Selecting the best laptop for Affinity Photo 2 requires a blend of power, portability, and practicality. This powerful photo editing software demands a capable device to handle its sophisticated features, such as non-destructive editing, RAW processing, and real-time effects. As an avid user of Affinity Photo 2 and a laptop enthusiast, I understand the importance of finding a laptop that strikes the perfect balance between performance and usability.
When searching for the best laptop for this purpose, it's crucial to consider the unique needs of Affinity Photo users. Key factors include a high-quality display with accurate color reproduction, a powerful processor and dedicated graphics card for smooth performance, and sufficient RAM and storage to handle large files and multitasking. To identify the top contenders, I've meticulously reviewed an extensive laptop spreadsheet of recent releases, comparing specs, and considering both professional and user-generated reviews.
As you embark on your quest to find the best laptop for Affinity Photo 2, bear in mind the specific requirements of working with this advanced software, such as compatibility with popular graphic tablets, support for various file formats, and the ability to work efficiently with multiple layers and adjustments. By focusing on these niche-specific details and prioritizing the essential features, you'll be well on your way to selecting the ideal device for your photo editing needs.
Powering up: Choosing the best processor for Affinity Photo 2
When it comes to photo editing, choosing the right laptop processor is crucial. In this section, we'll look at the options available and provide recommendations for Affinity Photo 2.
MacBook Pro options and how they compare to Windows laptops
Apple's M1, M2, M2 Pro, and M2 Max system-on-chip modules offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life. Macs are a popular option for artists due to their excellent display quality and battery life. However, Windows laptops are also a viable option if you're not sold on macOS. Windows laptops offer a wider range of options and price points, making them a more flexible choice for budget-conscious users.
How does the CPU affect Affinity Photo performance?
The CPU is one of the most important components in a laptop for photo editing, especially if you're working with RAW files. However, it's not the only component – the GPU plays an equally important role, especially if you're working with 4K footage or want to do some gaming on the side.
Does it make sense to get a fast processor for photo editing?
Yes, a fast processor is essential for photo editing, especially if you're working with large files or multiple layers. However, keep in mind that even the best laptop processors struggle to keep up with their desktop counterparts when it comes to raw performance. Instead, we need to look at other metrics such as power efficiency and thermal design power (TDP).
How I rank laptop processors by performance (single-core vs multi-core)
When choosing a processor, I look at its performance in single-core and multi-core benchmarks. In my laptop recommendations, I use Cinebench R23 and PassMark scores as they're good proxies for overall performance. However, if you're looking for a more affordable laptop, don't expect it to be as fast as one with an H-series processor. These are more power-efficient but have lower clock speeds.
Table of recommended processors, organized by price bracket
| Price Bracket | Processor Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Minimum | Intel Core i3-1115G4 |
| Recommended | Intel Core i5-1135G7 |
| High-End | Intel Core i7-11370H |
If you're considering buying a new laptop for Affinity Photo, make sure it has enough RAM (16 GB+), SSD storage (at least 1 TB), and a high-end graphics card (GTX 1650 or higher). With these specifications, you should be able to handle photo editing with ease.
Boost your Affinity with the right graphics card
As the GPU market continues to evolve, it's essential to know how to select the right graphics card for your needs. If you're in the market for a laptop, you may be wondering if a dedicated graphics card is necessary for photo editing with Affinity Photo 2. Here are some things to consider:
What has changed in the graphics market?
Nvidia continues to dominate the laptop GPU market. The first round of Nvidia's recently released RTX 40 series cards is hitting the shelves, but the RTX 30 series cards still comprise the lion's share of the current notebook GPU market. Additionally, desktop GPUs are now more power-hungry than before, leading to a wider gap between power-limited notebook graphics and desktop graphics cards.
Why not a gaming GPU for photo editing?
Gaming GPUs are designed to prioritize high frame rates over color accuracy and detail, making them not ideal for photo editing. In contrast, GPUs optimized for creative workloads such as the Nvidia Studio series provide better support for color accuracy and work better with creative applications.
Is a dedicated GPU necessary for photo editing?
While Affinity Photo 2 can run without a dedicated GPU, a dedicated GPU helps speed up the rendering process and overall performance. A dedicated GPU is especially necessary for more demanding tasks like working with high-resolution files or using advanced features like live filters.
How to know if a graphics card is fast (through benchmarks)
3DMark is one of the most popular benchmarks and is easy to find online. Notebook reviews that include 3DMark scores (or similar tests) are a good place to start when looking for a laptop with a dedicated graphics card.
