Recommended Laptops For Photoshop:
Last update on 2024-12-07 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Everybody knows Alienware laptops for their gaming prowess. However, it may come as a surprise that these gaming behemoths can perform just as well with Adobe Photoshop.
How so? If they can run AAA game titles seamlessly, they can surely handle photo editing software.
Before we look at some Alienware options you can consider today, let’s answer some essential questions.
Can Alienware Be Used For Photoshop?
Yes it can. Alienware laptops have juggernaut specifications that can run the best video games in the market. A raster graphics editor like Adobe Photoshop shouldn’t give these laptops any problems.
For Photoshop to run, your computer must meet certain standards (You’ll find them in the section below.)
These specifications allow you to use Photoshop in its optimal state and configurations. They also allows you to use all the tools and functionalities that come with the software.
If your computer falls below the recommended specs, you’ll have an awful experience. This program has high CPU and GPU usage, and this will cause your computer to render images in a slow and choppy manner. Your computer may even crash in the process.
Also check Lenovo Laptops For Photo Editing.
So, why Alienware?
On almost every standard, Alienware can perform to extreme limits. It features bespoke NVIDIA and AMD Ryzen GPUs that you can upgrade on a whim.
With Intel CPUs and dedicated graphics processor units, you can edit images, render 3D images and edit videos as seamlessly as you like.
It’s high-quality screens also allow you to enjoy the photo editing process. Some can support up to 4K resolution, giving you nothing but crystal clear images.
Its ultra-high refresh rates help you render videos as smoothly as possible. A high Pixels Per Inch density means that you’ll view rich colors and images when editing with this laptop.
Also check Razer Laptops For Photo Editing.
Alienware makes no compromises with their storage devices, equipping each laptop with only the best SSDs.
Not only do they boot fast, they also ensure faster transfer speeds when downloading, uploading or copying data between devices. Saving your projects won’t be a problem, as these SSDs come with plenty of space to use.
If you use your laptop in a stationary location, consider reading 3 Best Docking Stations for Alienware Laptop.
What kind of laptop do you need for Photoshop?
Adobe Photoshop is one powerful photo editing application. Because of its intricate tools and capabilities, Photoshop requires that you have a laptop with robust features.
In fact, Adobe recommends certain minimum and recommended requirements for Photoshop to run. Here they are:
- Intel or AMD processor with 64-bit support, 2GHz or faster with SSE 4.2 or later
- Windows 10 (64-bit) or MacOS Big Sur or Later
- 16 GB RAM or more
- Graphics Card with DirectX12 support and at least 4GB GPU memory for 4K displays
- 1920 X 1080 Display resolution at 100% UI scaling
- At least 4GB hard disk space, with more space for installation files. SSDs preferred.
At first glance, any recent Alienware laptop blows these specifications out of the water. However, these features aren’t the only things creative designers and photo editing professionals look for. Here are other key things that matter:
Portability
An on-the-go laptop is essential for the modern creative. That’s why many photo editors favor thin lightweight laptops.
If you’re in the market for one, get a laptop that weighs at least 4.4 pounds or less. If you need to edit photos or complete your projects while on the go, then a lightweight laptop would be perfect for you.
Battery Life
Editing projects often take hours to complete. If your laptop has a standard four to five-hour battery life, that should be just fine.
However, you want a laptop with an extended battery life of 9 to 12 hours. If you’re ever in a location without access to power, you can still deliver your projects without problems.
Thunderbolt Ports
Thunderbolt ports are revolutionary in how they allow you to connect to peripheral devices like an external hard or flash drive to your laptop.
This port transfers data at speeds faster than both USB 3.0 and USB 4.0. Get a laptop with at least one Thunderbolt port for blazing-fast transfer speeds across devices.
Screen Resolution
Get a laptop with a Full HD display or higher. Not only will you enjoy your editing experience, you’ll also edit images with finer details.
Your view will be sharper. For photo editors, a larger screen is better, these screens also come with high refresh rates, with at least 60Hz or higher.
