 3 graphics
- 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 HDMI port, and HDCP support
- 7.5 hour battery life.
Why We Like It:
This amazing notebook by Acer is one of the best laptops for Photoshop for a number of reasons. The most enticing thing about this laptop is the price that it is offered at.
You get a high quality laptop that offers nearly every feature you need in order to smoothly run Photoshop in, at a very affordable price.
In terms of features and specifications, the CPU and GPU catches our eyes. You get a powerful AMD Ryzen 3 CPU along with an AMD Radeon Vega 3 graphics chipset which is great for using Photoshop in high resolutions.
The display is great too! You get a 15.6 inch full HD display which ensures vibrant colors and provides a very immersive experience to the professional Photoshop manipulators.
The only downsides to this laptop are the RAM and storage. You only get a 4 GB RAM and a 128 GB SSD. But at the price that you are getting this, we suppose it is worth it.
Pros
- Great CPU
- Amazing GPU
- Vibrant display
- Affordable.
Cons
- Not enough RAM and storage.
Samsung Chromebook Pro
Key Specifications:
- Intel Core m3-6Y30
- 4 GB RAM
- USB Type-C, 3.5 mm audio jack
- 12.3 inch Full HD touch screen display
- 32 GB flash storage
- Samsung Pen stylus
Why We Like It:
Coming at a sleek modern design, the Samsung Chromebook Pro is definitely one of our top picks for best laptops for Photoshop. Why you may ask? Well it’s mostly cause of the amazingly crisp display that you get from this amazing laptop.
The Samsung Chromebook Pro’s display is by far one of the best displays in a budget laptop, and is perfect for editing photos on Photoshop with perfect colors. Besides this, the laptop comes with some satisfactory features.
The Samsung Chromebook Pro comes with an Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor and a 4 GB RAM. The RAM may seem like it is a little low, but for running Photoshop smoothly this should be enough RAM in a laptop.
The best part about this laptop is that it comes with a stylus that allows you to make digital drawings and easily edit your photos as well.
Pros
- Amazing Screen
- Comes with stylus
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Overall specs are low quality
- Would not recommend as all-purpose laptop.
Lenovo Flex 5
Key Specifications:
- AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor with 2.3 GHz speed
- 16 GB RAM
- 256 GB SSD
- 14 inch Full HD IPS touch screen display with 60 Hz refresh rate
- AMD Radeon graphics
- 16 Hour battery life
Why We Like It:
Lenovo never fail to surprise us with their laptops. The IdeaPad series of laptops have introduced some high performing laptops that are offered on a budget. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex is one of such laptops.
The specifications on this amazing laptop impressed us and convinced us to put this laptop on our list. The AMD Ryzen 5 processor is a powerful processor that will make sure your laptop runs smoothly.
The 16 GBs of RAM on this laptop is what impressed us the most. On top of that, it also features AMD Radeon graphics and a 14 inch FHD touch screen display. This will make your photo editing and manipulating experience far better than other options.
This is why we think the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is a great option for laptop on which you will be using Photoshop on.
Pros
- Great performance
- Amazing for the value
- Adequate RAM
- Great display
- Durable
Cons
- A little heavy for the size
Acer Chromebook 714
Key Specifications:
- Intel Core i3-8130U processor
- Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated graphics
- 8 GB RAM
- 64 GB flash storage
- 14 inch FHD display
- 3.3 pounds (lightweight)
Why We Like It:
The Acer Chromebook is a good Chromebook option if you are on a budget and want to buy a good laptop for using Photoshop on. As mentioned before, Acer never fails to deliver performance in their laptops, and this laptop stays true to that claim.
The processor is a decent Intel Core i3 processor, which in our opinion, is good enough for running Photoshop on. The laptop features an Intel HD graphics which is powerful enough to handle Photoshop.
It features an 8 GB RAM for fast performance and enough memory to install other applications. This allows you to run Photoshop smoothly without any lags. Other than that, the full HD display offered by this laptop is decent for editing photos and videos as well. This is why, in our opinion, the Acer Chromebook 714 qualifies for being a great laptop for Photoshop.
Pros
- Decent processor
- Good RAM
- Lightweight design.
Cons
- Not enough storage
Acer Swift 3
Key Specifications:
- 14 inch IPS Full HD display
- 8-Core AMD Ryzen 7 4700 2.0 GHz with boost up to 4.1 GHz
- 8 GB RAM
- 512 GB SSD
- USB- C 3.2 second-gen port, USB 3.2 first gen port, USB 2.0, HDMI, 3.5 mm audio jack
- Fingerprint scanner (Windows Hello)
Why We Like It:
Acer is known for building impressive laptops on a budget. The reason we think this laptop qualifies for being one of the best laptops for Photoshop is cause of the impressive features it provides under $700.
The display is great for editing photos and seeing correct colors unlike a lot of budget laptops. You get a good processor and RAM that can handle heavy duty Photoshop manipulation.
