Tech on The Designest

Tech-Savviness: A Prerequisite When Looking for a Job?

The Designest Staff — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:37:38 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Tech-savviness is a trait that can help individuals find better jobs and positions, especially now. Companies and businesses are looking for people who have the right skill set and are willing to learn daily. But the very prerequisite is having an understanding of the way technology works.

Employees should possess basic tech skills and know how to apply them in different situations. The fundamentals are incredibly important because they allow people to adapt and learn to use new tools quickly. Here are some skills you should work on that should help you stay in the loop and land the job position of your dreams.

1. Mastering touch typing

Touch typing is vital when looking for a job in a digital marketing agency or any media company. You might be asked to create a lot of content during your workday, and knowing how to type fast can boost your overall performance. Don’t be surprised if you get a question about touch typing during your job interview.

Of course, accuracy is fundamental for touch typing, but you should also be familiar with different keyboard layouts and know how to use them efficiently. Your goal should be to rely on muscle memory to type and not look at the keyboard at all. As you might have guessed by now, touch typing requires practice, so grab your keyboard and test your skills.

2. Creating eye-catching digital presentations

Most people claim to know how to create digital presentations in PowerPoint or similar apps, but how many can use this tool to its full potential? Being able to put together an impressive and informative digital slideshow is a valuable skill nowadays that will surely be useful to many job seekers.

Besides learning to download templates for your presentation, you should also focus on adding the elements yourself. Read about different image formatting, inserting links, and other tiny details that can help your digital presentation be memorable and engaging.

3. Knowing the basics of cybersecurity

You don’t have to become an IT security specialist overnight, but having enough cybersecurity knowledge is highly desirable nowadays since most workplaces are online. Learn the fundamentals like how to find my IP, what my IP discloses, what malware is, how to recognize a phishing attempt, and more.

It is quite helpful to know that an employee is tech-savvy and concerned about cybersecurity. So, find an online course and brush up on the current cybersecurity issues. The methods used by hackers have stayed pretty similar over the years, but they still come up with different ways to infect a computer or access a network.

4. Keeping up with social media trends

Even if you are not going for the role of a social media marketer, it is good to stay up to date with social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The latter is quite important, especially if you are looking for a job and are interested in learning what’s currently available.

Social media platforms are constantly evolving and adding new features, so it’s recommended to keep up with the latest trends. However, focus on the basics for now and master social media communication, as well as how to tag someone in a post. If you want to go further, look into the essentials of photo and video editing and SEO.

5. Going through HTML and CSS fundamentals

Millennials who grew up during the MySpace era are probably already familiar with HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). However, younger generations didn’t have an opportunity to create custom social media layouts from scratch, so it might be beneficial to read about the basics.

For instance, marketing and media companies often use HTML and CSS to post and customize blog articles. Again, you don’t have to go too deep, but HTML and CSS knowledge can be an asset when looking for new employment. You can apply these programming languages to put together a simple online portfolio showcasing your previous work.

6. Learning about SEO

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, can put your website on the map and much more. It increases the visibility of a website on Google and other search engines by ranking it higher. So, employers and potential clients will be more likely to click on the link if it’s on the first page of search results. Furthermore, you can use this skill to become a better researcher.

Knowing what to look for online can be of assistance when it comes to learning new information and even planning content for your website. Identifying the right keywords for your website and inserting them in your content can do wonders for ranking and visibility. So, get familiar with SEO and try to stay up to date with the ever-evolving world of algorithms and tech news.

The post Tech-Savviness: A Prerequisite When Looking for a Job? appeared first on The Designest.

Best Drawing Programs & Apps in 2024 For Your Creativity

The Designest Staff — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 18:09:25 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Photoshop, Affinity, Procreate… is that all? While most people wouldn’t even think beyond these three options, the landscape of drawing software is there to be explored, and you only need to take one small step forward — “a giant leap for your design journey.”

Top 20 Best Drawing Software

Adobe Photoshop CC
Adobe Illustrator CC
Affinity Designer
Procreate
Fresco
Rebelle 5
Krita
Inkscape
Clip Studio Paint Pro
Corel Painter
Artweaver 7
MediBang Paint Pro
ArtRage
MyBrushes Paint for Mac
Paintstorm Studio
Sketch
Autodesk SketchBook
MyPaint
TwistedBrush Pro Studio
GIMP

Drawing Brushes & Add-Ons

Real Paint FX Photoshop Add-On Extension

Shader Brushes for Procreate

Fabric Kingdom Photoshop Edition

Pencilcraft Brushes for Adobe Illustrator

DevBrush Custom Brushes for Procreate 5

Magic Lands Brushes: Vintage Map Creator

elements.envato.com

Mastering diverse digital painting tools can unlock fresh approaches to illustration, introduce new techniques, and redefine your personal style. Don’t shy away from trying out free drawing software — you might be surprised by how much high-quality content is out there. If you have doubts about the paid versions, check out our “pros and cons”. We have compiled the top free and paid drawing apps on the market and only hope this selection helps you finally explore the new horizons of art software and pick the best option for your projects.

relevant:

Top 15 Best Computers for Graphic Design in 2024 November 22, 2023

14 Best Photoshop Alternatives August 15, 2022

7 Reasons Designers Should Learn to Code August 17, 2021

Adobe Photoshop CC

Platforms

Windows 1 1 versions 21H2, 22H2, Windows 10 version 22H2 (LTSB branches aren’t supported).
macOS 13 (Ventura), macOS 12 (Monterey), and macOS 11 (Big Sur).
iPadOS 14 or later.

Key Features

Adjust, crop, retouch photos and images.
Remove and move objects and backgrounds.
Combine images to create new scenes.
Automate tasks and actions.
Add artistics and creative filters like blurs.
Paint with smooth lines and curves.
Make 3D artwork for animation or print.
Adjust weight and width on variable fonts.

Pricing

7-day free trial.
Photography (the full version of Photoshop, plus Lightroom) — US$19.99/mo.
Photoshop — (the full version of Photoshop, plus Adobe Express Premium plan) — US$22.99/mo.
Creative Cloud All Apps (the full version of Photoshop plus Adobe Express Premium plan and more than 20 apps) — US$59.99/mo.

Reasons to Buy

Useful Plug-Ins, Filters, Textures, Overlays, and Actions
Graphics tablet support
Cloud Storage
Very versatile functionality amount other drawing programs

Reasons to Avoid

Expensive Creative Cloud subscription
Steep learning curve
Very space-consuming
Limited support for vector graphics

Adobe Photoshop stands out as the go-to for graphic design, setting the industry standard with its comprehensive features. Often referred to as the top drawing app, it provides excellent tools and smooth performance, allowing for limitless creativity. Essential for beginners and a staple for professionals, Photoshop is a versatile tool that meets diverse digital design needs. The Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem completes the picture, making it easy to manage and share your work safely across different devices.

The beauty of Photoshop is in the fact that there’s no universal way of using it. Some prefer to only scratch the surface of this extensive program, while others spend hours researching and trying out the tools. Over time, your preferred set of tools might evolve, and you will see yourself exploring — all within this one powerful software.

Adobe Photoshop has its downsides too. When it freezes, it freezes hard. It’s not totally the software to blame but the system workload, compatibility questions and similar issues. Ask any artist about their Photoshop struggles, and you’ll get an earful of stories that’ll make you go, “Oh, the pain is real!”

Adobe Illustrator СС

Platforms

Windows 11 v22H2 and v21H2, Windows 10 v22H2 and v21H2, Windows Server 2022, 2019. Not supported on Windows 10 versions 1507, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909, 2004, 20H2, 21H1.
macOS 14 (Sonoma), v13 (Ventura), v12 (Monterey), v11 (Big Sur).
iPadOS 14 or later.

Key Features

Create, edit, and combine simple shapes.
Design logos and draw vector graphics.
Add effects to make your art pop.
Add impact with professional typography and text tools.
Design packaging with 3D Revolve.
Mock up a website design.
Trace and recolor imported photos.
Create up to a thousand artboards on your canvas.
Add images and artictic effects.

Pricing

7-day free trial.
Adobe Illustrator — US$20.99/mo.

Reasons to Buy

Versatile software for digital artists
Best file recovery
Wide variety of exporting options
Great image tracing tool

Reasons to Avoid

Takes up a lot of disk space
Hard to learn for beginners
Limited support for raster graphics
Expensive monthly subscription for a single program

Even though Adobe Illustrator sounds as if it was literally made for digital illustrations, Adobe Photoshop is often the one people talk about as the top choice for digital art. With Photoshop’s countless brushes, it’s not surprising; however, it instantly falls short when it comes to creating vector graphics. If vector art is your thing, then Illustrator is the software for you.

Just like Photoshop, Illustrator comes packed with tons of creative brushes, filters, typography tools, editing features, and more — even in the free version! But the real magic? You can scale anything without losing quality. If you’re moving from Photoshop, you’ll find the tools and interface familiar. A big plus with Illustrator is the ability to create detailed projects of all kinds: logos, charts, presentations, web designs, and even hand-drawn illustrations. However, it’s a double-edged sword. The powerful features can sometimes slow down your computer or cause the program to crash, which can be frustrating.

Affinity Designer

Platforms

Windows 11, Windows 10 May 2020 Update (2004, 20H1, build 19041) or later.
macOS Sonoma 14, Ventura 13, Monterey 12, Big Sur 11, Catalina 10.15.
iPadOS 15 or later.

Key Features

Live gradients, effects, and adjustments.
Real time blend mode previews.
All transforms and curve edits previewed live.
Optimized for documents of any complexity.
Vector and raster options.
Advanced grids and guides.
Unlimited artboards of any size.
Comprehensive OpenType support.

Pricing

30-day trial period.
Affinity Designer for Windows or macOS — US$69.99.
The entire suite on all platforms — US$164.99.
Affinity Designer for iPad — US$18.49.

Reasons to Buy

Combines vector & raster design tools
Handles 1000s of objects with no lag
Affordable price
Available through a one-time purchase

Reasons to Avoid

Graphics tablet support is still a work in progress
No .ai file export

Years ago, when we received the early access to Affinity Designer, everything felt unusual. It was like being expected to ride a bike — a familiar task, yet this was a new, upgraded version of the bike. But once you get accustomed to the abundance of unfamiliar tools, packed in a colorful interface, you can not only ride but ride swiftly!

The best thing about this software is the magic switch between pixel and vector formats — all with just a few clicks. It saves a lot of time you can later spend on preparing the project for the big release.

Another cool feature is the ability to open and edit AI files. It’s a bit of a cheat, but super handy when you urgently need to fix assets or dive into some heavy-duty vector graphics.

Procreate

Platforms

iPadOS 15.4.1 or later.
iOS 15.4.1 or later.

Key Features

Brush Studio offers a wide range of tools including pencils, inks, charcoals, and artistic strokes.
Advanced color control with Color Dynamics, Color Harmony, and Color History.
Multi-touch gestures for intuitive navigation and use.
Valkyrie graphics engine enables painting at 120fps for seamless creativity.
QuickShape corrects shapes instantly.
ColorDrop allows for easy filling with a simple pick, drag, and drop action.
Streamline feature smooths out strokes for cleaner curves and fewer imperfections.

Pricing

Procreate — US$12.99.
Procreate Pocket — US$5.99

Reasons to Buy

Affordable price
Perfectly simulates real-life painting
Lots of advanced drawing features
Available through a one-time purchase

Reasons to Avoid

Gets slower with a lot of paintings in progress
Available only for iPad and iPhone users

Procreate is a perfect blend of technology and creativity. Its latest 5.3 update introduces hover features for the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil and allows for precision in brush control, offering previews before strokes are made and enabling easy adjustments to brush size and opacity with simple gestures. Freehand selections are more intuitive thanks to Apple Pencil previews, enhancing the overall drawing experience. Additionally, performance on the new iPad Pro with the M2 chip is boosted by 30%, and 3D painting becomes more intuitive and enjoyable. The Page Assist feature further turns your iPad into an ultimate sketchbook for capturing all your creative ideas.

While the program is highly user-friendly, some users might find certain functions less obvious, requiring exploration. However, Procreate provides a range of free tutorials to help users master new features and discover inspirational artists.

Another limitation is its accessibility: the joy of working in Procreate is available only to iPad and iPhone users. And here’s a little tip: the more powerful your iPad is, the better — the amount of RAM affects the number of layers you can work with.

Adobe Fresco

Platforms

Windows 11 version 22000 or later, 10 version 21H2 or later.
iPadOS 16 or later.
iOS 16 or later for iPhone.

Key Features

Work with watercolors and oils that blossom and blend at your touch.
Use vector and raster brushes on the same canvas.
Draw with thousands of brushes from Adobe Photoshop.
Discover essential and fast illustration tools for stylus and touch devices.
Easily isolate parts of a layer and turn selections into masks.
Start a project on your iPad/iPhone and finish it on your desktop — your work automatically syncs to the cloud.

Pricing

30-day free trial.
Fresco (1 year) — US$9.99/mo.

Reasons to Buy

Realistic brush, pen, and pencil physics
Raster and vector tools support
Intuitive UI

Reasons to Avoid

Lacks basic editing features

What we’re dealing with here is a doppelgänger of the well-known Procreate app. Adobe Fresco, while not yet on par with Procreate due to its relative “rawness,” should not be dismissed. The software offers a lot of invaluable tools and features — all in a user-friendly interface you can intuitively navigate even if you have never used the software before.

The real fun begins when you test the brushes, watercolors and oils in particular. Colors work with each other really well, imitating the real strokes. Even if you’re an amateur in digital painting, the chances are you’ll get a great deal of pleasure watching the brushes get mixed together and response to your movements. Setting the bar high, Adobe Fresco provides an extensive collection of raster and vector brushes that perform smoothly, with no leaks and all.

If you don’t have a Creative Cloud subscription that makes it easy to download Adobe Fresco, here’s the lowdown: buying this drawing program on its own can be a bit pricey. What’s more, the software lacks some editing options that Photoshop has, so sometimes artists finish their illustrations in Photoshop afterwards. So if you’re still willing to get Fresco, you should seriously consider subscribing to Creative Cloud.

Rebelle 5

Platforms

Windows 10 (64-bit).
macOS 11 and newer.

Key Features

Watercolor settings adjust the impact of paper texture on watercolor behavior.
Watercolor DropEngine for creating dripping effects.
Blow tool allows for manipulating paint flow by blowing drips in various directions.
Acrylic Impasto lets users adjust the texture of their paint.
Transparency Locking ensures edits affect only painted areas, not transparent ones.
Digital stencils for crafting custom templates and seamless patterns.
Ruler Tool combines precision with a freehand effect for accurate drawings.
Perspective Tool aids in adding depth using 1, 2, or 3 point perspectives.

Pricing

Standard version — US$89.99.
Pro version — US$149.99.
Standard version — US$89.99.
Free trial version available for both Mac & Windows.

Reasons to Buy

Affordable price, no subscription
Realistic drawing physics simulation
Easy to use program with shallow learning curve

Reasons to Avoid

High hardware requirements
Very specialized app

The official website for Rebelle 5 boasts a hyperrealistic watercolor process of creating an illustration, and well, it is not lying. This program works just like the real-life drawing materials and tools.

You should start the process by choosing the paper canvas (there are several paper types to pick from, like hot & cold press, rough paper, Japanese canvas, and more): this will affect the way your brushes will be applied to your digital art. When you tap the artboard with a watercolor brush, it gets absorbed a little. It can be blown in any direction, and the wet diffusion looks so realistic it’s shocking. Even considering the current technological progress, this can easily amaze any artist.

What gets your attention in this software is its ultimate realism in transferring the classic artworks with not only watercolor, but also canvas, pastels, ink pens, acrylic, pencils, markers, and other drawing tools. Rebelle 5 reproduces all possible combinations of materials and paper types you might use in real life: dry materials on dry paper, wet materials on dry paper, wet materials on other wet materials and so on.

Krita

Platforms

Windows 8.1 or higher.
macOS (10.12 and higher).
Linux.

Key Features

100+ pre-loaded professional brushes.
Brush stabilizers.
Built-in vector tools for comic panels.
9+ unique brush engines for customizable strokes.
Seamless textures and patterns with wrap-around mode.
Import brushes and texture packs.
Clean and flexible interface.
Ability to open complex PSD files that even Photoshop struggles with.

Pricing

free & open source program

Reasons to Buy

Free drawing software
Lots of free education resources
A lot of brushes

Reasons to Avoid

Narrow focus on digital art
Not all features are intuitive

Krita’s got a totally intuitive and customizable interface: you can move things around according to your needs and how often you use them. Its brush library has a wide variety of realistic textures to pick from: inkers, pencils, watercolors, and more! The blending options produce a very realistic effect and let you make adjustments to the already-painted canvas. There are other brushes to check out but no description will do them justice: you should simply try them yourself.

Painting tools also work smoothly in a tablet mode: the response to the angle of pen pressure and the speed of drawing and painting are great. After working in Procreate on iPad for several years, we can confirm that this is a good alternative for creating concept art and illustrations.

Layer management is not different from what we see in Photoshop: the content of the layer can be edited via masks and filters. If you don’t know what some icons mean (you don’t expect the painting program to fully reproduce Adobe products, right?), Krita offers tutorials and help guides in its manual to keep you on track.

Inkscape

Platforms

Windows 7 and later.
macOS 10.13 and later.
Linux.

Key Features

Object creation (pencil, pen, calligraphy, text, bitmaps and clones).
Object manipulation (transformations, Z-order operations, grouping objects, layers, alignment and distribution commands).
Fill and stroke (color selector and picker, gradient editor, pattern fills, path markers, copy/paste style).
Operations on paths (node editing, converting to path, boolean operations, path simplification/insetting/outsetting, bitmap tracing).
Text support (multi-line text, kerning, letterspacing, linespacing adjustments, text on path, text in shape, uses any installed outline fonts).
Rendering (fully anti-aliased display, alpha transparency support for display and PNG export).
File formats (SVG, PNG, OpenDocument Drawing, DXF, sk1, PDF, EPS and PostScript export formats and more).

Pricing

free software

Reasons to Buy

Free drawing software
Extensive selection of supporting formats
Large array of extensions

Reasons to Avoid

Steep learning curve
No CMYK color mode support
Vector graphics only

Inkscape is the major Adobe Illustrator’s free opponent. This vector graphics editing software includes all the same functionality as Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw. The Inkscape team constantly releases new extensions you might find pretty handy, so dropping by their official website once in a while would be a nice habit to have.

As far as the cons go, Inkscape has a standard set of issues. An abundance of bugs and system crashes, as well as low operating system speed when working with a multitude of paths. There’s one more thing to add to this list. Inkscape doesn’t support the CMYK colors, so if you’re aimed at creating print-ready projects, it would be a significant problem. Apart from that, this software is a fair replacement for the subscription-based Adobe Illustrator and despite all the cons, it is worth testing out.

Clip Studio Paint Pro

Platforms

Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit).
macOS 12, 13, and 14.
iPadOS 16 and 17.
iOS 16 and 17 for iPhone.
Android 9 or later (ARM32/ARM64).
ChromeOS compatible with Android 9 or later (ARM32 / x86 / x86_64).

Key Features

Advanced brush engine captures subtle pen pressure variations.
Monthly addition of 1,000 new materials to complement any style.
Customizable 3D figures for adjustable poses, proportions, and body types.
Artistic filter converts photos into paintings.
AI colorization and smart fill tools for quick coloring.
Image resolution enhancement and JPEG noise removal.
Clip Studio Paint Assets for rapid artwork and design creation.
Auto Actions simplify frequent tasks with a single click.

Pricing

Free trial for 3 months
Monthly/annual plans
One-time payment — US$49.99

Reasons to Buy

Advanced vector tools
AI technology
Wide selection of custom brushes

Reasons to Avoid

High price range
Numerous adjustments tucked into a complex UI
Limited options for font and text manipulation

First released as a digital art software for creating comics and manga (it used to be called Manga Studio), and later turned into the expanded library of tools for illustration and graphic design, Clip Studio Paint Pro is a somewhat similar paid version of Krita: it’s an app for drawing and painting with an easily adjustable and user-friendly interface. Moreover, is works with every system including macOS and Android.

The command hotkeys in Clip Studio Paint are similar to Photoshop CC, making the onboarding process as easy as it can be via the intuitive interface. The app supports vector graphics and raster tool choice, uniting the power of Adobe products under one roof. Nothing new and revolutionary about the vast collection of full-featured brushes: they are realistic, customizable (the stabilization tool works perfectly — hello, shaky hands!), and responsive. The only disadvantage of Clip Studio Paint is the lack of publishing tools, which was also the case for the original Manga Studio version.

Corel Painter

Platforms

Windows 10 or 11 with the latest updates.
macOS Big Sur 11.0, 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura, or 14 Sonoma with the latest updates.

Key Features

Seamless navigation with pan, zoom, rotate, and effortless application of lighting and surface texture.
Utilization of tools like the Color Wheel, Mixer, Color Sets, and Harmonies for crafting the perfect color palette.
Access to a vast library of over 900 brushes for bringing your masterpiece to life.
Tailoring of brush size, shape, angle, and flow with comprehensive control panels.
Elevation of your artwork with Papers, Flow Maps, Patterns, Textures, and Gradients.
Application of AI for stylizing images, effortlessly transforming photos into paintings.
Construction of compositions with Divine Proportion, Layout Grid, Perspective Guides, and Mirror Painting.
The smoothest strokes with Fluid Paint.

Pricing

Full version — US$429
Free trial version for Mac and Windows

Reasons to Buy

Huge set of brushes
Various AI tools
Easy to use program with intuitive interface

Reasons to Avoid

No tablet or mobile apps
Performance issues on weak computers

Nothing hits as nostalgically as Corel Painter. More than one generation has been raised with this beautiful program, but since then Corel Painter has has undergone many changes.

The modern Corel Paint version is way less laggy than it used to be thanks to the Brush Accelerator. The interface keeps up with the other digital drawing software covered in this article, but if we compare it with the Painter’s previous versions, the latest layout is more responsive, adaptive, and just… convenient. The Layers tool has oh-so-familiar universal commands, wrapped in Corel Painter’s style.

In the latest Corel Painter 2023 update, they’ve unleashed a game-changer with the introduction of Fluid Paint technology. This innovative brush tech delivers the smoothest and most revealing brush marks ever, with bold paper grain visible throughout the stroke. Fluid Paint lets you control opacity, offering a natural painting and blending experience. The update also brings new Fluid Paint brushes for illustration and fine art, enhanced Fluid Papers for expressive textures, and a Color Selection option for precise color picking.

Artweaver 7

Platforms

Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 (each with latest service pack).

Key Features

The powerful and highly configurable brush system to simulate any texture.
An intuitive, simple, and adjustable interface.
Ability to record the painting process as events, save, and replay them.
The app’s robust core utilizes existing hardware to the maximum.
Ability to collaborate with other artists on the same document over LAN or the Internet.

Pricing

Free version for Windows.
Artweaver Plus — €34.

Reasons to Buy

Plug-in support
Lots of raster painting tools
Affordable price for Plus edition

Reasons to Avoid

Available only for Windows users, no macOS version
No open type fonts support
Outdated interface

Another Photoshop-inspired interface, yet completely free. The toolbox of Artweaver 7 is significantly weaker than Photoshop’s and is similar to its versions from 5 years ago. You’ll figure out the command names and placement within the first seconds of using this software.

The 7th edition of this program has expanded library of effects and custom brushes. Still, here you’ll lack some features that are simply out of reach — the good maximum image size support, Photoshop filters, precise brush control, and more. And that’s when the thoughts of purchasing the Plus version will start to cross your mind. The paid version offers advanced brush tools, enhanced performance, comprehensive layer and effect options, real-time collaboration features, and other improvements you might find useful.

MediBang Paint Pro

Platforms

Windows 10 or later.
macOS 11 or later.
iPadOS 11 or later.
iOS 12 or later for iPhone.
Android 8.0 or later.

Key Features

50+ customizable brushes for personalized creations.
Lightweight, smooth performance.
Standard layer function.
Precision with Snap Lines for accurate lines, curves, and more.
Easy comic panel creation by slicing across page borders.
Convenient management of comic projects with one-file saving.
Seamless synchronization of settings across devices.
Access to 800 free pre-made tones and backgrounds.

Pricing

Free drawing software

Reasons to Buy

Free drawing software
Intuitive interface, even for beginners
Available on all platforms
Perfect for manga artists

Reasons to Avoid

Lacks advanced features
Might be difficult to create new brushes

MediBang Paint Pro is a free drawing software compatible with any device (PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android) allowing to experience the smoothest workflow. But you have to set the MediBang account first to access every drawing tool. Totally worths it — especially considering that all your creations and concept art get to be stored in the cloud service.

The working process in MediBang Paint app includes a thorough and transparent guide for digital artists on how things operate there, which is great for beginners. Those who have been in design for quite some time will find the interface very well-organized and intuitive even in the mobile version which usually struggles to be user-friendly and explanatory at the same time.

ArtRage

Platforms

Windows 10 or later (64 and 32-bit).
macOS 10.9 or later.
iOS 10 or later for iPad and iPhone.
Android 4.0 or later.

Key Features

Natural color gradient creation through smearing and blending thick oils.
Pencil sketching and precise shading with the edge of the tip.
Delicate watercolor strokes responsive to canvas texture.Delicate watercolor strokes responsive to canvas texture.
Reference usage with photos for enhanced precision.
Structured design with guides, grids, and perspective layout tools.
Standard features include layers, blend modes, and industry standards.

Pricing

Free demo-version for Windows/macOS with limited functionality.
ArtRage Vitae Desktop — US$80.
ArtRage Vitae Mobile — US$4.99.
ArtRage Lite — US$29.90.
ArtRage 6 — US$59.

Reasons to Buy

Realistic drawing process & real-world color blending
Affordable digital painting software
Intuitive interface

Reasons to Avoid

Lacks advanced editing features
Demand powerful computer to work efficiently at larger print sizes

ArtRage shares many similarities with Adobe (interface, accessible funtions, etc.), which means your transition into this software will be pain-free. It is often considered even easier to use, making it a perfect choice for beginners.

Minimalistic yet multi-functional interface panels unveil the creative possibilities in a clear and flexible manner. We especially like the circular panels in the corners of the screen, resembling an artist’s palette.

The feature that makes ArtRage one of the best drawing software is the realistic behavior and traditional feel of brush strokes, especially the oil and watercolor brushes. The natural-looking paper and canvas texture allow the stokes to produce true-to-life art pieces without the hint of a digitalization.

MyBrushes Paint for Mac

Platforms

macOS 10.10 or later (64-bit).
iOS 7.0 or later for iPad and iPhone.

Key Features

Creation, deletion, pasting, scaling, rotation, and re-ordering of unlimited layers.
Infinite canvas size for expansive creative possibilities.
Recording and playback function for the drawing process.
Mac paint tool support for various image formats.
Continuous auto-save feature to prevent data loss.
Adjustable pressure sensitivity for enhanced control.
Diverse set of 100 natural paintbrush shapes, including brush, pencil, pen, airbrush, watercolor brush, chalk, etc.
Access to 50 background templates in the template library.

