As a web developer and designer, you have to do a lot of multi-tasking from editing various photos to working on backend software such as WordPress, also you have to do coding and programming work such as CSS, java, etc.
For all tasks, you need a fast machine that boots quickly, additionally good processor and ram keep you comfortable while designing.
The best laptop for web development and design is very handy equipment, especially for travelers who have to attend client meetings and often visit places to explain to them the status of your projects.
In order to do all the duties there are a lot of factors that play an essential part when choosing a laptop for web designers, you should not compromise on the processor, ram, and storage capacity as these are the most important configurations in a computer.
However, in this post, I am also going to share my complete experience with buying guides as I have been doing web designing for 5 years now.
And in this period I have used plenty of laptops so read through this if you are in a hurry you can directly go into the laptops section.
Also Read: Best laptop for Digital Marketing
Buying guide- Best laptop for web design and development
Your main goal as a web developer and designer is to make your workspace as much user-friendly as possible do not keep only portability in your mind while choosing the best laptop for web design.
Yes, portability is one of the crucial aspects but it does not mean you compromise on performance.
As we all know that web designing task needs a lot of efficiency you have to work on multiple files; tabs and software all at the same time.
So you need to spend on something that has more latest models rather than the old configured system.
The reason I am saying this is because it’s a creative place where rapidly technology changes and you might also consider designing themes and different plugin development in this case you need a supportive laptop.
Now without wasting your time let us start with factors to consider for the best laptop for web designers.
Processor
The processor is always the top priority be it computers and laptops as all the computing efficiency depending the CPU.
Now for laptops in case you have a very low budget under 400 to 450 dollars, the intel core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 is a decent pick but not the best one as this is still fine for a text editor and to begin it’s pretty much ok, especially for students can use it.
But once you start working on heavy software such as photoshop then you will experience a bit of lag so the suggestion is intel core i5 and AMD Ryzen 5.
However, Intel 7 and Ryzen 7 are the best CPU for web development no need for i9 as it is more than capable and overkill unless you have a high budget intel i9 is definitely added advantage.
For instance, between intel and AMD, both are good for daily regular work but AMD Ryzen makes a more affordable CPU than intel and is quite optimal for multi-tasking.
Whereas for professionals intel is still recommended especially for work such as web designing but they are costly and their single-core performance is better than multi-core so it’s more suited for gaming rather than skilled work.
Ram
The 8GB ram is the required minimum in laptops firstly it’s good for running multiple applications and little future-proof as well.
Now from a web development point of view, you can tackle things such as Video studio code; sublime text, and notepad plus with 4GB memory.
Yet a big concern comes while working on photo editing on photoshop besides it’s also important for video editing as these tasks are heavy that requires a minimum of 8GB.
In fact, if the budget is not a concern going with 16GB ram is a smart decision so you can work on any software easily.
There are also 32GB ram laptops in the market but 8-16GB will do your job smoothly, Also note that always choose ram that has DDR4 technology rather than ddr3 and DDR5 ram hit the market yet DDR4 is what you must have.
Storage capacity
There are 2 types of hard disks we have, one is HDD and the other is SSD, You should always consider SSD over HDD yes you may have to spend a little more and stretch your budget but it’s worth spending on SSD.
As these are super quick then HDD keeps your machine faster be it booting system, loading software, and videos everything takes less time.
The laptop for web designers must have at least 256GB SSD space and the ideal will be 512GB SSD especially if you have to edit a lot of photos, and videos, where have to keep a backup of your data 500GB SSD, is needed to store multiple clients data in your system.
Graphics card
This is a very important part that I require to address in this buying guide as there is a big misconception that you have to get a laptop with a dedicated GPU for web development or designing.
For instance, you do not need a dedicated graphics card for your work on web development you can even manage it with integrated video cards.
However, in case you are doing a heavy level of video editing and want to play games then you need a dedicated GPU.
For casual gaming 2GB, a video chip is fine but for mid-level gaming, at least a 4GB graphics card is needed, moreover even though gaming laptops are super fast but not the most recommended for professional work.
Display size:
This is subjective and depends on which screen size you are comfortable with, however, it’s good to pick between 13” to 17” screen sizes, ideally 14” to 15.6” is what web developers needed.
Largely due to photo editing tasks as they can give you a good viewing experience and these are quite portable as well.
