Best Computer For Designing T Shirts? All Answers

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As an artist, the right tools can make all the difference when it comes to creating your art. That goes for graphic designers, musicians, and every artist in between.

Mac computers continue to be one of the best tools for creative designers. In fact, 99.9% of graphic designers use a Mac instead of a Windows PC.

Why do artists use Macs? What makes her so special?

Artists, graphic designers, and musicians use Mac computers because Apple has developed a variety of high-quality creative applications designed to run in the Apple ecosystem. In addition, Mac’s operating system and user interface are simpler and more intuitive for creative-minded people.

Read on as we dive into the ins and outs of what makes Mac Computers (Amazon) best for many artists, musicians, and graphic designers, and we’ll also discuss some of the artist-friendly programs Apple has developed for the Mac, such as z Logic Pro, Garageband, Sketch and more.

(This article may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you) Up Your Creative Game! Master your craft with courses taught by the world’s top creatives → View all creative courses

Why do artists use Mac computers instead of Windows?

As mentioned above, many artists – including musicians, graphic designers, etc. – choose Mac computers over other options like Windows for a variety of reasons.

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Let’s examine some of them below:

Excellent build quality and performance

From the new MacBook Pro and the elegantly thin Air to the classic iMac desktop computer, Apple’s range of computers is considered by many to be premium products.

The main reason is the elegant design and excellent build quality of Apple’s products. For the most part, Mac computers are ahead of the curve when it comes to hardware and aesthetic design.

Apple’s computers are known for their sleek and sleek contemporary designs — take the Macbook’s aluminum unibody, for example — not only look good, but they’re built to last.

As a graphic designer, I personally appreciate the retina display on my Macbook Pro, which really makes my designs stand out.

Not to mention that when comparing my Mac laptop to my Windows laptop, there is a day and night difference in terms of speed and ease of use.

This is of course partly thanks to the Mac OS itself, but the M1 chip in my Macbook Pro was designed to significantly increase performance and battery life, and I find it definitely delivers on both fronts.

Wide range of accessories useful for artists

Designing or putting together music-related projects on a computer without the right accessories can be nearly impossible.

Luckily, there are a variety of unique and helpful external tools for Mac computers that make an artist’s life a whole lot easier.

Apple Pencil and Magic TrackPad

While pens aren’t a new accessory, the Apple Pencil (Amazon) is arguably one of the best out there.

Not only is it often praised for its ergonomic design (which feels good in the hand), but it also offers precision when designing with programs like Pixelmator Pro or Affinity Photo.

The Magic TrackPad (which is a separate accessory) acts as a tablet, allowing you to take notes and sketch with your Apple Pencil, just like you would on a piece of paper.

magic mouse

Unlike most “wireless” mice on the market, the Magic Mouse (Amazon) allows users to perform simple gestures to quickly scroll through documents, swipe between programs, and more.

The mouse’s design is perfect for artists who work fast and need a mouse that doesn’t lag behind.

It also has long battery life so it won’t die when you’re in the middle of a creative project.

AirPods

The Airpods (Amazon) are very popular among music listeners and anyone who wants to chat wirelessly on their iPhone.

That being said, the sound quality of these wireless earbuds makes them an incredible accessory for musicians and producers working on a track in Garageband or Logic Pro.

What Mac apps and programs are available for artists?

Whether you use a Mac computer to make music, design logos, or create sketches, the operating system has a few applications and programs designed specifically for artists like you.

Apps for musicians

Logic Pro

Both music producers and artists of all genres use Apple’s Logic Pro. This digital audio workstation lets you mix and record tracks in one place with a range of other useful features including:

Thousands of samples and instrumentals

loops and sound effects

An easy-to-use interface for fast music production and recording on Mac computers

garage band

Garageband is similar to Logic Pro in that it allows you to produce and record tracks in one all-in-one application.

You can create anything from songs to podcasts while using a library of samples and sound effects to enhance your projects.

Both applications are specially designed to run on Apple devices and the Mac operating system. While there are workarounds to running these programs on a Windows computer, it’s not as seamless as running them on a Mac.

Affinity Photo & Pixelmator For graphic designers and artists

As a graphic designer and Mac owner, I use these two apps on a daily basis. However, Affinity Photo has a slight advantage over Pixelmator Pro in my opinion.

affinity photo

Available at a much lower price than similar apps, this top-notch photo editing tool allows you to edit images, create layered graphics, and more.

If you’ve ever used Adobe Photoshop in the past, Affinity Pro will look and feel a lot like you.

With that in mind, it is one of the best apps for designers and artists who are moving from a Windows PC to a Mac.

Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro lets you draw and edit images in a single app with a special feature that not many photo editors have: an automatic color matching tool powered by machine learning.

This allows designers to easily make color changes. Beyond this feature, you can also export images directly to your website.

Here are some additional features of Pixelmator Pro that I think digital artists and designers will appreciate:

The preview option allows users to see what changes will look like before committing them

Text editing tool

Easily edit and export SVGs

Draw and sketch by hand with built-in painting tools

https://youtu.be/ZEoGS_ESXBU Cannot load video because JavaScript is disabled: Why some graphic designers choose Mac (https://youtu.be/ZEoGS_ESXBU) See why many graphic designers choose Mac computers.

Conclusion

Why do artists use Mac computers? As we’ve discussed, artists, designers, and musicians choose Mac primarily because it offers the most widely used operating system in the creative design industry.

In addition, however, an Apple computer offers excellent build quality, a wide range of accessories and a wide range of applications and programs that artists can use to work on their craft.

That being said, Macs cost significantly more than other computers out there, like Windows PCs, and they’re not for everyone.

If you’re an artist, we encourage you to do some research and find the best computer for you.

More questions and answers about artists found by Artistik

resources

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Creating your own t-shirt designs means you can wear personalized styles anywhere! But if you don’t have a background in graphic design, you might find all the design programs a bit confusing. What’s the best t-shirt design software for you?

The best t-shirt design and printing software helps users create unique typography and graphics. Some of the most popular professional design programs are Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw. Free programs like GIMP and Inkscape offer an open-source alternative for creating t-shirt designs.

In this article, you will learn how t-shirt design software works. You will discover the 15 best software and printing programs available today. Finally, you’ll get an overview of the best design tools available as apps or on the web.

What is t-shirt design and printing software?

T-shirt design and printing software gives you the tools you need to create an image, logo, or graphic to print on a t-shirt. Today you can use downloadable graphic design software or choose from a wide range of web-based t-shirt design tools. Some design programs are even included in easy-to-use apps!

With so many options to choose from, how do you find the right software for your t-shirt project? You should start by looking for a few key features.

First, does the program offer vector design? Digital and paper designs often use pixel-based raster images. Pixel composition makes raster images look weird when you zoom in or out because you can get a blurry or pixelated view. Vector graphics, on the other hand, base their size on a mathematical formula that automatically increases or decreases the details of the image as needed.

You can see how vector graphics work much better for most t-shirt designs!

Another feature to consider is ease of use. Many professional designers use hardcore graphic design programs like Adobe Illustrator, and you might need such a feature-packed program for your work! But on the other hand, you might need a simple web-based program that allows you to change preset templates.

Custom t-shirts have become so popular that you can find thousands of online companies where you can choose from easy-to-edit templates. While these programs don’t give you as much freedom as a traditional graphic design tool, they offer a fast, easy-to-use alternative!

Of course, costs also play an important role in the decision-making process! You can find free t-shirt design software, but you may have to compromise on some of the features you want if you choose these options.

Finally, make sure to adapt the design program to your printing process. Planning to use a heat press, screen print or DTG (direct-to-garment) print? Each method has specific requirements.

For example, if you plan to do a screen print, you should buy software that offers a color separator and vector design tools. This way you can prepare each individual color for printing on an individual screen.

Can you use the same design for screen printing and inkjet printing? Inkjet printing, also known as direct-to-garment, uses water-based inks and prints a digital image directly onto the fabric of the t-shirt.

You can sometimes get away with using raster images for this type of printing. The downside here is that the image looks a lot cheaper than a screen printed image.

Ultimately, whether you want to design t-shirts for your own stylish wardrobe or sell them on Etsy, you should choose a program that you love. Creating your custom designs is a cool artistic process and you should enjoy it!

16 Best T-Shirt Software Options

You can find t-shirt design programs in various formats including downloadable software, web-based programs, and apps. Read on to find all the important details about the sixteen most popular t-shirt design programs available today. This includes cost, ease of use and compatibility of each tool!

1. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator has maintained its laurels as the best all-around graphic design program for students and professionals in many fields. If you plan to create t-shirt designs for sale, or if you want to create complex professional images, check out the Adobe Suite!

This advanced vector design program is compatible with Windows and Mac and even has apps that you can use on different devices. Also, Adobe does a good job of rolling out new features and keeping up with the times.

But the downside of this comprehensive design program is that it’s quite difficult to master. You can’t just follow a few simple instructions to create an image like you can in many web-based programs! Instead, you need to actually learn how vector design works and create your own designs from scratch.

You can subscribe to the full Adobe suite for $49.99 per month, or purchase access to the app or just Illustrator for $29.99 per month.

2.Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop offers a more user-friendly experience than Illustrator, although it also has some limitations. First, it doesn’t offer vector design tools. This program focuses solely on photo manipulation.

This means that you can only use this software if you want to use DTG printing as it doesn’t work well for screen printing.

On the other hand, Photoshop gives you the gold standard of photo editing and manipulation. If you want to start a small business that prints family photos onto t-shirts for clients, you’ll almost certainly want to use Photoshop!

