The work of an artist is largely defined by two things: first, his original perspective on a subject, and second, his choice of canvas to render his subject. Although it is a common misconception that artists thrive in solitude, an artist is nothing without a muse to inspire him and tools to help breathe life into his work. More than setting the elements of his art right, an artist always needs a set of reliable tools to be able to execute his work properly. And, every artist has a different tool and medium that they gravitate towards, -whether it is for sketching, sculpting, or digital animation, tools and equipment are what most artists heavily invest in.

An artist chooses his tools much as a warrior chooses his weapons, for some it could be a really good pencil or paintbrush, but for digital artists, it is about having reliable equipment and easy-to-navigate digital art applications. Laptops and tablets have become an extension of the artist’s hand that brings his visions to reality.

To meet this growing demand for reliable equipment, computer companies have long been trying to over the years to create and sell the next best thing in technology. From touchscreen laptops to portable workstations, the endless list of choices and features often leaves most of us confused and overwhelmed. So, whether you are a beginner, a seasoned creative, or someone just starting to shift towards a more creative career, here is a list of reliable equipment to help you realize your visions and speed up your workflow:

## For the Artist On the Move

Whether you are chasing inspiration in unexplored parts of the world or just sending emails from an exotic destination, these laptops are ideal companions with weight, speed, and data safety considered.

1. Apple MacBook Air (starts at $1,199)

Although a flat design replaced the iconic MacBook Air silhouette, it is still razor thin measuring a bit over 11 millimeters thick. Equipped with the latest M2 chip, 8GB RAM, and 256 GB storage configuration, this machine runs smoothly despite its thin profile. With a solid build and weighing just over 2.7 lbs., this laptop is something that you can virtually bring anywhere. An improved screen and webcam with an all-day battery life of 8-10 hours capacity set the bar once again for thin and light laptops.

### 2. Microsoft Surface Book 8 (starts at $799.99)

Lightweight and elegant to the touch, the Microsoft Surface Book 3 is a solidly built device fit for graphic artists on the go. Whether you find yourself sketching on the streets or finding inspiration near the beach, this 2-in-1 device is fitted with a fast processor that can run your graphic design applications.

Used either as a tablet for sketching or as a reliable laptop with a keyboard cover, this dual-purpose device can run Photoshop and other 3D graphic applications with ease. The only downside is that the battery runs poorly at 3 hours and the keyboard cover and pen are sold separately.

For the Transitioning Creative

Whether you are dreaming of a more creative pursuit or already slowly testing the waters in this industry, these are the equipment that is flexible and reliable to use for any niche. Check out this complete guide to see where your interests can take you

1. Dell XPS 17 9720 (starts at $1,849.99)

The XPS series from Dell is one of the recognizable series of laptops currently available in the market. With its typical sleek slim metal finish for its exterior, the Dell XPS 17 is powered by a 12th Generation “Alder Lake” processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics, and 1TB SSD. One of the market favorites for its design, reasonable price point, and superb performance, this laptop weighs around 5.34 lbs, making it easier to transport compared to other computers.

Ideal for 3D sculpting, modeling, and rendering, as well as other design programs, this laptop has been tested to have a battery life of over 10 hours ensuring that you can continuously work on your project without worry.

### 2. Acer Predator Triton 300 SE (starts at $1369)

From basic tasks such as writing to demanding work such as content creation or video editing, this laptop is a great starting point for you to hone and test your skills. This compact gaming rig is already powered by an Intel Core i9 CPU and Nvidia Graphics card which makes this a bargain given its price point. With a setup like this, you can easily run applications such as Maya, 3DsMax, and Enscape.

For the Seasoned Designer

To help you beat deadlines and fast-track current works, here are a few selections that we think are good investments that will still be reliable for the next few years.

1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (starts at $1649)

Perfectly works as a portable workstation, the ROG series from ASUS is known for its high-performing laptops that are sold at reasonable price points. Armed with a Ryzen 6000 CPU core, this entry-level gaming laptop can perfectly handle your video editing and 3D animation applications well. Despite its lightweight and sleek aesthetics, this laptop still packs power and longevity with a battery life that runs for 8 hours guaranteeing that you can now ditch your anxiety with outlet hunting and dead battery scenarios.

2. Apple MacBook Pro 16-in (starts at $2499)

With a battery life lasting more than 21 hours, this laptop will last beyond your deadline. Its M1 Pro Max, 10-core CPU processor can provide smooth performance and can handle graphics programs and digital art tools. In addition, its 1080 webcam and liquid retina display are perfect for meetings and interviews to help land your next gig.

