I need help for buying a suitable laptop

[EsraaArtist]

I need to buy new laptop because I started using illustrator beside photoshop and in few days I will start working with inDesign.

So I need some help with specifications I need in a laptop either it's Mac or Windows.

And if you provided me with some suggestions for laptop models it would be great.

The more affordable option the better. 

Thank you 

Esraa

[Jill_C]

Adobe Photoshop minimum and recommended requirements are shown at the link below. When upgrading a computer, I always aim to exceed the recommended requirements to ensure that it's as future-proofed as possible.

Photoshop system requirements (adobe.com)

[IlseHat]

This is not as helpful as people may think.  The requirement list is so full of tech jargon that people like me have to first go and google what they mean.  I know what RAM is, but what is AVX?  SSE?    Then they refer to a Graphics Card with Directx 12 but what does that mean?  When you look for computers to buy, these are not functions that are at all dealt with in the PC or laptop's description.   So how do you know if a pc actually matches these requirements?  I checked these specs before I purchased Adobe and matched it with what I knew about my PC.  Turns out that even though my PC had Win 10, 16GB RAM it wasn't fast enough to work with Photoshop.  Was it the AVX(?)  Was it the SSE(?)  I don't know because I still don't know what it means.  So it's been two years and I've still not found a new pc and I've still not installed Photoshop again.

[jacquelingphoto2017]

Hi @EsraaArtist ,

I use desktop as I find this to be more suitable. I use Windows OS.

On a quest to acquire a laptop I learnt that one of the gaming laptop would be a better choice to handle large volume of graphic processing. You need a device with high graphic and memory speeds. Also you should not get anything with less than 3 terabyte storage space as along with storage you will need to have space to generate virtual memory. In my research I found that a laptop with SSD storage is better, but they are more expensive than the device with HHD storage. The SSD storage produce faster speed. The HHD although less expensive is much slower.

The thing with laptops are if you get one with good memory speed, the storage is usually too small. If you get one with a reasonable storage, the memory speed is usually too slow.  

In my research I discovered that the gaming laptops carries graphic cards while the regular laptops has no graphic card. I do not know for sure, but I suspect that you will have issues using the Adobe applications without a graphic card. Hence, in my opinion, you should be looking for something with a graphic card. On enquiring from my trusted supplier, she said laptop is not suitable for high volume graphic activities. 

The gaming laptops are expensive. The one I looked on four years ago cost more than US$3,000.00 and I would have to add a component to increase the speed. If you can get information about the bus speed of the motherboard that will be helpful also, since a faster bus speed means a faster computer. However, this information is usually hard to come by. It is likely though, that a gaming laptop will have a motherboard with fast bus speed as this is essential for playing electronic games.

As to providing you with specific specs, I can't since I do not know anything about your work volume. However, I hope you will find this guideline helpful.

Best wishes

Jacquelin

[jacquelingphoto2017]

Hi @fred_gmc ,

Thank you for the the correction. I know better. Don't know why I made that error.

Best wishes

Jacquelin

[Bojan Živković]

Some things to consider:

Many computations in Photoshop are now accelerated using the GPU, so a newer and more powerful model is preferable—at least an RTX 3060 Ti. Keep in mind that laptop components are generally weaker than their desktop counterparts.

Memory is often not sufficient, especially if you plan to run two or more programs simultaneously. Consider at least 32GB of RAM.

You will also need a fast scratch disk, as Photoshop relies heavily on this. Aim for at least 500GB of free space on an SSD.

[D Fosse]

There are two main considerations with laptops, aside from what Bojan points out.

One is dual GPUs, which tend to conflict. You may well need to completely disable any integrated GPU to avoid this conflict. Laptops are generally not configured for advanced applications that use the GPU as an active co-processor, doing actual data processing that is sent back to the application in a two-way flow.

The other is more subtle. Laptop manufacturers want more than anything else to put their own stamp on the product. So everything is heavily modified - hardware components, drivers, Windows itself, with lots of extra layers between Windows and the user. And most of this is aimed at gaming and the standard consumer-oriented applications. It can get in the way of Photoshop. Actually, the dual GPU problem belongs right here.