You can purchase Photoshop at different monthly subscription prices depending on how many features you want. Like Illustrator, you can use Photoshop as an app or on both Windows and Mac computers.

3. Inkscape

Inkscape ranks fairly high as a free, open-source graphic design program. Artists from many fields use this feature-rich tool that offers vector design tools. The program has continued to improve over the years as more and more users adopt the open source code.

However, here’s the rub. Like Illustrator, Inkscape has a bit of a learning curve. It also doesn’t come with tutorials and customer support! It does have a pretty solid online user community though, so you can usually find tips and help when you need it.

If you want a lightweight t-shirt template to be resizable, don’t go for Inkscape. On the other hand, if you want to create your own images and logos, Inkscape offers the best free program out there!

4. CorelDraw

CorelDraw doesn’t have the extreme popularity of Adobe Illustrator yet, but it’s on the rise! This comprehensive design suite offers vector design tools as well as multiple add-ons specifically designed for t-shirt design. These include a program for fitting objects to paths and a pointilizer program, which give you alternative, easier ways to create a design.

CorelDraw offers a free two-week trial so you can try it and see if it suits your style. If you decide to buy it, there is a range of prices depending on what features you want. You can purchase a version for a monthly subscription of $34.99 or buy the entire suite for $449.

5. Graffix Pro

GraffixPro is a very different ballgame than complex design suites like Illustrator. This much simpler program gives you a library of templates and fonts to choose from, and you create a design from these pre-built building blocks. This downloadable software gives you everything you need to quickly create custom designs for your family or clients.

Of course, you don’t get the wide range of design options that you get in a more artistic program, but this tool has many helpful business add-ons like job management software! The major downside of this business-oriented program is that it costs $900!

6. Fat color

Fatpaint has a unique purpose and design. It mainly functions as a free clipart designer and editor! This program works great if you want simple or cartoon-like designs for your t-shirts.

If you missed it the first time, this web-based program is free! The site hosts ads to pay for the content that you can access for free.

The downside here is that you have a lot of design limitations and you won’t be working with vector graphics.

7.GIMP

GIMP is another free, open-source program that offers a wide range of raster editing tools. This includes photo manipulation and graphic design.

This constantly evolving program offers a wide variety of add-ons, such as: B. a color separation for screen printing. However, you need to dive into the online community to learn how to use GIMP. However, it works on any platform you choose, and many artists love this program for its versatility!

8. Flash t-shirt design

Flash t-shirt design certainly doesn’t have the appeal of a sleek program like Illustrator. However, it offers a more accessible alternative for easy customization!

This program provides basic tools that allow you to choose from a library of color, clip art, and font options. The program looks a lot like Paint, but offers intuitive, easy-to-use tools!

You can use this downloadable software on Windows and Mac computers. This program costs $2999 in total, making it one of the most expensive t-shirt design options you will find!

9. InkXE

InkXE is more customer-centric than the other design software listed here. You can use it to give your customers the opportunity to create their own custom design that you can print out and mail to them!

Of course, if you love the artistic side of creating unique designs to wear or sell, this business-oriented program isn’t for you. But it offers a lot of helpful features for anyone interested in running a t-shirt business!

Since this downloadable software is designed for enterprise use, there are pricing options that start at $2999 and go all the way up to $3999.

10. DesignHill t-shirt maker

DesignHill pretty much offers the opposite of InkXE by allowing you to use building blocks to design custom logos or designs! This is more of a bespoke special order product than an actual design tool, but it gives you a good opportunity to understand all the steps involved in designing a personalized t-shirt.

In terms of pricing, you can choose from several packages that start at $249 and go all the way up to $999.

11. Punchy

Printful is a web-based print-on-demand program. It gives you all the tools you need to offer quick and easy customizations to your customers. Plus, the real focus of this product is printing and shipping for you!

If you’re looking to start a small t-shirt business, you might want to check out Printful’s unique business model. It offers interesting options like developing a “viral” t-shirt design!

Pricing varies depending on the size of the business you want to set up with Printful.

12. Place it

PlaceIt has a wide range of features including video and video game design tools, but it also offers a web-based t-shirt design component! This template-based mockup allows you to quickly create a custom theme. Design features include logo design and unique typography.

You can also choose from a huge library of ready-made t-shirt designs to print if you don’t want to make your own!

The program comes at a fairly low price of $14.95 per month. Because of its low cost and beginner-friendly interface, you might want to give PlaceIt a look if you’re just starting out!

13. Rush Order Tee

Rush Order has a really nice website that will walk you through the t-shirt design process step-by-step, even if you’re a complete beginner! In this online store, you can choose from ready-made templates to create your own custom t-shirt design.

Despite its really nice user interface, this shop is intended for you as a customer and not for you as an artist or business owner. You buy a finished product from Rush Order instead of creating a product to sell yourself!

However, if you want your own personalized t-shirts, this site offers one of the prettiest and easiest design methods out there! Pricing is based on the number of t-shirts ordered and the complexity of the design.

14. Design and buy

This web-to-print product allows you to create an online store with t-shirt customization options for your customers. It also includes many business-oriented tools, such as B. Promotional Tools.

The downside of this useful product is that it’s more about business than art. However, you may find it useful when you have reached the point where you want to start your own online clothing store!

You must request a quote to receive Design N’ Buy pricing options.

15. Habitual

Customily offers advanced customization options for your customers, including live demos! You can choose from a variety of templates and colors, and then edit them to your liking. Interestingly, this web-based program offers special packages for your Shopify store, as well as web-to-print options.

As with many web-based design programs, you are limited by the preset templates and options. Still, Customily has a cool website! You and your customers will enjoy discovering its vibrant, modern look.

You can choose usage-based pricing or pay a $49 per month subscription for Shopify users.

16. SonicShack

SonicShack is a “virtual studio” you can add to your online store to allow customers to create clothing designs for customers! It offers a solid selection of color, font, and design templates to choose from. Technically, this product is an i-frame plugin that you can add to your website.

You’ll need to contact the company for a price quote if you want to set up this handy web-based program!

What is the best free t-shirt design software?

The best free t-shirt design software programs available today are Inkscape and GIMP. If you want to design t-shirts for fun instead of starting a business, you probably want to know where to find the best free design software! After all, you’re hardly going to invest $2999 in a design program just so you can wear your own custom made t-shirts around the house!

Thankfully, many artists around the world have been working hard over the past few decades to create something awesome called open source programs. Open source software allows anyone to access and modify the code behind the program.

Since the computer code does not belong to any company, you can use the program for free! GIMP and Inkscape both offer you powerful design tools for creating custom t-shirts. However, as you now know, they do have a bit of a learning curve!

If you need an easier tool, you can buy custom made t-shirts with print-on-demand at low cost from thousands of online sellers like UberPrints.

What app do t-shirt designers use?

The most popular t-shirt design apps are Adobe’s Illustrator and Photoshop apps. You can also find a variety of useful sketching or drawing apps for Andriod and Apple users.

Honestly, although the Adobe apps give you a lot of cool features, most designers work on a computer. This allows for easier editing of small design details. Plus, printing and exporting usually work smoother from something attached to a hard drive too!

However, you can use many cool design apps like Canva to create fun pictures in one app. You can then upload these designs to a web-based t-shirt printing shop!

T-shirt design software online

You can find thousands of web-based t-shirt design companies today offering a variety of options online. This article lists several popular options including SonicShack, Flash T-Shirt Design, and DesignHill. You can even find many personalized t-shirt designers advertising on Amazon!

There are pros and cons to choosing a web-based design program. It usually costs a lot less to use than buying a fancy graphic design program. It also definitely takes less time and has a much lower learning curve.

These advantages make web-based design a handy tool for anyone interested in small-scale t-shirt design.

On the other hand, these programs do most of the work for you. You’re missing out on the artistic joy of truly creating your artwork, logo, or typography from scratch. If you want to experience the entire creative process of t-shirt design, you should bypass the web-based programs that do all this for you and find a real graphic design program instead.

However, many of these web-based programs offer quality work! You just have to decide whether or not you want true ownership of the t-shirt design before committing to this type of program.

How do I design my own shirt on Cricut?

Using a Cricut to cut out an iron-on vinyl shape for a t-shirt design has become very popular in recent years. The Cricut software makes the process beginner-friendly. Although you have to buy the expensive Cricut and heat press kit, even that is nothing compared to the thousands of dollars you have to pay for some design programs!

On the other hand, Cricut designs look fun, but maybe not as professional as a real screen print. You will also encounter many design limitations as the Cricut theme is template based and does not allow you to truly create your own design. (You can, however, upload your own designs to Cricut as SVG files if you want to get into the weeds, so it’s technically possible.)

So what is a Cricut? It’s a fancy electronic cutting machine controlled by an online design program. You connect the cutting machine to your computer and it uses a tiny blade to cut out your chosen design.

Cricut also offers several other tools, including a mini heat press to glue vinyl cutouts to fabric for heat transfer.

You can follow these basic steps to design a t-shirt on Cricut.

First, sign in to your Cricut Design Space account. From here, the easiest way to design a tee is to select “New Project”. This takes you to the available templates. You can choose from a range of options including a standard t-shirt. Have your actual t-shirt ready so you can enter its size and color. This allows Cricut to match the design to your shirt! Once you’ve selected the design you want, an editing window will open with a sample t-shirt displayed inside. At this point, you can use the menu options on the left and top bars to further modify the theme. For example, you can zoom in or out on the design on the digital t-shirt to see what it looks like in a larger or smaller size. You’ll need to reverse or “mirror” the image before you cut it out so it doesn’t come out backwards! Once you’ve finished the design, simply send it to Cricut for cutting! Make sure you place the HTV on the Cricut Mat shiny side down. Then let the Cricut do the work for you! There is an art to removing cut vinyl from a cutting mat. Cricut offers tutorial videos on how to do this, but the key is to take your time! Finally you need to stick the vinyl to the t-shirt. Cricut offers a tool called EasyPress for this. You can also use an iron set on medium heat.

