Let’s face it, there are several things that come to mind when you think of Adobe. Their logo is widely recognized and their products are just as good as their name.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that one of the most sought-after software is Adobe Illustrator.
It’s used by designers of all sorts, including illustrators who do creative work like designing logos or typographic artists who create beautiful imagery that needs vector-based tools to achieve the desired results.
Best Laptops for Adobe Illustrator in 2022
Lastly, it’s important to note that Adobe Illustrator is just one of the many image editing and graphics creating tools in the company’s subscription service called Adobe CC, which currently costs you $20/month.
This means that one can’t purchase this application independently (not at least unless they manage to source an older product key elsewhere), which makes it more suitable for projects at short notice or where actual employees need not be assigned consistently on a monthly basis.
2020 Apple MacBook Air
The Apple MacBook Air is a photo editing laptop featuring a thin and light design, long battery life, and an optional solid-state drive.
Apple released two updated models in 2018 and has three new models arriving in 2019. The most recent model is the Apple MacBook Air MJVE2LL/A which has 8GB of memory and 128GB SSD.
The 2019 models are the Apple MacBook Air MJVM2LL/A and MJVP2LL/A both having the updated 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor.
The MacBook Air features a Retina display and a full-size keyboard that’s 87% larger than those on previous MacBook Air models. It’s thin, light, and durable enough to take everywhere you go—and powerful enough to do everything once you get there.
With a new generation of Intel processors, MacBook Air is even faster and more powerful than before. And with new speakers that are twice as loud, you won’t hesitate to take it everywhere you go.
Pros
- The lower price of entry
- Long battery life
- Sleek design
- Good performance
Cons
- No support for Wi-Fi 6
- No SD card slot
- No Face ID login
2019 Apple MacBook Pro
Merging the power of a desktop with the convenience of a laptop, this fully loaded 2019 Apple MacBook Pro features a brilliant 16-inch Retina display with True Tone technology and an optional Touch Bar.
It’s powered by an eighth-generation 6-core Intel Core i7 processor and boasts 16GB of memory. With its 2TB of storage, it’s great for professionals and creative minds who need a portable computer.
This notebook is kitted out with a stunning Retina display that’s perfect for photographers, designers, and other visual professionals, while the Touch Bar lets you tap into a range of tools.
The 2019 MacBook Pro’s Touch ID feature lets you unlock it wirelessly, as well as use Apple Pay for easy and secure payments.
The Force Touch trackpad provides a realistic clicking sensation and supports haptic feedback. With a battery life of 10 hours, this notebook provides plenty of juice for your day.
This lightweight and the portable 15.4-inch notebook comes with a six-speaker system with force-canceling woofers, which delivers incredible sound in all your movies, music, and games.
MacBook Pro at A Glance: The latest 13-inch MacBook Pro is just 0.59 thin and weighs only 3 pounds. The 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology features a wider color gamut and is 25% brighter at a 500nit brightness.
The keyboard features the latest butterfly mechanism, a deeper key journey, and a more responsive design.
Pros
- Superb audio quality.
- Powerful Intel Core i9 and AMD Radeon Pro 5500M.
- Long battery life.
- SSD storage options up to 8TB.
Cons
- Lacks microSD slot, USB Type-A ports.
- As ever, no touch-screen option.
Acer Aspire E 15
This Acer Aspire laptop delivers essential portability and all-day battery power. The 15.6″ LED-backlit IPS display features Acer Eye Protect technology, which reduces eye strain during long periods of use.
The 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U processor is powerful enough to handle most of your daily tasks, and the 256GB solid-state drive ensures your computer will run quickly and efficiently.
Get connected to your network and the Internet using the Acer Aspire E 15’s integrated 802.11ac wireless, and stay attached even in locations without Wi-Fi thanks to the built-in 4G LTE mobile broadband modem.
This laptop comes with Windows 10 Home, allowing you to move seamlessly from one place to the next and keeping all your files, music, photos, and videos with you. And it also comes with a one-year limited warranty.
