Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Drawing and Artists in 2023

Pros & Cons of Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel as a Drawing Laptop

Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel Specifications

• Computer type: 2-in-1 Touch screen laptop
• Screen size and display: 15.6″ 4K UHD IPS LED Touch screen display
  • Resolution: 3860x2160px (16:9)
  • Max refresh rate: 60Hz
  • Brightness: 500 nit
  • Color gamut: 100% Adobe RGB – Pantone validated
  • Anti-glare
• Stylus pen: Included Acer pen uses Wacom EMR technology and comes with two nibs for gloss & matte surface. For an even better drawing experience, try Wacom One Pen
• Processor (CPU): 8-core 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H
• Graphics (GPU): Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 with 6GB GDDR6 GPU memory
• Operating system: Windows 11
• Battery life when drawing: ±2 hours when using Adobe Photoshop
• Hinges: There are two hinges available, and both are strong enough to hold a comfortable drawing angle
• Release date: Mid-2020 model
• Dimensions: 14″ x 11.5″ x 1.1″ (36 x 29 x 2.6 cm)
• Weight: 5.6lbs (2.5 kg)

Acer ConceptD 7 is just “wow” in a perfect sense! I said positive “wow” three times. When I tried drawing on it, when I saw its specs and when I saw its price! 🙂 OK, not the third one, but you get what I mean.

This is your perfect 2-in-1 laptop for drawing, 3D work, animation, video editing, and rendering. 

If you have an unlimited budget and don’t mind that it’s on the heavier side with somewhat limited battery life and doesn’t provide this “drawing in your lap” experience, go for it!

It will prove to be an excellent investment.

Alternative Pick: Microsoft Surface Pro 8

Alternative Pick	Recommended	Recommended
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13″ Touchscreen	Microsoft Surface Pro Keyboard	Surface Slim Pen 2
Description: Best Alternative 2-in-1 Laptop for Drawing 13-inch PixelSense Flow Touchscreen with 2880x1920 Resolution :: Intel Core i7 :: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics :: Compatible with Surface Slim Pen 2 (MPP 3.0) :: 16GB RAM :: 512GB SSD :: Hybrid Laptop/Tablet Design :: Windows 11 :: Late 2021 model Please note: Surface Slim Pen 2 is sold separately	Description: Compatible with Microsoft Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro X 78 keys, backlit with trackpad	Description: Pressure sensitivity (4,096 Levels) and Tilt recognition :: Perfect weight and balance for drawing :: Haptic support :: Digital eraser :: Compatible with a wide range of Surface models
Check Latest Price	Check Latest Price	Check Latest Price

Alternative Pick

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13″ Touchscreen

Description:

Best Alternative 2-in-1 Laptop for Drawing

13-inch PixelSense Flow Touchscreen with 2880x1920 Resolution :: Intel Core i7 :: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics :: Compatible with Surface Slim Pen 2 (MPP 3.0) :: 16GB RAM :: 512GB SSD :: Hybrid Laptop/Tablet Design :: Windows 11 :: Late 2021 model

Please note: Surface Slim Pen 2 is sold separately

Check Latest Price

Recommended

Microsoft Surface Pro Keyboard

Description:

Compatible with Microsoft Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro X

78 keys, backlit with trackpad

Check Latest Price

Recommended

Surface Slim Pen 2

Description:

Pressure sensitivity (4,096 Levels) and Tilt recognition :: Perfect weight and balance for drawing :: Haptic support :: Digital eraser :: Compatible with a wide range of Surface models

Check Latest Price

Why I like it – This is a smaller tablet version of the Surface Laptop Studio mentioned above. The detachable keyboard and the newest Surface Slim Pen 2 make it a fantastic 2-in-1 laptop/tablet combo.

Pros & Cons of Microsoft Surface Pro 8 as a Drawing Laptop

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Specifications

• Computer type: Hybrid tablet laptop
• Screen size and display: 13″ QHD+ PixelSense Flow Touch screen display
  • Resolution: 2880x1920px (3:2)
  • Max refresh rate: 120Hz
  • Brightness: 450 nit
  • Color gamut: 100% sRGB
  • High gloss
• Stylus pen: Not included. Uses MPP 3.0 technology (comparable with Wacom EMR). Get Surface Slim Pen 2 for the best drawing experience
• Processor (CPU): Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185G7 Processor
• Graphics (GPU): Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Operating system: Windows 11
• Battery life when drawing: ±4 hours when using Adobe Photoshop
• Hinges: The Surface Pro Signature Keyboard you need to get separately doesn’t have “real” hinges, so it doesn’t support your hand when drawing at higher angels, but it rests at a ±20 degrees angle which is comfortable for drawing
• Release date: Late 2021 model
• Dimensions: 11″ x 8″ x 0.4″ (29 x 21 x 9.3 cm)
• Weight: 2lbs (0.9 kg) without Surface Pro Signature Keyboard

I included the Surface Pro 8 as an alternative pick for artists who are not 100% sure they want a proper 2-in-1 laptop. 

