Welcome to the ultimate laptop buying guide tailored specifically for those in search of the best laptop for Affinity Photo. As a passionate user of Affinity Photo myself, I understand that it's crucial to have a laptop that can handle the demands of this powerful photo editing software. That's why I've taken the time to carefully review an extensive spreadsheet of recent laptop releases, comparing specs and reviews to help you find the perfect match for your image editing needs.
When searching for the ideal laptop to run Affinity Photo, it's important to consider factors such as processor performance, RAM, and display quality. With Affinity Photo's extensive range of tools and features, having a laptop with a capable processor and sufficient memory is essential for smooth operation, especially when working with large image files or complex projects. Additionally, a high-quality display will allow you to accurately assess colors and details, ensuring your edits translate well across different devices.
In this guide, we'll delve into the top laptops that excel in these critical areas, catering to various price ranges and preferences. We'll discuss the benefits of different processor types, the optimal RAM configurations, and the importance of color-accurate displays. Whether you're a professional photographer or a hobbyist looking to enhance your digital images, this guide will assist you in finding the best laptop for Affinity Photo that meets your unique requirements and budget.
Processor
Whether you’re a creative, artist, photographer or videographer, choosing the right laptop processor can be a challenge. As you explore the many options available, you’ll want to be sure that you select one with enough power and efficiency to meet your needs while staying within your budget.
When it comes to selecting the right processor for Affinity Photo, there are a few important factors to consider.
Apple MacBook Pro options
If you’re looking for a laptop for photo editing, Apple’s MacBook Pro is a popular choice due to its excellent display quality and its ability to run Adobe applications. For those using Apple’s macOS, the company’s own ARM-based M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max and M2 system-on-chip modules offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life.
Does your workflow require multiple CPU cores?
Whether you need a laptop with multiple CPU cores will depend largely on your workflow. Those who work with videos or 3D models will likely benefit from having more than two cores available, while those who work with still images will generally find the extra cores to be unnecessary.
AMD has managed to take a 20% share of the CPU market, and their 6th generation Ryzen processors offer excellent performance and battery life. Intel’s 13th-gen processors are yet to reach laptops, with 12th-gen being the latest Intel CPU. Both companies have adopted hybrid performance/efficiency core designs (based on big.LITTLE) that make them ideal for laptops.
Is a fast laptop required for photography?
When it comes to photo editing, speed is generally not as important as accuracy and flexibility. That said, those who work with large files or need to perform multiple tasks at the same time will likely benefit from having a faster laptop.
For comparison, I like to use Cinebench R23, which is a popular benchmark among video editors and graphic artists. When shopping for a laptop, make sure that it has a powerful graphics card (dGPU) if you’re planning on working with videos or 3D models. If you’re looking for a laptop that can handle gaming and photo editing at the same time, go for one with an Nvidia 10-series GPU instead of an AMD Radeon.
What to expect in each price bracket?
In terms of CPUs, the minimum I would suggest for photo editing is an Intel i3-1115G4. If you have the budget for it, an Intel i5-11300H will offer better performance. For those who want the best of the best, an Intel i5-12450H is a great choice.
In terms of graphics cards, an Nvidia GTX 1650 should suffice for most tasks, but those looking for more power should opt for a GTX 1660 Ti or RTX 2060. Those who are looking for a laptop that can also handle gaming should consider an RTX 2070 or RTX 2080.
No matter what kind of laptop you’re looking for, it’s important to do your research and make sure that it meets your needs. With the right processor and graphics card, you can enjoy smooth and accurate photo editing with your Affinity Photo software.
Graphics
Graphics cards play an essential role in photo editing, since they are responsible for rendering images in real time. Although the GPU market is always evolving, Nvidia currently dominates with their RTX 30 series cards, the latest of which is the RTX 3070 Ti.
The difference between a laptop GPU and a desktop GPU has widened in the past few years, as desktop GPUs are now a lot more power-hungry. Another thing to note is that Nvidia has discontinued the Max-Q label for its RTX graphics cards, meaning the exact GPU wattage is determined by the laptop manufacturer (OEM). This results in a wide variance in graphics performance even in laptops with the same GPU chipset.
It's also worth mentioning that if you're looking for a MacBook, then you can skip this section. MacBooks have integrated graphics that are more than adequate for photo editing.
So, is there a need for a dedicated GPU for photo editing? Not necessarily. For basic photo editing, a mid-range GPU should suffice, but for more complex work such as working with 4K RAW files or using a lot of effects, then a higher-end GPU is recommended.
To identify and compare graphics cards based on their performance in games, I suggest using 3DMark, Unigine Heaven/Valley, or Cinebench R23. Each benchmark has its own advantages and disadvantages, so I suggest you use all three if possible to get a comprehensive comparison. If you're looking for a laptop with a long battery life, then look for one with an Nvidia Max-Q chip instead of an ordinary Nvidia chip.
Here are some recommended GPUs for various price ranges.
- Minimum: Integrated Graphics
- Recommended: GTX 1650
- High-end: RTX 3060
Memory
When it comes to photography, RAM is one of the most important components of your laptop. It's used to load and process large RAW files, and the more RAM you have, the better.
Most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM, and high-end laptops come with 32 GB or more. Latest-gen Intel and AMD CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5 memory, though DDR5 is still quite expensive and needs time to mature as a technology.
