As the design industry evolves, product designers and design teams need the best tools to stay ahead. Whether it’s creating intricate 3D models, rendering detailed graphics, or collaborating seamlessly across teams, having the right device can make all the difference.
In 2024, the market is filled with devices tailored for design professionals, but selecting the right one requires a thorough understanding of their features, pros, cons, and suitability for specific tasks.
Below, we’ve compiled a detailed guide to the 10 best devices for design teams
Table of Contents
1. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3, 2024)
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch is renowned for its performance, particularly among creative professionals. Powered by Apple’s latest M3 chip, this laptop offers an unmatched combination of speed, efficiency, and display quality. The Liquid Retina XDR display delivers incredible brightness and color accuracy, making it ideal for graphic design and video editing. Its long battery life and robust build quality further enhance its appeal, making it a top choice for product designers who need reliable performance on the go.
Features:
- Processor: Apple M3 chip with up to 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU
- Display: 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR with 3456×2234 resolution
- Memory: Up to 128GB unified memory
- Storage: Up to 8TB SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 21 hours
- Operating System: macOS Ventura
Pros:
- Unmatched performance for graphic-intensive tasks
- Superior display quality with high color accuracy
- Extensive battery life ideal for long design sessions
- Wide range of ports including Thunderbolt 4 and SDXC card slot
Cons:
- Expensive, especially with high-end configurations
- Limited software compatibility for non-macOS users
Best For: Product designers working on complex projects like 3D modeling and high-resolution graphic design. It’s also ideal for teams who rely on macOS-specific software and require powerful performance and long battery life.
2. Microsoft Surface Studio 3
The Microsoft Surface Studio 3 is a versatile all-in-one desktop designed with creatives in mind. Its large 28-inch PixelSense touchscreen display is both sharp and color-accurate, perfect for digital artists and designers. The Surface Studio 3 is particularly unique due to its flexible hinge, which allows the device to transition seamlessly from a desktop monitor to a drafting table, providing a more immersive and hands-on design experience.
Features:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-13700H
- Display: 28-inch PixelSense with 4500×3000 resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio
- Memory: Up to 64GB DDR5
- Storage: Up to 4TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Pros:
- Large, versatile touchscreen with pen support
- Exceptional performance for rendering and multitasking
- Integrated NVIDIA RTX graphics for real-time ray tracing
- Flexible design allows for seamless transition between desktop and drafting table modes
Cons:
- High price point
- Limited upgradability compared to traditional desktops
Best For: Design teams focused on collaborative work and those who benefit from a flexible workspace. The Surface Studio 3 is perfect for UI/UX designers, illustrators, and architects who need a powerful, creative workstation.
3. Dell XPS 17 (2024)
The Dell XPS 17 is a powerhouse laptop that offers desktop-level performance in a portable package. Its 17-inch InfinityEdge 4K UHD+ display provides stunning visuals with minimal bezels, making it a favorite among designers who require a large screen for multitasking and detailed work. With the latest Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, the XPS 17 handles demanding design software with ease, ensuring smooth performance across all your projects.
Features:
- Processor: Intel Core i9-13900HK
- Display: 17-inch InfinityEdge 4K UHD+ with 3840×2400 resolution
- Memory: Up to 64GB DDR5
- Storage: Up to 8TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
- Battery Life: Up to 14 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Pros:
- Stunning 4K display with near-borderless design
- Powerful processor and GPU for intensive design tasks
- Ample storage and memory options
- Premium build quality with a sleek, lightweight design
Cons:
- Expensive with top-tier configurations
- Limited port options
Best For: Product designers who need a balance of power and portability. The Dell XPS 17 is ideal for those working on the go but still require the capabilities of a desktop-grade machine for tasks like video editing and 3D rendering.
4. Wacom Cintiq Pro 32
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 32 is a dream tool for digital artists and illustrators. This 32-inch pen display offers a vast workspace with 4K resolution, ensuring that every detail is captured with precision. The Wacom Pro Pen 3, known for its responsiveness and sensitivity, pairs perfectly with the display, making it a preferred choice for professionals who demand accuracy in their creative processes. Whether you’re working on complex illustrations, animations, or digital sculptures, the Cintiq Pro 32 offers a natural and intuitive experience.