Surface Pro 8 is mainly a tablet. To transform it into a laptop, you must buy the pen and keyboard separately. However, compared to, let’s say, iPad Pro 12.9, it’s a fully-fledged Windows computer. This means you can easily run all software, including Adobe creative suite. 

So, if you want a great drawing experience and are looking for the best drawing performance combined with portability, the Surface Pro 8 is for you!

Get a Drawing Stand, too

As you have learned, all 2-in-1 laptops above, except one, don’t have strong enough hinges to support your hand while drawing at different angles.

That’s why I recommend you get a drawing stand. For example, one from the below:

My Pick	Astropad Compact Drawing Stand for iPad, Galaxy Tab, Surface Description: Foldable and Portable Laptop Stand for Desk - Adjustable 7 Angles (8.7°- 32.5°) Tablet Easel for Drawing Widely Compatible iPad Pro, Air, Galaxy, Surface	Check Latest Price Latest Price UK 🇬🇧
NEW	Astropad Darkboard - iPad Drawing Stand with Apple Pencil Pocket Description: Lightweight Drawing Stand for Artists - Drawing iPad Board - Compatible with Apple iPad Pro 12.9 - 3rd to 6th generations and iPad Pro 11 and iPad Air 4th and 5th generations.	Check Latest Price Latest Price UK 🇬🇧
Also Great	ELECOM Aluminum Drawing Stand Description: For 9.7 to 12.9-inch Tablets, Adjustable 4 Level Angles, Slip Resistance Pads Attached	Check Latest Price Latest Price UK 🇬🇧
Drawing Tablets Pick	XP-Pen Multifunctional Metal Drawing Pen Tablet Stand Description: For drawing tablets, 2-in-1 laptops, and regular laptops up to 16″. Aluminum finish, anti-skidding rubber pads. Adjustable viewing angle from 10° to 65° in 1° increments.	Check Latest Price Latest Price UK 🇬🇧
Great Alternative	HUION Adjustable Drawing Tablet Stand Description: Portable Drawing Desk Stand for 10-16 inch Drawing Tablets, for example Kamvas 13, Kamvas 12, Kamvas 16 2021, Kamvas Pro 16/Pro 12/Pro 13, iPad Pro, Cintiq 16, Wacom One	Check Latest Price Latest Price UK 🇬🇧
Value Pick	Parblo PR 100 Universal Adjustable Drawing Tablet Stand Description: For Drawing Tablets, Monitors, Compatible with iPad, Microsoft Surface Pro Series, and Laptops from 10″ to 16″. The tilt angle can be easily adjusted from 15° to 90°.	Check Latest Price Latest Price UK 🇬🇧
Budget Pick	MAX SMART Tablet Stand Description: Drawing Stand, Laptop Stand Riser, Book Reading Stand, Foldable, Portable and Adjustable 6 Angles for Laptop, Digital Graphic Drawing Tablet, Artisul, iPad Pro, Wacom Cintiq	Check Latest Price

My Pick

Astropad Compact Drawing Stand for iPad, Galaxy Tab, Surface

Description:

Foldable and Portable Laptop Stand for Desk - Adjustable 7 Angles (8.7°- 32.5°) Tablet Easel for Drawing Widely Compatible iPad Pro, Air, Galaxy, Surface

Check Latest Price

Latest Price UK 🇬🇧

NEW

Astropad Darkboard - iPad Drawing Stand with Apple Pencil Pocket

Description:

Lightweight Drawing Stand for Artists - Drawing iPad Board - Compatible with Apple iPad Pro 12.9 - 3rd to 6th generations and iPad Pro 11 and iPad Air 4th and 5th generations.

