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2 Best Laptops for Artists On a Budget: Skyrocket Your Self-Esteem With the Right Computer

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2 Best Laptops for Artists on a Budget

Restore Your Sanity and Self Esteem With the Right Computer

by Thea Fiore Bloom, Ph.D.

Tiziana Painting of woman among a riot of flowers, for 2 best laptops for artists on a budget
“In Fondo al Sentiero” At The End of the Path. By artist and Charmed Studio Subscriber, Tiziana Rinaldi.

It’s Not You – It’s Your Computer

I’m writing this post because I’ve got a bee in my bonnet.

I’m tired of seeing so many beautiful, bright creatives: 

  • Believe they are terrible when it comes to technology.
  • Think they will never be able to correct small problems on their own website.
  • Or worry their brains didn’t come fully loaded.

I bet you the problem isn’t you.

The problem is your computer.

In order to find out if this computer dilemma applies to you, can you answer the following two questions for me? 

  1. Are you an artist or a visual thinker?
  2. Are you working on a PC (personal computer)? 

(A PC is a desktop or laptop computer made by say… Toshiba, Asus, Acer, Samsung, HP, or Lenovo.)

If you answered yes to questions one and two, and you want a hit of self-esteem, read on.

Why Artists and PCs are a Bad Combination

I’ve coached artists for years and you know what?

In my opinion, artists and PCs are not meant for each other. 

Why?

Because I’ve noticed artists are a lot like otters, we are playful and love water.

happy artist otters in a stream for best laptops for artists
Happy Artist/ Otters by photographer Ruiqi Kong.

And when artists try to work on PCs, we are like an otter that has to work at a Mcdonald’s in the Gobi Desert.

Want to know what kind of laptop will allow you to be a freer, happier, WETTER otter?

A Mac.

When I started working on a Mac computer I felt like I could breathe again.

I felt the same way I do when I’m near a river or an ocean.

And you know what?

I’ve witnessed countless artist-otters get back into their own lush proverbial stream by selling or donating their PC and breaking down and buying a Mac.

Of course, the transition didn’t happen overnight, there was a slight learning curve.

But now, like me, these artists:

  • Don’t stress half as much over their websites and newsletters.
  • Have more fun making videos and doing other creative things online.
  • Produce more art.
  • And because they are having more fun, and making more of their art, they usually sell more of it. 

“But Thea,” you might rightly say, “Have you been hitting the crack pipe again? I can’t afford a Mac.”

I hear you.

But a Mac is cheaper and better for you than a PC in the long run. 

I’ll prove it to you if you come geek out with me and the Charmed Studio’s IT expert Arthur Brecel for a minute.

 

handmake art book, water color and collage
Handmade Miniature Book by artist and Charmed Studio subscriber Tiziana Rinaldi.

3 Reasons To Get One of the Two Best Laptops for Artists

1st Reason 

In the End, Macs Are Cheaper Than PCs 

“If you don’t know much about the difference between Macs and PCs it makes logical sense to go with the cheapest option- the PC,” said IT advisor Arthur Brecel.
“Which is what most people do,” 
“But in most cases, it’s a mistake.”
Because as Brecel insists, the best value for money is a Mac.
“This is especially true for the newer Macs you can buy now that come with M1 or M2 processors. These computers are so far ahead of the competition that you will get a long life from the device before it becomes obsolete.”
“So yes, the initial cost of a Mac may be higher,” said Brecel.
“However, the effective cost of a Mac is much lower than that of a PC.
But I say the cost is just one reason for artists to switch.

2nd Reason To Get One of the Two Best Laptops for Artists

Macs are Better and Easier For Artists To Work On. Period.

I conducted my own survey last month and reached out to fifty artists behind some of the most popular blogs, Youtube channels, and art-related membership sites on the web.
And my jaw dropped when I  found out that not twenty-three, not thirty-nine, but all darn 50 of them- work on Macs.
And they have for at least the last ten to fifteen years.
WTH?
I asked these artists, “Why Macs?”

“Because Macs are easier for visual thinkers like us to work on,” one successful artrepeneur told me.

She then reminded me of that old David Allen quote:

“If the only tool you have is a hammer, it’s hard to eat spaghetti.” – David Allen

You may ask, why does being on a Mac allow artists to stop metaphorically eating our spaghetti with a hammer?

