Well, that’s kind of hard to say. Tattooing is generally considered a “light” form of art – meaning it doesn’t require much in terms of computer features. However, tattoo artists work with the same software every day, so they need the best laptop for the advanced programs at work rather than at home. Yup, you got this right! Many people think that professional artists are working on their “secret projects.” The truth is, tattoo artists are using their own money to buy new equipment for their shops. In the end, it’s all about money as usual.
A laptop for tattooing is just a laptop for regular usage – but with added benefits. First, it doesn’t count where you buy yours from since most of the brands are more or less the same. Just make sure you get something lightweight with enough RAM and storage space to work with multiple programs at once.
Before buying anything, you need to check if it has all of the ports that will allow you to connect new devices easily – especially USBs, which can be very important depending on what type of machines you’re using in the studio. But, of course, the best part about all of this is that you should already know what you need if you’re a tattoo artist.
Do tattoo artists use laptops?
The quick answer is yes – but probably not like how you imagine it. You see, computer screensare very sensitive (especially in studios) because multiple customers work simultaneously. It would not be good if someone spilled their drink on your laptop screen while using it! This is why many people choose tablets for tattoos – much more practical in every sense, even though they don’t offer much software. Speaking about software, though, we need to mention that many tattoo artists use tablets and smartphones with special apps instead of laptops – especially those who work as mobile tattoo artists.
There are a few reasons you need to have a laptop in your studio. First of all, it’s a much more flexible option than a phone or a tablet. For example, if you’re working on the go and need to update your portfolio – You can do everything from your laptop without any issues. Even though tablets work just as well for this purpose, they won’t allow you complete control over how things look, which is very important when selling tattoos. The same can be said about smartphones – even though it’s pretty unlikely that tattoo artists will use them since they don’t offer much versatility, which is crucial for an artist who works with customers every day. They also serve as a backup storage device that comes in handy during day-to-day operations.
Top Rated Best Laptop for a Tattoo Artist
The best laptop for tattooing must meet certain requirements to be the best. These are unnecessary for all possibilities but more of a general guideline that can help you find exactly what you are looking for. Below we have compiled our top six choices based on price, performance, and reliability, along with a quick description of each product listed below them.
- HP Pavilion x360 14” Touchscreen Laptop
- ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 FHD Laptop
- HP Specter 13T 4K OLED x360 Laptop
- Lenovo Flex 5 14.0″ FHD 2-in-1 Laptop
- Lenovo Yoga 730 Full HD IPS 2-in-1 Laptop
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12.3″ Touch-Screen
| Images | Product Name | Check Price |
|---|---|---|
 | HP Pavilion x360 | Check Price |
 | ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 | Check Price |
 | HP Specter 13T | Check Price |
 | Lenovo Flex 5 | Check Price |
 | Lenovo Yoga 730 | Check Price |
 | Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | Check Price |
HP Pavilion x360 14” Touchscreen Laptop
Specifications:
- Windows 10 Home OS
- 11th Generation Latest Intel Core i5-7200U
- RAM: 8GB (2×4) DDR4 2400 SDRAM
- 256GB PCIe M.2 Solid State Drive
- 15.6″ diagonal FHD IPS Display
- WLED-backlit Touch screen (1920 by 1080)
- HP Connection Optimizer
- Edge to Edge Display
About
The HP Pavilion x360 is a touchscreen laptop with a lot to offer. The design is very sleek, and the touchpad is responsive. The laptop comes with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB solid-state drive, making it great for multitasking and running multiple programs simultaneously. Another plus point is that the battery life is excellent, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge. In addition, the laptop comes with an in-built webcam and microphone, so you can easily make video calls or record videos. Overall, the HP Pavilion x360 is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and versatile touchscreen laptop.
Display
The display on the HP Pavilion x360 is very good. The colors are accurate, and the screen is bright and clear. The touchpad also supports gestures, so you can easily scroll through web pages and documents by swiping your fingers across the pad. Another great feature of the Pavilion x360 is that You Can rotate the display 360 degrees. So you can use it in either laptop or tablet mode. This makes it a great option for people who need a versatile laptop that can also be used as a tablet.
