laptops with a lot of memory
The most powerful laptops in 2021
Included in this guide:
Hunting for the most powerful laptops on the market right now can be both exciting and confusing. With so many announcements this year that revealed new components and devices, it seems like if you're looking for 'the best of the best' then just about every brand has something to offer.
Power is relative to what you need the laptop for of course. For many, this will mean the latest processors from Intel, AMD or even Apple, and there's a new generation of the best graphics cards unleashed to power games and demanding applications, some of which offer great features like raytracing and graphics upscaling.
We're also about to see a new generation of memory (or RAM, for Random Access Memory) hit the market. DDR5 is set to replace the current standard, DDR4, within the next few years, and laptop makers are scrambling to put this super fast RAm into their devices.
Top 5 most powerful laptops
Jump straight to the most powerful laptops:
01. MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019)
02. Dell XPS 17 (2021)
03. Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition (2020)
04. Gigabyte Aero 17 (2021)
05. MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020)
Top that off with a large storage capacity in the form of either a speedy SSD or robust HDD and you have a lot of room to save your projects or video games. If you think this all still might not be powerful enough for your needs then check out our guide on the best computers for graphic design. And if you're a student, look at our best student laptops.
These mobile workstations offer you the kind of power and performance that you might have once thought was only possible with a desktop PC, so thanks to these modern advancements in mobile hardware, the powerful laptops of today will really blow you away, with bags of RAM, multi-core processors and cutting-edge mobile graphics cards that make them excellent content creation devices, and can even handle gaming when you just want to kick back and relax.
Of course, the most powerful laptops on the market today are also some of the most expensive. They are, after all, using premium components to offer you unrivaled performance, and that means you should only think of investing in one of these laptops if you really need that kind of power. Thankfully though, Black Friday 2021 is fast approaching, so keep a sharp eye on the market and you might find one of the devices on this list for a steal.
However, if you often work with big files, like to multitask, and require a laptop that can do things like render high-resolution videos and 3D graphics, then the most powerful laptops on this page are for you.
The most powerful laptops on sale today
The best MacBook for Photoshop in 2021
Specifications
CPU: M1 Pro (8-core) or M1 Max (10-core)
Graphics: M1 Pro (14-core) or M1 Max (16-core)
RAM: 16GB – 64GB
Screen: 14.2-inch 3,024 x 1,964 mini-LED
Storage: 512GB – 8TB SSD
Reasons to buy
+Stunning 14-inch mini-LED display +Powerful components +Fantastic port selection
Reasons to avoid
-Not affordable for many
The new MacBook Pro on the block is hands down the most powerful laptop on the market right now, and its many configurations will ensure that you can order a curated device that's fully customized to your needs. It's perfect for audio mixing, high-resolution video editing and rendering, and much, much more.
Equipped with a choice between either an M1 Pro or M1 Max SoC (system-on-a-chip), that combines the CPU and GPU together, there's nothing you can throw at it that it won't run, and run well at that.
It's had a complete redesign since 2019 that has reintroduced built-in ports, now featuring three Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a MagSafe 3 port to give you plenty of options for your peripherals, and you don't need to carry around a cumbersome dongle.
That 14.3-inch 120 Hz mini-LED display is also one of the best we've ever seen on a laptop, giving you crisp, accurate color and delivering up to 1,000 nits of sustained, full-screen brightness, and 1,600 nits of peak brightness.
If you need multiple displays for your work then you can connect up to three Pro Display XDRs and a 4K TV with M1 Max, or two Pro Display XDRs if you opt for the M1 Pro.
For more details, read our MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) review.
02. MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
The most powerful MacBook ever
Specifications
CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i7 – i9
Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M – Radeon Pro 5500M
RAM: 16GB – 64GB
Screen: 16-inch Retina display with True Tone
Storage: 512GB – 8TB SSD
Reasons to buy
+Stunning 16-inch screen +New and improved keyboard +Decent battery life for the power
Reasons to avoid
-Limited to four Thunderbolt 3 ports -Uses older Intel processors
Apple knocked it out of the park with the 16-inch MacBook Pro, which is one of the fastest laptops out there. It can't quite compete against the newly released MacBook Pro powered by a choice of its new M1 Pro or M1 Max silicon, but for a laptop that's now three years old, this is still packing some seriously powerful hardware.
There are certainly niche options that could be considered more powerful, but for macOS users, this thin, light and stylish design helped to make the MacBook Pro range so iconic, and the laptop of choice for creatives across the world.