The Acer Aspire E 15 E5-576G-5762 15.6″ Full HD Notebook Computer comes complete with all of your necessities for work or play, including Windows 10 Home 64-Bit, 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U 1.6GHz Quad-Core processor, 8GB of DDR4 memory, and a 15.6″ Full HD display with IPS technology.
Packing an NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics card with 2GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory, you’re ready to take on your most demanding tasks – whether it be work or play.
Pros
- Affordable
- CPU is good
- Ranges of port
- Overall performance is good
Cons
- Not so available in stores
- Not good for gaming
- High end not supported
Acer Aspire Laptop
The Aspire Laptop is the perfect combination of technology, design, and efficiency. The display is a powerhouse, boasting a resolution of 1920×1080 that produces high-quality images, and boasts a wide-angle viewing range.
With 128GB of onboard storage and a solid-state drive (SSD), your computer can go anywhere with you for all of your everyday needs and even some beyond your wildest imagination.
The ports on this laptop are numerous, including one USB 2.0 port, one USB 3.0 port, and a USB 3.1 port.
The operating system is a Windows 10 Home 64-Bit, and you can use the preloaded Office package to create, edit, and save content.
Acer Aspire 1.8″ Laptop Hard Drive with 30GB Capacity Model no. ASPIRE1-781-6827 This is an external hard drive and does not include a USB cable, we recommend the use of a USB cable from your old computer.
Specifications: Capacity: 30GB Interface: USB 2.0 Plug and Play: Yes Operating System: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista (requires reformatting), Macintosh OSX10.3 or later (requires reformatting) Dimensions: 4.34″ x 2.36″ x 0.59″
Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap. Simply plug in the included USB cable and drag and drop files.
Pros
- Affordable
- Good port selection
- Great audio
- Comfortable backlit keyboard
Cons
- Off-center touchpad
- Feels like a budget laptop
Lenovo Idea pad L340
The L340’s incredible 9th gen Intel Core i5 processor gives you more power to do more. Faster Turbo Boost speeds give you more power when you need it, and a quad-core boost helps you zip through tasks with ease.
With 8GB of DDR4 RAM, you can run your favorite programs with ease, and Lenovo’s unique thermal solution channels the heat away from the CPU to keep it from overheating.
A 512GB NV Me SSD gives you lightning-fast read times and speeds for all your favorite programs, and it’s compatible with Lenovo’s OneDrive cloud service for more storage space.
Plus, with a 15.6-inch Full HD display, you can enjoy your favorite media on the go, and the ability to play popular games.
The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 is a full-featured laptop with a reasonable price tag. Equipped with a 7th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, this laptop lets you work and play without any lags or issues.
This laptop’s 15.6-inch display has a Full HD 1920×1080 resolution, giving you crisp visuals without any hiccups.
This laptop from Lenovo comes with a 1TB hard disk drive that offers ample space to store all your essential files and multimedia files as well.
The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 is a perfect companion for professionals and students alike, who need a laptop for daily office work and entertainment.
The Multi-in-1 media card reader makes it easy to transfer your photos and video clips to your laptop. The in-built Dolby Audio Premium sound system gives you a sound experience like never before.
The Lenovo L340 Laptop casual Top loader T210 is the perfect computer carrying case for anyone looking for a sleek, modern, relaxed bag.
This convenient laptop shoulder bag is large enough to hold any brand of computer up to 15.6 inches, held securely in a designated padded compartment.
The Lenovo L340 Laptop casual Top loader T210 is the perfect computer carrying case for anyone looking for a sleek, modern, relaxed bag.
Pros
- Great battery life
- Excellent Gaming Performance
- IPS FULL HD Screen
- Backlit keyboard
Cons
- No 4K display
- No Optical Drive
Razer Blade 15
The Razer Blade 15 boasts incredible performance in the most compact footprint possible while remaining remarkably durable and just 0.78″ thin.
Its Full HD display delivers bright, crisp visuals, and its 144 Hz refresh rate pairs with a 3 MS response time for sharp and responsive gameplay.
With a new 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor and NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX™ graphics, this laptop provides the ultimate level of performance for both gaming and content creation.
