Best Macbook For Designers

• Best Macbook To Own
• Best Apple Macbook
• Best Macbook For Designers
• Best Macbook For Graphic Designers

Best laptops, desktops and tablets for designers and creatives in 2020. Here's a place to start when companies like Apple, HP, Dell and Microsoft overwhelm you with choices. Best Mac for web design. The best Mac for web design is the 13in MacBook Pro. Web design canvases now vary wildly (in the sense responsive sites must support anything from a watch face up to a.

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Best Macbook To Own

The internet is full of confusing advice about choosing the right computer for graphic design. Which is better—laptop or desktop, Windows or Mac? What specs do you go for? How much should you be ready to pay?

Computer audio mixer software. One thing we know for sure—Macs are in the favourites among all kinds of graphic designers, from typographers to 3D animators. Once you've set your mind on Apple, it's time to choose one out of the wide variety of devices. This article will help you figure out which Mac is best suited for your budget and your creative tasks.

We have produced the ultimate list of Apple devices that are the best for graphic design:

• Best overall: 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019)
• Best desktop: 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina display
• Best alternative: MacBook Air (2020)

Why choose a Mac for graphic design?

Macs have been preferred by the world's leading designers for years, mainly due to the superb colour accuracy and image quality that come with Apple's high-end Retina displays. Furthermore, the new features that the company introduces with each release, such as the Magic Keyboard and Touch Bar, improve user experience, making it easier and more comfortable to design on Macs.

Simply having a powerful computer is not enough for creative occupations. A significant amount of memory and the best graphics cards are essential to pull off most professional software. The majority of Macs from the current line have plenty of RAM and discrete GPUs with on-board memory of up to 4GB.

The exquisite integration that comes with macOS allows smooth workflow between all the different apps that you use when working on a project. Additionally, cross-platform compatibility enables you to run Windows through Apple's own built-in tool, Boot Camp—so, when you need to run a Windows-specific app, you're sorted.

Finally, Macs are diverse and flexible when it comes to lifestyle. Are you a dynamic person who is always on the run? Then you must need to be able to carry your entire workstation with you. The light and compact MacBooks with long battery life have got your back. Correspondingly, if you're more of a desktop dweller and prefer working from the comfort of your home, you can opt for a large and impressive iMac.

The best Mac configuration for graphic design

Professional applications for designers are focused on interface design, illustration, and 3D. All of them are RAM-hungry, so look for devices with at least 8GB of RAM. If you're not sure how much memory you'll need for future projects, consider models that can be upgraded (the latest generations of MacBook Pro, the majority of iMacs, and Mac mini). Otherwise, always opt for the highest amount of RAM possible—you can purchase it in-store when buying your Mac.

On top of RAM, you'll need at least 256GB of internal SSD storage to keep many high-resolution images on your internal disk. Make sure you get a Mac with a solid-state drive rather than a hard drive for better performance. It's unlikely that you'll be able to replace a drive yourself after the purchase as Apple's products are sealed units, so make sure that you get plenty of storage space at the start. If that's not an option, get an external drive.

When it comes to processor power, graphic design applications are not that intense, especially when compared to video editing software. You'll get away with a 1.6GHz dual-core Core i5 CPU. Obviously, it is encouraged that you get a Mac that has more cores, but in most cases, you won't notice a change in performance once you're over the GHz range—instead, invest in additional RAM.

Make sure that your Mac has a discrete graphics card with plenty of RAM or is compatible with an eGPU. Older Mac models and most MacBook Airs use integrated GPU, which eats away from the CPU power and slows down the computer when working on graphics-heavy projects. We recommend looking for a Mac with at least AMD Radeon RX 570—an equivalent of Nvidia GTX 1050.

Don't forget about the ports—as a graphic designer, you'll need to connect your tablet and other peripherals for regular work. Make sure your computer has at least two Thunderbolt 3s.

Finally, the display—one of the most important aspects of design work. Of course, most creators will agree that the larger the monitor, the better the workflow. However, the key aspect here is the resolution—make sure it's at least 1280x800. As for pixel density, it's higher in Apple monitors than in most PCs and regular laptops, so you'll be fine with any Mac.

The best MacBook for graphic design

MacBook Pro for graphic design

The 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro is an improved successor of its outdated 15-inch version. The base model has a 2.6GHz 6-core 9th Gen Core i7 processor that can be upgraded up to a 2.4GHz 8-core 9th gen Core i9 with Turbo Boost to 5.0GHz. This is more than enough power for any graphic design software.