Performance
The HP Pavilion x360 is powered by an 11th generation Intel Core i5-7200U dual-core processor. This powerful processor allows the laptop to run quickly and smoothly and perfect it for multitasking and running multiple programs simultaneously.
The HP Pavilion x360 performs excellent, thanks to its 8GB of RAM and 256GB solid-state drive. The laptop runs quickly and smoothly and is perfect for multitasking and running multiple programs simultaneously. The battery time is also very good, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge. This makes the Pavilion x360 a great option for people who need a laptop that can last all day.
Connectivity
The HP Pavilion x360 has all the connectivity options you would need. The laptop comes with 1 USB 3.1 Type-C port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 HDMI port, a Micro SD card slot, and a headphone/microphone jack. This makes it easy to connect your mouse, keyboard, or other peripherals to the laptop. The laptop also has built-in Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology, which can wirelessly connect to any Bluetooth device (such as mice, keyboards, and headphones).
Specifications
- Windows 10 Home OS
- 11th Generation Latest Intel Core i5-7200U
- RAM: 8GB (2×4) DDR4 2400 SDRAM
- 256GB PCIe M.2 Solid State Drive
- 15.6″ diagonal FHD IPS Display
- WLED-backlit Touch screen (1920 by 1080)
- HP Connection Optimizer
- Edge to Edge Display
ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 FHD Laptop
Specifications:
- 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U Processor
- M.2 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 12.6-inch matte touchscreen
- 14 inch Full HD NanoEdge touchscreen
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 1920×1080 pixels resolution
- Three USB-C ports (two of which are Thunderbolt 3.0 type C)
- Windows 10 Home operating system
About
The ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 laptop is a device that has changed the way I work and play. This laptop is such an incredible piece of technology. It helps me get through college (and do my homework) easily. If you’re looking for something easy to travel with but still gives you amazing performance, then this is one to take a look at!
The design of the ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 is just beautiful. It’s thin and sleek, making it easy to take with you wherever you go. But don’t let its small size fool you – this laptop is packed full of features that will drive your life a lot easier. For example, the display on the device is stunning and makes colors pop. Another great thing about the ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 is super fast. I can easily switch between multiple programs without lag time, which is important when getting work done.
Display
One thing that impressed me with the ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 was its display. The colors are so vivid on this device, and it’s perfect for watching movies or playing games. Whenever I’m traveling or hanging out with my friends, I usually end up using the laptop to play music through Spotify (and watch Netflix). Compared to most laptops out there right now, you’re getting an excellent screen at a great price. Another thing that I love about the ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 is its resolution. With 1920×1080 pixels, this device gives you a crystal-clear picture that’s perfect for watching movies or editing photos.
Performance
The ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 is so fast. I can easily switch between multiple programs without lag time, which is important when getting work done. The device comes with a 10th Gen Modern Intel Core i7-10510U Processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, so you know it’s going to be able to handle whatever you throw at it. This laptop always performs well when working on a school project or just browsing the internet.
Connectivity
The ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 comes with many ports, which is great if you don’t like to trade with carrying around extra dongles or adapters. This device features three USB-C ports: Thunderbolt 3.0 type C that support fast charging. I never have an issue plugging in my phone or laptop to this device because there are more than enough ports for everything.
HP Specter 13T 4K OLED x360 Laptop
Specifications:
- Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor
- Pre-installed Windows 10 Pro
- WebCam Kill Switch
- 4K OLED 13.3″ touch screen
- In-Built Fingerprint reader
- 1 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 (2×2)
- Thunderbolt 3 Port
- Olufsen Quad Speakers
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
About
As expected, this HP Specter x360 13 looks just like its larger sister. On the outside, it follows the design of the 2019 update with the same white-and-gold color scheme, carbon fiber finish on top of pressed aluminum, and chrome trim around the keyboard. But where that system has a 4K display option (touch or non-touch), this one has only a full HD panel. However, it offers more CPU choices than the larger version: Intel’s 10th Gen Core i7 U processor. The Specter x360 13 also offers 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of PCIe SSD storage, which is offered in the larger model.
