The best budget laptop for Photoshop could be one of the most important items you buy as you begin your graphic design career.
Whether you’re working on brand photography, putting together business videos, or designing logos, the chances are you’ll work with Photoshop from time to time.
Consequently, it’s so important to have a laptop capable of running your favorite software.
Thanks to a wide selection of amazing features, Photoshop requires plenty of processing power and a few other must-have features to deliver the best results.
The best budget laptop for Photoshop: Our top picks!
When you’re on the hunt for the best budget laptop, it can be difficult to find a machine suited to your needs and budget.
To help, we’ve put together this list of some of the best laptops for photo editing on a budget and graphic design, ranging from Acer models to Dell devices.
Before we get onto the best budget laptop for Photoshop, however, let’s take a closer look at today’s star buys!
- 14-inch full HD
- Intel UHD Graphics and Dolby Audio
- Up to 8 hours of battery life
- 10th generation Intel Core i7
- 11.6" HD IPS 300nits Anti-glare
- Sleek, stylish, and secure
- Wi-Fi access included
- Touchscreen display
- 17. 3-inch FHD
- Intel UHD Graphics with shared graphics memory
- 1TB HDD for larger storage
- Anti-glare display
1. Acer Aspire 5 (best processor)
The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best budget laptops for Photoshop options around, combining exceptional connectivity speeds (via Wi-Fi 6) with in-built speakers and great visuals.
A narrow bezel design on a 15.6-inch screen ensures you can get a fantastic view of all of your Photoshop projects, with HD crispness, and Acer color intelligence.
There’s even a blue light shield to protect your vision.
The Acer Aspire 5 comes with a backlit keyboard for working in the dark, 22GB of dedicated VRAM, and an impressive 10th generation Intel Core i3 processor for sensationally fast productivity.
If you’re looking for premium performance, the Acer Aspire 5 has you covered.
Features include:
- Windows 10 installation
- Flexible and slim laptop design
- Wi-Fi 6 functionality for connectivity
- Acer TrueHarmony built-in speakers
- 22GB of dedicated VRAM
- 512GB of SSD memory
- Lithium ion battery
- 10th generation Intel Core processor
- Acer color intelligence
Promising a CPU speed of 4.1GHz, and a fantastic sound quality to boot, the Acer Aspire gives you everything you need out of a budget laptop for Photoshop.
There’s even Bluetooth 4.2 built-in so you can connect your preferred devices too.
The keyboard layout is a little cramped, unfortunately, which might be problematic for some, and the trackpad isn’t the best.
- Stunning crisp display with Acer color intelligence
- Fantastic high resolution display
- Strong processing power (even for gaming)
- 8 hours of battery life
- Connectivity options are excellent
- Cluttered keyboard design
- Not the best trackpad functionality
Powerful and portable, the Aspire 5 laptop delivers on every aspect of everyday computing. Housing a 10th Gen Intel Core Processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics, the Aspire 5 can tackle any job no matter how complex.
2. Dell Inspiron 17 (best large display)
A larger display can be a valuable investment for graphic designers and artists.
When you’re working on a complex project in Photoshop, this 17-inch display from Dell will deliver the kind of excellent visuals you need.
With an Intel Core i5 processor for consistent power, and powerful UHD graphics, this laptop delivers amazing performance for a low price point.
If you’re looking for the best budget laptop for Photoshop and lightroom, this Dell device comes with 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB HDD. There’s also a 512GB SSD included too.
The LED-backlit display and the backlit keyboard are nice extra touches, as are the presence of a built-in microphone and webcam.
Features include:
- DVD or CD slot
- Dual-array microphone
- HD webcam built-in
- 16GB of memory
- 512GB SSD and 1TB HDD
- Intel Core i5-1035g1
- Anti-glare display
- 17.3-inch screen
- Multiple USB and connection ports
Alongside a headphone output and microphone output slot, the Dell Inspiron also comes with multiple USB input options and a slot for an HDMI connection too.
The high-performing laptop is great for programs like Photoshop, demanding a lot of processing power. However, the battery can die quite quickly if you’re not careful.
- Multiple input and output options
- Excellent memory and RAM performance
- HD webcam and microphone built-in
- 17.3-inch anti-glare display
- Intel Core i5 processor
- Not the best battery life
- Comes with some bloatware installed
The Dell Inspiron 17 features a 512GB SSD meaning you have faster data access speed, better performance and greater reliability. As well as a 1TB HDD for larger storage so you can store more data and files.
