The best computer for graphic design: fast performers with beautiful displays

The best computer for graphic design needs to tick lots of boxes. Programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop are big resource-hogs, and you’ll need them to run smoothly. Physical ports for peripherals are also important, and then there's value for money – not everyone can afford the latest iMac.

At Creative Bloq, our reviewers live and breathe design, and so when we test and review computers, we do so with suitability for designers in mind. Only the best qualify for this list; our top pick is the Mac mini (M4, 2024), but there are plenty more options.

We've focused on desktop computers here, so our guide to the best monitors for graphic artists will prove useful. If you prefer an all-in-one, we have a dedicated guide to the best laptops for graphic design, and see our guide to the best video editing computers for more machines with plenty of power.

Beren Neale

Beren has worked on creative tech publications at Future Publishing for over 13 years. As Ecom Editor, he divides his time between testing the latest kit and hunting down the best deals for digital creatives. A fan of Windows and Apple PCs, he's been using and reviewing computers for over a decade.

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The best computer for graphic design

Best computer for graphic design overall

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What you need to know: Apple has achieved something remarkable with the Mac mini (M4, 2024), shrinking its already compact design whilst improving performance across the board. The base model now comes with 16GB unified memory as standard (double that of its predecessor), making it perfectly suited to running multiple creative applications simultaneously. We've long felt that the Mac mini line represents the best value for money across Apple's entire range, and having now reviewed the M4 mini, we still feel that way. It's an exceptional machine

Design: This is Apple's smallest computer ever. The new 127 x 127 x 50mm footprint represents a significant reduction from previous models, while adding convenient front USB-C ports. It's a more portable choice than the iMac M4 featured below, though of course, you do need to factor in a monitor. Connection options are comprehensive, with Thunderbolt 4 ports (or Thunderbolt 5 on the Pro model) and HDMI supporting up to 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz, perfect for high-resolution design work. It's basically the exact same deal design-wise as previous Mac minis, which you could call a boring lack of innovation, but you could also call a triumphant case of not fixing what manifestly ain't broke.

Performance: In our benchmark tests, the Mac mini M4 outperformed even the beefy Mac Studio 2. With the neural engine capable of 38 trillion operations per second, we found that all our design apps ran beautifully (and when they didn't, it wasn't the computer's fault). The base model's 16GB unified memory means it will handle demanding creative workflows with ease, and stay virtually silent even under heavy loads, making it ideal for studio environments. The M4 Pro version offers additional graphics power for the most demanding tasks.

Value: Starting at £599 for the M4 model (£1,399 for M4 Pro), the Mac mini represents exceptional value in the professional desktop space. While you'll need to budget for peripherals, the performance-to-price ratio is outstanding.

Our expert says

Our expert says

Erlingur Einarsson

"It's tiny, but the Mac mini packs enough power for any creative design task, and unlike many Apple products, it offers great value for your money."

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Best Windows computer for graphic design

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What you need to know: A gaming PC that's also equipped to churn through the intense processing demands of rendering tasks, the Omen 35L is an impressive embodiment of the philosophy of 'look the part, be the part', memorably coined by The Wire's Proposition Joe. This means that not only does it boast one of the latest Intel processors and a beefy NVIDIA GPU, but it also has about as chic a design as you could reasonably expect from a desktop tower PC, with an all-white case, a transparent side panel and built-in lighting rigs. Of course, all this does come at a pretty premium price.

Design: As mentioned, this is a good-looking PC, but it's well built too, with the components contained in a solid, durable case. HP has opted to put lights all over absolutely everything, which you may enjoy, or you may not, but overall we found the effect to be rather pleasing. The transparent side-panel definitely gives it a gamer look, which may not appeal to everyone, but all the same, you'd be churlish to describe this as anything other than a very thoughtfully designed PC.

Performance: Here's where things really kick into high gear. The Omen 35L boasts the second generation of Intel Core Ultra processors, and it really lets them rip. The Geekbench multicore CPU results were very impressive, just as expected, but designers will be pleased to hear that it's graphical performance where things really shine, with the discrete Nvidia GPU blowing Apple's M4 out of the water. It handled beefy denoising tasks on 60MP files in a matter of seconds, and will do the same with pretty much any graphic design task you'd care to put to it. The only slight reservation we had was in the performance of the storage drive – the 300 MB/s transfer speeds we recorded seemed slow for a machine at this spec.

Pricing: No doubt, this is an expensive purchase. While we do feel it offers decent value for professional designers seeking a high-performance workstation, there are also plenty more great computers for graphic design, and the M4 Mac mini in our top spot offers far greater value. But if you are strongly averse to Apple and need a top-line computer for intense work, the inclusion of top-tier components and generous storage justifies this investment.

Our expert says

Our expert says

Ian Evenden

"HP has loaded this Omen 35L gaming PC with the latest tech. It’s expensive, but the capability it will bring makes it well worth the outlay."

