As an avid user of Adobe InDesign, I understand the importance of having the best laptop for InDesign to streamline your workflow and enhance your overall design experience. InDesign is a powerful tool for creating visually stunning print and digital publications, and the right laptop can make all the difference in your ability to efficiently produce professional-quality work. With so many laptops on the market, it's crucial to identify the key features and requirements specific to InDesign users.
When reviewing an extensive spreadsheet of recent laptop releases, I took into consideration various specs, professional and user-generated reviews, as well as InDesign-specific requirements. For InDesign users, performance is paramount – you'll need a laptop with a robust processor and sufficient RAM to handle large, complex documents without lag. Additionally, a high-quality display with accurate color reproduction is essential for visualizing your designs and ensuring consistency across print and digital media.
As someone who frequents forums like the Adobe InDesign subreddit and follows industry-leading designers, I know firsthand the challenges of finding the perfect laptop for InDesign tasks. After comparing numerous models based on the aforementioned criteria, I've narrowed down the top laptops for InDesign users, taking into account different price ranges and user preferences. The following guide will provide you with valuable information to help you make an informed decision and ultimately choose the best laptop for InDesign that meets your unique needs and budget.
How to choose the right processor for Adobe InDesign?
The power of a laptop's processor determines the number of operations it can perform at once. To put it simply, a fast processor is able to run more programs at the same time without any hiccups. That means you can work on multiple documents, send emails, edit photos, etc. at the same time without slowing down your machine.
Requirements
Choosing the best processor for Adobe InDesign depends on what kind of laptop you're using it on. A desktop-replacement with an i7 CPU is going to be way faster than a Chromebook with an i3 CPU. So, before deciding which laptop to buy, think about what you'll be using it for most often and how many programs you'll need to use simultaneously.
Recommendations
A powerful CPU doesn't come cheap so here are my recommendations for the best processors for Adobe InDesign depending on your budget:
- minimum – Intel Core i3-10110U – $350
- medium – Intel Core i5-1135G7 – $650-$700
- best – Intel Core i7-1185G7 – $1100-$1200
Deciding on a graphics card
InDesign needs a powerful CPU, not a powerful GPU
The key feature of a graphics card is its video rendering capabilities. In the case of InDesign, this is hardly an issue at all. You'll never have to worry about lag or choppy scrolling – but you might be plagued by more crashes and lags if you're working with larger documents. InDesign doesn't require a lot of GPU power to run smoothly. In fact, any graphics card from integrated Intel or AMD is more than enough for InDesign.
In other words, get a laptop with the best CPU possible and save your money on a dedicated graphics card.
Picking a good memory
Minimum (8 GB)
8 GB is an absolute minimum for Adobe InDesign. You'll be working with lots of photos, videos, and graphics. I've seen how performance can take a hit on even the most powerful laptops if they don't have enough RAM.
That's why I recommend at least 16 GB, which would make your new laptop an absolute steal for less than $2k. And if you're running Adobe CS6 – you should know that it's not fully compatible with 64-bit Windows, so you'll need to stay at 32-bit (which means 8 GB or less).
Recommended (16 GB)
If you're not on a tight budget and you're looking for the best possible laptop for your needs – go for 16 GB. That's what I'm doing this year – switching from my old workhorse to a shiny new laptop with 16 GB of RAM. I don't have any regrets! It does everything I need it to do without any noticeable lag.
As for video editing, I recommend 16 GB as well – just don't forget to install a fast SSD drive as well!
Storage for Adobe InDesign
HDD vs. SSD
A laptop with a hard drive will be cheaper than one with an SSD. But the trade-off is that hard drives are slower and more prone to failure than SSDs. You can still buy laptops with a hard drive, but I recommend that professionals not rely on one for Adobe InDesign or any other demanding software.
Typical laptop prices by storage size
The price of a laptop with an HDD is typically cheaper, but they're also more prone to failure. It's best to go for an SSD if you're buying a laptop for work – unless you don't mind the risk of data loss or your budget doesn't allow it.
Here are some ballpark figures on what you should expect to pay for various storage sizes:
- 1 TB HDD laptops are around $650-$1870, with a median price of $1,400
- 256 GB SSD laptops are typically found in the $500-$2,340 range, with a median price of $1,000
- 512 GB SSD laptops can be found in the $650-$2,340 range, with a median price of $1,400
Choosing the right display for Adobe InDesign
InDesign is a powerful tool for publishing. It allows you to make complex designs and produce them as print-ready files.
Key display features for InDesign
The most important display features for InDesign are:
- resolution – higher resolution is a must for InDesign. For most tasks, a Full HD resolution is sufficient. But if you're working with complex graphics, then a QHD or 4K resolution will come in handy.
- panel type – IPS panels are usually a safe bet, but there are a few other options that can be suitable as well. Look for screens that have a great contrast ratio and an even backlight distribution. And remember, you'll need to judge the panel in person to be sure of these traits.
- brightness – it's hard to find the specs of brightness on laptop displays, but if you see any with 300 cd/sq. m., they should be ok for your needs.
- color accuracy – Adobe RGB color space coverage is very important for any designer who needs colors to be accurate at all times.
Laptop FAQs
Which laptop is best for Adobe InDesign?
Ultimately, it depends on your budget and personal preferences. For a minimum price range of $450, we recommend the Acer Aspire 5 A515-45-R74Z as it meets the requirement of 8GB memory and an MX450 graphics card. If you have a medium budget of around $730, then the ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71 offers a balance of performance, display and storage options. Lastly, if you have a maximum budget of over $2000, then the ASUS ROG Strix Scar or the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 offer excellent InDesign performance with their beefy processors and high capacity storage.
What specs do I need for Adobe InDesign?