“Many creatives might favor Macs because they are superior to other computers AND Macs also have what’s known as an intuitive user interface,” said Brecel.

What’s a user interface?

A user interface is the system of buttons, graphics, and icons we artists click on in hopes of getting a computer to do what we want it to do.

happy woman writer at her computer, for three best laptops for artists on a budget.

And what makes for an intuitive interface?

An intuitive interface is an interface that allows visual thinkers like us to easily inuit or correctly guess what damn button to press to get the results we are praying for- with way less stress.
Never mind the fact that Macs are way cuter than PCs.
All joking aside, that actually matters to artists like us.
I’ll explain why in the third reason to get a Mac if you’re a creative.

3rd Reason to Get One of the Two Best Laptops for Artists

Macs Are Beautiful.

And Artists Need Beauty to Stay Interested in Work.

macbook pro on desk, for best laptops for artists article

Macs are beautiful.
Inside and out.
And working on them is a beautiful experience.
The graphics and design create a soothing environment and that’s important for creatives. 
Why?
Because that Dante guy had a point when he wrote:

“Beauty awakens the soul to act.” –Dante Alighieri

Creatives like us need beauty.
For us, beauty serves as both a source of comfort and an incentive for us to follow through on the less creative business side of our art business.
So are you ready to eyeball two Macs that Brecel recommends for artists who are looking for value, peak creativity and peace of mind?

Tech Guru’s Picks: The 2 Best Laptops for Artists On a Budget

Best Laptop for Artists on a Budget Pick #1

The Most Economical and Lightest Way to Go: MacBook Air

macbook air photo for best laptops for artists on a budget
Light and slim MacBook Air, photo by artist Howard Bouchevereau

I’ve worked on Macbook Airs for years.

They are quick and gorgeous.

Macbook Airs now come with the all-important, new, M1 and M2 processors.

And they are relatively affordable, especially if you choose one with a smaller screen.

 They also come in dreamy colors like … rose gold….sigh.

Check out a recommended MacBook Air here.

(If you can swing it spring for the two-hundred-dollar Apple Care add-on.

The Apple Care helpline will make your flight from a PC to a Mac a first-class experience.

You can also go get help whenever you need it for free at The Genius Bar at an Apple Store if you live close to one.) 

But back to the MacBook Air.

They are thinner and lighter than a Macbook Pro because they have less storage capacity, internal hardware and external ports (the thingies you plug cables etc. into on the side of a laptop.)

Now those bits of hardware and scads of ports and extra storage are things you might need if you are a musician, course creator, YouTuber, or podcaster. 

If you do need more storage space go for the Cadillac of Macbooks below.

The Macbook Pro.  

Best Laptop for Artists on a Budget Pick #2

The Macbook Pro With an M1 or M2 Processor

laptop on a desk with cityscape in the background for post on best laptops for artists
The Big Guns, The Cadillac of Laptops, The MacBook Pro with M2 Processor.

If you want to do things like create and edit, music, podcasts, films or videos you might love the big guns the Macbook Pro brings.

The quality of the screen is amazing and it will give you a more immersive experience than the Macbook Air.

It will most likely last you for ages, way longer than an Air in my experience.

If you want to write a  bunch of long books, or a dissertation, and a bunch of screenplays,  you also may want to get this Macbook. 

Check out a recommended MacBook Pro here.

It will be the right tool for the right job. 

And you won’t have to stress about power, performance or storage capacity ever again.

But keep in mind the Macbook Pro is heavier and boxier.

And The Macbook Pro with an M1 or M2 processor isn’t cheap. 

Get the Apple Care for sure here, and shamelessly use the heck out it,  as I do.

Because as wise Warren Buffet says:

“The best investment you can make is in yourself.” -Warren Buffet

PS: When you call Apple Care ask whoever is helping you that day to “access your screen.”

This way they can put a big, fat, red arrow on your display that delightfully shows you where to click as they talk to you. Genius!

But what if your dream is not to use your laptop to get the word out about your art, but to actually use it to make art?