Cricut Design Space isn’t technically a graphic design tool as it doesn’t give you much room to create your own work. That means it’s easy to use and allows you to modify a wide range of ready-made templates. You might find this a fun and easy way to learn about t-shirt design.

Conclusion

T-shirt design and printing software allows you to create custom logos and images. Professional design tools enable small business owners to create unique work for clients. Beginner-friendly web programs offer an easier alternative for a hobbyist.

Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw are among the most popular professional design programs. Free design programs include Inkscape and GIMP. Web-based programs like Cricut and DesignHill provide simple template libraries.

Have you ever designed your own t-shirt? What software or program did you use? Leave a comment below to let us know!

When printing images onto t-shirts, the image often looks pixelated. You may be wondering why this is happening. This usually happens due to using low image resolution (quality) or wrong file format.

When printing on t-shirts, the best file format depends on the type of printing. Screen printing, vinyl transfer printing and print-on-demand printing all have different requirements.

What is the best file format for screen printing?

The best file formats for t-shirt screen printing are vector image formats, such as . B. an AI format or a PDF with a vector image. Unlike bitmaps, they are scalable with no resolution limitations.

What is the best file format for print-on-demand printing?

The best file format for print-on-demand printing is transparent PNG with a resolution between 150 and 300 dpi. You should also create the image the same size as it will be printed on your largest t-shirt. If your largest print is 12″ x 15″ then make sure and export a PNG of that size or larger. I always use 300 DPI for best quality.

What is the best file format for heat transfer vinyl printing?

The best file format for heat transfer vinyl printing are EPS vector files. Vector files allow you to increase or decrease file size based on image size without sacrificing quality. EPS files are also great for “line art,” which is perfect for precise cuts with the vinyl cutter.

What is the difference between vector and bitmap for t-shirts?

The two most commonly used image formats for t-shirt printing are bitmap and vector image formats. Vector image formats are preferred over bitmaps whenever possible for a number of reasons. Likewise, sometimes it may be better to use bitmap image formats, such as for highly detailed illustrations that vectors cannot save.

Bitmap images are made up of pixels. Each pixel contains colors that make up the image. They are excellent for detailed illustrations and photos. Unfortunately, when their resolution is upscaled from their native resolution, they become pixelated or of lower quality. Two standard bitmap formats are JPEG and PNG. The best bitmap choice for print-on-demand printing is PNG format. JPEGs are rarely used for printing.

Vector images are generated by mathematical equations and are best suited for screen printing and vinyl cutters. They are not affected by native image resolutions. Vector graphics can be scaled to any desired image resolution without loss of quality. The image does not degrade as it is defined by mathematical equations which, unlike bitmap images, are not affected by image resolutions. Vector graphics are commonly saved in PDF and AI formats.

The following explains the vector and bitmap image formats and how they affect t-shirt printing:

Why are bitmap image formats great for print-on-demand t-shirts?

The pixel grid in bitmap images can produce highly detailed illustrations and photographs that vector images with their mathematical equations cannot. The pixels are tiny blocks stored in a grid that make up a photo or detailed illustration. These small pixel blocks are in large numbers on the grid and contain rich colors with many gradients.

Unfortunately, unlike vector graphics, bitmap images are dependent on their image resolution. Higher resolution images are a must. A high image resolution means the image is of fantastic quality. Image resolution is the number of pixels in the grid that make up the image. If an image is low resolution, you would see large pixels, hence the term pixelated. If you can see the pixels of an image, it is of low quality.

This works perfectly for print on demand as DTG machines can print in super high quality and resolution.

DPI represents the number of pixels that make up the detailed image or photo. The ideal image resolution for a print-on-demand t-shirt should be at least 200 dpi. Unfortunately, this resolution is not infinite. If you try to scale the image beyond this resolution, it will appear pixelated.

On the other hand, an image resolution of 72 DPI would be terrible even for small shirts. Unfortunately, the higher the resolution, the larger the file size of the image.

Suppose you want to print a detailed photo of Mount Everest onto a t-shirt. The ideal resolution would vary depending on the t-shirt size. For a small t-shirt, a resolution of 150 DPI for the Mount Everest photo may be acceptable because the shirt is small as is the resolution. Assuming you need to print the same photo onto a large format t-shirt and scale it appropriately, the image on the t-shirt will appear very pixelated and of poor quality.

In order for the photo of Mount Everest to appear in perfect quality on the large-format T-shirt, it must have a very high image resolution. For a large format t-shirt, the photo needs to be around 300 DPI to appear in excellent quality on the t-shirt. The higher the resolution, the more you can scale the image without sacrificing quality. But that’s not the only thing to watch out for with bitmap images.

Why are vector image formats best for screen printing?

A vector image saved in image formats such as PDF, EPS, or AI works best for t-shirt screen printing. Unlike bitmaps, which are made up of pixels that store all properties, such as B. the different colors of images, mathematical equations form these properties. As a result of mathematical equations that define the data of the pixels and then fill in the color, they are not affected by the image resolution.

A vector image can be scaled to any desired resolution without loss of quality. This quality of vector graphics makes them perfect for any size t-shirt. In other words, despite the size of the t-shirt, you get a clean looking print on the t-shirt, unlike a bitmap where the image can be pixelated when sent to the printer or print shop in low resolution Picture.

In addition, a screen printer cannot print at the resolution that bitmaps such as PNGs offer.

The disadvantage of vector images is that they are unable to produce the high level of detail that a highly detailed illustration or photograph produces. They are great for simple images with simple colors and lines, such as logos or cartoon-style coffee cups, but may not be good for highly detailed realistic photos.

Most of the images printed on t-shirts are screen printed, so they are simple and not very detailed. Ultimately, vector image formats are optimal for screen printing.

Conclusion

Bitmap images, such as PNGs, are recommended for print-on-demand printing. Highly detailed photos, including photos or illustrations, can be printed on T-shirts using transparent PNG images. PNG images must be high resolution, at least 200 dpi, for the t-shirt image to print with minimal loss of quality.

Vector graphics are great for vinyl cutting and screen printing. Vector graphics are not affected by image resolution. The best image format for a vector image is AI or PDF as they are user-friendly, easily accessible and easy to set up for print.

If you’re looking for the right desktop to use as a digital artist, check out my list of the 10 best computers for digital art.

As a creative professional, it’s important to choose the best device for your specific needs.

That’s why having the best computer for digital art is such a huge benefit for people doing art digitally.

What is the best computer for digital art?

In all honesty, there are many computer brands that claim they have the best PC for digital artists.

So I understand that it might be confusing for you to choose the one that is right for you.

This article aims to introduce you to some of the best digital art desktops to buy in 2022.

For those looking for the best Apple computer for digital art, I would recommend the Apple iMac 2021, which is also the best overall.

However, if you are interested in buying the most powerful PC for creatives, then the Alienware Aurora R10 is a solid choice.

Whether you want to buy the best value digital art computer or the most affordable, I have rounded up the best products for you.

So, without keeping you waiting, here is my list of the 10 best computers for digital art in 2022.

Would you like to add your product to the list? – Find my address on the contact page and send your product for review.

The 10 best computers for digital artists

How to choose the best computer for digital art?

If you are a digital artist planning the best PC for digital art, remember that there are certain things to consider when making your purchase.

To help you buy the best digital art computer for you, here are the top things to check:

Display processor GPU RAM memory

And so that you understand why these things need to be considered when buying a computer for digital art, here’s why:

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One of the most important considerations when choosing a digital art desktop is the screen or display.

Computers these days have either a High Definition (HD) or 4K display.‍

While a PC with an HD display is great, it’s best if you go for the 4K display, especially if you’re a digital artist.

This gives you the best view of the creative work you’re working on.

processor

Choosing the best computer processor can be confusing, but let me help you find the best processor for your needs.

In fact, Intel Core and AMD are both ideal processors for a computer.

When choosing a CPU, look for the highest possible clock speeds within your budget while also making sure you have the cores/threads you need for your workload.

This way you ensure that you as a digital artist have the best computer.

graphic card

On the other hand, when choosing the right graphics card for your needs, you must first consider the complexity of your work.

If your workload involves editing photos and videos, an Inter graphics chip will suffice.

However, if you have more complicated work like creating 3D artworks, you can choose between AMD and Nvidia.

Just remember that an ideal GPU can usually be identified with a large memory bus, 64-bit or higher, and a high memory clock speed.

With that in mind, it’s a good idea to check the graphics card of the digital art computer you’re considering buying so you don’t end up with the wrong equipment.

R.A.M.

RAM refers to the maximum amount of data that can be stored in a computer’s short-term memory at any given time.

If you’re on a tight budget, I think your best bet is to go for an 8GB digital desktop.

However, keep in mind that 16GB laptops are better suited for drawing and design tasks.

You should also consider a 32GB digital art PC if you frequently use creative software related to digital art, including Adobe apps.

If you frequently use professional drawing tools that require a lot of memory, consider investing in a computer with more RAM.

storage

The last thing to consider when buying a computer for digital art is the memory of the device.

Technically, the more memory the PC has, the better off you are as a digital artist.

It allows you to save and keep your creative work and you don’t have to delete other files just to have enough space for your new art.