What you want is a clean system without bells and whistles. Gaming machines are often recommended because they tend to have high-grade hardware - but I would avoid that, precisely for these reasons. The more it's targeted for creative studio work the better.

All of which is why I always recommend a desktop machine over a laptop, if that's an option. But sometimes you need to be mobile. Just be a bit careful and don't believe the marketing.

[ExUSA]

@D Fossethis is true on the PC side of things. On the Mac side, computers no longer have dual GPUs and are not crapified (I'm not a Windows 11 user but apparently just what Microsoft does is pretty bad.)

OP, get a Mac.

[ExUSA]

No. Some of Apple's older (discontinued) Intel-based portables had the option to have a second discrete video card. This means one for efficiency and one for more demanding usage. The efficiency card was "Integrated" as part of the Intel chipset and the "Discrete" card was an AMD product.

All of Apple's current Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) computers have a single integrated video card that is designed for both efficiency and power. You can do a web search for thousands of articles and reviews explaining how this works.

[D Fosse]

@ExUSA I didn't hear any complaints from Mac users a couple of years ago 😉

No, this is not a Microsoft problem, that's the exact point I'm trying to get across. Windows is rock solid if just left alone. The problem is the third-party OEMs, Dell, hp, Acer, Asus, etc. They source all hardware components and all basic software/drivers from the outside. So their only chance to put their brand stamp on the product, is to modify and add. And that's what they do, and that's where all the problems happen.

[fred_gmc]

That is corect. It all depends on the device manufacturer. If its a Microsoft problem, its either got somthing to do with Surface or Windows.

And @D Fosse 's point ablout the fact that you can modify (if not build) a fast, high graphic, beast that can run a lot more then a single Mac can. If you ask me, a Mac is a poor excuse for a fast laptop. 

[ExUSA]

Any current M3 or M4 MacBook Pro would be a great choice. I'd recommend at least 24GB of RAM, 32GB or more being better.

[fred_gmc]

Then again MAC.OS has a lot more resrictions when it come to software and intergration. Windows, or even Linux, would work better anyway. Btw @ExUSA , you can make Windows computers with 100 times more power.

[Conrad_C]

You'll need to provide some hard published numbers to back up that "100 times more power" statement. It isn't true. (It is more likely that a PC requires more electrical power to do the same work, based on the high performance per watt of Apple Silicon.)

Also, a lot of Windows laptops drop their performance when unplugged, while Mac laptops maintain maximum performance on battery. So if someone bought a laptop to be able to do work on the go, a Mac can be better if a comparable PC laptop can only provide faster-than-Mac performance if that performance needs wattage that can only be provided by an AC outlet.

[fred_gmc]

Hello @Conrad_C , 

That might be the case, but as we know Apple Mac's don't come in a wide range of options, and laptops with a Nivida GPU, which would be slightly more powerful then the M3.

[ExUSA]

Certainly people should get a computer that fits what they need. As for options, exactly what options do you need? I sometimes see vague handwaving but nothing else specific with statements like this.

I'm a diehard Mac user, Windows drives me crazy and so yes I'm going to be biased, but reviews pretty much universally put the MacBook Pro as the best laptops available. I'm not just making a fanboi recommendation.

You can get a PC laptop with storng performance but it will either run hot and loud and have terrible battery life, or still have comptibility issues if you get an ARM PC. I suspect those issues will get ironed out in the next couple of years; meanwhile Intel has a new CEO and nobody know what direction they will be going.

[fred_gmc]

Hello @ExUSA ,

Of corse Mac would be the go to for performance and potabiltity. I would get one, only if it ran Windows. If @EsraaArtist is a Mac user anyway, she could get a custom made pc running Linix ( which is quite simalar to Mac.OS anyway.) I'm not saying @EsraaArtist has to buy a Windows or Linux, im just saying that she could get a custom laptop/PC with more prosessing power and graphic ability.

