best pc for graphic design and video editing

With new tech coming out every year, designers often wonder what is the best desktop computer for graphic design, so I reviewed them all to give my best picks.

Computers are the primary tool of graphic design professionals, so choose wisely.

In addition to laptops and tablets for on-the-go productivit:

Designers often use desktop computers for a complete workstation setup.

As a graphic designer, you want to have a smooth workflow, easy multitasking, and quick rendering, but without going overboard with specs or features that you might not use.

Choosing the best computer for graphic design comes down to what you'll need to use it for, as well as your ideal desk configuration and budget.

Once you find the one you like, I recommend getting slightly higher specs than you need right now, so that it's "future-proof" to some extent and it will be able to keep up as your programs and workloads become more intensive.

Also keep in mind that some of these computers come with a monitor as a package, but the rest won't—so you'll need to set aside budget for a good monitor as well.

Here's my list of the top 10 best computers for graphic design in 2021.

Best Computers for Graphic Design

Apple iMac 27"—Best overall
Microsoft Surface Studio 2—Most versatile
Apple iMac 21.5"—Best value
Dell XPS 8490 Desktop—Best for pros
Apple Mac Mini—Budget-friendly
Lenovo Legion Tower 5—Best for gaming
Dell G5 Desktop—Best multi-purpose
MSI Trident AS—Most powerful
Acer Aspire C27—Budget all-in-one
Dell Inspiron 7000—Budget touchscreen

How to choose the best computer for graphic design

There are a few things to look out for when choosing a computer for your graphic design needs.

When it comes to choosing the best computer for your specific graphic design needs, there are 7 factors to consider:

Operating System (OS)
Processor Power (CPU)
Graphics Card
RAM Memory
Disk Storage
Display
Price

Don't worry, there's no need to be a tech expert, let me explain what these are and how they make a difference in graphic design work.

Below, you will find some requirements to look out for when choosing you next computer.

Operating System (OS)

First and foremost, you need to know if you'll be working in Windows or MacOS, based on your personal preference and the programs you'll be using.

I used Windows when I first started as a graphic designer, then after a few years I eventually switched over to MacOS.

Processor Power (CPU)

The main thing to consider when deciding on which computer to get is how powerful it is.

Any serious graphic design software will require a powerful processor (CPU) to run all your tasks smoothly.

It's helpful to search for the CPU requirements of specific apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro, and other programs you intend to use, so that you can get a better idea of what processor you might need.

Sometimes, the programs you plan on using turn out to be less demanding on the CPU and use more of the graphics card instead, so figuring out what hardware your main softwares use can help you with your decision and can even help you save money.

Graphics Card

As graphic designers, we often work with large, graphically intensive files, and these often require the help of a processing unit specially dedicated to handling graphics.

This is called the Graphics Card, and its job is to help you seamlessly zoom in and out in Photoshop, quickly scrub through a Premiere Pro project, render a 3D animation, or perform any kind of visual task to make sure what you see on your monitor is produced quickly.

RAM Memory

The next component to consider is RAM, which will determine how much multi-tasking you can do.

Plenty of system memory will enable you to not only run multiple programs at the same time, but will also help in handling large, heavy files as projects progress.

I believe you can never have too much RAM, and I recommend getting the most that you can afford so you can open up all your programs and files without having to worry about choking up your system.

As a graphic designer, especially when working within the Adobe Creative Cloud, we tend to switch from app to app very quickly with many files linked to another, and for that, you'll need all the memory you can get.

Disk Storage

Our graphic design work often requires handling and storing many large files, and I'm sure you've seen designers walking around with multiple external hard drives in hand.

This is because as projects come in and more things are created, we need enough space for all past, present, and future files.

Apart from size, there is also speed, with SSD drives being much faster than a mechanical hard drive, but often with much smaller storage capacity, while the traditional HDD is much slower in read and write, but boasts much larger storage size for the cost.

Display

For graphic designers, the monitor is not something to hold back on.

You need to have a display that can reach optimal brightness, with accurate colors, high enough resolution to appreciate your work, and with a large enough screen to fit your digital workspace on.

Many of the computers on this list are called All-in-one PCs, meaning the components and monitor are all one piece, so you'll have to make sure the monitor is good enough for you as it comes together in one slim form factor.

The other computers that I've included in this list are standalone towers, so although you'll have to find space on your desk for the PC, you have flexibility in choosing the best monitor for your graphic design needs.

Price

And finally, you'll need to make sure the computer you want is affordable enough.

Remember, computers are the main tool that we use as graphic designers, so unlike a new entertainment system this computer will be a serious investment for your work.

That being said, you should determine your budget range first then explore options within it, and with many cool new features out just remember to be practical.

Now that you have an idea of what to look for, check out my guide for the best computers for graphic designers in 2021.