And that’s all for my guide to buying computers for digital art – now let’s move on to my list of the 10 best desktops for digital art.

If you are looking for the most advanced and powerful computer with great tools to take any idea to the next level, the Apple iMac 2021 is the best choice for you.

The best overall computer for digital art.

In terms of features, the new 2021 Apple iMac looks like an update to the series, with colors reminiscent of Apple’s iconic G3 all-in-one computers.

In addition to Apple’s own Silicon M1 SoC, an updated webcam, and the beautiful, colorful makeover, it uses the latest integrated graphics.

The Apple iMac 2021 features the M1 chip, the most powerful and advanced chip ever made by Apple.

The 4.5K Retina display is well suited for digital illustration and graphic design applications and runs pretty much any graphic design app with ease.

The Apple iMac 2021 is a great choice for creatives looking for the best Apple computer for digital art.‍

A dedicated graphics card may be required if you intend to use your PC for 3D sculpting or animation.

Although the 24-inch iMac is an excellent PC for visual design, in terms of sheer performance, the 27-inch iMac is far superior.

specifications

Display: 24″ 4.5K retina display

CPU: Apple M1 chip

GPU: Radeon Pro 555X with 2GB VRAM

Memory: 16GB

Storage: 1TB

advantages

Outstanding Performance Speakers deliver rich, vibrant sound

Disadvantages

The entry-level model lacks features

Buy Apple iMac 2021 on Amazon

On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 7700 is an ideal option for those who want to buy the best mid-range computer for digital art.

The best mid-range digital art computer in 2022.

This is elegantly packaged in an AIO PC design that saves space by elevating the screen onto a tented platform made of curved metal tubes.

The 27-inch Infinity Edge touch display is framed on three sides by slim 8mm-thick silver bezels and a wider chin at the bottom that anchors a silver speaker bar.

With the new design, Dell has eliminated the all-in-one 4-resolution screen option on the 27-inch AIO series.

Currently, the only display options are a Full HD (1920 x 1080) touchscreen or a non-touch display.

Unlike the 4K and 5K options available on the iMac, there is no 4K option here.

The Inspiron 7700 is a powerful computer that doesn’t stutter when you load content-rich websites into many browser tabs.

specifications

Display: 27″ FHD display

Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7

Graphics Processor: Intel Iris Xe Graphics

Memory: 32GB DDR4

Storage: 1TB SSD

advantages

Comfortable keyboard dual storage drives

Disadvantages

Requires external power supply

Buy the Dell Inspiron 7700 from Amazon

For digital artists who love to paint, this IdeaCentre AIO 3 may be the perfect computer for your needs.

The best computer for digital painting.

This digital art computer is also capable of multitasking, so you can increase your productivity as a creative.

Take advantage of the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Mobile Processor and Radeon Graphics with the IdeaCentre AIO 3.‍

Thanks to the solid state drive, apps, films and everything else can be loaded and transferred in milliseconds.

There are plenty of ports on the IdeaCentre AIO 3 for all your devices, including USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, a 3-in-1 card reader and an HDMI output.

Because of the FHD display’s 90 percent screen-to-body ratio and wide-angle view, colors are rich and dramatic from every angle.

Do more in less time with the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U mobile processor with Radeon graphics in the IdeaCentre AIO 3.

specifications

Display: 24″ FHD

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U

Graphics processor: AMD Radeon

Memory: 16GB DDR4

Storage: 512GB SSD

advantages

Sleek design with funky excellence

Disadvantages

dim screen

Buy Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3 on Amazon

If you are a digital artist who wants one of the fastest computers you can use for your daily work, then this product is for you.

The most powerful computer for digital art.

The Alienware Aurora R10 is an amazing choice if you want to buy a powerful digital art computer.

AMD Ryzen 9 5900 processor and AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB GDDR6 graphics allow you to experiment with new creative styles.

Most importantly, it comes in a variety of configurations, making it easy to find one that fits your specs and budget.‍

Since AMD’s phoenix has risen from the ashes, this is a wonderful alternative for those who prefer an AMD-powered desktop over an Intel computer.

The Alienware Aurora R10 offers excellent value for money, especially considering the high build and design quality.

specifications

Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900

GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB GDDR6

Memory: 32GB DDR4 XMP HyperX™ Fury

Storage: 2TB SDD + 2TB HDD

advantages

Outstanding Performance Customizable from the factory

Disadvantages

Loud fans

Buy Alienware Aurora R10 on Amazon

As for the next product on my list, the Apple iMac 2020 also gives you a better experience and comes with an incredible design that best suits your needs.

The most affordable computer for digital art.

With a faster processor and graphics, more memory and storage, and a Retina 5K display, the new 27-inch model is an improvement in every way.

A Retina display, with its 1 billion colors and 500 nits of brightness, meets your needs as a digital artist better than any other display.

When it comes to graphic design, iMacs are the PCs of choice, and MacOS offers all the software you need.

An all-in-one design means you don’t have to buy a separate monitor and run cables everywhere.

The Apple iMac 2020 offers great storage and all-flash SSD storage is now standard on all iMac models, offering both high capacity and lightning speed.

Apple’s largest iMac has powerful 10th generation Intel Core processors, although it’s a bit older.

You can also get a 10 core Intel processor which is very powerful making this a great PC for digital art.

specifications

Display: 27″ 5k Retina

CPU: 3.1 GHz 6-core 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor

GPU: Radeon Pro 5300 with 4GB GDDR6

Memory: 8 GB of memory

Storage: 256GB SSD

advantages

Fast computing power Graphics power

Disadvantages

Expensive

Buy Apple iMac 2020 on Amazon

If you draw digitally, the next product on my list, the Dell XPS 8940, might be what you need.

The best computer for digital drawing.

Since this is an office-friendly PC, it’s also powerful enough to do some basic editing. We all know that every digital artist wants a powerful PC that’s also affordable.

This digital art computer allows you to optimize every graphic parameter to the maximum.

The Dell XPS 8940 is a great choice for creatives looking for the best computer for digital drawing.

Stay in the flow with a new 11th Gen Intel Core XPS desktop that makes editing photos and videos quick and easy.

And since it has an impressive amount of storage space, it’s ideal for digital artists like you, as it lets you store a lot more art that you have.

specifications

Processor: Intel Core i7-11700

Graphics processor: Intel UHD Graphics 750

Memory: 32GB DDR4

Storage: 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD

advantages

Good performance. Small, quiet design

Disadvantages

No extremely strong

Buy the Dell XPS 8940 Desktop from Amazon

For those looking to get started with digital art, this computer from HP is a great option for you.

The best computer for digital art beginners.

The HP Pavilion 590 is the perfect entry-level choice for those looking for the best digital art computer for beginners.

The Intel Core i7-8700 in the HP Pavilion 590 is an ideal PC as it comes with powerful specs including 12GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

Despite the fact that the hard drive is slower than a solid state drive, it’s an acceptable compromise for a good desktop computer at this price point.

While the HP Pavilion 590 may be a few years old, it has a reputation for being an excellent budget desktop computer and is a solid option for budget-conscious designers.

With the processor’s integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630, you can perform 3D modeling in real time.

It’s also worth noting that the Pavilion 590 packs plenty of ports, including USB Type-C, Type-A (3.1, 2.0), HDMI, and DVI.

specifications

Processor: Intel Core i7-8700

Graphics processor: Intel UHD Graphics 630

RAM: 12GB RAM

Storage: 1TB hard drive

advantages

High-quality chassis Great workmanship

Disadvantages

Weak computing power.

Buy the HP Pavilion 590 from Amazon

Another impressive Apple digital art desktop on this list is this Apple Mac Mini 2020.

The best budget computer for digital art.

This computer is suitable for both beginners and hobbyists as it comes at an affordable price.

The M1 chip takes Apple’s most versatile, do-it-all desktop to a new level of performance that’s ideal for most artists.

The Apple Mac Mini runs the same operating system as other Apple computers, making it compatible with any graphic design software that works on an iMac.

The Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU and 16-core Neural Engine is included in the base model, which also has a 256GB SSD.‍

Because of Mac mini’s small size, it can be carried around like a laptop.

On the back there are four expansion ports for external USB or Thunderbolt storage, as well as an HDMI 2.0 port that can support two monitors simultaneously.

The 8-core GPU in the M1 chip is the most advanced and powerful graphics processor Apple has built to date.

Overall, the Apple Mac Mini 2020 is an excellent choice for creatives looking for a budget-friendly computer for digital art.

specifications

Processor: Apple M1 chip

GPU: Apple 8-core GPU

Memory: 8 GB of memory

Storage: 256GB SSD

advantages

Brilliant performance Surprisingly quiet

Disadvantages

Fewer USB-C ports than Intel model

Buy Apple Mac Mini 2020 on Amazon

If you’re a digital artist and gamer at the same time, then the ROG Strix GA15DK is perfect for you.

The best computer for digital art and games.

Aside from its ability to run creative digital art software, it’s also great for gaming and streaming.

ROG Strix GA15DK has been redesigned from the ground up to deliver the best possible artistic and gaming experience with best-in-class cooling.

In the digital art industry, where responsiveness is critical, crisp and fluid graphics are essential.

Streaming and video editing are no problem for the powerful AMD Ryzen CPU and the reliable NVIDIA GeForce graphics thanks to their excellent frame rates.‍

Using a multi-zone chassis minimizes thermal interference between the CPU, graphics card and power supply, resulting in lower operating temperatures.