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Best budget computer for graphic design

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What you need to know: Limited on budget? The HP Victus 15L may be an entry-level gaming PC, but it's also got the specs to run graphic design software smoothly and efficiently, and offers a good balance of performance and affordability overall. Its compact form factor makes it suitable for users with limited desk space. And while it makes some compromises in build quality and customisation options, that's reflected in the affordable price, and won't really be an issue for anyone looking for an entry-level machine.

Design: The compact form factor (155 x 297 x 337mm) makes efficient use of space, ideal for smaller workstations. The aesthetically pleasing white finish and illuminated 'V' logo add a professional touch. Port selection is generous, with multiple USB ports on both front and rear, though the case construction feels somewhat budget-oriented. The internal layout, while space-efficient, doesn't facilitate easy upgrades.

Performance: The Intel Core i5-12400 processor performs admirably in creative applications, offering particularly good single-core performance which benefits many design applications. The RTX 3060 graphics card provides enough power for most design tasks and can handle 3D applications at moderate settings. The 16GB DDR4 RAM is sufficient for most design workflows, though heavy multitaskers might want more. The 1TB SSD offers quick access to files and applications.

Pricing: The Victus 15L represents good value for those needing a capable design workstation that can also handle gaming. The inclusion of an RTX card at this price point is particularly noteworthy for designers working with GPU-accelerated tools. It's a cheaper option than the previous RDY Y70 001, though of course, doesn't quite offer the same degree of power.

Read more: HP Victus 15L review.

Our expert says

Our expert says

Jacob Little

"This entry-level gaming PC delivered surprisingly strong performance that'll suit designers, thanks to its generously appointed graphics card."

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Best all-in-one computer for graphic design

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What you need to know: Apple's iMacs have always been popular among designers, and the 2024 iteration is unsurprisingly the most powerful yet. The base model offers 16GB RAM, which can be upgraded, and the lush 4.5K Retina Display is stunningly bright and perfectly calibrated. It's a hefty, expensive machine, but a superb option for designers who have the space and the budget.

Design: The impossibly thin profile (14.7cm) and vibrant colour options make this one of the most aesthetically pleasing computers we've ever tested. The clean, minimalist design includes thoughtful touches like colour-matched accessories and cables. Port selection varies by model, with higher-end versions offering four Thunderbolt 4 ports. The display is stunning – but its 24-inch size may not be enough for all designers, with some users preferring a little more visual real estate.

Performance: The M4 chip delivers approximately 20% better CPU performance than its predecessor, with the Neural Engine capable of 38 trillion operations per second. We found that this translates to smooth performance in professional design applications like Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and Figma – the iMac M4 effortlessly handled every task we threw at it. Of course, while the base 16GB RAM we tested offers superb multitasking capabilities, power users (say, 3D designers) have to the option to go for 32GB.

Pricing: Starting at £1,299 (£200 less than the previous generation), the iMac M4 is expensive, but excellent value for an all-in-one design workstation. While the nano-texture display adds £200 to the price, it's worth considering for studios with challenging lighting conditions. This is a pretty niche prospect as a computer – basically, if you fit in the niche of someone who needs a high-powered computer that stays in one place, and doesn't mind a 24-inch screen, it's a sure thing. Otherwise, the Mac Mini in our number-one spot may prove the sounder buy.

Our expert says

Our expert says

Daniel John

"If you're a designer who cares about aesthetics, needs a healthy dose of processing power, has budget to play with and is happy to stay in one place, the iMac is perfect."

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Most powerful computer for graphic design

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What you need to know: The Apple Mac Studio M2 Ultra is one of the most powerful computers you can buy right now, and certainly Apple's most powerful – more so even than the iMac M4. As you may expect, with great power comes a high price tag, and it is not a price that's necessary to pay for most graphic design work. However, if you're also working in demanding high-resolution video editing or 3D work, you're likely to appreciate the additional grunt, and everyone will appreciate the increased speed of performance.

Design: At 7.7 x 7.7 inches and 3.7 inches tall, the Mac Studio maintains the same minimalist aluminium design as its predecessor. It’s compact enough to fit into tight workspaces yet heavy enough (7.9 pounds) to feel robust. Front-facing Thunderbolt 4 ports and an SDXC card slot add convenience for photographers and designers frequently working with external drives and SD cards. At the rear, the Mac Studio boasts four additional Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI, and Ethernet. The M2 Ultra can support up to eight 4K displays, six 6K displays or three 8K displays all running at 60Hz.

Performance: The M2 Ultra is Apple’s most powerful chip, fusing two M2 Max chips to deliver extraordinary processing power. With up to 192GB of unified memory and 800GB/s memory bandwidth, the Mac Studio excels in multitasking and handling graphically intensive tasks. Our reviewer found the M2 Ultra 128GB RAM configuration made light work of the most intense tasks and was exceptionally good when multitasking. She was able to work across multiple programs simultaneously without waiting for anything to load.

Pricing: While the price is steep—starting at £4,199 and exceeding £8,999 for the top-spec model—the Mac Studio is an investment that pays off in time saved and unparalleled performance. Its longevity ensures it remains a reliable workhorse for years to come.

