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Top HP Laptops for Graphic Designers in the UK
Stephen Mash
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August 23, 2023
Creating high-quality visual content to project ideas and experiences effectively requires significant processing power if you don't want the process of rendering images to take excessively long periods.
Producing video content in ultra high-definition outside production studios has only recently become possible with commercially available laptops due to the complexity and intensity of the computational processing requirements. However, laptops are now available at affordable prices, allowing anyone with the creative vision to create professional graphics anywhere.
Whether you're looking to upgrade your existing graphic design computer or get started in this rewarding field, HP offers graphic designers of all disciplines and skill levels a broad range of options to meet your needs. Choosing the best one means understanding what your key features are. This article aims to help you get started on your selection process.
Key laptop features for graphic designers
Processing power
The most critical feature any laptop for graphic design needs is processing power, which breaks down into computational and graphic elements. Computational processing is number crunching, the complex mathematical calculations associated with generating shapes representing the conveyed idea visually. Graphics processing is image-specific calculations, such as applying hues and light levels across pictures or generating shadows based on lighting criteria.
Creating and rendering complex and high-quality images requires high computational and graphics processing performance levels. The ability to break tasks into multiple elements that the laptop can execute concurrently allows computers to perform these tasks faster.
Budget laptops for graphic designers will have a single processor that performs all the tasks. However, the best laptops for graphic designers will have separate computational and graphics processors, each with as many cores as the budget allows running at as fast a processor speed as possible. An independent graphic processor unit supporting a performance main processor will deliver the best results quicker.
Processors rely on dynamic memory to store graphical elements during the creation process. While the latest processors have large internal cache memory, they also need external RAM to support calculations. This RAM must be sufficiently fast to match the processor it helps, or it will become a potential processing bottleneck if too slow.
Display screen
Laptops are available with various screen sizes and display resolutions to meet a range of portability and budgetary needs. Smaller 14-inch screens are easier to carry, while 17-inch screens offer a clearer display of intricate graphics.
For graphic design, the key feature is the screen resolution, the measure of the display quality. Critically, the display resolution must be at least as high as the images you create. If you render graphics in Full High Definition (FHD), you'll need a minimum screen that supports this resolution.
Using a laptop away from your desk can also mean working in less-than-ideal lighting conditions where reflections or screen glare can make work more difficult unless the computer has advanced display features. These features are particularly critical for graphic design tasks that require you to gaze intently at the screen for extended periods. The laptop screen should have a bright, high-contrast display with anti-glare coatings, anti-flicker technology and low blue light levels to allow comfortable use in any lighting conditions for prolonged periods.
Local storage
Unless your computer is a permanent, reliable network connection to online storage, you'll need local static storage to save your graphics work during the creation process and once you've finished and it's ready to go.
If you don't have dependable network connectivity or bandwidth limitations, make uploads and downloads painfully slow, sufficient local data storage capacity so designs are instantly available when needed can be a critical feature for maintaining productivity. Local storage also allows you to carry on working on the move or in remote locations where network access is unavailable or means you need to rely on low-speed public networks.
The latest laptops use solid-state drive (SSD) technology to offer robust and reliable local storage solutions. The lack of moving parts makes this option a significant improvement on the older hard disk drives (HDD) with their fragile rotating magnetic disks. This ruggedness feature reduces the risk of losing saved designs if you frequently carry your laptop around, where it may suffer knocks and shocks.
Portability
One of the main benefits of choosing a laptop for graphic design work is the ability to work from anywhere. You'll want a computer with a strong and rugged case that will cope with everyday handling but is light enough to carry around. Also, you'll need a laptop with good battery life if you often work when travelling or out of reach of a power socket.
Top HP laptops for graphic designers
Exceptional processing performance
The HP ZBook Studio G9 16-inch mobile workstation offers exceptional graphic processing performance in a processional portable computer. We've designed this laptop to build complex models and render real-time graphics and data visualisation tasks by combining a powerful multi-thread Intel® Core™ processor with an incredible NVIDIA® graphic processing unit (GPU).