Overall, the ROG Strix GA15DK is the perfect choice for digital artists looking for the best computer for gaming and art.

specifications

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

GPU: GeForce RTX 3070

Memory: 16GB DDR4

Storage: 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD

advantages

Great Design Outstanding Performance

Disadvantages

Expensive

Buy the ROG Strix GA15DK on Amazon

And as the last product on my list, I would like to mention the best computer for graphic designers, namely the Apple iMac 21.5″.

The best digital art computer for graphic design.

For Windows users considering a move to macOS, Apple’s 21.5-inch iMac is one of the best all-in-one options available.

With its 4K display and brilliant tones, the specs of the 21.5-inch iMac were already enticing, not to mention the rich and detailed photos and movies that can be viewed on the computer.

Desktop computers for everyday use, such as B. web browsing, email and productivity software, can perform much better.

Even the most demanding software such as Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects can be run on this device.

For those who don’t plan on using their computer for any length of time, this is a great option as it packs so much power into such a small package.

The Apple iMac 21.5″ is the ideal choice for graphic designers looking for the best computer for digital art.

specifications

Display: 21.5 inches

CPU: 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor

Graphics processor: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640

Memory: 8 GB of memory

Storage: 256GB SSD

advantages

Elegant all-in-one design Potential video boost with macOS High Sierra

Disadvantages

Flat keyboard

Buy Apple iMac 21.5” from Amazon

Conclusions

For digital artists, buying a computer to help you with your daily tasks is a great investment.

Luckily, there are plenty of suitable digital art computers to buy in 2022.

Which PC is best for digital art?

As a creative, I can say that the Apple iMac 2021 is the best PC for digital art.

It can provide you with the best possible and fastest performance, which is ideal for boosting your productivity.

Another great option is the Alienware Aurora R10, the most powerful computer for digital art.

Note, however, that the Aurora R10 is one of the most expensive digital art computers out there. So if you are on a budget, the Apple Mac Mini is a perfect alternative.

Additionally, for those looking for the best digital art gaming computer, the ROG Strix GA15DK is a must-have.

I hope this list of the 10 best computers for digital artists will help you choose the best desktop for your needs.

After giving you my top tips, what do you think is the best computer for digital art? – Leave a comment below.

Other Related Articles:

I get a lot of questions from both established and aspiring artists about what computers and especially laptops are best for digital art, so I decided to put together this guide to help you decide which laptop is best for you as a digital artist suitable is. Let’s have a look!

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If you’re in a hurry, here are my top two picks for the best laptop for digital art:

Table of Contents

Overview: Best Digital Laptop Art and Artists in 2022

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What should you look for in a digital art laptop?

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While I don’t delve too much into specs, I still know that performance is extremely important for an artist’s laptop, and lack of performance often drives a working artist crazy – and can even frustrate and stifle creativity.

I think the best laptops for digital art and artists should have at least the following specs: 8GB RAM – and preferably 16 – 32GB (I recommend 32GB for 3D artists and animators)

256 GB SSD storage – preferably 512 GB – 1 TB

HD display – and preferably Full HD or 4K (all Apple laptops are QHD or higher resolution)

A fast, powerful, latest generation processor and a good, fast graphics co-processor

Now a laptop with 32GB of memory, 1 or 2TB of onboard storage and a full 4K display can cost more than some of us paid for our last car!

But if we at least stick to the bare minimum (like all of the laptops on my list), we can find great laptops for digital artists that are actually affordable and fully support our work (and even our occasional gaming) and never get in our way.

Because, believe me, there’s nothing worse than being in the flow with your laptop – or any other artist’s tool – getting in the way.

Are Macs better for artists and digital art?

As you can imagine, one of the questions I hear the most is whether I should get a Mac or a Windows laptop for my artwork.

From my own experience, myself included, most artists I know use MacBook Pro laptops for digital art.

For many years, even decades, the Mac has always been considered the “artist’s laptop” and the Windows PCs more for… well, I don’t know – the kind of mysterious daily activities that all these non-artists themselves have except for that the whole time. Spreadsheets? databases? coding?

But that’s definitely not the case anymore.

Windows laptops and computers have always been known for their flexibility in terms of customization and scalability in terms of memory and storage space. And that flexibility has made them a favorite in a community of tinkerers and tech-savvy artists. They might have started out with a cheaper model with less hardware, but over time they’ve turned it into a very powerful machine by adding the right parts (RAM and storage).

On the other hand, Apple laptops, or rather MacBooks, have always been known for their intuitive and easy-to-use operating system. Just press the start button, log in, click the Photoshop (or other digital drawing software) icon and you’ll be creating your next piece of art in minutes. Try this on Windows laptops five years ago (!)

On the program side, the most important high-end software for creating digital art for Windows and Apple has been provided for many years – such as Photoshop & Illustrator from Adobe Creative Cloud and Krita, Rebelle 5.

At the end of the day, it’s a matter of your own experience and preference. Both the right Windows laptop and an Apple MacBook can be fabulous laptops for digital art and a great choice for any artist.

Both can have extremely high performance, incredibly high-resolution screens, and the best art software you could want or need – from the simplest to the almost absurdly complex and advanced.

So if you know and love Macintosh, get a MacBook, and if you’re a Windows fan, get a Windows laptop.

Either way, you’ll be amazed at how the right laptop can support, inspire and even advance you and your art.

How Much Should You Spend on a Good Art Laptop?

A good, quality laptop can make all the difference.

Yes, there are many laptops available at very low prices and they are generally good for most uses – binge watching, surfing the web, playing most games and using basic programs like word processors.

However, we artists need more from our laptops. We need fast processors, plenty of memory, good fast storage, and bright, high-resolution screens with excellent color fidelity.

And this can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 depending on promotions and discounts. I believe even if you are on a budget or just starting out, don’t skimp on your laptop.

You need to run any art software with no problems or lags, see your work beautifully, with accurate color and really detailed (and possibly show it to clients), and keep your entire portfolio on your local drive if you wish.

Spending too little on your laptop can be an even worse idea than spending too much – you can easily end up with a machine that will be frustrating to use, discouraging and even holding you back in your learning, advancement and enjoyment.

And it will almost certainly cost you more in the long run due to wasted time, missed opportunities and eventual replacements.

At the same time, of course, if you are a new, aspiring artist, don’t have a lot of money and/or haven’t built a client base or reliable income yet, please don’t overspend on a laptop! Just make sure you get what you need!

In conclusion, budget laptops really aren’t for us and I can’t stress that enough.

The Best Laptops for Digital Art in 2022 – A Detailed Guide

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Best Windows Laptop for Digital Art

My Windows picks ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15.6 laptop with ScreenPad Plus Best Windows laptop for digital art 15.6-inch 4K OLED display :: Tilting ScreenPad Plus :: Intel Core i7-10870H processor :: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics with 8GB VRAM :: 16GB RAM :: 1TB SSD

Buy now on Amazon

Many artists say that you shouldn’t try to create art directly on your laptop’s screen, but I’m sure none of them will ever try this incredible device with its amazing dual touch screen, beautiful 4K resolution and highly sensitive stylus has tried.

An expensive laptop, the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo touchscreen laptop is also one of the most innovative, advanced and genuinely useful laptops ever made, and is incredibly fast and powerful, and even at this price point, users keep reporting that it’s value for money is – and then some!

The ZenBook Pro comes standard with the latest Intel i7-10870H, 16GB of ultra-fast RAM, a staggering 8GB of video RAM and 1TB of internal SSD storage to keep even the most serious or advanced artists, animators, 3D modelers, photographers and… Videographers have the memory, processing power and storage space they need.

And this screen!!! I should put three exclamation marks after a comment about the second screen, that amazing and extremely useful thing with a tilting touchpad/workspace display, but the main screen is what I mean – so incredibly deep, sharp and realistic. If you’ve ever thought that you can’t see everything or that visibility on your laptop’s display is holding you back, this is a whole new level!

One day all laptops will be this cool and clever, but now you have to pay to get what might be the best laptop for digital artists ever made – a real step forward and a brilliant tool that should be on the shortlist of any advanced artist .

Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15.6-inch laptop features for digital artists

Processor: Intel Core i7-10870H processor

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Graphics with 8GB VRAM

Memory: 16 gigabytes

Internal storage: 1 terabyte

Screen size: 15.6 inches

Display resolution: 4K UHD (3840×2160)

Operating system: Windows 11

Pros and cons of the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15.6-inch laptop for digital artists

Advantages:

Superb touchscreen display with ultra high resolution of 3840 x 2160

Industry-leading color accuracy and range

Brilliant ScreenPad Plus Tilting secondary touchscreen

Incredibly fast and powerful

Disadvantages:

Price? But really, look at it!

Best Apple laptop for digital art and for myself!

My pick Apple MacBook Pro 16 inch with M1 Pro chip Best Apple laptop for digital art and for myself! 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display :: Apple M1 Pro chip with 10‑core CPU and 16‑core GPU :: 16 GB RAM :: 512 GB SSD :: 3 Thunderbolt ports :: Up to 21 hours of battery life

Buy now on Amazon

The MacBook Pro is the best Apple laptop and has an absolutely top-notch screen – so good, with so much depth, resolution and energy, and colors so beautiful and accurate, that it could do any artist better (and make any potential customer even more grateful) .

The Apple MacBook Pro is also extremely fast and powerful, and in my experience it’s so smooth and glitch-free that it never gets in the way of my work. It just supports me and lets me do what I want to do and shows me the results accurately and beautifully.

In fact, the color accuracy, the lack of any distortion, the phenomenal brightness and contrast, the depth of detail and everything else that the Liquid Retina XDR monitor that works with this latest generation M1 chip are most likely the most accurate and reliable display that you can get today—at least without breaking into insanely expensive lab or specialty industrial computers and monitors. And yes, maybe even then….

