Best Laptop For Raw Photo Editing for 2023? Best. Smart. Quality

James Patterson
  Oct 2, 2023 9:21 PM

A Best laptop for raw photo editing is a laptop that is specifically designed to handle the high levels of computing power needed to edit raw photos. Raw photos are unprocessed photos that need to be manipulated in order to obtain the desired look. These images require more power than the standard JPEG or TIFF images, which is why a laptop specifically designed for raw photo editing is necessary.

Such laptops come with powerful processors, plenty of RAM, and large hard drives to store the photos. They also often come with specialized software such as Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to help make the editing process easier. If you are a professional photographer or someone who takes a lot of pictures, investing in a laptop for raw photo editing is a great way to ensure your photos look their best.

Best Laptop For Raw Photo Editing for 2023? Best. Smart. Quality
If you are looking for the best laptop for raw photo editing, you need to consider the power, display, portability, and price.. Image source: Amazon.com

Quick Comparison

NoImageProductScoreCheck
1Apple 2021 MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro chip with 8‑core CPU and 14‑core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) - Silver Best Overall: Apple 2021 MacBook Pro 9.6Check Price
2Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio - 14.4" Touchscreen - Intel® Core™ i5 - 16GB Memory - 512GB SSD - Platinum Best 2-In-1 Laptop: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio9.5Check Price
3ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 Laptop, 16” 2560x1600 120Hz Display, AMD Ryzen 7, 32GB DDR4, 1TB PCIe SSD, Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060, Windows 11 Home, H5600QM-AH78, Star Black Creative Design Really Works: ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 Laptop9.4Check Price
4GIGABYTE AERO 17 HDR XD - 17.3" UHD 4k IPS Anti-Glare, Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Win10 Pro, Creator Laptop (AERO 17 HDR XD-73US524SP) A Powerful Laptop: GIGABYTE AERO 17 HDR XD8.9Check Price
5ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo 14.5” 2.8K OLED Touch, 120Hz Refresh Rate, ScreenPad Plus, Intel i9-12900H CPU, RTX 3050Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Windows 11 Home, Tech Black, UX8402ZE-DB96T Best With Dual Screen: ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo 14.5” 2.8K OLED Touch8.8Check Price

#1 Best Overall:Apple 2021 MacBook Pro

With the Apple 2021 MacBook Pro with M1 Pro chip, the latest innovation from Apple. With an 8-core CPU and 14-core GPU, this powerful laptop is ideal for creative professionals who need the best performance. It also boasts an impressive 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, giving you plenty of memory and storage space to work with. The 14-inch Retina display brings your projects to life with vivid colors and sharp details, making this laptop perfect for editing photos and videos. And with its sleek silver aluminum finish, the MacBook Pro looks as good as it performs. Get ready to take your creative projects to the next level with the Apple 2021 MacBook Pro.

#2 Best 2-In-1 Laptop:Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is the perfect combination of power, performance and portability. Boasting a 14.4" touchscreen with a resolution of 2880 x 1920, the laptop is powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM, allowing you to multitask with ease. Store all your important data and files on the generous 512GB SSD. The laptop is finished in a sleek platinum color and comes with the latest Windows 10 operating system pre-installed. Access your favorite applications, games, and media quickly and smoothly with the Surface Laptop Studio.

#3 Creative Design Really Works:ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 Laptop

The ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 Laptop is a powerful and versatile workstation for creative professionals. Featuring a 16” 2560x1600 120Hz display, the laptop delivers amazing visuals for design and editing tasks. It's powered by a high-performance AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, and Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060 graphics for fast and smooth performance. The laptop is equipped with Windows 11 Home, and its H5600QM-AH78 model comes in an attractive Star Black finish. With its superior specs and sleek design, the ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 is the perfect choice for the modern professional.

#4 A Powerful Laptop:GIGABYTE AERO 17 HDR XD

The GIGABYTE AERO 17 HDR XD-73US524SP is the perfect laptop for content creators and power users alike. It features a 17.3" UHD 4K IPS anti-glare display, providing stunning visuals with a wide color gamut and accurate color reproduction. Under the hood, it is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, allowing you to multitask with ease. For graphics processing, it is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 laptop GPU with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, enabling you to play the latest games or create high-quality content with ease. Furthermore, it runs on Windows 10 Pro, giving you an intuitive and secure operating system. With its slim and lightweight design, the GIGABYTE AERO 17 HDR XD-73US524SP is the perfect laptop for content creators and power users.

#5 Best With Dual Screen:ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo 14.5” 2.8K OLED Touch

The ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo is the perfect combination of power and portability. Powered by the powerful Intel i9-12900H processor, it packs a punch with its RTX 3050Ti graphics card, allowing you to play the latest games and work on complex projects with ease. It also comes with 32GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and Windows 11 Home, giving you plenty of space to store all of your important documents and media. Plus, with its amazing 14.5” 2.8K OLED Touch display, it delivers stunning visuals with an incredible 120Hz refresh rate. And with its innovative ScreenPad Plus, it provides an intuitive way to multitask, allowing you to easily switch between tasks and apps with just a few taps. Get the ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo and experience the power of a laptop and the portability of a tablet.

