As a seasoned user of Adobe Illustrator CC, I know that finding the best laptop for Illustrator CC can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it's essential to focus on the unique requirements that this powerful vector graphics application demands. In this guide, I'll help you navigate the sea of laptops, ensuring you get the ideal device to unleash your creativity and streamline your workflow.
Illustrator CC is a resource-intensive application that requires a laptop with a strong processor, ample RAM, and a dedicated graphics card. These components will ensure smooth performance when working with complex vector graphics, intricate illustrations, and large files. Additionally, a high-quality display with accurate color reproduction is crucial for any creative professional working with Adobe Illustrator CC.
In order to find the best laptop for Illustrator CC, I have meticulously reviewed an extensive laptop spreadsheet of recent releases, comparing specs and reviews from both professional and user-generated sources. By considering topic-specific requirements, such as performance, display quality, and price ranges, I have narrowed down the top laptops tailored to meet the needs of Adobe Illustrator CC users. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the laptop selection process and help you find the perfect device for your creative endeavors.
Picking a good processor
It's not just about speed – CPU is crucial for CPU-intensive tasks such as photo editing, Adobe Illustrator, and video encoding. And if you're anything like me, you're looking for the perfect balance of price and performance.
Requirements
First things first: Adobe Illustrator needs a powerful processor to do its job. And we're talking about a strong one – Ryzen 7 5800H. That said, we can't be too picky with Adobe Illustrator as it's not an overly demanding application (by today's standards). But still, some might find the new Intel processors (i7-8559U) better suited for their budget.
If you want to squeeze out every last drop of performance from your laptop, go for the newest AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS or Intel Core i9-9900KH (or higher).
Recommendations
Ryzen 7 4800HS and Ryzen 7 5800H are best laptops for those who want to stay within their budget and prioritize performance over cost. For those who care less about price and more about power, Ryzen 9 5900HS or Intel Core i9-9900KH are a good match.
Intel Core i7-8559U is my go-to recommendation for those who have an underpowered laptop but would like to extend its lifespan with a newer CPU from Intel.
- when it comes to Illustrator, CPU is important
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS and AMD Ryzen 7 5800H are best laptops for those who want to stay within their budget and prioritize performance over cost
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS or Intel Core i9-9900KH are a good match for those who care less about price and more about power
- Intel Core i7-8559U is my go-to recommendation for those who have an underpowered laptop but would like to extend its lifespan with a newer CPU from Intel.
The best graphics card for playing Adobe Illustrator in 2021
Minimum (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Mobile)
- We need a GPU with at least the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Mobile GPU in order to use Illustrator without experiencing performance issues. These graphics cards are usually found in less expensive laptops which typically do not come with the highest performing processors.
- If you're on a tight budget, these graphics cards are acceptable for basic work with simple shapes. However, you may see some lag when opening more complex files with numerous layers or an increased number of objects. This is because integrated graphics are shared between tasks, meaning that any one task will take longer to complete if it's running alongside another task. For example, if you're opening a file while browsing the internet, both tasks will take longer to complete due to the limitations of the shared integrated graphics chip.
- If you can't afford a laptop with certified Quadro/FirePro chips or want higher performance – it's worth looking into buying a high-end consumer card (RTX 2070). This should be able to handle more complex files at acceptable speeds for most work environments.
Recommended (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super Laptop GPU
- The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super Laptop GPU is better than other consumer grade options because it offers an increased speed for rendering without sacrificing stability or other features. This makes it suitable for more demanding tasks such as 3D design or working with large assemblies of multiple parts in 3D space – without needing to sacrifice speed or accuracy. It also means that this card should have no problem handling more complex files such as those containing many layers and objects – with improved speeds and stability.
- To put this into perspective: most entry-level models come with integrated Intel HD Graphics 620/630 which offer worse performance than NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Mobile GPUs (especially in terms of stability). However, this card would outperform these CPUs and might even be comparable to high-end models such as RTX 2080 MaxQ Mobile and A5000 chips (see below).
Best (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile GPU)
- The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile GPU offers even better performance than the previous model mentioned by delivering improvements in rendering time and making it perfect for those who use Adobe Illustrator on a regular basis – such as designers or illustrators who need accurate representations of their work as well as those who deal with large assemblies of different parts in 3D space such as engineers and architects.
- Additionally, if you do not need speed improvements
- when it comes to Illustrator, the more expensive the graphics card, the better the performance
- when choosing a graphics card, look for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super Laptop GPUs
My memory recommendations for Adobe Illustrator
Minimum (8 GB)
A laptop with 8 GB RAM is suitable for Adobe Illustrator, but it will be sluggish and less responsive.
If you're looking for a budget laptop that does the job, then 8 GB is the way to go. The sweet spot for cost-effective laptops is $600 – $1200, which means that you'll have enough money left over to invest in other components like CPU or SSD.
