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Apple MacBook Pro range. Starts at $1,349 (13-inch, no TouchBar) Display up to 16-inch, 3072 x. Even if we don't take into account price, is the Macbook Pro 15-inch 2019 model with the max upgraded specs the best laptop available in the market for graphics design right now? Would performance in Adobe products like Illustrator and Photoshop be limited/affected by the poor heating solution of the Macbook Pro design? We tested the maxed-out version of the 15-inch MacBook Pro 2019, which costs $6,549 and packs a 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9980HK processor (the 2.4-GHz version), 32GB of memory, a 4TB SSD and a Radeon.
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?
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. How to clone a macbook pro.
Finally, two Thunderbolt 3 ports are available. 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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For professional image and video editing, I prefer an ultra-large display. The other day while designing an image, I found my old 2014 LG monitor a bit sluggish as it didn’t seem to handle the heavy workload as smoothly as I would have liked. That’s when I decided to explore the best monitors for photography and design.
With several top-of-the-line options available from well-known brands, choosing a better monitor that can ideally suit my professional demand wasn’t a big deal. Though most of them are expensive, there are a few displays that pack a huge punch despite being priced affordably.
So, if you are looking for a top-quality budget model, this roundup can help you find that as well. And yes, I have also picked out the ones that excel in all departments including gaming and media viewing!
#1. LG 34UC80-B
When you talk about the finest monitors, you can’t keep LG 34UC80-B away from the discussion. Boasting 3440×1440 UltraWide QHD display, it offers pretty sharp images.
Thanks to the 99% coverage of the sRGB spectrum, it delivers accurate colors that make it damn good for graphic designers and photographers. With AMD FreeSync, it decreases stuttering or tearing. You also have the option to customize your monitor layout to boost your productivity. For instance, you will be able to resize and display multiple windows at once on the screen.
You can comfortably adjust the height to have an enhanced viewing angle. Love playing games on ultra-large screen? Well, there are three game modes to ramp up your gaming experience.
USP: 99% coverage of the sRGB spectrum
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#2. ASUS Designo MX25AQ
If you want to have a good monitor at an affordable price ($333), keep ASUS Designo MX25AQ in mind. It’s well built and sports a slim design. The sundial-inspired base allows you adjust the display for an improved viewing angle.
The AH-IPS panel offers sharp images with 100% sRGB. Equipped with ASUS eye care technology, it enhances your viewing experience by reducing eye fatigue. Lastly, Designo MX25AQ comes with a three-year warranty.
USP: ASUS eye care technology
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#3. BenQ
I rate BenQ very highly as a photographer monitor. With 99% Adobe RGB color space, you get improved color reproduction and wider viewing angle. It also reduces glare to ensure you have a better viewing experience.
Due mainly to the High pixel density, it offers sharp images. A 10-bit display delivers over one billion colors that bring life to your media viewing.
Macbook For Graphic Design Student
You can adjust the image processing chip in the monitor without needing to change the graphics card’s output data. Lastly, BenQ comes in three variants like 24, 27 and 32-inch.
USP: High pixel density
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#4. ASUS ROG
I rate ASUS ROG very highly. There are a couple of things that I find really impressive in this monitor. First, the solid built that makes it exceptionally durable. The second, the top-notch display that’s primed to rev up viewing experience.
The ultra-large IPS panel offers high resolution and accurate colors. Flicker-free backlighting and blue light filter safeguard your eyes from straining. Therefore, your hours of gaming and media watching don’t harm your eyes.
Ergonomically-designed stand ensures you have a comfortable viewing angle. And with the NVIDIA G-SYNC Technology, ROG keeps your gameplay fluid by keeping stuttering at bay.
USP: NVIDIA G-SYNC Technology
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#5. Dell U3417W
This robust monitor from Dell deserves a serious if you want to bolster your overall performance. Whether it’s spicing up your media viewing or enhancing your graphic designing, it can live up to the expectation with a better result.