The 512 GB SSD is enough space for a laptop that is sure to keep the laptop fast even after being filled up with your huge PSD files. This is one of the reasons we think the Acer Swift 3 is an amazing laptop for Photoshop.
So if you want a budget laptop under $700 and expect good performance while using Photoshop, the Acer Swift 3 should be on your list without a doubt.
Pros
- Great performance
- Adequate ports
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Comes with bloatware
Microsoft Surface 3
Key Specifications
- 10th Generation Ice Lake Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor
- 2256x1504p Microsoft PixelSense Display
- 16GB RAM & 256GB SSD
- Windows Hello sign-in
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Comfortable Keyboard
- The battery runs 11.5 hours on regular use
Why We Like It
This workhorse of a laptop beats the MacBook Pro when it comes to processor-intensive tasks. Lag-free Video-conferencing, working on Office, and spreadsheets are some of the benefits this laptop offers.
However, its’ HD video editing is not of the same standard as the MacBook Pro, Dell Inspiron, as well as ASUS Zenbook, topple Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 in this CPU-based task. But given the impressive 2256x1504p display and the vibrant colors will give you the upper hand when using Photoshop.
The battery performance of this laptop is just right for the price and specification. Moreover, the fast charging feature makes it possible to reach 80% capacity in an hour. Also, Microsoft added a USB C port in this model but Thunderbolt 3 remains absent.
Tip – Showcasing an ultra-slim design, portability of this laptop is certainly a plus. The password-free and quick sign-in by Windows Hello allows you to get started in seconds! If you care about looks, you’ll be happy to know that the Surface Laptop 3 comes in 4 eye-catching colors.
Pros
- Vivid and responsive touchscreen
- Lightweight
Cons
- Average GPU
- No Thunderbolt 3 and fingerprint reader
LG Gram
Key Specifications
- 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G7
- 15.6″ FHD IPS Touch Display (1920×1080)
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Thunderbolt 3
- Windows 10 Home Operating System
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD
- 80WH Lithium Battery
- 3 USB 3.0 ports
Why We Like It
This laptop has a powerful battery life, which can provide 18.5 hours of heavy-duty performance. The 10th gen Iris Plus gives graphics a serious boost unlike the previous models.
Viewing and editing 4K/5K videos will not be an issue as you will be able to enjoy good clarity and color on it’s large 15.6″ display. Needless to say, you will get groundbreaking connection speeds that can go up to 40Gbps with LG Gram 2020’s Thunderbolt 3 inclusion.
Tip – Its military-grade full-metal body will outlive rough day to day use. However, it loses points because of its underperforming CPU. High-end gaming, as well as CPU-intensive tasks such as the Adobe Creative Suite, may not be as hassle-free as users would like. Moreover, the 8GB DDR4 RAM falls short of meeting intensive Photoshop standards. But if you are just starting, LG Gram is a safe choice.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Better GPU
Cons
- Slow programs
- Not good at multitasking
Lenovo ThinkPad X1
Key Specifications
- 8th generation Intel Core i7-8650U Processor
- Screen: 14″ 1920x 1080 FHD Touch screen, 15.95mm narrow-bezel design
- UHD Graphics 620
- 16GB LPDDR3 memory & 512GB SSD for fast launching
- A RapidCharge Lithium Polymer Battery
- A good front camera, fingerprint reader & integrated 360° microphone
Why We Like It
Launch programs and Photoshop tools faster than ever with ThinkPad X1 by Lenovo. It’s equipped with 16 GB LPDDR3 memory alongside a 512 GB solid-state drive that allows a smooth experience. The commendable Intel Thunderbolt 3 technology lets you transfer files up to 40GBs and the 15-hour battery life helps you finish your work in one go! With its far-field 360 degrees microphone, you will be able to enjoy hands-free operation even if you are 13 feet away from the laptop due to the Cortana Premium
This laptop will allow you to enjoy accurate colors, improved brightness & contrast for refined detailing on the graphics. The anti-spoofing technology and ThinkShutter allows you to safeguard your data and privacy. Also, the keyboard is comfortable to use, the reinforced carbon-fiber chassis is slim and durable and if you are running low on charge, the RapidCharge feature helps the battery reach 80% capacity in just an hour which will last a whole day of regular use!
Pros
- Powerful audio performance from its four speakers
- Bright, vibrant display
- Curved keys for comfortable typing
Cons
- Short battery life on the 4k model
- No microSD slot
ASUS VivoBook S
Key Specifications
- 8th generation Intel Core i7-8550U (4.0GHz turbo)
- NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB graphics
- 14″ Full HD NanoEdge 178 degrees wide view display (1920×1080)
- Backlit keyboard & fingerprint sensor
- 7-8 hours battery life
- 256 Solid-state drive and 8 GB memory
Why We Like It
If you are looking for a budget-friendly laptop that stands out of the crowd in terms of looks, display, and graphics, this laptop is the one for you. What we like about it is the sharp detailing on the display made possible by an IPS full high-definition screen. You will be able to enjoy rich colors, good brightness, and saturation for a top-grade Photoshop performance. NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics and 2GB GDDR5-VRAM on the chip hit a striking quality standard that is rare for the price.