Not only is the MacBook Pro one of the fastest, most powerful, and most accurate premium laptops you can get, it’s also a stunningly beautiful premium product in every way. Perhaps we artists are more sensitive to these things than others, but I’m sure everyone can and would appreciate the incredibly high level of fit and finish, the sheer beauty of this laptop, and its long-term durability and reliability.

Capable of running any type of art software on the Macintosh platform, the Apple MacBook Pro can store the largest files and even entire portfolios and display those works with stunning detail, color and vibrancy. The Apple MacBook Pro is definitely the best Apple laptop for artists on the market today – and as I want to say to anyone who will hear it, I absolutely adore mine and can’t imagine being without it!

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch laptop features for digital artists

CPU/GPU: Apple M1 Pro

Memory: 16 gigabytes

Internal Storage: 512GB ultra-fast SSD

Screen size: 16 inch (diagonal) display with LED backlight and IPS technology

Display resolution: 3024 × 1964

Operating system: macOS

Pros and cons of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 inch laptop

Advantages:

Superb Liquid Retina XDR display

Best color palette and accuracy

Amazing brightness and contrast

Exceptionally fast and powerful M1 Pro processor

Outstanding fit, finish, material quality and reliability

Disadvantages:

Sorry, can’t think of anything…

Digital art laptop with brilliant design and performance

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 14.4″ Touchscreen Digital art laptop with brilliant design and performance 14.4″ PixelSense Flow 2400 x 1600 touchscreen :: 11th gen Intel i7 :: GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics :: 16GB RAM with high bandwidth :: 512GB SSD :: Hybrid laptop/tablet design

Buy now on Amazon

One of the main reasons I wanted to revamp this article on the best art laptops for 2022 – alongside significant advances and upgrades to the aforementioned Asus and Apple laptops – is because I have this amazing and brand new Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – the , if coolness was your primary concern and criterion, the default choice would be.

Seriously, the way this folds from a full-featured touchscreen laptop into a sleek, highly user-friendly flat tablet – allowing for a bit of binge-watching in display mode on the go – is so different from other products and so cool. It’s also very well thought out and very useful for artists.

But coolness isn’t our main consideration, and I wouldn’t include the Surface Laptop Studio just because I like the way it folds up – “infinitely flexible,” as Microsoft says.

The studio also has an absolutely amazing screen with beauty, depth, detail, color saturation and accuracy, low distortion and high brightness and contrast, which is unmatched by very, very few computers of any kind on the market today – including the Apple and Asus above, but really just barely.

The latest generation Nvidia 3050 processor powers this phenomenal display, and it does so with such speed and reliability that any work – the most complex digital image, scan or photo at the highest resolution, even 3D rendering – is lightning fast and hassle-free.

And the latest generation Intel i7 is just as fast, powerful and reliable, putting the Laptop Studio at the top of the bunch in terms of processing power and capability, making it a great choice for professional artists.

If you love the idea of ​​having a premium, top-of-the-line laptop that you can also use as one of the best drawing tablets out there, with a perfect screen, a perfect work surface, and an absolutely ideal pen-to-screen interface, then This is the right laptop for you!

Remember to also get the excellent Microsoft Surface Pen or the newer Surface Slim Pen 2 (sold separately) to really take advantage of the possibilities of this amazing device!

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio features for digital artists

Processor: 11th Gen Intel i5 11700

GPU (graphics processor): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti

Memory: 16 gigabytes

Internal Storage: Removable 512GB ultra-fast SSD

Screen size: 14.4 inch PixelSense display

Display resolution: 2400 × 1600

Operating system: Windows 11

Pros and cons of Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

Advantages:

Amazing color, contrast, brightness and detail

Advanced hybrid design with an excellent touchscreen

Hyper-fast central and graphics processing

Elegant, strong, light and incredibly powerful

One of the best personal laptops and one of the best art tablets in a single package!

Disadvantages:

It’ll make your friends jealous – wait, should this make the pro list?

Exceptionally affordable Windows laptop for digital art

Exceptional value Asus ZenBook Duo 14 laptop with ScreenPad Plus Exceptional value 14-inch FHD digital touchscreen Windows laptop :: Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor :: GeForce MX450 graphics :: 16 GB RAM :: 1 TB SSD : : ScreenPad Plus :: Windows 11 Pro :: WiFi 6E

Buy now on Amazon

Okay, so maybe you can’t afford a ZenBook Duo Pro – does that mean you should forego what might be the coolest, most innovative, and most useful laptop design for the digital artist in a long time?

Not with the next laptop in my guide to the best notebooks for artists, the Asus ZenBook Duo, which shares the same brilliant two-screen layout, with a fantastically bright and precise main touchscreen and a secondary tilting screen for all sorts of additional functions .

No, this standard ZenBook Duo doesn’t have the Pro’s stunning 4K resolution, but it’s still Full High Definition and far more than sufficient to really bring even the most detailed and complex images to life, and it’s capable of you to be, to work with the highest complexity, attention to detail and precision and to always see perfectly what you are doing.

It’s also far more powerful and faster than virtually any artist could need, running all professional art and photo programs without a hitch. In fact, with the latest generation Intel Core i7 CPU, this is a top-of-the-line laptop.

In fact, it’s just as cool as the Pro – and for half the price!

Features of the Asus ZenBook Duo 14-inch laptop for digital artists

CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor

GPU (graphics processor): NVIDIA GeForce MX450 Graphics

Memory: 16 gigabytes

Internal storage: 1TB PCIE SSD

Screen size: 14″ FHD touch display

Display resolution: 1920 × 1080

Operating system: Windows 11

Pros and cons of the Asus ZenBook Duo 14-inch laptop

Advantages:

Near-flagship performance at a much lower price

Beautiful touchscreen with Full HD resolution

Wide range of colors and fidelity

Innovative and extremely useful ScreenPad Plus

Excellent material quality and reliability

Disadvantages:

Smaller screen and lower resolution than the Pro

Best value MacBook for digital art

Affordable MacBook Apple MacBook Air 13 Inch with M1 Chip Cheapest MacBook for Digital Art 13.3 Inch Retina Display :: Apple M1 Chip with 8 Core CPU, 8 Core GPU :: 8GB High Speed ​​RAM :: 256GB SSD :: WiFi 6 :: 2 Thunderbolt ports  Buy now at Amazon

This is the most affordable MacBook currently available, and you get a whole lot of computer for the price.

It should be said up front that this is a smaller screen than I would normally recommend for a digital art laptop, but this 13.3-inch Full HD+ monitor is bright enough and clear enough to be useable is, and this cool little notebook is absolutely perfect for working on the go, taking it to clients’ offices, or just moving around at home or in the studio.

Of course, I should be cautious about calling this a “cool little” laptop considering the Air features an Apple M1 processing chip that sets the standard for incredibly fast and reliable processing of high-resolution graphics, videos, animations and everything else. So yes, small, light and stylish, but a serious top-of-the-line notebook that outperforms everything in its class in many ways.

To make the “work on the go” experience even more fun and productive, you might also consider the brilliant new Wacom One digital pen display and stylus that you can connect to your new MacBook Air – a full-featured mobile art studio in your backpack!

Reasonably priced, the Apple MacBook Air still meets Apple’s high standards of quality and performance, fit and finish, and is capable of running and beautifully displaying any professional art software on the Macintosh platform. It’s the perfect little laptop for any artist and an incredible value!

Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch laptop features for digital artists

Apple M1 chip: 8-core CPU; 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Memory: 8 gigabytes

Internal storage: 256GB SSD

Screen size: 13.3 inch widescreen display with LED backlight

Display resolution: 2560 × 1600

Operating system: macOS

Pros and cons of the Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch laptop

Advantages:

Nice retina display

Outstanding brightness and contrast, color range and accuracy

Very fast processor, memory and SSD storage

Extremely strong but light

Battery for the whole day

Disadvantages:

Smaller screen

Affordable Windows laptop/tablet hybrid for digital art

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 inch FHD Laptop/Tablet Best Price Windows Laptop/Tablet Hybrid for Digital Art 14 inch Full HD Touchscreen Display :: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Processor :: AMD Radeon Graphics :: 16 GB RAM :: 256 GB SSD :: Foldable laptop/tablet hybrid design :: Windows 11

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A great and highly affordable 2-in-1 touchscreen notebook/tablet, the Lenovo Flex 5 has a comfortably large 14-inch display – big enough to work with real control and precision, but small enough to to make it so comfortable to wear .

And the Flex 5 is so well built, with strong and solid design and construction, and premium quality materials, you can easily pop it in a backpack or art bag and take it with you.

It’s a real pleasure to work on the touchscreen display, with amazing brightness, colour, energy and detail, and optimal pen-to-screen interaction with the included Lenovo Active Pen digital stylus. With tons of RAM and at least a big enough SSD storage drive, this is an extremely useful and valuable art tool.

The hybrid design of this and other laptops on our list is really fantastic for artists as it allows you to work beautifully on any type of digital art or image and use it in a laptop normally as part of your commercial art business and as a regular one personal computer.

While it has to be said that many similar products aren’t great at this low price point, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 offers really great performance and quality and is truly amazing value for money.

Features of the Lenovo Flex 5 14″ 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop for digital artists

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U

GPU (graphics processor): AMD Radeon

Memory: 16 gigabytes DDR4

Internal storage: 256GB SSD

Screen size: 14″ FHD touchscreen

Display resolution: 1920 × 1080

Operating system: Windows 11

Pros and Cons of the Lenovo Flex 5 14″ 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop

Advantages:

Brilliant full high definition display

Great touch screen for art – including beautiful digital pen!