But what about GPU? This beast has an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory—a substantial amount for gaming, let alone creative work. It's equipped with 16GB of on-board RAM and up to 8TB of SSD storage.

The LED-backlit Retina display with True Tone and P3 has 3072x1920 native resolution with 226 PPI and 500 nits brightness. Finally, four Thunderbolt 3 ports are available to connect peripherals—all of this in just 2 kg, starting at $2,399.

In 2020, Apple released an updated 13-inch version of MacBook Pro. This might not be enough for print design, but will be sufficient for web-designing purposes.

The base model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro has a 1.4GHz quad-core 8th Gen Core i5 processor with room for improvement up to 2.3GHz quad-core Core i7. However, it has an integrated Iris Plus graphics card, which is a significant drawback.

The base 8GB of RAM can be configured to 32GB, and SSD storage can be expanded to 4TB. The Retina display's resolution is 2560x1900 with 500 nits brightness, True Tone and P3 technologies in place as always. The laptop can have two or four Thunderbolt 3 ports, weighing 1.4 kg and costing from $1,299 to $1,799.

MacBook Air for graphic design

The 2020 MacBook Air is the cheapest and most portable among all Apple computers. Weighing only 1.290 kg, it still packs powerful components that will satisfy beginner designers.

The base $999 model has a 1.1GHz dual-core Core i3 processor. The more expensive $1,299 option brings it up to a 1.2GHz quad-core Core i5 with Turbo Boost to 3.5GHz. Both the models have an integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics card with support for an eGPU available. 8GB of on-board RAM is configurable to 16GB, while 256GB of SSD storage can be boosted up to 2TB.

The display of the MacBook is impressive. The LED-backlit 13.3-inch screen with IPS and True Tone technologies packs 2560x1600 native resolution at 227 PPI with support for millions of colors.

Finally, two Thunderbolt 3 ports are available. How to install mac os mojave on macbook pro 2011. The computer is also known for its long battery life of up to 12 hours with no need to connect the charger.

iMac for graphic design

On August 5, 2020, Apple announced a major update to their 27-inch iMac, making it the most powerful iMac ever created. It's ideal even for the most intense tasks such as game design and 3D modeling.

The CPU of the new iMac is configurable up to 3.6GHz 10-core 10th Gen Core i9, which has not been done before in any of the Apple devices except for Mac Pro. The base model of the iMac has a discrete GPU of Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory. This can be improved up to a staggering Radeon Pro XT with 16GB of GDDR6 memory.

Two 4GB blocks of RAM can be customized to the maximum of 128GB—56GB each. SSD storage, starting at 256GB in the base model, can shoot up to 8TB in the best configuration.

The famous 27-inch 5K display has a 5120x2880 resolution and supports more than a billion colors. It has all the usual specs: True Tone, P3, 500 nits brightness… But it can also be turned into nano-texture glass, guaranteeing truly unbelievable user experience.

As for ports, the computer has four USB-As, two Thunderbolt 3s and an SDXC card slot. The iMac's price starts at $1,799, going up to $2,299.

How to optimize your Mac ready for design projects?

Mac is one of the most comfortable computers for graphic design. However, having insufficient RAM or disk space may interfere with your work.

For example, 3D modeling is a RAM-hungry process, that's why freeing up RAM memory is an excellent idea. You can use Memory Cleaner in MacKeeper to free up your Mac's RAM without some extra effort. With a few clicks, MacKeeper will help to optimize your current Mac session.

Graphic design software also requires a lot of storage. Unused apps, duplicates, cache, junk files, and other useless elements take the space you can use for your creative projects. You can quickly free it up with MacKeeper's set of cleaning tools. Let your Mac be ready for your most daring creations!

Conclusion

World-renowned companies, such as Pixar and Walt Disney, choose Macs to create their masterpieces. This is not surprising—the majority of graphic designers prefer Macs for their fast functionality, simple file management, and outstanding design software.

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Students preparing to head back to school or even embark on a new college journey can benefit from having the right technology at their fingertips. Between desktop Macs, MacBook Pro laptops, and even iPads, choosing the perfect device for school can mean sorting through hundreds of different configurations.

