Finding the best laptop for photo editing doesn't necessarily mean choosing the most expensive model on the market. You don’t need a powerful computer to make basic edits to photos – such as cropping, resizing and applying simple filters. And making small changes to images captured with one of the best camera phones or downloaded from the web won't particularly slow down any modern computer, either.
Best camera apps for the iPhone Best camera apps for Android The programs below can perform basic functions, such as letting you resize, crop, and correct exposure with ease, along with offering. Fhotoroom is a top best photo editing app for Windows 10 with up to 41MP HD photo editing, HDR filters, masking tool, drag drop support, and many more. So Fhotoroom is must have photo editing app for Windows 10 for photographers and editors.
But having lots of computing power comes in handy when it’s time to take your photography to another level, and make use of some of the complex functions and advanced plugins in professional-grade tools such as Adobe's Creative Cloud suite. Perhaps you’ve bought a powerful new camera and have started working with massive uncompressed images at ultra-high resolutions. The extreme file sizes you’ll be working with will need as much computer power as possible.
What laptop is best for photo editing?
Right now, we think the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 is the best laptop for photo editing you can get. However, if you're not a professional photographer we'd recommend the cheaper 14-inch HP Pavilion (number one in this list) or DELL Inspiron 13 7000 (number three). But the right laptop for you depends on your budget and skill level. So what specs should you look for?
Well, crucially you’ll want a laptop with a good screen. Thankfully even the most affordable laptops now use screens with IPS technology, which means brighter, bolder images, wider viewing angles and better colour reproduction.
You definitely need to look for 4GB of memory, as well; plus at least an Intel Core i3 processor (preferably Core i5 or i7). You want plenty of on-board storage, too. Many laptops now have solid state drives (SSDs) but these tend to have lower capacity than traditional hard drives. Either way, we don't recommend less than 256GB.
Popular countries include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and France. Release Notes| Version: 4.4.1| Size: 112.7 MB Fixed an issue that causes a blank screen for some people| Version: 4.4| Size: 112.7 MB - We’ve cleaned up the settings view to make it easier to find what you’re looking for - Bug fixes and improvements Got feedback? Skype app for mac air.
If you're going to be pro editing your photos, you want a top notch processor as well as 8GB of memory plus some fairly capacious storage. Again, no less than 256GB. But like a lot of creative kit, some of these machines don't come cheap, so if you're in the market for a shiny new device, it's worth keeping your eye out for upcoming best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
Read on for our pick of the best photo editing laptops out there at the moment.
The best laptops for photo editing right now
01. HP Pavilion 14-inch Laptop
CPU: Intel Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7 | Display: 14-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 / Nvidia GeForce MX 130 / 150 | Memory: 8GB-16GB | Storage: 128GB - 512GB SSD | Ports: 3 x USB 3, 1 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort | Size: 22.5 x 32.6 x 1.8cm; W x D x H) | Weight: 1.6kg | OS: Windows 10 Home
Affordable all-rounder
Entry version lacks a FHD screen
HP’s all-rounder Pavilion laptop is a perfect choice for beginner photographers as it has all the computing hardware you’ll need to run photo editing software really well.
There’s an entry-level Core i3 version, but if your budget can stretch a bit further to the next tier, we’d absolutely recommend it for a significantly better photo editing experience. The Core i5 version has a much faster quad-core processor, which will provide a noticeable speed-up when applying modifications and adjustments to your image, and the IPS-backlist 14-inch display has a superior FHD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution.
The Pavilion 14 also has a great looking silver design, and 128GB of solid-state storage comes as standard, with 8GB of memory. While this is more than enough to get by, once you start working with higher resolution images, you’ll probably want an upgrade and additional storage.
02. Lenovo ThinkPad P1
The best laptop for professional photographers
CPU: Intel Core i5, Core i7 or Core i9 or Xeon | Graphics: Nvidia Quadro P1000 / P2000 | Storage: 256 - 4TB SSD | Size: 36.1 x 24.8 x 1.8cm; W x D x H) | Weight: 1.7kg | OS: Windows 10 Pro
Amazing display
High-end model is very pricey
The newly launched Lenovo ThinkPad P1 is one of the best laptops we’ve ever used, with some features that make it an absolute dream for any kind of graphics work, including image manipulation and photo editing. It’s a real powerhouse, with graphics and processor performance that can go head-to-head against any desktop computer. It does all this while still being remarkably small - the chassis measures just 18.4mm thick and it weighs just 1.7kg, dimensions far closer to an Ultrabook or mini laptop than you’d expect from a computer that offers this much performance. It can be configured with a four or six-core Intel Core i7 or Core i9 processor, an Nvidia Quadro P1000 or P2000 graphics card, up to 64GB of memory and up to 4TB of internal solid-state storage.