Very fast processing, memory and storage

Smart, useful and cool hybrid design

Extremely well built and durable

Disadvantages:

Small SSD drive

Lower resolution than more expensive laptops and tablets – but still full high definition

Best Budget Windows Laptop for Digital Art

Affordable Choice Acer Aspire 5 15.6 Inch Full HD Laptop Best Budget Windows Laptop for 2D Animation and Digital Art 15.6 Inch Full HD IPS Display :: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 :: Intel Iris Xe graphics :: 8 GB DDR4 RAM :: 256 GB SSD :: WLAN 6 :: Windows 11

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The most affordable choice in my list of the best laptops for digital art and artists in 2022, the Acer Aspire is a pretty amazing performer for its price.

The processor and graphics, RAM, and solid-state storage are all very fast, so any artist—including animators and videographers—can jump into their creative flow and stay there without lag, glitches, or issues.

And with the latest generation Intel i5 processor, you can run absolutely any kind of software – including the most powerful and advanced professional-level programs – without any problems.

This is a big computer for a laptop, with an impressive 15.6-inch Full HD screen, so it’s a little more work to carry around. At the same time, the screen’s fantastic color depth and saturation, its brightness and contrast, and its amazing sharpness and detail display all artwork – and everything else – to maximum impact and beauty.

There are cheaper laptops out there, but the Acer Aspire 5 performs way better than all the others, even outperforming other laptops at its price point. When you also factor in the fantastic materials and build quality, plus the gorgeously beautiful and powerful display, this is the best value Windows laptop for artists in 2022 for my money and I highly recommend it!

Features of the Acer Aspire 5 15.6″ Full HD laptop for digital artists

CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5

GPU (graphics processor): Intel Iris Xe Graphics

Memory: 8 gigabytes DDR4

Internal storage: 256GB SSD

Screen size: 15.6″ FHD IPS display

Display resolution: 1920 × 1080

Operating system: Windows 11

Pros and cons of the Acer Aspire 5 15.6″ Full HD laptop

Advantages:

Big, sharp and very bright screen with excellent colors

Fast main and graphics processing

Very affordable and very powerful

Overbuilt, durable and reliable

Great battery life

Disadvantages:

Too big for some – not the most portable

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the best laptop for digital art

Can you make digital art on a laptop?

Yes absolutely, modern laptops have enough RAM and processing power (both CPU (main processor) and GPU (graphics card)) to run all modern and industry standard digital art programs like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Krita, Rebelle 5 and others. In addition, they are fairly light and very portable, so you can easily create digital art at home, in a coffee shop or at school.

How much RAM do I need for digital art?

At least 8 GB of RAM to allow digital art programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator to run smoothly and without lags. More is better though, and I personally use 16GB of RAM on my MacBook Pro.

Which laptop is best for an art student?

If you’re an art student and on a budget, aim for at least 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage, HD display, and the latest available Intel processor and GPU unit (or the latest Mac chip). Lenovo Flex 5 and Acer Aspire 5 on my list above could be great choices for Windows. If you are an Apple fan, then the MacBook Air with an M1 chip can also work well for you.

Is a PC or laptop better for digital art?

This depends a lot on where you plan to make digital art and whether your computer needs to be portable. If you’re sure you’ll only be making digital art at home, then go for a desktop computer that offers more flexibility in terms of scalability. However, if you know you’ll be working at home, at a coffee shop, at school, at a client’s office, or remotely on an island in the Caribbean, then get a laptop.

I hope you have been inspired by my recommendations for the best laptop for digital art and artists in 2022. Be sure to visit my website – Art Side of Life – for more artist guides, articles, online art courses, and all sorts of other artist resources!

Other articles in the Laptops for Artists and Designers series:

We’re constantly adding new features to Illustrator so you can create with precision and control. And with your Creative Cloud membership, you get them as soon as we publish them.

Press M to select the Rectangle Tool in the Tools panel. Draw rectangles of different sizes to create the boombox design. You can change the dimensions of each rectangle by dragging one of the corner handles. To reposition any rectangle on the artboard, just click on the dot in the middle of the rectangle and drag it to a new position.

Tip: As you drag the rectangles, look out for magenta smart guides to help you align the shapes.

This article was updated on March 24, 2015. Also check out the list of the best laptops for artists.

Here’s an artist’s guide to buying computers and laptops.

This is not a geek guide. I will not run benchmarks and timing tests.

The general trend today is that processing power generally exceeds the requirements of the software. Put simply, this means that any computer you buy should run your software without much trouble unless you use special software, e.g. 3D rendering software.

This guide aims to help you optimize your purchase by recommending what you should get based on the type of work you are creating.

By the way, I work for a small newspaper that uses Windows computers in the office, but I have a Mac at home.

What are you going to do on the computer?

That’s the most important question.

Yes, I know you make art, but what kind? Vector? 3D? Comics? digital drawing? Animation? Need to carry your computer around?

What you do determines what you buy. You don’t want to spend too much money on a maxed out computer for performance you don’t need.

Okay, let’s look at the parts and what they mean to artists.

R.A.M.

RAM is used to store temporary data. When you draw something on the screen, e.g. prompt for something to be temporarily stored in RAM before actually saving your file.

The amount of RAM determines how much graphics you can get on screen before saving. When you run out of memory, your computer will slow down. It slows down because it has to switch to storing that temporary on-screen data on the slower hard drive.

More RAM helps increase the number of undo actions you can save.

4GB of RAM should be enough for light graphics work, e.g. not running too many graphics applications at the same time. 8GB RAM is generally recommended for graphics work. Note that RAM is also shared with other software and the operating system (OS).

RAM is cheap. It’s worth the money.

hard drive speed

The hard drive (or hard drive) is used to store your permanent data, your graphic files, the PSDs, AIs, TIFFs, PDFs, etc. It is much slower than RAM when storing and reading data. So it directly affects the speed at which you work, in small increments that can add up to a huge waste of time. The operating system is also stored on the hard drive, which explains why it takes a while to boot up.

Hard drives come in many speeds. 7200 rpm, 15,000 rpm, 5400 rpm. RPM is how they measure hard drive speed. Typically, desktop computers ship at 7200 RPM, laptops at 5400 RPM.

If the speed isn’t listed on the computers you buy, ask a seller or get the model number of the hard drive and search the internet.

You should get at least 7200 rpm.

In addition to the hard drives measured in RPM, there are also the SSD hard drives. They are like RAM but can store permanent data. They are much faster, but also more expensive.

If you can afford it, you should get an SSD, maybe 120GB, to run your operating system and applications as well as daily work. Get cheaper, larger external storage, like the Western Digital External Storage (I use a few of those).

Hard drive speed is the bottleneck of any system. If you are on a budget, I would suggest upgrading the HDD to SSD instead of upgrading to more RAM (but at least 4GB RAM).

Because you install your operating system and have a fast SSD, you save a lot of time booting every time.

disk space

Hard drives are relatively cheap these days. How much disk space you need depends on the size of your typical work files. Five 200MB Photoshop files take up 1GB.

A 1 TB (1000 GB) hard drive should suffice.

If you can, get an extra one for backup purposes. Hard drive can fail. In that case, you’ll lose all your work – professional hard drive recovery is insanely expensive. If you’re going to get a desktop, go for an internal drive. For laptops, opt for an external hard drive – not many models allow two hard drives to be installed, although this may make your computer too hot to work with.

Just to reiterate my recommendation. If you can afford it, get an internal SSD drive and a large capacity external drive for backup. I personally use SSD with multiple external drives as backup.

If you’re really short on cash, get at least a 7200 RPM hard drive. In the long term, however, you will definitely get your money’s worth with an SSD.

processors

At least a dual-core processor if you want to be comfortable. Everything else is because you need the processing power, especially for 3D rendering.

Get at least a dual core processor, probably 2GHz dual core.

Most computers today are quad-core. Not many applications use quad-cores, but they’re easy to get if the price difference versus dual-core isn’t too big. This is because the operating system can allocate the processors to the operating system functions and some processors to the software, and if there is no processor sharing, you will get a better response.

graphic card

Unless you do 3D modeling, you probably don’t need a high-end card. 2D digital painting, vector work or layouts don’t really require this map to compute 3D data. In general, the graphics card that came with your computer should be sufficient.

If you use a specific 3D software, you should look at the graphics cards recommended by the software company. Any 3D software can have its own little quirks when running on a non-recommended graphics card.

And if you want to play other games besides art, check out the list of recommended graphics cards for the game.

Laptop graphics card cannot be upgraded after purchase, so choose your laptops wisely. If you don’t need to play games, this is where you can save some money.

CD drive

A DVD burner can burn 4GB of files that you can easily send to your customers.

However, nowadays it might be faster to just upload your files to the cloud storage and send the clients the links. Recommended services include Amazon Cloud Drive, Dropbox, and Google Drive

software

Sometimes computers come with bundled software that is “free” (as advertised) or heavily discounted. They aren’t really free because you pay for everything you get.

However, if you have the option not to buy them, especially Microsoft Office, don’t buy them. You can find a lot of open source software (equivalent to free and legal) software that has similar functionality. Even Photoshop has an open source competitor like GIMP.

Computers don’t usually come with art software, so you have to buy it. The two licenses to be aware of are Education and Commercial. The cheaper Education licenses are intended for learning purposes. Commercial licenses are for artists who want to make money from their work.

monitor

Get a high-resolution, high-pixel LCD monitor. The more pixels you have, the more things you can display on the screen. For example, a screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 (about 24 inches) can display almost two web pages side by side.