Display
HP Specter x360 13 (2019) review – Image quality My display measurements for this unit agreed with what I saw in my regular testing. Brightness was even across the panel, and color accuracy out of the box proved very good. HP also has several built-in profiles for different use cases, so if you prefer more vivid or less eye-straining shades, you can choose that with a few clicks. Experience exceptional colors and clarity with a 13.3″ touch screen (Resolution: 3840 x 2160) for hands-on control and IPS technology for wide viewing angles. 13.3″ diagonal 4K UHD IPS micro-edge OLED-backlit touch screen with NBT.
Performance
The Spectre x360 13’s built-in USB 3.1 Gen 2 port provides fast transfer speeds, and the Thunderbolt port allows you to use either DisplayPort or HDMI over a single cable. Amazing speed from 16GB DDR4 RAM and 10th generation Intel Core i7-1065G7, with four cores and eight threads. The HP Spectre x360 13 (2019) delivers powerful computing performance packed in a sleek, premium convertible laptop with 2x Thunderbolt 3-certified USB-C ports and support for 4K video output. The NVMe PCIe SSD offers improved speed over SATA, though you may have to choose between slow but cheap or fast but expensive when selecting your drive. It’s readily available 1TB capacity.
Connectivity
HP Spectre x360 13 (2019) review – Ports The Spectre x360 13’s port selection is more generous than many ultraportables, but it also follows the new HP design paradigm with all ports on its right side. You get three USB-C ports here, each offering Thunderbolt 3 capability for fast data transfers and 40 Gbps bandwidth.
Lenovo Flex 5 14.0″ FHD 2-in-1 Laptop
Specifications:
- 14-inch FHD (1920 by 1080p) IPS touchscreen
- 360⁰ hinge System
- AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor
- Digital pen Included
- 256GB SSD Storage
- DDR4 16GB of Ram
- AMD Radeon Graphics
About
Lenovo Flex 5 is an ultra-portable, 2-in-1 laptop that comes with a sleek metallic design. It has an all-aluminum chassis that makes it look great and resists scratches. This slim 14″ notebook features a unique 360-degree hinge for multiple modes of use, allowing you to easily switch between laptop, stand, and tent mode. The laptop weighs only 4.4 pounds (about 1.95 kg) and is 0.78″ thick, making it effortless to carry around in your backpack or briefcase. This device has a 14″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS display with an anti-glare coating for viewing the screen in all types of lighting conditions.
Display
The laptop features a 14″ full HD 1920 x 1080 IPS display that lets you view all your photos, videos, and favorites in detail from different viewing angles thanks to its In-plane Switching (IPS) technology. Furthermore, with an integrated 720p camera, you can communicate with your friends, family, or colleagues over Skype with high-quality video. In addition, Lenovo Flex 5 is built with a backlit keyboard allowing you to type easily in dimly lit environments.
Performance
Lenovo Flex 5 is a well-designed 2-in-1 laptop that comes in at a good price for its specs. You can get up to 256GB of SSD storage, 16GB of RAM, and an AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor. In addition, the versatile 360-degree hinge makes it easy to change between modes depending on your needs, while the backlit keyboard allows you to type comfortably in dim environments. This Lenovo Flex 5 review should help you decide if this modern 2-in-1 laptop meets your requirements or not.
Connectivity
The laptop has two USB 3.0 ports for transferring data at speeds of up to 10x times faster than older USB 2.0 technologies, an HDMI output for easy connection to external displays like TVs and monitors, plus it comes with the latest Bluetooth 4.1 wireless technology. In addition, it features dual speakers powered by Dolby Audio Premium that delivers clear audio without distortion at maximum volume levels.