AppleInsider is breaking down your list of options to find the best Mac for students, whether you're a college student heading off to campus this fall or the parent of a child in elementary school needing a budget-friendly Apple computer for remote learning. From the longest battery life to the lowest Apple prices on machines that offer best-in-class performance, we've got you covered.

Students who need a bit more power, such as artists and designers, can easily find it here. The large, 16-inch screen provides ample working space at a 3072-by-1920 native resolution, perfect for working in programs like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. The option to upgrade to a Core i9 processor means you'll always have power to spare, regardless of the project.

Depending on what programs students will be running, they have several memory and graphics options available to them. For general use, the base 16 gigabytes of memory will be more than enough for most students and has the added benefit of saving them money. If a student plans on doing extensive video editing or 3D modeling, they can upgrade to either 32 or 64 gigabytes of RAM at an additional cost.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro has a variety of options when it comes to graphics, as well. The base model features an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M card with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, which is sufficient for most users. However, power users may find that upgrading to the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M option gives them better results when working in programs like Maya or AutoCad.

For students in creative majors, such as digital arts and design, we suggest upgrading storage to at least 1TB, if not more. That assures that you won't be butting up against storage caps during finals week. For multi-device users, an iCloud account is recommended, especially for students who like to split between working on a MacBook Pro and an iPad.

As always, it's suggested that prospective students speak to their academic advisors about what sort of computer may best suit their needs.

• High performance
• Long battery life
• Big screen

• Expensive
• Heavy
• Huge footprint

What the MacBook Air lacks in power it makes up for it in portability and price. You can get a new baseline MacBook Air for $899 with a student discount. The 13.3-inch retina display will display your notes and video in brilliant colors at a high 2560-by-1600 resolution.

There are two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the side, which means you can charge your device and connect an external drive or peripheral at the same time. Higher-end MacBooks have more ports, though, so having only a two-port option might be a deal-breaker.

Because it weighs in at only 2.8 pounds, your back will thank you as you move about the campus during the day. The base model comes with a 1.1GHz Core i3 processor with 256GB of storage. This configuration works great for most use cases related to studying and note-taking. If you need more processing power, you can upgrade to an i5 or i7 chipset, or double your RAM to 16GB for a premium.

The mid-tier MacBook Air retails for $1,299 with the i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Upgrading the memory or processor past this configuration leads you into 13-inch MacBook Pro pricing territory, but only upgrade to that machine if graphic processing for design apps and games are important to you.

• Low price
• Lightweight
• Small form factor

• Low performance
• Upgrades are expensive
• Only two ports

Whether you're a commuter, living in a dorm, or simply want the option to take your MacBook Pro to class, the best all-around choice is the new 13-inch MacBook Pro. It combines portability with enough power for nearly any project most students will encounter.

The small size means it fits easily into most backpacks and laptop bags, but the 2560-by-1600 native resolution allows for ample working space. This makes it ideal for writing papers or working in your college's course management system, and the gorgeous retina display is ideal for streaming your favorite Apple TV+ shows.

This MacBook has several different storage options to choose from. We suggest that students upgrade to the one terabyte storage option, which allows them to store papers, projects, and pictures without fear of butting up against the storage capacity. For users who save a lot of music or video files, we suggest at least two terabytes to be safe.

For the average college student, the base 16 gigabytes of memory should be plenty. Users who do more intense programs, or those looking to future-proof their MacBook for a bit may want to upgrade to the 32-gigabyte option, but it comes at an additional cost.

Again, for most students, the 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor will be more than enough. For students who plan on dabbling in video editing or 3D modeling software, upgrading to the Intel Core i7 option may be ideal.

Best Apple Macbook

If you're not sure what upgrades you should pick, your academic advisor or a professor in your major should be able to help point you in the right direction.

• Smaller size
• Faster processor in base model
• Plenty of upgrade options

• High starting price when compared to similar MacBook Air
• Must upgrade to more expensive option for more ports
• No discrete GPU options

Best Macbook For Designers

We might all want a MacBook Pro, but if you can live without the portability, then invariably –– invariably –– a desktop computer will give you more performance, more power, and more storage than a laptop for the same price. Plus, no MacBook Pro can match the screen of a 27-inch iMac.

That clearly makes this machine a perfect buy for arts, graphics, or media students. However, you don't need to be running Photoshop or Final Cut Pro X to appreciate the benefits of an exceptional screen.