‍ 1. Apple iMac 27"

It's no secret that Apple products are often the preferred choice of graphic designers, and the same is true for their desktop line.

The 27" iMac's full package makes it the best computer overall for designers.

The 27-inch Apple iMac is an all-in-one PC that offers a solid combination of power, color accuracy, and elegant design.

Price: $1799.00

‍The iMac's Retina display is capable of producing one billion colors and 500nits of brightness, paired with True Tone technology and a high resolution that makes everything you see on the monitor sharp and stunning.

Behind the curtain is a powerful pair of processor and graphics, with up to an Intel Core i9 and Radeon Pro 5700XT to ensure a quick and responsive working experience.

At the top end of the variants, you can opt for up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM for maximum multi-tasking capability, and up to 8TB of fast SSD storage, but at a steep price.

On top of its impressive hardware, the latest iMac also comes with an upgraded 1080p HD camera, fitted with a studio-quality triple microphone array.

The iMac comes with a matching Apple Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, which give your desk a wireless, minimalistic look that is hard to compete with.

With all variations featuring the same display, the 27" Apple iMac offers a full package like no other, making it my choice for the best overall.

I was hesitant at first, but ever since I tried using an iMac, it's hard to compare it with anything else.

Overall, 27" Apple iMac is the best desktop for graphic design 2021.

Specifications:

Display: 27" 5120x2880 Retina 5K Display
Processor: 3.1GHz 6-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5
Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300 graphics
Memory: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 256GB SSD

Pros

Stunning display
Smooth operating system
Fast storage drive

Cons

Expensive
Cannot be upgraded

2. Microsoft Surface Studio 2

The Microsoft Surface line of products has found its place in the graphic design world in recent years, and their latest desktop computers are in a class of their own.

Microsoft's new Surface Studio 2 has unique features that make it the most versatile computer for graphic design.

The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is an all-in-one computer that includes a full touchscreen with pen support, allowing it to double as a desktop drawing tablet.

Price: $3499.00

Microsoft Surface Studio 2—Most versatile

‍Although there are other computers with touchscreen displays, the Surface Studio 2's hinged monitor stand and the seamless integration with the Surface Pen make it unrivaled in the graphic design world.

Sure, you could get any computer you want and pair it with an external drawing tablet, stylus, and touchscreen, but there's something special about presenting to a client or colleague and having the ability to at any point, fold it down into Studio Mode and start drawing in an instant.

The stand allows you to easily tilt down to 20 degrees for Studio Mode or upright in Desktop mode, and the glass display features full 10 point multi-touch support.

It is of course best paired with the latest Surface Pen and Surface Dial, which could cost you another $99 each, making the whole setup quite a pricey package, but considering it replaces many external devices it's up to you to decide if it's all worth it.

If you're a graphic designer who does a lot of digital drawing, write-ups, or art, you can't go wrong with this machine.

The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is sleek, versatile, and powerful enough to handle all your graphic design software from creative apps to 3D simulators.

Specifications:

Display: 28" 4500x3000 PixelSense Display
Processor: 1.3GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD

Pros

Large touchscreen
Pen support
Adjustable monitor

Cons

Heats up under load
Quiet speakers

3. Apple iMac 21.5"

The smaller iMac offers many of the same package features as the larger one, but with a smaller screen and a smaller price tag too.

The 21.5" iMac, at around $700 less than the larger version, is my choice for best value .

With the same build quality and form factor, the same camera and microphone setup, and with the same OS, keyboard, and mouse, the 21.5" Apple iMac is a great deal for graphic designers whose workloads aren't as demanding.

Price: $1099.00

‍Although the display isn't as good as the 5K monitor on the 27" model, at 21.5 inches having less resolution is less noticeable due to the pixel density, so Full HD resolution should still be plenty sharp enough for most graphic design work.

The processor is dual-core and it uses integrated graphics, so it isn't meant for designers who run heavy 3D renders, but with the elite optimization of MacOS, you probably won't feel the difference in specs through most of your daily use.

Competitively priced, the 21.5" Apple iMac comes in at just the right balance of price to performance, with decent specs that can handle everything from school work, to office work, to moderate graphic design.

If I were looking to use MacOS, but perhaps didn't need the massive 27" screen or extra power, I would go with the 21.5" iMac for its smooth navigation and its elegant design.

Specifications:

Display: 21.5" 1920x1080FHD LED
Processor: 2.3GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD

Pros

Affordable
Practical specs

Cons

No dedicated graphics card
Small storage size

4. Dell XPS 8940 Desktop

Dell's XPS laptop made its way to my list of best laptops for graphic design, and its desktop counterpart carries the same great reputation.

With a muted design covering its powerful specs, I consider the XPS 8940 Desktop to be the best for professionals .