The Razer Blade 15 comes fully loaded with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), with Gigabit Ethernet for stable, high-speed wired connectivity, and Thunderbolt 3 for 40Gbps transfer speeds.
Razer is making it easier than ever to transfer data from your mobile device, with a USB Type-C port that supports double display output (driving a 4K monitor and supplying power to a laptop, for example).
You can use wired or wireless peripherals, such as a mouse and keyboard, simultaneously without the clutter of multiple USB receivers.
It also has 3 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports for convenient pass-through charging. The Razer Blade 15 is the first laptop with a precision glass trackpad, giving you the most accurate tracking possible.
Pros
- Fantastic keyboard
- Colorful 1440p panel
- Smooth glass touchpad
Cons
- Boring design
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
The new Surface Pro is a tablet that can replace your laptop. A powerful Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and up to 16GB of RAM deliver lightning-fast performance.
The built-in kickstand and touchscreen allow you to work or play anywhere, while the premium materials and incredible 2560 x 1440 resolution make it the perfect device for creating, editing, and sharing your ideas.
Available in six colors to match your individual style, and with a USB-C port for connecting to the latest peripherals, this is the tablet that can do it all.
The new Surface Pro has been completely reimagined to be the most versatile laptop yet. The perfect fusion between functionality and aesthetics, Surface Pro provides a tablet experience that is second to none.
Surface Pro 6 is a laptop and it’s a tablet, giving you the best of both worlds so that you can be productive anywhere and everywhere.
Surface Pro 6 has an optional feature to add an Intel Core i7 processor, as well as an optional NVIDIA GeForce discrete graphics processing unit, to give you a significant boost in performance.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is the tablet that can replace your laptop. Get the performance of a laptop and versatility of a tablet in the sleek, all-new Surface Pro.
Pros
- Robust battery life
- Sharp display
- Well-implemented kickstand
- Includes USB-C
Cons
- Keyboard still sold separately
- Just two ports, and no Thunderbolt support
Microsoft Surface Book 2
Experience a new level of power and performance with the Microsoft Surface Book 2. Featuring the latest 8th generation Intel Quad-Core i7 Processor, up to 16 GB RAM, and up to 17 hours of video playback, the new Surface Book 2 will outperform any laptop on the market.
It’s the most powerful Surface laptop yet with a 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 discrete graphics.
The infinitely versatile new Surface Book 2 features a stunning PixelSense Display with high resolution, perfect contrast, and true-to-life color.
The incredible, adaptable new Surface Book 2, the ultimate laptop, is available in a classic silver finish with a sleek look and a detachable screen that doubles as a clipboard, or with a new, powerful Core i7 processor, optional NVIDIA® GeForce® 965M graphics, and up to 16GB of RAM.
You can even choose a model with a discrete graphics chip that lets you play video games and watch movies with rich, vibrant visuals.
The battery-powered, NVIDIA® GeForce® 965M-powered Surface Book 2 will play some of the latest PC games available today.
Pros
- Versatile, and light when used as a tablet
- Excellent and responsive touch screen
- Powerful machine with Nvidia graphics
- Xbox Wireless support
- Good battery life
Cons
- USB-C without Thunderbolt is a mistake
- The big-screen wobbles a bit when you move it
- The 102-watt power supply isn’t enough for gaming
ASUS Vivo Book Pro 17
Now available in a sleek new gunmetal grey, the ASUS Vivo Book Pro 17 is the ultimate laptop for work and for play.
Powered by an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM and a speedy solid-state drive, the Vivo Book Pro 17 is the perfect laptop for on-the-go professionals, creatives, and gamers.
This ultra-portable laptop is just 0.83-inch thin and weighs just 4.2 pounds, making it one of the thinnest and lightest high-performance notebooks available.
ASUS Vivo Book Pro 17 (90NB0ER1-M012170) is powered by a 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7-7700HQ CPU and 16GB DDR4 RAM, accompanied by NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 2GB graphics card.
It gives you 256GB of SSD storage and 1TB of platter storage. The laptop is outfitted with an impressive 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display.
Its keyboard features a numeric pad and backlit keys for low-light gaming. It has a fingerprint scanner for user authentication and is powered by a non-removable Li-Po battery.