Pricing

MyBrushes | Sketch, Paint, Design — US$29.99.
MyBrushes Pro | Sketch, Paint and Draw — US$4.99.

Reasons to Buy

Unlimited layers
Intuitive interface
Lower price range

Reasons to Avoid

Calls for an update
Not many advanced professional features

If you are at the very start of your designing or drawing career or have no professional intentions for the comprehensive art programs, MyBrushes Paint is the software for you. MyBrushes Paint is created with a straightforward and user-friendly approach.

The unlimited layers and the ability to create a canvas in any size are the top features that catch your eye when you start using the program. And yes, apart from that, the software offers color pallets and brush packs that support a good level of pressure sensitivity — this isn’t the case when you draw with your finger, however.

True, it’s not the best software but it can serve as a great basic tool for non-professional artists. Yet, considering the program’s functions and editing possibilities, MyBrushes Paint offers good value for money.

Paintstorm Studio

Platforms

Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10 versions.
macOS 10.7 or later.
iPadOS 13.1 or later.
Linux.

Key Features

Comprehensive control over all brush options.
Post-correction for strokes.
Parameters binding to the perspective for added precision.
Complete control over mask-brush functionality.
“Close gaps” function when filling or selecting.
Customizable individual hotkeys.
Robust Symmetry and Kaleidoscope tools.
Brush stroke stabilizer for creating straight lines.

Pricing

Free demo version for Windows, Mac, Linux.
Paintstorm for iPad — US$12.99.
Paintstorm Studio for 1 PC — US$19.00.
Paintstorm Studio for 2 PC — US$29.00.

Reasons to Buy

Provides the finest level of control
Wide personalization options
Fast GPU Engine

Reasons to Avoid

Steep learning curve
Crowded default interface

Once you open this program, there are just too many control panels popping up and (almost) invading your personal space. But all the professional artists’ fears and worries fade away once they discover that everything in Paintstorm Studio is customizable and manageable. Having packed your work station with dozens of useful tools, don’t forget to set the keyboard shortcuts; otherwise, you might get lost.

The mildly infuriating thing about Paintstorm Studio might be the fact that you suddenly find yourself playing around with settings for an hour or so, but the actual drawing process hasn’t begun. So try not to fall into this trap!

The brush features open up a wide range of creative possibilities — the best way here is to experiment with them for as long as you can. The tool that lets you avoid the manual resizing or changing transparency for the brush strokes is great: you’ll find this useful when drawing objects with an uneven structure, for example, water or hair. All you need is to define the required perspective once, and the future strokes will be managed according to your settings.

Sketch

Platforms

macOS Big Sur (11.0.0) or later.

Key Features

Intuitive and powerful vector editing tools.
Non-destructive, editable, and easily combinable Boolean operations.
Pixel-level precision for zooming in, aligning, and adjusting layers.
Extensive export options for exporting individual assets as desired.
Quick shortcuts to toggle grids and layout views, with a fully customizable set of options.
Resizing constraints for easier scaling up and down for different screen sizes.
nfinite control over typography with support for Variable fonts and OpenType features.
Smart Layout that gives Symbols automatic resizing and content fitting superpowers.

Pricing

Standard subscription — US$10.00/mo per editor, billed yearly.
Mac-only license — US$120.00/seat.
Business subscription — US$20.00/mo per editor, billed yearly.

Reasons to Buy

Very quick learning curve
Powerful tools for vector graphics
Perfect for UX/UI design

Reasons to Avoid

Only available for mac os
Not the first choice for professional digital artists

Sketch with its diamond icon has always been the favorite among the UI/UX designers, serving as a good solution for designing websites, apps, icons, and similar features. Just like other art programs, this one has its own layer structure and its tricks: you can switch between layers and have them set to totally different parameters, corresponding to what you’re working on in a particular layer.

Traditionally, first comes the interface: clean, flexible and eye-pleasing, making the onboarding process intuitive. Even a beginning designer can pick up a few things by simply reading the sections’ names and following the workflow.

Sketch substitutes many other drawing apps, uniting the required functions in a single place. You’ll be surprised by how quickly and smoothly your creative process goes thanks to various third-party plugins and other app integrations. The app allows you to work in both vector and raster: you can export various formats and work with different device resolutions. Definitely check out the “Data Fill” feature if you want to fill your design assets with the actual data, for example, from Google Sheets or Excel!

Once you discover the prototyping tool, your work will be nothing but monotonous: it allows to create UI flowcharts and make different designs without any additional software.

SketchBook

Platforms

Windows 10 and 11.
macOS 11 or later.
iOS 13.0 or later for iPad and iPhone.
Android OS 9 and later.

Key Features

Predictive stroke for smoothing line work and correcting basic shapes.
Application of a variety of coloring techniques using layers and color fill tools.
Full complement of brush types, including pencils, markers, airbrushes, paint, smear, and more.
Faithful representation of strokes with pressure and tilt in Sketchbook.
Easy distortion of illustrations to fix perspective and proportions.
Availability of numerous extras.
Fully adjustable rulers, ellipse guides, and French curves for precision drawing.

Pricing

SketchBook Pro — US$24.99.
SketchBook — free.

Reasons to Buy

Extremely responsive to a stylus or Apple Pencil
Advanced color editor and custom color palettes
Lots of professional painting tools

Reasons to Avoid

Some features take longer to load
After separation from Autodesk there are no Copic markers

SketchBook is a free app that has everything for convenient sketching: it’s packed with customizable brushes, stroke stabilization for straight lines, color library, gradient fills, blending modes, and advanced layers that can be arranged in folders within the single artwork. The interface is clear and intuitive: everything is well-arranged, so the artboard is all yours; you can put so much free space to good use!

Keeping up with the desktop version, the mobile app has everything you need, from brushes to coloring tools. And don’t worry if you don’t have stylus: your fingers work just fine in this software — Sketchbook gets A+ for the responsiveness!

SketchBook is a perfect alternative to an actual sketchbook, giving you the freedom to put down your ideas, concepts, drafts, and sketches whenever and wherever a bright idea comes to your mind.

MyPaint

Platforms

Windows.
macOS.
Linux.

Key Features

Nimble, distraction-free, and easy tool for digital painters.
Supports graphics tablets made by Wacom, and many similar devices.
The brush engine is versatile and configurable.
The standard brushes emulate traditional media.
It’s easy to create new unconventional brushes.
Fullscreen mode declutters the interface.
MyPaint provides diverse digital art tools despite its simplicity.

Pricing

free & open-source program

Reasons to Buy

Superior media emulation
Nice symmetry tool
Free drawing software

Reasons to Avoid

Focuses only on digital art
Difficult to install
Latest releases may be unstable

With this open-source painting program, you won’t need to rest your eyes even for a moment. Its unique full-screen and distraction-free mode is the epiphany of minimalism — and here minimalism is most welcome.

Adjustable brushes configuration and easy stroke stabilization for a relatively big selection of drawing materials and pencils would be a great solution for many of your design objectives. MyPaint is compatible with tablets, but you can also draw with your mouse and even get a decent result.

This painting software is so nimble that it practically glides; the speed at which you can work and create illustrations is not too slow, not too high — just right. The app supports Open Raster as the default file format, but it can save images in JPEG or PNG if needed.

TwistedBrush Pro Studio

Platforms

Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Key Features

Over 9,000 brushes included, covering every area of digital art.
Powerful brush engine to mimic full natural media brushes, complex blending operations, etc.
A large array of color palettes.
Full support for transparency and layers with all the standard layer mixing modes.
A specialized sequencing system: over 400 brushes effects modify the core brush types.
Extensive mask support for protecting and selecting parts of your images.
Over 200 image processing filters give you the tools to manipulate your photos or other work.
Tracing paper: a drawing guide that allows you to see another image below your current image.

Pricing

Download free trial.
Version License — US$109.
Perpetual License — US$199.

Reasons to Buy

Tons of pre-made brushes
Extended exporting options
Low basic learning curve

Reasons to Avoid

A bit outdated UI
Lack of customization

TwistedBrush Pro Studio is a software with an extensive collection of more than 9000 brushes. If it’s still not enough for your art-craving soul, you can use the brush customization tools to create your own sets. The same goes for the included filters which provide tons of alternatives for your photo editing process. It has all features you expect to see in a design app: layers, brush settings, import and export options, etc. The best thing is, even though you have so many tools (and again, brushes!) available at your disposal, the menu doesn’t look cluttered.

This app definitely falls short compared to the majority of the programs mentioned above. TwistedBrush is an illustration and photo-editing tool best catering to those who see design as a hobby. It may not be the best choice for materializing complex ideas.

GIMP

Platforms

Windows 7 or later.
macOS 10.12 Sierra or later.
Linux.

Key Features

Customizable interface.
Photo enhancement.
Digital retouching.
Hardware support.
The vast file format support.

Pricing

free & open-source program

Reasons to Buy

Free open source software
Nice exporting options
Wide selection of tools

Reasons to Avoid

Questionable credibility of 3rd party plugins
UI needs improvement
No customer support

The GNU Image Manipulation Program, or GIMP for short, is free & open-source. You can tweak and customize it a lot with third-party plugins, which gives you all sorts of extra tricks. Sure, some of those plugins might be a bit sketchy, but GIMP’s creative possibilities are so diverse, it can even go toe-to-toe with Photoshop. Plus, it gets updates regularly to fix bugs and make things run smoother.

As always, there’s a downside. The interface looks like a thing from the past, and it’s not just about aesthetics: the terminology and functions take time to grasp. You need to either watch tons of tutorials or learn by trial and error until you finally get used to it. You might think that this program mimics Photoshop but you’ll understand it’s not true as soon as you take a closer look. For instance, our favorite “drag & drop” feature doesn’t work smoothly; to add something to the layer, you need to edit its properties instead of just throwing the graphics in there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best software for drawing?

It depends on several factors: your devices, drawing style & preferences, and finally, your drawing skills. All iPad users would vote for Procreate and its many customizable features as the best drawing app out there. As for computer programs, the top three paid options would be Adobe Photoshop (also great for photo editing), Adobe Illustrator, and Affinity Designer.

What is the best free software for drawing?

Great subscription-free programs are Krita, Corel Painter, and Inkscape. Each drawing app has all the essential drawing tools you might need for watercolor art, sketches, acrylic work, comics, and many other illustration styles.

What is the best drawing software for beginners?

The best drawing software for beginners would probably be the one with a more or less intuitive interface that won’t confuse an inexperienced user. In terms of this, Krita and Artweaver might be the most suitable options.

Which software is used for drawing?

Among the most-used drawing software programs there are Photoshop, Illustrator, Affinity, Procreate, Rebelle, Corel Painter, GIMP, Clip Studio Paint Pro, and other options mentioned in our selection. Most of them have free trials, so before you give them a try without any investments.

Which drawing app is best for PC?

The choice of good software for your PC is a matter of your personal preferences and the specific design tasks you’re tackling. Generally, artists prefer these five drawing apps for PC: Krita, Photoshop, Affinity, Illustrator, and Clip Studio Paint Pro. We recommend using the paid versions as they provide a smoother drawing experience.

What drawing apps do professional artists use?

Each artist must pick the graphic software based on their needs and preferences, so there’s no one-size-fits-all list. However, professionals often go for the paid versions of Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Fresco), Procreate, and Clip Studio Paint Pro because they offer a wide range of realistic painting tools.

The post Best Drawing Programs & Apps in 2024 For Your Creativity appeared first on The Designest.

Easy Photo Editors For Photo Processing That Do Not Require Photoshop Knowledge

The Designest Staff — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:09:14 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

The need to process a photo from time to time arises for almost everyone. With the help of a smartphone or computer, you can prepare a photo for publication in social networks, make a poster for a small event, or simply try your hand at graphic design.

The most famous tool is Adobe Photoshop. This is a really powerful program, but it is expensive, demanding the characteristics of the computer, and it is realistic to get a good result only after a long training. Is it possible to do without such difficulties, to get a good retouch here and now, if you are a beginner? Of course! Let’s break down the best photo editing tools.

RetouchMe

The RetouchMe App photo editor can be downloaded to an Android or iOS smartphone – the app has minimal requirements for the device’s technical specifications. To use the program, you do not need to have any skills at all, because retouching is handled by experienced designers, thus armed with Adobe Photoshop and other professional tools. A big advantage is the piece-by-piece payment for photos – no regularly expiring subscriptions.

Simply upload a photo and choose the desired effects from a large list. Since the processing is done manually, there are no restrictions on the complexity of retouching. Thanks to the professionalism of the designers, the changes will be imperceptible, and you can get the finished result within minutes. The finished image can be immediately posted on the network or used for creativity. Although the work is done by real experts, the app functions 24/7.

Movavi Picverse

A photo editor in which most of the options are realized in the form of switches and sliders, so it will be easy to figure out editing. Such complex processes as restoration of old photos are realized with the help of artificial intelligence. Users have access to more than a hundred ready-made filters and effects. You can download the program for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The free version has a reduced functionality, more features can be obtained with a paid subscription.

Fotor

This is a free photo editor with a set of automatic basic options: color correction, effect overlay, face retouching, collages, text inserts, etc. Allows you to work with graphic files of all major formats. You can figure out how to use the built-in tools on the fly. The program is available for users of computers on Windows, and macOS, as well as mobile devices on Android, and iOS. Among the disadvantages can be noted limited functionality and imperfect results when processing portraits.

Canva

A service designed to work from a computer. Quite powerful and, at the same time, an easy to use program with a large library of filters, stickers, frames, and auxiliary images. Most often the service is used to create presentations, posters, and creatives for social networks, but Canva can also simply edit a photo. The photo editor itself is free, but access to some options and collections is available only for money. The service is quite demanding to the technical characteristics of the computer, it requires a fast and stable Internet connection.

Rookie Cam

A free application created exclusively for mobile devices (Android, iOS). The program offers a range of live effects that are applied right at the moment of shooting, as well as a built-in editor. The latter has its library of stickers and filters, and an option for color correction, collaging, and spot retouching. Due to its simplicity, Rookie Cam is popular among bloggers. The downsides include an abundance of ads, as well as a lower quality of shots compared to those from the device’s native app.

Instead of a conclusion

This is not a complete list of apps and photo editors on the market, but we tried to select the best examples of simple tools for you. You don’t have to delve into the intricacies of using professional tools to get quality processed images. The choice of the best program or application will depend on the initial photo detail, the expected result, and your budget. To find “your” image editor, we recommend trying out several and then choosing the one with the best ratio of cost, convenience, and quality!

The post Easy Photo Editors For Photo Processing That Do Not Require Photoshop Knowledge appeared first on The Designest.

Best Laptops for Cricut in 2024

Evgenia Papicheva — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:19:12 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Did you notice how the Cricut Maker has become the must-have for professional crafters? Ready to take your crafting game to the next level? Meet the ultimate pro crafter’s kit: the Cricut Maker, Cricut Design Space software, and a compatible computer for Cricut. But not all computers are equally well suited when it comes to working with Cricut machines. The best laptops for Cricut Maker are determined by a variety of criteria. Read on to find out how to choose the best match.

Cricut is a brand of craft supplies that provides popular cutting machines, also known as craft plotters. These machines can cut all sorts of designs from a wide range of materials with stunning precision and speed. If you want to learn more about Cricut’s amazing capabilities, check out our Cricut machines review. Take a moment to read it before continuing. On top of that, creating DIY projects has undergone an astonishing shift because of the use of laptops. It’s not the old-school hefty computer for Cricut machine that is tied to one place anymore. It’s a modern and versatile laptop for Cricut Maker, which makes you ready for the strike of inspiration whenever you are. If you’re a creative entrepreneur, the best laptops for Cricut users can help you handle more orders and grow your business, and if you are a DIY enthusiast it makes your experience even more smooth and enjoyable.

Feeling inspired and looking for the perfect laptop to use with your Cricut machine? Choosing the best laptop for such specific purposes can be a daunting task, but we’ve got you covered. We’ve tested and reviewed the best laptops for Cricut Maker, and we’ll discuss the features and specs you should consider when shopping for a laptop that will work well with your machine. So let’s dive in and find out which laptops are best suited for working with Design Space software for Cricut machines.

How To Choose Best Computer For Cricut
Top 10 Laptops For Cricut
ASUS VivoBook S14
LG Gram 16Z90P
Acer Aspire 5
Apple MacBook Air M1
Microsoft Surface Book 3
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
Apple MacBook Pro M2
Dell Inspiron 15
HP Pavilion x360
Samsung Galaxy Book3
How To Set Up and Run Cricut Maker: Step-by-Step Guide
FAQ

How To Choose Best Computer For Cricut

Choosing the best laptop for your needs is quite a task. First of all, you need to formulate these needs, then research tons of websites and reviews to make the shortlist, and then spend even more time in hesitation deciding upon the best possible option for your budget. Sounds tedious, isn’t it? Rejoice, we’ve done all the donkey work for you and prepared the top 10 best laptops for Cricut Maker machine and other creative work. But if you want to delve deeper into tech specs to make a well-informed decision, here they are.

Although the minimum Design Space requirements are met by a wide range of Windows and Mac OS laptops, we advise you not to settle for minimum capabilities and consider all the factors to make a worthy deal. Because some of the advanced Cricut features cannot be used with the minimum system requirements, and instead need more powerful hardware. Basically, the more you pay, the better the experience you’ll have — both with Cricut machines and with other computing tasks. But even if you’re on a tight budget, you can still have the best laptop in your price range. There are some key factors to examine while choosing the best laptop for Cricut:

CPU

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main component that controls a computer, running the operating system and apps. To use advanced programs for Cricut Designs or multitask while cutting with Cricut Maker, a powerful processor like an Intel i7 is necessary. Or at least i5 for faster and more efficient performance. While the Design Space app is pretty undemanding itself. You can run it both on cheap and less powerful Ryzen chip as well as top-notch M2 Apple chip.

GPU

The graphics processing unit (GPU) is a crucial component of any computer, as it helps run graphics-related work such as graphics, effects, and videos. When it comes to design, the importance of graphics cannot be overstated. It’s essential to choose a laptop with the latest graphics technology when you’re using Cricut Maker machine as a professional. While NVIDIA graphics cards are great, they can be quite expensive, so it’s ok to look for more affordable Intel or AMD options. By investing in a laptop with a high-quality GPU, you can take your Cricut projects to the next level and unleash your creativity in new and exciting ways.

RAM

The Random-access memory (RAM) functions as your laptop’s short-term memory, where data is stored for the computer processor to run applications and open your files. As many users know, a laptop’s power and speed is largely determined by its RAM. For those using Cricut Design Space, a budget laptop with 4GB RAM may suffice. However, for more advanced programs or professional multitasking alongside Cricut Designs, more RAM would allow a faster and more efficient laptop experience. Therefore, when considering the memory capacity of your computer, take note that options range from 4GB to 64GB, so only your budget and business needs are the limit.

Screen size

Design Space software is a powerful tool for visual projects, and it requires a decent screen space to make sure you can see everything you’re working on. That’s why it’s recommended to use laptops with a screen up from 14” when working with Cricut Design Space. While smaller laptops are easier to carry, if you’re using a laptop with a smaller screen, you might find yourself struggling to get everything in view, and that can make things tricky when you’re working on a big project.

Resolution

When it comes to purchasing a laptop for design work, it’s important to consider screen quality. The resolution of the screen is a key factor that determines how crisp, clear, and vibrant your designs will appear. If you’re looking for a screen that can display your work with optimal clarity, it’s recommended that you aim for a resolution of at least 1024 x 768. If you’re looking for a crisp clear image, you may want to consider laptops with 1920×1080 resolution. While higher resolutions often result in better image quality, they can also come with a higher price tag.

Battery life

Well, it is one of the crucial specs when choosing a gadget, especially for designers on the go. If you’re mainly working from home, a laptop with a shorter battery duration can save you money. However, if you’re frequently designing while on the move, it’s best to invest in a laptop with longer and more reliable battery lifespan. At the same time, keep in mind that it may vary based on workload, environment, and work type. We advise you to choose a laptop with long-lasting battery for the flexibility to work anywhere and anytime.

Top 10 Laptops For Cricut

ASUS VivoBook S14

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5 11 gen
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 14”
Resolution: 1920×1080 px
Battery life: 9-11 h
Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

Thin and lightweight
Wide connectivity options
Nice graphic performance

Reasons to Avoid

Audio quality is not so good
Outdated USB ports
Average battery life

The ASUS VivoBook S14 is a lightweight and stylish laptop that boasts a 14” Full HD NanoEdge bezel display, and an 11th generation Intel Core i5 processor. This laptop is super portable, just look at those numbers — 0.62” thin and 3.2 lb of weight. Wow, you can take it wherever you go! Moreover, the special VivoBook S14’s fast-charging feature helps recharge a low battery to 60% in just 49 minutes, which, by the way, is pretty convenient when you are on the go.

The VivoBook S14 has 8GB RAM, which provides plenty of memory for multitasking and running multiple programs at once, and a 512GB SSD, which ensures fast storage and quick boot times. Comprehensive connections, including Thunderbolt 3 via USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A, USB 2.0, HDMI, and Wi-Fi 6, allow you to connect to a wide range of devices, making it easy to transfer files, connect to external displays, and use other peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and webcams. The thin bezel NanoEdge display provides an immersive viewing experience, with 178 wide viewing angles and exceptional color reproduction for truly vivid visuals.

In summary, the ASUS VivoBook S14 is a high-quality laptop that offers a powerful processor, ample memory and storage, comprehensive connectivity, and features that make it secure and easy to use. Its sleek design and diamond-cut edges make it stand out from other laptops, while its fast-charging capabilities and lightweight construction make it easy to carry around with you. So, whether you’re a professional entrepreneur, die-hard DIY enthusiast, or Cricut hobbyist, the ASUS VivoBook S14 is a great choice, if you’re up for a reliable and versatile laptop that’s both stylish and functional.

LG Gram 16Z90P

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7 11 gen
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB
Screen size: 16”
Resolution: 2560×1600 px
Battery life: 22 h
Operating system: Windows 11 Home

Reasons to Buy

Very long battery life
Big display, suitable for work with graphics
Stylish look and durable full-metal body

Reasons to Avoid

Audio quality is questionable
Glossy screen
Quite expensive

The LG Gram laptop got a robust set of features designed for productivity and performance. First, let’s see what this device got inside. Intel Evo Platform Powered by 11th generation Intel core i7 processor, combined with Intel Xe Graphics and 16 GB RAM providing the necessary performance for memory-intensive tasks such as high-resolution content creation, designing, editing, and multitasking. For reliable and fast storage, this device is equipped with a 256GB SSD that provides quick access to your files. Connectivity options are also up to the mark.

As for the display, the impressive DCI-P3 99% wide color gamut enables delivers stunning visuals with exceptional color accuracy, allowing you to see your work exactly as you have imagined it. The 16″ display with a 16:10 WQXGA (2560×1600) resolution delivers a clear, vivid color expression, providing a really immersive experience.

Additionally, his laptop got thoughtful ergonomics. First and foremost the LG Gram is ultra-lightweight (only 2.62 lbs), making it easy to carry with you on the go. It is also designed to withstand even the toughest conditions, passing seven tests for military-grade durability. The full-metal body of magnesium alloy can withstand shock, vibration, dust, and temperature. The wider 16:10 touchpad gives you more control, even if you don’t use a mouse and the big, flat keypads ensure faster typing. While the Thunderbolt 4 connection allows you to charge, transfer, and display all at once, taking advantage of this device’s capabilities.

In a nutshell, the key selling points of LG Gram 16 are its ultra-lightweight design and its high-resolution, colorful 16:10 display, but LG also made sure that nothing else was compromised in any way. So if you need a solid laptop for creative work it is one of the best options.

Acer Aspire 5

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i3 11 gen
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 15.6”
Resolution: 1920×1080 px
Battery life: 8-10 h
Operating system: Windows 11

Reasons to Buy

Reasonable price
Produce little to no noise
Good battery life for budget laptop

Reasons to Avoid

Not the best color reproduction
Some users refer to loose touchpad
Too slow for gaming

The Acer Aspire 5 with Intel Core i3 CPU is probably the best budget laptop for a Cricut Maker, that offers a range of features suitable for common computing needs. While we’d recommend you go for an i5 or i7 CPU, we need to admit that i3 is still a pretty nice processor for undemanding day-to-day tasks. This laptop features 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD to store files and applications, which is good for the budget price range. It’s also equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI as well as various USB ports connectivity technologies, making it easy to connect to other devices.

It’s an economy laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD display that provides sharp details and decent enough image quality. With a screen-to-body ratio of 82.58% and a narrow-bezel design this laptop delivers an immersive viewing experience, so you can dive into whatever is in front of you. In addition, Aspire 5 is ergonomically designed with a hinge that lifts the keyboard for comfortable typing, an improved cooling system that hardly gets warm (even on a stress test), and an appropriate sound experience.

In conclusion, buying a laptop for around $500 isn’t easy, most of the time you have to choose what you’re ready to sacrifice to get a good price. So rejoice! The Acer Aspire 5 is an affordable budget laptop without any serious flaws. But in case you want to relax playing the latest computer games in between or even while cutting your designs with Cricut, you’d better look for another laptop. As long as this model is not powerful enough to tackle this job. The laptop is lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around. If you’re looking for a decent laptop for day-to-day tasks for a reasonable price, the Acer Aspire 5 is a great choice.

Apple MacBook Air M1

Specifications

CPU: Apple M1 chip
GPU: Integrated Apple GPU
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 13.3”
Resolution: 2560 x 1600 px
Battery life: up to 18 h
Operating system: macOS Ventura

Reasons to Buy

Thin and lightweight laptop
Great battery life
Perfect color reproduction

Reasons to Avoid

It’s expensive
Works best with Apple environment
M1 is not the latest chip technology

The MacBook Air is the perfect computer for professionals on the go. With an all-day battery life of up to 18 hours, you never have to worry about running out of power during your busy day. And with the powerful Apple M1 chip featuring an 8-core CPU, you can easily handle everything from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming. In some cases even at the same time The chip delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation while using way less power. This means you can enjoy seamless multitasking while running memory-hogging tasks like browsing multiple tabs or opening a huge graphic file for Circut cutting quickly and easily.

But the MacBook Air isn’t just powerful computer— it’s also stunningly beautiful. The 13.3-inch Retina display brings images to life with new levels of realism, making text sharp and clear and colors more vibrant. P3 wide color gamut covers 25% more colors than industry-standard sRGB, therefore it’s perfect for designers and other creative professionals.

If you already have an iPhone, MacBook Air feels familiar from the moment you turn it on. And it works perfectly with all your Apple devices. But if you want to use it, for example, with a non-Apple external monitor it may be not as seamless and exceptional as it would be inside the Apple environment. By the way, speaking of the environment. The MacBook Air is totally environmentally friendly. It is made with a 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure and uses less energy for a smaller carbon footprint.