Plus, the way the 27-inch iMac 5K is effectively a slim screen with a computer hidden inside it, means that it's a great buy for a small dorm. You could do with a good lock on that dorm, but you couldn't do better than this iMac.

The same iMac range does include a 21-inch model, with a screen that is optionally 4K, but it isn't recommended. The 27-inch version doesn't just come with six more inches of screen diagonally, it comes with higher resolution, and processors up to 8-core Intel Core i9.

The 21.5-inch iMac can have up to six cores and Intel Core i7. The non-Retina edition has only two cores and an Intel Core i5 processor. The 27-inch model easily beats both of these with its graphics processor options, too.

• Large high-resolution displays
• Highly configurable and upgradable
• Choose your own mouse and keyboard

Best Macbook For Graphic Designers

• Not portable
• Still ships with slow HDD or Fusion Drives in lower-tier models
• Old design that might be changed in next update

The Mac mini is officially a desktop, but it's small enough that you could move it around easily. You wouldn't take it to class, and you couldn't do much with it once you got there, but when you need to move where you set up your work, its small size is convenient. And it belies just how powerful the tiny Mac for students can be.

You do have to buy a separate screen, keyboard, and mouse or trackpad, however. And while the entry-level version now comes with 256GB of SSD storage, that's still not excessive. When it came with 128GB SSD, it was essential to pay extra to get more and that's no longer true, but buying 512GB will make for a better, longer-lasting machine.

• Semi-portable in small casing
• Choose your own monitor, keyboard, and mouse
• Many ports

• High base model price while still needing all the peripherals
• 256GB at entry model is untenable
• Low powered processor options and no discrete graphics

If your coursework can be accomplished via a web app or you do not need any specific desktop-based applications, you may want to try an iPad for school. If you're using an iPad for schoolwork, you'll likely want a keyboard and trackpad as well, which does add to the overall cost.

Of course, there is also the option of buying the iPad as an add-on device and use it as a small note-taking tablet with Apple Pencil or as an extended display for your Mac with SideCar. However, should you decide to take advantage of the iPad, the device can significantly enhance any workflow.

As a reminder, the iPad can only run apps from the App Store, so you'll need to ensure you can perform your classwork from the iPad before purchasing the device.

The 10.2-inch iPad has a retina display and lacks some of the more pro-level features to drive the price down. It supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple's Smart Keyboard. The current iPad has an A10 Fusion chip that is still supported by iPadOS and can easily run modern applications.

This is the perfect device for a young student just starting out, and Apple pushes this device for education markets. The base model has 32GB of storage for $329, but it is recommended you upgrade to the 128GB option for $100 more.

The iPad Air is Apple's best iPad that still has Touch ID. It has a laminated 10.5-inch display and supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. Its A12 Bionic chip delivers a similar experience to what is found on the pro models, but in an older design.

You'll likely want the iPad Air if you don't want to spend more on the pro models or just want to use it as a secondary computer. The iPad Air starts at $499 with 64GB of storage, but as with the base iPad, it might be wise to upgrade the memory to the next tier. The 256GB model is $649.

The iPad mini is essentially the iPad Air crammed into a 7.9-inch display. There is no Smart Keyboard, but the first-generation Apple Pencil is compatible. The $399 price gets you 64GB, and upgrade to 256GB for $549. The A12 Bionic is used in this model and excels in the smaller display.

The iPad mini is a versatile device. You can attach a keyboard and use it as a miniature computer, or carry it in your pocket with the Pencil and have a portable-digital notepad.

The iPad Pro is Apple's flagship tablet, and the company promotes it as a fully capable Mac alternative. You could use it as a second display or notepad like with the other models, but as these devices cost as much as a MacBook Air or Mac mini, you'll likely want it for more.

The A12Z Bionic, LiDAR camera and full-screen 120Hz display set the iPad Pro apart. Apple also offers a unique keyboard called the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, and it features scissor-switch keys and a trackpad on a thin-designed case. Combine this with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and you'll have a laptop/tablet combo that takes whatever shape you need on the fly.

The 11-inch iPad Pro is $799, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is $999 for 128GB of storage. This can be increased up to 1TB of storage in either for a $500 increase.

All iPad models can be configured with cellular for a $150 price increase at purchase.

Ultimately, the best Mac for students is dependent on each person's particular needs, including grade level, college major, learning environment (remote vs in-person) and budget. To all the students out there, we wish you the best of luck as you hit the books for the 2020-2021 school year.