The Dell XPS 8940 Desktop features some powerful components inside an office-friendly case design, making it a great choice for graphic design professionals.

Price: $1312.92

‍Judging from its look, you might never guess that there's an octa-core processor and a GTX 1660ti inside.

The case would fit right into an office environment, and with the specs, you could easily game on it when you're done working.

It still isn't the most powerful out there, but it has a great combination of specs that should be able to handle all your creative software, and more.

The 6GB dedicated 1660ti will be able to render in Premiere Pro or Solidworks pretty easily, and you shouldn't have to worry about storage as it comes with a 512GB fast SSD drive, and an additional 1TB hard drive for all your extra source files and backups.

Once you pair it with the monitor and peripherals of your choice, the Dell XPS 8940 Desktop is a highly capable machine and an ideal choice for graphic design professionals.

Specifications:

Display: None
Processor: 2.9GHz 8-Core Intel Core i7-10700
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660ti
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 1TB HDD + 512GB SSD

Pros

Great combination of specs
Professional look

Cons

No dedicated graphics card
Small storage size

5. Apple Mac Mini

Apple's latest refresh of the Mac Mini, with their introduction of the new Apple Silicon M1 Chip, packs some mighty strength in such a small package.

With next-level computing in the M1 Chip, the latest Mac Mini takes my pick for most budget-friendly , but it performs far beyond its budget range.

The new Apple Mac Mini comes in the same little metal box as before, but with its biggest performance upgrade yet.

Price: $859.00

‍Apple created the M1 processor to be fully optimized for their computers, and I was simply blown away by how good they were able to make it.

Although this affordable compact PC still isn't ideal for massive workloads, the M1 chip manages to go toe to toe with processors several times the price, particularly in creative programs and video rendering times.

You will have to get yourself a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, but the Apple Mac Mini will allow you to work with all your MacOS-based programs with ease.

Of course, although they did a great job with their new processor, the disadvantages of getting it are that they'll release a newer, better one eventually, and that programs are still optimizing their software to make use of the new processor.

Nonetheless, I feel it's the start of something great, and if you're considering getting a Mac Mini for graphic design right now, it's an easy recommendation from me.

Overall, if you're looking for budget graphic design computer—Apple Mac Mini is a great choice as it's affordable and you can use it with any monitor you like.

Specifications:

Display: None
Processor: 8-core Apple M1 Chip
Graphics: 8-core Apple M1 GPU
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD

Pros

Small and fast
Great new processor
Compact form factor

Cons

Limited ports

6. Lenovo Legion Tower 5

The Legion lineup of products from Lenovo features a wide variety of tech including laptops, computers, monitors, and even gaming phones.

I consider the Legion Tower 5 to be the best for gaming , and a great choice for graphic designers who like to game in their free time.

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5 is a solid PC with excellent performance in creative programs, 3D software, and of course gaming.

Price: $1459.00

‍Sporting a mid-range processor and a modest GTX 1650 Super, it's configured for the practical gamer, as it has just the right amount of power to deliver steady smooth graphics in all the latest games without going overboard on specs or price.

You'll easily be able to get 60fps in AAA games, and that means you'll be able to run SolidWorks or Cinema4D with ease as well, as long as you're not trying to get 144fps on an 8k TV or something like that.

The case has a unique shape that some will love and some will hate, but I appreciate how the design of the case is still modern and sleek, and not too loud despite its gaming accents.

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5 would still be appropriate for an office environment, and it is more than capable of being a primary graphic design workstation.

Specifications:

Display: None
Processor: 6-core 2.90GHz Intel Core i5-10400F
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super
Memory: 32GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD

Pros

Great for gaming
Plenty of system memory

Cons

Large case
Not the best processor

7. Dell G5 Desktop

The Dell G5 Desktop finds itself nicely positioned between their premium XPS line and their pure-gaming brand Alienware, resulting in a machine that offers some of the best of both worlds.

I like how the Dell G5 packs gaming power in an artistic-looking case, and I would consider it to be the best multi-purpose computer for graphic designers.

This computer is a great option for those who want a gaming-capable rig without the compromise of having a distinct gaming look.

Price: $1399.99‍

The case is stylish and also compact, using a mid-tower micro ATX form factor with an optional glass side panel.

The front panel has an LED light strip that is RGB so the color can easily be changed to match your company, your favorite color, or be switched off for a no-nonsense office look.

This configuration runs on a 10th Generation i7 and a GTX 1660ti, with a decent amount of RAM and storage, and with several extra drive bays for future storage upgrades.

Having a Dell G-series computer also gets you Alienware Command Center software pre-loaded, for maximum control and customization of your machine.

The Dell G5 Desktop is a solid machine that is quickly gaining popularity from gamers and graphic designers alike, and I can definitely see why.