To sum up, if you’re a creative professional, graphic designer, or just someone who wants a powerful, easy-to-use, and environmentally friendly computer, the MacBook Air is the perfect choice.

Microsoft Surface Book 3

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7 10 gen
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti
RAM: 16GB
Screen size: 15”
Resolution: 3240 x 2160 px
Battery life: up to 17.5 h
Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

Very versatile configuration options
Powerful GPU
Big screen with nearly 4K resolution

Reasons to Avoid

Not the fastest laptop in this price range
It’s pretty heavy among other windows laptops
It’s pricey

Surface Book 3 is a versatile HD touchscreen laptop that combines the functionality of a robust computer, a powerful tablet, and a portable studio in one. It’s the best hybrid laptop for Cricut makers. The detachable screen makes it easy to switch between modes and get things done when inspiration strikes. With quad-core powered, 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processors, this device is the most powerful Surface laptop yet, now 30% faster than Surface Book 2. It has the fastest graphics on Surface, powered by NVIDIA GTX GeForce GPU, and boasts up to 17.5 hours of battery life with an improved standby mode that extends battery life when you’re away.

The high-resolution PixelSense Display is designed for Surface Pen and touch, making it perfect for sketching and drawing. With quad-core powered 10th Gen Intel Core processors and blazing NVIDIA graphics, this device can tackle intensive tasks, edit large graphic files, and provide the best gaming experience on Surface. The device also boasts a color gamut near-full 97% sRGB coverage and 58% AdobeRGB coverage, along with an HD IPS display and an original native screen resolution of 3240 x 2160 px.

The backlit keyboard and large, responsive trackpad make it easy to work on the go, while the touchscreen provides a more natural and intuitive experience. Additionally, Surface Book 3 has wireless connectivity options that include Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6.

In conclusion, The Surface Book 3 is still an appealing alternative for creatives even though its distinctive form might limit its ability to compete with more potent rivals. Although there are speedier devices available for the same price, the Surface Book 3 is a great option if you’re seeking a versatile tablet that can perform several jobs.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5 12 gen
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 15.6”
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
Battery life: up to 9 h
Operating system: Windows 11 Pro

Reasons to Buy

Affordable price for full-size laptop
Durable build
Decent battery life

Reasons to Avoid

Not the brightest screen
Mediocre sound and camera
It’s pretty heavy

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i laptop is a versatile computer that can enhance your work, study, or play experience. With its slim design (just 0.78”), it’s easy to take with you wherever you go, making it perfect for on-the-go use. This great laptop is powered by 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics, which deliver exceptional performance and speed to meet your daily needs. The 15.6-inch FHD IPS display provides nice viewing angles, decent color accuracy, and contrast, so you can be sure of picture quality. With its 4-sided narrow bezels, you get more available viewing screen, giving you a better experience overall.

In addition, the IdeaPad 3i laptop also has a full-function Type-C port that allows for faster data transfer, power delivery, and 4K display connectivity. It also includes USB port 3.2, USB port 2.0, and HDMI ports, as well as an SD card reader and audio jack. Plus, it comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options, so you can stay connected wherever you are.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i laptop is also designed to be long-lasting, with a battery that will keep you going for hours on end. And if you need another 2 hours of battery life just use rapid charge boost. Only 15 minutes of charging will get you this extra time.

Overall, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly laptop for cricut makers that doesn’t skimp on performance or features. If you’re primarily concerned with day-to-day computing tasks, affordability, and durability, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i laptop is a good choice for you.

Apple MacBook Pro M2

Specifications

CPU: Apple M2 chip
GPU: Integrated Apple GPU
RAM: 16GB
Screen size: 14.2”
Resolution: 3024 x 1964 px
Battery life: up to 22h
Operating system: macOS Ventura

Reasons to Buy

Pro quality display
Powerful CPU and GPU
Amazing battery life

Reasons to Avoid

Expensive device
Suits best all Apple environment

The new MacBook Pro with M2 chip is a powerful device that offers top-of-the-line features. With the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip, users can take on even the most demanding projects. The M2 Pro has up to 12 CPU cores, up to 19 GPU cores, and up to 32GB of unified memory. This makes it an ideal device for professionals who need to run multiple pro apps simultaneously. Rejoice, creative multitaskers!

In addition, the MacBook Pro M2 has a beautiful 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, which features an Extreme Dynamic Range, over 1000 nits of brightness, and pro reference modes for doing your best work on the go. Color performance is strong, too, with the color gamut covering 100% of the sRGB and DCI-P3 color space, and 89% of AdobeRGB, all with excellent color accuracy.

But that’s not all. The MacBook Pro features an impressive battery life of up to 22 hours, so you can use it all day without worrying about running out of power. This laptop also offers a range of connectivity options, lots of nifty ports as well as wireless Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Overall, the MacBook Pro is an excellent laptop for both amateur and professional Cricut users. It shows great versatility and efficiency across battery life, performance, display quality, and day-to-day use without any significant flaws. However, it is one of the expensive laptops, even the base model. But if you’re willing to invest in a device that provides everything at once, the MacBook Pro is a tolally solid choice.

Dell Inspiron 15

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB
Screen size: 15.6”
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
Battery life: up to 9 h
Operating system: Windows 11 Home

Reasons to Buy

Affordable laptop with nice specs
Well-built
Large touchscreen display

Reasons to Avoid

No USB C port
Becomes pretty warm on heavy load
Not the best sRGB coverage

The Inspiron laptop by Dell is a reliable and affordable device designed to get work done. Its primary strength lies in its solid performance, thanks to the Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB high-bandwidth RAM. With this much power, you can smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once without any interruption. It’s well-built, has plenty of legacy ports for accessories, and features a full number pad.

This laptop features a 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen, making it a joy to work with. The touch features are quick and precise, making work much simpler and more pleasant than before. While there’s only about 60% of sRGB color gamut coverage, it is still a great device to work with if your design work is restricted to monochrome vector patterns for cutting with your Cricut. However, if you’re working on color-sensitive projects like photo or video editing, this device may not be the best option for you.

This laptop’s biggest drawback is that it lacks a USB port Type-C, which can be pretty disappointing for some users. We thought that it has become the industry standard, but eventually, it isn’t. Or Dell got its standards. Anyway, it’s absent, get over it.

Overall, this laptop for Cricut makers fits perfectly in the budget category. Those looking for a reliable computer for general tasks will be happy with the Dell Inspiron. However, those looking for a more potent device or a laptop for color-sensitive work better go for more powerful devices.

HP Pavilion x360

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 14″
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
Battery life: up to 8h
Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

Strong performance with 10th Gen Intel CPU
Portable and lightweight laptop
Nice touchscreen laptop

Reasons to Avoid

Battery won’t survive the whole workday
Screen brightness could be better
Webcam provides not enough fine details

The HP Pavilion x360 laptop is the perfect device for anyone looking for a powerful, yet lightweight computer that can handle whatever life throws your way. With its 11th Generation Intel Core processor, you’ll experience fast performance and instant responsiveness. Plus, with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD storage, you’ll have enough space to store your files and programs.

As for graphics, Intel Iris Xe GPU promises crystal-clear imagery and it certainly could be so if not for the display brightness, which is below average. Although the 14” Full HD multitouch-enabled edge-to-edge glass screen itself is pretty good. Everything will be fine as long as there is no color-sensitive editing in your workflow. By the way, the touchscreen option is especially convenient when you’re in a rush and don’t want to use the mouse or unfold a proper computer setup.

If you’re looking for a laptop that’s remote work ready, the HP Pavilion x360 has you covered. With Intel Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 combo (supporting Gigabit data rate), you can stay connected wherever you go. And with good connectivity options, including 2 USB type-A ports, 1 USB Type-C, 1 HDMI port, and an SD card reader, you’ll be able to plug in all of your favorite devices.

And let’s not forget about the design. The HP Pavilion x360’s streamlined metal design delivers a thinner, lighter PC with great durability. The 360-degree geared hinge is innovatively engineered to rotate 360 degrees, so you can use your device in four modes.

In short, the HP Pavilion x360 is a great value for anyone who has basic laptop needs for Cricut projects and wants integrated connectivity. It may not be designed for heavy workloads or long times away from an outlet, but if you need a laptop that can keep up with your daily tasks, the HP Pavilion x360 is the way to go.

Samsung Galaxy Book3

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB
Screen size: 15.6”
Resolution: 1920×1080 px
Battery life: 15h
Operating system: Windows 11 Home

Reasons to Buy

Solid build
Good display quality
Big touchpad is perfect

Reasons to Avoid

Fans may be a little noisy
Quite pricey
Not suitable for gaming (only casual maybe)

Samsung Galaxy Book 3 is a new Samsung laptop designed for productivity and entertainment. It’s a workhorse, whether you’re working, studying, or simply browsing, this device with a powerful Intel Core i7 is here to breeze through all the things you need to do, without any lag or delays.

The Galaxy Book 3 is a highly portable laptop. Its thin and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around wherever you go, so you can always stay productive on the go. Moreover, its powerful battery will provide you with hours of uninterrupted use, so you can stay plugged in without being tied to a cord.

As for connectivity, well, The Galaxy Book3 is got you covered for almost any situation that may occur during your day. Whether you need to connect to a printer, a monitor, or any other device, you got it. With all the ports built right in, there’s no need to drag around a clunky adapter. The screen is big and crisp clear, so enjoy all your works or favorite entertainment on a super smooth 15.6-inch screen. Its stunning display brings out the best in everything you do, with vivid and bright visuals that are sure to impress.

In a nutshell, Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro is an accessible and solid option for those people who do not want an absolute beast of the best, but still looking for a future-proof laptop. With its powerful processor, long-lasting battery, and gorgeous display, this laptop is perfect for anyone who wants to stay productive and entertained on the go.

“Which laptop is best for work with Cricut after all?” you may ask. Well, honestly it depends on your workflow aside from cutting designs with Cricut. All devices listed above will perfectly work with Cricut’s Design Space, but if you ask me to decide which laptop I would choose for myself, then I would go for Samsung Galaxy Book 3. Personally, I’m a sucker for big screens and crisp clear images, pair it with a powerful CPU and that’s the recipe for a perfect laptop for me. And what is yours?

How To Set Up and Run Cricut Maker: Step-by-Step Guide

For your Windows computer, follow these steps to download, set up, and run Cricut’s Design Space for Desktop:

Go to Cricut website design.cricut.comin your web browser.
Select Download.
Once the download is finished, double-click the file in the browser or your Downloads folder.
If a window appears asking if you trust the application, choose that option.
A setup window displays the installation progress.
Sign in with your Cricut ID and password.
An icon of Design Space for Desktop automatically gets added to your desktop screen.
Have fun with Design Space for Windows Desktop!

For your Mac computer, follow these steps to download, set up, and run Cricut’s Design Space for Desktop:

Go to Cricut website design.cricut.comin your web browser.
Select Download.
Once the download is finished, double-click the .dmg file in the browser or your Downloads folder.
Drag the Cricut icon to the Applications folder icon to begin the installation. Design Space for Desktop automatically gets added to your Applications folder.
Double-click Cricut Design Space in your Applications folder to launch Design Space for Desktop.
A Mac notice may appear asking if you want to open the application that has been downloaded from the internet. Select Open to continue.
Sign in with your Cricut ID and password.
Have fun with Design Space for Windows Desktop!

Freuqently Asked Questions

Does Any Laptop Work With Cricut?

If you’re looking to use a Cricut machine, compatibility with your laptop is likely to be a primary concern. Fortunately, almost all laptops can be used with these devices, as long as Cricut system requirements is fairly undemanding. However, if you’re planning to use its advanced design features, you may find that a more premium laptop is a better choice. To help you make the right decision for your needs, our guide to the best laptop for Cricut maker offers reviews of top models for different budgets. Whether you’re on a tight budget or looking for a high-end model, we’ve got you covered.

Which Computer Works Best With Cricut?

Selecting the best computer depends on a multitude of factors, such as your budget, preferred OS, and intended way of use, to name just a few. For example, the Acer Aspire 5 is a popular budget option, while the Dell XPS and Apple Macbook Pro are premium laptops that offer amazing performance capabilities for Cricut. However, there are many other laptop options available that may suit your specific needs. To assist you in your search for the perfect laptop for Cricut maker, we recommend checking out our comprehensive guide on the best laptops for Cricut maker machines.

Which Laptop is Best For Cricut Design Space?

When it comes to finding the perfect laptop for use with Cricut Design Space, the options are vast and varied. From budget-friendly laptops like Lenovo IdeaPad 3i to premium models like MacBooks with M2 chip, you can use virtually any laptop with this software. However, it is important to note that some models may perform better than others, and not all of the features can be performed on minimum requirements. To help make your decision easier, our guide offers reviews of some of the best Cricut computers on the market.

Will a Chromebook Work With a Cricut?

Unfortunately, Cricut Maker and Cricut Design Space cannot be used with Chromebook since they are only compatible with Windows and Mac operating system computers as well as Android and iOS devices. But there are plenty of other devices that work seamlessly with Cricut software. As well as lots of budget laptops on the market if you only need them for running the Cricut software.

Can I Use Cricut Design Space on iOS or Android?

Yes. You don’t actually need a laptop for Cricut maker to run Design Space, so keep that in mind if you’re seriously strapped for cash. Instead, you can use a tablet or a smartphone. Cricut software is free and provided not only for Windows and Mac, but also for iOS, and Android devices. Design Space is not supported on a very few laptops such as Chromebooks or Unix / Linux Computers.

The post Best Laptops for Cricut in 2024 appeared first on The Designest.

6 Best Monitors For Mac Mini in 2024

Evgenia Papicheva — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:13:38 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

I guess it’s a common place, that digital designers relies on quality of their devices greatly. But, unfortunately, to keep up with the ever-evolving technology landscape, you need to be a bit of a tech geek. But fret not, because I am one. In this article, I will share with you a carefully curated list of 6 best monitors for Mac Mini that will enhance your digital design workflow.

Finding the best monitor for Mac Mini can be a daunting task, especially with an abundance of options available on a market. I will navigate you through the intricacies of display technology, exploring the finest options that offer impeccable color accuracy, seamless connectivity, and ergonomic design. So, if you’ve been struggling to find the ideal monitor to elevate your design experience, look no further. Join me as we unveil the top contenders, allowing you to make an informed decision and unleash your creative genius. Let’s dive in and discover the perfect visual companion and take the full advantage of your Mac Mini setup.

Top 3 Best Monitors For the Mac Mini

Acer R240HY

23.8 inches screen
Full HD resolution
Good image quality for external display
Affordable price for Mac Mini monitor

Dell U2720Q

27 inches screen
4K resolution
Excellent color reproduction
Versatile connectivity options

Apple Studio Display

27 inches screen
5K resolution
Exceptional color gamut coverage
Best integration with Mac mini, thanks to USB-C ports

Top 6 Best Monitors For the Mac Mini

Apple Studio Display
Asus VP249QGR
Dell U2720Q
Acer R240HY
BenQ PD2700U
LG 27UK850-W

Apple Studio Display

A high-resolution, color-accurate display tailored for Mac Mini users and creative professionals.

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Resolution: 5K Retina
Panel type: Not specified (likely IPS)
Color accuracy: Exceptional
Connectivity: Thunderbolt port or three USB-C ports

Reasons to Buy

Exceptional color reproduction.
High-resolution 5K Retina Mac Mini display./li>
Best integration and compatibility with Apple Mac Mini and other Apple products./li>

Reasons to Avoid

Higher price compared to similar monitors for Mac Mini.
Limited connectivity options: there are only Thunderbolt and USB-C connection.

The first thing that came to mind when thinking of monitor for Mac Mini is another Apple product — Studio Display. It is a premium-grade Apple monitor that caters to the discerning needs of professional users seeking uncompromising image quality and color accuracy. The 27-inch Retina 5K display and impressive 5120 x 2880 resolution delivers a pixel-dense canvas, ensuring every detail of your digital designs is impeccably showcased. The Apple Studio Display color gamut coverage is equally remarkable, supporting 100% P3 wide color, which is vital for digital designers working on projects that require precise color reproduction.

The True-tone technology further enhances the accuracy by automatically adjusting the display’s white balance to match the ambient lighting conditions, providing an optimal viewing experience throughout the day. The Studio Display integration with macOS devices, particularly the Mac Mini, is seamless, further enhancing your productivity. The Thunderbolt or USB-C ports connectivity options ensure a quick and reliable connection your Mac Mini monitor to the Mac Mini, allowing you to dive into your creative projects without delays.

In conclusion, whether you’re working on illustrations, image editing, or motion design, the Apple Studio Display delivers excellence in every pixel, elevating your digital design journey to new heights. The only potential drawback to consider is the higher price compared to similar monitors on the market. However, the investment in the Apple Studio Display is well worth it for those who prioritize uncompromising color reproduction and seamless compatibility with Apple devices.

Asus VP249QGR

A best budget monitor with good image quality and fast response times for casual users and gamers.

Specifications

Screen size: 23.8 inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080)
Panel type: IPS
Color accuracy: Good
Connectivity: HDMI port, DisplayPort, VGA

Reasons to Buy

Affordable price for its features.
Good image quality and color accuracy.
Fast response time suitable for gaming.

Reasons to Avoid

Limited viewing angles compared to other panel types.
Mediocre build quality and ergonomics.
Lack of advanced features like USB-C connectivity.

The Asus VP249QGR is a budget-friendly monitor that offers impressive performance for digital designers seeking an affordable yet reliable display solution. The 23.8-inch screen with Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) suits nicely for digital design work. The monitor’s accuracy is also commendable, covering 99% of the sRGB color space, which is essential for working on standard design projects. For those who prioritize smooth visuals, the this device boasts a fast 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, ensuring fluid and responsive interactions. For ergonomics this monitor offers tilt adjustments. While it may lack extensive adjustments like higher-priced monitors, it still offers basic ergonomics to support user comfort. One of the standout features of this display is its affordability. Priced competitively, it offers exceptional value for its impressive specifications and features.

As for the brightness the Asus VP249QGR proveds an ample brightness of 250 nits, that is good enough for most indoor environments and typical usage scenarios. While it may not match the brightness levels of top-notch screens like Mac Studio, but it delivers an absolut satisfactory visual experience for everyday tasks and digital design work. Let’s not forget that this device is a cheaper alternative for Apple Pro Display and other high-end monitors for Mac Mini.

To sum up, while the Asus VP249QGR may not offer the premium features of higher-priced monitors, its combination of affordability, color reproduction, and smooth performance places this device among best Mac Mini monitors and makes it a solid choise for digital designers on a budget. This is a workhorse that delivers a reliable and practical display solution.

Dell U2720Q

A versatile 4K monitor with excellent color reproduction and connectivity options, ideal for professional Mac users.

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)
Panel type: IPS
Color accuracy: Excellent
Connectivity: HDMI port , DisplayPort, USB-C port

Reasons to Buy

Sharp and vibrant 4K display with 27-inch screen size.
Excellent color reproduction and wide color gamut.
Versatile connectivity options and ergonomic design.

Reasons to Avoid

Relatively higher price compared to other monitors.
Some users may experience minor backlight bleeding.
Lack of high refresh rate for gaming enthusiasts.

The Dell S2720Q is a compelling choice for Mac Mini users, offering a 27-inch 4K panel with decent pixel density and a comprehensive set of connectivity options, including USB-C with 65W power delivery. While it may not match the premium features of higher-priced monitors like Apple’s 5K studio display, this monitor excels in usability and productivity, providing excellent color reproduction and IPS viewing angles. For content creators seeking impressive performance without breaking the bank, the Dell U2720Q is a worthy alternative. Dell’s monitors focus on picture quality and performance, making them practical choices for professionals who prioritize functionality over gimmicks or extravagant designs.

This monitor offers seamless connectivity with Mac Mini, providing compatible ports such as HDMI and USB-C for easy integration. I’d like to highlight the USB-C port with up to 90W power delivery (highest in its class), that is best way to connect external display to your Mac Mini, while keeping great image quality. It is also serves as a convenient USB hub for connecting peripherals like keyboard, mouse, and external storage. Nice thing!

In the nutshell, the Dell U2720Q stands out as a stellar choice for professionals and creatives seeking uncompromising color reproduction, excellent image quality, and versatile connectivity options. This display has received rave reviews for its outstanding performance and reliability, solidifying its status as a highly recommended monitor in its class.

Acer R240HY

An affordable Mac Mini monitor with an IPS panel, offering good color reproduction and a slim design for everyday use.

Specifications

Screen size: 23.8 inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080)
Panel type: IPS
Color accuracy: Good
Connectivity: HDMI, VGA, DVI

Reasons to Buy

Affordable price for its screen size and features.
Good image quality with an IPS panel.
Slim bezels and sleek design.

Reasons to Avoid

Limited accuracy compared to higher-end monitors for Mac Mini.
Limited connectivity options (lacks USB-C ports or DisplayPort).
Very limited ergonomic stand adjustments.

The Acer R240HY is a superb monitor that offers an impressive display performance, making it an excellent choice for both work and entertainment. This device makes a nice cheaper option for Apple display like Apple Pro display XDR or Apple studio Display. Its 23.8-inch screen size with IPS panel and Full HD resolution, delivers nice and solid visuals, enhancing your viewing experience. This display provides HDMI, VGA, and DVI inputs, ensuring effortless connectivity to a wide range of devices, including laptops, gaming consoles, and desktops. The Acer R240HY has garnered positive reviews for its affordability and value for money, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious users. However, it’s important to note that the R240HY does not offer swivel, height, or pivot adjustments, but it does provide tilt adjustability.

In conclusion, the Acer R240HY is a reliable and user-friendly monitor. Despite its limited ergonomics, the monitor’s sleek and slim design adds a touch of modernity to any workspace, making it a practical and aesthetically pleasing choice for users looking for a budget-friendly monitor with good image quality and color reproduction. Whether you’re a creative professional or a casual user, the Acer R240HY promises a delightful visual experience, making it a compelling addition to any workspace.

BenQ PD2700U

A top-tier 4K monitor with exceptional visual accuracy, perfect for design and other creative work.

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)
Panel type: IPS
Color accuracy: Excellent
Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort

Reasons to Buy

Impressive 4K resolution and 27-inch screen.
Excellent color reproduction for professional tasks.
Advanced eye care technology.

Reasons to Avoid

Higher price compared to entry-level monitors.
Limited refresh rate for gaming enthusiasts.
No built-in audio devices, requiring external speakers.

The BenQ PD2700U is an outstanding monitor that sets a new standard for professional-grade displays, making it a top choice for discerning users seeking an exceptional visuals. With its 27-inch 4K display, this monitor delivers breathtaking image clarity and sharpness, elevating your content to new heights. The PD2700U’s IPS panel technology guarantees wide viewing angles, delivering consistent and accurate colors from various perspectives. While exceptional color gamut coverage and true-to-life hues that are vital for design, editing, and video production provide nice designing experience. These features set it apart as a top-tier choice for professionals in the creative industry.

Ergonomics are also a strong suit of this monitor, as it offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, allowing users to find the most comfortable viewing position for extended work sessions. These versatile adjustments cater to individual preferences and promote a healthier posture during prolonged usage.

In summary, the BenQ PD2700U stands out as a premium monitor that surpasses expectations with its outstanding display performance, flexible connectivity options, and ergonomic design. Its impressive 4K resolution, wide color gamut, and seamless integration make it a valuable asset for professionals and creative enthusiasts alike.

LG 27UK850-W

A premium 4K monitor with wide color gamut, versatile connectivity, and ergonomic design, tailored for professional and creative use.

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)
Panel type: IPS
Color accuracy: Excellent
Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C

Reasons to Buy

4K resolution and 27-inch display.
Excellent accuracy for professional work.
Versatile connectivity options, including USB-C.

Reasons to Avoid

Higher price compared to budget monitors.
Limited refresh rate for gaming enthusiasts.
Integrated speakers may lack premium sound quality.

The LG 27UK850-W is an exceptional monitor that surpasses expectations, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a premium visual experience. With its 27-inch 4K display, this monitor delivers stunning image clarity and vibrant colors, elevating your content to a whole new level. The IPS panel technology ensures wide viewing angles, delivering consistent and accurate colors from various perspectives. This is particularly valuable for sharing content and collaborating on projects, making it an excellent choice for professional environments. Furthermore, this monitor boasts exceptional color reproduction, rendering lifelike hues that are essential for graphic design, photo editing, and video production. This feature sets it apart as a top-tier choice for creative professionals who demand precise color reproduction.

Ergonomics are another strong feature of this monitor, as it offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, allowing users to find the most comfortable viewing position for extended work sessions. The monitor’s sleek and modern design, complemented by slim bezels, adds a touch of sophistication to any workspace, creating an immersive and enjoyable visual environment.

In conclusion, the LG 27UK850-W stands out as a top-notch monitor that impresses with its exceptional display performance, versatile connectivity options, and ergonomic design. Its stunning 4K resolution, wide color gamut, and seamless integration make it a valuable asset for professionals and creatives, enhancing their creative journey.

How Do We Evaluate Monitors For Mac Mini?

In the world of professional design, choosing the right monitor for your Mac Mini is a critical decision. As designers, we seek displays that effortlessly translate our creative vision into captivating visuals. When evaluating monitors for use with your Mac Mini, it’s important to consider several key factors to ensure you choose the best option.

Display Size and Resolution: Consider the screen size and resolution that will suit your needs. Larger screens like 27 or even 32-inch screens provide more workspace for multitasking and immersive experiences, while compact ones can fit any workstation, no matter how limited in may be. As for resolution, for those starting out, Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution is a solid choice, but as your monitor becomes a professional tool, we recommend upgrading to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) for sharper imagery and larger screens.

Panel Type: The most common panel types are IPS (In-Plane Switching), VA (Vertical Alignment), and TN (Twisted Nematic). In most of the cases IPS panels offer the best color reproduction and wide viewing angles, making them ideal for tasks that require precise color reproduction. On the other hand, VA (Vertical Alignment) panels offer deep blacks and high contrast ratios, while TN (Twisted Nematic) panels are known for their fast response times, making them suitable for gaming or tasks where motion blur needs to be minimized.

Color Accuracy: If you require accurate color reproduction for visual-intensive tasks like graphic design or photo editing, look for monitors with good accuracy and support for wide color gamuts. Industry standards in this realm are sRGB, AdobeRGB, and DCI-P3. For graphic designers seeking professional-grade displays, I’d recommend 100% AdobeRGB coverage or broader DCI-P3 (Digital Cinema Initiatives-Protocol 3) color space, especially for video editing.

Ergonomics: Carefully look foe the monitor’s adjustability options, such as tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, when choosing the perfect match. Ergonomics play a significant role in your overall comfort and productivity. Look for monitors that offer adjustable stands, that enables you to find the perfect viewing position, reducing strain and enhancing your overall experience.

Refresh Rate and Response Time: For tasks involving fast-moving visuals, such as gaming or video editing, consider the refresh rate and response time of the monitor. A higher refresh rate, typically 60Hz or higher, ensures smooth and fluid motion, while lower response times minimize blur and ghosting effects. These features contribute to a more immersive and enjoyable experience.