The fact that Apple also included a larger 16-inch screen, while keeping the overall size and weight of the new MacBook Pro similar to the 15-inch version is truly impressive.
With the 16-inch model, you get some of the best mobile hardware ever made, including a 9th-generation Intel Core processor and an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M or 5500M graphics card, as well as up to 64GB of memory. This is the ultimate laptop for media editing and creation, and one of the best laptops ever made – by Apple or anyone.
- Read our full Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch review
03. Dell XPS 17 (2021)
Powerful and large
Specifications
CPU: 11th Generation Intel Core i5/i7/i9
Graphics: Intel UHD/NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: Up to 64GB DDR4-3200MHz
Screen: 17.0" FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit – 17.0" UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit
Storage: Up to 4TB M.2 PCIe NVMe
Reasons to buy
+Great 17-inch display +Powerful configurations available +Up to 64GB of RAM
Reasons to avoid
-Below-average battery life -Could do with more ports
The Dell XPS 17 (2021) proves that the most powerful laptops in the world don't have to be big and bulky affairs, while also making a statement that macOS devices are far from the only option available for creatives who need an incredible portable workstation.
While it's hiding some seriously impressive components and that giant 17-inch 4K display, the XPS 17 remains an impressively thin and light device, which means you can comfortably carry it around with you. This makes it an ideal powerful laptop for people who want to work out and about.
The battery life is also excellent for a laptop of this size and power, so you don't have to worry about finding a plug socket too often, and its price, while high, is fair for the hardware you're getting. You can configure it with a powerful Intel Core i9 processor, and even add an RTX 3060 graphics card to give it some serious power for more demanding applications (or even gaming if you like a machine that can do both).
Dell is well known for making top-quality laptops, and the XPS line is no different. If you're looking for a powerful and reliable laptop for your creative needs, and you don't much care for macOS, consider one of these beauties for yourself.
04. Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition (2020)
A powerful laptop for digital creatives
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i7-10875H
Graphics: Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000
RAM: 32GB DDR4-2933MHz
Screen: 15.6" OLED 4K Touch 60Hz, 100% DCI-P3, factory calibrated
Storage: 1TB SSD
Reasons to buy
+One of the most powerful laptops available +Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000 graphics card +4K OLED touch display
Reasons to avoid
-As expensive as it is powerful
Razer is a name more recognized for PC gaming than portable workstations, but as gaming laptops need similarly powerful components to run the latest AAA titles, it's no wonder you see so many creatives buying them to run applications like Unreal Engine or Blender.
The original Razer Blade is a gaming laptop, but knowing that creative industries needed better-optimized devices, Razer has taken its sheer power and turned the whole thing into one of the best (and most powerful) mobile workstations for creatives.
The result is the Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition, s a brilliant laptop aimed at photographers, graphic designers and video editors in particular, with a choice of powerful graphics cards, along with a stunning, factory-calibrated 4K OLED display. Combined with the sleek design and excellent build quality, the Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition proves that the most powerful laptops in the world can also be some of the most stylish as well.
The battery life is decent, but nothing to shout about, and the price might be off-putting for anyone trying to find a bargain, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
05. Gigabyte Aero 17 (2021)
Made for creatives
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i9-10980HK
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Max-Q
RAM: 64GB
Screen: 17.3-inch UHD 4K OLED
Storage: 2 x 1TB SSD
Reasons to buy
+Excellent performance +Gorgeous 4K OLED display +Plenty of ports
Reasons to avoid
-Runs hot and loud -Battery life isn't great
Gigabyte is yet another PC and laptop manufacturer that creatives devices for both gaming and demanding creative applications, and the Gigabyte Aero 17 is one of its very best. It comes with plenty of ports, which means you can easily plug in your trusted peripherals without having to use a dongle, and its screen is one of the best we've seen in a laptop.
We wouldn't consider any the laptops on our most powerful laptops list to be budget devices, but the Gigabyte Aero 17 offers much better value than many of the other devices here, considering the raw performance it offers. The only complaint we have is that its battery life isn't the best, so make sure you don't stray too far from a power outlet.
If you can look past the battery life though, you're getting an absolute beast of a workstation, equipped with the latest components and a glorious 4K OLED display, all features that will help tasks like video editing and 3D rendering, at a relatively affordable budget when compared to the competition.
06. Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020)
Powerful things come in (not so) small sizes
Specifications
CPU: Apple M1 (8-core)
Graphics: Integrated 8-core GPU
RAM: 8GB
Screen: 13.3-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 Retina display
Storage: 256GB SSD
Reasons to buy
+Competitively priced for a Mac +Powerful new M1 chip +Fantastic battery life
Reasons to avoid
-No updated design -RAM and Storage could be larger
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) is the first Apple Silicon of its class, sporting a M1 chip with a whopping 8-core CPU and an 8-Core GPU, making it more than twice as fast as the previous generation.
It was released in November 2020, along with the MacBook Air (M1), and the Mac mini (M1) – all of them no longer using Intel processors, and instead, going for Apple's own M1 chip. There are a few new MacBook Pro laptops about to hit the shelves, but until we've tested them against the competition on this list, the MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) is still a fantastic buy.
As you'd expect, the chip works perfectly with this Apple MacBook Pro, extending battery life by some way, as well as optimizing speed and power. Best of all, this is relatively affordable for a MacBook Pro device, so you might find yourself able to snap up a real bargain in the upcoming Black Fridays sales, with the M1 powered MacBook Pro undercutting the Dell XPS 13 (2020) by around $100/£100.
And since Apple is boasting that it's three times quicker than its Windows rivals, this new 13-inch device becomes a really fantastic option for creatives looking for a compact laptop that can handle huge workloads.
07. MSI Creator 17
Large and powerful
Specifications
CPU: up to 10th-generation Intel Core i9 Processor
Graphics: up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER with Max-Q
RAM: up to 64GB
Screen: 17.3" UHD (3840x2160), IPS-Level – 17.3" UHD (3840x2160), MiniLED, HDR 1000, 60Hz, IPS-Level
Storage: 512GB – 2TB NVMe SSD
Reasons to buy
+Very powerful specifications +Large 4K MicroLED display +A good selection of ports
Reasons to avoid
-Design is an acquired taste -Expensive for what you get -Mediocre trackpad
MSI is another brand known to dabble in both gaming laptops and mobile workstations, so it's little wonder that the MSI Creator 17 has made it onto this list. MSI knows its way around the latest processors and powerful graphics cards, and you can expect both in this larger-than-life laptop.
As a digital creative, you're not just looking for a powerful laptop that can chew through tasks with ease - you also want something with a brilliant display that can show off your work in style. That's why the MSI Creator 17 is a fantastic choice, equipped with a mini LED display that offers vibrant and accurate colors and 1000 nits of brightness.
It's also supremely powerful, with 10th-generation Intel Core processors and Nvidia RTX graphics cards. This makes it an incredibly powerful laptop for video editing and 3D modeling.
08. Acer ConceptD 7
A powerful laptop for creatives
Specifications
CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i7
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 – 2080
RAM: 16GB – 32GB
Screen: 15.6" 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) 16:9 IPS
Storage: 1TB
Reasons to buy
+Very powerful components +Pantone 4K IPS display +Cheaper than MacBook Pro
Reasons to avoid
-Not overly portable -Still pricey
Creatives looking for a powerful laptop shouldn't just buy a MacBook and be done with it. Sure, Apple's laptops are excellent devices for people in the creative industry, but Windows 10 laptops have come a long way, as the Acer ConceptD 7 shows.
It's got some seriously powerful hardware packaged up in a stylish design, configurable with a choice of powerful Intel processors, Nvidia graphics cards and bags of RAM, which means it's great for 3D animation and video editing.
Not only can it run just about every application you throw at it, but it looks incredibly stylish to boot, with a fancy all-white chassis that stands out against the sea of gray and black options currently dominating the market.
Perhaps its biggest selling point, however, is its stunning Pantone-validated 4K IPS display. It's one of the nicest screens we've seen on a laptop, and it makes it a brilliant choice for people who want accurate colors and top-notch image quality alongside powerful components.
09. Dell XPS 15 (2021)
The best Dell laptop for creative pros
Specifications
CPU: 11th gen Intel i5/i7/i9
Graphics: Intel UHD/NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
RAM: 8GB/16GB/32GB/64GB
Screen: 15.6-inch 3.5K OLED
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
Reasons to buy
+Remarkably powerful performance +Stunning 3.5K OLED display +Three Thunderbolt 3 ports and SD card slot
Reasons to avoid
-Battery life is disappointing -No USB-A -Too expensive for most budgets
The Dell XPS 15 is hands down one of the best laptops on the market, not just for those in the creative industry, but also for people looking to have the best of everything with very little compromise. It's equipped with the latest 11th generation of Intel processors, a powerful Nvidia RTX graphics card and plenty of RAM configurations to cater the device to your needs.
