There is very little doubt about it. Graphic design is one of the fastest growing industries directly related to digital skills. Whether you want to freelance or get a job with a big company, there's never been a better time to be a part of this field. Unfortunately, it is not one of the “cheapest” professions to get into.
While you don't need high-end equipment when starting out, the need will arise sooner or later. Perhaps you are already a well-established person and need an upgrade to increase your productivity. A great computer is a graphic designer's best friend. Some people prefer Macs, while others prefer Windows PCs. Gaming computers are also a good option as they have high-end specs.
Speaking of specifications, they are important if you want to be prepared for the future and want to work smoothly. A powerful GPU, a processor with a higher core count, and a fast SSD can improve the overall experience.
But whatever your requirement, we've got you covered. We've rounded up some of the best computers for graphic design. Let's take a look at what made the list.
1.Apple iMac Pro
The ultimate all-in-one
pros
- Iconic and nice design
- incredibly powerful
- Accurate color reproduction
- Surprisingly good speakers
Cons
- high price tag
Processor : Intel Xeon W (8/10/14/18 cores) | RAM : 32 – 256GB DDR4 | GPU : Radeon Pro Vega 64 | Display : 27-inch Retina 5K display | Storage : 1-4TB SSD
The inclusion of the much-hyped Apple iMac Pro should come as no surprise. This is Apple's return to form, especially in the area of high-end professional workstations. While the cheapest iMac is a good option for most people, and the newly released Mac Pro is a bit of a stretch for some, this iMac Pro is perhaps the best option when it comes to a high-end workstation.
The design remains practically the same. The iconic iMac slim design is still there and looks as good as ever. There's something beautiful about packing all that power into such a slim all-in-one desktop. The ports are still at the rear. The screen is amazingly close to perfect. The 5K display combined with Apple's Retina technology brings it to life. It's an IPS panel, so viewing angles are great too. For color-accurate work, the screen is amazing.
As for connectivity, you get four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C, 4 USB A 3.0, 10Gb Ethernet, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an SD card slot. This time, they changed the color to Space Grey, and the matching peripherals look great paired with it.
But the iMac Pro excels in the performance department. If you want to go all out, you can get an 18-core Xeon processor, 256GB of DDR4 memory, a 4TB SSD, and a Radeon Pro Vega 64X. Unsurprisingly, it chews up video editing and is a productivity beast. All that power also makes it incredibly versatile. Photo editing, video editing, audio production, you name it. The iMac Pro can handle most of what you throw at it.
Of course, there is the high price of Apple. I'd say the best value is with the 10 core processor, combined with Vega 64 and 64GB of memory. That setup should last a long time. Sure, it's expensive, but if you use it for more than 5 years (potentially), it's worth it.
2.Lenovo Yoga A940
more versatile
pros
- Incredible bang for your buck
- Stunning color-accurate display
- Attention to detail in design
- Outstanding speaker setup
Cons
- Painfully slow hard drive
Processor : Intel Core i7 9700 | RAM : 32GB DDR4 | GPU : Radeon RX 560 | Screen : 27-inch 4K IPS multi-touch | Storage : 1TB HDD, 256GB SSD
When the Surface Studio launched, I jumped on board right away. A large desktop screen with a hinge that you can tilt to your liking? And can you draw on it? Sign me up. Unfortunately, the first version of the Surface Studio was too expensive and lacked powerful hardware. The Lenovo Yoga A940 is a fearsome competitor and does a lot of things better, too.
The best thing about the Yoga A940 is its clever design. Some might argue that it looks a bit bland at first, but once you start noticing the little details, it's pretty impressive. It comes with a content creation dial, which you can use in Photoshop to change colors, your brush stroke, and much more. It works with many apps and you can use it to change the volume on Spotify.
At the bottom we have a 3D sound bar with Dolby Atmos Audio. As expected, it sounds exceptionally good and is very accurate. It even has a wireless charger for your phone on the right side, which is actually a fast charger. The content creation dial I mentioned earlier can be attached to the left or right side, depending on your preference. This is impeccable attention to detail.
The processor is a Core i7 9700, paired with 32GB of DDR4 memory, a speedy 256GB SSD, and a Radeon RX 560. So it might not be the most powerful machine out there, but it cuts down on the competition in terms of price. The RX 560 also lets you do some light gaming. The main drawback is the painfully slow 5400 RPM hard drive. This is a disappointment as it sometimes slows down the system.
The screen is also excellent, covering 100% Adobe RGB coverage and 100% sRGB coverage. Digital artists will fall in love with this screen. The included pen works well and is of great quality for drawing and retouching in Photoshop. You can even use this on its own as a monitor (albeit an expensive one), as it has HDMI input and output. Truly, this is an extremely versatile workhorse machine and offers a lot for the price.
3. Microsoft Surface Studio 2
The best for digital artists
pros
- Perfect for digital artists
- striking design
- One of the best pens in the game.