Budget: Last but not least, determine your budget range and find a monitor that strikes the right balance between features and performance within that range. Remember, finding the best monitor for your Mac Mini doesn’t necessarily mean choosing the most expensive option. There are excellent monitors available at various price points that deliver exceptional value for your money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best monitor for photo editing on Mac Mini?

The BenQ SW2700PT is a top choice for photographers and graphic designers seeking professional-grade performance for their Mac Mini photo editing workflow. With its 27-inch QHD display, it delivers exceptional accuracy and wide viewing angles, essential for precise image editing. While multiple connectivity options, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB 3.0 ports, ensures seamless integration.

Which monitor is good for Mac Mini M2?

The Dell U2720Q is a great monitor for the Mac Mini M2. With its 27-inch 4K display, accurate colors, and USB-C connectivity, it offers a sharp and vibrant viewing experience that complements the powerful capabilities of the Mac Mini M2. Whether you’re working on graphic design projects, video editing, or simply enjoying multimedia content, the Dell U2720Q provides the visual quality and functionality to enhance your Mac Mini M2 experience.

What kind of monitor can I use with a Mac Mini?

Firstly look for a monitor that offers a compatible interface such as HDMI or USB-C. Consider the display size and resolution that suits your needs, whether it’s a compact 24-inch monitor or bigger 32-inch display. Additionally, opt for a monitor with good color gamut coverage and wide viewing angles, typically found in IPS or similar panel technologies. Finally, ensure that the monitor is compatible with macOS and supports the desired resolution and refresh rate.

What type of monitor is needed for Mac mini?

For a Mac Mini, you’ll need a monitor that supports the desired resolution, has compatible ports like HDMI or Thunderbolt port, and offers good color gamut coverage along with wide viewing angles. Ensure the monitor is compatible with macOS and has the necessary connectivity options to seamlessly integrate with your Mac Mini setup. By finding a monitor that meets these criteria, you can enhance your productivity and visual experience with your Mac Mini.

The post 6 Best Monitors For Mac Mini in 2024 appeared first on The Designest.

12 Best Cricut Programs in 2024

Evgenia Papicheva — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 13:21:34 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Are you a crafting enthusiast or a DIY aficionado? Then you’ve likely heard of the Cricut machine, a cutting tool that’s a game-changer for anyone who loves to create. From intricate paper cutouts to custom vinyl decals, the Cricut machine performs a variety of tasks with remarkable precision. But let’s not forget — this powerful machine shines its brightest when paired with the right software.

Quality programs not only make designing your Cricut projects a breeze but also enable you to unlock the machines’s full potential. So whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, choosing the right software will elevate your crafting experience to new heights. Stick around as we dive into the 12 best Cricut programs you should consider this October.

Top 12 Best Cricut Programs

Cricut Design Space
Adobe Illustrator
Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL)
CorelDRAW Graphics Suiteo
Vectr
Inkscape
Silhouette Studio
Easy Cut Studio
CanvasWorkspace
Affinity Designer
Corel Vector
Canva

Cricut Design Space

Platforms

Windows 10 or later
MacOS 11 or later
iOS 15 or later
Android 10.0 or higher

Pricing

Free
Cricut Access $9.99/month

Cricut Design Space is the ultimate all-in-one solution for Cricuts. When it comes to seamless integration with Cricut, nothing beats this software among free apps. Moreover, it offers thousands of pre-designed templates, making it easier to start creating even if you’re a newbie. It is also a cloud-based software, so you can easily access your projects from wherever you are. Unfortunately, despite its numerous advantages, no program is perfect. Internet connection dependency and occasional lags, especially when working on complex projects may deter some users. However, in my opinion, the pros still outweigh it, making Cricut software an exceptional choice for any crafting enthusiast.

Native Cricut software stands out for its ease of use, diverse design options, and cross-platform availability. So whether you’re stepping into the world of crafting or you’re a seasoned expert, this program promises to enrich your creative journey.

Adobe Illustrator

Platforms

Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
MacOS 10.15 or later

Pricing

$20.99/month

Adobe Illustrator is a dream when it comes to professional graphic designers, especially paired with Adobe Photoshop. Although it may be overkill for beginners starting to explore the Cricut machine capabilities. The primary focus on vector-based design ensures that your creations are scalable and won’t lose quality, ideal for large or complex Cricut files. First and foremost, there are awesome Pen Tools and Shape Builder that allows you to manipulate images with unparalleled precision. You can also take advantage of thousands of fonts and graphics readily available within the software, that will empower you to make truly unique crafts. Advanced layering options and work with multiple artboards make it easier to optimize your workflow. It also works seamlessly with Cricut via exporting your vector images as SVG files.

Adobe Illustrator isn’t just a robust design tool; it’s an investment in your crafting future. Some might say too expensive, but still, whether you’re a crafting enthusiast or a professional, Illustrator will elevate your Cricut experience.

Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL)

Platforms

Windows XP or later
MacOS 10.11 or later
iPadOS 11 or later
Android OS

Pricing

Desktop license $80.00
Tablet app $9.99

SCAL sets itself apart with custom fonts that can be used directly from any installed library, saving you time and expanding your design options. The shadow layering feature adds depth and complexity to your designs, while the ability to trace images means you can easily convert any picture into a cuttable format. Welding overlapping letters and shapes creates seamless designs. This program supports a wide variety of electronic cutting machines and is fully compatible with Cricut via SVG export. The software’s interface is customizable to suit your preferences and needs, although it’s not as intuitive as other options on the list and is quite outdated.

SCAL distinguishes itself with a versatile set of features, that makes it a flexible option for various machines, including Cricut. However, its less-than-modern interface could be a sticking point for users accustomed to more intuitive software.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

Platforms

Windows 10 (64-bit) or later
MacOS 12 or later

Pricing

subscription $36.58/month
one-time purchase $859.00

CorelDRAW offers a broad suite of features, making it a powerful choice for professionals in the design industry. Its vector illustration capability makes it the best software for the creation of intricate and scalable designs, perfectly suited for both small and large projects. Speaking of large projects, the software also excels in handling multi-page layouts, giving users the ability to manage complex tasks with ease. When it comes to color, CorelDRAW doesn’t disappoint. Its advanced color management settings offer precise control, allowing you to achieve the perfect hues for your designs. Typography is another area where the software shines, with a wide array of fonts and text options to choose from. As for compatibility with Cricut machines, it allows you to export files in SVG format, ensuring a seamless workflow from design to cutting.

With CorelDRAW, you get a comprehensive design tool that’s perfect for those who are already comfortable in a digital design environment, while occasional users may find it quite overwhelming to start with.

Vectr

Platforms

Web-based

Pricing

Free
Premium starts at $9.99/year

Vectr is a uniquely powerful tool that delivers a range of features essential for aspiring crafters. The most noteworthy feature is its real-time collaboration capability. With Vectr, you can share your design via a unique URL and watch changes happen in real-time as you or someone else works on it. This feature sets it apart from many other design tools on the market. The platform also boasts web cross-platform capabilities, although it means internet connection dependency. Some users might find its feature set to be a bit limited, though its free price tag ensures accessibility to all.

Vectr stands out as the best budget software for Cricut beginners, especially favored by those who value collaboration. While its features cover most of the tasks, photo editing is not one of those.

Inkscape

Platforms

Windows 8.1 or later
MacOS 11.3 or later
Linux

Pricing

Free

Inkscape is a unique entrant in the list of design software, chiefly because it is an open-source program, meaning it is a completely free app. This budget-friendly aspect is a significant draw for hobbyists and professionals alike. When it comes to creating scalable vector designs that are essential for cutting projects, Inkscape shines. The software offers a range of extensions or plugins that add extra functionalities, enhancing its versatility for specialized tasks. However, the software does come with its challenges; the interface may require a bit of learning, and Mac users will find it lacks native support, it’s not an Apple users platform. Nevertheless, its file formats support ensures it plays nicely with Cricut machines, making it a solid option for those who are budget-conscious but still desire a range of features.

Inkscape is one of the best free software for Cricut software, especially with its zero-cost, open-source platform. Its strong focus on vector graphics and extendable functionalities make it a flexible option for crafting custom and complex designs for your cutting machine.

Silhouette Studio

Platforms

Windows 10 or later
MacOS 11 or later

Pricing

Free
Designer Edition $49.99

Silhouette Studio brings a host of user-friendly features that are particularly relevant for Cricut users. Starting with its Design Store, which makes graphic design a breeze, offering a myriad of premium designs at your fingertips. In the first place, it’s intended for Silhouette cutting machines, but if you get the Design edition of the Silhouette Studio software you can easily export your creation as SVG to cut with any other machine, there’s no need to convert files. What is awesome about this app is its PixScan technology which allows you to digitize a stamp collection or turn a hand-drawn sketch into a cut job using a camera or scanner.

While those looking for more advanced editing capabilities might find the software a bit limiting. Nonetheless, its compatibility with Cricut machines through SVG export ensures that it’s a solid choice for those prioritizing ease of use and an extensive design library.

Easy Cut Studio

Platforms

Windows XP or later
MacOS 10.8 to 13.5

Pricing

$69.95

Easy Cut Studio stands out for its specialized toolset tailored for cutting projects. What initially catches your eye is the software’s dated yet intuitive user interface. It’s surprisingly easy to navigate and create designs for cutting. Also, it’s not just about basic shapes and texts. One particularly compelling feature is the ‘Trace Image to Shapes’ tool, which lets you convert raster images into cuttable vector shapes with minimal effort. Importantly, the software provides advanced color separation and layer handling, giving you the creative freedom to manage complex, multi-colored designs with ease. While Easy Cut Studio primarily markets itself for use with a range of other cutting machines, it also offers support for Cricut machines via SVG export.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, Easy Cut Studio offers a blend of user-friendly design and advanced features, making it a worthy consideration for your Cricut designs. It also has a real-time preview, enabling you to see exactly how your design will look when cut.

CanvasWorkspace

Platforms

Windows 8.1 or later
MacOS 10.14 or later
Web-based

Pricing

Free

CanvasWorkspace seamlessly blends convenience and functionality in its design-focused environment. Originally designed for Brother machines, its ability to export various file formats adds a layer of compatibility with Cricut machines. The platform’s layout is intuitively organized, streamlining the design process and reducing the learning time for newcomers. What sets it apart is its online cloud-based feature that allows you to access your designs from anywhere. On the one hand, it is a massive boon for busy creatives, but on the other, it requires a stable internet connection, which could be a downside for some users. Additionally, it has an impressive variety of built-in free templates for simple designs, ideal for when inspiration strikes on the fly.

CanvasWorkspace offers a feature-rich, flexible design platform that’s tailored for vector graphics, making it the best software for Cricut apart from the original one.

Affinity Designer

Platforms

Windows 10 or later
MacOS 10.15 or later
iPadOS 15 or later

Pricing

Desktop $69.99
iPad $18.49

Affinity Designer offers an array of professional-grade features that make it stand out as software compatible with Cricut. One of its most appealing features is the ability to switch between vector and raster modes, giving you the best of both worlds when it comes to design. The software also offers various grid systems, which are invaluable for achieving precise, clean lines—something that Cricut users often seek. With the remarkable zoom capability of up to 1,000,000%, you can delve into the tiniest details of your design, ensuring that what gets cut is pixel-perfect. To make the design process even smoother, Affinity Designer offers customizable shortcuts so you can tailor your workflow exactly how you like it.

Affinity Designer is a robust alternative to other design software. While it may have a steeper learning curve, the absence of a subscription model and the software’s extensive capabilities make it a worthy investment for anyone serious about their Cricut crafting.

Corel Vector

Platforms

Web-based

Pricing

$99.99/year

Corel Vector is a web-based vector graphics-focused software for Cricut. It provides diverse, pre-made templates and all the tools you may need to make your own designs. The software’s cloud integration is another feather in its cap, ensuring that you can access your craft files when you’re ready to cut them with your Cricut machine, regardless of your location. This app provides a clean and intuitive extremely user-friendly interface making it easier for you to get your designs Cricut-ready. With unlimited cloud storage, you can keep your designs safe, synced, and available anywhere and anytime.

Corel Vector emerges as a solid choice for Cricut users, especially those who need the flexibility to work across different platforms. While it might be costly for hobbyists, it provides powerful vector-editing features to satisfy even pro-designers.

Canva

Platforms

Web-based
iOS 13.0 or higher
Android 6.0 or higher

Pricing

Free
Pro version $14.99/month

If you like it simple and flexible wherever you go, then Canva is a choice for you. This is one of the most popular design apps among unprofessional creatives. Its drag-and-drop interface is user-friendly to the extreme. Additionally, this free Cricut software platform offers multi-platform support, allowing you to work on your browser and switch to its mobile app when you’re on the move. Lastly, Canva provides a robust collection of a vast library of pre-designed free templates and stock elements including photos, icons, and graphics, covering almost all your design needs. When it comes to compatibility with Cricut, Canva allows you to export your designs as SVG or PNG files, which you can then upload into Design Space for cutting or drawing.

Canva is nice for those who prioritize ease of use and collaborative features. As long as this software is primarily raster-oriented, vector features may be limited, but it’s still an option if you need to create something quick and loose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What program do I use for Cricut?

The primary software designed for Cricut machines is Cricut Design Space. This program is directly integrated with Cricut’s hardware and offers an intuitive interface that makes it easier to design, edit, and cut or draw your projects. From simple vinyl decals to intricate paper crafts, Design Space is versatile enough to handle a broad spectrum of creative tasks.

Is the Cricut program free?

Yes, the basic version of Design Space is free to use. You can download it on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The free version offers numerous design features and templates, enough to get you started on a wide range of basic designs. However, if you are looking to expand your creative possibilities, Cricut offers a subscription-based service known as Cricut Access.

What apps are good for Cricut?

Apart from the original Cricut software, several other software programs are compatible with Cricut machines and offer a variety of features that can enhance your crafting experience. For example, Adobe Illustrator is perfect for those looking for advanced vector design capabilities. Sure Cuts A Lot is popular for its wide range of custom fonts and shadow layering features. While Silhouette Studio offers PixScan technology and a design store full of premium templates.

Is there a better app than Cricut Design Space?

Determining whether there is a “better” app than Cricut Design Space depends on your particular needs, skills, and the complexity of your graphic designs. While Design Space offers seamless integration with Cricut machines and is user-friendly, programs like Adobe Illustrator provide more advanced design tools suitable for professional use. Try a few different options to see which one aligns best with your crafting goals.

The post 12 Best Cricut Programs in 2024 appeared first on The Designest.

12 Best Drawing Tablets With Screen For 2024

Olga Lysenkova — Sat, 02 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Choosing the right drawing tablet with a screen can be a game-changer in your digital art journey. These tablets, often called pen displays, provide an intuitive experience as you draw directly onto the screen, much like traditional paper sketching, but with the added benefits of digital tools.

The problem is, the market is flooded with an overwhelming variety of tablets, each promising an unparalleled creative experience — from flagship models like the Wacom Cintiq Pro series and the Apple iPad Pro to budget-friendly alternatives from brands like XP-Pen and Huion. Each device brings its unique mix of features, making the choice more complex than just comparing prices or brands.

I’ve taken the time to carefully curate a list of the top 12 drawing tablets with screens that have stood out in terms of performance, features, and user reviews. Whether you’re a professional looking for the crème de la crème of tablets, a hobbyist seeking a balance between cost and capability, or a beginner taking your first step into the digital art world, there’s a tablet here for you.

And remember: while you’re grappling with decisions about screen size, resolution, pressure sensitivity, or device compatibility, the ultimate goal is to find a tablet that complements your creative process rather than complicates it.

Top 3 Best Drawing Tablets With Screen

Wacom Cintiq Pro 24

24-inch 4K resolution screen
Highly-sensitive stylus (Pro Pen 2) with tilt recognition
Remarkable color accuracy with a 98% Adobe RGB color gamut
Supports customizable ExpressKeys and Radial Menu
Multi-touch capabilities
Anti-glare surface

Apple iPad Pro M2

12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with 2732×2048-pixel resolution
Excellent stylus (Apple Pencil)
Vibrant, true-to-life colors
Highly portable
Allows comfortable work in various light conditions

Huion Kamvas Pro 16

15.6-inch laminated Full HD screen
Highly-sensitive & battery-free stylus (PW507 digital pen) with ±60° tilt recognition
Impressive color accuracy with 120% sRGB color gamut
Comes with a stand
Anti-glare glass

Top 12 Best Drawing Tablets

Wacom Cintiq Pro 24
Apple iPad Pro (M2, 12.9 inch)
Huion Kamvas Pro 16
XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro
XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16
GAOMON PD1161
Apple iPad Air
Huion Kamvas GT-191V2
Huion Kamvas Pro 13
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
XP-Pen Artist 12

Wacom Cintiq Pro 24

The Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 is the best drawing tablet with screen and a masterclass in design sophistication, offering an unrivaled immersive and intuitive experience for serious creatives.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 24 x 13.5 in
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K)
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-A

Reasons to Buy

Excellent display quality
Highly-sensitive pen
Spacious drawing area
Versatile connectivity options

Reasons to Avoid

Higher price range
Large weight: 7.2 kg (15.8 lbs) without accessories
Limited adjustment for the viewing angle
Not an independent tablet

As a designer, I can say that the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 is the best drawing tablet with screen for me — it simply provides an expansive space that allows my creativity to flow unrestrained. With its 4K resolution display, the level of detail I can achieve is second to none. The colors of this art tablet are precise and vivid, thanks to its 99% Adobe RGB color accuracy, making it an excellent choice for projects where color precision is key. What’s more, the size of this pen display lets you use it as an external monitor.

The Wacom Pro Pen 2 is included in the package. This pressure-sensitive pen (8,192 levels) with tilt recognition mimics traditional media tools beautifully. Paired with the anti-glare screen of this large drawing tablet, it has made my transition between traditional and digital art seamless.

The touch capability is a game-changer. Being able to intuitively manipulate my canvas with multi-touch gestures enhances my workflow efficiency significantly. It adds a level of immersion to the design process, making it feel more like working directly on a canvas or a sketchpad.

Another good point here is that, since it’s not an independent drawing tablet, you don’t have to worry about battery life and can use it with different operating systems — Mac OS, Windows PC, or any other preference — and not feel restrained by the lack of any digital art software. However, this also means that this pen display is primarily for working at home.

While the larger screen of this pen tablet can be excellent for some projects, it can also be seen as a drawback. For those with limited desk space, it can be a challenge to accommodate. Additionally, the weight makes it less portable than its smaller counterparts.

Despite its large size, Wacom doesn’t include an ergonomic stand in the package. I’ve found that an adjustable stand is almost necessary for the best experience with the Cintiq Pro 24, especially during long design sessions with your drawing tablet. The lack of this in the package is a slight disappointment.

One other issue that needs mentioning is the tablet’s cooling system. While it does its job of preventing overheating, the fan can get noisy during extensive, high-performance use. I’d appreciate it if Wacom could find a way to manage cooling while also minimizing the fan noise.

Let’s sum up: I believe the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 is the best drawing tablet with screen. It stands apart from any other tablet with its expansive workspace, brilliant display, and responsive pen, making it a top choice for professional artists. If its size, lack of an included stand, and the cooling fan’s noise doesn’t bother you, you should go for it. However, keep in mind that it is one of the most expensive drawing tablets — in this compilation and in general.

Apple iPad Pro (M2, 12.9 inch)

The iPad Pro is unmatched in its versatility, combining the functionality of a high-end tablet with a top-tier drawing tool thanks to the precision of the Apple Pencil.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 10.32 x 7.74 in
Resolution: 2732 x 2048 pixels (Liquid Retina XDR display)
Pen pressure sensitivity: Not specified (requires optional Apple Pencil)
Additional features: ProMotion technology, True Tone display
Connections: USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4), DisplayPort, magnetic connector
OS: iPadOS 16.1, upgradable to iPadOS 16.5

Reasons to Buy

Super-fast M2 processor
High-quality display with excellent color accuracy
Powerful performance and smooth user experience
Wide range of creative apps available
Portable and versatile for on-the-go creativity

Reasons to Avoid

Higher price range compared to other tablets
Limited compatibility with certain professional software
File management not as robust as on a desktop OS
Apple Pencil has to be purchased separately

The iPad Pro M2 is truly a canvas that comes alive under your touch. Its 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is an immersive landscape where your designs can flourish in vivid detail. This isn’t just a large drawing tablet; it’s smart too, with a mini-LED backlit screen that dynamically adjusts the lighting for each pixel, offering sharper contrasts and deeper blacks.

The resolution is just amazing — at 2732×2048 pixels, you’ll be designing with precision that makes your creations pop, down to the finest detail. This iPad Pro also includes ProMotion technology, which ensures a smooth, fluid visual experience, whether you’re drawing delicate linework or creating complex 3D models.

The wide color gamut (P3) and True Tone technology ensure that your colors are accurate, vibrant, and true-to-life, irrespective of the surrounding light conditions. The fully laminated and anti-glare screen means that you can comfortably work on your drawing tablet in a variety of environments: from a sunny park to a dimly lit room.

The new M2 chip has a 15% faster CPU and 35% faster GPU compared to the M1 version. This means the new iPad Pro will provide you with truly endless capabilities when it comes to processing power. What’s also new is the default hover mode of the Apple Pencil, which can be especially useful for artists who create line art. New features in iPadOS 16 like full external display support and Reference Mode take pro workflows on iPad even further.

The second-generation Apple Pencil is what really sets the iPad Pro apart for me as a designer. The pencil’s precision, pressure sensitivity, and tilt functionality make drawing and designing feel incredibly natural. The magnetic attachment and charging of the Apple Pencil to the iPad Pro is an impressive addition, ensuring it’s always ready for use.

The integration with iOS (or iPadOS) means that I have access to a wide range of professional-level apps like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, or Affinity Designer. These applications transform the iPad Pro into a versatile design studio.

However, the iPad Pro isn’t without its limitations. While iPadOS has made strides in functionality, it can still feel restrictive compared to a full desktop OS when it comes to certain tasks, especially if your work requires specific digital art software unavailable on the platform. Additionally, the Apple Pencil is sold separately, which is an extra cost to factor in, compared to some other drawing tablets.

Storage could also be a potential issue for some. High-resolution design files can quickly fill up space, and opting for a larger capacity iPad Pro can get quite expensive.

Let’s sum up: the Apple iPad Pro M2 redefines what a portable tablet can achieve for creative professionals. It does come at a higher price point, but its exceptional performance and premium build quality justify the investment for graphic designers seeking a portable and versatile creative tool.

Huion Kamvas Pro 16

The Huion Kamvas Pro 16 excels in providing a high-quality, fully laminated display with an excellent balance of affordability and functionality.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 15.6 x 9.4 in
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: 3-in-1 USB-C port (HDMI signal)

Reasons to Buy

Affordable option with good features
Compact and portable design
Highly-sensitive pen
Suitable for digital artists on a budget

Reasons to Avoid

Lower display resolution compared to higher-end models
Limited connectivity options
Not a standalone tablet

The 15.6-inch Full HD screen provides a broad canvas for my projects, and the 120% sRGB color gamut makes color-critical design work manageable. While not reaching the highs of a 4K display, it still provides sufficient resolution for most design tasks.

The battery-free pen with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and ±60° tilt recognition has proven to be a high-quality tool. It emulates the feeling of drawing on paper well, capturing the nuances of my strokes. The pen’s performance, coupled with the anti-glare etched glass screen, offers an intuitive and natural drawing experience. Six customizable express keys and a touch bar on the side make my work even better.

However, there are a few things that could use improvement. The Huion Kamvas Pro 16 doesn’t support multi-touch, a feature I’ve found helpful on other drawing tablet models for intuitively navigating and manipulating my workspace.

Also, the stand isn’t included in the box and needs to be purchased separately. Given the tablet’s size, having an adjustable stand is the only way I could use it in prolonged drawing sessions.

The Kamvas Pro 16 package includes the tablet, a battery-free pen, a donut-shaped pen holder with replacement nibs inside, a 3-in-1 cable for connection, a power adapter, and a cleaning cloth.

Let’s sum up: the Huion Kamvas Pro 16 offers excellent value for its price. It delivers a reliable and enjoyable drawing experience with its high-quality pen, vibrant display, and customizable shortcut keys. Despite the lack of touch support and the separate purchase for a stand, it’s a solid choice for designers in need of a capable yet reasonably priced drawing tablet.

XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro

The XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro shines with its compact design and high color accuracy, making it a reliable choice for creative work on the go, while its price point makes it an excellent beginner tablet.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 11.6 x 6.5 in
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB-C

Reasons to Buy

Crisp display quality
Highly-sensitive pen
Portability
Compatibility with popular software
Budget-friendly price

Reasons to Avoid

Not a standalone tablet
Lower display resolution compared to higher-end models
Smaller drawing surface

The drawing tablet features a Full HD laminated screen that delivers crisp and clear images you’ll enjoy in your digital drawing. With an 88% NTSC (Adobe RGB≧91%，sRGB≧123%) color accuracy, it might not be as high as the Wacom Cintiq Pro series, but it’s more than satisfactory for most tasks, offering vibrant and accurate colors.

The stylus, which boasts 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and 60 degrees of tilt function, impresses me with its fluidity and precision. It offers a seamless drawing experience that replicates the feel of traditional media quite effectively.

One of the features I value most is the addition of a dial and eight customizable shortcut keys on the tablet. These have made a significant difference to my workflow, providing quick and easy access to my most-used functions and tools.

However, the XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro is not without its shortcomings. Unlike some of the higher-end models, this tablet lacks touch capabilities, meaning all navigation must be done using the stylus or shortcut keys. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but it does take away a degree of intuitiveness that I’ve enjoyed in other models.

The stand provided is a nice addition, but it only offers one angle of elevation, which may not be ideal for everyone. I would have appreciated a more versatile stand for the sake of ergonomics. Also, note that the key strength of the Artist 13.3 Pro lies in its affordability. Positioned in the mid-range price category, it provides a great-value option for artists who desire a quality drawing tablet without stretching their budget.

Let’s sum up: the XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro is a portable drawing tablet with superior pen pressure sensitivity and a fully laminated display — and the customizable express keys and the red dial interface only add to its appeal. While the absence of a stand and a touch bar is personally a setback for me, its competitive price point makes it one of the best drawing tablets at this price point.

XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro

XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro is the best value drawing tablet with an expansive workspace and intuitive control dial, setting new standards for precision, comfort, and fluidity in the digital art experience.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 13.54 x 7.62 in
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB Type-C

Reasons to Buy

Large active drawing area
High-quality screen
Highly-sensitive pen
Customizable shortcut keys and innovative red dial

Reasons to Avoid

Reduced portability due to size
Stand not included
Lack of multi-touch functionality

This graphics tablet has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, providing a larger canvas that allows me to work on details without frequently zooming in and out. The laminated screen supports a 120% sRGB color gamut, ensuring vibrant colors and greater accuracy, a significant asset in color-critical design work.