Taking these factors into consideration, what’s the best Alienware laptop for video editors?
Best Alienware laptops for Photoshop
Alienware m17 R4
Last update on 2024-12-07 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The m17 would be utter overkill for Adobe Photoshop, but that’s precisely why we chose it. Dell built this laptop specifically for performance and delivered just that with the m17.
This laptop comes with a 10th Generation Core i9 processor, a powerful option for running the entire Adobe Creative Studio.
The m17 comes standard with a 17.3-inch screen with a 1920 X 1080 HD resolution, which is ideal for all photo editing tasks.
A 360 Hz refresh rate helps produce outstanding motion picture edits. At 6.6 pounds, this laptop isn’t quite portable, but it more than compensates for its weight with other awesome features.
For example, the m17 comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU that will render high-quality images for you without breaking a sweat.
However, it comes with an 86 WHr battery that’s awful, running for only two hours while away from a power source.
Pros
- Outstanding display graphics
- Large number of high-speed ports
- Attractive design and chassis.
Cons
- Poor battery life
- Ultra-expensive
- Ultra-heavy laptop
Alienware m15 R4
Last update on 2024-12-06 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Another functional option for Photoshop is the m15 R4. This laptop boasts of outstanding performance just like its elder brother, the m17.
This laptop comes with an optional 4K OLED display that offers unparalleled clarity. For Photoshop users, this resolution guarantees the best experience.
It also features a GeForce RTX 3070 GPU that helps in editing and rendering high-quality images and photos.
With over 1TB of SSD storage, this laptop can handle the heavy installation files that come with Adobe Photoshop.
The 10th Generation Core i7 processor ensures that all your tools and brushes within Photoshop work seamlessly to produce high-quality edits.
For a gaming laptop, it has a powerful battery. It can last up to 6 hours of use. This makes it ideal for remote working.
It one of our recommended PCs for VR.
Pros
- Outstanding image display
- Long-lasting battery
- Beautiful design and chassis
- Useful number of high-speed ports
- Customizable
Cons.
- Heavy to carry
- Ultra-expensive
Is Alienware the best for photo editing?
Alienware makes for amazing laptops for photo editing but that does not mean they are the best for the job. Their features suit them better for gaming.
Alienware laptops are as pricey as high-end laptops can get, but you can do so much more with a professional laptop for much less. They’re heavy too.
This hurts their portability, and it doesn’t help that they have awful battery lives. For these reasons, we’ll recommend one alternative that’s better than both.
Best alternative to Alienware for Photoshop
Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2020)
Last update on 2024-12-07 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The MacBook Pro is a high-end professional laptop that performs much better than Alienware for Photoshop.
It brings clarity to a whole new level with a 16-inch retina display that has a crystal-clear 3072 X1920 display.
Nothing beats editing images on a screen with such clarity. An Intel UHD Graphics 630 card helps increase the resolution and refresh rate of your MacBook.
The MacBook is as portable as they come, weighing just about 4.3 pounds. Its 100Whr battery can last up to 11 hours, making it ideal for the traveling creative.
Four Thunderbolt 3 ports help you transfer files between devices at blazing speeds.
You can configure your device to come an Intel Core i9 processor capable of handling the Adobe Creative Studio with little stress.
The MacBook Pro comes with a high-speed 16 GB DDR4 RAM and an AMD Radeon Pro GPU with 4GB of Video RAM.
Expect the SSD storage to be about 512GB to 1TB, more than sufficient for all your editing needs.
Pros
- Outstanding overall performance
- High-Resolution Retina display
- Long battery life
- High-quality graphics cards and CPU
- Less expensive than Alienware alternatives
Cons
- Quite expensive
Final Thoughts and Best Pick:
Our favorite laptop for photo editing is the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2020). We liked it, not for any other reason other than its portability, battery life, and screen resolution.
Sure. Alienware can run Adobe Photoshop as seamlessly as you like, but it has severe battery life and portability shortcomings. A lightweight laptop is a creative’s best friend, especially for photo editing