Features:
- Display: 32-inch 4K UHD with 3840×2160 resolution
- Pen: Wacom Pro Pen 3 with 8192 pressure levels and tilt recognition
- Color Gamut: 98% Adobe RGB
- Connectivity: USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort
Pros:
- Immersive large-screen experience with high color accuracy
- Highly responsive and customizable pen
- Ergonomic design with adjustable stand
- Ideal for detailed illustrations and digital painting
Cons:
- Requires a powerful computer to function
- High cost and large footprint
Best For: Digital artists, illustrators, and animators who demand precision and a large workspace. The Wacom Cintiq Pro 32 is best suited for those focused on detailed and high-resolution artwork.
5. HP ZBook Studio G10
The HP ZBook Studio G10 is a mobile workstation designed for those who need power on the move. It’s equipped with the latest Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA RTX A5500 graphics, making it one of the most powerful laptops available for design professionals. The 16-inch 4K OLED display delivers stunning visuals with deep blacks and vibrant colors, ideal for color-sensitive work. The ZBook Studio G10 is perfect for architects, engineers, and animators who need desktop-level performance in a portable form factor.
Features:
- Processor: Intel Core i9-13950HX
- Display: 16-inch 4K UHD OLED with 3840×2400 resolution
- Memory: Up to 128GB DDR5
- Storage: Up to 8TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX A5500
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Pros:
- Powerful workstation-level performance
- Brilliant OLED display with exceptional color accuracy
- High memory and storage capacity
- Durable, rugged build quality
Cons:
- Expensive, especially for top configurations
- Heavier than other laptops in its class
Best For: Design teams working in industries like architecture, engineering, and animation that require high processing power and graphical performance. The HP ZBook Studio G10 is perfect for those needing a mobile workstation with the power of a desktop.
6. Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2024) with M3 Chip
The Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch continues to be a favorite among creative professionals, thanks to its portability and power. The 2024 model, featuring the M3 chip, pushes the boundaries even further, offering desktop-class performance in a tablet form. The Liquid Retina XDR display is perfect for detailed design work, and the Apple Pencil support makes it a versatile tool for sketching, prototyping, and presentations. The iPad Pro is especially useful for designers who need a powerful yet portable device that integrates seamlessly with other Apple products.
Features:
- Processor: Apple M3 chip with 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU
- Display: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR with 2732×2048 resolution
- Memory: Up to 16GB
- Storage: Up to 2TB
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, USB-C with Thunderbolt
- Operating System: iPadOS 18
Pros:
- Unparalleled display quality for tablet devices
- Highly portable with powerful performance
- Versatile with Apple Pencil support for design work
- Long battery life with fast charging
Cons:
- Limited multitasking compared to a full desktop OS
- High cost with accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard
Best For: Designers who need a portable, powerful tool for sketching, prototyping, and presentations. The iPad Pro is especially useful for UX/UI designers, illustrators, and those who work on the go.
7. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 6
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 6 is a powerful and durable laptop that excels in both performance and portability. It’s equipped with an Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, making it a solid choice for product designers who need to run demanding software without compromising mobility. The 16-inch display offers excellent color accuracy and brightness, crucial for design work. Additionally, its robust build quality and legendary ThinkPad keyboard make it a reliable workhorse for professionals.
Features:
- Processor: Intel Core i9-11950H
- Display: 16-inch 4K UHD with 3840×2400 resolution
- Memory: Up to 64GB DDR4
- Storage: Up to 4TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Pros:
- Strong performance with high-end processor and GPU
- Excellent keyboard and build quality
- Robust security features
- Good battery life for a high-performance laptop
Cons:
- Heavier and bulkier than some competitors
- Expensive, particularly with higher configurations
Best For: Product designers who need a balance of power, portability, and durability. The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 6 is ideal for those who prioritize reliability and security alongside performance.
8. Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel
The Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel is a unique laptop designed specifically for creators, offering a convertible design with a 4K UHD touch display that can be used in multiple modes. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for design professionals who require both power and flexibility. Equipped with the latest Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, it handles demanding tasks with ease. The ConceptD 7 Ezel’s Pantone-validated display ensures accurate color reproduction, crucial for graphic designers, photographers, and videographers.
Features:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-11800H
- Display: 15.6-inch 4K UHD touch with 3840×2160 resolution
- Memory: Up to 32GB DDR4
- Storage: Up to 2TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Pros:
- Convertible design with multiple usage modes
- High color accuracy with Pantone validation
- Solid performance for creative software
- Touchscreen with pen support for drawing and note-taking
Cons:
- Limited battery life compared to competitors
- Heavier due to the convertible design
Best For: Creative professionals who need a flexible device for a variety of tasks, including graphic design, video editing, and digital art. The Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel is ideal for those who value versatility and precise color accuracy.
9. Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition
The Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition is a sleek and powerful laptop designed for creative professionals. Its 15.6-inch 4K OLED display offers incredible color accuracy and depth, making it perfect for detailed design work. Powered by an Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000, it delivers exceptional performance for demanding applications like 3D rendering, video editing, and CAD modeling. Despite its powerful components, the Razer Blade 15 maintains a slim and lightweight design, making it a great choice for professionals who need to work on the go.
Features:
- Processor: Intel Core i9-11900H
- Display: 15.6-inch 4K OLED with 3840×2160 resolution
- Memory: Up to 32GB DDR4
- Storage: Up to 2TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000
- Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Pros:
- Stunning 4K OLED display with high color accuracy
- Powerful GPU optimized for creative applications
- Slim and lightweight design
- Excellent build quality with a premium feel
Cons:
- Expensive, particularly for the Studio Edition
- Shorter battery life due to high-performance components
Best For: Design professionals who require a portable yet powerful device for 3D rendering, video editing, and other graphics-intensive tasks. The Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition is particularly suited for those who prioritize display quality and portability.
10. Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro X
The Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro X is a powerful mobile workstation designed for creative professionals. With a 17-inch display and the innovative ScreenPad 2.0, this laptop offers a unique dual-display setup that enhances productivity and multitasking. The StudioBook Pro X is powered by an Intel Xeon processor and NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000, making it an excellent choice for those working in 3D modeling, CAD, and other demanding applications. Its wide color gamut and Pantone validation ensure that colors are represented accurately, making it ideal for photographers, designers, and video editors.
Features:
- Processor: Intel Xeon E-2276M
- Display: 17-inch 4K UHD with 3840×2160 resolution
- Memory: Up to 64GB DDR4 ECC
- Storage: Up to 4TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Pros:
- Powerful performance with Intel Xeon processor
- Dual-display setup with ScreenPad 2.0
- High color accuracy with wide color gamut
- Robust build quality with MIL-STD 810G certification
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Limited battery life
Best For: Design professionals in fields like 3D modeling, CAD, and video editing who need a powerful mobile workstation with enhanced multitasking capabilities. The Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro X is ideal for those who require both performance and versatility in a single device.
Top 10 Laptops for your Engineering Team
Summary: Which Are The Best Devices for Design Teams?
Choosing the right device for your design team is crucial to ensuring productivity, creativity, and efficiency. From the powerhouse performance of the Apple MacBook Pro and HP ZBook Studio to the versatile and innovative features of the Microsoft Surface Studio and Wacom Cintiq Pro, each device listed here offers something unique.
Depending on your specific needs—whether it’s portability, display quality, processing power, or a combination of these factors—there’s a device in this guide that will elevate your design work in 2024.
Rayda understands the importance of equipping your team with the right software and we can help you procure quality equipment, deliver them to your global team wherever they are in days, and help you manage these equipment.
Book a call with us here to discuss your unique needs and create a plan to help you procure, deliver and track employee equipment globally
