If you are a photographer, you know that getting all of the best equipment can cost a pretty penny. Not only do you need cameras and lenses, but you also need a way to store and edit all of the images you capture.
There are many laptops available for photographers, but not all of them are affordable. Below, you will find some of the best laptops for photo editing on a budget to help you save some cash while you perfect your craft.
Contents
Quick Summary
- The Dell G5 is a great budget laptop that has the performance and specs needed for photo editing. The current year’s model is great, but check out the below option for even more savings.
- Another quality option is the ASUS ZenBook 14. This is a lightweight-but-durable laptop that’s great to bring into the field. It has plenty of power as well.
- If you are new to photography or want a cheap option that’s still great for photo editing, have a look at the Acer Aspire 5. With quality features and an appealing price tag, this one is worth looking into.
Who Should Get This
Photographers need to have all of the proper tools at their disposal. Most modern camera users rely on digital photography for the majority of the work they do. That means a computer is a must-have tool if you want to create the best possible images.
While there are some very high-end laptops that are sure to help, you don’t need the most expensive option to create great photos.
The budget-friendly laptops listed here are great for all photographers who want to save money but still have effective editing tools at their disposal.
If you need top of the line capabilities or are a serious professional photographer, you might want to explore higher-end options. While all of the models here are decent and capable, they are not the best money can buy.
Best Laptop for Photo Editing on a Budget: Our Picks
1. Dell G5
The Dell G5 is a quality laptop that’s more than capable of handling a variety of photo editing tasks at an affordable price. This Windows 10 powered machine comes equipped with a 15.6-inch FHD IPS Anti-Glare LED-Backlit display.
While that’s a mouthful, it means that you will have access to all of the images you capture in stunning resolution with easily visible colors no matter what lighting you find yourself in.
The G5 also features and 8th Gen I5 quad-core processor for reliable performance and 32GB of RAM mean that this option has some of the fastest speeds out of all budget laptops.
It also comes with 2TB of HDD memory and 512GB of SSD memory which translates into an amazing combination of speed and storage. Awesome for photo editing and capable in a variety of other ways, this is a great budget laptop.
Pros:
- Large, high-quality display
- 32GB RAM
- Excellent storage utilizing 2TB HDD
- Backlit keyboard
- HD webcam
Cons:
- A little bulky
2. ASUS ZenBook 14
Another budget-friendly option for photographers is the ASUS ZenBook 14. This is a sleek, lightweight option built to help stoke your creativity.
Even with a slim profile, the 14-inch NanoEdge full HD display produces excellent image quality and will aid your editing on multiple levels.
It also features the latest 10th Gen I5 Intel processor for reliable speeds and comes with 8GB of RAM to handle photo editing tasks with relative ease.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Durable
- 14-inch high-quality display
- 10th Gen I5 Intel Processor
- ErgoLift hinge for better cooling and viewing
Cons:
- Only 8GB of RAM
3. Acer Aspire 5
The Acer Aspire 5A is an affordable option that’s great for beginner photographers or anyone else looking to save a lot of money on a laptop.
This option comes equipped with an impressive 15.6-inch full HD IPS display as well as a 10th Gen Intel Processor for awesome image quality and reliable performance.
A narrow bezel design works with the screen to create high image quality at an approachable price.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Large 15.6-inch display
- Narrow bezel display for optimal viewing
- 10th Gen I5 Intel Processor
- 9.5 hours of battery life
Cons:
- Only 8GB of RAM
- Not the most durable option
Budget Laptop for Photo Editing: What to Consider
Image Quality/Graphics
A large part of being able to create high-quality digital photographs on a laptop computer comes down to how you actually see the photos on the screen. That is why image quality and graphics are a major consideration with any laptop you choose.
The budget options you’ll find here all have excellent graphic processors and superior image quality when compared to other cheap options. You will get accurate and precise images out of any of these choices.
RAM
RAM is another important consideration in regards to photo editing. The more RAM you have at your disposal, the faster you will be able to edit photos.
High amounts of RAM on a computer allow it to complete more demanding tasks because it has more resources at its disposal.
Increased RAM almost always equates to a higher price, so it’s hard to find a budget option with a ton of it. Look for at least 8GB of RAM for photo editing purposes.
Storage Capacity
Photos can take up quite a bit of room on your hard drive. Photo editing software and other tools that allow you to effectively edit images will increase your need for storage.
You can always get external drives to increase your capacity, but it’s good to have a decent amount built into your computer in case you need to edit on the fly. Look for at least 256GB of storage as a starting point.
Battery Life
As with any laptop computer, battery life is a major consideration. It may not be the most important aspect for photo editing, but if you plan on taking your laptop out into the field for a photo shoot, you want to be sure it will stay on.
Running your photo editing program can quickly drain the battery. Look for an option that has a long enough battery life to stay on all day.
Useful Tips & Resources
Everyone has their own creative process, and photography is no different.
There are no exact rules when it comes to art, but there are certainly some tips and tricks you can use to your advantage to create some amazing digital images.
Take a look at this video for some suggestions that can really help you with your photo editing.
You may also be interested in these graphic design bundles and deals for digital design assets.
Final Words
No matter what your abilities as a photographer are, it’s always nice to save some money and still have quality tools to use as you make edits.
The laptops on this list are all great budget options and each one comes highly recommended. While there are really high-end options that offer better overall performance, for quality features and functions at an affordable price, these laptops for photo editing on a budget can’t be beaten.
Do you have any tips or tricks to offer fellow photographers? Let us know in the comments below!
Tina
I found though editing photo’s on my tablet via the sd card from DSLR camera the camera no longer recognises the photo. And shows a ? with no pic when you then view it again on your DSLR.