With Intel's turbo boost technology, the 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor running up to 4.8 GHz provides computation processing. This processor has 14 cores capable of running up to 20 threads with 24MB of onboard memory. The addition of 32GB of fast 4800 MHz RAM using DDR5 technology supports the processor in complex tasks.
An NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 3070 Ti graphics card provides the graphics processing power, which includes 8GB of dedicated GDDR6X memory. This drives a 16-inch widescreen ultra extended graphics array (WUXGA) display with 1920 x 1200 resolution.
This workstation comes with 1TB SSD using PCIe® NVMe™ with Triple-Layer Cell (TLC) technology. The high performance does not compromise portability, with this rugged workstation weighing around 1.73 kg and offering up to 12 hours of battery life. These features allow HP ZBook laptops to deliver the performance professional graphic designers need for the most demanding workflows.
Compact convertible performance
The HP Spectre x360 14-inch ef2017na offers excellent portability with its convertible design and high-resolution touch screen for designers working on the move. Convertible laptops offer designers greater flexibility in how and where you can work, thanks to clever design features that transform your computer into a tablet where space is limited, or you can work more effectively with a touch screen rather than a keyboard.
A state-of-the-art 13th Generation Intel Core i7 processor running up to 5.0 GHz in boost mode delivers the computation processing capability. This processor has 10 cores capable of running up to 12 threads with 12MB of onboard memory. The processor has an additional 32GB of advanced DDR4 technology 4266 MHz RAM available for support. The integrated Intel Iris® Xe Graphics capability performs graphics processing tasks.
The display is a compact 13.5-inch Ultra High Definition (UHD) 3K2K screen with an incredible 3000 x 2000 resolution with a 3:2 aspect ratio. This laptop has a speedy 2TB 4th generation SSD using PCIe NVMe with TLC technology. With its aluminium and plastic construction, this compact workstation weighs just 1.36 kg and offers up to 13.5 hours of battery life. These features allow HP Spectre x360 laptops to provide professional graphic designers with a work-anywhere solution to support remote and hybrid working.
Cost-effective graphics performance
The HP ENVY 17-inch cw0008na offers advanced processing capabilities and fantastic features with reasonably powerful graphics in a 17-inch laptop, providing designers great value for money. At the same time, its all-metal angular chassis design will stand up to daily use away from the desk.
Computation processing is thanks to Intel's latest 13th Generation Core i7 processor running at speeds of up to 5.0 GHz when boosted. This processor has 14 cores capable of running up to 20 threads with an impressive 24MB of onboard memory. The processor also has 16GB of DDR4 technology 3200 MHz RAM available. The integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics capability provides the graphics processing capability.
The display is a visually stunning flicker-free 17.3-inch FHD screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a 100% sRGB display for maximum colour broadness and accuracy. This laptop comes with a reliable 512GB SSD, which weighs in at 2.49 kg and offers up to 9 hours of battery life.
These features allow HP ENVY laptops to provide anyone looking to start professional graphic design work or take it up as a hobby with an economical solution that has the performance to deliver quality results.
Software compatibility
When it comes to specialist graphic design applications, these laptops are fully compatible with all the popular software packages. This capability includes handling the demanding requirements of programs for real-time modelling, rendering and 3D visualisation where insufficient processor performance can severely impact application performance.
These high-performance HP laptops come with productivity and security software as standard. Some models also come with a complimentary 1-month trial of Adobe's best creativity and productivity applications to get you started if you are new to graphic design.
Conclusion
HP laptops offer graphic designers some of the best options from a range of powerful laptops that combine serious performance with extensive features that deliver a terrific user experience. Whether you need outstanding computational performance or graphics processing capability, a large UHD screen or a compact portable design, a laptop is available that will be perfect for your needs.
The main trade-off for graphic designers is processing performance against budget, with the top-of-the-range laptops boasting the latest multi-core processors working with NVIDIA's most powerful GPUs to deliver outstanding performance. However, even at the lower end of the range, the cost-effective options still offer exceptional performance with the latest generation of processors.