3. Lenovo Chromebook C330 (best convertible)
Designed for flexibility and versatility, the Lenovo Chromebook C330 promises high performance for a low price.
Capable of booting up in seconds, this device runs on Chrome OS, which is surprisingly easy to use.
The laptop can also convert into a tablet, which is great for working on projects when you’re commuting to work.
The secure 360-degree convertible laptop comes with an HD screen with ten-point touchscreen functionality.
There’s a 2.1Ghz CPU speed, which isn’t the fastest on the market, but the 4GB memory size should be enough for many designers on the move.
Features include:
- 4GB memory size
- 2.1Ghz CPU speed
- HD resolution display
- 11.6-inch convertible screen
- 4 processors
- Wi-Fi access included
- Google Chrome operating system
- USB type-C slot and SD card slot
- Touchscreen display
The Lenovo Chromebook is a small and convenient solution for graphic designers who need to work on projects wherever they are.
You will need to access Photoshop and similar tools through the Google store, which might be complicated if you don’t have access to full versions.
It’s also worth noting the display isn’t full HD, which might be an issue for some designers.
- Easy to use convertible laptop
- Plenty of RAM and storage
- Lots of connection point options
- Solid build with reliable touch screen
- Simple Google operating system
- May not offer access to all applications
- Not a full HD screen
Sleek, stylish, and secure, this 360⁰ convertible laptop is less than 1-inch thin and about the weight of a hardback book, with an 11-inch touchscreen display that's perfect for day-to-day computing and multimedia, on or offline.
4. ASUS F512DA-EB51 (best business laptop)
When it comes to finding the best PC investment, you need to think about more than just which is the best budget laptop for Photoshop and gaming.
Your laptop needs to be something you’re proud to show off to colleagues and clients, and ASUS can help.
This 15.6-inch VivoBook from ASUS comes with Windows 10 already installed, and an impressive 512GB SSD.
The nano-bezel display ensures you can see more of your screen at once, taking full advantage of the AMD Radeon Vega 10 graphics card.
There’s 8GB of RAM included, and you get a fingerprint sensor for extra security too.
Features include:
- USB type A & C connections
- HDMI connectivity or Wi-Fi
- Ergonomic backlit keyboard
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB SSD
- Ergonomic backlit keyboard
- Sensor activated fingerprint scanner
- AMD Quad Core Ryzen 7 Processor
- AMD Radeon Vega 10 graphics card
Though it lacks some of the more advanced functions of more expensive laptops for use with Photoshop, the ASUS is a powerful tool for various aspects of business life.
It can protect your work with a fingerprint scanner, and the reliable processor delivers high speed performance for multiple applications.
The battery life only lasts for around 3 hours, and expanding RAM isn’t easy, however.
- Fingerprint scanner for security
- HDMI or Wi-Fi connections
- Ergonomic backlit keyboard
- Excellent processing power
- Good-quality graphics card
- Not the best battery life
- Not a lot of RAM expansion options
Whether at work or play, ASUS VivoBook 15 is the compact laptop that immerses you in whatever you set out to do. Its new frameless four-sided NanoEdge display boasts an ultraslim 5.7mm bezel, giving an amazing 88% screen-to-body ratio for supremely immersive visuals.
5. Lenovo Flex 2-in-1 (best versatile)
As a graphic designer or professional artist, you’re probably responsible for a range of projects and jobs every day.
The Flex 2-in-1 from Lenovo promises a budget laptop for Photoshop capable of handling all kinds of challenges.
With Windows 10 built in and a 14-inch screen, this convertible laptop transforms into a touchscreen in seconds.
The Flex comes with up to 8 hours of battery life, so you can work and play wherever you are without plugging in.
There’s also the option to access quick charging to recharge your PC to 80% life in just one hour.
You’ll even get the option to choose between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or wired connectivity with a HDMI port.
Features include:
- 14-inch HD display 220 Nits brightness
- 10-point touchscreen display
- Intel Pentium gold 5405U processor
- 8 hours of battery life
- Charge to 80% in 1 hour
- Write, sketch or draw on your screen with a digital pen
- Convenient privacy shutter on integrated webcam
- Windows 10 built-in
- USB type-C, DC in, HDMI and audio jack
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Intended to help you make the most of any workplace demand, the Lenovo Flex is perfect for artists and creative professionals.
It’s quick charging function, amazing battery life and range of connection options make this an ultra versatile and diverse machine to have around for Photoshop users.