Check Latest Price

Latest Price UK 🇬🇧

Also Great

ELECOM Aluminum Drawing Stand

Description:

For 9.7 to 12.9-inch Tablets, Adjustable 4 Level Angles, Slip Resistance Pads Attached

Check Latest Price

Latest Price UK 🇬🇧

Drawing Tablets Pick

XP-Pen Multifunctional Metal Drawing Pen Tablet Stand

Description:

For drawing tablets, 2-in-1 laptops, and regular laptops up to 16″. Aluminum finish, anti-skidding rubber pads. Adjustable viewing angle from 10° to 65° in 1° increments.

Check Latest Price

Latest Price UK 🇬🇧

Great Alternative

HUION Adjustable Drawing Tablet Stand

Description:

Portable Drawing Desk Stand for 10-16 inch Drawing Tablets, for example Kamvas 13, Kamvas 12, Kamvas 16 2021, Kamvas Pro 16/Pro 12/Pro 13, iPad Pro, Cintiq 16, Wacom One

Check Latest Price

Latest Price UK 🇬🇧

Value Pick

Parblo PR 100 Universal Adjustable Drawing Tablet Stand

Description:

For Drawing Tablets, Monitors, Compatible with iPad, Microsoft Surface Pro Series, and Laptops from 10″ to 16″. The tilt angle can be easily adjusted from 15° to 90°.

Check Latest Price

Latest Price UK 🇬🇧

Budget Pick

MAX SMART Tablet Stand

Description:

Drawing Stand, Laptop Stand Riser, Book Reading Stand, Foldable, Portable and Adjustable 6 Angles for Laptop, Digital Graphic Drawing Tablet, Artisul, iPad Pro, Wacom Cintiq

Check Latest Price

Main Criteria for Choosing a Drawing Laptop

Your Drawing Needs

I think you will enjoy drawing on a good 2-in-1 laptop in the following scenarios:

I. You are looking for a natural drawing experience 

For example, you have been using a pen tablet and feel it would be nice to draw on a screen directly rather than drawing on the pen tablet and looking at the screen. That is quite unnatural and takes quite some time to get used to.

II. You tried drawing on the standalone tablets but found them limiting

Let’s face it, despite the newest iPad Pro and Samsung Galaxy S8 being excellent drawing tablets, they don’t do everything a Windows computer can. 

Because their operating systems (iOS and Android) aren’t designed for everyday, routine tasks such as writing emails, notes, proposals, invoices, spreadsheets, documents, etc. 

And what is more, despite the latest advances in Adobe and other creative programs on iOS, the experience is just not the same as on Windows. Did I mention Adobe creative suite is not even available on Android yet? 

Sure, for routine tasks, you could argue that you just need to buy a detachable keyboard with a trackpad to emulate laptop behavior. 

But I have tried that, and it just doesn’t replace this natural feeling of working in folders, dragging and dropping multiple files, etc. What is more, iOS and Android don’t have this functionality. 

Working on routine and business tasks is just easier on a laptop! And if it supports a natural drawing experience, it’s a win-win. 

III. You just want one device that does it “all”

There are certainly a few benefits to bundling all of your creative devices in one – a drawing tablet (standalone, tablet with screen, or pen tablet) and a laptop or desktop computer.

You get to carry one device instead of more, you could save money, and you could run more creative programs on just one computer. 

A good Windows-based 2-in-1 drawing laptop will easily replace your standard laptop and drawing tablet. Windows will allow it to run all creative software, business software, and whatever necessary software you need. 

And at the same time, it comes with technology supporting your drawing needs and natural experience.

It will also be powerful enough to run those programs smoothly and without lagging, aiding you in your creative process immensely!

Stylus Pen Technology (Drawing Experience)

The stylus pen technology and pen-to-screen experience are the most important criteria when selecting the best drawing laptop. 

You could get any 2-in-1 laptop from well-known brands such as Lenovo, HP, and DELL. 

They will perform amazingly for most of your computer needs. But unfortunately, they will not provide you with a natural drawing experience comparable to drawing on paper. 

They will not provide you with enough (at least 4,096) pressure sensitivity levels. In addition, they may not support tilt sensitivity, which is essential for shading. And the lines may be very wobbly, and you will have to use software smoothening which introduces the lag.

Why is that?

Well, it comes down to what technology they use to provide you with drawing and writing experience.

A quick disclaimer – I didn’t study engineering, so I am not on top of these technologies. As a result, you may find discrepancies in my descriptions below if you are an engineer. 

That’s OK, though, because I tried to understand it as much as possible. And frankly, I judge based on my drawing experience. And that’s the most important, in the end.