Otherwise, I recommend investing in a laptop with 16 GB of RAM – especially if you can't go above that price range. It'll cost around $650 – $2200, which is more than an 8 GB laptop, but not by much.
8 GB laptops are getting rarer these days as the industry moves towards higher RAM capacities. And since laptops are continuously getting cheaper (although not as cheap as they used to be), investing in a 16GB RAM capacity will save you money in the long run.
Recommended (16 GB)
If you're looking for a professional workstation for your business, I recommend investing in a 16 GB laptop. The benefits are clear: 16 GB falls within the best price range for professional laptops at around $650 – $2200 and will also come with future-proofing potential because it's not likely to bottleneck your machine anytime soon.
However, if you want to game on your laptop too and can't afford 32 GB of RAM – it's probably not worth upgrading just for Adobe Illustrator. Games typically use less than 4GB of RAM even when running on ultra-high settings so there's no need to upgrade just for that purpose.
It's worth noting that if you're considering a bulkier laptop that can be easily upgraded, then there's no need to sweat about getting 16GB because those laptops often come with more than one slot for extra RAM upgrades later on down the line. In those cases, there's nothing stopping you from upgrading from 16GB to 32GB later on down the line without having to buy a whole new computer.
Best (32 GB)
I highly recommend going for 32 GB of RAM if you're going over $2000 and want a professional workstation with a future-proof potential and/or don't want to worry about upgrading down the line because there's always an upgrade option at any time without having to buy a whole new computer.
In 2021, most high-end laptops have been moving towards 32GB as standard with prices
- a laptop with 8 GB RAM is suitable for Adobe Illustrator, but it will be sluggish and less responsive
- a 16 GB RAM capacity is recommended for a professional workstation with a future-proof potential and/or don't want to worry about upgrading down the line because there's always an upgrade option at any time without having to buy a whole new computer. In 2021, most high-end laptops have been moving towards 32GB as standard with prices
Deciding on a storage
Different types of SSDs
The laptop industry has seen a lot of changes in the past few years. We've gone from HDD to SSD, now even to PCIe storage devices (that's an article for another day). And that's not all – manufacturers also offer different types of SSDs. There are the more common SATA SSDs, which are slower but cheaper. NVMe SSDs are faster and pricier.
And then there's the PCIe NVMe, which is even faster than NVMe and has better performance with high queue depths (for example, with databases). PCIe NVMe is the way to go if you're doing video editing or any other application that demands tons of throughput. It's worth noting that some laptops come with both SATA and PCIe drives – so you can just pick your needs accordingly.
Getting the right size
We need enough space for Adobe Illustrator to run on our laptop, so that means it should be at least 1 TB. But if you're not sure what size to get, 256 GB should be more than enough for any casual Adobe Illustrator user. If you do need more space though, 512 GB would be a good balance between price and capacity – it'll cost you anywhere between $650-2,340. You can also get a laptop with both SATA and PCIe drives – which is best for those looking for more performance while keeping costs low on the storage side of things.
- get a laptop with PCIe NVMe storage for video editing or high performance applications
- SSDs are faster and pricier than HDDs
- SATA SSDs are slower but cheaper than NVMe SSDs
The best display for Adobe Illustrator in 2021
With Adobe Illustrator, there are a few display qualities that matter. The first one is contrast. A good screen for drawing should have a high contrast ratio of 1,000:1 or more. This means that the blacks should be black and the whites should be white.
Key display qualities for Adobe Illustrator
Next, you need to pay attention to viewing angles and brightness. A good laptop screen should have a wide viewing angle and a decent brightness level. You can compare these by using a site like Laptop Mag's Best Laptops for Designers list.
Important things to consider when buying the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator
The next step is to consider color accuracy. Adobe Illustrator does not need to cover a wide color gamut, but it needs accurate colors nonetheless. Fortunately, this is pretty easy – just check if the screen has an sRGB color space coverage of at least 90%. Finally, do not forget about the resolution. The minimum resolution for a modern day design laptop is Full HD (1920×1080). But if you're going with something smaller than 15", then I would recommend going with FHD+ (2560×1440).
Frequently Asked Questions
What laptop is best for Adobe Illustrator?
It depends on your budget and needs. For basic needs and a budget around $690, the ASUS TUF A15 is a great choice. For a more comprehensive solution and up to $2,310, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is highly recommended. If you’re looking for top performance and willing to spend up to $3,650, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is the best choice. And if you have an unlimited budget, the Dell XPS 17 9720 with an Intel Core i9 processor, NVIDIA RTX GPU, and 32GB RAM is the best choice for running Adobe Illustrator.
What specs do I need for Adobe Illustrator on a laptop?
