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“Cheap, not substandard.” It’s always important to remember this phrase because buying affordable products don’t mean getting substandard products. However, it doesn’t also mean you won’t get substandard products cheaply. For this reason, we are offering you our list of the best cheap laptop for photoshop that performs well, and we have our top performer, the ✅Lenovo Flex 5 14″ 2-in-1 Laptop.
Best Cheap Laptop For Photoshop Comparison Table
Click on the images in the table to get the Best Cheap Laptop For Photoshop.
| S/N | Products | Image | Specifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lenovo Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 Laptop |   | CPU/ CLOCK SPEED-AMD Ryzen 5 4500U/ up to 2.1 GHz GPU-AMD Integrated Graphics SCREEN SIZE/RESOLUTION/PANEL-14 inches/1920*1080p/IPS HARD DRIVE-256 GB flash memory solid state RAM- 16 GB DDR4 WEIGHT-3.63 pounds |
| 2 | ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop |   | CPU/ CLOCK SPEED-Intel Core i3-1005G1/ up to 3.4 GHz GPU-Intel UHD graphics SCREEN SIZE/RESOLUTION/PANEL- 15.6 inch/1920*1080p/IPS HARD DRIVE-128 GB Flash Memory Solid State RAM- 8 GB DDR4 WEIGHT-3.75 pounds |
| 3 | Acer Aspire 3 |   | CPU/ CLOCK SPEED-Intel Core i5-1035G1/ up to 3.6 GHz GPU-Intel UHD Graphics SCREEN SIZE/RESOLUTION/PANEL-15.6 inches/1920*1080p/IPS HARD DRIVE-256GB Solid State Drive RAM-8GB DDR4 WEIGHT-1 pound |
| 4 | ASUS ZenBook UX330UA-AH54 |   | CPU/ CLOCK SPEED-Intel i5-7200U/up to 2.5 GHz GPU-Intel HD graphics 520 SCREEN SIZE/RESOLUTION/PANEL-13.3 inch/1920*1080p/IPS HARD DRIVE-256GB SSD RAM- 8GB DDR3 WEIGHT-2.6 pounds |
| 5 | ASUS VivoBook 15 F515 |   | CPU/ CLOCK SPEED-Intel Core i3-1005G1/ up to 3.6 GHz GPU-Intel UHD graphics SCREEN SIZE/RESOLUTION/PANEL-15.6 inch/ 1920*1080p/IPS HARD DRIVE-128 GB SSD RAM- 4 GB DDR4 WEIGHT-3.97 pounds |
| 6 | Windows 10 Laptop |   | CPU/ CLOCK SPEED-Intel Apollo Lake N3350/ up to 2.4 GHz GPU-Intel graphics 500 core SCREEN SIZE/RESOLUTION/PANEL-13.3 inch/1920*1080p/IPS HARD DRIVE-64 GB eMMC flash storage RAM- 4 GB DDR3 WEIGHT-2.7 pounds |
| 7 | BMAX 13.3" Windows 10 |   | CPU/ CLOCK SPEED-Intel Celeron N3350/ up to 2.4 GHz GPU-Intel HD graphics 500 SCREEN SIZE/RESOLUTION/PANEL-13.3 inch/1920*1080p/IPS HARD DRIVE-128 GB SSD (expandable to 1 TB SSD) RAM- 8 GB DDR4 WEIGHT-2.8 pounds |
Best Cheap Laptop For Photoshop
Initially, photoshop/photo editing wasn’t for anything more than fun.
But times have changed, and things have changed.
The advent of social media becoming a way of life and not just for entertainment only has made photoshop become a professional tool.
Also, a large number of people now make money off photoshop.
Even more, tiktokers, tweeters, and a line of social media savvy users now make a lot of money by putting out their edited content online and assisting brands to sell products through these contents.
But historically, photoshop was designed as a subset of Adobe illustrator by two American brothers Thomas and John Knoll in, 1987.
These days, they are so many updated versions that one can even edit photos on their phones, although they aren’t better than computer-edited photos.
Hence, we have many software and apps that can offer the magic of a well-edited photo.
On the flip side, we don’t have many cheap laptops that can house or run this software well enough.
Additionally, many people don’t know what they should be looking for in a cheap laptop for photoshop.
Thus we would look at them closely:
What to Look for in a Cheap Laptop for Photoshop
It’s always right to start from the powerhouse- the CPU.