So, if you are into digital art, you know that Wacom is the most recognized brand for drawing tablets, from pen tablets to pen displays to pen computers. They are at the top of their class. Yes, I know. Huion and XP-Pen are good, too, because they have significantly improved their tablets, which pressures Wacom to improve theirs. Good for us, artists, right!?

So, Wacom implemented these two technologies into the screens of their drawing tablet and their stylus pens – Wacom AES and EMR.

AES stands for Active Electrostatic, and EMR stands for Electro Magnetic Resonance.

I understand that Wacom licenses AES and EMR to other manufacturers.

And for the best drawing experience, the one you want to get in your 2-in-1 laptop is EMR. It’s superior to AES with 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels, tilt sensitivity, and Bluetooth support for more precise drawings.

Wacom EMR is comparable to proprietary Apple technology used in Apple Pencil and to the MPP (Microsoft Pen Protocol) used in Surface Slim Pen 2 (make sure you get this one and not the previous Surface Pen). 

As a rule of thumb, AES pens require an AAAA battery, and AES-enabled laptops tend to be cheaper.

All 2-in-1 laptops on my list, except the budget picks, use either Wacom EMR or the newest MPP technology, so you get the best drawing experience possible.

💡Pro tip I: For Windows drawing laptops supporting Wacom pen technologies, install Wacom Feel Driver, which depending on your device, can improve your drawing experience even more!

💡Pro tip II: When using the stylus pen, don’t forget always to check the Windows setting “Ignore touch when I am using my pen.” Ensure it’s toggled “on” to avoid getting annoyed by malfunctioning palm rejection.

Screen Display

For digital art, 3D, animation, and video editing, I recommend you ideally get the 15″ screen with 4K resolution and 100% sRGB color gamut. At a minimum, aim for a 13″ screen with FHD or QHD resolution and 100% sRGB color gamut.

Unfortunately, 4K is not that common with 2-in- drawing laptops. I think it has something to do with keeping the models’ prices reasonable. 

On the plus side, even if not 4K, all the drawing laptops on my list come with beautiful screens, FHD or QHD resolution, and bright and responsive touch screens. 

Moreover, except for one of the budget picks, they all come with at least 100% sRGB color gamut, which is vital for color accuracy in digital assets. 

And some even have 100% Adobe RGB and 100% DCI-P3 color gamuts that are important for color accuracy for printing and video editing. 

Processor and Graphics

I am not going into all the details comparing different processors. That would require a whole new article. However, if you are into technical details, you can have a look here: i5 vs. i7 performance comparison.

From my own experience and the experience of my artist and designer friends, I know that the newest Intel i7 and AMD Ryzen 7 processors are much better when using creative software such as Adobe creative suite. 

They simply make it run smooth, so I can entirely focus on my work instead of grumping about lags in performance.

So if it’s Windows, I’d always get a laptop or computer with an i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor.

Regarding the graphic cards, the 2-in-1 laptops usually compromise on this aspect because of the size and weight. 

Generally, they always have integrated graphic cards such as Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon Graphics. Only some (usually more expensive) come with dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphic cards. 

The good news is that the newest generation of integrated graphics cards is powerful enough to run the Adobe software smoothly. So, in some cases, you can do some work in Blender and ZBrush. Tread gently, though!

💡Pro tip: Always try to get the newest generation of i7 processors to take advantage of the advancements.

RAM and Storage

I think 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage are the golden standard for digital art and lighter 3D, animation, and video editing work.

You can also do it with 8GB and 256GB, but then you have to compromise smoothness in the creative software and use microSD cards or portable hard drives to expand your storage.

You could also argue that Windows computers have always been customizable, and you could expand RAM and storage. Not so with the hybrid laptop tablets. 

Most of the 2-in-1 laptops on my list are not customizable after purchase, so I chose the ones with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage or more.

Hinges

All drawing laptops on my list are of excellent built quality. 

They feel great in the hands and are easy to carry around and draw on.

This quality also applies to the hinges, which transform the laptops from a laptop mode to a tablet mode. As a result, they are sturdy, reliable, and last a long time.

BTW, the manufacturers call this transformation functionality different names, for example, a “flex” for flexing, “flip” and “360” for 360° flip, and “ezel” for easel you can paint on.

So the hinges are great and all, but they were not made for drawing, which is normal, considering these laptops are marketed to the general public.

For example, I like to draw at about 20° to 30° angle, which feels natural to me and other artists.