You need a minimum of 8GB RAM, and an MX450 graphics card for the requirement. However, if you are doing more intense tasks, then medium specs of 16GB RAM and a GTX 1650 Ti will be necessary. The maximum specs are 32GB RAM and a GTX 1650 Ti for the highest level of performance.
How to choose a laptop for Adobe InDesign?
First you need to consider what is important for you – do you prioritize performance, storage, or display? Then think about your budget and what specs are necessary to meet it. The requirement is 8GB RAM and an MX450 graphics card. For a medium budget, look for a laptop that has 16GB RAM, a GTX 1650 Ti and a FHD IPS display with a bright and high contrast image. If you have a maximum budget, then you can consider investing in a laptop with a powerful processor, 32GB RAM and 512 GB SSD storage.
What laptop specs do I need for InDesign?
For InDesign, you need a minimum of 8GB RAM and an MX450 graphics card to meet the requirement. If you want to do more intense tasks, then you will need a medium configuration with 16GB RAM, a GTX 1650 Ti, and a FHD IPS display with a bright and high contrast image. Lastly, for the maximum level of performance, you will need a laptop with a powerful processor, 32GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD storage.
Is 8GB RAM enough for Adobe InDesign?
8GB RAM is the requirement for Adobe InDesign, so yes it will be enough for basic tasks. However, if you want to take on more intense projects, then a medium setup of 16GB RAM is recommended. For the maximum level of performance, 32GB RAM will be necessary.
What type of laptop is best for InDesign?
It depends on your budget and what you value most in a laptop. At the minimum price range, look for a laptop with 8GB RAM and an MX450 graphics card as they are the requirements. If you have a medium budget, then look for 16GB RAM, a GTX 1650 Ti and a FHD IPS display with a bright and high contrast image. Lastly, for the maximum level of performance, opt for a laptop with a powerful processor, 32GB RAM and 512 GB SSD storage.
Is InDesign suitable for a laptop?
Absolutely! As long as your laptop meets the requirements of 8GB RAM and an MX450 graphics card, then you can easily use InDesign on it. However, for more intensive tasks, you should opt for a laptop with medium specs of 16GB RAM, a GTX 1650 Ti and a FHD IPS display with a bright and high contrast image. For the maximum level of performance, go for a laptop with 32GB RAM, a powerful processor and 512 GB SSD storage.
How much RAM do I need for Adobe InDesign?
The requirement is 8GB RAM, but if you want to take on more intensive tasks then you should consider investing in a laptop with medium specs of 16GB RAM. For the maximum level of performance, look for 32GB RAM.
Which processor is best for InDesign?
There isn't one specific processor that is ideal for InDesign as it depends on your budget and preferences. However, for the minimum requirement, Intel Core i5-1035G1 and AMD Ryzen 5 4500U are good processors. For the medium level of performance, Intel Core i7-1165G7 and AMD Ryzen 7 4700U are
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Table of Best Laptops for {topic}
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
5 Best Laptops for Adobe InDesign
$201.Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 20W6007PUS
Adobe InDesign laptop- Mighty 1TB SSD
- No IPS Panel (worse contrast)
- Its screen gives away its price
Alternatives
$450Acer Aspire 5 A515-45-R74Z
- High-quality and robust workmanship
- Relatively light and portable
- Only 8GB of RAM (upgradable)
- iGPU performs below its capabilities
$7002.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16
Adobe InDesign laptop- Awesome processor (Ryzen 9 6900HX)
- Exceptional graphics card (RTX 3070 Ti)
- Awesome display (16)
- Very good memory amount (64GB)
- No IPS Panel (worse contrast)
Alternatives
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71
- Sleek, lightweight design
- Powerful 11th Gen Intel chips
- Weak speakers
- Display could be brighter
3.MSI Summit E13
MSI Summit E13 is a visually stunning laptop with impressive performance and battery life, but has some display and servicing drawbacks.- Large battery with respectable runtimes
- Great CPU and GPU performance
- Bright display with high contrast
- PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD support
- Slow display response times, noticeable ghosting
- Servicing requires breaking a factory seal sticker
- Slightly larger and heavier than XPS 13 2-in-1
- High core temperatures when under load
Summary
The MSI Summit E13 is a beautiful laptop with excellent CPU and GPU performance, as well as a large battery that offers respectable runtimes. However, it has slow display response times and requires breaking a factory seal sticker for servicing.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Nitro 5
- High system performance
- Responsive 165 Hz panel with QHD resolution
- CPU does not exhaust its potential
- No memory card reader
4.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar is a high-performing laptop but with heating and throttling issues.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent response times and no PWM
- Wide color gamut coverage with Dolby Vision support
- Limited display angle
- Heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads
- High
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 is a powerful laptop with upgraded Intel Alder Lake Core i9-12900H and Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti. It has a sturdy build quality, fast Wi-Fi 6E, excellent response times, and wide color gamut coverage. However, the laptop suffers from high heat and noise emissions, limited display angles, heavy SSD throttling, and a below-average battery backup.
Reviews
Alternatives
$2,500Dell XPS 17 9720
- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- High-quality case
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
$3,4705.HP Omen 17
HP Omen 17 offers a powerful QHD gaming experience but at the expense of battery life and noise.- QHD display with 165 Hz
- Advanced Optimus
- Expandable working memory
- High noise level
- Clattery case
- Meager battery life
Summary
The HP Omen 17 is a high-end QHD gaming laptop with advanced Optimus and expandable working memory. However, the laptop produces high noise and has a meager battery life.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Impressive, powerful dual-screen layout
- Blistering gaming performance with GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU and Ryzen 9 CPU
- Expensive
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout
Table of the Best Laptops for Adobe InDesign
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 20W6007PUS | $20 |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 | $700 |
| MSI Summit E13 | $1,140 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,310 |
| HP Omen 17 | $3,470 |
