TL;DR: Here's a list of my best best budget laptops for photo editing in 2020:
A photographer’s first love is their camera. But what comes after that? That would be their laptop (think: for photoshop.
Moreover, for intensive photo-editing tasks, you need a laptop that has the juice to handle it and user-friendly so the usage is also simple. Now once you understand this, the problem which arises is, what photo-editing laptop should you get?
Well… there are so many out there, and it's quite frankly different to narrow down on one. But, you need to understand that each laptop has its flaws as well.
Bottom line? A laptop should be one that fits your needs and preferences and not due to branding and fancy-schmancy marketing.
So in this article, I'll answer all the questions you've ever had regarding a laptop for photo editing and further review my recommendations to help you make the best decision.
So let's dive in.
Top 3 Budget Laptops for Photo Editing:
- 13.3-Inch wide-view Full-HD Nano-edge bezel display; A specially designed 50Wh lithium-polymer battery gives up to 14 hours of autonomy, with fast-charge technology that takes just 49 minutes to recharge to 60% capacity.
- Latest 8th generation Intel Core i5-8250U Quad-Core Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.4 GHz)
- Fast storage and memory featuring 256GB SATA SSD with 8GB LPDDR3 RAM
- Extensive connectivity with HDMI/USB Type C, 802.11a/c WiFi and Micro SD card reader
- Sleek and lightweight 2.5 lbs. aluminum body for comfortable portability.Built-in Bluetooth V4.2
- 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Processor
- Brilliant Retina Display
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
- Ultrafast SSD
- Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- Powerful and efficient 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U Processor (Turbo up to 3.4 GHz)
- NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB Graphics
- 4GB DDR4 RAM + 16GB Intel Optane Memory
- 1TB Intel Optane Enhanced HDD
- 15.6” Full HD (1920 x 1080) WideView color-rich display with ASUS NanoEdge bezel for an 80% screen-to-body ratio
- 15.6-Inch IPS Touchscreen FHD (1920x1080)
- 8th Generation Intel Quad Core i5-8250U
- 8 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM
- 1 TB 5400 rpm SATA HDD
- Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Best budget laptop for photo editing 2020
Now that we know what we want to look for in photo editing laptop, let's dive deep with simple but effective reviews.
#1: Asus Zen Book – Most powerful Photoediting Laptop on a Budget
A premium windows laptop with the most well-balanced specifications (think: ultralight meets maximum performance) that don't mind spending a little bit extra for top-notch specifications.
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Best Reasons to get this laptop?
A laptop that sweeps into every list. The superior quality of this product in terms of performance is exceptional. The ASUS ZenBook is a 13-inch ultra slim notebook. It is affordable for a freelance. It is powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U processor.
Reason 1: Best Affordable Laptop
The Zenbook one of the most popular laptop series from Asus. But despite the fame, the ZenBook UX331UA is priced reasonably low. Especially if you consider some the top-notch specifications (ultra-slim body paired with powerful specs).
Reason 2: Well-balanced set of features
A full HD display of 13.3 inches with a vast array of color and viewing angles. Powered by the 8th Gen Intel Core i5 with an 8GB RAM. Additional features include a fingerprint sensor, and a Harman Kardon administered audio is used on the laptop.
Bottom line? This laptop is one of the most balanced in terms of performance and usability.
Reason 3: Remote work-friendly
The ultra-slim body and compact form make this laptop super easy to carry along in a backpack. Additionally, the top-notch features (and battery life) make this laptop great for photographers looking to work on the go.
#2: Asus Vivo Book Pro Review – Powerful Budget Photography Laptop
A great budget-friendly laptop for photographers that value portability and powerful performance. In fact, I personally use this laptop and can confidently recommend it.
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Why should you get this laptop?
The Asus Vivo Book is well within the budget of a freelancer. It gives excellent value for your price. As a photographer, you would not want to compromise on features.