Lenovo Yoga 730 Full HD IPS 2-in-1 Laptop
Specifications:
- FHD 13.3-inch Touchscreen
- Intel Core i7-8550U processor
- 16GB of DDR4 RAM
- 512GB SSD storage
- Wireless LAN 802.11ac
- 6 cell battery
- B&O PLAY audio system
About
Lenovo Yoga 730 is an ultra-light, 2-in-1 laptop with a 13.3″ HD touch screen and a 360° flip & fold design that lets you use it as a laptop or tablet – the perfect combination of productivity and entertainment! It comes loaded with Windows 10 OS and a high-performance Intel Core i7 Processor for multitasking. It has 16GB DDR4 RAM, ensuring a smooth experience while simultaneously running multiple applications. This model also features 512GB SSD storage, ensuring that your files and folders don’t take much time to open. The 13MP rear camera takes good quality photos. The 6 cell battery of this model provides a long-lasting backup.
Display
Lenovo Yoga 730 provides crisp and detailed visuals thanks to a 13.3″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS multitouch display powered by Intel UHD Graphics 620 card. In addition, the laptop has a webcam placed on the screen for video calling. Furthermore, the 360° flip & fold design gives you four different usage modes – laptop mode, tablet mode, tent mode & stand mode – adaptable to all types of needs!
Performance
Lenovo Yoga 730 is a laptop with Intel Core i7-8250U (8th Gen) processor with 8GB DDR4 RAM that provides high processing speeds for multitasking and gaming applications. In addition, it has 16GB DDR4 type RAM which lets you multitask efficiently and quickly enough to meet your needs. Furthermore, this notebook PC uses a wireless LAN 802.11ac or Wi-Fi adapter to connect to the internet. Lastly, It comes equipped with 512GB of internal storage, allowing you to store your media and data files without any hassles.
Connectivity
Lenovo Yoga 730 provides several connectivity options to the user including Bluetooth, and an SD card reader. It also has 2x USB 3.0 ports, out of which one is powered for charging your laptop even when it is off! This notebook PC comes with Bluetooth v4.1 and has Wireless LAN 802.11ac / b/g/n for high-speed internet connections. The HDMI port lets you connect it to an external display screen like a TV or Monitor (to enjoy gaming or watch movies/videos).
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12.3″ Touchscreen
Specifications:
- 12.3″ Touch-Screen (2736 by 1824) Display
- 10th Gen Intel i5 Core Processor
- Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible
- USB-C and USB-A ports
- Aspect ratio: 3:2
- up to 10.5+ hours Battery Backup
- 8GB of Ram
- 128GB SSD Storage
About
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a detachable screen and a stylus. It comes with Windows 10 Pro pre-installed. The good things about the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 are its capabilities of being used as a full computer or a tablet with ease due to its detachable form factor without compromising speed or performance using the 3:2 aspect ratio, all in one package where you use it as a laptop or hold it like a tablet in your hand depending on your preference. This 2-in-1 device was made for productivity and creativity because it’s light enough.
Display
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 comes in with a high-resolution 12.3″ PixelSense display that allows for an immersive experience when using it as a tablet with the pen to draw, doodle, write notes, etc. It also has a high screen resolution at 2736 x 1824 pixels, so images and videos look more vibrant and sharp. It’s also touch-friendly, so scrolling feels almost natural.
Performance
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is an all-in-one tablet/laptop that packs power without compromising speed or performance due to its detachable form factor for ease of use. This 2-in-1 device was made for productivity and creativity because it’s light enough to handle both modes comfortably and with high screen resolution. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 comes in an Intel Core i5 processor with 8 GB of RAM installed. It might not be as large as the other PCs, but it packs a performance punch. With its high screen resolution, images and videos are represented more vibrantly and sharply on this device. –
Connectivity
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 has the ports you need to plug in your accessories while on the go. One USB Type-C port, two standard USB 3.0 ports, and an HD video output connect an external display. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 also comes with a headphone jack for privacy when listening to music or other content.
Buyers Guide
We will break it down to a few things you need to consider before purchasing the best laptop for tattoo artists.
Processor
The CPU is the brain of your laptop. It can be one of the most important factors in your decision-making process. It decides how well your machine will handle different tasks like video rendering or the recreation of visual art on screen.
Intel Core I5 or I7 CPUs are very useful for tattoo artists. Because they’re not only capable of handling everything you throw at them, but they’re also less expensive than AMD models with similar power levels.