If you like to work on larger displays 17.3” laptops are pretty good but then you have to compromise with portability as these are quite heavy in weight.
The Full HD resolution is more than enough for a web development laptop you do not need QHD resolution it actually unnecessarily stretches your budget.
Battery life:
Battery backup is equally important if you are a frequent traveler Anything between 5-10 hours is good battery backup, moreover, if your work is in one place then you can always put the laptop on charging.
PC vs laptop:
For instance, a PC is always pretty powerful, and most importantly it does not cost you much you can set it up at minimal pricing, however, the main reason why developers prefer laptops due to their portability.
So the conclusion is definitely PC is any day better yet there are many laptops nowadays in the market which give a desktop-like performance.
Secondly, it’s quite easy to carry outdoors for meetings likewise you are not always dependent on electricity for work as it runs on a battery.
Budget:
If you have read our buying guide on the best laptop for web designers, we have mentioned all the scenarios if the budget is low you should consider a laptop anything in the budget of 550 to 700 you will easily get a laptop that can run your work smoothly.
Moreover, if you are a full-stack developer where you have to work on different themes, and plugins regularly then you might have to consider a slightly expensive laptop yet it should not cost you more than 1000 dollars.
Also Read: Best laptop for Bloggers
Best laptop for web development & Design 2023
1. Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6 Laptop
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If budget is not a big concern for you then this Acer swift laptop is the best and most popular series among professionals such as designers to video editors.
As this machine is designed with a high-quality display with well-configured hardware that supports heavy work, you can smoothly do a good level of programming and coding on this laptop.
The visual experience on this device’s screen is a treat to the eyes as it has 100% Srgb support that has the capacity to deliver accurate colors, therefore it’s a strong contender for the best laptop for full-stack web development.
The 300 nits Display brightness is good for outdoor use, the highlight of this machine is despite the design being lightweight still Acer assures adding a dedicated RTX 3050ti graphics card with a 4GB GDDR6 video chip.
This 30 series GPU enhances the visual quality and you can also play demanding games in your free time, now there are many 14” laptops available in the market but this is a very rare professional and gaming laptop with an excellent FHD display.
There is no concern about performance while working on heavy projects as it is powered by AMD Ryzen 7 5800U which has 8 cores and 16 threads so no compromise on any multi-task work.
Let’s discuss a bit more about graphics cards even though the 3050 GPU from Nvidia is the best GPU for running editing work but is not meant for heavy gaming as the Max TDP of this GPU is 40 watts which is decent for gaming.
However, if you have to do a lot of editing on editing applications and use photoshop then it’s nice dGPU for your daily work, overall it definitely increases the process of rendering.
Additionally, it is equipped with responsive 16GB DDR4 ram memory capable of handling multiple tabs and files, however, there is no upgradability slot for memory yet 16GB is still quite enough for multitasking.
For saving all your work such as data, files and backups you get 512GB NVMe SSD which is a good option in the budget, also the thermal settings of the machine are very well designed to keep cool while working on heavy software.
The laptop looks attractive and trendy, and the side bezels are sleek ensuring wide viewing angles, it also has good quality backlit keyboard that makes you comfortable and the battery life is excellent during normal usage delivering 5-6 hours back up.
The connectivity choices are good it is equipped with USB, USB 3.2 gen 1 ports along with USB gen 2 type c 3.2 and HDMI 2.0, there is also fingerprint reader support to keep your data safe.
Key Features:
- CPU AMD Ryzen 5800U, 8 cores.
- GPU Nvidia RTX 3050ti, 4GB.
- Ram onboard 16GB DDR4.
- Storage capacity 512GB SSD.
- Display size 14″ with Full HD resolution.
- Excellent color accuracy.
- Fingerprint reader.
- Light and slim laptop.
Cons:
- Bit expensive.
- Ram is not upgradeable.
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2. Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop
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This Dell Inspiron is the best choice for a budget laptop for web design, the laptop is equipped with completely prominent hardware that you do not get in the range, especially since it stands out on CPU and ram support.
It is powered by a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 4700U 8 cores processor that generates a base frequency 2Ghz and max boost of up to 4.1Ghz which is again quite a powerful prospect for work such as web development and programming,
In this laptop dell uses 32GB Ram memory you can open multiple tabs and work on the heaviest software without any slowness, your experience is going to be buttery smooth on any application.
