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Having a sub-1000 dollar budget should not limit you from getting the best laptop for photo editing. In fact, the best laptop for photo editing under 1000 packs many excellent features to gear up your editing skills.
With this amount, you should expect at least 8 GB of RAM, a multiple-core processor of the recent models and generations, ample storage size, and a dedicated graphics card.
If you are lucky, you may have one with extensive battery life.
This article reviews seven cheap laptops for photo editing. But our overall best is the ✅Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 Gaming Laptop.
Ready to find out more about these laptops?
Read on.
Comparison Table Of The Best Laptops For Photo Editing Under 1000
Tap on the images to purchase the Best Laptops For Photo Editing Under 1000 from Amazon.
| S/NO | Product Name | Product Image | Product Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: 11th gen. Intel Core i5-10300H RAM: 8 GB Storage: 256 GB SSD Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Display: 15.6" FHD 144Hz IPS |
| 2 | Acer Swift 3 Intel Evo Thin & Light Laptop |   | Processor: 11th gen. Intel Core i7-1165G7 RAM: 8 GB Storage: 256 GB SSD Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Display: 14"FHD |
| 3 | HP Pavilion 15 Laptop |   | Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 RAM: 16 GB Storage: 512 GB SSD Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Display: 15.6" FHD IPS |
| 4 | Dell Inspiron 13 5310 |   | Processor: 11th gen. Intel Core i7-11370H RAM: 16 GB Storage: 512 GB SSD Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX450 Display: 13.3" QHD |
| 5 | Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: 9th gen. Intel Core i5-9300H RAM: 8 GB Storage: 512 GB SSD Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Display: 15.6" IPS FHD |
| 6 | ASUS TUF Gaming F17 Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: 10th gen. Intel Core i5-10300H RAM: 8 GB Storage: 512 GB SSD Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Display: 17.3” 144Hz FHD IPS |
| 7 | 2021 Lenovo Legion 5 |   | Processor: AMD Ryzen 5-5600H RAM: 16 GB Storage: 512 GB SSD Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650 Graphics Display: 17.3" FHD IPS |
Basic Things To Look Out For When Buying The Best Laptop For Photo Editing Under 1000 Dollars
As a photo editor, the first step in achieving excellent results is getting the right laptop.
Also, having the skill and required software is important.
Yes, you may have the right computer but at the same time lack the required skill to do your job.
So, to fully utilize the laptop potential you’re about to buy, first equip yourself with the skillset and learn more about what you’re going into.
However, if you’ve already been in the game, good for you.
Photo editing is fun to do, whether it is for commercial or personal purposes.
It sparks creativity while bringing out the best of an image.
There is a myth that photo editing makes images look fake; no, it doesn’t.
Instead, editing a photo adds to beauty and depth to the image.
Some photo editing software includes Adobe Photoshop, Luminar, Gimp, Adobe lightroom, and many others.
Just as their name differs, so does the laptop requirement, but most of them have the same demands as a mid-setting game.
Thus, you need a laptop with an above-average performance to get the job done.
So, avoid a laptop with limited power in your quest for the best laptop for photo editing under 1000.
Luckily, a sub-1000 dollar budget will get you a feature-packed laptop.
Let’s look at the basic requirements for a photo editing laptop.
CPU/ GPU
The central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) are like the brains of the computer or laptop.
However, the CPU is paramount because it also controls the GPU.
When a command is issued to a laptop, the first place it goes to is the CPU.
Then, the CPU processes it before other components can act.
That is to say; the CPU controls everything that goes on in a computer.
On the other hand, the GPU deals with all pictures-related information or anything that appears on display.
That’s why it is important for photo editing because it has to do with pictures.
That’s by the way.
Further, you can use any laptop to edit photos, even ones with the lowest processor or components.
However, if you seek perfect images, then you will need some editing software.
This software can be demanding on both graphics processors and CPUs.
As such, it needs a specific component to run it properly.
So the minimum requirement for editing software is an intel core i3 or an AMD equivalent processor with an integrated graphics processor soldered to the motherboard.
Why an integrated graphics processor?
Photo editing software like Photoshop can run on Intel graphics( UHD or Iris), with a high-end processor and large RAM size.
However, you can not always trust this for a perfect result if you intend to work with other high-end software.
In such instance, an Intel core i5-i7 processor, Nvidia GTX 1650 or higher; at least this will do for a sub-1000 offer.
Note: the processor should be of the recent generation(10th or 11 th), and should have multiple processing cores for fast multitasking.