The pen that comes with the drawing tablet is battery-free, which means I don’t have to worry about charging it in the middle of my work. With 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and ±60° tilt recognition, it captures my strokes with high precision, offering a natural drawing experience similar to traditional media.

Just like in 13.3 Pro, the Artist 15.6 Pro excels with its red dial interface coupled and eight customizable shortcut keys. I’ll say it again: this combination has improved my workflow tremendously, allowing quick access to commands and easy adjustments.

Despite its larger size providing a beneficial workspace, it does limit the portability of the Artist 15.6 Pro. It’s not as convenient to carry around as smaller tablets. Also, unlike the smaller Artist 13.3 Pro, it doesn’t come with a stand, which needs to be purchased separately if you prefer drawing at an angle.

Also, while the pen performance is impressive, the tablet lacks multi-touch functionality. If you’re accustomed to using touch gestures in your workflow, this might be a limitation.

Let’s sum up: the XP-PEN Artist 15.6 Pro stands out for its generous workspace, vibrant display, and dynamic shortcut features. It’s an excellent option for designers prioritizing a larger drawing area and efficient controls, but portability and touch gesture controls should be taken into consideration.

Wacom Cintiq Pro 16

Offering the reliability of Wacom’s premium line in a more compact form, the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 delivers stellar performance and a high-resolution display perfect for professionals on the move.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 15.6 x 8.8 in
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB-C

Reasons to Buy

Portability
High-resolution display
Pen pressure sensitivity

Reasons to Avoid

Higher price compared to similar options
Stand not included

As a designer, I’m impressed with the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16. The tool greatly enhances my workflow, starting from its 4K resolution display that makes every detail of my work exceptionally clear and vivid. The wide color gamut accurately represents the colors I choose, which is crucial when working on projects requiring precise color matching.

The Pro Pen 2, included in the set, feels like an extension of my hand. With its 8,192 pressure levels and excellent tilt sensitivity, it’s as close to traditional media as a digital tool can get. The nuanced control of the pen makes for a truly amazing drawing experience.

One feature that deserves special mention is the touch sensitivity and multi-touch support of the tablet. It helps streamline my workflow, allowing me to zoom in and out, rotate my canvas, and perform other commands intuitively with my fingers, keeping the workflow fluid and dynamic.

However, there are a couple of points where the Cintiq Pro 16 could improve. I’ve found the device to be a bit bulky. While it’s by no means unmanageable, a sleeker design would have been appreciated. Also, prolonged work sessions can become uncomfortable without an included stand. I’d recommend investing in one, but it would have been convenient if Wacom had included it in the package.

Additionally, while not a significant disruption, the occasional fan noise can sometimes pull me out of my focused state while creating digital art. I understand that cooling is necessary for a device with these capabilities, but a quieter solution would have been appreciated.

Let’s sum up: the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 is a powerful tool for designers. Despite a few ergonomic shortcomings and fan noise, it can significantly improve your design process. The precise pen and stunning display quality make it a worthwhile investment.

GAOMON PD1161

The GAOMON PD1161 stands out for its excellent price-to-performance ratio, offering solid specs such as a full HD quality and 8,192 pressure levels at a budget-friendly price point.

Specifications

Active Drawing Area: 10.09 x 5.68 in
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)
Pen Pressure Sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB-A

Reasons to Buy

Affordability
Good resolution display
High pen pressure sensitivity

Reasons to Avoid

Stand only offers one angle
Color accuracy not as high as pricier options
No touch input

Starting with the display, the PD1161 sports an 11.6-inch IPS screen, which is considerably smaller than the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24, for example, but it suits my needs well, especially when working on the go. The display is crisp and bright, with a 1920×1080 resolution that is enough for detailed work, though not as impressive as the 4K resolution of higher-end models.

The pen has 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, just like in styluses of high-end drawing tablets. The eight shortcut keys and roller wheel on the tablet’s side are customizable, providing quick access to tools and enhancing my productivity.

A few points could be improved, though. The color accuracy isn’t as strong as on more expensive models. While sufficient for many projects, if you are working on a project where color precision is crucial, you might notice the difference. The stand provided is also somewhat basic, offering only one viewing angle, which may not be comfortable for everyone.

Additionally, the GAOMON PD1161 doesn’t support touch input. I do miss the ability to use my fingers to rotate and resize the canvas (one of the solid reasons to switch from paper to a digital drawing tablet per se) something that comes with higher-end models. It’s also worth noting that the PD1161 is a wired tablet, which may limit mobility for some users.

In the box, the drawing tablet comes with a battery-free pen, a pen holder, replacement nibs, a drawing glove, and the necessary cables for connection. It’s a comprehensive package that gives you everything you need to start working.

Let’s sum up: while lacking some of the high-end features like touch input and superior color accuracy, this great-value pen display makes up for it with a comfortable stylus, customizable shortcut keys, and portability. This is an excellent entry-level drawing tablet for any digital artists who are just starting their creative journey or for those who seek a second screen.

Apple iPad Air

The iPad Air delivers the seamless functionality of an iPad with robust drawing capabilities, in a lighter, more affordable package, making it a great entry-level choice for budding digital artists.

Specifications

Active drawing area: ~9.74 x 7.5 in
Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels (Liquid Retina Display)
Connections: USB-C
Operating System: iPadOS

Reasons to Buy

Good resolution display
Robust app ecosystem
Portability

Reasons to Avoid

No ProMotion technology (120Hz refresh rate)
Limited compatibility with certain professional software
File management not as robust as on a desktop OS
Apple Pencil has to be purchsed separately

The iPad Air features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It’s a bit smaller than the iPad Pro, but it still provides ample room for design work. The screen is bright, colorful, and highly responsive, providing a smooth drawing experience.

Like its Pro sibling, the iPad Air supports the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil, which is a fantastic tool for drawing. iPadOS and the wealth of available creative apps like Procreate, Affinity Designer, and Adobe Fresco transform the iPad Air into a mobile art studio. It’s incredibly beneficial to be able to sketch or design whenever inspiration strikes, without being tethered to a desk.

This tablet, however, is not without its drawbacks. The main one is that it doesn’t feature the ProMotion technology (120Hz refresh rate) found in the Pro series, so it’s slightly less smooth in comparison. And just like the iPad Pro, it doesn’t come with the included Apple Pencil, so you’ll have to budget in this extra expense. And, again, remember the limitations of iPadOS.

Let’s sum up: I found the Apple iPad Air to be a versatile and capable pen display for graphic designers seeking a portable and intuitive experience. Despite some limitations, its performance, coupled with the Apple Pencil and the iPadOS ecosystem, makes it an excellent tablet for drawing and design work. Unless you need a super powerful performance from your tablet, you can opt for the iPad Air as a cheaper alternative to iPad Pro. If you’re not a passionate Android devices fan for life, then this drawing tablet has a high chance of conquering your artistic soul.

Huion Kamvas GT-191V2

Renowned for its large display and responsiveness, the Huion Kamvas GT-191V2 offers an immersive drawing experience, ideal for those seeking a broad workspace.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 17.1 x 9.4 in
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: HDMI, USB-A

Reasons to Buy

Affordable price
Large active drawing area
High pen pressure sensitivity
Stand included

Reasons to Avoid

No express keys or touch bar
Lack of touch input
Not easily portable due to size and weight

The GT-191V2 boasts a generous 19.5-inch screen, providing a spacious canvas for detailed design work. The display has a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, which, while not as sharp as higher-end models, still presents crisp and vibrant visuals adequate for most design tasks.

The drawing experience on the GT-191V2 is commendable, largely due to the battery-free stylus, which provides 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. This ensures my strokes are accurately captured, from the lightest touch to the most forceful lines. The pen also has a ±60° tilt support, adding a sense of depth and perspective to my work.

The GT-191V2 doesn’t offer any express keys or touch bars. While not a deal-breaker, it does mean relying heavily on keyboard shortcuts or the software interface for quick tool access. If you’re accustomed to using shortcut keys on the tablet, this might be a slight inconvenience.

While the GT-191V2 doesn’t have touch input, I didn’t miss this feature too much, as I primarily use the pen for interaction. Nonetheless, some designers might find the lack of this feature a limitation.

One important aspect to note is the tablet’s weight and size. It’s quite hefty and not the most portable, so it’s more suitable for a stationary setup. It also comes with an adjustable stand, which I find essential for long work hours, helping maintain a comfortable posture.

Let’s sum up: the Huion Kamvas GT-191V2, while lacking some premium features, provides a compelling drawing experience at an affordable price point. Its large screen, effective stylus, and comfortable stand make it a solid choice for designers seeking a stationary drawing tablet.

Huion Kamvas Pro 13

Huion Kamvas Pro 13 is an indispensable tool for designers seeking a seamless, high-quality drawing experience without spatial constraints.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 11.56 x 6.5 in
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: 3-in-1 cable with HDMI, USB-A, and power connections

Reasons to Buy

Compact and portable
High-quality laminated display
High pen pressure sensitivity
Customizable express keys and touch bar

Reasons to Avoid

No full touch screen functionality
Stand sold separately

The Kamvas Pro 13 features a 13.3-inch Full HD display, which provides a generous active drawing area. The display is laminated, which significantly reduces parallax, and it supports a 120% sRGB color gamut. These features ensure that the colors are vibrant and accurate, and my stylus tip aligns with the cursor accurately, making detailed work more precise.

The battery-free stylus that comes with the drawing tablet has a pressure sensitivity of 8,192 levels, along with a ±60° tilt function. It allows me to create detailed artwork with a wide range of lines and strokes, mimicking traditional drawing methods.

The Kamvas Pro 13 includes a touch bar and four customizable express keys. This is extremely helpful, as I can program my most frequently used shortcuts into these keys, streamlining my workflow.

While this tablet is robust and packed with features, it isn’t perfect. Although it offers a touch bar, it doesn’t support full touch screen functionality. Some designers may miss the ability to use gestures to rotate, zoom, and pan their canvas. Additionally, the stand needs to be purchased separately, an extra expense to consider.

Let’s sum up: the Huion Kamvas Pro 13 strikes a good balance between functionality, portability, and price. It offers excellent pen performance and a good-quality screen. Despite a few drawbacks, it’s a compelling choice for designers in need of a compact but capable graphic tablet.

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

As a versatile 2-in-1 device, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 impresses with its high-resolution PixelSense Display, allowing for a natural drawing feel with the functionality of a standalone computer.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 11.3 x 7.5 in
Resolution: 2880 x 1920 pixels
Pen pressure sensitivity: 4096 levels with Surface Pen (sold separately)
Connections: 2 x USB-C with USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4, Surface Connect port, 3.5mm headphone jack, 1 x nano SIM

Reasons to Buy

Versatile as a standalone tablet and a drawing device
High-resolution PixelSense Flow Display
Compatibility with Surface Pen
Portable and lightweight design

Reasons to Avoid

Surface Pen sold separately
Limited drawing area compared to larger tablets
Higher price range
Less focus on the needs of digital artists compared to specialized drawing tablets

As a designer who values versatility and functionality, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 has managed to impress me. Treading the line between a laptop and a drawing tablet, it brings an unparalleled blend of mobility, power, and design capabilities to the table (literally).

Firstly, the 13-inch PixelSense Flow display offers a great canvas for creating artwork — whether I sketch or edit images. With a resolution of 2880 x 1920 pixels, the visuals are crisp and clear.

Color accuracy is important in my line of work, and the Surface Pro 8 delivers in this regard. With a wide color gamut, I can trust that the colors I select on the screen will match my final output.

I love the fact that the Surface Pro 8 gives me the power of a full-fledged computer in a tablet form factor. This means it can serve as an excellent second screen. Plus, I can run a desktop version of graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, something not all drawing tablets can boast.

Now, while the Surface Pro 8 is a powerful tablet, it’s not without its downsides. The Surface Pen is not included in the pack, which adds to the overall cost. What’s more, its pen’s 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity are less than in other tablets with a screen I’ve reviewed. There’s also the issue of port placements — they can feel a bit awkward if you’re using the device in portrait mode.

Let’s sum up: despite the slight shortcomings, the Surface Pro 8 is a high-quality drawing tablet and a good choice for designers. Having a device that functions both as a pen display and a laptop is a nice bonus for me and something that stands out in the crowd of dedicated drawing tablets.

XP-Pen Artist 12

As a compact yet capable device, the XP-Pen Artist 12 is an excellent choice for designers seeking a portable, affordable tablet that doesn’t compromise on key features.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 10.09 x 5.67 in
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB Type-C

Reasons to Buy

Compact and portable
High-resolution display
High pen pressure sensitivity
Customizable shortcut keys and touch bar
Anti-reflective coating for reduced glare

Reasons to Avoid

Size may be limiting for larger designs
Stand not included
Possible need for color calibration out of the box

The Artist 12 comes with a compact but sufficiently sized 11.6-inch display, which can display vibrant colors thanks to its 72% NTSC color gamut. The Full HD resolution provides enough detail to allow me to work confidently on my designs, ensuring clarity for intricate details.

The Artist 12’s battery-free stylus is an important aspect of its performance. It has 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and a 266RPS report rate, which allows for precise lines and smooth curves without lag. It also comes with six express keys and a touch bar that are customizable.

One unique feature of the Artist 12 is its anti-reflective coating, which not only reduces glare but also provides a paper-like drawing feel. This is a welcome feature that adds comfort during prolonged drawing sessions.

However, the compact size of the Artist 12 can be a bit limiting when it comes to larger, more complex designs. For artists on the go, this can be the key criterion for choosing the tablet over others though. But keep in mind, I’ve also noticed that color calibration may be necessary right out of the box to achieve the most accurate color representation.

One last thing to note is the lack of a stand in the package. While the tablet is comfortable to use flat, you might need to purchase a stand separately if you prefer to work at an angle.

Let’s sum up: the XP-Pen Artist 12 is a high-quality, entry-level drawing tablet that is particularly suitable for those who prefer a more compact and portable device that doesn’t compromise on key features.

How To Make The Right Choice of a Drawing Tablet With Screen

There are a few things to consider when choosing a drawing tablet.

1. Your budget

If budget is a key concern, brands like XP-Pen and GAOMON offer quality pen displays at a lower price point. These tablets may not have all the advanced features of higher-end models, but they can still be excellent tools for both beginners and seasoned artists.

For professionals or those who prioritize a high-quality display, the Wacom Cintiq Pro series or Apple iPad Pro are top contenders. These boast top-of-the-line resolution, color accuracy, and pen sensitivity, providing a seamless drawing experience. However, these features come at a premium price.

2. Portability

If you frequently travel or draw on the go, a smaller, lighter pen display like the XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro or Apple iPad Air may be more suitable. Remember, while larger screens provide more workspace, they can also be heavier and less convenient to transport.

3. Screen size

When it comes to screen size, it’s all about your comfort. Larger graphic tablets like Huion Kamvas GT-191V2 or Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 offer expansive drawing areas, ideal for detailed work. Conversely, smaller models are often more than sufficient and can be easier to maneuver, especially for those new to digital art.

Remember that screen size must always be considered together with resolution. Big screens with lower resolution won’t provide a great level of detail.

4. Color accuracy

Color accuracy is important, especially if you’re doing work for print or multimedia that needs precise color matching. Look for pen display tablets with high color gamut ratings.

5. Stylus type

The pen you’ll be using can make a big difference. Some are battery-operated, others need to be charged, and some require no power at all. The pen’s shape, weight, and whether it has an eraser or programmable buttons can also affect your drawing experience.

6. Software compatibility

Be sure that the pen display tablet you choose is compatible with your preferred creative software. Most drawing tablets support popular programs like Photoshop and Illustrator, but it’s always best to check.

Among other tips, I’d say look for user reviews and the reputation of the tablet among professionals in your field. Do not be afraid to seek advice from the artists you love — after all, they had to start somewhere, too, and, most probably, will be happy to share their expertise. Remember to also check the company’s reputation for customer service and the warranty offered. Drawing tablets aren’t cheap, and you must be sure you’ll get help if you need it. And finally, determine what you expect the most from your pen display and don’t go for fancy specs “just in case”.

Ultimately, the “right” drawing tablet with a screen is one that fits your personal needs and working style. If everyone says it’s good but something doesn’t feel quite right for you, the tablet is simply not your preference. Opt for all necessary specifications and trust your gut from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a drawing tablet without a computer?

Yes, some drawing tablets like the Apple iPad Pro, iPad Air, or the Microsoft Surface Pro function independently of a computer, allowing you to create digital artwork without needing a separate device.

Is it better to use a drawing tablet with a screen?

This largely depends on personal preference. Drawing tablets with a screen, or pen displays, provide a more intuitive experience as you’re drawing directly where the image is. However, they tend to be more expensive than those without screens.

What tablets allow artists to draw directly onto a screen?

There are several graphics tablets allowing artists to draw directly onto the screen. These include devices like the Wacom Cintiq series, Apple iPad Pro and iPad Air, Microsoft Surface Pro, Huion Kamvas series, and XP-Pen Artist series. These are known as pen displays, drawing tablets with screen, or pen tablets.

The post 12 Best Drawing Tablets With Screen For 2024 appeared first on The Designest.

10 Best Cheap Drawing Tablets For 2024

Olga Lysenkova — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 14:03:48 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

As an artist, I constantly navigate the intricate world of digital technologies. I’ve always felt that the tools I choose — from design software to drawing tablets — can either make or break my creative process. While a high-end, expensive graphics tablet with its array of advanced features might seem like a dream, not everyone has the luxury of making such a hefty investment. Does that mean budding artists or hobbyists should compromise on quality? I absolutely don’t think so. Even the cheapest drawing tablet has a lot to offer!

However, diving into the market of drawing tablets to find the right fit can be daunting. With terms like ‘pressure sensitivity’, ‘active drawing area’, and ‘stylus ergonomics’ thrown around, a beginner could easily find themselves in turbulent waters. Add to this the challenge of finding a gadget that doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket, and you’ve got yourself a quest.

But fret not: this is precisely where my guide swoops in to save the day. I’ve delved deep into the world of affordable drawing tablets, testing, doodling, sketching, and often marveling at the offerings of each. My journey was guided by the one and only mission: to find devices that deliver on performance without demanding a king’s ransom.

Dive in and explore my top 10 best drawing tablets on a tight budget, and remember: in the realm of art, passion and talent reign supreme, tools are just the medium. Let’s help you find a cheap tablet that’s just right for you.

Top 3 Best Cheap Drawing Tablets

Wacom One by Wacom CTL-472-N4

Compact and portable 6.0 x 3.7 in active drawing area
Battery-free stylus with a comfortable grip
Supports 60 degrees of tilt brush effect
Reliable and consistent pressure sensitivity (2,048 levels)
Redesigned ergonomic shape

XP-PEN Deco 01 V2

10 x 6.25 inches active drawing area
Supports 60 degrees of tilt brush effect
8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity
8 customizable ExpressKeys
Thin and lightweight design

HUION HS610

Expansive 10 x 6.25 inch drawing area
Supports 60 degrees of tilt brush effect
8192 levels of pressure sensitivity
12 customizable press keys and 16 soft keys
Supports Android devices
Ultra-responsive touch ring

10 Best Cheap Drawing Tablets

Wacom One by Wacom CTL-472-N Small Creative Pen Tablet
XP-PEN Deco 01 V2
Huion HS610
Huion Inspiroy H1060P
GAOMON M10K2018
Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tableta>
Huion Inspiroy Q11K
VEIKK VK1060PRO
UGEE M708 V3
GAOMON S620 OSU

Wacom One by Wacom CTL-472-N

The best affordable drawing tablet in its size, the Wacom One CTL-472-N beautifully combines precision and simplicity, making digital drawing accessible to everyone and everywhere.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 6.0 x 3.7 in
Pen pressure sensitivity: 2,048 levels
Connections: USB
Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Reasons to Buy

Compact and lightweight, great for portability
Reliable brand reputation
Seamless software integration

Reasons to Avoid

Smaller drawing area compared to some competitors
No express keys
No multi-touch capabilities

When I unboxed the Wacom One, I completely forgot I’d ordered a cheap drawing tablet! It instantly gave me that feeling of owning a premium product, without the hefty price tag. Having tried numerous devices over my design career, it’s a bit refreshing to find such quality in a budget graphics tablet.

First, the screen size is ideal. It’s a sweet spot between having enough room for detailed designs and not being overly cumbersome for those cafe work sessions. The battery-free stylus is one of the highlights for me. In comparison to other graphics tablets on the list, the pen pressure sensitivity of the Wacom One is impeccable: it doesn’t just recognize your strokes; it understands them. The fluidity it offers is unparalleled, especially in this price range. You won’t find jagged lines or unregistered strokes here. It feels almost like sketching on paper, which is a huge compliment for any graphics tablet.

The battery life? It’s up there with the best, making all-day design sessions possible. Connectivity is a breeze, and the weight: this drawing tablet is perfect for those who prioritize mobility.

Another incredible feature? Its software compatibility allows you to express ideas seamlessly. While many cheaper tablets can be picky about which programs they work best with, the Wacom One is just a versatile drawing tablet. From Adobe Photoshop to Illustrator, from CorelDraw to ZBrush, it has consistently delivered outstanding performance.

As for build quality, it feels sturdy and reliable. It doesn’t scream ‘budget drawing tablet’ nor feel cheap, so aesthetics lovers will definitely enjoy this device. What’s also great, even after lengthy use, heat generation remains minimal, and there’s no annoying fan noise to grapple with. The only thing is, I would personally recommend using a screen protector: the screen scratches quite easily, and even though it’s not an expensive graphics tablet, you’d still want to keep it in mint condition.

Let’s sum up: the Wacom One by Wacom CTL-472-N is a top-tier choice for those on a tight budget. Even though it’s a smaller tablet compared to other options on my list, it pairs Wacom’s renowned quality with an accessible price, making it a gem for both budding and professional artists. Considering its value for money, it is simply the best cheap drawing tablet you can find.

XP-PEN Deco 01 V2

Melding ergonomic design with top-tier performance, the XP-PEN Deco 01 V2 is a digital illustrator’s dream come true and the best cheap Android tablet.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 10 x 6.25 in
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Android

Reasons to Buy

Tilt recognition
Large active area
Thin and lightweight design
8 customizable shortcut keys

Reasons to Avoid

Some may find the surface too smooth

When I first got my hands on the XP-PEN Deco 01 V2, I was genuinely surprised by the quality for its price. The drawing tablet has everything you need to start drawing right away: a stylus, pen holder, drawing glove, screen protector, etc.

The generous screen size immediately stood out to me, providing enough space without compromising too much on portability. The stylus feels comfortable in hand, and its accuracy and sensitivity are pretty on-point. It offers 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, a feature that gives depth to your strokes and sketches. And, to my delight, the digital pen supports ±60° tilt sensitivity, enhancing its versatility and allowing for more natural shading and pen stroke variations.

The XP-PEN tablet features eight shortcut keys, which can be a massive boost in productivity. These keys can be programmed to suit individual workflow preferences, whether it’s zooming, changing brush sizes, or any other frequently used function.

Whether it’s Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Clip Studio, or even open-source software like Krita, the Deco 01 V2 plays well with them all. The drivers of this budget tablet ensure a smooth integration, making it a versatile choice regardless of your preferred software. Lag? Minimal. I’ve worked with pricier tablets that had more latency than this.

What I absolutely love is the battery life; it really holds its own during long design sessions. The connectivity options are ample for most users, and the tablet’s lightweight nature makes it my go-to for on-the-move projects.

In terms of build, it feels solid, hinting at good durability. And even after using it for hours, the heat generation was minimal. Thankfully, no noisy fan interruptions during those intense design moments.

Let’s sum up: the XP-PEN Deco 01 V2 is a stellar and second-best budget drawing tablet that offers an expansive drawing area and a fantastic stylus. It has minor imperfections, but the overall performance and value it delivers are undeniable. If you’re a digital artist looking for an affordable yet competent drawing companion, give this a shot!

HUION HS610

Offering a unique blend of portability and power, the HUION HS610 is a go-to for designers who refuse to compromise on functionality while on the move.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 10 x 6.25 in
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB-C
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Android

Reasons to Buy

Tilt recognition
Support for both finger touch and pen input
12 express keys and 16 soft keys
Highly customizable

Reasons to Avoid

Some users report software compatibility issues
Touch ring can be sensitive

From the moment I unboxed the HUION HS610, I was drawn to its slim design. With a comfortable drawing area of 10 x 6.25 inches, it offers plenty of space for expansive sketches, yet remains compact enough for on-the-go designers like me.

The stylus technology is impressive, with 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity. It delivered a nearly flawless performance, mimicking a real pen-on-paper experience. I especially appreciated this pressure-sensitive pen also supports tilt functionality (±60) allowing me to achieve varying line thickness and opacity.

A distinctive feature of the HS610 is the touch ring, used for tasks like zooming, changing brush sizes, or even scrolling through your digital art. Surrounding the touch ring are 12 customizable express keys. It’s compatible with popular drawing software such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and even Krita. The compatibility with Android devices is a cherry on top, allowing for mobile creativity.

One of the things I adore about the HS610 is its lightweight design. Weighing just under 600 grams, it’s perfect for on-the-go artists. The tablet feels sturdy, designed with a mix of hard plastics that don’t feel cheap.

Another great feature of this budget graphics tablet is that it can be used both wired (via USB-C connectivity) and as a wireless tablet, which adds to the overall user experience.
However, prolonged usage made me notice a slight heating up of the tablet. While the build quality was sturdy, it wasn’t premium.

Let’s sum up: the HUION HS610 is a beautifully designed tablet that punches above its price range in performance. It’s full of great features such as a large active drawing area, 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity, and tilt recognition which isn’t available in most cheap drawing tablets — and all of this is packed in a compact size meaning that you can truly work from anywhere.

GAOMON M10K2018

Meticulously designed for the modern beginner artist, the GAOMON M10K2018 is an excellent tablet designed for comfortable and precise drawing.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 10 x 6.25 in
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB
Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Reasons to Buy

10 customizable shortcut keys
Battery-free stylus
Touch ring for easy zooming and rotating

Reasons to Avoid

Some users report occasional driver issues
Tablet surface can be overly smooth for some

When I first held the GAOMON M10K2018, it felt different, in a good way. While its 10 x 6.25-inch drawing space is standard, the touch ring is where it truly shined. Switching between brushes, zooming, or just adjusting my canvas, the touch ring provided an intuitive experience.

The stylus, though accurate with its 8192 pressure levels, surprised me with its ergonomic design, ensuring minimal hand fatigue during long drawing sessions. Compatibility? Never an issue. But what genuinely made it a favorite was the unique design — minimalistic, with a hint of elegance. It wasn’t just another tablet; it felt like a designer’s statement piece.

An array of ten express keys and 16 function keys await your customization. The touch ring in the middle provides smooth zooming and brush adjustments.

And for someone who occasionally spills coffee, its anti-slip design was a godsend, providing stability during intense design sessions.

One concern many have with budget tablets is their tendency to heat up during extended use. The M10K2018, however, manages heat efficiently. Even after hours of continuous use, this drawing pad remains relatively cool to the touch. Its durability is notable as well, promising longevity even with rigorous daily use.

