Best Laptop Guide for Affinity Photo 2023

Are you looking for the perfect laptop to use with Affinity Photo? Well, you’re in the right place! Not only will this guide provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision, but we’ll also provide you with our top picks based on extensive research.

Whether you’re a professional photographer or a casual enthusiast, the right laptop is essential. Affinity Photo can require a lot of computing power and if you want to get the most out of your laptop and the program, it’s important to pick one that meets its needs. So, let’s dive right in and discuss the specs and features to look for when choosing the perfect laptop for Affinity Photo.

The right processor

If you're in the market for a new laptop to run Affinity Photo, you'll need to pay close attention to the processor. The processor is one of the most important components in an image editor, and it's important to choose one that will be able to handle the demands of your workflow. In this article, I'll guide you through the process of choosing the right processor for your needs, and I'll also recommend a few of the best processors for Affinity Photo.

When it comes to processors, there are two main brands to choose from: Intel and AMD. Intel has been the dominant player in the CPU market for many years, but AMD has been gaining ground in recent years, and they now have a 20% share of the market. AMD's processors are generally more affordable than Intel's, but they offer comparable performance.

We're still waiting for Intel's 13th-gen processors to reach laptops, but their 12th-gen processors are currently the latest available. Intel's silicon chips have adopted a hybrid performance/efficiency core design (based on big.LITTLE), which means that they offer good performance and battery life. AMD's Ryzen processors are also based on this design, and they offer even better performance and battery life.

If you're on a budget, then you can go with an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 processor; both will provide good performance in most tasks. The best way to compare processors is by looking at their benchmark scores; I use PassMark and Cinebench R23 to compare processors across multiple price points. These tests are pretty accurate, though they don't take into account differences in clock speed (which is why some processors perform better than others).

If you're looking for a laptop that can handle any professional task – you'll need a high-end processor paired with a lot of RAM and plenty of storage space; however, if you're only working with images – your requirements will be much more modest.

Here are my recommendations for the best processors for Affinity Photo:

Minimum: Ryzen 3 3200U
Recommended: i3-10110U
High-end: i5-10210U

Deciding on a graphics

If you're looking to buy a new laptop for Affinity Photo, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. In this section, I'll go over what has changed in the graphics market and why you need a dedicated GPU for photo editing. I'll also explain how to know what graphics card is best suited for Affinity Photo and whether there is a trade-off between performance and battery life. Finally, I'll give my recommendations for each price bracket.

What's changed in the graphics market?

Nvidia continues to dominate the laptop GPU market. Nvidia recently released a few RTX 40 series cards, but these are not yet available on laptops (expected in 2023). Nvidia's latest notebook cards are in RTX 30 series (such as RTX 3070 Ti).

Desktop GPUs are now a lot more power-hungry; thus, the gap between power-limited notebook graphics and desktop graphics cards has widened in the past few years.

Nvidia has discontinued Max-Q use for its RTX graphics cards. Now, an exact GPU wattage is determined by a laptop manufacturer (OEM). That results in a wide variance in graphics performance even in laptops with the same GPU chipset.

Why do you need a GPU for photo editing?

GPU acceleration is critical for working with RAW files and applying effects in real time. Without a dedicated GPU, you'll find that your laptop will struggle to keep up with even basic tasks such as zooming and panning.

How to know what graphics card is best suited for Affinity Photo?

When comparing GPUs, I use 3DMark benchmarks because they are more indicative of real-world performance than synthetic tests such as Cinebench or PassMark.

If you're looking for a laptop that can handle gaming, then you'll need to consider other components such as the CPU and RAM since these have a greater impact on gaming performance than the GPU.

Is there a trade-off between performance and battery life?

If you're looking for a dedicated GPU, don't forget to check if it's Nvidia Optimus-enabled – it will save your battery while not using the graphics card.