Nowadays, ideas flow freely in the virtual world allowing artists to seamlessly showcase their work as well as allow inspiration and collaboration among peers. Laptops and applications are no longer just mere tools to create an easier workflow and interpret an artist’s vision, it has also become a platform that bridges worlds and people together with the help of the internet. With assets and materials readily available online such as these essential online tools, it is important that artists not only rely on their tools or their powerful laptops but also upgrade their skills by joining new courses for digital artists. That way, they are not only sketching their ideas but also shaping a world where artists connect and elevate digital art-related experiences.

Do you feel like you could use some more suggestions? Check out our list of best computers in 2022 below to learn more!

Best Computers for Digital Art in 2022

1. HP Spectre X 360

This computer is tiny, light, and quite powerful with the 11th generation of Intel’s CPU that can clock processing speeds of up to 3.9Ghz and a dedicated graphics card of NVIDIA’s 2GB. If you’re looking for a sleek laptop that is fantastic for digital art production, then the HP Spectre x360 is a great option. There is a storage size of 256GB and the battery life of up to 13 hours makes it a fantastic choice for outdoor use. The screen can be converted into a sketching tablet when folded back. The 15.6-inch, 4K panel is a must-have for creatives, as it features a 3840 x 2160 pixel density and an IPS display, making it one of the best screens in the market. And that’s not all. The touchscreen has no bezel and is fully pen compatible, having the HP Active Pen as an accessory. The drawbacks are that this computer is expensive, sitting comfortably at over $1,000, and due to its small size and weight, the fan can be noisy when it kicks in.

System Specs

• Storage: 256GB SSD; Upgradeable to 2TB SSD
• Screen: 13.3” diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080) OLED touch/13.3” diagonal, 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) OLED touch
• Battery Life: 13 hours
• Graphics: 2GB GeForce NVIDIA MX250
• RAM: 8GB; Upgradeable to 16GB

2. Apple Macbook Air with The M1 Chip

The MacBook Air is an excellent computer from Apple and is packed full of tons of great features. The thin and compact frame presents a modest and subtle appearance. This computer runs on Apple’s new operating system, macOS Big Sur, and the 13.3-inch Retina display on the P3 color monitor provides great visuals with incredible details. It also features an 8GB ram and a storage size of 256GB SSD. This MacBook is powered by an Apple M1 microprocessor coupled with an Apple 8-core GPU, making it suitable for high-performance tasks. The computer can work for up to 18hours before requiring a recharge, and this system does not come cheap. Prepare to cough up over $1,000 to buy this work beast.

System Specs

• Screen: 13.3 inches LED Backlit display with IPS technology
• Storage: 256GB SSD; Upgradeable to 4TB SSD
• RAM: 8GB; Upgradeable to 16GB
• Battery Life: 18 hours
• Graphics: Apple 8-core GPU

3. Asus Zenbook Pro Duo UX581LV

This is not for the faint-hearted. This high-end machine would set you back by over $2,000, but it is worth every single dollar. Perhaps the most sophisticated, efficient, and inventive computer for digital art ever created. The laptop comes with a pen, a stand, and a palm rest saving you the cost of buying these regular extras that do not accompany many other laptops. The ZenBook Pro has lightning-fast 1TB internal SSD memory storage and 16 GB RAM. A fantastic feature about this laptop is it features a ScreenPad plus. This secondary touchscreen runs smoothly with the laptop’s main screen, meaning you’ve got two screens to work with, which is delightful as an artist. You may move your work applications to ScreenPad Plus, providing an additional workspace.

System Specs

• Screen: 15.6 inches 4K UHD (3840×2160)
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Ram: 16GB
• Battery Life:
• Graphics: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060

4. Microsoft: Surface Pro 7

For Microsoft, the Surface Pro 7 is an updated version of the 2-in-1 series of this model. The latest model has a faster performance compared to the previous models and these updates were made with regards to the feedback from the previous computers. Microsoft made this a fair-budget computer with a CPU of 1.3GHz and a 10 Gen Intel Core i7 that makes drawing easier and seamless. The touchpad works smoothly and you might need to acquire an external keyboard separately. The computer supports 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. This offers you ample storage for your work, allowing you to run multiple tasks on the computer and quick step movement from one tab to another. You have a slim structured computer that is light-weighted, making for easy movement. Also, it has a display interface of around 12.3 inches and an adaptive brightness vibrancy. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 has a battery limit of up to 15 hours.

System Specs

• Screen: 12.3 inch Touch with S-pen (2736x1824)
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• GPU: Integrated Intel Iris
• Battery life: 10-15 hours
• Ram: 16GB

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Overall Thoughts to Find The Best

Creating digital art can be a daunting task, and powerful hardware helps lighten the workload. The faster and more stress-free you can work, the better. Plus, the computer market can be intimidating, but if you can figure out what you need from a PC, there is a machine out there that will meet your needs. This article includes some of the best computers in 2022 and is quite suitable for digital artists. It would help if you tried out some of the listed options this year to better workflow and overall performance. After finding your ideal machine, take your time to create and have fun!