It is equipped with a 512GB NVMe SSD allows you to store all the important data in your system, also it ensures to increase in booting time and keeps you efficient while working.
This laptop has integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega 10 Graphics delivering smooth and very fine quality images, but do not expect to run heavy games and video editing software you can do basic gaming and editing on FHD easily.
The 4-Cell 53 WHr Battery delivers good backup while working on projects, also 15.6” FHD anti-glare screen keeps you comfortable during long hours and the thin side bezels look attractive.
The design of the machine is quite minimalistic and professional whereas the finishing is smooth, also backlit keyboard comes with a separate numeric pad so basically, it gives a full-size keyboard.
On the connectivity front, the laptop is packed with great options such as 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C that help DisplayPort & Power Delivery, it also has an HDMI 1.4A and an audio jack.
The highlight feature of this machine is it is furnished with Micro SD Card Reader which is excellent for creators, also it gives fingerprint support and the latest Wi-Fi6 for faster internet connectivity.
There is Bluetooth 5 version technology, and despite having small bezels Dell has managed to built-in a 720p resolution webcam usable for zoom meetings.
Key Features:
- CPU AMD Ryzen 7 4700U 8 cores.
- Integrated graphics card.
- Massive Ram 32GB DDR4.
- Storage capacity 512GB SSD.
- Screen size 15.6″ with FHD resolution.
- SD card reader.
- Fingerprint reader.
- Backlit keyboard with numeric pad.
Cons:
- None in budget but no dedicated graphics card.
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Also Read: Best laptop for writers on a budget
3. HP Pavilion 15 Laptop
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With good design and multiple features, this intel processor laptop from HP is next on our list for the best laptop for web design and coding.
The laptop is another well-built budget alternative in the thin and lightweight category, it is featured with a 15.6″ full HD IPS display that has 178 degrees viewing angles.
It is also equipped with a good combination of a faster CPU of 11th gen intel core i7 1165G7 and 16GB ram making it the perfect choice for programming and web designing.
These 4 cores, 8 threads CPU, and ram memory even lets you do FHD editing easily for youtube, and can also do other daily computing tasks.
This laptop is standing with 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD and it has an integrated Intel IRIS x graphics chip capable of delivering crisp visuals and images, you can also do photo editing yet could have been better if it had a dedicated GPU still not a big concern.
Overall hardware is enough to tackle web designing work; battery backup is about 6-8 hours usable while going outdoors for meetings.
This laptop has quick charging technology that charges your battery up to 50% within 45 minutes which is excellent for users who have to go for early meetings.
Overall laptop’s grey color looks good, especially since the material used for making is sturdy and designed with a Numpad keyboard the switches are quite user-friendly.
It is furnished with good ports and connectivity options, highlight of the machine is you get SD card reader support and other ports such as USB 2.0 Type A, USB type C supports DisplayPort, and HDMI 2.0
Key Features:
- CPU 11th gen intel core i7 1165G7, 4 cores.
- Integrated graphics card.
- Ram 16GB DDR4.
- Storage capacity 512GB SSD.
- SD Card reader.
- Keyboard with Numpad.
- Rapid charge technology.
Cons
- No dedicated graphics card.
- Decent ports.
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4. Apple MacBook Air Laptop
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The Macbook air from apple is quite a known model and one of the successful series, especially for students; freelancers, and professionals.
There are a few concerns among heavy users about whether to go with the apple MacBook air or not but the truth is it’s a powerful machine that lets you do many tasks smoothly.
Now few others who want to get an apple Macbook but back out due to its high pricing then let me tell you this is the budget laptop for web designing.
This laptop offers a Mac operating system which is ideal for professional who works on coding and programming, moreover, for windows, you need to find ways to use it on this system.
In this device, apple uses their own M1 chip that has been designed with 8 cores this CPU ensures seamless performance.
It is featured with a 13.3″ retina display which has support from 8 cores GPU and delivers smooth quality visuals.
It is integrated with 8GB ram memory that is decent enough to tackle all web design-related tasks without much lagging and also helps to run a few other applications.
It gives 256GB SSD which is still a decent amount of storage space also since it has SSD it boots the system within a few minutes additionally as per the brand you can extend the storage.