AMD Ryzen 5 1600 6 core processor is probably the best choice for digital artists who want a smooth performance at an affordable price. This beats Intel’s competition when used along with lightroom and photoshop.
Ram
RAM is used to store temporary files, programs, swatches, etc., for fast access when you’re working on them. So the additional memory you have, the less frequently your machine will slow down. 8 GB of DDR3 RAM, equivalent to 2400Mhz speed, comes as standard in most tattooing laptops today. 16GB or 32GB are recommended if you deal with large photo/video editing projects.
Display
Your screen resolution or display size will affect your drawing work to a certain extent. i.e., Smaller screens offer less space for larger art pieces, while larger displays can fit larger images without one pixel looking smaller than another. This means that if you’re dealing with something small like business logos, then you need not worry about the screen size much, but if you deal with regular photo editing work, then 13″ is probably all you’d ever need to meet your requirements (in terms of working area). Anything bigger than this isn’t even required because it’ll only make your system heavier.
Graphics Card
This is one of the most influential factors in deciding which laptop is best suited for tattooing. A typical workstation with a good dedicated GPU can handle almost every task you throw at them with ease so long as you have enough memory. Some graphic cards come with a built-in fan, while some don’t. If a fan does not cool it, then the performance might degrade over time, making it an unreliable investment. It can also throttle down when playing games on battery mode because there isn’t enough power to run everything smoothly under heavy load.
Storage
Your machine’s storage space will affect how quickly you can boot up from being powered off, transfer files from an external device or from one partition to another. However, most tattoo artists don’t use their machines as file servers, so this shouldn’t be too important if you’re using it for general work or sketching/drawing tasks. So you’ll only need enough space to store your color swatches, patterns, etc.
Portability
If you want to do more stuff away from home, then what’s the point of buying some super-powerful machine that will become difficult to carry around once you make all other necessary upgrades? So portability is key here, and that’s where most people get confused because they can’t differentiate between a portable machine with a low-end spec sheet and a powerful one. A single reason behind this misconception is the weight of these machines, which seem to contain the same component inside them regardless of how different they look from one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Do Tattoo Artists shifting towards laptops?
It’s no secret that modern digital artists use laptops more than ever. Not just laptops for sketching tattoo designs, But artists are taking the laptop into parlors for consultation with clients or managing their business from anywhere in the world. The need for a light machine that can keep up with you is important when purchasing a laptop, and also within your budget is a must. Below, we’ve put together a list of the best laptops for tattoo artists to ensure you’re not wasting time on any less-than machines.
What are the lowest specs required for a tattoo artist?
The modern-day artist needs a graphics card with dedicated memory, 8GB+ RAM (preferably DDR3/DDR4), 128GB SSD (or higher), 15.6-inch display, i5 processor (or better), and at least 2 USB ports.
How much should I spend on a digital artwork laptop?
If your focus is making money through digital work, the best laptops for tattoo artists will be lightweight laptops with a small screen (15-inch). If you want to go big but don’t have the budget, get the biggest monitor possible (17-inch).
Whether you’re looking for a desktop replacement or just something that can take your work out of the studio, I’ve found some great options for you. Our only rule is that they all need to be under $1,000 (the average cost of a full tattoo).
What is a good laptop profession involving drawing?
The qualities of a good laptop include memory, display, and processing power. If you’re also looking for a versatile computer that can handle demanding creative tasks such as photo editing or video production, you’ll need even more power.
Conclusion
Tattooing is a creative profession that almost anyone can do. With the rise in the popularity of tattoos, more and more people choose to get them, whether as an expression or just for aesthetic purposes. Although tattoos come with risks, such as infection and scarring, modern tattoo machines have been properly designed and manufactured to give expert results every time. The best laptop for tattoo artists must be dependable and versatile enough to carry out tasks assigned to it effectively – many laptops available on the market fulfill these requirements – we’ve brought you our top 3 below:
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12.3″ Touch-Screen (2-in-1 Tablet/Laptop)
- ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 (Dual Display)
- HP Specter 13T x360 Laptop (4K OLED Technology)