Reason 1: Within your Budget
Most of the current laptops which possess a 4K display will cost more than $1500. But that’s not the case with the Asus Vivo Book. At around $1000, it suits a freelancers budget.
Reason 2: Competent Processor
The Asus Vivo Book comes with the 7th Generation 28 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 along with a 16GB RAM
Reason 3: Capable Performer
It possesses an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 GPU which makes it a great performer when it comes to intensive media creation and constant editing process.
#3: Acer Aspire E15 576G Review – Low Budget Laptop for Photo Editing
A budget-friendly laptop for photographers that want a decent photo-editing laptop under $500.
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Why should you get this laptop?
The most recommended laptop for those who are on a budget. The Acer Aspire is below $500 and is easily used. It is designed for quick use with an 8GB RAM, and a full HD LED display. It is a delight to work with.
Reason 1: Perfect under Budget
For a freelancer who does not have much money at the start, this laptop is excellent for you. If your budget is around $500, then the Acer Aspire is all yours.
Reason 2: Speed and Portability
The Acer Aspire is designed especially for speed, mobility, and easy usage. It has a light chassis which makes it easy to carry around as you work. It also looks great.
Obviously, it is made from polycarbonate plastic.
Reason 3: Battery Life
The one problem that every freelancer faces?
Battery life!
Fortunately, The Acer Aspire has a battery life that is beyond any comparison. It is a great buy.
#4: Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Review – Cheap Laptop for Photoshop
A lightweight laptop for photographers that value extreme portability while still being able to get work done.
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Why should you get this laptop?
It is the best kind of versatile laptop which has way more power with an 8th Generation Intel Core Processor. The battery lasts for 13.5 hours on a single charge. It is like a powerhouse. .It handles heavy applications, multimedia and graphics seamlessly. It even offers bonus features which you will love.
Reason 1: Flexible and Productive
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 comes along with tablet-like features along with the productivity of a laptop which is ideal for photographers like you.
Reason 2: Great Display
The display has a wide range of viewing angles. It covers a broad color spectrum. It has a 12.3-inch Pixelsense pressure-sensitive display with a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels.
Reason 3: Great Battery Life
The laptop lasts for 13.5 hours on a single charge. You can travel without the worry of charging the computer always.
#5: Dell G5 Review – Powerful Budget Laptop For Photo editing
A powerful laptop with top-notch specification (think i7 processor, etc.) that's capable of running highly intensive photo-editing tasks with maximum efficiency.
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Why should you get this laptop?
The Dell 5 is ideal when you are on a budget. It is below $1000 with the best performance features which make your life a cakewalk. 8GB RAM with the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i5. A photographer's best friend.
Reason 1: Within your Budget
Freelancers are on a budget, and the Dell 5 is the best in photo editing with a budget below $1000. That's not all, even with this price it gives you the best performance and has features which make a photographer's life comfortable.
Reason 2: Does not get heated
Don’t you always get worried when your laptop becomes as hot as a frying pan?
The Dell 5 can handle the pressure of your work without getting heated because it comes in a licorice black plastic and metal built chassis.
What’s even better is it revolutionary thermal cooling technology.
Reason 3: Ideal for heavy graphics
The Dell 5 gets better. Since you are using your laptop regularly for heavy graphics, it fits in. It is a powerful and efficient graphics performer.
#6: Dell XPS 9570 Laptop Review –
An affordable photo-editing laptop with a well-rounded set of features that's capable of running intensive photo-editing tasks.
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Why should you get this laptop?
There seem to be no flaws in the Dell XPS 15. It is a perfect laptop if you are merely looking for plain old perfection. The display is its USP giving it a headstart to the best laptop for photo editing.
Reason 1: Display is MINDBLOWING!
A 4K resolution which has a color spectrum of 10% of Abode SRGB. It is the best in the field of professional photo editing.