That alone would be enough to earn it a recommendation, but we’ve saved the best feature for last. The ThinkPad P1 can be configured with a fantastic 15-inch 4K colour-accurate display that supports 100 per cent of the AdobeRGB colour space, something you don’t find on many other laptops. Even your older photos will look better than ever on this screen, with colours leaping out at you in ways that simply aren’t possible with a standard screen.
While the ThinkPad P1’s high-end performance is met with equally sky-high pricing for the six-core version, the lower-tier model is still a relative powerhouse for photo editing, and you can always upgrade the screen when purchasing to the brilliant 4K version for a fairly small additional sum.
03. DELL Inspiron 13 7000
CPU: Intel Core i5 or Core i7 | Display: 13.3-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | Memory: 8GB-16GB | Storage: 256 - 512GB SSD | Ports: 2 x USB 3, 1 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1x SD card reader | Size: 36.1 x 24.8 x 1.8cm; W x D x H) | Weight: 1.7kg | OS: Windows 10 Home
Dual-mode tablet/laptop
Tablet mode not always needed
Dell’s Inspiron 13 is a 2-in-1 laptop, meaning it can fold down into tablet format, so you can work with photos using your finger or a stylus via a 10-point touch-sensitive screen, in addition to being able to use it as a standard laptop.
If this idea of a dual-model laptop appeals to you, you’ll be pleased to hear it also packs in some great performance too, with an eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor. This will ensure any photo editing software you use with it will run smoothly, offering enough power for fluid manipulation of even high-resolution images, whether that’s using the trackpad in laptop mode, or with your fingers in tablet mode.
Perhaps surprisingly, given its good performance, great screen and bevvy of features, it’s far from the most expensive laptop option for photo editing.
04. Apple MacBook Pro 15'
CPU: 4 or 6-core Intel Core i7 | Display: 15.6-inch Retina Display) | Memory: 16GB - 32GB | Storage: 256GB - 4TB SSD | Ports: 4 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), | Size: 34.9 x 24.1 x 1.6cm; W x D x H) | Weight: 1.8kg | OS: MacOS
Processor upgrade available
Expensive
Given the choice of the 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models for photo editing, we’d recommend the larger screen size for editing photos on, thanks to the increased desktop space that make it easier to scroll around and make adjustments to images on. That’s despite the higher price of the larger MacBook Pro.
The MacBook Pro is undoubtedly a gorgeous computer, especially the more recent Space Grey colour scheme. The TrueTone Retina display on Macs looks fantastic too and Apple’s TrackPad is one of the best you can find on laptops, which will make a big difference when making fiddly edits.
MacOS works fantastically well with images too. If you have an iPhone for photography and use iCloud Photo Library, every one of your photos will be uploaded from your phone into iCloud, then downloaded straight to your Mac automatically. They’ll already be on the laptop, ready for you to edit and manipulate in Apple’s own Photos app, or in another image editing program of your choice.
Six-core eight-generation Intel processors are a new option in the 2018 version, which will make a real speed difference with the most complex of visual edits and plug-ins in Adobe Photoshop, particularly when working with high resolution imagery.
One word of caution, with 256GB of storage and 8GB of memory as standard, which is rather modest for a laptop that costs this much, you might want to upgrade the specification when purchasing, as Apple laptops cannot be upgraded by the user.
Read the full review:Apple MacBook Pro review
05. Acer Swift 3 14”
If you're after a convertible, this is the best
CPU: 2 or 4 -core Intel Core i5 or Core i7 | Display: 14-inch Retina Display) | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | Memory: 8GB - 16GB | Storage: 256GB - 4TB SSD | Size: 33.8 x 23.4 x 1.8cm; W x D x H) | Weight: 1.6kg
Affordable
Ugly
Coming decked in an all-aluminium chassis and a range of colours, the appearance of Acer’s new laptop range has divided opinion. But what’s clear is that you get a great specification for your money, making this one of the best laptops for photo editing.
With a quad-core Intel processor and 8GB of memory as standard, even the mid-range model comes in at less than half the price of Apple’s MacBook Pros but can deliver roughly the same processing power. And the rest of the specification doesn’t skimp either – the 14-inch display uses IPS backlighting technology for wider viewing angles and brighter colours, and supports FHD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution.
They keyboard is great to work on too, making this a fantastic choice for anyone who wants the power to do serious photography work, without breaking the bank. And if you want a 4K screen, a laptop with that option is available too, again for less than competitors are asking.
