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Graphic designs beautify the ideas you want to communicate with others. This makes them an essential part of all business operations. What are the best computers for graphic design? Since not all of us are extremely tech-savvy, making this choice is tough.
Many factors need to be considered while making this choice, as purchasing a computer is an expensive investment. From design needs to budget, a lot of deliberation has to happen, especially since technological advancements are rapid and difficult to keep track of.
We are here to simplify this choice for you. We have created a guide to help you choose the best computer for graphic design. In addition to this, we have also listed the best computers for graphic design in 2021. Read on if you wish to make the most profitable choice.
How To Select The Best Computer For Graphic Design?
Before you decide on which computer to buy, you must understand the requisite features for graphic design. This will not only give you a better understanding of the features but also help you navigate through the innumerable choices you have.
From processors to graphic cards to operating systems, the choice is never easy. Hence, understanding your requirements is a precedent for selecting the computer.
CPU
The speed of your processor predominantly determines the efficiency of software operations. Hence, your computer must be capable of handling multiple operations. The higher the processing power, the better.
Most of the graphic design software or applications are heavy to run. So, as a graphic designer, you have to ensure that your processor can keep up. If not, you'll face unexpected shutdowns and delays.
In numerical terms, your processor should be capable of 1 billion computations per second, which translates to a 1Ghz processor. Please note that this is the minimum requirement for graphic design. If it's not met, you'll face difficulties while running major applications.
Hard Drive
Hard drive refers to long-term memory. They are majorly classified into two types, HDD and SSD. They while they largely perform the same functions, they differ in terms of quality of performance.
HDD’s are slightly more cost-effective than SSD's, but the latter is wins in terms of durability. SSD also happens to perform better, with increased efficiency, hence justifying its price. HDD’s can prove to be costly in the long-term as their performance deteriorates faster.
For graphic designing, the hard drive memory totally depends on your workload and requirements. However, we wouldn't advise going for anything lower than 500GB for HDD and 226GB for SSD. 1TB is recommended, but you can always upgrade later.
If you’re going big on the budget, you can even consider a customized combination of the two. As this will meet your storage needs better.
GPU
Graphics Processing Unit, as the name suggests, is one of the most important features. A graphic designer should aim for the best GPU.
Image and infographic quality is the most vital aspect of a design, and the GPU determines the quality. Just in case you're working on a tight budget, you can always swap your existing graphic card for a better one later.
In fact, graphic card updates are very frequent, so instead of replacing the whole device, you can just swap the graphic card. It’s really important to upgrade. As the richness of your graphics and their processing quality and speed is determined by the GPU.
Monitor
The size of the desktop is also a vital component while selecting the best computer for graphic design. Over time it can get quite tedious to work on a small screen. You need to see the fine details of your graphic designs to give your best.
If you plan on always working on your designated spot, go for the largest screen. Ideally, 21-27 inches is preferred. However, if your requirement is portability, you might want to reconsider the size. The resolution of the screen should be a minimum of 1280 x 800. In this regard, go big or go home.
In-plane switching (IPS) and vertical alignment (VA) monitors come highly recommended for graphic designing. The IPS monitors are very expensive but cater to the highest image quality needs. So you need to consider your budget.
RAM
This the short-term memory, and it determines the speed and managerial skills of your computer. We recommend going for a least 8-16GB for graphic designing. The higher the RAM, the more multi-tasking your computer is.
Our Top Picks For Graphic Design Computers
While the pandemic managed to bring the whole world to a standstill, technological innovations didn't stop. The significance of technology skyrocketed. Here is a list of the best computers for your convenience.
Apple iMac 27 Inch- Retina 5K Display
This the newest model of iMac and is best suited for graphic designing. It measures 27-inches diagonally and has a whopping 5120 x 2880 resolution. This is as great as it gets.