Reason 2: Powerhouse
The configuration of the laptop is the form of an Intel Core i7 hexacore processor. 16GB RAM for efficient multitasking and 512GB of SSD storage.
Reason 3: Intensive Photo Editing
The hardware is such that it can bear the most massive kind of photo and video editing. A 4k display is the best in the market as of now.
#7: HP Spectre x 360 Review
A highly portable laptop with an excellent user-friendly interface and great specifications that work great for efficient photo-editing workflows.
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Why should you get this laptop?
The HP Spectre is a stunning laptop which has a unique hexagonal shape.it has a robust set of hardware which gives it an upper hand in comparison to the other laptops. Its reliable battery life adds to its praise.
Reason 1: Exquisite Hardware
A six-core Intel i7 processor with a frequency of 4.14 Hz with an 8GB RAM and 256GB of SSD for storage. It suffices the requirements of a photographer to run a photo editing software smoothly on a laptop.
Reason 2: Stylus
It comes along with a Stylus supporting the Windows Ink which surely is compatible with one another. The Stylus allows the edit to happen with perfection.
Reason 3: Reliable for Photo Editing
With a display of HP X 360 and a vivid 15.6 inch 4K IPS panel, it brings out the colors of the image on the screen.
#8: Microsoft Surface Book 2 Review
Another portable laptop with an affordable pricing perfect for photographers that value high performance.
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Why should you get this laptop?
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is a detachable laptop which also supports a Surface Pen and a Surface Dial as well.
With the 8th Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processor with 16GB RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.
Reason 1: Detachable Laptop
Microsoft Surface Book 2 can be used as a laptop when the keyboard is detached. It comes in two sides of 13 and 15 inches, as per your requirement.
Reason 2: Surface Pen
The image editing skills of the laptop are a notch higher not because of its specifications or form but the Surface Pen. It makes editing fun and all the easier.
Reason 3: Hardware- First Class!
The newest 8th Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors give the Microsoft Surface Book 2 a considerable head start when you compare it to its contemporaries. Added plus points for its 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage. It can handle Lightroom and Photoshop.
#9: LG Gram Review
A new laptop that's got some of the best specifications on the marketing, but it's more expensive than most competitors.
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Why should you get this laptop?
As a photographer, you look for a laptop where every inch of your picture is visible. The 17 inch IPS display is perfect for you. A massive 16 GB RAM adds to the bliss. Along with it being portable.
It couldn’t get better.
Reason 1: Large Display
Coming out of the PC era, you don't miss it much. The 17-inch display is large and powerful hardware. Your pictures will be easier to edit with better visibility.
Reason 2: Portability
The chassis is made of a special kind of alloy metal which is why it is perfect for photographers who tend to travel a lot and edit pictures while going. Plus it is lightweight so you won't feel like you are carrying a 17-inch laptop.
Reason 3: Strong Configuration
The Lg Gram has a powerful configuration which makes it a great photo editing laptop as you use Photoshop or Lightroom without any problems.
#10: Apple MacBook Pro 15 Review
If you're a photographer and love the Mac then there isn't any other laptop that's more compatible than the MacBook Pro. It's slightly more expensive than its windows counterparts but definitely among the best.
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Why should you get this laptop?
A MacBook is the most used laptop among professionals. It provides high-end graphics tools which enable seamless photo and video editing. With a 16GB RAM and latest generation six-core Intel Core i7 processor. It has a very reliable storable option.
Reason 1: High-end graphics tools
Professionals look towards MacBook for its premium high-end visual tools for processing video and images. It has a stunning 15.4 inch True Tone Retina display with a resolution of 2880×1800.
Reason 2: Multitasking and Storage
Powered by the latest generation six-core Intel Core i7 processor. Add that to a 16GB RAM and 258GB SSD storage.
BAZZINGA all the way!
Reliability is its forte.
Reason 3: Overall Performance
The laptop has an all-metal unibody chassis which makes the MacBook look sleek and of high quality. It has a vast array of photo and video editing tools.