 If You Want to Play Around With Digital Art, Just Get an iPad

Mac iPads are a beautiful, budget-friendly option for digital artists.
“Want to dive into the realm of digital art? You just need an iPad, an iPad pencil, and download the Procreate App and you’re on your way,” says accomplished analog and digital collage artist Shawn Marie Hardy. 
The Illustrator’s Guide to Procreate is a top-notch guide for visual thinkers that will show you how to create digital art on your iPad.
(And here’s a good resource article from Software Testing Help that does a deep dive comparison on the best tablet for artists who want to experiment with digital drawing.)

The 3  Best Reasons You Want To Treat Yourself To One Of The 2 Best Laptops for Artists

Reason #1 You Want to Get One of These Best Laptops for Artists 

Working on a laptop with an easy interface will almost instantly raise your self-esteem.
digital art collage of a science fiction cityscape for 3 best laptops for artists on a budget.
“The Grass is Always Greener,” Digital Collage made on Procreate by Artist and Charmed Studio subscriber Shawn Marie Hardy.

Working on a well-designed laptop will almost instantly raise your self-esteem.

Why? 
Thinking you are a dumb ass on a regular basis is not good for your mental health.
When you get the right tool for the right job, you reduce stress and protect your self-esteem.

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.

You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”

-Lucille Ball

This is really important for artists.
Because the majority of society isn’t exactly rooting for us and our work, to begin with, which brings us to reason two. 

Reason #2 You Want To Get One of These Best Laptops for Artists 

Working on a solid laptop will almost instantly reduce your stress and anxiety levels.

When you slog away for years on an inferior computer, with a bad user interface, you get progressively more stressed.

handmake art book, water color and collage
Handmade Miniature Art Book by artist and Charmed Studio subscriber, Tiziana Rinaldi.
And frustrated.
And tired.
Because you can’t get things done. 

“It’s not what we do that makes us tired—it’s what we don’t do.” –Steve Chandler

Unfortunately when we are tired and stressed we stay locked in this cycle where:
  1. We aren’t able to accomplish simple tasks, never mind the more ambitious stuff we dream of.
  2. Not being able to tackle projects that will make us feel better about ourselves and advance our art career keeps us from stretching to our next level.
  3. And not being able to stretch to our next level equals less community connection, less emotional fulfillment and less prosperity.
Less prosperity is the focus of the final reason for ditching your PC.

Reason #3 For Owning One of These Best Laptops for Artists 

Not only will you save money, you’ll make more money.

“The best investment is in the tools of one’s trade.” Benjamin Franklin.

As Brecel mentioned buying a Mac will save you money in the long run. 
But I would go further and argue that if you’re an artist owning a Mac will help you make more money in the future. 
Why?
Because a Mac will make it so much more pleasant to spend time on your art business that  …you will spend more time on your art business.
And whatever we lavish our time and attention on,  eventually expands and prospers. 
You really are a smart cookie and a budding genius artist who deserves to have the right tool for the right job.  
Go make it happen for yourself.
Doors will open as a result.
And I don’t doubt the computer will soon pay for itself. 🩵
vintage typewriter what do you think, charmed studio blog
______________________________________________________
If you have a tech question, or a question of any kind, hit me up in the comments below.
I read and respond to every one of them.
And if I don’t have the answer for you, I promise I will find someone who does. 🙂
____________________________________
As my regular readers know I am an Amazon and Barnes & Noble Affiliate. So if you bought a laptop or iPad through my links here I would do a happy dance. But know I will still love you if you check out BestBuy or the Apple Store and get what’s right for you in the store that’s right for you. Thanks.
____________________________________

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Thea

The Charmed Studio is a new online sanctuary where artists and writers can find encouragement, inspiration and rejuvenation. We want to help creatives remember why they started making art in the first place. Remember your unique WHY. :)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan Poitevin says

    Dearest Thea,
    You drove your pitch for Mac laptops straight home to me. I was so impressed with your convincing presentation that I actually purchased a Macbook Pro through Amazon within an hour of reading your post. You are quite the salesperson! For the past twenty-five years I’ve been cursing my laptop every time I try to use it for anything art related, and had resigned myself to accepting the fact that I am simply a technological moron. Thanks to your sage advice, I believe that a bright new day awaits me when my new Apple arrives.
    Blessings on your head!
    Susan