ASUS Vivo Book Pro 17 is one of the most powerful laptops ever created, featuring the latest 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor, discrete NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 graphics, and a stunningly slim and stylish all-aluminum design.
Pros
- Thin 17 laptop
- Plenty of storage
- Great Portability
- Great screen
Cons
- Runs hot
- Available on online stores only
- Hinge issue
HP Envy 2019
Take on everything from work to play with this laptop from HP. It has a memory capacity of 16GB ECC, along with a 1TB PCIe NV Me M.2 SSD, so you can have all your work files, videos, music, and more on hand at all times.
The HP ENVY 17T is made for one thing: getting things done. The 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, backed by 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB PCIe NV Me M.2 SSD, will take on the most demanding of tasks like a champ. You can even have it boot up and resume from sleep in less than a second.
The 17.3-inch full HD display is perfect for your daily tasks. And with an NVIDIA MX250 graphics card onboard, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide variety of gaming applications as well.
The HP Envy 17T comes preloaded with Windows 10 Pro, which allows you to take advantage of its touchscreen capabilities, easily switch between different programs, and multi-task with ease.
The HP ENVY 17-bk010dx 17.3″ diagonal FHD Anti-Glare UWVA edge-to-edge glass touch screen Notebook PC (AMD Ryzen 7-1710Y Processor, 2GB Radeon Vega 8 Graphics, 16GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM (2x8GB).
2TB 5400 rpm SATA Hard Drive, Windows 10 Home 64-bit) in Onyx Black is a powerful workhorse with an edgy and dramatic design.
Pros
- Attractive, lightweight chassis
- Fast performance
- Bright display
- Long battery life (on FHD model)
- Crisp, powerful speakers
Cons
- 4K model has a short battery life
- No Thunderbolt 3
Frequently Asked Questions
In what ways does a GPU accelerate certain Illustrator CC tasks?
The GPUs are responsible for accelerating the rendering process. According to this concept, certain features like path-rendering, relevant only to the NVIDIA GPUs, can be handled by the GPU instead of a computer’s central processor.
However, even Radeon GPUs can be used if they have OpenGL compatibility. This allows Turing GPUs from Nvidia to use ray tracing and Deep Learning Super Sampling technologies both independently and simultaneously for engineering that has never been seen before in the PC market space industry.
What do you mean by vector graphics designing?
Unlike photo-centric and other graphic design styles that use pixel formats, a vector graphic utilizes geometry points such as lines and relevant curves.
These images are best produced on the platform of a business that has a powerful CPU so they can research and interpret complex mathematical equations necessary to produce its visuals.
Does Illustrator CC rely vehemently on CUDA cores?
While the CUDA cores and acceleration in Photoshop can be a handful, Illustrator CC is more reliant on OpenGL-based hardware which means that even entry-level GPUs with lesser amounts of processing cores can help with relevant GPU-accelerated tasks inside this software.
How much RAM is necessary to approach Illustrator CC at a professional level?
As our expert’s review, you may require more than the 12GB mark for Illustrator CC to efficiently manage.
They tell us that vector graphics files are comparatively smaller and use temporary allotment of disc space in vast amounts, but with typographic design and several tasks at once they seem like a minimum requirement.
What is the best storage setup for laptops preferred by creative individuals?
As a graphic designer, you may end up working with Illustrator, GIMP, and other applications that are based on Adobe and/or open standards.
This will give you a less stable workflow as you attempt to move back and forth between different apps to do your work. To avoid this, we recommend using one of our computing solutions that has dual-storage modules.
This way you’ll be able to have a separate boot drive for your computer’s operating system whereas your project files can all be stored separately alongside any other static files on another drive.
Conclusion
Most of the gadgets mentioned in our top 10 list offer more features than just Illustrator CC usage. However, it is up to you to make selections based on the specifications sheet and what’s the best fit for you personally.
Cody is a passionate gamer, writer, and computer programmer who’s always looking for ways to optimize and automate everyday tasks. When he’s not immersed in prose and code, he’s busy tinkering with computers, automating his home, and spending time with his wife and kids.