CPU
Again we know that the powerhouse/brain should be an Intel or AMD because they are the best in the market.
However, what you may not know is what the clock speed should be that would work well if you are buying on a budget.
Also, you may not know the number of threads needed.
Regardless of the brand name, it’s not a deciding factor to how well your software will run on your laptop.
Additionally, it needs support from a multi-thread processor(the more threads, the better) and clock speed.
For the clock speed, 3.6 GHz or 2.5 GHz should do the trick.
So if you have an Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 having six or five cores and a clock speed of about 3.6 GHz or 2.5 GHz, then your CPU is ready to perform.
Simultaneously, your CPU would need enough RAM space.
RAM
The RAM is the data storage space for the CPU to work with.
Also, for photoshop, this would translate to how fast the filters you apply would come on.
Ideally, a 2 GB would be fine.
But that will provide you with a slower processing speed.
Your best bet is to get up to 4 GB or 8 GB for smooth operations.
Equally important is the storage, namely HDD (hard disc drive) and SSD (solid-state drive).
Let’s break them down.
STORAGE
HDD is a mechanical drive that has moving parts.
It has a slower boot-up speed, plus it starts photoshop in 30 seconds.
SSD has no moving parts.
It has a faster boot-up speed, plus it starts photoshop in 5 seconds.
Given this, you can tell which is better.
Of course, SSD.
In addition to that, we have the display.
DISPLAY
And we are not just talking of screen size and resolution, but we are talking panel-IPS, TN, and VA.
However, bigger isn’t always better, meaning a bigger screen doesn’t guarantee a better display.
So 13.3 – 15.6 inches can work well for photo editing.
Also, you would need a resolution in full HD to get a better display.
Ideally, 4k would be the best.
However, considering you’re on a budget, full HD should be your last choice.
Likewise, for panels, you can go with either IPS, VA, or TN.
Each of these stands out from each others in different ways.
For example, IPS are the best for color rendition, wider viewing angles, and better lighting, but they have a slower response time to TN but are faster than VA.
On the other hand, VA has the longest response time, best image depth, and best contrast of the panels.
Then TN is a much simpler construction panel with moderate viewing angles and moderate color rendition.
So the choice is yours depending on what you focus more on when you edit your photos.
SOME WORDS FOR YOU
In conclusion, while touch screens don’t increase the quality of the pictures.
Instead, they tend to drain battery life faster.
However, they make it easier to zoom, pinch and draw onto images faster and better.
So you might want to consider getting one with a touchscreen.
Overall, you can get all the requirements mentioned above on a cheap laptop.
Without further ado, let’s see what options are available for you, starting with our number one best.
Top Picks for the Best Cheap Laptop For Photoshop
1. Lenovo Flex 5 14″ 2-in-1 Laptop Best Cheap Laptop For Photoshop
Our number comes in three easy-to-use modes; tent mode, tablet mode, and stand-in mode.
Overall, thin, stylish, and light is what this laptop stands for.
DISPLAY
It is designed with a narrow bezel on the four sides.
What’s more?
Edit photos freely on its 14-inch display screen size with full HD IPS.
OTHER FEATURES
It is touchscreen-enabled.
Also, it offers a 360-degree hinge, and it gives 80% battery life on a 1-hour charge.
Plus, it comes with an active stylus.
The touchscreen and stylus pen will make your video editing work a lot easier.
PROCESSOR/STORAGE
More so, the processor is by AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Mobile processor, which allows you to create content the way you choose.
Likewise, the graphics are by AMD Integrated Graphics.
Then it combines 256 GB flash memory solid state and 16 GB DDR4 of RAM space.
WEIGHT/STORAGE
Plus, it weighs 3.63 pounds.
For connectivity, it has 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C, and an HDMI port.
WHO SHOULD GET THIS?
If you love touchscreen laptops that can give you room to create and edit content the way you want, then this is the one.
PROS
- Build quality.
- Fingerprint reader.
- Wacom active pen.
- Strong battery life.
CONS
- Poor contrast.
OUR WORD
It is an impressive touchscreen laptop.
Buy it now on Amazon via the image link above.
2. ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop
Following closely behind is the Asus thin and light laptop.
Plus, its design is a narrow four-way bezel display for the lid.
DISPLAY
In addition to the display, it has a webcam at the top of the lid.
Also, the visuals come in a stunning, crisp display on a 15.6-inch display screen, and the resolution is in full HD (1920*1080p).