RAM/ Storage
While a multiple processor work on different tasks simultaneously, it will need RAM to make things go faster while at work.
The internal memory of a laptop, known as the RAM, works hand-in-hand with the processor to make multitasking very easy.
As such, you can switch between browsing tabs, opens more applications, and indulge in other activities like watching movies or listening to music concurrently.
If the RAM size of the laptop is big enough, say 8 GB, you can have these activities running without noticing any lag.
However, anything lower than an 8 GB RAM for photo editing will sluggishly execute your jobs, but you will be frustrated.
In other words, do not settle for anything below 8 GB, instead, aim for higher.
Making headway, we will discuss the type and amount of storage capacity you should expect from a photo editing laptop.
Like other components mentioned, storage is another factor you should look out for in a laptop.
First, check if it has an SSD storage drive because it is faster, less noisy, and compact than the HDD.
This does not mean the HDD is no good, but the SSD has more advantages than it.
So while you have the digital SSD, the minimum capacity should be 256 GB if you want to store more data and still have your laptop running without hitches.
Display
The work of the four components discussed above can be seen via a quality display.
If the laptop has good specifications or components but has a pretty bad display, the effort of the other components will amount to nothing, specifically for photo editing.
A full HD screen with high contrast ratio and wide viewing angle should be your target.
Anything lower than a full HD(FHD 1080p) won’t produce clear pictures on display.
Luckily, all the laptop in our review has a stunning display to add more beauty to your work.
Operating System / Battery / Portability
For the operating system, you can opt for any between Mac OS and Windows, the one you are familiar with and work with it.
Also, choose the operating system based on your working applications.
As a photographer who often works for long hours and in different locations, a laptop with good battery life and easy weight is what you need.
So, we recommend a laptop that can last 8 hours on a single charge.
Additionally, it should have a maximum weight of 5 pounds.
If more than this, then it should be considered heavyweight.
Ports and Connectivity
Lastly, check for its ports and connectivity options for files and data transfer and connection to the internet.
The important ports to look out for include the HDMI, USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, RJ-45, and DisplayPort.
For fast wireless connections to the internet and other devices, ensure the laptop comes with the latest WIFI and Bluetooth technology versions.
Let’s look at our seven top picks for photo editing under 1000 in the next section.
7 Best Picks For The Best Laptop For Photo Editing Under 1000
1. Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 Gaming Laptop
As you intend to transform an image to look more appealing, the Acer Nitro 5 is ready to deliver excellently without compromise.
Features
This gaming machine has a beautiful 15.6 inches screen with 1920 x 1080 FHD display resolution to give sharp and explicit imagery.
Its IPS design makes it possible to view this screen from any angle with any form of color loss, and its 144 Hz promises no blur as you watch the fastest scenes.
Further, it has an 89% screen-to-body ratio with a 16:9 aspect ratio giving you sufficient real estate for your work.
This laptop is lightweight, considering the components it possesses.
Precisely, it weighs 5.07 pounds and measures 14.31 x 10.04 x 0.94 inches.
Likewise, it has a lasting battery of 11 hours long after its first charge.
Furthermore, it operates with the Windows 11 Home operating system.
You can easily adapt to its features since it’s a user-friendly operating system.
Finally, it has wired ports like the HDMI 2.0 to connect to an external monitor, USB-A, USB-C for file transfer, and RJ-45 for wired network connection.
Also, it has Wifi 6 for a fast internet connection.
Hardware Components
On its performance, it uses the 10th gen Intel Core i5-10300H with a max frequency of 4.5 GHz, which performs amazingly well with multitasking.
Thanks to its 4 processor core count and 8 GB internal memory, running multiple tabs will go smoothly.
Additionally, it features the Nvidia RTX 3050, perfect with ray tracing, and can handle most photo and video editing software.
As such, it will render vibrant colors of images.
However, it has the least storage bank of 256 GB, but its SSD drive will boost the laptop’s overall performance.
Pros
- Excellent graphics.
- Stunning display.
- Great battery life.
- Zero lag.
Cons
- It overheats sometimes.
Click on the image to purchase this laptop from Amazon.
2. Acer Swift 3 Intel Evo Thin & Light Laptop
As a photographer, chances are that you work from different locations.
Therefore, you will need a compact laptop with long battery life.
We present the Acer Swift 3.
Features
Get ready to be entertained with the 14-inch FHD (1080p)IPS Widescreen with an LED backlight display.