Apple MacBook
One of the most portable laptops there is
CPU: dualcore Intel M3, Core i5 or Core i7 | Display: 12-inch Retina Display) | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615 | Memory: 8GB - 16GB | Ports: 1 x USB-C, | Weight: 0.9kg
Super portable
Single USB-C port
If you think you’d prefer using a Mac and the macOS software ecosystem for photo editing, but your budget won’t quite stretch to the expensive MacBook Pro, Apple’s super-svelte and portable MacBook might be a good alternative, especially if you’re not planning on particularly complex image manipulation.
It weighs under 1kg, and measures 1.3cm at its thickest point, which is about small enough to fit into a bag and not notice it. It has a great 12-inch Retina display, which photos will look lovely on, a large trackpad for editing and 256GB of storage in the entry-level model, which will be more than enough to get by.
If you’re opting for the cheaper entry-level MacBook model, as with all Macs, it’s worth considering a few choice upgrades before purchase to smooth out performance. For photo editing, choosing 16GB of memory will make the biggest difference, and an upgrade from the base model’s Core M3 processor and a Core i5 or Core i7 will give it some extra oomph.
Today's best laptops for photo editing deals
We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices
Read more:
There are dozens of free photo editors out there, so we've hand-picked the very best so you can make your pictures look amazing without paying a penny.
We've spent hours putting a huge range of photo editors to the test, and picked out the best ones for any level of skill and experience. From powerful software packed with features that give Photoshop a run for its money to simple tools that give your pictures a whole new look with a couple of clicks, there's something for everyone.
Many free photo editors only offer a very limited selection of tools unless you pay for a subscription, or place a watermark on exported images, but none of the tools here carry any such restrictions. Whichever one you choose, you can be sure that there are no hidden tricks to catch you out.
1. GIMP
The best free photo editor for advanced image editing
No ads or limitations
GIMP (the GNU Image Manipulation Program) is the best free photo editor around. It's packed with the kind of image-enhancing tools you'd find in premium software, and more are being added every day.
The photo editing toolkit is breathtaking, and features layers, masks, curves, and levels. You can eliminate flaws easily with the excellent clone stamp and healing tools, create custom brushes, apply perspective changes, and apply changes to isolated areas with smart selection tools.
GIMP is an open source free photo editor, and its community of users and developers have created a huge collection of plugins to extend its utility even further. Many of these come pre-installed, and you can download more from the official glossary. If that's not enough, you can even install Photoshop plugins.
2. Ashampoo Photo Optimizer 2019
Fuss-free photo editing with automatic optimization tools
Fine manual controls
If you've got a lot of photos that you need to edit in a hurry, Ashampoo Photo Optimizer 2019 could be the tool for you. Its interface is clean and uncluttered, and utterly devoid of ads (although you'll need to submit an email address before you can start using it).
Importing pictures is a breeze, and once they've been added to the pool, you can select several at once to rotate or mirror, saving you valuable time. You can also choose individual photos to enhance with the software's one-click optimization tool. In our tests this worked particularly well on landscapes, but wasn't always great for other subjects.
If you want to make manual color and exposure corrections, there are half a dozen sliders to let you do exactly that. It's a shame you can't also apply the same color changes to a whole set of pictures at once, but this is otherwise a brilliant free photo editor for making quick corrections.
For more advanced editing, check out Ashampoo Photo Optimizer 7 – the premium version of the software with enhanced optimization tools.
3. Canva
Professional-level photo editing and templates in your browser
Includes free cloud storage
Canva is a photo editor that runs in your web browser, and is ideal for turning your favorite snaps into cards, posters, invitations and social media posts. If you're interested in maintaining a polished online presence, it's the perfect tool for you.
Canva has two tiers, free and paid, but the free level is perfect for home users. Just sign up with your email address and you'll get 1GB free cloud storage for your snaps and designs, 8,000 templates to use and edit, and two folders to keep your work organized.
You won't find advanced tools like clone brushes and smart selectors here, but there's a set of handy sliders for applying tints, vignette effects, sharpening, adjusting brightness, saturation and contrast, and much more. The text editing tools are intuitive, and there's a great selection of backgrounds and other graphics to complete your designs.
4. Fotor
One-click enhancements to make your photos shine in seconds
Batch image processing
Fotor is a free photo editor that's ideal for giving your pictures a boost quickly. If there's specific area of retouching you need doing with, say, the clone brush or healing tool, you're out of luck. My day app for mac. However, if your needs are simple, its stack of high-end filters really shine.
There's a foolproof tilt-shift tool, for example, and a raft of vintage and vibrant colour tweaks, all easily accessed through Fotor's clever menu system. You can manually alter your own curves and levels, too, but without the complexity of high-end tools.
Fotor's standout function, and one that's sorely lacking in many free photo editors, is its batch processing tool – feed it a pile of pics and it'll filter the lot of them in one go, perfect if you have a memory card full of holiday snaps and need to cover up the results of a dodgy camera or shaky hand.