Specifications:

Display: None
Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10700F
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660ti 6GB
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD

Pros

Subtle gaming design
Plenty of system memory

Cons

Case has poor airflow
Heats up under load

8. MSI Trident AS

The MSI Trident AS is a bonafide gaming computer, but it still manages to set itself apart from the rest.

The Trident AS is the most powerful computer for video editors and 3D artists.

You know it's a gaming computer as soon as you see it, but you can't help but notice it's a unique powerhouse with an innovative design.

Price: $2799.99

‍With edgy, angular geometry and a profile roughly the same size as an Xbox One or PS4, the Trident AS takes the console versus PC war to another level.

MSI engineered this machine to be low-profile and compact by vertically mounting the massive graphics card and drawing air intake through the side panel to optimize heat dissipation and create a PC slimmer than anything this powerful.

This computer comes with an RTX 2060 Super graphics card capable of real-time raytracing, and they have higher configurations as well, to tackle all your 3D simulation and rendering with ease.

The lights onboard are still subtle compared to a full RGB build beaming lights in all directions, and if you like the design this machine could be a great portable workstation for graphic designers who travel a lot.

The extra graphics power also means you shouldn't have to worry about going overkill with your monitor choice, as a high-quality 4K monitor for graphic design should run smoothly on the MSI Trident AS .

Specifications:

Display: None
Processor: 8-core Intel Core i7-10700F
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD

Pros

Slim and compact
Very powerful

Cons

Gamer look

9. Acer Aspire C27

An all-in-one computer that has a great design, cool features, and doesn't break the bank.

The C27 is Acer's latest desktop PC, and it's the budget all-in-one computer that I recommend for graphic design and office work.

The Acer Aspire C27 has a surprising amount of cool features for its budget range, and a great spec sheet for general use.

Price: $799.99

‍The benefits of an all-in-one computer, or AIO for short, is that you get everything in one slim package, without the need to buy additional gadgets or carry things around to get it to work.

The C27 gives you a good 27" IPS monitor, a solid quad-core processor, plenty of RAM, and an Nvidia graphics chip to help with design programs, all for under $800 — and it has a built-in webcam with a privacy shutter too.

Its performance isn't meant to blow you away, but if you're a graphic design student, home-based editor, or a graphic design studio just getting started, this is a great computer to have around.

If you're looking for a great deal on a simple computer for graphic design, I recommend the Acer Aspire C27 for its large IPS screen and capable specs, because I don't think we'll be seeing 27" laptops anytime soon.

Specifications:

Display: 27" 1920x1080 FHD LED IPS
Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce MX130
Memory: 12GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD

Pros

Affordable and practical
Modern design

Cons

Could be more powerful
Wi-Fi sometimes slow

10. Dell Inspiron 7000

Dell offers such a wide range of products, they have something for almost everyone.

The Inspiron 7000 from Dell is my pick for a budget touchscreen computer for interactive creative work.

The Dell Inspiron 7000 is a beautiful all-in-one computer with a touchscreen display and decent specs for interactive productivity.

Price: $1049.00

‍With a metallic stand and narrow-bezel display, the design of this computer makes it look and feel like a premium monitor or TV, and it pulls off this look all while packing a quad-core i5 processor and a built-in pop-up webcam.

Don't forget it's touch-sensitive too, and although it doesn't come close to the low-latency pen-supported touchscreen on the Microsoft Surface Studio 2, it still gives you the ability to make creative edits on the spot with colleagues or clients.

The Dell Inspiron 7000 comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse, and the screen comes coated with an anti-glare film to prevent distracting reflections when working.

If you're a graphic designer who values touch support and appreciates modern minimalistic design, this computer should be great for you.

Overall, Dell Inspiron 7000 is a great PC for graphic design to get in 2021.

Specifications:

Display: 27" 1920x1080 IPS Anti-Glare Touchscreen
Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD

Pros

Beautiful design
Touch display

Cons

Not ideal for heavy workloads
Small storage size

Conclusions

There you have it, my picks for the 10 best computers for graphic design in 2021.

With all the choices out there, hopefully this guide helps you better decide on which computer to get, and I hope you were able to benefit from some of my insights as a fellow graphic designer.

Graphic design is a broad industry, and the particular programs you use will have their own hardware requirements to be able to run them smoothly.

In the end, a lot of it will come down to personal preference, and once you know what you want, it's just about picking the right configuration.

Personally, I recommend the 27" Apple iMac as the best overall computer for graphic designers, thanks to its large, high-resolution Retina display and excellent performance.

But as we saw here, there are many more brands out there, and different form factors that give you more flexibility with your workspace, and options to upgrade in the future.

Let me know what you think, what is your pick for best computer for graphic design?—Leave a comment below.

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