Buying a Chromebook makes a lot of sense to many, particularly students and young professionals who would like to get things done quickly. In any case, these mini laptops are light, compact, and easy to use.
Chromebooks are cheaper than other types of laptops in terms of hardware and IT costs.
Besides, they are less prone to mechanical problems since they don’t have many moving components and rely on cloud storage rather than physical, local storage.
Nonetheless, every good thing has its fair share of downsides, and Chromebooks are no exception.
Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, which primarily runs online. This means some offline apps might not work appropriately.
Here we will also cover Best Graphics software for Chromebook and cheap laptops for after effects.
Does after effects work on Chromebook?
No, After Effects doesn’t work on Chromebook. This motion graphics and visual effects program is one of the many applications from Adobe that do not work on Chromebook or Chrome OS.
The software requires more power than what a regular Chromebook or even a low-end Windows or Mac laptop can provide.
Here are best alternative laptops for After Effects:
Last update on 2024-04-05 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Software compatibility is a big issue with Chromebooks since most providers do not have program versions suitable for this type of laptop.
Adobe is one of the software providers that have made at least six light apps available to Chromebook users, but heavier apps like After Effects are not currently accessible.
Alternatively, check Macbook for After Effects.
Is Chromebook good for graphic design?
No. Many of the apps preferred by creatives, graphic designers, and other professional artists are resource-heavy and cannot be supported by Chrome OS. This means you have to upgrade your Chromebook with some of the most powerful hardware to have any chance of using the machine for your design and creative needs.
And with Google exploring whether to block resource-heavy applications from their platform, it is highly unlikely that Chromebook will support popular graphic design apps in the future.
The only reprieve is that Chromebook supports web-based graphics programs and editors like Boxy SVG and EvolveUI that you can use instead of mainstream graphic design software.
Can you do graphic design on a Chromebook?
Yes, you can do graphic design on a Chromebook. However, your options will remain limited given that Chromebooks do not support major graphic design programs like Adobe After Effects and Photoshop.
If you are just starting out as a graphic designer, using Chromebook can be a good option since it supports light web-based programs that do not have a long learning curve.
Moreover, Adobe has at least six different graphics design programs for Chromebook that you can use as you learn your way around.
Conversely, Chromebooks are not appropriate for pro designers and experienced artists since they lack the power to support offline-based graphics design programs.
You should instead look for an inexpensive regular laptop that is compatible with your programs and supports your creative needs.
Best Graphics software for Chromebook
By now, you already know that Chromebook has several limitations in supporting popular graphics software. However, this does not mean you cannot use your Chromebook laptop to express your creativity.
Chrome OS supports a number of lighter programs that you can use to draw, sketch, illustrate, and design your graphics. Here are a few examples of graphics software for Chromebook.
1. ArtFlow
ArtFlow is a graphics design app that works perfectly on Chromebook. This digital art studio offers dozens of tools and resources that you can use to create sketches, drawings, and paintings from scratch.
The program is so easy to install and use on your Chromebook, and it makes a great alternative to Sketchbook or other pro-grade apps, which might be a bit overwhelming to beginners.
ArtFlow manages to remain light and simple, yet it offers so much in customizable brushes, smudge tools, symmetry tools, and color pickers.
The best part about this piece of software is that it is 100% free, but there is a paid version that comes with extra tools and features at a small fee.
2. Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is another exceptional graphics design software you should consider for your Chromebook.
It works online and offline, and it’s ideal for beginners and professional designers alike thanks to its wide selection of tools and resources tailored to fit your creative needs.
The app allows you to draw or design various graphics elements such as icons and logos with relative ease.
You can use Gravit Designer to vectorize images and add effects to your photos without using a separate app.
The options are almost endless as you can also use this app to create illustrations, animations, and similar characters just like a pro.
3. Infinite Painter
If you are into visual art and you are still learning the ropes of graphics design, then consider using Infinite Painter.
This graphics software might just be a simple and basic drawing app but it works perfectly on Chromebook. It comes with over 160 presets of customizable brushes that you can use to take your expertise to the next level.