Except for the Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel and partially for the Microsoft Surface Pro 8, none of the laptops had hinges that allowed me to set it up at such an angle.

That’s OK, though, because I can always use a drawing stand. 

And when I am on the go, I hold the laptop as I’d hold a notebook, which makes adjusting the drawing angles quite easy.

💡Pro tip: When you turn the 2-in-1 laptop into tablet mode, you will, unfortunately, lose access to the keyboard, which will be on the other side. You know what that means if you work with software such as Adobe Photoshop – you will lose your keyboard shortcuts. It’s not ideal, and I recommend you get the remote control.

Battery Life

The battery life is crucial if you want to draw on your laptop on the go, on your sofa, or on public transport. 

Compared to iPad or Android tablets, Windows computers have always had issues with battery life. 

Especially when using intensive tasks such as Adobe Photoshop, 3D programs like Blender, and video editing in Adobe Premiere or After Effects.

It comes with the territory. Intel and AMD processors consume a lot of power. When you combine them with intensive graphics tasks, the consumption only increases.

Fortunately, almost all of the 2-in-1 laptops in my list above will allow you to draw in Adobe Photoshop for at least 4-5 hours, which should be plenty. 

This also means that programs such as Krita or Clip Studio Paint can push this limit even higher because they are not as power-hungry as Adobe software. 

And suppose you are going for a whole day drawing session without a readily available power outlet. In that case, you can always get a power bank or a solar charger to help with your power needs.

💡Pro tip: Try to optimize your laptop’s power settings to prolong the battery life. For example, you can decrease the refresh rate. Or, if your laptop has a dedicated graphics card, set it to perform only extensive tasks such as drawing in Adobe photoshop instead of browsing the internet.

Weight

Weight, similarly to battery life, is important for portability and comfort of use in different situations. 

First, you don’t want to carry “pounds” of computer in your backpack. It gets heavy and tiring after a while. And forget when you travel by plane, want to save on check-in luggage, and have to pack in a heavy laptop, compromising on your undies and cosmetics!! 🙂 That get’s annoying quite fast.

And second, heavy 2-in-1 laptops are pretty uncomfortable when you want to draw on your sofa, on public transport, or even on a plane, as I mentioned in the previous paragraph. 

That’s why all the drawing laptops in my list above are around 3lbs on average (1.5kg). And only one is 5.5lbs (2.5kg). But that’s because it’s a powerhouse with many valuable features for drawing and creative work. 

FAQs about Drawing Laptops

Conclusion

To sum up, here are my recommendations for the best drawing laptops on the market today:

These drawing laptops are amazing creative tools and excellent computers in every other way!

They perform as well as any other standard laptop out there. 

And when drawing on them, they perform as naturally as when drawing on my iPad Pro, which, I must admit, is something to say! And, of course, you get a superb added value in the Windows ecosystem, which can run almost any creative software out there!

I hope my research has made it easier for you to get a new drawing laptop, and you will have a lot of fun with your digital art projects. 

Sources

• Wacom – Wacom patented EMR explained
• Hewlett Packard – Which pens are compatible with HP Envy x360
• Wacom – Wacom One Pen compatibility
• Lenovo – Digital Pen 2 compatibility
• Microsoft – Surface Slim Pen 2 compatibility
• Samsung – S Pen Wacom technology
• LAMY – Wacom EMR-enabled computers
• Brad Colbow Illustrator:
  • Drawing on Galaxy Book2 Pro 360
  • Drawing on Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel
  • Drawing on Surface Pro 8
  • Drawing on Surface Laptop Studio
  • Drawing on HP Envy x360
• Ben G Kaiser – Drawing on Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
• ViewSonic Monitors – sRGB vs. Adobe RGB
• ViewSonic Monitors – Explaining DCI-PR
• Eizo Monitors – Suitability of sRGB vs. Adobe RGB
• The Designer’s Toolbox – i5 vs. i7 for design work
• Just Josh – i5 vs. i7 performance comparison
• Digital Trends – Why 2021 was a turning point for digital displays

Other articles in the Laptops for Artists and Designers series:

• Best Laptop for Artists and Digital Art
• Best Laptop for Animation
• Best Laptop for 3D Modeling and Rendering
• Best Mouse for Designers
• Best Chromebook for Drawing and Artists

Lis cet article en français 🇫🇷 Le meilleur ordi portable de dessin 2-en-1 pour designers et artistes

Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »

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