I would recommend a width of at least 1600px (about 20 inches) that gives you enough workspace and room to place the palettes and other controls.

Glossy or non-glossy depends on your personal preference. I recommend shiny.

Get IPS panels for your monitor. They have better color reproduction, color accuracy, wider viewing angles, and can display more colors. Don’t get TN panels for graphics work.

I recommend Dell IPS monitors. I have used several models over the years and they are really high quality monitors and value for money.

Brands

There’s not a huge difference, but I’m sure marketing departments will say otherwise. How different can brand A differ from brand B with similar specifications?

The service and warranty plans that come with the computer are important. Computers can break and it really is a matter of luck. Do you have a local service center where you can bring it? Do they have technicians waiting on site? Does the warranty cover all parts and service? These are the questions you should ask yourself and more when asked to purchase extended warranties. Amazingly, the extended warranty terms sometimes differ from the first year warranty terms.

Windows vs Mac

On the internet you will see a lot of people saying that more creative people use Macs or prefer Macs or something like that. These people have no evidence of what they say. The reason for this association is that Macs ushered in the desktop publishing era in 1985 (source: Wikipedia). This era really instilled in people the idea that creative people work on the Mac, but seriously, there are tons of artists working on Windows, too.

Today, Macs and Windows are comparable in functionality. What you can do on Windows, you can also do on a Mac, unless you need super specialized software that doesn’t have a Mac equivalent. If your software has the same name, e.g. Regardless of the Photoshop version, your files will still work on both platforms.

Macs tend to be more expensive if you compare them based on specs alone. A big difference is the operating system. Macs use Mac OS without it being as cheap as the cheapest Dell. The workflow between these two operating systems is slightly different, e.g. B. how they manage files, find things and move things. The differences may not be as big as you think. Both are user-friendly, especially now that Windows 7 is out.

The best way to decide is to go to an Apple Store to get a feel.

I personally use a Mac at home and really love it. There are no viruses and no stability issues, which is what many of my Windows friends say about their system. The real winner here is the lack of maintenance you have to do, basically none. If something is wrong, it’s always the hardware. Windows computers are difficult to troubleshoot if you don’t know if the problem is hardware or software.

The other reason for the Mac is that there are no games – no distractions. And if you really need Windows, you have Boot Camp software to help you install Windows on your Mac.

Laptops vs Desktops

The only reason you would want to get the laptop is portability. I emphasize the word “only” because I see that many people are seduced by the higher specs of desktops. There’s honestly no comparison here – you can’t carry your desktop around freely like you can a laptop.

Always remember what you are buying the computer for.

Visit a store to get a feel for the weight of the laptop you will be carrying frequently. 15-inch laptops aren’t light, but they offer a higher screen resolution, which is really useful. Or you can grab a smaller laptop and get an extra LCD monitor for more resolution. Lots of people do that.

Other things

Having backups is important. I always make sure I have copies of all my files at all times. That means I have a couple of extra external hard drives. Sometimes I have external drives to backup external drives. They’re cheap, so they’re a good investment, good insurance against data loss or destruction.

homemade

If you are tech savvy enough, you can try assembling your own computer. But for the most part I would recommend buying an assembled set. It saves time and is more convenient.

If you have any questions, just comment.

Studio & Production Mac vs. Windows for Music Production (for Studio and Live)

Mac offers better out-of-the-box software and hardware audio optimizations for music production compared to Windows computers, but generally at a much higher price point. Windows computers can be very powerful for music production as long as you choose the right hardware and change the settings on your computer to optimize the audio.

The main reason for Mac’s high reliability is that they have tight control over their hardware and software. If you choose your Windows machine carefully from major brands, they can be as reliable as Mac machines, even for live use. For Windows machines, business laptops from brands like Lenovo or Dell are very reliable options.

Windows can be a bit more risky for live music if you’re not that tech savvy (i.e. if you don’t choose the right laptop or optimize it properly).

Buying a music production computer is an investment that requires careful consideration of the pros and cons.

Deadmau5 has an interesting take on where he prefers a Windows PC for his studio as he can basically build a beast of a machine to his liking, but for live he uses a Macbook Pro (simply because they are reliable and he will be able to get replacements along the way if something goes wrong).

While many music producers, film editors, and graphic designers use Apple products because they’re built with creatives in mind, Macbooks are expensive, and it’s often prohibitive to get one with upgraded storage and RAM.

On the other hand, Windows machines are known for their flexibility in terms of build and customization, but do they support your favorite DAW? Are they reliable machines?

Let’s break down the hardware and software of Mac and Windows machines to help you decide which ones to invest in.

Main differences between Windows and Mac for music production

Like all other Apple products, Macbooks are generally expensive. A basic Macbook Air model with 256GB of SSD storage and 8GB of RAM costs around $999 excluding taxes. But the problem with getting one of these is that there’s just no storage space. Another problem is that there are not enough ports on these models. You have to buy additional components just to be able to connect your devices including all your external hard drives.

Although expensive, Macbooks are optimized for audio. No need to spend time setting up your device to work seamlessly with any DAW you work on. Your computer is intuitive enough to do this for you.

When it comes to a Mac, the hardware is controlled and there is consistency across all models. On the other hand, before you spend any money on a Windows computer, you need to do some research. While some brands like Dell and Lenovo are known for their rugged laptops, many brands in the same price range may not be as reliable.

One of the biggest advantages that Windows has over the Mac is the ease with which you can update the former. Whether you’re upgrading your RAM or installing an SSD to increase storage and performance. The hardware components of Windows machines are relatively affordable and you can upgrade one thing at a time. This takes the pressure off of spending a huge amount at once. You can conveniently invest in your computer. E.g. Many business Windows laptops have easy access RAM and hard drive connectors that you can easily expand (although they do need to be unscrewed a bit).

If you are currently a student or teacher, Apple offers an attractive educational discount not only for hardware but also for its software. While Microsoft also offers student pricing for its PCs and laptops, these machines aren’t exactly popular with musicians and music producers.

DAW support

Most major DAWs such as Ableton Live, Cubase, ProTools, Reaper, Bitwig Studio and Nuendo are compatible with both Mac and Windows computers. Although FL Studio used to be only compatible with Windows computers, they have since released updates that make the software compatible with both computers.

On the other hand, Logic Pro and Garageband were MacOs software and can only be accessed through Apple computers.

So Mac wins the round when it comes to DAW support, but chances are you’re already familiar with a cross-compatible DAW and having Logic Pro availability isn’t that important to you!

plugin support

Plugins generally depend on the DAW you are using and not the build or type of computer. They are therefore accessible to both Windows and Mac users.

Downloading AU plugins means it’s compatible with macOS, while VST plugins are often compatible with both (although they don’t always work with Mac, as plugin makers sometimes only offer Windows installers). But if you’re looking for good quality free plugins, then Windows has a wider selection to choose from because of this.

hardware support

Most hardware such as MIDI controllers and audio interfaces are compatible with both types of computers. While you don’t need to download any additional drivers or software to install them on your Mac, Windows computers often require additional drivers to function. For example, Novation products such as the Launchpad and Launchpad Pro require an additional driver download for Windows.

While the software isn’t bulky and works seamlessly, it’s an extra step that Mac users don’t have to experience. When setting up a MIDI or audio interface you will need a stable internet connection before setting up your workflow, it is not a plug and play situation.

If you already have an audio interface, make sure it’s compatible with the device you’re planning to buy.

Some of the Focusrite audio interfaces, such as B. the Scarlet series, require an additional driver for Windows computers.

A Mac is more advantageous because it supports all major hardware and since no additional drivers are required, it saves some time and energy.

Windows or Mac for Studio

PCs can be a great option if you’re looking for a powerful piece of equipment for your home studio or even a professional recording studio. You can build it to have a massive RAM configuration with ample storage space. Since they are relatively cheaper, you also have the option to eventually upgrade your screens, monitors and interfaces. But get ready to shell out some extra money for software like your copy of the operating system itself.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a reliable option with minimal fuss, a Mac laptop is the right choice.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when shopping for a computer is that your needs will vary greatly depending on whether you are looking for something that will be used solely for recording purposes or a device that you will use for live performance be able.

An iMac is expensive, but it’s a cohesive unit with quality graphics and hardware. There are additional touches like USB-C compatibility that make data transfers with Macs much more seamless.

Whichever you choose, Mac or PC, remember to keep in mind factors like import, render, and export time. You want a machine with a C.P.U. powerful enough to seamlessly run your DAW and plugins.

Windows or Mac for live music

By default, Mac is a more reliable option than Windows for live music. However, Windows can be a very powerful environment for live music, as long as it’s well optimized and you’re using a reliable laptop. When it comes to Windows for live use, things get a little riskier unless you know what you’re doing.

When it comes to live music with electronic devices, you should always think about backups. Ideally you should aim to have 2 laptops for live use at some point – a main and a backup laptop.

In addition, professional musicians will almost always tell you that the computer you use live should be different from the one you use for recording. This way you only have your live essentials on your machine and free up your CPU.

If you’re only investing in one machine, make sure it has the capacity to run your DAW and plugins without freezing or shutting down.

summary

Buying a new computer is very similar to buying a new instrument like a guitar. You need to plan your budget carefully and look for the best possible deal. If you’re looking for a computer solely for music production and performance, consider getting a Mac.

However, if you want to do multiple things on your computer and aren’t looking for a dedicated music production machine, then by all means go the Windows route!