5. Photo Pos Pro
Advanced photo editing tools packaged in a simple interface
Beginner and advanced modes
Photo Pos Pro isn't as well known as Paint.net and GIMP, but it's another top-quality free photo editor that's packed with advanced image-enhancing tools.
This free photo editor's interface is smarter and more accessible than GIMP's array of menus and toolbars, with everything arranged in a logical and consistent way. If it's still too intimidating, there's also an optional 'novice' layout that resembles Fotor's filter-based approach. The choice is yours.
The 'expert' layout offers both layers and layer masks for sophisticated editing, as well as tools for adjusting curves and levels manually. You can still access the one-click filters via the main menu, but the focus is much more on fine editing.
6. Paint.NET
Looking a little dated, but still a dependable all-rounder
Plugin support
More is not, believe it or not, always better. Paint.NET's simplicity is one of its main selling points; it's a quick, easy to operate free photo editor that's ideal for trivial tasks that don't necessarily justify the sheer power of tools like GIMP.
Don't let the name fool you, though. This isn't just a cheap copy of Microsoft's ultra-basic Paint – even if it was originally meant to replace it. It's a proper photo editor, just one that lands on the basic side of the curve.
Paint.NET’s interface will remind you of its namesake, but over the years, they’ve added advanced editing tools like layers, an undo history, a ton of filters, myriad community-created plugins, and a brilliant 3D rotate/zoom function that's handy for recomposing images.
7. PhotoScape
Raw image conversion, batch processing and much more
Great selection of filters
PhotoScape might look like a rather simple free photo editor, but take a look at its main menu and you'll find a wealth of features: raw conversion, photo splitting and merging, animated GIF creation, and even a rather odd (but useful) function with which you can print lined, graph or sheet music paper.
The meat, of course, is in the photo editing. PhotoScape's interface is among the most esoteric of all the apps we've looked at here, with tools grouped into pages in odd configurations. It certainly doesn't attempt to ape Photoshop, and includes fewer features.
We'd definitely point this towards the beginner, but that doesn't mean you can't get some solid results. PhotoScape's filters are pretty advanced, so it's if good choice if you need to quickly level, sharpen or add mild filtering to pictures in a snap.
8. Pixlr X
A comprehensive browser-based photo editor for quick results
Stylish design
Pixlr X is the successor to Pixlr Editor, which was one of our favorite free online photo editors for many years.
Pixlr X makes several improvements on its predecessor. For starters, it's based on HTML5 rather than Flash, which means it can run in any modern browser. It's also slick and well designed, with an interface that's reminiscent of Photoshop Express, and a choice of dark or light color schemes.
With Pixlr X, you can make fine changes to colors and saturation, sharpen and blur images, apply vignette effects and frames, and combine multiple images. There's also support for layers, which you won't find in many free online photo editors, and an array of tools for painting and drawing. A great choice for even advanced tasks.
9. Adobe Photoshop Express Editor
A convenient way to correct lighting and exposure problems
Stylish design
As its name suggests, Adobe Photoshop Express Editor is a trimmed-down, browser-based version of the company's world-leading photo editing software. Perhaps surprisingly, it features a more extensive toolkit than the downloadable Photoshop Express app, but it only supports images in JPG format that are below 16MB.
Again, this is a Flash-based tool, but Adobe provides handy mobile apps for all platforms so you won’t miss out if you’re using a smartphone or tablet.
This free online photo editor has all the panache you’d expect from Adobe, and although it doesn’t boast quite as many tools as some of its rivals, everything that’s there is polished to perfection. Adobe Photoshop Express Editor is a pleasure to use. Its only drawbacks are the limits on uploaded file size and types, and lack of support for layers.
10. PiZap
A fun photo editor for preparing your pictures for social media
Templates for social media
Best Apps Mac Photo Editing
Free online photo editor PiZap is available in both HTML5 and Flash editions, making it suitable for any device. You can choose to work with a photo from your hard drive, Facebook, Google Photos, Google Drive, Google Search, or a catalog of stock images. This is an impressive choice, though some of the stock images are only available to premium subscribers, and you'll need to watch out for copyright issues if you use a pic straight from Google Images.
piZap’s editing interface has a dark, modern design that makes heavy use of sliders for quick adjustments – a system that works much better than tricky icons and drop-down menus if you’re using a touchscreen device.
When you’re done, you can share your creation on all the biggest social media networks, as well as piZap’s own servers, Dropbox and Google Drive. Alternatively, you can save it to your hard drive, send it via email, or grab an embed code. You can only export your work in high quality if you’ve opened your wallet for the premium editor, but for silly social sharing that’s unlikely to be a problem.
Best Photo Editing Software For Mac Laptop
- Get your videos YouTube-ready with the best video editing software