Let’s sum up: GAOMON M10K2018 isn’t merely a tool, but an extension of an artist’s personality. Its unique touch ring and aesthetic design make it stand out in a sea of generic drawing tablets.

Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet

Compact yet powerful, the Wacom Intuos Small is a testament to the fact that size doesn’t define capability, making it a favorite among budding graphic designers.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 6.0 x 3.7 in
Pen pressure sensitivity: 4,096 levels
Connections: USB, Bluetooth
Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Reasons to Buy

Compact design with wireless capabilities
Reliable brand with robust software support
Comes with free creative software

Reasons to Avoid

Smaller drawing surface
Fewer express keys than competitors

Yes, another Wacom in my collection of best-budget drawing tablets!

Aesthetically, the Intuos Small is minimalistic, sporting a sleek matte finish. Traveling and designing go hand in hand for me, and this compact drawing tablet became my go-to companion. Its 6.0 x 3.7 inches of space is deceptive — I’ve crafted intricate designs without ever feeling restricted. The battery-free pen is a joy to use, and the 4096 pressure levels felt just right for sketching out my ideas.

Drawing on the Intuos feels intuitive. The surface texture provides just the right amount of friction, reminiscent of a pencil gliding over quality paper. The two buttons on the side of this drawing pad come in handy for shortcuts, and I’ve customized mine for undo and erase — a real time-saver!

But here’s the fun part — the built-in Bluetooth! Freed from cables, I could sketch from my balcony, couch, or even in a park. It felt liberating, changing the way I viewed workspace constraints.

Its durable build meant it survived more than a few drops, making it feel like the rugged little warrior of my design toolkit.

Let’s sum up: the Wacom Intuos Small is a gem. It’s perfect for those just stepping into the digital art world or seasoned artists looking for a portable and budget drawing tablet. While it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of Wacom’s pro range, it offers reliability, ease of use, and most importantly, an authentic drawing experience. It’s a testament to Wacom’s legacy, where quality is not sacrificed for affordability.

Huion Inspiroy H1060P

With its expansive drawing area and pen precision, the Huion Inspiroy H1060P ensures that every artist’s stroke is a statement of perfection.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 10 x 6.25 in
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB
Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Reasons to Buy

Tilt support for more dynamic strokes
12 customizable express keys
Durable build

Reasons to Avoid

Some users might prefer a touch ring over express keys
May have slight initial activation pressure

Ah, the Huion Inspiroy H1060P, a tablet that felt like it truly understood my design quirks. It wasn’t just the 10 x 6.25-inch drawing space that appealed to me, but the fluidity it offered when I was sketching out intricate designs. With its pen, every brushstroke felt natural, just as if I was wielding a traditional brush.

One of the tablet’s standout features is the battery-free stylus, eliminating the need for frequent charging. The pen feels ergonomic, fitting comfortably in the hand for extended periods. The absence of a battery doesn’t make it any less responsive or accurate.

Compatibility was a breeze — whether I was dabbling in Photoshop, trying new techniques in Illustrator, or even exploring the world of ZBrush.

The 12 hard express keys on the side are customizable and offer quick access to your favorite shortcuts. Additionally, the 16 soft keys at the top are a nice touch, ensuring your most-used commands are always within reach.

Although its express keys streamlined my workflow, what I cherished was the surface texture of this drawing pad. It mimicked a canvas, blending the digital and traditional art experience seamlessly.

Let’s sum up: the Huion Inspiroy H1060P isn’t just a tablet; it’s a bridge between the tactile and digital art worlds. It’s for those who value nuanced design experiences (as nuanced as it can be in the world of cheap drawing tablets).

Huion Inspiroy Q11K

The Huion Inspiroy Q11K stands out as a beacon of innovation, offering artists a harmonious blend of comfort, precision, and durability packed in a wireless tablet.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 11 x 6.875 in
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB, Wireless
Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Reasons to Buy

Large active drawing area
Wireless capabilities
Long battery life

Reasons to Avoid

Bulky design
Some report occasional wireless disconnections

Diving into the world of digital design with the Inspiroy Q11K was a captivating experience. Spanning a whopping 11-inch workspace, this affordable drawing tablet presents a canvas that’s large and enticing, yet surprisingly lightweight. For those like me who enjoy a bit more elbow room while sketching or painting, this is a treat.

The tablet’s pen is a heavyweight contender in its own right: battery-free, consistent in responsiveness, and offering 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity. It glides seamlessly, allowing for meticulous detailing or bold strokes, capturing the essence of each brush movement.

On the software front, the Inspiroy Q11K seamlessly integrates with a majority of the industry-standard programs, making it a versatile choice for designers of all specialties. I put it to the test with Photoshop, CorelDraw, and even ZBrush without a hitch.

Connectivity is achieved via a reliable USB connection or wirelessly, offering flexibility in your workspace setup. And oh, those customizable keys! Eight of them are placed intuitively and fully programmable to match your workflow.

There were a couple of drawbacks, though. After extended use, the tablet gets a tad warmer, but nothing concerning. The build feels sturdy but not premium.

Let’s sum up: the Huion Inspiroy Q11K is a great tablet for those creative professionals seeking a larger drawing space at an affordable price. Despite a couple of minor drawbacks, its performance and features position it as a top contender in the budget range.

VEIKK VK1060PRO

A powerful tablet with extensive OS compatibility that’ll take your creative work to the next level at a budget-friendly price.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 10 x 6 in
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB
Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Reasons to Buy

Sleek and minimalistic design
7 customizable shortcut keys

Reasons to Avoid

No tilt recognition
Surface can be slippery

The VEIKK VK1060PRO was a delightful surprise in the budget category. Boasting a 10 x 6-inch drawing area, it provides a spacious platform for both intricate details and broader strokes, without feeling cumbersome.

Its battery-free pen boasts a stunning 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. The accuracy is commendable, ensuring your lines and strokes are represented just as you envisioned.

For software junkies, the VK1060PRO stands tall, playing well with most of the popular drawing software I threw at it. Be it Illustrator, Manga Studio, or Clip Studio Paint, the experience was fluid.

Connectivity-wise, it uses a USB-C cable. The tablet’s eight customizable shortcut keys and a touchpad in the middle add a touch of convenience, ensuring tools and functions are just a tap away.

A downside? After about three hours of continuous work, I felt the tablet becoming slightly warm. Not a deal-breaker but something to be aware of.

Let’s sum up: VEIKK VK1060PRO offers a great digital drawing experience, given its price point. Its compatibility, customization options, and overall performance make it hard to overlook in the affordable tablet segment. A fusion of art-school nostalgia with state-of-the-art tech, it feels less like a tool and more like an artist’s treasured sketchbook.

UGEE M708 V3

The UGEE M708 V3 is a testament to the beauty of ergonomic design, making prolonged drawing sessions a joy and turning dreams into digital realities.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 10 x 6 in
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB
Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Reasons to Buy

8 express keys for shortcuts
Large active area for its price
Responsive stylus

Reasons to Avoid

Requires frequent recalibration
Drivers may occasionally glitch

UGEE’s M708 V3 felt like a pleasant throwback to the design tools of old with a modern twist. With a generous 10 x 6-inch workspace, this graphics tablet gave me ample room to pour out my creativity.

However, what sets the UGEE M708 V3 apart isn’t just its size. Pressure-sensitivity compatible (8,192 levels), it offers a highly responsive and nuanced digital drawing experience. As I moved the stylus across the tablet, I was struck by how smoothly it translated my lightest strokes and my heaviest pressures, capturing the intricacies of my hand’s movement.

One might think that budget-friendly tablets would compromise on software compatibility, but the UGEE M708 V3 pleasantly surprised me. It worked seamlessly with a range of software, from the Adobe Suite to Corel Painter and even open-source options like Krita. However, I’d advise new users to ensure their software settings are optimized for this tablet to ensure the best experience.

What also makes this cheap drawing tablet good is its intuitive eight user-defined shortcuts. I found myself setting them up for not just design tasks, but quick commands for everyday computer use.

In terms of build quality, the UGEE M708 V3 feels sturdy. It’s not exceptionally heavy, ensuring portability, but it doesn’t feel flimsy either. The tablet’s surface has a slight texture that mimics the feel of drawing on paper, providing that tactile feedback that many artists, including myself, absolutely cherish.

But the ace in the hole? Its aesthetic appeal. With a sleek design, this drawing tablet added an air of professionalism to my workspace. Every time colleagues or friends visited, their eyes were instantly drawn to it, making it not just a tool but a conversation starter.

Heat generation is minimal, even after hours of use. I could comfortably rest my hand on this drawing tablet without feeling any significant warmth. The absence of any noisy fans further added to my comfortable drawing experience.

On the flip side, while the stylus is accurate, it does lack tilt recognition, something I’ve grown accustomed to with pricier models. Additionally, connectivity is mainly via USB, which might not be as versatile as some of the other tablets that offer wireless options.

Let’s sum up: UGEE M708 V3 isn’t just about functionality. It’s an excellent drawing tablet delivering an amalgamation of form and function that not only serves as a designer’s trusty sidekick but also a centerpiece of a modern workspace.

GAOMON S620 OSU

Perfect for the gaming artist, the GAOMON S620 OSU merges the worlds of creativity and play, offering a dynamic budget tablet for both artistic endeavors and not-so-creative activities.

Specifications

Active drawing area: 6.5 x 4 in
Pen pressure sensitivity: 8,192 levels
Connections: USB
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Android

Reasons to Buy

Compact and portable
Designed for both drawing and OSU gameplay
Spacious drawing area
Battery-free pen

Reasons to Avoid

Smaller drawing area
Limited shortcut keys

The world of affordable drawing tablets is vast, but few have managed to strike a chord with the OSU gaming community and digital artists alike as the GAOMON S620 has. Having experimented with various tablets in my career, the S620 stands out for its unique blend of features tailored for gameplay and digital drawing.

At first glance, the 6.5 x 4 inches of active drawing area may seem modest, but in practice, it felt more than adequate, especially for those on the move. This drawing tablet snugly fits into my backpack, making it a trusty companion for spontaneous sketching sessions or intense OSU matches at a cafe.

Its battery-free pen, with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, is a delight. I was genuinely surprised by the responsiveness and precision offered by this compact drawing tablet. Every nuance of my drawing strokes, from gentle shading to bold lines, was captured effortlessly. This precision also shines when playing OSU, ensuring that every beat and rhythm is hit accurately.

One of the tablet’s standout features has to be its four customizable express keys — sure, it’s less than other graphic tablets tend to have, but it’s still a great bonus. In terms of software compatibility, the GAOMON S620 performs admirably. It played well with popular programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and even OSU. The setup was relatively straightforward, and in no time, I was immersed in my designs.

The build quality is robust, considering its price point. It’s lightweight, yet doesn’t feel fragile. An added bonus for me was the tablet’s surface, which has a paper-like texture. This added an element of realism to my drawing sessions, making the transition between traditional and digital mediums smoother.

However, every device has its trade-offs. While the S620 is geared towards OSU gameplay, it lacks some advanced features like tilt recognition. Also, its modest drawing area might not cater to professionals looking for expansive canvases.

Let’s sum up: despite being one of the cheapest drawing tablets on my list, the GAOMON S620 OSU is the Swiss army knife of drawing devices. Whether you’re sketching out your next masterpiece or aiming for an OSU high score, this tablet ensures you do it in style. While it might not replace high-end tablets for professional work, it surely holds its ground as a reliable and affordable option for enthusiasts and budding artists. It is also the cheapest drawing tablet on my list.

How To Make The Right Choice of a Cheap Drawing Tablet

Navigating the market of drawing tablets, especially when budget constraints come into play, can be overwhelming, particularly for newcomers. However, purchasing an affordable tablet doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality or specific features you need. I have prepared a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision and choose the right drawing tablet.

1. Your Needs

First and foremost, ask yourself, what will you primarily use the graphics tablet for? Is it for professional digital art, hobby sketching, photo editing, or perhaps teaching online classes? Your specific needs will direct your choice.

2. Portability

It’s easy to get swayed by larger screens, thinking bigger is always better. But remember, larger screens can be cumbersome to transport. If portability is crucial, perhaps a modest, compact size would be more suitable. However, if you’re going to be stationed at a desk, drawing tablets with a more extensive drawing area can provide a richer digital drawing experience.

If you’re always on the move, a lightweight tablet can be a godsend. Here you should also think whether you need a wireless tablet or you simply don’t care about this issue.

3. Stylus Quality

One of the core components of a drawing tablet is its stylus. Higher levels of pressure sensitivity (like 8192) will allow for more nuanced strokes, capturing the intricacies of your hand movements. It’s a crucial factor if drawing or design is your primary goal.

4. Software

Not all tablets play well with all software. Ensure that your chosen tablet supports the software you intend to use. Popular choices like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or CorelDRAW should ideally be compatible with any good drawing tablet.

Since you’ll be using your drawing tablet together with your laptop, you should also check for compatibility with the operating system you have on your computer. Most tablets are compatible with Windows and macOS, but you should always confirm that.

5. Lag and Latency

Lag can be the death of an otherwise enjoyable drawing process. Read reviews and, if possible, test the tablet beforehand. A smooth, real-time response is what you’re aiming for even in a cheap drawing tablet. However, don’t expect too much and be realistic: budget drawing tablets aren’t famous for their lag-free performance.

6. Durability

Cheap doesn’t have to mean fragile. Some budget tablets are surprisingly sturdy. Look for reviews mentioning the tablet’s long-term performance and durability.

7. Additional Features

Customizable buttons, tilt recognition, and multi-touch capabilities can greatly enhance your experience. While not always present in budget drawing tablets, it’s a treat when they are.

8. User Reviews (Again)

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, read both negative and positive user reviews. They offer real-world insights into the pros and cons of a product. Sites like Amazon, Best Buy, and even niche art forums can provide invaluable feedback.

Let’s sum up: choosing the right budget drawing tablet is a balancing act between price and features. Don’t rush your decision. Take your time to weigh the options and read reviews. Remember, it’s not about finding the most expensive tablet, but the one that fits your needs while offering the best value for money. With the burgeoning tablet market, there’s undoubtedly a perfect fit out there for every artist. Dive in, do your homework, and soon you’ll be sketching, designing, or gaming away on a tablet that feels tailor-made for you.

How Do I Evaluate Cheap Tablets For Drawing?

When evaluating the wide range of affordable drawing tablets available on the market, it’s vital to remember that ‘cheap’ doesn’t necessarily equate to low quality. Still, the challenge is to sift through the multitude of options and identify those gems that provide the best value for money. So, how exactly did I evaluate cheap drawing tablets? Here are my comprehensive assessment criteria:

1. Screen Size (Or Active Drawing Area)

A larger screen or drawing area provides a more immersive drawing experience. However, it can also hinder portability. I weigh the pros and cons, considering how the size enhances or limits the artist’s flexibility.

2. Stylus Accuracy and Sensitivity

The pen or stylus is the main tool an artist uses on a drawing tablet. Its responsiveness and sensitivity are paramount. I scrutinize the pen pressure, which can range typically from 2048 to 8192 levels. The higher the sensitivity, the more nuance you can achieve in your strokes. The great thing is, even the styluses of the top-tier drawing tablet with screen offer a maximum of 8192 levels, so you get the same, but on a budget.

3. Software Compatibility

Not every tablet works seamlessly with all software. I evaluate compatibility with industry-standard design and drawing software, ensuring artists won’t face unnecessary hurdles during their drawing process.

4. Lag and Latency

A smooth, real-time drawing process is crucial. I assess tablets for any delay or lag between the stylus movement and the line appearing on the screen. Faster response times provide a more intuitive and natural drawing experience.

As far as even the best cheap drawing tablets go, you should keep in mind that they simply can’t be lag-free like a high-end pen display.

5. Battery Life

A tablet that needs frequent charging can disrupt the creative flow. I prioritize tablets with longer battery life, ensuring that artists can work for extended periods without interruption.

6. Connectivity Options

How a drawing tablet connects to other devices can influence its versatility. I look at the range of ports available, such as USB-C, HDMI, or wireless capabilities, to ensure seamless integration with a variety of setups.

7. Weight

A tablet’s weight plays a significant role in portability. For artists on the go, a lightweight design of the drawing tablet can be a significant advantage. I factor in the weight concerning its size and intended usage.

8. Build Quality

A well-constructed tablet can withstand the wear and tear of regular use. I assess the build material, the quality of the buttons, and the overall feel of the graphics tablet in hand.

9. Heat Generation

Extended use can cause some tablets to heat up — this happens to both expensive and cheap drawing tablets. Overheating not only affects performance but can also be uncomfortable for the user. I evaluate how well the tablet dissipates heat and if any active cooling systems are noisy or distracting.

10. Unique Selling Points

Beyond the standard criteria, I also look for those special features or attributes that make any given drawing tablet stand out. This could be a particularly ergonomic design, extra customizable buttons, or a unique software bundle.

Let’s sum up: I’ve done my best to select the most relevant criteria for evaluating the drawing tablets on this list. While you could certainly expand upon these and delve even deeper, I believe I’ve covered the most essential functions of affordable drawing tablets. Keep in mind that my research is subjective; after all, I’m an artist just like you, in search of the best tools to enhance my workflow. I hope my research provides you with practical insights into the world of drawing tablets and assists you in making an informed decision about your future gadget!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any tablet for drawing?

While many tablets offer touch capabilities and can be used with a stylus, not all are optimized for drawing. For artistic tasks, it’s recommended to use a dedicated drawing tablet, which is designed with higher pen pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, and other features that can mimic a natural drawing experience.

What is the best tablet for drawing for beginners?

The Wacom One is an excellent cheap drawing tablet, offering a balanced blend of affordability and quality that Wacom is renowned for. It provides an intuitive drawing experience and user interface, making it easier for newcomers to adapt. Other beginners- and budget-friendly drawing tablets are the XP-PEN Deco and Huion Inspiroy series.

What is the best drawing tablet under $100?

The choice heavily depends on your needs, but in terms of technical characteristics and drawing experience, the best cheap tablets are Wacom One, XP-PEN Deco 01 V2, and HUION HS610.

The post 10 Best Cheap Drawing Tablets For 2024 appeared first on The Designest.

Best Monitors For Graphic Design in 2024

Evgenia Papicheva — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:33:00 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Choosing the best monitor for graphic design that will help you to make the most out of your work is a serious business. That’s why so many graphic designers spend so much time researching graphic design monitors in every detail. Surely, picking out such an important instrument is not the case where you can go trial and error method.

Firstly, because it would be too expensive in both cases. If the new monitor does not meet your expectations, and you need to replace it. And if your monitor got too many excessive features that you do not use. Second, the quality of your devices impacts your performance and the outcomes of your work greatly. To provide your clients with the best possible results, you should make sure that the technology you are using is up-to-date and meets industry standards.

As long as we are graphic designers themselves, we’ve done all the donkey work for you. Years of design experience exposed us to so many different graphic design monitors, so we get great expertise in that matter. In this article, we’ve made a selection of the best monitors for graphic design and explained what makes them stand out. Everybody will find a suitable option, whether you are a design professional or a novice designer looking for a budget alternative.

How to Choose the Best Monitor for Graphic Design?

Before choosing the best monitor for graphic design, you need to reflect upon your workflow. Which tasks do you perform the most often? Because a modern graphic designer is a versatile creative specialist, who can edit RAW photos in Photoshop, then make a brochure for CMYK print in InDesign, following preparing vector icons in Illustrator and animating them in After Effects. Different tasks can demand different screen specializations, which regular not graphic design monitors may not be able to provide. The key to success is choosing just the right monitor that will suit your needs without being overkill so you don’t waste a budget on features you don’t need.
There are three prime criteria we look at when deciding on the best graphic design monitor: Resolution, Color gamut, and Screen size.

Resolution

For beginners, Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution is a good start, but when the monitor becomes your working tool, we would recommend you go for 4K UHD (3840 x 2160). It provides a sharper image and better suits bigger screens. This resolution is pretty good for any graphic designers and video editors. If the cost is not a concern for you, and you want to invest in the highest possible resolution monitor, there are 5K (5120 x 2880) and even 8K (7680 × 4320) options in the market.

Color gamut

The industry standard for color gamut is sRGB, AdobeRGB, and DCI-P3. For professional graphic designers, we’d recommend looking for a monitor with 100% AdobeRGB coverage or even wider DCI-P3 (Digital Cinema Initiatives-Protocol 3) color space, especially if you’re working with video editing. Novice graphic designers, or those on a tight budget, should aim for as high a percentage of sRGB coverage as they can get in their price segment.

Screen size

For most graphic designers, a screen between 27 and 32 inches is a good choice. But, if you are a multitasker who prefers to have everything in a hand’s reach with multiple windows open at once, we’d recommend you pay attention to 40 inches monitors or even ultra-wide options. But “the bigger — the better” is not the case here. If you’ve got really limited working space and sitting near the screen, a large monitor can be uncomfortable for your eyes. In case you are on a tight budget, try to get at least 24 inches to comfortably work on your projects without too much scrolling around.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is a big deal when you spend a full working day in front of your computer. It’s good to have the ability to adjust the height and the angle of your monitor to the perfect position. As long as to be able to connect your graphic design monitor to every device you may need in your work, or even daisy chain it if needed.

There are also some features that, in our opinion, are nice to keep in mind, while formulating your expectations from the best monitor for graphic design. But you can disregard them, as too techie, to consider.

Display type

There are three main display types nowadays, LCD (liquid crystal display), LED (light-emitting diode), and OLED(organic light-emitting diode). Cutting to the chase, LED and LCD screens use a backlight to illuminate their pixels, while OLED monitor pixels emit their own light. In most of cases, you’ll choose LCD because it’s a cheaper option, and the image quality is still pretty good. It gives a slightly less bright and vibrant picture but provides a longer graphic design monitor lifespan without color degrading, and it is the most common type all in all.

Panels

Keeping it short, there are three main types as well, TN (Twisted Nematic), VA (Vertical Alignment), and IPS (In Plane Switching). IPS panels are by far the most common choice because of their crisp, bright picture, great color accuracy, and perfect viewing angles. TN Panel can be considered for gaming purposes because of the high refresh rates and response times at a budget price. And VA Panel is the most common choice for TV due to good color accuracy but slow response time, which can result in ghosting.

Color accuracy

If you want to dig deeper into the details of the color representation on the screen, you can scrutinize the Delta E (dE) of the chosen monitor. This index shows the color accuracy of the screen. The lower monitor’s dE number, the more accurate it is. For most of the graphic designer casual works, a dE of less than three works pretty well. But if you always strive for perfection, the best monitor for graphic design will have dE less than 1, at this point, you won’t see any color difference between your screen and reality, which means absolute color accuracy.

Overview of the Best Monitors for Graphic Design

Apple Pro Display XDR

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 6k (6016 x 3384)
Color gamut: DCI-P3
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1x Thunderbolt 3, 3x USB-C

Reasons to Buy

Retina 6K display
10-bit color depth
Environmentally conscious manufacturing and packaging

Reasons to Avoid

Not the most budget monitor
No HDMI
Best suited to Apple environment, though you may connect it to PC via Thunderbolt 3 port

It is not ‘yet another fancy High Dynamic Range (HDR) monitor.’ Its color accuracy, brightness, and contrast range are far beyond HDR support, it’s Extreme Dynamic Range (XDR). Show your truest colors with 10-bit color depth and DCI-P3 color range. This graphic design monitor can produce more than a billion colors with exceptional color accuracy and great picture quality. This display can come with standard glass or the innovative matte option with nano-texture glass, which reduces glares without muting or altering colors for an additional $1k.

When multiple people review and collaborate on a project on a single screen, it’s critical that everyone sees the same thing, that’s why this monitor for graphic design provides a super wide viewing angle with high-fidelity color and contrast. As for connectivity, you’ll get one Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C (USB 2) ports for charging or syncing. Pro Display XDR is compatible with Mac models running macOS Catalina 10.15.2 or later, although you may connect it to your Windows PC if it has a Thunderbolt 3 output port.

Dell UltraSharp U2720Q

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI, 1x USB-C upstream, 2x USB 3.0 downstream, 1x USB 3.0 downstream with Battery Charging 1.2, 1x USB-C downstream, 1x Audio line-out

Reasons to Buy

Great connectivity options
4K Ultra HD crisp sharp picture
Versatile adjusting options
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

Low energy efficiency
Unhandy display buttons
Inconvenient switching between devices

This 4K Ultra HD monitor for graphic design gives you four times more details than Full HD. The screen brings a true-to-life image with an outstanding 10-bit color depth, excellent peak brightness, and a high contrast ratio. Even in dark shadows or brightly lit areas, you’ll get an exceptional visual. Moreover, this display promises accurate colors just right out of the box, as long as it is being calibrated at 99% sRGB to an accuracy of dE less than 2, which is almost indistinctive by the bare eye. That sounds impressive. And if you’re fond of using multiple screens, you’ll appreciate the InfinityEdge borderless design, which provides you with an uninterrupted view.

There is thoughtful ergonomics when it comes to adjusting options. With the ability to tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height of your monitor to fit your needs, you can stay comfortable during your work all day. And for those always striving for more desk space, the base of the monitor is really compact, or you can mount it to the wall and save even more space. But it seems that’s all for good ergonomics because many users complain about the display buttons which are ridiculously small and require way too much force to press, which makes it difficult to use this monitor with multiple input devices.

BenQ PD3200U

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 4x USB 3.0, 1x Mini DisplayPort 1.2

Reasons to Buy

Darkroom/CAD/CAM/Animation modes for creative professionals
Anti-glare display screen coating
External On Screen Displays (OSD) controllers with 3 customizable preset keys

Reasons to Avoid

Not the best contrast ratio (only 1300:1)
Average color accuracy dE ≤ 3, so color differences are perceptible at a glance

Experience color as nature intended with BenQ exclusive AQCOLOR technology and 4K Ultra HD resolution. Each BenQ PD3220U is Calman Verified, Pantone Validated, and arrives calibrated with its unique calibration report, so you can have confidence in your color. This model covers 100% sRGB with a decent dE ≤ 3 value. The Darkroom mode adjusts the brightness and contrast of images giving clarity and sharpness to details, creating the optimal setting for work in darker post-processing environments. The revolutionary CAD/CAM Mode offers superior contrast on 3D color lines. You can clearly distinguish details in complicated object wireframes, alter monitor color and never miss a line again. The animation mode enhances details in dark shadows so you can fine-tune creations effortlessly while areas that do not require this function remain unaltered. Moreover, you can easily compare photos and videos in specialized modes next to each other on one screen.

Ergonomic features allow you to customize your viewing experience with a tilt, twist, or turn. Adjust the screen height or rotate to portrait mode for added comfort and workflow efficiency. Smart screen orientation sensor auto-rotates source content to display images in full context. And eye care technology prevents eye strain, fatigue, and irritation with Low Blue Light technology, Brightness Intelligence, and ZeroFlicker filters out harmful blue light. And automatically adjusts screen brightness based on your surroundings. This monitor is a great choice if you need a mid-range everyday monitor for graphic design with a 4k resolution.

