When it comes to expressing your creative side, having a good machine is important. A solid computer lays the foundation, streamlining your workflow with an optimized layout, giving you the finished product you were hoping to create. Today, we are looking at a few of the best Windows 11 laptops and desktop computers to help unshackle your creative side and bring your designs to life.
Laptops
Creating on the go can be difficult, but not impossible. Laptops offer the mobile form factor solution if you are someone who finds themselves working off site often or who likes to venture to the local coffee shop for a cup of Joe while they are looking over their work. When it comes to high powered workstations though, battery life and connectivity are important. Most mobile systems are designed to optimize efficiency whether you are in an office or find yourself elsewhere.
Microsoft 14.4" Surface Laptop Studio 2
Taking development and creativity to a whole new level is the Microsoft 14.4" Surface Laptop Studio 2. Not only is the form factor incredibly unique with a 2-in-1-like design, but it also has the power to run a wide range of applications and software with ease. It has the traditional stylings of a laptop but with a twist- it transforms. A hinge allows you to push the display forward to cover the keyboard for an angled canvas or go completely flat, turning the surface into a tablet-like device.
When it comes to the performance, we have a solid list of components here starting with the 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of LPDDR5x memory, 1TB SSD, and an NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Gen graphics card. The display is a 14.4" 2400 x 1600 resolution PixelSense Flow Screen that provides accurate colors and contrast backed by HDR technology and Dolby Vision IQ, ideal for drawing, sketching, and even taking notes. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 even includes a touch pen stylus and Precision Haptic touchpad to engross you in your creative process.
Dell 16" Precision 5690 Mobile Workstation
If you are looking for immense power within a sleek chassis, look no further than the Dell 16" Precision 5690 Mobile Workstation which gives you enhanced performance with no compromises. Creatives looking to operate on high level applications from editing photos and videos to utilizing CAD software will find the Precision 5690 one of the sleekest and fastest laptops of the modern day.
You'll find an Intel Core Ultra 7 165H processor at the heart of the Precision, giving you a boost in standard application use as well as AI development. The Precision also comes with 32GB of LPDDR5x memory, a 1TB SSD (with a second M.2 if you want even more storage capacity), and an NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada graphics card to handle visual tasks.
MSI 16" Vector 16 HX AI Gaming Laptop
Whether you are creating high-quality content or playing your favorite graphically intense titles, the MSI 16" Vector 16 HX AI Gaming Laptop is there to streamline your editing process and immerse you into your favorite games. It comes equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and a GeForce RTX 5080 mobile graphics card, both working together to boost performance to handle some of the most resource demanding programs and games out there today.
The Vector 16 HX also features a beautiful 16" display backed with a high refresh rate that makes your games not just look beautiful, but run smoothly. It also has some neat features including a customizable backlit keyboard, ample connectivity options, and more.
Desktops
While many like to create on the go, permanent solutions like desktop workstations offer the reliability and flexibility that creators can use to boost performance in a solitary location. Desktops are great foundations for your work as they typically offer ample connectivity for various peripherals like drawing tablets, custom controllers, and more. They can offer some level of customization, allowing you to take advantage of various upgrades over time, keeping your machine operating at its maximum power throughout the years.
HP Z2 G9 Tower Workstation
When it comes to creating at the comfort of your desktop setup, the HP Z2 G9 Tower Workstation gives you scalable power that you can configure to meet your needs directly. With multiple options and robust I/O, the Z2 G9 makes an excellent choice for users at home, especially if you are looking for something more compact. A great feature is the ability to add more to the Z2 G9 since it features additional slots for utility cards, storage, and even an external bay for an optical drive.
There are a few configurations available with the opportunity to configure the system with up to an Intel Core i9 24-core processor, 64GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and an NVIDIA RTX A2000 Ada graphics card. Each of these models includes a mouse and keyboard to get you started.
MSI Aegis ZS2 Gaming Desktop Computer
In the past I discussed the difference between creative and gaming laptops, and the principles I shared there also apply to desktop computers as well. This is why I am looking at the MSI Aegis ZS2 Gaming Desktop Computer. It has the features of a creative PC, giving you a ton of power within a fancy case infused with RGB lighting. Granted, if you are not a fan of lighting, you can turn it off in the settings.
At the core of the Aegis ZS2 is an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X processor which boasts incredible performance to handle gaming and creative tasks alike. You get 32GB of memory, a 2TB SSD, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card which leverages a suite of NVIDIA technologies for creative, gaming, and AI tasks. Other configurations are also available, so you can pick and choose which one best suit your needs, but this particular model should suffice for most of your tasks.
ASUS Republic of Gamers NUC 970 Mini Desktop Computer
For those who wish to create and game when space is at a premium, take a look at the ASUS Republic of Gamers NUC 970 Mini Desktop Computer. Not only is the machine small enough to tuck away, out of sight, but it also provides incredible performance within the small chassis. It also offers plenty of I/O for your devices like your mouse and keyboard.
Performance wise, we are looking at the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H which is a 16-core processor that can handle all sorts of tasks from editing to developing AI programs. It also includes 32GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, and it also has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card.
There are plenty of options out there when it comes to finding the ideal creative machine for you. With modern scalability options available and a swath of form factors, there is something for everyone. If you'd like to learn more about the devices we talked about here, make sure you hit the links above. Otherwise, if you have any questions, leave them below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