One slight issue is there’s no illuminated keyboard, and this laptop is not the best product for gaming, when you want some downtime.
- Standard laptop and touchscreen tablet in one
- Quick charging function for up to 8 hours of battery
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Integrated webcam with privacy shutter
- Intel Pentium processor
- No keyboard illumination
When inspiration strikes, turn to the powerful yet light Lenovo flex 14. Designed so that you can make the most of your time on the go, This convenient convertible laptop features a 14-inch HD touchscreen for improved productivity, creativity, and entertainment.
6. HP 2020 8th Gen (best with Bluetooth)
Offering everything you need to work in style, the HP 2020 flagship laptop for Photoshop users comes with a powerful 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor.
Not only do you get an amazing 3.9Ghz CPU performance, with turbo boost technology, but you can also enjoy a beautiful 17.3-inch display that allows you to get a full view of all your Photoshop projects.
With 8GB DDR4 RAM for multi-tasking processing power, and a 256GB SSD included too, the HP ensures you can manage data and save files fast.
The system even comes with an option to set up automated backups for your work. There’s also Bluetooth access, multiple USB ports, and Wi-Fi access too.
Features include:
- WLED backlit screen
- 1.6Ghz base frequency up to 3.9Ghz
- 8th generation Intel Core i5-8265U processor
- Wi-Fi or HDMI connection
- Bluetooth ready
- Windows 10 already installed
- 256GB SSD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM processing
- 1600 x 900 17.3-inch display
Reliable and professional, this HP laptop might not be the product for you if you’re looking for the best budget laptop for Photoshop and gaming, but it’s a great tool for professional work.
The battery life is somewhat limited, and you might find this device doesn’t have the best memory out of the box.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi access
- Up to 3.9Ghz CPU performance
- Windows 10 installed
- Excellent SSD card included
- Attractive 17-inch display
- Not the most memory on the market
- Limited battery life
With massive amounts of storage and advanced communication power, the HP 2020 8th Gen is great for major gaming applications, multiple servers, daily backups, and more.
7. Acer Nitro 5 (best for gaming)
Who says you can’t have a laptop great for Photoshop and excellent for gaming at the same time? The Acer Nitro 5 could give you the best of both worlds.
With a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card and a 4GB dedicated video memory, the Acer is fantastic for visual work (and play).
There’s a 15.6-inch display for your projects, and an LED backlight too.
An 8th generation Intel Core i5-8300 processor keeps your workflow on track, while helping you to handle more demanding gaming sessions too.
There’s a 1TB hard drive for extra storage, a 256GB SSD, and HDMI output so you can connect to another screen if you prefer.
Features include:
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- 15.6-inch full HD screen
- Dedicated video memory (4GB)
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- 256GB SSD
- 1TB hard drive for extra storage
- HDMI output
- Built-in webcam and microphone
- Headphone/microphone jack
- Gigabit ethernet for wired connections
- 5.5 hours of battery life
- Windows 10
With a Windows 10 operating system already installed and up to 5.5 hours of battery life, this Acer Nitro is great for a wide range of functions.
There’s even a built-in camera and microphone for your workplace video calls.
There’s not much you can do about memory expansion, and you might find the fans are quite loud at times, however.
- Excellent processor performance
- Leading graphics card
- High-quality webcam and microphone
- 5.5 hours of battery life
- Windows 10 already installed
- Limited expansion options
- Fans can be quite loud
Defeat the competition with this Acer Aspire Nitro 5 laptop. Its Intel Quad-Core i5-8300H processor and 16GB of DDR4 RAM keep multiple programs running smoothly, and the graphics card renders 3D images and video on the 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display.
8. ASUS VivoBook F510QA (best upgradable)
The best budget laptop for Photoshop to suit your needs right now might not be the same as the solution you want a year from now.
It’s often a good idea to look for a laptop you can upgrade and change according to your needs.
The ASUS VivoBook F510QA is a powerful device with an AMD Quad Core processor.
There’s processing power of up to 3.6 Ghz, which is ideal for running Photoshop.
There’s a 15.6-inch anti-glare full HD screen with software enhancements, and an AMD Radeon R7 integrated graphics chipset with video memory included.
Features include:
- 15.6-inch anti-glare HD display
- ASUS Splendid software enhancements
- AMD Radeon R7 Integrated chipset
- 4GB DDR4 2400MHz SDRAM memory
- WLAN connectivity
- USB 3.0 and 2.0 connectivity, as well as USB type-C
- HDMI cable connection
- Windows 10 in S mode
- 3” Nano edge bezel
Suitable for everyday computing and Photoshop graphics creation, the ASUS VivoBook is a surprisingly powerful laptop with excellent graphics and lightning fast connectivity.