Table of recommended GPUs for various budgets
Here are our recommendations for GPUs suitable for Affinity Photo 2 laptops at different budgets:
| GPU | Recommended Budget Range | Average Laptop Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| GeForce GTX 1650 | $600-$800 | $750 |
| GeForce RTX 3050 | $800-$1,200 | $1,000 |
| GeForce RTX 2060 | $1,200 and up | $1,500 |
Keep in mind that these are just recommendations, and other GPUs may work just as well. Additionally, when considering a laptop, make sure it has enough power delivery (PD) wattage allocated to the GPU (150W+) to ensure maximum performance.
RAM Up Your Affinity Photo Experience
When it comes to photo editing with Affinity Photo 2, having enough RAM is crucial. Adobe applications are notorious for their high memory requirements, especially when working with large files. So, if you're working with RAW files, you'll need a lot of RAM.
The latest-gen Intel and AMD CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5, but DDR5 is still quite expensive and needs time to mature as a technology. RAM speed and quantity are closely linked. If you're looking for a laptop that can handle a lot of RAM, you'll need DDR5 memory, as it's the only option available right now.
But how much memory do you need for photo editing? For Affinity Photo 2, we recommend a minimum of 16 GB of RAM. However, for more intensive workloads, such as batch processing or working with very large files, we recommend going for 32 GB or more.
In terms of additional modules, it's always a good idea to check if the laptop has additional slots for RAM modules. This will allow you to add more RAM in the future if you need it.
When shopping for RAM, it's important to consider the speed of the RAM as well. Faster RAM will provide a better overall performance, but it can be more expensive. Check the laptop specifications to see what kind of RAM is installed and what the maximum speed is. You can also check the RAM's performance using benchmarking software like AIDA64 or PassMark.
Here are my top picks for various price ranges:
- Minimum budget: ASUS VivoBook 15 F515 with 16 GB DDR4 RAM.
- Mid-range budget: Dell XPS 15 with 32 GB DDR4 RAM.
- High-end budget: Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch with 64 GB DDR4 ECC memory.
Remember, if you're looking for a laptop with a lot of RAM – 32 GB or more – then you should consider getting one with ECC (error-correcting) memory. It's more expensive, but it's worth it if your work requires reliable data storage and transmission.
Get your queries sorted!
Q: What laptop is best for Affinity Photo 2?
There is no single answer to this question, as the best laptop for Affinity Photo 2 will depend on your needs and budget. However, we have a few recommendations that should help you find the right laptop for your needs.
What are the system requirements for Affinity Photo 2?
According to the Affinity website, the minimum system requirements for Affinity Photo 2 are a 64-bit version of Windows 10, 8GB of RAM, and a graphics card with 2GB of VRAM. The recommended system requirements are a 6th generation or later Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card with 4GB of VRAM.
Can you run Affinity Photo 2 on a laptop?
Yes, you can run Affinity Photo 2 on a laptop as long as it meets the minimum system requirements. However, for optimal performance, it is recommended that you choose a laptop with specs that meet or exceed the recommended system requirements.
Which laptop specs do I need for Affinity Photo 2?
To get the most out of Affinity Photo 2, it is recommended that your laptop have at least a 6th generation Intel Core i5 processor or equivalent, 16GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM.
How much RAM do I need for Affinity Photo 2?
According to the recommended system requirements, it is recommended that you have 16GB of RAM to run Affinity Photo 2. However, if you plan to work with large files or perform other memory-intensive tasks, you may benefit from having more RAM.
What processor is best for Affinity Photo 2?
The recommended processor for Affinity Photo 2 is a 6th generation or later Intel Core i5 processor or equivalent. However, for even better performance, you may want to consider a higher-end processor, such as an i7 or i9.
Is a graphics card necessary for Affinity Photo 2?
Yes, a graphics card is necessary for Affinity Photo 2. According to the minimum system requirements, you need a graphics card with at least 2GB of VRAM. However, for optimal performance, it is recommended that you choose a laptop with a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM.
What is the best budget laptop for Affinity Photo 2?
The HP Victus 15t, priced at $900, is a great budget option for Affinity Photo 2. It features an i5-11300H processor, 16GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card with a GeForce GTX 1650.
Can you edit RAW photos on a laptop with Affinity Photo 2?
Yes, you can edit RAW photos on a laptop with Affinity Photo 2. In fact, Affinity Photo 2 is designed to work with RAW files and includes a number of features specifically for processing RAW images.