Added features include a large trackpad and touch bar above the keyboard.
(P.S This helps A LOT in Photoshop)
Best Laptop For Photoshop: What to look for?
As a freelancer, a laptop is of central importance. With all the pictures that need to be edited and posted, you want a laptop that has better functionality with photo editing as well.
Do you know what works for me? Google!
Do your research before investing in any laptop that you think will have the best features for photoshop software, a brand does not mean it is the best.
Don’t look for the name of the laptop. Take a look at its features.
Below I've listed a few features to look for in a freelancing laptop:
#1: Processor (CPU)
This is an obvious factor when you go out to look for a laptop that is best in photo editing. After all, photo-editing is a highly intensive process and necessitates the use of tools like Photoshop and Adobe.
However, if you're on a budget it would be difficult to get your hands on the latest and greatest 7th/8th generation processors.
#2: Ram
A freelancer into photo editing and like you tends to work on many programs simultaneously. That's obvious; you are a professional photo editor.
Your laptop needs to have a smooth flow while you are editing photos. You surely don’t want it to get frozen when you are on a deadline.
Most budget photo-editing laptops come with 8GB Ram which should be just about enough for basic photo-editing tasks
#3: Storage
15 MB! Isn’t that the average size of every picture that you capture from your DSLR.
You are an avid photographer, so this must be the case with every picture that you take. This means you will need a lot of space to store all of your photographs.
#4: Graphics (GPU)
Do you need a graphics card on your laptop for photoshop? Not really.
Integrated graphics on far more newer processors handle intensive software like Photoshop without any issues.
You couldn't lose to have at least 2BG of dedicated graphics while you edit high-resolution pictures. But if you work with extremely high-resolution pictures and also deal with video editing work occasionally, then you should think about going for a better graphics laptop.
#5: Crisp display (with good color balance)
The display of the laptop needs to be bright for using tools like photoshop. What's more, you need an array of accurate colors so that it can track fine details.
Go for a laptop that will have complete HD resolution ( 1920×1080) for editing work, but if you have to edit pictures with very high resolution, then you will have to go for a laptop with 4K display
#6: Portability
Another important feature to look for in a photographers laptop is the portability. Yes, a laptop for a photographer is much more intensive than a compact writers laptop, but it's still important to get a light laptop for convenience.
#7: Recommended Add-ons:
Photo-editing is a highly intensive process and thus requires a ton of juice from your laptop. Add to this intensive chrome multi-tasking, and you're looking at a lot of power requirements.
For this reason, I highly recommend getting your hands on these add-ons:
Additional Ram: Vengance 8GB
It is common for any photographer/designer to multi-tasking between highly intensive processes. This is where having that additional 8GB ram (giving you a total of 16GB) can most definitely help keep things lag-free and efficient.
Additional SSD: WD Blue 500 GB
Now, a few of my recommendations come with SSD so, you won't require this unless you go for a super-budget laptop.
Nonetheless, SSDs are a great addition to any laptop as they significantly increase the write/read speed of the laptop and make pretty much everything super fast. This reduces boot time and ultimately increases battery life.
To summarize, these are the factors to prioritize when picking a laptop for remote work:
✅ Good specifications to handle intensive photo-editing
✅ Ample storage (preferably SSD) to conveniently store photos in one place
✅ Crisp display (with vibrant photo-editing) for good performance
✅Portability to be able to carry it around
Winding up on Best Laptops for Photo Editing on a Budget 2020
Together we traveled across the ten laptops which are the best in its field.
The pros and cons lie before you. Choose a laptop that fits your needs. Don't fall prey to any fancy features or even the brand name.
Some are lightweight for your travels; some are detachable; some are within your budget while others might not be. From the above list choose what you need best.
Your high resolutions pictures need seamless performance.
I hope you can choose the best for your need with the help of my article.