1
Apple 2021 MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro chip with 8‑core CPU and 14‑core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) - Silver
  • Our Rating

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    9.6
  • Brand
    Apple
2
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio - 14.4" Touchscreen - Intel® Core™ i5 - 16GB Memory - 512GB SSD - Platinum
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    9.5
  • Brand
    Microsoft
3
ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 Laptop, 16” 2560x1600 120Hz Display, AMD Ryzen 7, 32GB DDR4, 1TB PCIe SSD, Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060, Windows 11 Home, H5600QM-AH78, Star Black
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    9.4
  • Brand
    ASUS
4
GIGABYTE AERO 17 HDR XD - 17.3" UHD 4k IPS Anti-Glare, Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Win10 Pro, Creator Laptop (AERO 17 HDR XD-73US524SP)
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.9
  • Brand
    GIGABYTE
5
ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo 14.5” 2.8K OLED Touch, 120Hz Refresh Rate, ScreenPad Plus, Intel i9-12900H CPU, RTX 3050Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Windows 11 Home, Tech Black, UX8402ZE-DB96T
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.8
  • Brand
    ASUS
6
Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13" Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, FaceTime HD Camera, Touch ID. Works with iPhone/iPad; Space Gray
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.7
  • Brand
    Apple
7
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop, 15.6 inches Full HD IPS Display, AMD Ryzen 3 3200U, Vega 3 Graphics, 4GB DDR4, 128GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 10 in S Mode, A515-43-R19L, Silver
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    9.1
  • Brand
    Acer
8
HP Newest 15.6 FHD IPS Flagship Laptop, 11th Gen Intel 4-Core i5-1135G7(Up to 4.2GHz, Beat i7-1060G7), 16GB RAM, 256GB PCIe SSD, Iris Xe Graphics, Bluetooth, WiFi, Win11,w/GM Accessories
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.6
  • Brand
    HP
9
HP 2022 14" HD Display Laptop, AMD Ryzen 3-3250U, 32GB RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, AMD Radeon Graphics, True Vision HD Camera, Bluetooth, Windows 11 S, Silver, 32GB Snow Bell USB Card
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    9.0
  • Brand
    HP
10
HP Envy X360 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop 15.6" FHD i7-10510U Business PC, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Quad-Core up to 4.90 GHz, USB-C, Fingerprint, Backlight Keyboard, B&O Speakers, Webcam, Win 10
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.1
  • Brand
    HP
11
2021 HP Stream 14" HD Laptop Computer, Intel Celeron N4020 Processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, HD Audio, HD Webcam, Intel UHD Graphics 600, 1 Year Office, HDMI, Win 10 S, White, 128GB SnowBell USB Card
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.9
  • Brand
    HP
12
Dell Latitude 7430 14" Laptop (Latest Model) Intel 12th Gen Core i7-1265U(10-Core) 512GB SSD 16GB RAM Full HD (1920x1080) Windows 11 PRO (Renewed)
  • Our Rating

    Our Rating is a ranking system developed by SidHaig.com. Our Rating has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.2
  • Brand
    Dell

Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio - 14.4" Touchscreen - Intel® Core™ i5 - 16GB Memory - 512GB SSD - Platinum

When it comes to raw photo editing, the best laptop for the job is one that is powerful enough to handle the workload of a professional photographer. Image source: Amazon.com

What is the best laptop for advanced raw photo editing?

The best laptop for advanced raw photo editing is one with a high-resolution display, powerful processor, and plenty of RAM. You should look for a laptop with at least a 15-inch display and a resolution of at least 1920x1080, an Intel Core i7 processor, and at least 16GB of RAM. You'll also want to make sure the laptop has a dedicated graphics card for faster rendering and editing of images. Additionally, look for laptops with ample storage, such as a 512GB or larger solid-state drive (SSD).

What hardware specifications should I look for when purchasing a laptop for raw photo editing?

1. Processor: Look for a laptop with a powerful processor like an Intel Core i7 or i9, or an AMD Ryzen 7 or 9.

2. RAM: A laptop with 16GB of RAM or more is recommended for raw photo editing.

3. Graphics Card: Invest in a laptop with a discrete graphics card, such as an Nvidia GeForce RTX or AMD Radeon RX, to handle the intense graphics processing.

4. Storage: Look for a laptop with at least 512GB of storage. If you need more space, opt for a laptop with an SSD and an external hard drive.

5. Display: Invest in a laptop with a high-resolution display, such as a 4K or QHD panel. This will ensure that your photos look as crisp and clear as possible.

6. Battery Life: Look for a laptop with decent battery life so you don’t have to be tethered to a power outlet when editing.

What software should I use for editing raw photos on a laptop?

Adobe Lightroom is one of the best pieces of software for editing raw photos on a laptop. It's easy to use and has powerful tools to help you achieve professional-looking results. Other popular options include Adobe Photoshop, Capture One Pro, and Skylum Luminar.

Are there any specific laptop models or brands that are better for raw photo editing?

Yes, there are certain laptop models and brands that are better for raw photo editing. Apple MacBooks are generally considered to be the best for photo editing, especially for those who need the highest performance. Other great options include Microsoft Surface laptops, Dell XPS laptops, and Lenovo ThinkPads. For more budget-friendly options, Asus and Acer also have good photo editing laptops.

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Final Words

ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 Laptop, 16” 2560x1600 120Hz Display, AMD Ryzen 7, 32GB DDR4, 1TB PCIe SSD, Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060, Windows 11 Home, H5600QM-AH78, Star Black

The best laptop for raw photo editing should have a powerful processor, a large amount of RAM, a high-resolution display, and a graphics card capable of handling complex image processing tasks. Image source: Amazon.com

Overall, Apple 2021 MacBook Pro is an excellent Best laptop for raw photo editing. Its powerful graphics card and processor make it ideal for this type of task, and its large display and good battery life mean you can work for longer without needing to plug in. The good build quality and excellent keyboard also make it a pleasure to use. All in all, it is one of the best laptops for raw photo editing and is well worth considering if you're looking for a quality machine to do the job.