You can get an OLED InfinityEdge display for crisps blacks and vivid color, 11th-generation Intel processors and the latest Nvidia RTX 3050 or 3050 Ti graphics cards, though Intel UHD is also an option for anyone looking to save some cash.
There are a few issues specific to users needs though, as you're losing the standard USB-A port from the previous generation of the laptop, which might make hooking up any peripherals like a graphics drawing tablet tricky for digital illustrators and sculptors, and many creative types like a larger display to work on. If you do want something larger, the Dell XPS 17 higher up this page is a great alternative.
10. Asus ROG Zephyrus G15
A gaming laptop as good as a desktop
Specifications
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H – 9 5900HS
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 – 3080
RAM: Up to 32GB
Screen: 15.6-inch QHD (1440p), 165Hz, 3ms, 300 nits
Storage: 1TB
Reasons to buy
+Fantastic performance at a fair price +The latest AMD processors +Incredible battery life
Reasons to avoid
-No built-in webcam -'Gamer' aesthetic is muted, but noticeable
If you're willing to spend a little more on a gaming laptop then the Asus ROG Zephyrus line has produced some of the best models on the market. The new ROG Zephyrus G15 is no exception, equipped with the latest and most powerful AMD Ryzen and Nvidia RTX 3000 series, they're incredibly powerful and able to see you through the most demanding games.
Gaming laptops make great creative workstations thanks to their powerful components and better-than-average display, so while they might be expensive, they tend to be around the same price (if not cheaper) than popular workstation laptops, allowing you to buy a device that has the best of both worlds.
Many ROG devices are packed with blingy, RGB lighting and 'gamer' look that might not appeal to everyone. While the Zephyrus G15 has gone for a more professional aesthetic, it's still pretty clear that gaming trends have had some influence, and you're not getting a built-in webcam, but if you can overlook those flaws then this could be the best choice for a powerful laptop.
What is the most powerful laptop in the world?
This isn't as easy to answer as you might think, despite benchmarks being published for almost every laptop and 2-in-1 device on the market to compare hardware. It all boils down to what you need the laptop for, and how well it's optimized for that task.
The Dell XPS range leads the way for Windows-based mobile workstations, while the latest generation of MacBook Pro are beloved by fans of macOS, equipped that that powerful Apple silicon M1.
If you need something for gaming then consider laptops equipped with the latest Ryzen 9 5900X processor and an RTX 3080 graphics cards, such as the Asus ROG Zephyrus G15.
A powerful laptop is nothing without also having a decent amount of RAM too, with gaming laptops sometimes offering 32GB (you only really need 16GB to enjoy even the most demanding games) and workstations from Apple and Dell configurable up to a whopping 64GB.
What should I look for when buying a powerful laptop?
A powerful laptop comes in many shapes and sizes depending on what would best suit your needs. Right off the bat, you should look at naming conventions.
Workstations are available as both desktop and mobile devices and are typically optimized for technical, demanding applications. If something is advertised as a workstation then it's usually been creative for people who need the full power of a desktop PC condensed into a portable machine.
Similarly, gaming laptops and 2-in-1 devices also have their merits, with gaming portables packing fast processors, an abundance of RAM (compared to traditional laptops) and of course, a beefy graphics card, all of which make them well suited for tasks like 3D rendering and video editing.
2-in-1 devices are usually less powerful, but things have come a long way in recent years, and the ability to edit high-resolution images using a stylus directly on a convertible laptop shouldn't be sniffed at.
To pick the right device, you should consider what you need it for: are you always in the field, therefore need a lightweight device, combined with great battery life? Or are you happy to drag around a bigger, heavier laptop if you get a 17-inch display and some seriously beefy graphics?
Picking anything on our list is likely going to serve your needs well, but only you know what area you should be paying attention to when buying a new laptop. Photographers and video editors will want to prioritize the display, as well as ports (nobody wants to keep a dongle safe) and a new, capable processor.
3D artists and game designers however might need to make sure the graphics card is capable of running demanding rendering software, and have enough RAM to cope with multiple applications at once.
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laptops with a lot of memory
Source: https://www.creativebloq.com/buying-guides/most-powerful-laptops
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