My recommendations for each price bracket

Minimum: Integrated graphics

Recommended: MX450

High-end: GTX 1650

Choosing a memory

When it comes to deciding on the right laptop for Affinity Photo, RAM is one of the most important components to consider. However, it's not as crucial as the processor or graphics card. If you're using a MacBook, you don't have to worry about RAM since Apple has done a good job of limiting the maximum amount of memory that can be installed in their laptops.

If you're looking for a laptop with a lot of memory, you might run into some limitations – especially if you're looking for a high-end model with 32 GB or more. The latest-gen Intel and AMD CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5, though DDR5 is still expensive and needs time to mature as a technology.

So, how much memory do you need for photo editing? The minimum RAM you'll need is 8 GB, but we recommend 16 GB. For high-end photo editing, you'll need 32 GB of RAM or more. Keep in mind that other factors like latency, frequency, and ECC can also affect performance.

Depending on your budget, here's what you can expect:

8 GB: You'll be able to do basic photo editing, but anything beyond that will start to tax your system.
16 GB: This is the sweet spot for most photo editors. You'll be able to do just about anything with this much RAM.
32 GB: If you're a power user or you need to edit very large files, this is the RAM amount you'll need.

Unveiling the Answers: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the minimum laptop requirements for Affinity Photo?

The minimum laptop requirements for Affinity Photo are as follows:

Memory: 8 GB
Processor: Ryzen 3 3200U or i3-10110U
Graphics: Integrated graphics

Which laptops are compatible with Affinity Photo?

Affinity Photo is compatible with a wide range of laptops. As long as your laptop meets the minimum requirements, you should be able to run Affinity Photo. However, for optimal performance, it is recommended to use a laptop with higher specs.

What specs do I need for Affinity Photo on a laptop?

For smooth performance and a seamless editing experience with Affinity Photo on a laptop, we recommend the following specs:

Memory: 16 GB
Processor: i5-10210U
Graphics: MX450 or GTX 1650

Can I run Affinity Photo on a budget laptop?

Yes, you can run Affinity Photo on a budget laptop as long as it meets the minimum requirements. However, keep in mind that the performance may not be as smooth as on a higher-end laptop. For a better editing experience, it is recommended to invest in a laptop with higher specs.

Is a dedicated graphics card necessary for Affinity Photo?

While a dedicated graphics card is not necessary, it can significantly improve the performance of Affinity Photo, especially when working with complex images or applying intensive editing effects. If you frequently work with large files or require advanced editing capabilities, we recommend opting for a laptop with a dedicated graphics card like the MX450 or GTX 1650.

What laptops are recommended for Affinity Photo?

Here are a few recommended laptops for Affinity Photo:

Acer Predator Helios 16 Ph16-71 Ph16-71-71av: $60
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71: $730
MSI Summit E13: $140
ASUS ROG Strix Scar: $2,310
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16: $3,390

Can I use Affinity Photo on a Mac laptop?

Yes, Affinity Photo is available for Mac laptops. It is compatible with the latest macOS version and runs smoothly on Mac laptops that meet the minimum requirements.

How much RAM is recommended for running Affinity Photo smoothly?

To ensure a smooth editing experience with Affinity Photo, it is recommended to have at least 16 GB of RAM. This allows the software to handle larger files and perform complex editing operations more efficiently.

Is a touchscreen laptop beneficial for using Affinity Photo?

While a touchscreen laptop is not essential for using Affinity Photo, it can enhance your editing workflow by providing a more intuitive and interactive experience. With a touchscreen, you can directly manipulate images, zoom in or out, and apply precise edits with your fingers or a stylus. However, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and whether you feel comfortable working with a touchscreen.

Can I edit RAW files on a laptop with Affinity Photo?

Yes, you can edit RAW files on a laptop with Affinity Photo. The software supports various RAW file formats and provides powerful editing tools specifically designed for RAW image processing. With the right laptop specs, such as sufficient memory and processing power, you can seamlessly edit RAW files with Affinity Photo on your laptop.