    Reply

    • Thea says

      Dear Susan,
      I am so happy for you. You are NOT a technological moron!!!! You are so damn intelligent. It shows in your work and your words always. You are exactly the type of big brained lovely soul I wrote this piece for. I sincerely hope things will become as easy for you as they have become for me and a bunch of my subscribers and writing clients. One thing Susan, I didn’t put in article that I will ad in now, buy the Apple Care. In most countries you can buy it within 60 days of purchasing the computer. (It’s just under 200 dollars which aint cheap.) ButThen use the heck out of their help line, it is the best!! They will answer all your questions. Ask them to set up a “screen share” with you so they can “see” your screen and show you exactly what to do when you are the least bit confused. This is a huge! I have used it so much, I have lost all shame and I hope you do the same.
      I’m also here if I can ever help you. 🙂

      Reply

  2. Beth says

    After working for decades in IT, which was always the land of IBM and PC, my first home computer was a Mac. I had it out of the box and printing a thank you note to my granny for helping me pay for it within 10 minutes. It was AMAZING, and such an unexpected pleasure to have something so intuitive, friendly, and bug-free.

    Now, many years later, and a few Macs further along, I wouldn’t dream of going back to a PC. But here is one caveat for anyone making the switch, especially if you are upgrading from an older model.. there are apps and files that might not easily make the jump from your PC, or from older chips to the M1 or M2 (the new whiz-bang Mac processing chips). So if you have old Word PC files, for instance, you might need to switch to Word for Mac, and then make sure they still work beyond, say, the older Intel processors.

    I know, I know, it gives me the heebie-jeebies just to have to sling such terms around. When in doubt, find a savvy middle school kid to help you. Because it is, in my experience, absolutely worth it, so you can spend less time fiddling with (and even hating on) technology, and more time creating.

    ps: maybe hold off on file conversions until after Sept.15, because we are in Mercury retrograde, which loves to eat all our tech and data.

    Reply

    • Thea says

      Thanks so much for taking the time to share your IT wisdom with us Beth. After giving it some thought I wonder if the best thing for artists (who are not-former IT specialists- such as your savvy self) to do is to purchase Apple Care (the warranty/IT help package that you can buy with your laptop)? Thats what I did. And I use the holy heck out of it! They are losing money on me, because I call them a ton, for free. And they do that screen share thingy with me and just show me what buttons to press with a big red arrow on my screen. That is how I initially got through the conversion I think from PC to Mac without pulling my ear hair out.

      Reply

  3. Lola says

    omg I LOVE LOVE LOVE my MacBook Air. My first Mac was ten years ago…I so loved everything about it after a lifetime of PCs that I actually had dreams about it every night for the first week or so. It is so much easier, more creative-friendly, less tech-y. Thank you for this super insightful gleaning of information! And a confirmation of my Mac-bias.

    Reply

    • Thea says

      I love that you had dreams of your MacBook Air after you got it, that is so cool Lola. And its notable that you remember that passage of time and the dreams. I wonder if your unconscious mind was doing a happy dance and sharing it with you, because you were supporting such an important, vital, creative aspect of yourself? Thanks for taking the time to share this, it gives me food for thought. And i love MacBook Airs! They are dreamy.

      Reply

  4. Dotty Seiter says

    Thea, howdy! Thanks once again for your generosity of information and readability of same. Enjoyed this post.

    And found my shoulders relaxing away from my ears at the reminder that we are all just walking each other home.

    Reply

  5. Lynne Forrester says

    I have been a PC user since forever. I have an iPhone and iPad, but instinctively reach for my PC laptop when writing or compiling documents. I’ve worked with them since learning how to use a computer as a secretary a few decades ago. My laptop is pretty old, a little unreliable (the screen has to be in a specific position now) and I know I need something else. Thanks for sharing this info Thea, I’m going to investigate Macs 😊.

    Reply

    • Thea says

      Hi Lynne, you are such a doll to comment. Thanks. If you have been able to successfully navigate PCs for work AND you already speak APPLE from your other devices…..you will be able to make the switch with ease. I am so happy for you that you will be able to have a computer that supports you and your blossoming creative practice better. It’s amazing how we just adjust to something functioning less and less (like your screen.) Personal example of the same thing here: We recently got all the rusted hardware in the 25 year old windows in our house fixed so that they now do this crazy thing-called OPENING and even….wait for it…CLOSING. LOL. Now that they work again and we have ventilation again, I can’t believe how long I just worked around having no air flow. Oy Vey.

      Reply

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