This display produces clear and vibrant colors of pictures on the screen; as such, you won’t miss out on any color detail.
The sRGB 100% color gamut delivers accurate color tracing for contents that have RGB space in mind.
At 300 nits brightness, you can use this laptop in any environment and still get clear visuals.
This is thanks to its screen-to-body ratio of 832.73%.
Best of all, this laptop can be your great companion when you are on the move with its paperweight of 2.65 pounds.
Additionally, it has a sustainable battery life of 16 hours.
Editing software can run seamlessly on the Windows 10 Home operating system.
It has 1 USB Type-C (up to 10 Gbps) DisplayPort over USB Type-C, Thunderbolt 4 & USB Charging, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1(featuring power-off charging), 1 USB 2.0, 1 & HDMI 2.0 port.
Lastly, it uses a dual-band Wifi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for fast connection to wireless networks.
Hardware Components
Due to the lack of a dedicated graphics card, this laptop can not run some editing applications needed to edit photos.
However, it is strong enough to handle minor photo editing, thanks to its 11th gen intel core i7-1165G7 processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics processor.
Plus, it has 8 GB of RAM for fast recalling of programs running simultaneously and its 256 GB SSD storage bank.
Pros
- Overall excellent performance.
- Attractive design.
- Lightweight.
- Sharp and vibrant display.
- Backlight keyboard.
- HD webcam supports a super high dynamic range.
Cons
- Weak speakers.
- Overheating.
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3. HP Pavilion 15 Laptop
Next on the list is the HP Pavilion 15 Laptop.
Features
This laptop packs impressive features into an attractive magnesium alloy silver chassis that measures 14.18 x 9.21 x 0.7 inches.
Its 15.6-inch screen is fitted into thin bezels with a wide viewing angle of 178 degrees, giving you the full details of the content on display.
Additionally, the display features an FHD resolution and IPS technology to deliver crisp and lucid pictures giving you an immersive viewing experience.
For power and portability, this laptop is equipped with a lithium-ion battery that can last for 8 hours on a single charge, and it weighs 3.86 pounds.
Consequently, you can go anywhere with this laptop and still be productive.
It runs on the Windows 10 Pro operating system.
The available ports include HDMI 2.0 for external display, super speed USB-A for file transfer, and an extra USB-A.
Additionally, it has a super speed USB-C and USB-C display port, an SD card reader, and a headphone/microphone combo jack.
Hardware Components
Under the hood, it runs on the latest 11th gen. Intel Core i7 processor that delivers impressive performance on tasks thrown at it.
Also, it is reliable for multitasking, courtesy of its multiple cores and 16 GB RAM, giving it the speed it needs to run multiple tasks.
Its Intel Iris Xe graphics adapter can handle minor editing software and Photoshop.
Finally, it has a 512 GB SSD for files and media storage.
Pros
- Good battery life.
- Slim and Compact.
- Stunning display.
- Comfortable keyboard.
Cons
- It sometimes overheats.
Click on the image to purchase this laptop from Amazon.
4. Dell Inspiron 13 5310
Up Next is the Dell Inspiron 13 5310, the best Dell laptop for photo editing under 1000.
Let’s see what it offers.
Features
When you look at the internal feature of the Dell Inspiron 13, the first thing that catches your attention is its edge-to-edge full-size keyboard.
Specifically, this keyboard is placed directly below the display, leaving more room to rest your wrist while you type.
Additionally, there is a wide trackpad for easy navigation.
Unfortunately, the keyboard isn’t backlit.
As such, typing in dark areas will be a struggle.
Further, its 13.3-inch QHD display offers clearer and sharper images and can accommodate more contents (16:10)
Given its small screen, the laptop weighs 2.78 pounds.
Enjoy your full workday with 11.16 hours of battery life under a single charge.
Also, this battery can recharge within a short time with an Express charge using the 65W USB-C power adapter.
Enjoy your work on a friendly platform and remain super productive with the Windows 10 operating system.
To this end, this laptop houses many ports such as the USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, Headset jack, HDMI 1.4, and 2 USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 (full feature).
Hardware Components
Running on a max frequency of 4.8 GHz, this 11th gen intel core i7 processor is ideal for any type of task, complex or not.
It features an Nvidia MX450 graphics processor with 2 GB GDDR6 video memory.
Thanks to the 16 GB RAM, you can work on multiple tasks simultaneously without experiencing any lag.