It comes with 4 USB-A and two thunderbolt-3 ports. You can choose from 3.1 and 3.3 GHz Intel Core i5 processors depending on your requirements and budget. Capacity can also be selected as per your need.
It has AMD Radeon Pro 5300 graphics and ultra-fast SSD storage. These are the two dream features for any graphic designer.
Pros
All-in-one for every need.
Large screen.
High graphic quality.
Expanded memory and storage.
Retina 5K display
Stylish and sleek look.
Cons
Very expensive.
Acer Aspire TC
This gem comes with an 8th generation Intel Core i3 9100 processor (4.2 GHz). It supports windows 10 home and comes with a 21.5-inch monitor.
It has an Intel UHD graphics 630 co-processor to support high-quality graphics and 8GB RAM. It has integrated graphics to fulfill all your needs on a budget.
Pros
21.5-inch screen
High-speed processor
Cost-effective
Cons
Smaller keyboard than previous models.
Microsoft Surface Studio (1st Generation)
This computer is specially designed to enhance the visual appeal with its 28-inch screen display. It has a zero-gravity hinge for effortless movement.
If you have no budget constraints and graphic design is your passion, you can’t overlook this one. It has an adjustable PixelSense, touchscreen display. You can choose from 8-32GB RAM as per your needs and budget and an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor.
Pros
28-inch screen, best suited for graphic designers.
13.5 million pixels of colors and clarity.
Microsoft Surface Studio to help you visualize better.
Desktop to studio transformation makes it the best computer for graphic designers.
Touchscreen for hands-on experience.
Classy look, very appealing visually.
Cons
Quite expensive
Very high-end, best suited for professional designers.
Lenovo Yoga A940 27-inch
Just looking at this computer makes you want to design and visualize. This all-in-one PC has a 27-inch screen and a 4K touch display. From its Yoga 27 series, the A940 has a 16GB RAM and Intel Core i5- 8400 processor.
It comes with pre-installed windows 10 and has a 256GB SSD+ 2TB hard drive. It has a multi-touch tilting screen with pen support, which elevates the user experience to another level.
Pros
Ultra HD 4K display
Up to 10GB graphics RAM to support hi-tech graphics creation.
High storage hard drive.
Turbo Boost processor.
Stunning color and contrast with Dolby Vision HDR.
Cons
Very high-end.
Very heavy in terms of weight and look.
Dell Inspiron 7000- Latest
This is the latest Dell Inspiron, model. The 27-inch, all-in-one desktop comes with a stunning FHD display. It has an Intel Core i5, 10th generation processor with 4.20 GHz processor speed.
It has an 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD to boot along 1TB hard disk drive. To top it off, it comes with a complimentary 1-year free subscription of McAfee Security. It supports Windows 10 and comes with a wireless mouse and keyboard.
Pros
Budget-friendly.
Great memory for the price, cost-effective.
27-inch screen with sharp graphics.
It has a wide viewing angle (IPS)
Fast processor.
Sleek design.
Cons
Non-adjustable screen.
Premium HP P24 All-In-One Desktop- 2020
The HP desktop has a 23.8-inch screen with an anti-glare display. You can choose from 8-32GB RAM, as per your needs. It has a full HD display of 1920 x 1080 and an LED-backlit display.
It operates windows 10 home and has integrated AMD Radeon graphics. You can also choose from 256GB to 1TB SSD hard drive.
Pros
Powerful AMD Athlon Silver processor.
Decently priced.
Striking AMD Radeon graphics.
Light-weight.
Cons
Average look.
Average sound quality.
Final Words
As you might have noticed, there is no such thing as ‘one computer fits all.' So you need to analyze your personal requirements before selecting a computer. While a high-end computer gives the best performance, it might not suit your budget. You can always build your own computer, using the best features of all.
So it’s best to consider your needs and work within that. The listed computers have proven to be the best in terms of performance and facilitating graphic designing. We hope you were able to choose the best computer for graphic designing 2021 for you.