Its narrow-bezel design “NanoEdge” packs 14″ into a compact 12″, this great feature offers hassle-free portability and the ASUS Sonic Master delivers a loud sound.
However, the average battery performance and the absence of Thunderbolt 3 for a speedy file transfer between devices are downsides of this laptop.
Tip – The no-touch display may be a negative for some but the dedicated graphics card and RAM helped VivoBook S410UN-NS74 make it on to our list.
Pros
- Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics
- Impressive SSD storage & RAM
Cons
- Average battery life & webcam quality
- No Thunderbolt 3
Acer Aspire E
Key Specifications
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8550U Processor
- 256GB SSD & 8GB Dual Channel Memory
- 15.6″ FHD Widescreen LED Display (1920×1080)
- NVIDIA GeForce MX150 Graphics
- HD Webcam, SD card reader, 2 stereo speakers
- Dedicated 2 GB video memory
Why We Like It
Aspire E15’s bigger screen adds a bit of weight but the streamlined design not only looks high-end but also allows you to carry the laptop comfortably from place to place. If its powerful Intel Core i7-8550U 1.8GHz processor isn’t enough for you, the Turbo Boost Technology extends it up to 4.0GHz allowing for comfortable multitasking without any lag. Sadly, its wide 15.6 inches LED-backlit display is not as vivid as other models with smaller screens.
TheNVIDIA GeForce MX150 Graphics along with discrete 2GB GDDR5 memory will bring out the best of your videos and Photoshop skills.
Its high-quality speakers minimize audio distortion to deliver great bass and overall sound quality, bringing movies and music to life! Also, upgrading the memory and hard drive is made easier with its quick access compartment. Moving on to the battery, Aspire E15 has two whopping 2800 mAh Lithium-ion batteries that keep the laptop alive up to 15 hours on a run.
Pros
- Intel Ultra HD Graphics 620 GPU
- Long battery life
Cons
- Below average hard drive
- Bland webcam and display quality
Our Selection Criteria for the Best Budget Laptops for Photoshop
As price is a key factor, we understand you want something affordable but before selecting a laptop based on cost alone, there are a number of important features you must consider and for ease we have listed them below:
Display
When using Photoshop, you will be dealing with graphic content- so you need to understand the display properties carefully. A big screen is preferable and for good performance, a laptop with a 1080P resolution is mandatory.
When comparing matte and glossy finish – a matte-finished display will give you better protection, whilst a glossy finish will give you more accurate details.
Tip – If you’re really into it, you can always get an external monitor, works like magic!
Processor and RAM
We know this one confuses the best of us but put simply a processor works as the ‘brain’ and RAM as the ‘short-term memory’ of the laptop. To have a functioning laptop, you need both,
When it comes to the processor, a laptop with 2.50 or above GHz should be considered as a decent choice for Photoshop editing. As for RAM, it would be wise to have at least 8 GB RAM in your laptop. Otherwise, you may find yourself struggling when editing.
Storage
In this day and age, you’re probably certain about one thing and that is ‘graphic designing apps need super-fast laptops to run smoothly’ and this is where the storage speed comes in.
There are two types of storage and they are known as ‘SSD’ and ‘HDD’. SSD is like a giant, speedy Pendrive, and installation and work go way faster in SDD than HDD. We can safely say that having an external SDD is a prerequisite if you want a comfortable editing experience.
Operating System
There are a number of Operating Systems and the two most common are ‘Windows and Mac’. Of the two, Windows is compatible with the majority of software – Trust us, this is a big plus. However, this does not mean it is ‘better’ than Mac but rather, what is important is your preference and which one you find is most compatible with your requirements.
Tip – Mac is generally more expensive and that is something you should take into consideration.
Battery and Overall Performance
Photoshop and other graphics-related Software consume a lot of battery- so if you want to work while travelling, be sure to purchase a laptop with at least 6-8 hours of battery backup. This is because the overall performance of a laptop depends on its compatibility with different graphic design software.
Tip – The more it supports- the merrier.
Bottom Line
While all ten laptops give you great value for money and top of the range features, we believe the no1 Budget laptop for Photoshop is the Dell XPS 15! This laptop has a powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, 15.6″ 4K UHD display alongside a dedicated 4GB graphics memory, and generous battery life. This laptop delivers a groundbreaking performance!
The performance of this laptop is consistent and offers a lag-free experience even when multitasking and shuffling in-between a tabs on Chrome, editing content on Photoshop, making video calls, and transferring large files- all on its split-screen mode.
The Dell XPS 15 is an outstanding choice for photographers, graphic designers, editors, and web developers alike!
So this was the list of our 10 best budget laptops for Photoshop. We hope they come handy to you while choosing. Happy shopping!