Cons
- Too expensive
- Mobile processor falls short
Processor : Intel Core i7 7820HQ | RAM : 32GB DDR4 | GPU : GTX 1070 or GTX 1060 | Display : 28-inch 4500 X 3000 IPS display | Storage : 1-2TB SSD
When the Microsoft Surface Studio was first introduced, digital artists and pen display enthusiasts were the first to take notice. For many people it has been a dream for a long time to draw on a big screen and use it as a normal monitor when needed. The Surface Studio 2 makes some incremental improvements over the first, but does it live up to the hype?
You can't talk about the Surface Studio 2 without talking about its aesthetically pleasing design. It is pure visual pleasure and it is an absolute pleasure to watch it. The slim bezels, sturdy hinge, and smart stand combine to give it a sleek, yet elegant look. All the internals are housed in the base, and that's some really clever engineering.
The screen is ideal for drawing, as expected. It has a 3:2 aspect ratio, which is great for photo editors and people who prefer to draw on screens. The screen is vibrant, color accurate, and overall a joy to use. The Surface Dial is extremely versatile and can be used in Photoshop to change colors, brush sizes, cycle through layers, etc.
The included keyboard is also good enough even for professional writers. Though the mouse isn't exactly as comfortable as I'd hoped. However, the pen is a pleasure to use. It's accurate, reliable, and has 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. Simply put, it is one of the best pens for drawing, rivaled only by Wacom.
Despite all that, the Surface Studio 2 is extremely expensive. You know you're in trouble when Apple's iMac Pro appears to be a better price. I say this because of the mobile processor, which will show its age quite quickly. Of course, the Studio 2 has that awesome pen display, which could be a major selling point for some.
4. Corsair One Pro i80
best compact pc
pros
- Silent operation
- Excellent thermals despite its compact size
- loaded with power
Cons
- Very expensive
- Limited upgrade potential
Processor : Intel Core i9 9920X | RAM : 16GB DDR4 | GPU : Geforce RTX 2080Ti | Storage : 960GB NVMe SSD, 2TB HDD
I have heard the same argument over and over again. People always say that prebuilt PCs aren't the best value, and I tend to agree. You can build a PC yourself for a much better price and it will do the job. But I'd be hard-pressed to build a compact, quiet, good-looking PC like the Corsair One Pro. That's where its hefty price tag starts to make sense.
The Corsair One Pro i80 is nothing short of a technical marvel. It looks absolutely incredible, to begin with. Its compact frame means you can fit it on a small desk, but it makes its presence known with excellent, tasteful RGB lighting. From any angle, this is a knockout in terms of aesthetics. The interior is also completely liquid cooled. Both the GPU and the CPU, which is impressive on its own.
The processor here is the Core i9 9920X and the GPU is the GeForce RTX 2080Ti. These are power-hungry components, but with the excellent liquid cooling I mentioned, this PC runs quietly. It also doesn't get too loud under full load. 16GB of DDR4 memory is included, though you can upgrade to 32 or more. The 960 GB NVMe SSD is incredibly fast and helps a lot with video editing.
With those specs, you'll also want to play some games. The One Pro i80 is an FPS crushing machine and can handle any game you throw at it. It's just as good of a gaming PC as it is of a workstation. However, the slow 5400 RPM hard drive, limited upgrade potential, and price are all valid things to consider before buying. Still, this is the best compact workstation on the market.
5.Acer Aspire S24
all in one affordable
pros
- Slim and beautiful screen
- wireless charging pad
- Great value
Cons
- No touchscreen option
- slow hard drive
- Included peripherals are poor
Processor : Intel Core i5 8250U | RAM : 12GB DDR4 | GPU : Intel HD Graphics 620 | Storage : 1TB hard drive
Let's say you love all-in-one PCs. You also happen to be a graphic designer who needs an accurate, vibrant and sharp display for your work. Well, if you don't have a lot of money to spend, the Acer Aspire S 24 might be a good option. I realize it's for a very niche audience, but it's worth considering.
The Aspire S 24 looks quite premium despite the low price. The screen has slim bezels and the gold chin at the bottom makes it stand out. All internal components are housed within the base of the display, keeping everything quiet and clean. It runs fairly quietly, which is an added attribute. It even has a wireless charging pad, which is nice to have.
Photo editors and graphic designers will appreciate the vibrant and accurate color display. It may only be 1080p, but for the price, it's an understandable trade-off. Note that the Core i5 8250U is not the most powerful chip in the world. The lack of dedicated graphics is also disappointing. However, if you're just editing photos, you should be fine.
Peripherals are lacking, but that was to be expected. There's also no touchscreen option, which could be a deal breaker for some people. Overall, the Aspire S 24 may not be powerful, but it's a decent entry-level AIO system that can handle photo editing and light graphic design. However, it may be a tough sell for some unless an all-in-one PC is absolutely necessary.