With WQHD 3440 x 1440 resolution, it provides rich colors and wide viewing angle. By cutting down reflection and creating near-uniform visual focus, the screen curvature boosts field of view.
The availability of multiple ports like HDMI 2.0, MHL, 2 x USB 3.0 upstream, 4 x USB 3.0 downstream ports help it stand up to your various demands. Another notable feature is the 18W integrated speakers that offer excellent sound quality. So, if you are fond of great sound, this one can be worth checking out.
Besides, you can tilt and swivel the display for a more convenient viewing experience.
USP: Wide viewing angle
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#6. HP Pavilion
For graphic designing or professional photo/video editing “HP Pavilion” can be one of the better options. The 2560×1440 resolution may be at the high-end, but it’s good enough to get your work done.
Dynamic contrast ratio offers better clarity and accurate colors. And the sRGB color space is up to the mark for color reproduction.
Graphics Software For Macbook Pro
Due mainly to the pretty good 7ms response time, your content appears crisp. 60Hz refresh rate can tackle both the media and games elegantly. And yes, you can also tilt the display forward or backward for an adjustable viewing angle.
USP: Dynamic contrast ratio
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#7. Samsung U32R590
If you have set your sight on the monitor that can tick most boxes, pick out Samsung U32R590. And its biggest highlight is the 1500R curvature UHD 4K display that provides excellent viewing experience.
Boasting the support for one billion colors, it makes movies, games, and graphics appear more detailed and realistic. Thanks to the 4ms response time, it can handle your professional editing or intense games proficiently. You can seamlessly work with multiple windows and carry out your task with the desired flair.
USP: 1500R curvature
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Check out on Amazon
#8. AOC U3277PWQU
Pick out AOC U3277PWQU for both photography and movie watching. Equipped with 32-inch AOC 4K LED monitor, it’s got the quality to deliver the goods with aplomb.
The 3840×2160 4K Ultra HD screen boasts more than 1.07 billion colors that offer impressive color accuracy. The 178-degree viewing angles with consistent image quality and TN panel that provides an excellent contrast ratio add more riches to its profile.
There are two three-watt speakers on each side of the monitor for much-improved audio. Lastly, flicker-free technology doesn’t let eye fatigue ruin your user experience.
USP: Flicker-free technology
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Check out on Amazon
#9. LG Ultrafine 5K Display
If you are ready to spend some extra cash in favor of the unmatched performance, you shouldn’t look beyond”LG UltraFine 5K Display.” What stands this monitor in good stead is the awesome 5120 by 2880 resolution and P3 wide color gamut. Therefore, your images and videos look at their wicked best.
With the Thunderbolt 3 cable, it’s able to deliver 85W charging power to your latest MacBook Pro. There are three USB-C ports to take care of all of your demands efficiently.
The built-in speakers are designed to liven up your music time. And there is also a high-quality microphone to add more flair to your media experience.
Best Macbook Pro For Graphic Design 2019 Full
USP: 5120×2880 resolution
Check out on Apple
Check out on Apple
Macbook Air For Graphic Design
#10. Acer Predator
Forgive me for including Acer Predator in this list! Though this monitor is more geared towards gaming, it has got almost all the ingredients to stand up to your photography demand. So, what makes it such a great bet?
What sets it apart is the robust performance. It handles large files with high efficiency. The 27-inch IPS UHD widescreen with 3840×2160 resolution is bang on for your movie time.
The 4ms response time is good enough to keep your smooth run in the top flight. And the advanced flicker-less tech protects your eyes, ensuring your media time remains a pleasing experience.
USP: 4ms response time
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
That’s all, folks!
What’s your favorite?
I’m sure you have found the perfect monitor, haven’t you? Would you like to tell us about the one that has won you over?
You would like to take a peek at these posts as well:
Macbook Pro For Graphic Design
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
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