To run Adobe Illustrator CC smoothly, you should look for a laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor or higher, 8GB RAM or higher, dedicated NVIDIA graphics, and enough storage.
What laptop can handle Adobe Illustrator?
All of the laptops in our recommendations table should be able to handle Adobe Illustrator.
How to choose the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator?
The best laptop for Adobe Illustrator depends on your budget and needs. If you are looking for basic needs and a budget around $690, then the ASUS TUF A15 is a great choice. For a more comprehensive solution and up to $2,310, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is highly recommended. If you’re looking for top performance and willing to spend up to $3,650, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is the best choice. And if you have an unlimited budget, the Dell XPS 17 9720 with an Intel Core i9 processor, NVIDIA RTX GPU, and 32GB RAM is the best choice for running Adobe Illustrator.
Does Adobe Illustrator work on a laptop?
Yes, Adobe Illustrator can be used on laptops as long as it meets the system requirements for Adobe Illustrator CC.
Can a gaming laptop run Adobe Illustrator?
Yes, gaming laptops should be able to run Adobe Illustrator as long as they meet the system requirements for Adobe Illustrator CC.
What are the system requirements for Adobe Illustrator CC?
The minimum system requirements for Adobe Illustrator CC are Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon 64 processor, 8GB RAM, 2GB of available hard-disk space for 32-bit installation, and 1024×768 display.
What are the minimum specs for Adobe Illustrator on a laptop?
The minimum specs for Adobe Illustrator on a laptop are Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon 64 processor, 8GB RAM, 2GB of available hard-disk space for 32-bit installation, and 1024×768 display.
Is 8GB RAM enough for Adobe Illustrator?
8GB of RAM is enough for running Adobe Illustrator CC but we recommend having 16GB of RAM or higher for smoother performance.
Is Intel Core i5 good for Adobe Illustrator?
Yes, Intel Core i5 is enough for running Adobe Illustrator CC but we recommend having an Intel Core i7 or higher for smoother performance.
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Table of Best Laptops for {topic}
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
5 Best Laptops for Adobe Illustrator CC
1.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16
Adobe Illustrator CC laptop- Awesome processor (Ryzen 9 6900HX)
- Awesome graphics card (RTX 3070 Ti)
- Superb memory amount (64GB)
- Featherweight (5.48 lbs)
- No IPS Panel (worse contrast)
Alternatives
HP Victus 15t
- Low price
- Solid productivity performance
- Bad battery life
- Rather plain design
2.Dell G15
Dell G15: A Solid Choice for Gamers, but Display Could Be Better- High CPU and GPU performance
- Excellent battery life
- Space for two NVMe SSDs
- Good WLAN transfer rates
- Dark display with poor contrast
- Low color space coverage
- PWM flickering
- No frame to install a second SSD
Summary
The Dell G15 is a great laptop for gamers with its powerful CPU and GPU, and excellent battery life. However, the display is a bit lacking in contrast and color space coverage.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74
- Fast and powerful with high TGP target and 12th gen Alder Lake-H CPU.
- 300 Hz IPS panel w full sRGB coverage.
- Chassis base and lid exhibit some flexing.
- No per-key RGB lighting.
3.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar offers great gaming performance but suffers from poor thermals and battery life.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent display quality
- Poor thermals
- Low battery life
- Heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 is a solid gaming laptop with sturdy construction, fast Wi-Fi, and excellent display quality. Its Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti deliver impressive performance, but the laptop suffers from poor thermals and battery life.
Reviews
Alternatives
Dell XPS 17 9720
- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- High-quality case
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
4.HP Omen 17
HP Omen 17: A Powerful QHD Gaming Laptop for High-End Performance in Adobe Illustrator- 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 laptop with a powerful QHD display and advanced Optimus that delivers excellent performance in Adobe Illustrator. Its expandable working memory makes it perfect for creative professionals who need a reliable and fast machine.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Thin, elegant design with dual displays and top-end performance
- Unique two-screen layout
- High cost, especially when configured with high-end components
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout
5.Dell XPS 17 9720
Great 4K Display but Graphics Performance Needs Improvement.- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0 ports
- High-quality case
- Fast card reader
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
- Not Wi-Fi 6E compatible
- 720p webcam
Summary
The Dell XPS 17 9720 laptop is a powerful device that offers an excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB, Thunderbolt 4 & PCIe 4.0 ports, and high-quality case. However, its graphics performance is not as good as its predecessor, and the system's cooling is slightly weak overall.
Reviews
Alternatives
MSI Titan GT77
- Bright 4K display
- High system performance
- Bulky and heavy
- Extremely pricey
Table of the Best Laptops for Adobe Illustrator CC
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 | $700 |
| Dell G15 | $1,230 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,310 |
| HP Omen 17 | $3,470 |
| Dell XPS 17 9720 | $5,600 |