[davescm]

It seems this thread has drifted away from the OP's request. However, to avoid any misleading info, remember that Photoshop does not run natively in Linux.

Dave

[fred_gmc]

You are corect. It does not, but it was just a sugestion.

[ExUSA]

Yes presumably the OP has already bought a computer. The OP wanted a laptop recommendation, either Mac or Windows, for illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

[fred_gmc]

Btw @Conrad_C , I was giving a rough comparason between the 2 optios.

[fred_gmc]

Hello @EsraaArtist ,

Have a look at the Alienware laptops for portabilaty and performance. They run on Intel (R) Core (TM) Ultra CPU's what are quite fast and provide all the power and graphic performance you need. I have been living with one for a while and they are extreemly reliable. Or Asus might help you a little more with their Nividia (R) GeForce (TM) RTX GPU's. I would go with Alienware, but in the long run, it's your decision.

Please let me know if this info was any help.

[Trevor.Dennis]

Hello @EsraaArtist ,

Have a look at the Alienware laptops for portability and performance.

By @fred_gmc

I am a long time Windows user, and have, in the past, taken the micky out of Mac users because they are/were expensive for their spec, and impossible to upgrade — least ways the MacBooks are.  I don't know about their desktop systems.  Now, I never thought I'd say this, but after considerable research, I bought a MacBook Pro M2 Pro with just 16GB and 1TB drive.  It was primarily to travel with, and the MacBook was lighter and with getting on for double the battery life.

I am not especially liking the OS, but that's because I am getting too old to learn new systems easily, but by heck does this little laptop fly.  It is slower than my desktop workstation when it comes to heavy lifting, but the display is lightning fast.  It is like a hot hatch (Toyota GR Yaris, or Golf R) compared to and American muscle car (uber fast in a straight line, but a handfull on city streets).  It easily rund Photoshop, and is really enjoyable to use because it is so snappy and crisp.  The 14 inch screen is too small for my old eyes, but it is like a big cell phone — those Retina displays are like looking at real life.  

There is zero chance of my moving to a Mac for my main system, but I won't be taking the mick out of Macs again.

I have just thought there is an interesting postscript to this.  A dear friend, and regular forum poster, recently bought a new 16 inch MacBook Pro, M4 Max, 4TB drive and 64GB ram.  We have an informal test we use in Photoshop. 

30,000 x 30,000 8bit image

5000 pixel fully hard brush with 1% spacing

Stamp down in a corner of the document, and Shift stamp the diagonal opposite corner.

My desktop has i9 13900K, RTX4080, 64Gb and a couple of  Samsung 2TB 980Pro drives (the fast drives are important with large documents because of the scratch file sizes.  The 30k x 30k document uses 20GB of scratch space.

My system takes about 11 seconds for the above test, my friend's MacBook does in just 4.4 seconds!

[Nancy OShea]

Laptops tend to overheat and thus are not my first choice as a work computer.  Also, you get way more bang for your buck with a good desktop computer. 

Buy the best computer you can afford. Allow plenty of RAM and physical hard disk space for your Photoshop Scratch Disk. Allow extra wiggle room for your operating system and all other apps you intend to use.

If you're not knowledgeable about computers, ask a computer savvy friend or family member to help you.

Make sure your computer exceeds the minimum CPU & GPU requirements. Most Creative Cloud apps work on these systems, no more than 2 versions back:

• Windows 11 (64-bit) versions 23H2, 22H2; Windows 10 versions 22H2, 21H2;
• MacOS 15 (Sequoia), 14.7 (Sonoma), 13.6.7 (Ventura).

- https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/system-requirements.html
- https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/system-requirements.html
- https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/photoshop-cc-gpu-card-faq.html

- https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/system-requirements.html

- https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/system-requirements.html

Happy shopping!

[fred_gmc]

Yes @Nancy OShea ,

That is true, but kep in mind that @EsraaArtist may want a portible device rather then one that sits underneath your desk.