It offers a backlit keyboard with a buttonless touchpad and a number pad.
OTHER FEATURES
The backlit keyboard has a fingerprint sensor, and visuals offer a stunning 88% screen-to-body ratio.
Also, the laptop offers Compatibility with Google Classroom.
You can run Google Classroom on Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer 11.
PROCESSOR/STORAGE
The processor comes from Intel Core i3-1005G1, and it has up to 3.4 GHz for the clock speed.
Likewise, the graphics are by Intel UHD graphics, and the memory combines 128 GB Flash Memory Solid State for the hard drive.
Plus, 8 GB DDR4 for the RAM space with a memory speed of 3.4 GHz.
WEIGHT/CONNECTIVITY
Also, it weighs 3.75 pounds.
Then for connectivity, it has USB 3.2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A, USB 2.0, and HDMI; Gigabit WI-FI 5 (802.11ac).
WHO SHOULD GET THIS?
This can offer all you need to edit photos professionally on a budget.
PROS
- 178-degree viewing angle.
- Easy internet connection set-up.
- Upgradable hard drive.
CONS
- Subpar speaker.
OUR WORD
It has everything you need to run your photoshop software well.
Buy it now on Amazon via the image link above.
3. Acer Aspire 3 Best Cheap Laptop For Photoshop
Acer Aspire comes in at number three.
DISPLAY
It has a large screen of 15.6 inches.
Also, the display comes in full HD LED.
Therefore you can enjoy wide viewing angles.
More so, it has a full-sized keyboard with a buttonless touchpad and a number pad.
OTHER FEATURES
In addition to that, it comes with a one-year labor warranty.
PROCESSOR/STORAGE
The processor uses 10th Gen.Intel Core i5-1035G1, a quad-core processor with up to 3.6 GHz.
Also in the graphics department, it uses Intel UHD Graphics.
It offers storage with 256GB Solid State Drive for the hard drive, and it uses 8GB DDR4 for RAM space.
WEIGHT/CONNECTIVITY
What’s more, it is lightweight, weighing 1 pound.
For connectivity, it uses 2-USB 2.0, 1-USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type A, HDMI, Headphone-out/microphone-in combo jack Micro / SD media card reader.
WHO SHOULD GET THIS?
If you are the type that loves to do work on the move or travel while you edit photos, then this is for you.
PROS
- Good for multi-tasking.
- Quality design.
- It offers a combination of SSD and HDD.
CONS
- Screen display quality could be better.
OUR WORD
It’s a good laptop with a strong processor.
Buy it now on Amazon via the image link above.
4. ASUS ZenBook UX330UA-AH54
The Asus Zenbook is Ultra-slim and lightweight.
DISPLAY
Its 13.3-inch will allow you to edit the way you want it.
As we said earlier, bigger isn’t always better.
So to support the screen size, it offers a wide-view full HD LCD (liquid crystal display).
Also, it has a keyboard and a buttonless touchpad.
OTHER FEATURES
In addition to the above, the keyboard offers backlit features.
Then it has an in-built fingerprint reader with one-touch login via Windows Hello.
Consequently, keeping your important files safe and private.
PROCESSOR/STORAGE
The processor is by the Latest 7th generation Intel i5-7200U with a clock speed of up to 2.5 GHz.
Also, the graphics are by Intel HD graphics 520.
Plus, for storage, it uses a 256GB SSD for the hard drive.
More so, for RAM, it has 8GB DDR3.
WEIGHT/CONNECTIVITY
What’s more, it weighs 2.6 pounds.
For connectivity, it has an HDMI/D-SUB, USB Type C, 802.11a/c WiFi, and SD Card.
WHO SHOULD GET THIS?
If you are looking for widescreen angles and better contrast for editing photos, this is for you.
PROS
- Wide viewing angles due to IPS panel available.
- Fingerprint reader.
- It runs photoshop well.
- Strong battery life.
CONS
- It doesn’t have much space on the hard drive.
OUR WORD
This laptop offers backlit features, so you can always work in the dark.
Buy it now on Amazon via the image link above.
5. ASUS VivoBook 15 F515 Best Cheap Laptop For Photoshop
At number five, we have a Vivobook from Asus with its aesthetically pleasing design on the eye.
DISPLAY
It features an HD webcam, and you can enjoy clear visuals in a full HD NanoEdge bezel display from its 15.6-inch display screen.
What’s more?