Read more: Mac Studio M2 Ultra review

Our expert says

Our expert says

Rachael Penn

"If you’re a creative professional and spend 90% of your day working on intensive projects, then the Mac Studio is the perfect investment for you."

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Best gaming computer for graphic design

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What you need to know: Gaming computers are far more abundant than family desktop towers these days, but because of the powerful components they pack, they also tend to be excellent graphic design computers. And here's a great example. The HP Omen 45L is a high-end gaming PC that doubles as a powerful workstation, making it ideal for both gamers and creatives.

Design: The machine's design is equally impressive, featuring a black monolithic case with customizable RGB lighting. A standout feature is the 'cryo-chamber' cooling system, which keeps the CPU running efficiently, even under heavy workloads. However, its large size (weighing 22.6kg) and significant power consumption do make it less portable and energy-efficient than your average computer. Connectivity options include a wide range of USB ports but lack USB 4 or Thunderbolt support.

Performance: With top-tier specs like an Intel Core i9-13900K processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, 64GB of DDR5 RAM, and 3TB of storage (1TB SSD + 2TB HDD), this PC excels in demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming at 4K resolution. Our reviewer found the system performed exceptionally well in benchmarks, outpacing many competitors, including the Mac Studio in multi-core processing. Cooling was impressively quiet, even under heavy loads, and the system remainsedstable during demanding operations.

Pricing: Starting at around £2,000, with prices rising with configurations, the HP Omen 45L is undeniably expensive – though you can definitely pick it up for less than the Mac Studio if desired. However, for professionals requiring extreme performance, it represents a worthwhile investment. Its ability to double as a gaming PC adds versatility, though the inclusion of a 2TB HDD alongside its SSD may feel out of place in such a high-end build.

Our expert says

Our expert says

Ian Evenden

"The decision when buying a PC like this often comes down to whether you need its brute rendering force. This is only one for designers with intense, high-demand workflows."

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Also tested

The above are our top picks for graphic design. However, we're always testing new computers and there are plenty that don't quite make the cut for our buying guides, but still represent worthy alternatives. Below you'll find some other computers we've tested that are also well-suited for graphic design, which may be better suited to your particular needs and budget.

ABS Cyclone Aqua
While it's predominantly a machine designed for gamers, the ABS Cyclone Aqua also has its place as an option for graphic designers. We were impressed by the performance of its GPU, and the large case ensures excellent cooling performance – great for those marathon sessions.
Read our 3.5-star ABS Cyclone Aqua review

Velocity Micro Vector Z35
While the mesh-case design of this computer looks stylish, it also serves the practical purpose of allowing 360-degree cooling. Our reviewer was impressed by the performance of this computer – though be aware that if you want to use it for intensive graphic design, you'll need a discrete GPU.
Read our 4-star Velocity Micro Vector Z35 review.

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How to choose a computer for graphic design

When it comes to choosing which computer is best for graphic design, there are several key things you'll want to look for, and these are the pillars that also inform which devices we have included in the list above.

For starters, you'll need enough power to run the best graphic design software without stuttering. Ideally, you'll want a CPU with four, six or more cores to run creative software as well as 16GB memory if not more. A dedicated graphics card isn't a must-have unless you're also doing more demanding tasks like motion design or 3D rendering. For static design, the GPU sees little use and you can probably get away without a dedicated card. You'll also want enough storage space to be able to cope with your workflow. How much will depend on the type of files you work with and whether you also use external or cloud-based storage.

Finally, you'll need to decide what kind of setup you prefer. Some PCs for graphic design included in our list above are integrated, all-in-one devices that have their own monitor, keyboard and mouse. That can work out cheaper, it makes buying easier and it reduces desk clutter. However, if you want to be able to choose your monitor and peripherals or work across a multiple-monitor setup, you may prefer to buy a computer alone. Budget is obviously another concern, and we have aimed to include options at different price points.

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How we test computers for graphic design

Creative Bloq's team of hardware experts bring with them many years of experience using, testing and benchmarking computers with a focus on running creative applications. All the computers in this guide have been tested either by using graphic design software or benchmarked to ensure the CPU and GPU is capable of the most intensive graphic design tasks. We run different benchmark tests on each device depending on its intended use by its maker, but the benchmarks we've run all the computers in this guide through include the following:

• Cinebench R23/2024 - this assesses the performance of a computer's CPU and GPU using real-world 3D rendering tasks

• Geekbench 5/6 - this tests the CPU's processing power, both by using a single core for a single task at a time as well as all the CPU's core to see its ability to multitask

• 3DMark - this assesses a computer's ability to run 3D graphic rendering tasks

But perhaps more importantly than benchmarking, we evaluate machines in real-world scenarios, pushing them to the limit with multiple applications running to see how they perform in project-like conditions. Power, speed, flexibility, and what a computer looks and feels like to use are all criteria in our reviewing process. We do much more than simply unpack a test unit, run some benchmarks and then pack it up again; we have lived and worked with all of the above computers, running them in real-life scenarios and completed projects relevant to the subject of this guide, otherwise, we wouldn't recommend these models to you. For more details, see our article on How we test.

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FAQs

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