There’s even a Nano Bezel edge so you can enjoy more of your screen edge-to-edge.
It can be a little tricky to set up Wi-Fi initially, but it’s generally quite easy to solve the problem.
You can upgrade the memory and drive, though this laptop is very loud.
- Upgradeable memory and drive
- Excellent screen display with dedicated graphics memory
- Lots of connection options
- AMD Radeon R7 integrated chipset
- Easy enough to use
- May be complicated to set up Wi-Fi initially
- Machine is very loud
The ASUS VivoBook F510QA features the AMD Radeon R7 Integrated graphics chipset with shared video memory provides solid image quality for Internet use, movies, basic photo editing and casual gaming.
9. Lenovo IdeaPad (best audio)
Finally, if your primary audience or clients rely on you for a lot of video content, then you need a budget laptop for Photoshop which also delivers great audio.
This Lenovo IdeaPad offers everything you need for an excellent business productivity experience.
The presence of AMD Ryzen 5 3500U mobile processors means you get exceptional performance for all kinds of tasks. There’s also Dopoundsy audio for crystal-clear sound.
Bluetooth 4.1 is available when you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection, so you can link to other devices in no time.
Plus, there’s an HDMI port and three USB ports to explore for connectivity too.
Lenovo’s IdeaPad also comes with the option to switch between speed and performance modes to help with saving battery life.
Features include:
- Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity or Wi-Fi
- HDMI ports and 3 USB ports
- Dopoundsy crystal-clear audio
- 14-inch full HD screen
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500U mobile processors
- Narrow side bezels for more viewing area
- DDR4 SDRAM
- Built-in webcam with physical shutter
- Flexible and durable design
With a webcam built in so you can collaborate with team members and connect with clients, this device has it all.
The webcam even has its own physical shutter so you can prevent the camera from seeing you when you’re not active online.
One slight downside is this laptop has a bit of a “plastic” feel to it. Also, the memory might be a little small for some (8GB).
- Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity
- Built in audio
- Integrated webcam with shutter
- Great processing power and graphics
- Flexible and durable design
- Feels a little cheap and plastic in spaces
- Memory may not be enough for some Photoshop users
With the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14-inch laptop, you'll enjoy powerful performance for all types of everyday tasks. Whether you're working from your home office, a student who needs a lightweight laptop for school, or just need a great entry-level Windows computer, this practical notebook is engineered for long-lasting performance.
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How to choose the best budget laptop for Photoshop
When you have a limited budget to work with, it’s often difficult to find the best laptop.
Although portable computers are becoming more impressive by the day, the amount of features you can get will always depend on what you can afford.
Fortunately, our list of best budget laptop for Photoshop and graphic design needs above should show you there are some solutions out there.
Although budget might be your number concern when making your purchase, here are a few additional elements worth keeping in mind:
CPU
The processor, or CPU, in your laptop will determine how successfully you can use programs like Photoshop without crashes and lag. Make sure you look for something with a decent frequency performance. Something above 3Ghz is usually a good start.
RAM
The RAM on your laptop will usually range between 8GB and 16GB. Although there are higher capacity options out there, you will be limited when shopping on a budget. The more RAM you have in the best budget laptop for Photoshop and gaming, the more you can experiment with complex computer features.
Storage
Most of the work you do for clients may end up stored on a secure cloud server. You will need some basic storage on your laptop too. Look for an option with plenty of storage space or consider getting a laptop you can upgrade as you go.
GPU
A graphical processor or graphics card is a must-have investment for animations, video editing, and design. Getting a good GPU will help you to make the most out of a range of features within Photoshop and Illustrator.
Display
Your laptop needs a great display so you can see your designs properly and share them with your clients. A high-quality HD display is a must-have, although 4K screens are even better. Consider whether you might need a touch screen or something which converts into a tablet for your everyday work.
Choosing the best budget laptop for Photoshop
The best budget laptop for Photoshop can be difficult to find. You need to walk a fine line between affordability, and functionality.
Photoshop is an expensive and complicated product. Getting a laptop capable of running your must-have software at the right level might mean you need to be willing to splash a little extra cash.
The good news is for those with a limited budget who want to start designing fast, there are some great options available in our review.
The best budget laptop for Photoshop will help you to start building your portfolio without spending a fortune.
Good luck finding the option best for you.
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