If you're looking for a laptop for photo editing, 16 GB should be your minimum, and 32 GB is ideal if you're working with RAW files regularly. 8 GB should be fine for casual users who are editing JPEGs or smaller RAW files (like Canon's mRAW).
While some laptops offer DDR5 memory, it's not worth the money. DDR5 is only marginally faster than DDR4, but it costs more and uses more power, so you'd be better off getting more DDR4 modules instead.
So what should you look for when it comes to RAM in different price brackets? The most important things to look out for are frequency (MHz), CAS Latency (CL) and whether the RAM supports ECC. Here's a quick overview of what to expect at each price point:
| Price Bracket | Frequency (MHz) | CAS Latency (CL) | ECC Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | 2666-3200 | 16-20 | No |
| Mid-Range | 2666-3200 | 14-16 | No |
| High-End | 3200-3600 | 14 | Yes |
Overall, we'd recommend that you get at least 8 GB of RAM for Affinity Photo laptops, but ideally 16 GB or more. If you're on a budget, 8 GB should be enough, but if you're looking for a high-end laptop, 16 GB is a good starting point. DDR5 is currently not worth the money and the performance gains are marginal.
Display Matters
4 Best Laptops for Affinity Photo
Alternatives
Acer Swift 3 SF314-59-75QC
- Excellent performance with Tiger Lake implementation
- Affordable and portable
- Poor audio quality
- Shabby typing experience
2.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16
Affinity Photo laptop- Awesome processor (Ryzen 9 6900HX)
- Splendid graphics card (RTX 3070 Ti)
- Great display (16)
- Terrific memory amount (64GB)
- Weighty (5.48 lbs)
- No IPS Panel (inferior color reproduction)
Alternatives
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71
- Lightweight and sleek design
- Powerful overall and gaming performance
- No headphone jack
- Weak speakers
3.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a powerhouse laptop with some quirks and limitations.- Very bright display with good color accuracy
- Good cooling performance
- Sturdy build quality
- Good battery life
- Drab design
- Bulky chassis with hefty power brick
- Poor audio quality
- Limited SSD storage
Summary
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a high-performance laptop that delivers impressive gaming capabilities and a bright, color-accurate display. It features a sturdy build with good cooling and a long battery life, but the design is bulky and the audio quality is poor.
Reviews
Alternatives
Apple MacBook Pro 14
- High-quality and sturdy chassis
- Accurate display with extremely high HDR brightness
- Notch design issues
- SDR brightness limited to 500 nits
4.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar offers unparalleled gaming performance but comes with concerns over heating and battery life.- Excellent performance
- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Wide color gamut coverage with Dolby Vision support
- High heat and noise emissions under load
- Battery backup could have been better
- Limited display angle
- No biometric login
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 is a powerful gaming laptop that checks most boxes that enthusiasts look for. It boasts of excellent response times, fast Wi-Fi 6E, and a Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti performance. However, concerns remain over heat and noise emissions under load and battery backup.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP Omen 17
- QHD display with 165 Hz
- Advanced Optimus
- High noise level
- Clattery case
FAQ
What laptop is best for Affinity Photo?
It depends on your budget and what you need. If you need the best performance in Affinity Photo, we would recommend getting the ASUS ROG Strix Scar or Acer Predator Triton 500. If you're looking for a more budget friendly option, the GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 or ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71 are good choices.
What laptop specs do I need for Affinity Photo?
You should aim for a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM and a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM, such as a GTX 1650 or RTX 3060. A minimum of 512GB of SSD storage is recommended for working with Affinity Photo.
How to choose a laptop for Affinity Photo?
First, consider your budget and what you need. You should look for a laptop with 8GB of RAM, a dedicated graphics card, and 512GB of SSD storage. Once you have determined your budget, you can choose the laptop that best fits your needs and budget.
Is 512GB SSD enough for working with Affinity Photo?
Yes, 512GB of SSD storage should be enough for working with Affinity Photo. However, if you plan on doing a lot of work with large files, you may want to consider getting a larger capacity drive.
Can I get good performance in Affinity Photo on a budget laptop?
Yes, it is possible to get good performance in Affinity Photo on a budget laptop. Look for a laptop with 8GB of RAM and a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM, such as a GTX 1650 or RTX 3060.
Is Core i5 good enough for Affinity Photo?
Yes, a Core i5 processor should be enough for Affinity Photo. However, if you plan on doing more intense work, you may want to consider getting a laptop with an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor.
Does Affinity Photo run well on a laptop?
Yes, Affinity Photo should run well on a laptop, as long as the laptop has the necessary specs. Make sure the laptop has 8GB of RAM, a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM, and 512GB of SSD storage.
Is GTX 1660Ti enough for Affinity Photo?
Yes, a GTX 1660Ti should be enough for running Affinity Photo. If you are looking for even better performance, consider getting a laptop with a RTX 3060 or higher.
Can I use Affinity Photo on a laptop?
Yes, you can use Affinity Photo on a laptop as long as the laptop meets the system requirements. The minimum requirements are 8GB of RAM, a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM, and 512GB of SSD storage.
What are the system requirements for Affinity Photo?
The minimum system requirements for Affinity Photo are 8GB of RAM, a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. We recommend 16GB of RAM, a GTX 1650 or RTX 3060 graphics card, and 16GB of SSD storage for the best performance.
Table of the Best Laptops for Affinity Photo
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 | $280 |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 | $700 |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro | $1,600 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,310 |