Lastly, you can store files worth 512 GB on this laptop while boosting its performance via the SSD hard drive.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Good battery life.
- Wide viewing display.
- Upgradeable to Windows 11.
- Best deal for photo editors.
- 4K resolution.
Cons
- Cranky keyboard.
- Overheats when playing games.
- The battery cannot be changed.
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5. Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop
If you are a photographer who is also a game enthusiast but does not like to identify, this Lenovo Ideapad L340 gaming laptop will keep you undercover.
Features
On its physical appearance, it doesn’t carry that gaming drama even as an entry-level machine.
It has a simple appearance.
As such, no one would suspect its gaming capabilities.
Over its display, its 15.6-inch screen is surrounded by four frames, whereby its top and bottom bezels are thicker than the sides.
Moreover, this screen delivers stunning visuals via its FHD IPS display.
As a photographer, you’ll stare at the screen most time.
To save your sight, Lenovo innovated the vantage Eye care mode, where you can reduce the blue light emission and adjust your display’s color tone.
Do you find that impressive?
Even with its specifications, this laptop is lightweight at 4.84 pounds, better than an average entry-level game machine.
Its battery life is also impressive.
It can last for 9 hours on just a single charge.
Finally, it works with the Windows 10 operating system.
Hardware Components
The 9th gen Intel core i5 processor pushes you to do more with your games and work.
There are no dull moments because the system boots up within seconds and launches you into your workspace in no time.
It has 8GB of internal memory and 512 GB SSD for files and media storage.
Ultimately, it uses the Nvidia GTX 1650 for its graphics.
Pros
- Slim and stylish design.
- LED backlight keyboard.
- 180-degree hinge.
- Overall high performance.
Cons
- No room for upgradeability.
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6. ASUS TUF Gaming F17 Gaming Laptop
The sixth laptop for the best photo editing device under 1000 is the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 Gaming Laptop.
Features
Enjoy your content on the 17.3 FHD display with IPS technology and 144 Hz refresh rate.
With this widescreen, you will get an immersive viewing experience.
Further, it weighs 5.78 pounds and measures 15.71 x 10.59 x 1.02 inches.
Although its battery life is not specified, the 48 Whrs battery will hopefully last to a reasonable range.
The number of ports carries includes 1 USB 3.2 Type C and 2 USB 3.2 Type-A ports for data transfer.
In addition, it has a USB 2.0 Type-A port that makes three total inputs for preferred peripherals.
Finally, it operates with the Windows 10 Home operating system.
Hardware Components
Inside this military-grade chassis is a 10th gen Intel core i5 processor with a processing speed of 2.5 GHz and 4 processing cores.
Its 8 GB RAM is efficient for smooth and seamless multitasking, while the 512 GB SSD safeguards all your media files.
Overall, its Nvidia 1650 Ti graphics are responsible for the stunning visual on the screen.
Pros
- It is durable.
- Immersive sound system.
- Excellent performance.
- Compatible with photo editing software.
Cons
- Battery life is not stated.
Click on the image to purchase this laptop from Amazon.
7. 2021 Lenovo Legion 5
Finally, we have the last contender on the list, the 2021 Lenovo Legion 5.
Features
It has a 17.3-inch screen with an FHD display resolution that boasts fine color and clarity.
Also, it has an anti-glare property that combats reflections, especially when working outdoors.
Further, it has a standard keyboard that promises comfort when you type.
Its port options include 4 USB Type A, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1 Headphone jack, 1 HDMI, 1 SD card reader, and 1 RJ45.
Additionally, it has Wifi-AC and Bluetooth for wireless connection.
Lastly, it is a heavyweight laptop with 10.58 pounds.
This can become bothersome if you are mostly on the go.
However, if you want an office laptop, this is for you.
Hardware Components
It uses a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor with an ultra-low-voltage platform.
It has an internal memory of 16 GB and a storage capacity of 512 GB SSD.
The Nvidia GTX 1650 provides quality images of your games, editing, and basic tasks.
Pros
- Premium design.
- Stunning display.
- Outstanding performance.
Cons
- It is heavyweight.
Click on the image to purchase this laptop from Amazon.
Conclusion On The Best Laptops For Photo Editing Under 1000
A sub-1000 dollar deal can get you a featured-packed laptop.
We’ve listed seven of them here.
These laptops featured in this review are sufficient for effectively running photo editing software.
Above all, we recommend the ✅Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 Gaming Laptop.
Tap on link above to get it on Amazon.