ASUS ProArt PA278QV

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: WQHD (2560 x 1440)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: Mini DisplayPort, DisplayPort, HDMI, dual-link DVI-D, audio in and earphone jack, 4x USB 3.0 ports

Reasons to Buy

Extensive connectivity
Good color accuracy for design professionals (dE < 2)
Built-in speakers

Reasons to Avoid

Not the best resolution possible, only WQHD
Complicated system of switching between input sources
Average contrast ratio (1000:1)

This 27-inch Wide Quad HD IPS monitor with a frameless design is a good choice for graphic designers and photo editors who want total control over the output results. You get factory-calibrated, and Calman Verified ready-to-use working tool for graphic design just right out of the box. And if you need special color adjustments, ASUS-exclusive ProArt Preset, and ProArt Palette provide quick color modes and numerous adjustable color parameters. Whether you’re color grading, editing videos, or manipulating photos, you can switch and match your needs easily. The ProArt IPS panel screen delivers an industry-standard 100% sRGB color space for rich, vivid reproduction that ensures every detail of your photos is clear and lifelike. The color accuracy index of dE achieves < 2, so your images are reproduced on screen as if in reality — allowing you to see exactly how your work is going to look when it’s finished.

As for ergonomic features, this monitor got a nice sturdy stand with tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for a comfortable viewing experience. It’s VESA wall-mountable to save some desk space. And got plenty of connectivity options for the best possible experience, but some users note that this monitor is not the best fit for the complicated digital system, so far the switching system is a bit half-baked and complicated.

SAMSUNG Odyssey G9

Specifications

Screen size: 48.7 inches
Aspect ratio: 32:9
Resolution: Dual Quad HD (5120 x 1440)
Color gamut: 90% DCI-P3, 85% Adobe RGB
Display type: QLED
Panel type: VA
Connectivity: HDMI, 2x DisplayPort, 3x USB 3.0

Reasons to Buy

Strong color performance
Cutting-edge QLED technology
Samsung’s largest 1000R monitor

Reasons to Avoid

Huge, massive display
The stand could be better
No USB-C port

This monitor is the best graphic design monitor for those who prefer to multitask and completely get their head into the current creative project. The ultrawide curved monitor panel’s 32:9 aspect ratio lets you see everything you might need for your work on one monitor as if you are working on two QHD monitors standing side by side. Open various windows at once and jump between tasks seamlessly. The curved screen matches the human eye for maximum immersion and minimal eye strain. Compared to other curved monitors, Samsung QLED creates more vivid colors with 125% more color space than sRGB, which ensures pixel-perfect picture quality with every frame, which is essential in graphic design. See your works as they were meant to be seen in real life. In addition, it is actually a nice gaming monitor with a good refresh rate and response time, so with this device, you can work hard and play hard.

How often do you wish your professional monitor got some more screen real estate while working on your projects? Possibly many. It’s a very tempting idea to fit everything on one screen of a large monitor. But to be honest, big and curved monitors aren’t for everybody. Such ultrawide monitors are very demanding of desk space and thoughtful ergonomics of your workstation. It’s perfect when you’re in front of the center of the curved screen, but if you’re working lounging in front of your computer, probably it’s better to look for something else. You surely should give it a try to decide on that matter, but this configuration will certainly bring some adjustments into your workflow, just so you know.

Dell UltraSharp U4919DW

Specifications

Screen size: 49 inches
Aspect ratio: 32:9
Resolution: Dual Quad HD (5160 x 1440)
Color gamut: 99% sRGB3
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x HDMI, DisplayPort, USB Type-C, 2x USB upstream ports, 3x USB downstream ports, 2x USB downstream ports (x1 with power charging)

Reasons to Buy

Great connectivity, there’s enough ports available
Perfect for multitasking
Crisp and balanced colors out of the box
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

One of the expensive monitors
Big and heavy standard stand, which takes too much space

A revolutionary 49-inch dual QHD curved monitor with ultra-wide views, multitasking features, fine details, and seamless connectivity for an immersive work experience. Double the display space using the Picture-by-Picture (PBP) function, so you can view content from two different computer sources side-by-side for enhanced multitasking. For the hardcore multitaskers, there’s an Easy Arrange feature, which can help you quickly tile and view applications side by side, so they’re always right where you need them. Although, like with many other curved screens, the real desk space is being downsized while you extend virtual working space. A standard stand that takes too much of it. Fortunately, this graphic monitor is well suited to a VESA-compatible mount, stand, or arm.

For a start, you’ll get highly accurate colors right out of the box. This display is calibrated with 99% sRGB coverage and a dE value of less than two. This IPS display got pretty nice specs, such as a 1000:1 static contrast ratio, 300 cd/m² brightness rating, and 10-bit color depth support, which is good for curved monitors. And the 32:9 aspect ratio enables a panoramic experience, while 3800R curvature delivers a consistent focal length across the screen to help improve eye comfort. This is the best monitor for any graphic designer who often works with editing videos, as long as the ultrawide screen provides enough space for almost any length of the timeline.

LG 27UL850

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 99% sRGB
Display type: OLED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C

Reasons to Buy

Plenty of ports for easy connectivity
Nice price for 4K resolution monitor
Good picture quality

Reasons to Avoid

No DCI-P3 color
May be not good enough for design professionals

It’s one of the best budget monitors for graphic design. LG 27UL850 IPS display provides a 4K Ultra High Definition High Dynamic Range image and delivers a peak luminance of 400 nits for highlights, which is quite good display quality for a graphic monitor. And 99% coverage of the sRGB spectrum is a great feature for photo editing, digital design, or web design. If you are looking for high color fidelity while staying on budget, this is the best monitor.

The ArcLine stand for this monitor got not only a sleek design but also solid stability and a wide range of ergonomic adjustments like height, pivot, and tilt, which will help your neck and eyes during long periods of work. Additionally, you can clear away some desk space by reducing cord clutter with a USB Type-C connection. It not only saves space but also increases the efficiency of your workflow, allowing 4K video display, data transfer, and laptop/mobile device charging, all at the same time over a single cable. In addition, USB-C is perfectly good with any Mac or PC, so you won’t have any problem with compatibility. Just plug and work.

EIZO ColorEdge CG2730-BK

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: QHD (2560×1440)
Color gamut: 99% Adobe RGB, 98% DCI-P3
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort

Reasons to Buy

Built-in calibration sensor and software
Anti-glare coat + anti-glare hood
Smooth, solid, and stable color representation across the screen

Reasons to Avoid

Color accuracy index could be better, only dE≤3
Not the highest brightness rating

Unlock limitless creativity with this 27-inch screen and perfect color reproduction. It’s all about control, this model is equipped with a built-in auto-calibration sensor for easy monitor operation, so there is no need to use third-party calibration devices. Moreover, the monitor supports ColorNavigator NX Quality Control Software, allowing you to manage calibration features, built-in correlation sensor, and color mode settings, which are stored directly on the monitor, so there is no need to reconfigure when connecting to different computers. An average monitor needs more than 30 minutes to stabilize its brightness, color saturation, and color tone, while The ColorEdge CG2730 takes less than 3 minutes to get you a perfectly accurate image as soon as you turn on the monitor.

The wide 178° viewing angle provided by the IPS display allows two or more people to view the screen from different angles at the same time, with minimal changes in color and contrast. The CG monitor series maintains a high level of contrast and maintains color depth even when the screen is viewed from an angle or in dim lit. The screen got antiglare protection backed with an additional monitor hood that has an innovative design, attaches to the monitor with magnets, and protects the screen from glare even more. This monitor is a good choice for any graphic designer to express themselves in professional photography, printing, and post-production.

ViewSonic VP3268a-4K

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: USB Type C, HDMI 2.0, RJ45, DisplayPort

Reasons to Buy

Easily supports laptops, PCs, and Apple/Mac OS
Amazingly accurate image reproduction
Versatile color adjustments

Reasons to Avoid

A bit outdated design
Large monitor stand

Perfect for designers, photographers, videographers, and other creative professionals, the ViewSonic VP3268a-4K Ultra HD monitor, as long as the main feature of this monitor is ultimate color precision with a color accuracy index of dE<2, and a smooth palette of 14-bit LUT & 3D LUT color. An integrated color uniformity function ensures consistent color and luminance across the screen. It means that you get screen-wide true color from edge to edge. Add to that 6-Axis Color Enhancement that lets you adjust six primary colors: red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and magenta, and get a completely customizable color profile that will contribute to your work a lot. The best news is that you’ll get this stunning picture right out of the box, as each monitor is previously calibrated for your convenience.

A premium IPS panel delivers accurate colors and vivid images, while a thin-bezel design provides a nearly seamless viewing experience in multi-monitor setups. Moreover, this display got really advanced ergonomics for productivity-boosting, with the ability to make height, pivot, tilt and swivel adjustments to the perfect position for your body.

GIGABYTE M27Q

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 2K QHD (2560 x 1440)
Color gamut: 92% DCI-P3, 140% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, Type-C, 2x USB 3.0, audio jack

Reasons to Buy

Great color gamut coverage
Nice connectivity options
IPS panel

Reasons to Avoid

Only 2K QHD resolution
Some of the features may be useless for graphic professionals

Although the GIGABYTE M27Q monitor is meant for gaming, its fantastic 8-bit color display and super wide 92% DCI-P3 color space make it a good monitor for graphic design professionals. The 27 inches screen provides a lot of space for your work, and 2K resolution backed with an IPS panel will make the picture clear and finely detailed. It makes M27Q a good monitor for photo editing and graphic design in general.

We know sometimes it can take all day to put your vision onto the canvas. That’s why ergonomics and eye care are so important for a graphic designer. This monitor features an exclusive stand that’s ergonomically designed to offer an extensive range of height and tilt adjustments. And Low Blue Light & Flicker-Free technology prevents eye strain and fatigue during your creative work. So no more headaches, only pure joy of your projects! The streamlined appearance of this graphic monitor represents the simplicity of the GIGABYTE design philosophy.

Philips 288E2E

Specifications

Screen size: 28 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 120% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: DisplayPort, 2x HDMI

Reasons to Buy

Affordable 4K monitor for graphic design
Accurate color reproduction
Nice and sturdy stand

Reasons to Avoid

Slow wake from sleep
Dubious button placement

This Philips display provides UltraClear 4K UHD resolution with Ultra Wide-Color range and 10-bit color depth for a vivid, lifelike picture. The SmartContrast technology automatically adjusts colors and controls backlight intensity to dynamically enhance contrast, granting deep blacks and rich details every time. Therefore you won’t be disappointed with the picture quality whether you are requiring extremely detailed images for CAD solutions, using 3D graphics applications, or working on huge spreadsheets. This IPS display is a good choice for working on color-critical projects with graphics applications. It will make your creations come alive.

As for additional non-graphic features, there is a wide variety of nifty ones. Such as Flicker-free technology and LowBlue Mode, which will help you to stay productive easy on-the-eyes. Or MultiView feature that enables simultaneous dual to connect and view for optimal multi-monitor setup and multitasking productivity. And last but not least, this monitor got a surprisingly sturdy and durable stand with height and tilt adjustments, which looks quite aesthetically pleasing, by the way.

Dell UltraSharp UP3216Q

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 99.5% Adobe RGB, 87% DCI-P3
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, 6-in-1 media card reader and HDMI 2.0/MHL 2.0

Reasons to Buy

Fine-tuning provided by Custom Color mode
Color depth of 1.07 billion colors
Ultra-wide color range

Reasons to Avoid

Overkill for unprofessional graphic designers
One of the expensive monitors

Dell UltraSharp 32 Ultra HD 4K Monitor is ideal for color-critical projects. Any creative content production professional will be amazed by the ultimate color coverage, precision experience, and consistent colors right out of the box. With the PremierColour feature, it covers 100% REC 709 and 87% DCI-P3 in addition to 99.5% Adobe RGB and 100% sRGB, which makes it a good monitor for photo editing and digital design.

The 32 inches and 4K resolution give you enough room for everything you may need while working on important projects. The tiniest details in videos and images are revealed for uncompromising picture quality, even in dark areas, thanks to the 10-bit color depth and high pixel density. This monitor comes factory-calibrated with a deltaE of less than 2, so the bare human eye won’t see any difference between the reality and the design on your screen. In addition, it is an eco-conscious product made with premium-quality materials and meets all the regulatory and environmental standards. Moreover, it contains 25% of recycled plastic.

Dell Alienware AW3418DW

Specifications

Screen size: 34 inch
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: UWQHD ‎(3440 x 1440)
Color gamut: 99% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x HDMI 1.4, 4x USB 3.0 (1x 10W PD) downstream, 1x USB3.0 Upstream, 1x Audio-Line out, 1x Headphone out-C

Reasons to Buy

Ultrawide screen with a nice curve
Eye-comfort technologies
Striking design

Reasons to Avoid

Only 99% sRGB coverage
Rather a gaming monitor than a professional graphic design device
Average peak brightness and contrast ratio

The Dell AW3418DW is based on an in-plane switching panel with 300-nit peak brightness, a 1,000:1 static contrast ratio, and a 99% sRGB color space, which make it a good graphic design monitor. This 1900R curved monitor and 21:9 aspect ratio provide infinitely immersive effects, so you can comfortably dive into your creative projects. The curved monitor for graphic design maximizes your field of vision while reducing eye movement, so you can stay comfortably focused way longer. There is also a flicker-free screen with a ComfortView feature which reduces low blue light emissions, therefore, itchiness and discomfort in your eyes when working long hours. Speaking of comfort, an adjustable stand allows you to tilt, swivel and change the height of the monitor for personal viewing convenience.

Also, this ultrawide monitor for graphic design got a really iconic design, a bit too much for a professional monitor, but very fun and stylish, nevertheless. 4 lighting zones support 19 vibrant colors and can be set separately. And a downlight sensor illuminates the quick access front USB and headphone ports in a dim light environment, not many ultra-wide monitors can grant that. This gaming monitor got an ultramodern spaceship-like design, making it totally worth its name.

BenQ EX3203R

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: QHD (2560 x 1440)
Color gamut: 90% DCI-P3
Display type: LCD
Panel type: VA
Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.1, USB-C

Reasons to Buy

Detailed and vivid image
Ultra-slim bezels
Good viewing angles

Reasons to Avoid

DisplayHDR 400 is a starting point for a professional graphic designer
VA panels are not the first choice for graphic design

BenQ EX3203R delivers flawless image performance, featuring a 32-inch 1800R curved screen along with Vesa Certified HDR technology which offers a greater brightness and contrast ratio compared to standard computer monitors. Regarding brightness, BenQ environment-adaptive Brightness Intelligence Plus feature carefully moderate bright areas while keeping dark details crisp and clear even in dark environments, which made it stand out among other curved screens. This tech also refines images to minimize eye strain and fatigue during extended work.

Although the VA panel provides deep native contrast, it’s reported to have a slow response time and black-to-gray pixel transition that can result in ghosting and black smearing. Therefore this panel may be not the first choice for professional motion design work. USB-C connectivity enables super-speed USB data transfer and 2K video delivery without fuss with different cables, transmitters, and ports. Just plug in one cable and enjoy the work. In case you need more screen space, the bezels are ultra-slim, so you can connect multiple EX3203R to set up a perfectly seamless picture.

Acer Predator X34

Specifications

Screen size: 34 inches
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: UWQHD (3440 x 1440)
Color gamut: 98% DCI-P3
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1 x Display Port 1.2, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 4 x USB 3.0 Ports

Reasons to Buy

Built-in 7-watt speakers
Vision care technologies
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

Lots of gaming features irrelevant to graphic designers

The Predator X34 is designed for ultimate performance. The cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and 34-inch 1900R curved monitor will transform the viewing experience by drawing yourself into the thick. The screen brings 100% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3 color spaces and delivers a high color accuracy of dE of less than 2. Actually, that’s a gaming monitor, but these specs are promising accurate color matching across applications and print output and are well-suited for a professional graphic designer. Among other curved monitors, it also has extended connectivity and friendly ergonomics while upholding a sleek futuristic design.

Acer vision care provides top-notch tech solutions, so you can protect your eyes from the fatigue of long working. Flicker-less technology provides stable power to the screen and eliminates any noticeable flicker. Blue Light Shield filters blue lights that reduce eyestrain. Comfy view lower the amount of reflected light for comfortable viewing in all settings. Low Dimming technology allows up to 15% darker brightness levels to best fit your ambient light environment. It also got game mode, so headaches, eye strain, and fatigue become a thing of the past with that thoughtful protection.

Samsung U28E590D

Specifications

Screen size: 28 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 87% sRGB
Display type: LED
Panel type: TN
Connectivity: 2 x HDMI v2.0, DisplayPort

Reasons to Buy

Picture by Picture and Picture in Picture technologies
Good specs for its price

Reasons to Avoid

Only 87% of sRGB coverage
Limited ergonomics of the stand, no swivel or height adjusting

Samsung UE590D is a stunningly realistic 4K graphic design monitor that provides a detailed and natural-looking picture. Discover the deep and rich lifelike image with 1.07 billion colors displayed, minimum brightness of 310 cd per m2, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. It is also easy on the eyes with Flicker Free and Eye Saver Mode, to make your viewing experience as comfortable and immersive as possible. Work and play come hand in hand with Picture by Picture and Picture in Picture technologies. This display allows you to watch youtube videos in a separate window while simultaneously working on a design. Or you can use it for multitasking on a complex project. Your choise, no judjing.

This monitor got enhanced seamless connectivity with PC and AV equipment with Display Port 1.2 and 2 different HDMI ports. With an upgraded HDMI that supports UHD resolutions at a 60Hz refresh rate, 4K content plays smoothly and without delay. As for appearance, it’s carefully designed to keep the focus on your viewing pleasure. Everything is on point with the matte black body, thin bezels, and T-shaped stand with a metallic touch. This monitor is highly recommended if you are on a budget.

Eizo ColorEdge CG319X

Specifications

Screen size: 31.1 inches
Aspect ratio: 1.90∶1
Resolution: DCI 4K (4096 x 2160)
Color gamut: 98% DCI P3, 99% AdobeRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x DisplayPort, 2x HDMI

Reasons to Buy

Wide color coverage
Built-in calibration sensor
Perfect for video postproduction
2 display ports

Reasons to Avoid

One of the expensive monitors
Lots of nerdy pro features

The EIZO CG319X is nothing like the other computer monitors. It is an ultra-professional graphic design monitor that offers razor-sharp picture quality and extremely accurate color representation. The IPS display has a superb contrast ratio of 1500:1 and a brightness of 350 cd/m² for a crisp-clear picture. It delivers wide and versatile gamut coverage: 98% of the DCI P3, 99% of the Adobe RGB color space, almost the entire CMYK, and supports the Rec. 2020 standards.

It also features an integrated monitor calibrator, calibration sensor, and HDR presets for HLG and PQ gamma, making it the perfect choice for professional video editors, image editing, working visual effects, and other graphic design applications. By the way, talking about the unique calibration sensor technology, just imagine it enables fully automatic color adjustment and recalibration during regular operations. It means you can continue working with non-color-critical applications while the monitor is calibrating. Wow! The future has come.

Philips 346B1C

Specifications

Screen size: 34 inches
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: UltraWide WQHD (3440 x 1440)
Color gamut: 119 % sRGB, 90 % Adobe RGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: VA
Connectivity: 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, HDCP 1.4 (DP/USB-C), HDCP 2.2 (HDMI), 1x USB-C, 1x USB-B, 4x USB 3.2, headphone out, Ethernet.

Reasons to Buy

A lot of screen space
Wide gamut coverage
Convenient KVM switch
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

Poor sound quality of built-in speakers

The Philips display uses advanced technologies that give you extra-vivid images with wide viewing angles. The Ultrawide format enables enhanced productivity with more room for side-by-side comparisons and multitasking. When you are a creative professional, color accuracy and coverage mean a lot to you, so there’s all good: dE is less than 2, and the color coverage is wide as its screen. Some independent reviewers report that Philips 346B1C offers sRGB coverage, with some extension beyond Adobe RGB coverage as mentioned in the specs, and even 88% coverage of DCI-P3 color space, which is pretty impressive, by the way. This monitor is especially suitable for photo editing or casual design work.

There’s also a built-in KVM switch to easily switch between sources, so you can control two separate PCs with one monitor-keyboard-mouse setup. It’s very convenient when you work from your PC and laptop simultaneously. Especially when the monitor features a built-in USB type-C, like this one. The stand got tilt and height adjustments, so everyone will find the perfect position to suit them. As for fascinating non-graphical features, there’s a built-in people sensor that checks when the user is absent and automatically reduces monitor brightness, cutting energy costs by up to 70 percent and prolonging monitor life. Useful for the home office and those with lots of distractions during working hours.

ASUS ROG Strix XG438Q

Specifications

Screen size: 43 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 90% DCI-P3
Display type: LED
Panel type: VA
Connectivity: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 3x HDMI (v2.0), 2x USB 3.2, 1x USB 3.0

Reasons to Buy

Built-in 10W speakers
Non-glare screen
A lot of screen space

Reasons to Avoid

It’s huge. Yep, it can be a disadvantage
Expensive

This high-quality HDR 600 graphic design monitor with 90% DCI-P3 coverage ensures exceptional contrast and professional color performance. The brightest whites and the darkest blacks bring out details like never before. 43-inch is no joke, so it may need some tweaking and adjusting of your workflow to maximize the outcomes of that big screen. Just so you know. To be honest, it’s a gaming monitor, but the specs speak for themselves; ROG STRIX XG438Q will back you in many professional design tasks, so we recommend you take a closer look. Especially if you are a gamer, it’s like killing two birds with one stone.

A flat screen is an absolute standard, but a pair of built-in 10W stereo speakers and an included remote control made this graphic design monitor stand out from other best monitors. Moreover, this model supports PiP and PbP modes for hardcore multitaskers. Also, it’s pretty, with exclusive ASUS Aura Sync lighting technology that provides ambient lighting. Not practical, but very appealing feature. Excuse us.

Apple iMac

Specifications

Screen size: 24 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4.5K Retina display (4480×2520)
Color gamut: DCI-P3
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt (USB 4)

Reasons to Buy

The whole computer for the price of a pro display
Built-in mic and six speakers
Anti-reflective coating
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

It is still expensive
Not much for the connectivity

Ok, we know that technically it’s not a monitor for graphic design. Actually, it’s a whole computer. You know what? That makes this item on our list twice as good. If you do not want to dig deep into all that tech specs, just stick with the Apple products, it’s designed for professional graphic designers. This iMac got a 24-inch impressive monitor with an extremely high 4.5K Retina resolution, in-plane switching panel, and over a billion colors. With this graphic design monitor, your creations will come alive in all their glory. You’ll surely enjoy the work in stunningly sharp details. And the wide DCI-P3 color space provides a bright, lifelike image, while the True Tone technology automatically adjusts the color temperature of your display to the ambient light of your environment, mon many monitors for graphic design got this.

Speaking of the environment, the iMac is eco-friendly and environmentally conscious. All wood comes from responsibly managed forests, as long as all the rare earth elements are completely recycled. It also provides wide personalization options, you may choose from seven flamboyant colors to suit your interior design, and it also has an ergonomic stand.

LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 5K (5120 x 2880)
Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 3x USB Type-C, 1x Thunderbolt 3

Reasons to Buy

Seamless Mac integration
Built-in camera, mic and speakers
5K resolution
Nice viewing angles

Reasons to Avoid

Expensive

This LG monitor for graphic design is a perfect choice for those who work with photo editing and digital design. With a higher resolution, you’ll experience perceptibly more clarity and accuracy on a large 5K screen, as it contains more pixels than many other monitors for graphic design. The photos or videos during editing will amaze you with their razor-sharpness. Every detail is displayed crisp and clean. LG UltraFine display can express vibrant natural images with a wide color range, thanks to 99% DCI-P3 coverage and exceptional brightness of 00nits. Furthermore, the color performance is optimized for Mac. By the point, this device is perfectly compatible with the macOS environment by using a Thunderbolt 3 port, which can transmit 5k video, audio, and data simultaneously as well as charge a device up to 94W with just a single connection.

Save desk space for the things that are really important to your work with a built-in camera, microphone, and stereo speakers. No more messy wires, plugs, and device switching before online meetings. Just join the call, and that’s it! This model also provides a flexible workstation with an adjustable stand and an easy VESA-compatible wall-mount setup. So you can create a comfortable environment for optimal performance.

Asus Pro Art PA278CV

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: QHD (2560 x 1440)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: USB-C, HDMI, Earphone Jack, Display Port, USB hub

Reasons to Buy

Suitable for multiscreen setup
Extensive connectivity
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

Average brightness and contrast

Asus ProArt PA278CV is a 27-inch monitor designed to satisfy the needs of creative professionals, from photo or video editing to graphic design. The display achieves a dE of less than 2, so your images are accurately reproduced on screen — allowing you to see exactly how your work is going to look when it’s finished. You’ll get true colors right out of the box — the screen is Calman Verified and professionally calibrated at the factory. It also provides multiple modes for quick color-gamut adjustments. Whether you’re color grading, video editing, or manipulating photos, you can match your needs easily.

With flicker-free technology, blue-light filter, and an ergonomically-designed stand this monitor grants comfortable working conditions. ASUS ProArt will help you forget neck or back stiffness, headaches, and eye fatigue when you spend long hours in front of the display. Good news for those who always strive for more screen real estate. You can daisy-chain up to 4 monitors for a multiscreen setup. Taking into account that it is 27 inches monitor, you can cover an impressive area with screens.

Dell UP3218K Ultrasharp

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 8K (7680 x 4320)
Color gamut: 100% Adobe RGB, 98% DCI-P3
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x DisplayPort, 3x USB 3.0 downstream (Type A), 1x USB 3.0 downstream (Type A (power only)), 1x USB 3.0 upstream (Type B), 1x Audio line-out

Reasons to Buy

Big screen with a great 8K resolution
Impressive color representation

Reasons to Avoid

No HDMI and type-C connections
Glossy screen may glare/li>

This unique 8K graphic design monitor is created to impress with its extremely high resolution. You’ll be stunned by the accurate, vibrant colors and smooth gradation that represent images so realistic and precisely detailed that you don’t think about pixels anymore. This is the only monitor with 8K maximum resolution on the list. Dell PremierColor technology offers wide gamut coverage that meets major industry standards — 100% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, 98% DCI-P3 color spaces. It’s perfect for creative professionals who work on color-sensitive projects.

Dell’s Infinity Edge provides an expansive edge-to-edge view without any distraction by the frame. The height-adjustable stand lets you tilt, swivel, and pivot the monitor to customize the position to your personal preference. And it’s compatible with multiple stands and mounts to fit your working station.