However, it is another excellent machine that delivers good vibrant, and accurate colors you will enjoy the visuals, and the brightness is very bright on the panel which allows you to operate this machine in outdoor conditions.
There is unique true tone technology under which the screen adjusted the brightness according to the situation this helps especially outdoors.
The laptop has a huge battery back up to 15-18 hours so you can use it almost for the day without worrying about plugging it in to charge.
The biggest reason it’s a favorite among students and freelancing professionals is an ultra-lightweight option that does not put much stress on your back at the same time fits into the bag easily.
Key Features:
- CPU with M1 chip, 8 cores.
- Integrated Graphics card.
- Ram 8GB and storage 256GB SSD.
- Retina Display with 13.3″ screen size.
- Excellent color accuracy.
- Lightweight laptop.
- Impressive screen brightness.
Cons:
- The ram is not upgradeable.
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Also Read: Best laptop for video editing under 1000
5. Asus Zenbook Laptop
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This Asus Zenbook is designed with quite powerful hardware in the lowest range making it the cheapest laptop for web development especially if you are a beginner I suggest you consider this Asus model.
The dedicated MX 450 2BG graphics card is the highlight of this device as it allows you to do seamless photo editing on photoshop also you can do casual gaming.
It is equipped with AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor great choice for low budget, especially for multi-tasking work it’s a solid CPU.
As it is built in with 6 cores and 12 threads, it is capable of operating on a base frequency of 2.10Ghz and maxing up to 4.0Ghz which is highly responsive for work such as coding, photo, and video editing.
Additionally, Asus uses 8GB DDR4 ram plays an important role while working on multiple tabs and applications.
For saving all your data it gives 256GB SSD boots the machine faster and loads the windows quickly.
Further the 14-inch full HD display and with good battery life, you can rely on this laptop for web designing tasks and other day-to-day work.
The overall laptop has very nicely built and looks very compact, top lid has minimal flex which is acceptable, and also there is simple Asus branding that adds value to its design.
The keyboard quality is good you get used to it easily without any discomfort as switches are responsive and side bezels are thin ensuring good wide viewing visuals.
Key Features:
- CPU AMD Ryzen 5500U, 6 cores.
- Ram 8GB and storage capacity 256GB SSD.
- Dedicated graphics card.
- Display 14″ with Full HD resolution.
Cons:
- Little bulkier 14-inch laptop above 4.50 lbs.
- No Numpad.
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Also Read: Best laptop for video editing under 500
Frequently asked questions
What is the best laptop for web design?
Web design does not require any demanding hardware so there are multiple choices in the market which is suitable for web design we have listed above some of the top-rated laptops for web development and design.
Among them, our 2 picks will be Acer swift and Asus Zenbook 14, Acer is the best for those who have the budget to spend on a powerful machine where they want to explore full stack development.
Whereas Asus is a cheap device that is suitable for students and professionals who only aim to design websites and in fact is also capable of handling coding, and programming software.
How much ram do I need for web design?
The web designing work is quite a multi-tasking job you have to run a lot of tabs online also for editing photos you have to use software like photoshop.
To handle all this work your laptop should have a minimum of 8GB ram and for the buttery smooth experience, you can consider 16GB 8GB will do a good job but again full stack development might require more ram so make sure the machine has an upgradability feature.
Which laptop is best for coding and web development?
The coding requires at least 4 cores CPU which is quite common in basic laptops, web development is also workable on 4 cores but make sure your laptop has 8GB ram with an SSD storage option of at least 256GB SSD.
Is i3 good for web designing?
Yes, you can use Intel core i3 laptops for web designing but it is not the best preference, especially while using photoshop it will lag so the best choice is the intel core i5 but yea i3 is manageable for web designing.
Are MacBooks good for web development?
Yes, Macbooks have all features that are good for web development work, you can do all the tasks efficiently and these are quite lightweight as well so it is better to carry anywhere.
Additionally, Macbook is preferable for coding and programming as you get access to Mac operating system which is quite handy for developing the codes you can also use windows by using a few tricks but in windows, it’s hard to get Mac support.
Final words:
In this post, we have discussed some of the best laptops for web development all of the laptops are also suitable for web design, coding, and editing photos so you can choose according to your needs and budget.
While the conclusion suggests you not compromise on processor and ram with SSD is a must, if there is no dedicated graphics card then it’s fine as a web developer you do not need it unless you like to play games.
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