Its wide collection of tools is simply amazing. The app offers gradient tools, geometrical tools, perspective aids, paper textures, transformation tools, layer support, patterns, and blend modes.
You can also use the clone tool to turn photos into paintings at the click of a button.
Best cheap laptops for after effects
If you want to upgrade your graphic design skills and take your trade to the next level, you have no other option but to invest in a laptop that supports design programs like Adobe After Effects.
Graphic design is a fun and fulfilling, but a rigorous job with high software and hardware demands.
It requires a powerful laptop or desktop that can support the rigors of the tasks involved.
Chromebooks might be light, compact, affordable, and easy to use, but regrettably, they do not make the cut as far as graphic design is concerned.
Here is a list of THREE cheap, budget laptops that are compatible with Adobe programs like After Effects.
Acer Swift 3
Last update on 2024-04-05 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Specifications at a glance
- CPU – Intel Core i7
- Graphics – NVidia GeForce MX150
- RAM – 16GB
- Screen – 14” FHD
- Storage – 1TB SSD
The Acer Swift 3 is the most affordable laptop on this list. Despite its lowly price tag, this laptop comes equipped with nearly all the premium features found in high-end machines.
The laptop features the latest Intel Core i7 processor with an NVidia GeForce MX150 graphics card tucked inside a slim and stylish silver chassis.
Its remarkable screen-to-body ratio coupled with the IPS VertiView display means you can concentrate on the screen for long hours designing and drawing without overwhelming your eyes.
Since graphic design programs like After Effects are resource-heavy, you can be sure that the Acer Swift 3 is up to the task.
It features 16GB of expandable RAM that can handle all types of design programs that require powerful hardware.
The 1TB SSD storage means you can store and access all your graphic design projects easily and securely.
ASUS TUF A15
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Specifications at a glance
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 9
- Graphics – NVidia GeForce RTX2060
- RAM – 32GB
- Screen – 15.6” FHD
- Storage – 2TB SSD
The ASUS TUF A15 is a stylish laptop optimized for gaming, but it can also double up as your go-to machine for graphic design.
The laptop offers a range of impressive features at an affordable price. Firstly, it is light and thin, meaning you can carry it along to your project presentations easily.
Like any other gaming laptop, the ASUS TUF A15 features a powerful 32 GB DDR4 RAM that is capable of supporting all resource-heavy programs, including Adobe After Effects.
You can also upgrade the RAM at any time to increase the responsiveness of the machine.
The 15.6” FHD screen provides an incredible view of your design projects, and it allows you to open several programs at once without cluttering your display.
Moreover, the laptop comes with a 1TB SSD hard disk that supports quick load times, and it has extra space for additional storage in case you need to add another drive for your graphic design files and projects.
Dell XPS 15
Last update on 2024-04-05 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Specifications at a glance
- CPU – Intel Core i7
- Graphics – NVidia GeForce GTX1650
- RAM – 16GB-64GB
- Screen – 15.6” FHD
- Storage – 1TB SSD
The Dell XPS 15 is the priciest unit on this list, but it still ranks as one of the cheapest laptops for After Effects.
It comes with the latest 9th generation Intel Core i7 processor with an NVidia GeForce GTX1650 graphics card for exceptional display and performance.
The most intriguing aspect about this laptop is that you can configure it to have a discrete GPU that supports all types of graphics software, video editing programs, image editors, and gaming applications.
The RAM is only 16GB but you can expand it up to 64GB to meet the demands of your resource-heavy graphic design apps.
With a 15.6” FHD/UHD display and a 1TB SSD storage drive, the Dell XPS 15 is certainly a must-have laptop for any serious graphic designer.
You may also consider Lenovo Laptops For After Effects.
Final thoughts
If you want a laptop that supports Adobe After Effects and other similar programs, then Chromebook is not the ideal choice.
Chromebooks might be light, easy to use, and affordable, but they do meet the minimum requirements for running most graphics software.
Besides, you need internet connectivity to operate a Chromebook since most of the apps that it supports are web-based.