BenQ PD2705Q

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: QHD (2560×1440)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, USB Type B, 4x USB 3.1, 1x USB-C

Reasons to Buy

Budget monitor for graphic design
Fully versatile stand
KVM switch

Reasons to Avoid

Some users report backlight bleed
Average color accuracy

BenQ delivers confidence in your color, which demands many creative professionals. This monitor covers 100% sRGB and 100% Rec.709 color spaces with nice dE ≤ 3, moreover, every device got its calibration report, so you can be sure about the quality of the image. There are three professional modes for cases where you need to work with color-sensitive apps. CAD/CAM for superior contrast of lines and shapes in technical illustrations. Animation Mode for the clarity of dark areas without overexposing bright regions. Darkroom Mode for working in dark environments. Besides, the DualView feature allows you to showcase designs in two modes side-by-side.

BenQ PD2705Q got a sleek and stylish look and thoughtful ergonomics. A sturdy stand allows height, tilt, swivel, pivot, and rotation adjustments to find the ideal position for your workplace. It will also look good in a multiscreen setup due to its three-sided borderless display and multi-stream transport technology that allows you to extend screens across multiple displays using the DisplayPort output. Eye care technologies in this device reduce the strain and ensure comfort during long hours of use. So now you can create literally with a fresh eye.

ASUS ProArt PA279CV

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1x USB-C, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI(v2.0), 4x USB 3.2, Earphone Jack

Reasons to Buy

Impressive color accuracy
Wide connectivity options
IPS panel

Reasons to Avoid

The built-in speakers could be better

ProArt PA279CV is a 27-inch impressive monitor perfect for creative professionals. Whether you work with photo and video editing or graphic design and illustration, you’ll find everything you need. The display delivers 100% sRGB and supports DCI-P3 color space for accurate true-to-life color reproduction. While exclusive ProArt presets and palettes provide numerous adjustable color parameters for those who are up for precise personalization. The screen achieves dE < 2, so what you see is what you get when the editing is finished. It is factory calibrated and Calman Verified, so your work will look exactly as it was intended.

This screen got really extensive connectivity options. It gives you unparalleled compatibility with USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort for most multimedia devices. The integrated USB-C port supports data transfers, DisplayPort, and also 65W power delivery. Just one cable provides a convenient solution and keeps your desk area tidy. In addition, it is mac M1 compatible, which is good news for MacBook users. The stand got an ergonomic design with tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for a comfortable viewing experience, and it’s also VESA-mountable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What monitor do graphic designers use?

The choice of the best monitor for graphic design depends on the budget you’ve got and the tasks you perform. Because motion designers and digital artists would consider slightly different things in their choices. If you’re up for a sharp image go for Dell UP3218K Ultrasharp or LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine. And if you need the best graphic design monitors for video editing, try EIZO ColorEdge CG2730-BK, Eizo ColorEdge CG319X, or ASUS ProArt PA279CV. And if you do not want to delve into all that tech specs, just stick with Apple and its Pro Display XDR.

Do graphic designers need a 4K monitor?

Some might say a 4K resolution is a must, but we wouldn’t be so intransigent. If you are just entering the graphic design field and not ready to spend all of your savings on the best monitor for graphic design only, Full HD (1920×1080) is a good starting point for graphic design beginners. Although, we recommend you keep in mind to update your graphic design monitor as soon, as it will be comfortable for your budget. There are some affordable monitor options like Philips 288E2E or BenQ PD2705Q.

What type of monitor is best for digital art?

As for the tech specs of the best monitor for graphic design and art, it should have a 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160), an in-plane switching screen panel, and cover at least 100% of sRGB color space. Screen size up from 27 inches will be the most comfortable to work with. The perfect monitor for a digital artist also should provide nice ergonomics and technologies to reduce the eye strain and fatigue, as long as you will face it a lot during the work on your creative projects. You may ask yourself if gaming monitors are good for graphic designers. The good news is that in most cases, the best gaming monitor provides enough high resolution and image quality to be a monitor for graphic design.

The post Best Monitors For Graphic Design in 2024 appeared first on The Designest.

Top 15 Best Computers for Graphic Design in 2024

The Designest Staff — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 11:37:00 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Graphic design is a rapidly developing digital space that requires having a desktop computer for the job to be done successfully. Graphic designers won’t be able to completely replace this tool with a laptop since the PC performance is 30-40% higher and the GPUs are usually of better quality.

relevant:

Best Drawing Programs & Apps in 2024 For Your Creativity February 7, 2024

The New iMac Announces The Transition from Formality to Juicy Colors April 21, 2021

So, what is the best computer for graphic design in 2021? The main load on a graphic design computer is created when working with vector and raster images of large formats and processing photographs. If the processor is not powerful enough, it can be difficult to manipulate layers and apply filters. That is why you need to clearly understand the scope and nature of your work tasks and study the technical parameters of the devices carefully to spot the best computer for graphic design.

A graphic designer uses specialized programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk SketchBook Pro, Corel Painter, and CorelDRAW. The system requirements of the latest software versions serve as the minimum PC parameters required for efficient operation. Today, it is a processor featuring 64-bit computing, a clock speed of at least 2 GHz, 8 GB of RAM, 4 GB of free hard disk space, and a 2 GB video card.

To make it easier for you to choose the best computer for graphic design, we’ve compiled our own ranking. Our team analyzed dozens of new models and wrote the recommendations based on hands-on experience. The final list includes 15 graphic design computers.

Top 15 Best Computers for Graphic Design

iMac (27-inch, 2020)
iMac (24-inch, 2021)
Microsoft Surface Studio 2
Mac mini (M1, 2020)
Dell XPS 8490 Desktop
Mac Pro (2019)
MSI Trident AS
Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10
Apple iMac Pro
Lenovo Legion Tower 5
Dell Inspiron 27 7000
Dell G5 Gaming Desktop
Acer Aspire C27
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop
HP Z2 Mini G5

iMac (27-inch, 2020)

This iMac from Apple is currently the best desktop computer for graphic design. The device combines extremely high performance with a minimalist design.

Specifications

CPU: 3.1 GHz 6-core Intel Core i5; 3.3 GHz 6-core Intel Core i5; 3.8 GHz 8-core Intel Core i7; also configurable with a 3.6 GHz 10-core Intel Core i9.
Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300 with 4GB GDDR6 memory; Radeon Pro 5500 XT with 8GB GDDR6 memory; Radeon Pro 5700 with 8GB of GDDR6 memory; the most powerful Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 memory.
RAM: DDR4 2666 MHz from 8 GB to 128 GB depending on the configuration.
Display: 27-inch Retina 5K, 5120 × 2880 pixels.
Ports and connectors: 2 × Thunderbolt 3, 4 × USB-A, SDXC card reader, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone jack.

Reasons to Buy

iMac captivates with its versatility — there are no unsolvable challenges in the field of design for it. Thanks to the variety of configurations, both aspiring and professional graphic designers will be able to choose a PC for their needs.

Reasons to Avoid

The lack of a backlight in the keyboard and the awkward location of the mouse charging port (on the bottom side) may not appeal to perfectionist users. And, predictably, the cost of the best computer for graphic design is much higher than that of competitors.

All 2020 iMac 27-inch models are equipped with 10th generation Intel Core processors. Thanks to this, the device works quickly even when several “heavy” processes are started simultaneously, which is a capability highly appreciated by graphic designers. The new Radeon Pro 5000 graphics card expands the performance and enables a designer to tackle truly audacious projects.

The Retina 5K display impresses with its vibrant colors. The True Tone function adjusts the monitor color temperature to match the environment. The FaceTime HD 1080p webcam delivers stunning visuals, and the microphone ensures a sound of almost studio quality. The impressive set of connectors makes it much easier for graphic designers to work with removable media.

The computer design remained unchanged for about ten years until 2021. But that doesn’t mean the 27-inch iMac looks old-fashioned. On the contrary, the PC stands out against a host of desktop computers, and it fits seamlessly into any workspace.

iMac (24-inch, 2021)

This iMac is equipped with the Apple M1 chip, which includes GPUs, RAM, and 16-core Neural Engine all in one and makes it one of the best computers for graphic design. The user can choose from 7 colors of the PC case.

Specifications

CPU: Apple M1, 8 cores, 3.2 GHz.
Graphics: M1 7 cores; M1 8 cores.
RAM: 8 GB (expandable up to 16 GB).
Display: 24-inch 4.5K Retina 4480 × 2520 pixels.
Ports and connectors: 2x USB 4 Type-C, 1x Audio Port in the basic configuration; 2x USB 4 Type-C, 2x USB 3 Type-C, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x Audio Port in the extended configuration.

Reasons to Buy

The computer is suitable for all types of graphics. Touch ID is integrated into the keyboard that comes with the kit, which increases the PC protection. The performance of the multi-core CPU is 3% higher than that of MacBook Pro and Mac mini with the same Apple M1 chip.

Reasons to Avoid

Magic Mouse does not work while charging. The set of ports is limited, and there is no discrete graphics card available. The 4.5K size and resolution are inferior to the original parameters of the Retina 5K display.

The iMac 24-inch 2021 is a high-end desktop computer that handles all the basic tasks of a graphic designer. The Apple M1 chip is powerful and reliable. The 4.5K Retina display with a maximum brightness of 530 nits doesn’t make a single pixel visible, even if looking at the display from a distance of several centimeters. The monitor covers 100% of sRGB and 90% of AdobeRGB spaces.

Apple M1 improves webcam performance (1080p resolution) in low-light conditions. A system of three directional microphones perfectly catches even whispers. Six speakers allow creating a stereo effect with bass delivered. With dimensions of 54.7 x 46.1 x 14.7 cm and a weight of 4.5 kg, the iMac 24-inch 2021 is only 11.5 mm thin, so you can place this computer on any desk.

Apple’s redesigned PC looks spectacular but not extravagant. The color shades of the case are soft and pleasant to the eye. The design of the physical elements chimes with the interface of the operating system. The color palette of Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse matches the colors of the selected iMac version.

Microsoft Surface Studio 2

An innovative tool for a graphic designer, this desktop computer can be turned into a digital easel with just a few clicks.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7-7820HQ 7th generation, 4 cores.
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB GDDR5; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5.
RAM: 16 GB; 32 GB.
Display: PixelSense 28-inch with a 4500 x 3000 resolution and 10-point touch control.
Ports and connectors: 4x USB 3.0 (one High Power port), full-size SD card reader (SDXC), 1x USB Type-C port, Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm headphone jack.

Reasons to Buy

This is, probably, the best computer configuration for graphic design. Thanks to the possibility of selecting a graphics card, it is easier to get a device suitable for specific tasks. The entry-level kit comes with a convenient and functional stylus and 1TB or 2TB SSD storage. Both 16 and 32 GB of RAM are sufficient for editing 1080p-4K projects while also running additional apps in the background. The 3:2 aspect ratio gives the designer a greater workspace compared with a usual widescreen display.

Reasons to Avoid

It is impossible to further improve the technical parameters.

Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is an ideal PC for graphic design, including performing complex creative tasks. It is intended not only for graphic designers but also professional artists, architects, and engineers. The special hinged design allows the screen to be adjusted at different angles, up to a horizontal position.

The display recognizes up to 10 simultaneous touches and supports the Surface Pen with 4096-degree pressure sensitivity and the Surface Dial controller. You won’t spot individual pixels on the screen, and numerous tests show that the image quality delivered by Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is one of the best among all-in-one PCs.

The display shows 167% of the sRGB color space. The user can adjust sRGB, DCI-P3, and Vivid color profiles. It is also permissible to connect one or two external monitors with a resolution of up to 4K.

The operating system handles high loads well. The front 5MP 1080p HD webcam with Windows Hallo ensures a clear video. The Stereo 2.1 sound system with Dolby Audio Premium allows listening to music or watching a movie with maximum comfort. In addition to the stylus, Microsoft Surface Studio 2 comes with a wireless mouse and keyboard.

Mac mini (M1, 2020)

This Mini PC (SFF) with an SSD drive and proprietary Apple M1 chip can be connected to a TV or any available monitor.

Specifications

CPU: Apple M1, 8 cores, 3.2 GHz.
Graphics: M1, 8 cores.
RAM: 8 GB (expandable up to 16 GB).
Ports and connectors: Ethernet, 2x USB Type-C/Thunderbolt 3, HDMI out, 2x USB Type-A, and 3.5 mm headphone/microphone jack.
Drive: SSD 256 GB; 512 GB (expandable up to 2 TB).

Reasons to Buy

A compact and minimalistic PC for graphic design, the Mac mini hits the target when it comes to basic image and video editing tasks. The HDMI port supports monitors with native resolutions of up to 4K and 60Hz refresh rates. Thunderbolt connectors allow connecting monitors with up to 6K resolution.

Reasons to Avoid

The device disappoints with a limited number of ports and the impossibility to further improve its technical characteristics. The need to purchase a monitor, keyboard and mouse is also a disadvantage.

Mac mini M1 2020 attracts graphic designers with its mobility and high performance. It is the perfect choice for those who want to use macOS with their own monitors. The M1 chip is made up of 16 billion transistors so that signal processing and working with graphics are combined into a single SoC.

The processor has 8 cores: 4 are responsible for the performance, while others handle moderately demanding tasks without significant power consumption. Mac mini 2020 offers better video editing and rendering performance than its previous Intel-based version.

The configuration with 16 GB of RAM is optimal for working with all types of content (photo, video, or raster and vector graphics). A low-end 256 GB SSD storage will accommodate most of Adobe Creative Suite, but for extra storage, 1 TB SSD space is a safe pick. For wireless communication, Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 are provided. The user can select preinstalled software for a fee.

A fan is installed on the back of the case. However, even during intensive use, Mac mini M1 2020 remains virtually silent. The device has an active cooling system similar to MacBook Pro, so the computer case barely gets warm even under high loads.

Dell XPS 8490 Desktop

This graphic design desktop stands out for its powerful components. High-performance, and reliable, it is a great solution for professional designers.

Specifications

CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10700K, 2.9 Hz.
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660ti.
RAM: 16 GB.
Storage: 1TB HDD + 512 GB SSD.
Ports and connectors on the front panel: full-size SD card reader, a headset jack, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (3x Type-A and 1x Type-C).

Reasons to Buy

Quickly rendering video files, the computer is suitable for professional work with large projects in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and CorelDRAW.

Reasons to Avoid

The capacity of built-in file storage may turn out to be not sufficient for professional designers.

Modern 8-core Intel processors excel at video editing and rendering. Their high performance provides the speed and power expected of one of the best computers for graphic design. The excellent combination of components allows solving even the most complex problems successfully.

The SSD storage is fast and extremely reliable. The additional HDD is ideal for backing up and storing original files.

Dell XPS 8490 Desktop has an optical drive that can write Blu-ray files, while this option is on the wane in modern desktop computers. The rear panel has a number of connectors for multiple peripherals.

The cooling system, including a rear cooler, is virtually silent. The left side panel can be easily removed, providing access to all technical units of the computer.

Mac Pro (2019)

This PC for graphic design combines high performance and cutting-edge design. It has many configurations, with the final technical parameters and price depending on them heavily.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Xeon W-3223, 8 cores, 16 threads, 3.5 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 4.0 GHz.
Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 580X with 8GB GDDR5 memory.
RAM: 32 GB.
Storage: 256 GB SSD.
Ports and connectors: 2 × USB 3 (USB-A connector), 12 × Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C connector), 1x Audio Port.

Reasons to Buy

The configurable and expandable Mac Pro has been listed in the TOP of the best computers for graphic design for the 3rd year in a row. The unique design of the system unit is easily recognizable. A variety of configurations allows choosing a suitable option for any work task and budget.

Reasons to Avoid

The advantages are the high cost of top configurations, lack of Wi-Fi 6 support, and the need to purchase a monitor (preferably, Pro Display XDR).

Mac Pro 2019 is a personal computer with a vibrant visual and technical personality. The PC is available in two form factors — vertical and horizontal. It will seamlessly blend into any interior and make its focal point.

The user selects technical parameters based on their needs, but even the basic configuration is sufficient for working fruitfully in graphic design. There are no unsolvable problems for the computer with the top-of-the-range package: rendering large video files in high resolution and 3D modeling is easy with 32 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD storage.

The Mac Pro 2019 runs almost silently even under heavy load and produces almost no external heat. Three fans are located at the back of the case. The device comes with Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, a network cable, and a Lightning to USB-C for charging peripherals. The technical configuration of your computer can be improved to meet various graphic design challenges thanks to PCI Express expansion slots.

MSI Trident AS

It is a gaming computer with all its technical specifications suitable for a professional graphic designer.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7-10700F, 8 cores.
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super.
RAM: 16 GB.
Storage: 1 TB SSD.

Reasons to Buy

The incredibly powerful computer in a compact case can be used as a portable workstation for a graphic designer. Mystic Light RGB LED backlight allows changing the look of the PC depending on the mood of the user or the interior design.

Reasons to Avoid

The gaming exterior may feel weird for those who are picking out a classic PC for graphic design.

MSI Trident AS is the most space-saving gaming desktop. It encourages mobility because the small size allows taking the PC with you for any journey. All you need to be productive anywhere you go is a monitor.

The Intel Core i7 processor delivers maximum processing power. Its performance has increased by 40% compared with the i7-9700. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super graphics card performs real-time ray tracing to create objects with physically accurate shadows, reflections, refractions, and lighting.

A solid-state drive (SSD) remains cool while working and keeps your files secure. The computer supports high-bandwidth low-latency 2.5 Gbps Ethernet LAN connection and data transmission. MSI’s exclusive LAN Manager automatically prioritizes processes for Internet access.

The side panels of MSI Trident AS are easily removable so that the user can install additional equipment if necessary.

Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10

It is another powerful gaming PC having a futuristic design and equipped with an AMD processor and graphics card.

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.7 GHz.
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (16 GB GDDR6).
RAM: 32 GB DDR4-3400.
Storage: 1 TB NVMe M.2 SSD.

Reasons to Buy

The processor with high computing power allows solving complex problems in graphic design and more. The stylish exterior will appeal to fans of science fiction.

Reasons to Avoid

The cooling system is noisy, and the plastic case does not correspond to the premium class of the device.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processors are based on Zen 3 microarchitecture and have a 32 MB cache. Its capacity is sufficient for resource-intensive applications above and beyond. Today, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X outperforms Intel processors, boasting greater L2 and L3 cache capacity and lower latency.

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT graphics card competes favorably with the best Nvidia options. It delivers stunning performance at high graphics settings and in 4K resolution. Having 16 GB of local storage is a step into the future. With such parameters, the AMD Radeon RX video card will remain on the TOP list for a long time.

The Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 has many ports and connectors for connecting external media and peripherals. There are 10 USB-A ports on the motherboard alone. The optional Killer wireless adapter features Bluetooth 5.1 and Wi-Fi 6. The computer comes with 32 GB DDR4 storage and Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro installed.

Apple iMac Pro

The first computer in a new line of Apple products is aimed at professionals and allows solving a wide range of tasks.

Specifications (basic configuration)

CPU: Intel Xeon W 3.2 GHz, 8 cores.
Graphics: Radeon Pro Vega 56, 8 GB HBM2.
RAM: 32 GB 2666 MHz ECC.
Storage: 1 TB SSD.
Display: 27-inch Retina 5K, 5120×2880 pixels.

Reasons to Buy

The slim and sleek all-in-one PC with strong performance works fine for professional graphic designers. The device can handle high workloads without lagging or crashing. It does not heat up or make noise during operation. The Retina 5K display allows launching full-resolution previews of 4K videos in Final Cut Pro while still having plenty of room for controls around the screen.

Reasons to Avoid

The high cost of the PC and inability to independently update its package may upset the user. The Magic Mouse 2 charging port is located at the bottom of the device, which is not very convenient.

At the time of its presentation, the iMac Pro was the most powerful Mac ever created by Apple. Its processor and video card deliver brilliant performance. The device allows reducing time spent on resource-intensive projects by several times.

The iMac Pro is ideal for files conversion, adding effects, and adjusting colors in high-definition videos. All changes made can be viewed in real-time. The Twinmotion software for architects handles 3D object manipulation without delay. For basic video editing and project storage, 1 TB SSD is enough and some to spare, although you may need external drives for 4K-8K videos.

The Retina 5K display has a brightness of 500 nits. The display supports 100% wideband RGB color space. The 1080p FaceTime webcam delivers a crisp and vivid video even in low-light conditions.

The following connectors are provided for linking peripheral devices: a 3.5mm headphone jack, an SDXC card slot, 4 USB 3.0 ports, 4 USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a 10 Gb Ethernet port. The keyboard is full-size (with a numeric keypad). The back of the monoblock features a radiator for air from the cooling fans to exit and long slots at the bottom.

Lenovo Legion Tower 5

It is the ultimate PC for graphic design, provided that you also love to play computer games.

Specifications (one of the available configurations)

CPU: 10th generation Intel Core i5-10400F, 6 cores, 2.90 GHz.
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super.
RAM: 32 GB.
Storage: 1 TB SSD + 2 TB HDD.

Reasons to Buy

This affordable computer will meet the needs of beginners and graphic design professionals. The device handles basic work tasks and allows enjoying modern games.

Reasons to Avoid

The computer cannot boast maximum power and performance indicators, and it is not suitable for working with an 8K video.

The Legion Tower 5 in the configuration described above is a relatively inexpensive personal computer. The Intel Core i5 processor shows decent performance. The highest possible clock speed reaches 4.3 GHz thanks to Turbo 2.0 technology.

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super graphics card has 4GB of GDDR6 SDRAM. It supports HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4a connections and provides smooth graphics in most modern games in Full HD, but on lower settings.

The computer comes preinstalled with Windows 10 and Lenovo Vantage. The case of the device opens easily, which allows upgrading hardware in a hassle-free way. The stylish lighting doesn’t look intrusive, so Legion Tower 5 is equally suitable for both home and office use.

Dell Inspiron 27 7000

The all-in-one PC with a large touchscreen display is well suited for complex creative tasks.

Specifications

CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U.
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics.
RAM: 8 GB.
Display: 27-inch 1920×1080 IPS touchscreen with anti-glare coating.
Storage: 256 GB SSD.

Reasons to Buy

The multifunctional personal computer stands out for high performance and power. There are configurations with an AMD processor and graphics card available. Creative design makes the device memorable.

Reasons to Avoid

There is no Thunderbolt 3 port, and the touchscreen sensitivity is not as high as in Microsoft Surface Studio 2. The 256 GB SSD provides scarce backup opportunities.

The Inspiron 27 7000 is a good choice for graphic artists, illustrators, or cartoonists. The large and bright touchscreen display allows diving into details and working through every element of a project. Thanks to the variety of available configurations, the user can select a proper device for specific creative tasks.

The processor has enough power to run demanding programs without delays. Configurations with AMD processors are in no way inferior to the iMac from Apple in terms of technical characteristics, but they are substantially cheaper.

The webcam has a resolution of 1280×720 (HD) and a diagonal angle of view amounting to 74.6 degrees. The device is provided with a 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet controller built into the system board and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 wireless connections.

Dell G5 Gaming Desktop

This powerful multipurpose PC can greatly simplify the work of a graphic designer.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i3-9100 — 9th generation i9 9900K.
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 — RTX 2070.
RAM: 8–64 GB.
Storage: 1 TB SSD — 1 TB SSD + 2 TB HDD.

Reasons to Buy

The productive and reliable personal computer comes in an originally designed case. It is possible to upgrade the device and install additional hard drives.

Reasons to Avoid

The desktop heats up during peak loads.

Powerful Intel processors deliver outstanding performance and responsiveness. A combo of Killer Gigabit Ethernet and Intel Wireless is responsible for the smooth transmission of network traffic. Graphics adapters support VR in some configurations.

Acer Aspire C27

This AIO computer for graphic design with a wide range of functions and high performance can multitask for a long time without freezing and braking.

Specifications (top configuration)

CPU: 10th generation Intel Core i5 1035G1, 4 cores.
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce MX130.
RAM: 12 GB.
Display: 27-inch 1920×1080 FHD LED IPS.
Storage: SSD 512 GB.

Reasons to Buy

The PC copes with all basic tasks of a graphic designer and allows the successful implementation of complex projects. The display has excellent color accuracy.

Reasons to Avoid

The PC may not be powerful enough to handle and render large high-resolution video files.

The PC for graphic design allows working in several resource-intensive applications simultaneously. For each configuration, a processor and graphics card are selected to provide the best possible performance. The Acer Aspire C27 is ideal for work and study, and it is convenient for everyday at-home use.

The 27-inch screen has very thin bezels (3.7 mm). The display delivers extremely realistic colors and very crisp images, with color shades preserved even at 178° angles. The tilt angle of the monitor can be adjusted from -5° to 25°. Its stability is ensured by a metal V-shaped stand.

The device supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi connections. An additional monitor can be attached via the HDMI connector. The Windows 10 operating system is preinstalled while the computer comes with a mouse and keyboard.

HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop

This personal computer for graphic design has all the necessary technical parameters to work in resource-intensive graphics editors.

Specifications

CPU: 10th Gen Intel CoreTM i5-10400F, 6 Cores, 2.9GHz, up to 4.3GHz with Intel Turbo Boost technology.
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPERTM, 6GB GDDR6 dedicated memory.
RAM: 16 GB.
Storage: 512 GB PCIe NVMeTM M.2 solid-state storage.
Ports and connectors on the front panel: 1x SuperSpeed USB Type-C with a data transfer rate of 5 Gb/s; 4x SuperSpeed USB Type-A with a data transfer rate of 5 Gb/s; 1 headphone/microphone combo jack.

Reasons to Buy

The computer offers decent technical characteristics at a relatively low cost. It suits graphic designers and gamers alike.

Reasons to Avoid

Due to the solid design, the computer case looks heavy.

One of the most powerful computers for graphic design features processor and video card parameters that allow working comfortably in the most demanding graphics editors. Apps launch in seconds and run smoothly, even with large projects.

HP Z2 Mini G5

The miniature desktop computer for graphic design is almost as good as a full-size PC in terms of performance and functionality. Users can enjoy many configurations of this model.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7-10700K, 3.8 GHz, 8 cores.
Graphics: Nvidia Quadro T2000.
RAM: 32 GB.
Storage: 512 GB SSD +1 TV HDD.
Front panel ports and connectors: 1 x USB Type-C, 2xUSB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 headphone/microphone combo.

Reasons to Buy

The PC for graphic design combines an average power and a very compact size. The station can be quickly connected to any monitor to get started.

Reasons to Avoid

The need to select and purchase peripheral equipment can be a challenge.

The HP Z2 Mini G5 is an advanced mini PC with 32 GB of RAM that tackles a wide variety of tasks faced by newbie designers and, thus, it can be considered the best computer for graphic design a student would love. Thanks to its compact size, the workstation can be placed in any place you find convenient. Surely, you can take the device with you on a trip.

The functionality of this graphic design computer is ensured through a number of USB ports and other connectors. From the backside, it has 3x DisplayPort 1.4 (available for those equipping the Mini with a discrete graphics card), 1x USB Type-C 10Gb/s, an additional serial port, 2x USB 10Gb/s Type-A, and an RJ-45 network port.

Wireless connection is provided with the help of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth adapters. The workstation comes preinstalled with the Windows 10 operating system.

The post Top 15 Best Computers for Graphic Design in 2024 appeared first on The Designest.