Is SSD important for Affinity Photo 2?
While not strictly necessary, having an SSD (solid-state drive) can significantly improve the performance of Affinity Photo 2. SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives, which means that files will load faster and your laptop will be more responsive overall.
6 Best Laptops for Affinity Photo 2
1.HP Victus 15
HP Victus 15 is a budget-friendly gaming laptop that delivers decent performance.- Excellent price
- Good gaming performance
- Can double as a work laptop
- Bad battery life
- Rather plain design
Summary
HP Victus 15 is a reasonably priced laptop that offers good gaming performance and can double as a work laptop. However, its battery life is not impressive, and it has a rather plain design.
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5 17.3
- Solid gaming performance
- Reasonably quiet under load
- Short battery life
- Small touchpad
2.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro offers powerful performance with a high-quality display and easy serviceability.- High-quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display
- Relatively easy serviceability
- Integrated numpad
- Very fast charging
- Low resolution webcam with no IR or privacy shutter
- Very warm CPUGPU temperatures when gaming
- Moderate-heavy uneven backlight bleeding
- Only average battery life
Summary
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a powerful laptop with upgraded CPU and GPU from its predecessor. It features a high-quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display and relatively easy serviceability. However, it has a low-resolution webcam and gets warm during gaming.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74
- Fast performance with a 140 W TGP GeForce RTX 3060
- High refresh rate 300 Hz IPS panel with full sRGB coverage
3.GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
Affinity Photo 2 will run smoothly on the powerful GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4.- Highly responsive 165Hz panel
- Wide colour gamut
- High system performance
- PCIe 4.0 SSD
- High power usage at idle and low load
- No card reader
- Only one USB-A port
Summary
The GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 is a highly responsive 15.6-inch gaming laptop with impressive system performance, PCIe 4.0 SSDs and a solid battery life. It has a wide colour gamut and individual key lighting, but its high power usage at idle, lack of card reader, and only one USB-A port might be a turn off for some.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Strix G15 G513RM
- Fair design and solid build quality
- Good inputs and IO
- Some quirks affecting everyday ergonomics
- No ThunderboltUSB 4, card-reader, camera or biometrics
4.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar packs excellent hardware but is let down by poor thermals.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Wide color gamut coverage with Dolby Vision support
- Unhindered Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti performance
- Limited display angle
- Heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads
- High heat and noise emissions under load
- Battery backup could have been better
Summary
ASUS ROG Strix Scar boasts top-of-the-line hardware with Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti, but its poor thermals lead to high heat and noise emissions, SSD throttling and limited display angle. Despite these issues, the Scar 15 is still a sturdy and reliable gaming laptop.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- High performance capabilities
- Excellent, bright 240-Hz display
- Soldered-in RAM
- Inaccessible SSD
5.ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97
ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97: A powerful gaming laptop with a high refresh rate display and extensive case illumination.- Good QHD panel with 240 Hz
- High and stable gaming performance
- Extensive case illumination
- Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and PCIe 4.0
- Inconsistent SSD performance
- Additional premium for HX CPU isnt worth it
- No webcam
- Electronic noises
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97 is a high-end gaming laptop with a 240-Hz display and great gaming performance. It also boasts of a stable and relatively quiet fan system, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and PCIe 4.0 connectivity.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Top-notch performance with Ryzen 9 CPU and GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU
- Elegant design with a refined two-screen layout
- Expensive, especially when configured with high-end components
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout
6.Dell XPS 17 9720
Affinity Photo 2 performs exceptionally on Dell XPS 17 9720 despite reduced graphics performance.- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- High-quality case
- Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0
- Very high system performance
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
- Not Wi-Fi 6E compatible
- 720p webcam
Summary
Affinity Photo 2 runs smoothly and performs exceptionally on Dell XPS 17 9720, thanks to its high system performance and excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB. However, the laptop's reduced graphics performance and not being Wi-Fi 6E compatible may be drawbacks for some users.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Impressive dual-screen setup for multitasking
- Powerful GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU and Ryzen 9 CPU for top-end performance
- Expensive, not suitable for budget-conscious buyers
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout may take some getting used to
Table of the Best Laptops for Affinity Photo 2
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| HP Victus 15 | $880 |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro | $1,350 |
| GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 | $1,600 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,310 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97 | $3,800 |
| Dell XPS 17 9720 | $5,600 |