It comes with a full-size backlit keyboard with a buttonless touchpad and a number pad to the right.
OTHER FEATURES
In addition to the keyboard, it has a comfortable key-travel distance of 1.4 mm.
The touchpad houses a fingerprint sensor at the right end, activated with Windows Hello.
Also, it offers an 83% screen-to-body ratio.
PROCESSOR/STORAGE
For the processor, it uses Intel Core i3-1005G1 Processor, and it has a clock speed of up to 3.6 GHz.
Plus, the graphics are by Intel UHD graphics.
On the other hand, it combines 128 GB SSD for the hard drive with 4 GB DDR4 for the RAM space.
WEIGHT/CONNECTIVITY
Additionally, it weighs 3.97 pounds.
It packs several ports for connectivity, namely USB-C 3.2, USB 2.0. USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI, an audio jack coMbo, and Micro SD card reader.
For a wireless connection, it has 802.11ac and BlueTooth.
WHO SHOULD GET THIS?
Due to its reduced storage capacity, it would only fit for light photo editing.
So if your photo editing needs are not demanding, you should get this.
PROS
- Excellent screen quality and sound.
- Fast boot-up.
- Upgradable slot.
- It has Adjustable three settings on the backlit keyboard.
CONS
- Poor memory.
OUR WORD
Regardless of its memory, it still performs well.
Buy it now on Amazon via the image link above.
6. Windows 10 Laptop
At number six, we have a laptop from Jumper housed in an aluminum screen.
DISPLAY
We begin at the top, where it has an HD webcam to allow you to interact with visuals while working.
Speaking of visuals, it gives you clear visuals in its 13.3-inch display screen.
Also, the visuals come in full HD IPS (in-plane-switching).
Thereby giving you wide viewing angles.
It also has a full-size keyboard and a buttonless touchpad.
OTHER FEATURES
What’s more, it offers a free one-year office and a wide viewing angle of 178%.
PROCESSOR/STORAGE
It employs Intel Apollo Lake N3350 for the processor, and it is a quad-core with a clock speed of up to 2.4 GHz.
The graphics take the same route using Intel graphics 500 core.
The storage department uses 64 GB eMMC flash storage and 4 GB DDR3 for the RAM.
WEIGHT/STORAGE
It weighs 2.7 pounds.
Furthermore, it offers wired connection options such as 2-USB 3.0 1, Mini HD; Micro-SD card slot, fast charge DC port, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, TF card slot: Up to 256GB (not included).
WHO SHOULD GET THIS?
If you like lightweight laptops, you would like this.
PROS
- Light and portable.
- Stunning color display.
- Good color rendering and clarity.
CONS
- No touchscreen.
OUR WORD
It’s a good photo editing laptop for an affordable price.
Buy it now on Amazon via the image link above.
7. BMAX 13.3″ Windows 10 Best Cheap Laptop For Photoshop
To wrap up, we have a laptop from BMAX with a lot to offer.
DISPLAY
It delivers clear visuals on a 13.3-inch display screen.
Also, the visuals come in full HD IPS with crisp color reproduction.
Plus, it comes with a full-size keyboard and buttonless touchpad.
OTHER FEATURES
In addition to the keyboard, it has a 3mm use of bezel.
PROCESSOR/STORAGE
The CPU is by Intel Celeron N3350 with a clock speed of up to 2.4 GHz, and the graphics are by Intel HD graphics 500.
Plus, it has 128 GB SSD, expandable to 1 TB SSD for the hard drive, and 8 GB DDR4 for the RAM.
WEIGHT/STORAGE
Furthermore, it weighs 2.8 pounds.
For connectivity, it features 1x Micro HDMI, 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x DC port (fast charging), 1 x SD Card Reader, and Audio Combo Jack.
WHO SHOULD GET THIS?
If you would need to expand your hard drive storage, you should be looking in this direction.
PROS
- Keyboard has a nice tactile feel.
- Expandable storage.
- Antivirus software is available.
CONS
- Overheating.
OUR WORD
You get expandable storage to store as much as you can imagine, plus it is affordable.
Buy it now on Amazon via the image link above.
Final Verdict On The Best Cheap Laptop For Photoshop
In the end, any of these laptops you choose would offer you high performance for your money.
All you have to do now is choose.
Notwithstanding, our recommended choice remains the ✅Lenovo Flex 5 14″ 2-in-1 Laptop.
Click the link above to get it now on Amazon.
