Attention, fellow Cricut enthusiasts! If you’re diving into the captivating world of Cricut crafting, the backbone of your creative journey lies in finding the perfect laptop that can seamlessly handle Cricut’s powerful software. When finding the best laptop for using Cricut, you’re right that it doesn’t necessarily need to be the most expensive or powerful one. However, having certain features is essential for a smooth experience. Here are some key features to consider when choosing the best laptop for Cricut under $500:
Touchscreen or Large Display: A touchscreen can be advantageous for Cricut software as it allows for more intuitive navigation and control. Alternatively, a laptop with a larger display provides more workspace, making designing and editing projects easier.
At least 4GB of RAM: Cricut design software can be resource-intensive, and having a minimum of 4GB of RAM ensures smoother multitasking and handling of complex design files.
Fast Up-to-Date Processor: A fast processor, preferably an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen equivalent, ensures quick loading times and smooth operation while working on Cricut projects.
Discover a vast array of laptops, from lightweight 2-in-1 devices to mighty gaming laptops, all capable of running Windows or macOS. With a plethora of options to choose from, we embarked on a hands-on reviewing and extensive evaluation journey to curate the best laptops for Cricut under $500. Prepare to be amazed by our carefully curated selection.
1. Acer Aspire 5
Specifications
Operating system: Windows 11
CPU: 12th generation Intel Core i5 / Intel Core i7 OR AMD Ryzen 5
RAM: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB
Connectivity: 1x USB-C, 3x USB-A, HDMI, audio jack
Display: 14-inch, 1920 x 1080
Introducing the Acer Aspire 5, an affordable and impressive option seamlessly compatible with Cricut’s Design Space software. And the cherry on top – it operates on the latest and fully functional Windows 11 operating system, providing you with a cutting-edge experience.
Embarking on its base model, you are greeted by a 14-inch full HD IPS display, powered by the mighty Intel i5 processor, accompanied by 8GB of RAM and a spacious 256GB storage capacity. This amalgamation of hardware prowess ensures a smooth sailing experience for most day-to-day tasks, in addition to the seamless handling of design applications like Adobe Illustrator.
It might not boast the glitzy allure of high-end laptops, but don’t be deceived by its modest appearance, for beneath the surface lies a versatile budget-friendly gem. Remarkably, it incorporates three USB-A ports to facilitate connections with your Cricut machine and other peripherals, envision a graphics drawing tablet, enabling you to craft your very own Cricut masterpieces with ease.
Pros
- 1080p display
- Affordable price range
Cons
- Lack of USB-C charging
2. Asus Vivobook S14
Specifications
Operating system: Windows 11
CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 – Intel Core i7
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Connectivity: 1x Thunderbolt 4, 3x USB-A, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x microSD, 1x audio jack
Display: 14-inch, 1920 x 1080 16:9 aspect ratio, IPS-level Panel
Are you a creative professional looking for the perfect companion to run your Cricut-based business? If so, the Asus Vivobook S14 might just be the ideal choice for you. Unlike the Dell XPS 15, this machine is tailored to meet the needs of creative individuals while also being more budget-friendly.
One of the highlights of the Vivobook S14 is its three USB-A ports, allowing you to connect your Cricut machine and other peripherals simultaneously. Additionally, there’s a Thunderbolt USB-C port available for hooking up various devices. With these connectivity options, you’ll never run short of ways to expand your creative workspace.
The Vivobook S14 boasts a spacious screen and well-optimized components, ensuring smooth performance with all the applications you require for creating stunning Cricut designs. Though the screen quality may not be top-notch, it won’t hinder your Cricut-related tasks.
On the other hand, if you also desire a device for leisure activities like watching Netflix in bed, you might consider opting for something with a more impressive display. Nevertheless, when it comes to unleashing your creative potential with Cricut, the Asus Vivobook S14 stands out as an excellent choice.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Big screen
Cons
- Battery life is not so good
- Not the best high resolution
3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
Specifications
Operating system: Windows 11
CPU: 11th gen Intel Core i3 / Intel Core i5
RAM: 4GB
Connectivity: 3x USB-A, 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x audio jack, Novo Button, 1x microSD
Display: 14-inch, 1920 x 1080
Sure, I understand. If you’re considering the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i as a budget option to use with Cricut’s Design Space software, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Firstly, ensure that you are purchasing the Windows version of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i, as there is also a Chromebook model with the same name. The Chromebook model won’t support the Cricut software, so you need to make sure you’re getting the Windows version.
The base model of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is highly affordable and can run for around 7 hours on a single charge. However, it comes with an i3 processor and only 4GB RAM, which means it may not be a powerful workhorse, but it should be sufficient for basic tasks and running Cricut’s Design Space software.
Overall, if you are looking for an affordable, no-frills device to use with your Cricut machine and you’re not planning on demanding heavy performance tasks, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i could be a good option for you due to its balance of performance and low cost.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- 14-inch FHD display
- Best for Cricut software requirements
Cons
- Low battery life
- No dedicated graphics card
4. ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo 15
Specifications
CPU: Intel i9 12th Gen
GPU: RTX 3060
Hard Disk: 1TB SSD
RAM Memory: 32GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo 15 OLED certainly appears to be an impressive laptop, particularly for Cricut artists and creative professionals. Its dual OLED screens and powerful hardware make it stand out in the market.
The main display, a 15.6-inch 4K Ultra HD OLED touchscreen, with a resolution of 3840×2160 and a 60Hz refresh rate, promises precise and detailed visuals. This is especially important for artists using digital pens and brushes, as they require high precision for their work.
The secondary display, located above the keyboard, adds significant utility. Artists can use it to display reference materials while focusing on their creative process on the main screen. This setup provides an efficient and seamless workflow for Cricut artists.
Under the hood, the laptop is powered by the formidable 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H processor, featuring 14 cores and 20 threads. This processor’s high performance ensures that resource-intensive tasks are handled with ease, providing a smooth user experience.
To complement the powerful processor, the laptop is equipped with 32GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM and a spacious 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD. This ensures smooth multitasking and quick access to files and software, enabling users to switch between tasks without any lag.
The inclusion of the GeForce RTX 3060 dedicated graphics further enhances the laptop’s capabilities, particularly in handling visually demanding tasks. This graphics card promises smooth rendering and elevates the quality of visual output for creative work.
However, the unique dual-screen feature does have some drawbacks. The placement of the second screen limits space for the keyboard, which may be uncomfortable for some users. Additionally, the absence of a wrist rest might cause strain during extended use. Furthermore, left-handed users might find the trackpad’s position inconvenient.
The laptop’s standout features and powerful specifications come at a premium price of around $3,000, making it a significant investment for potential buyers.
Despite the drawbacks and high cost, the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo 15 OLED remains the best laptop for Cricut. Its impressive performance, dual touchscreen displays, and visual excellence offer a unique and efficient workflow for artists, taking productivity to new heights.
Pros
- 32GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- GeForce RTX 3060 dedicated graphics
Cons
- Very costly
- Uncomfortable keyboard without wrist rest
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Specifications
CPU: Intel i5 12th Gen
GPU: Intel Iris Xᵉ Graphics
Hard Disk Size: 512GB SSD
RAM Memory Size: 8GB
Are you a Cricut artist searching for the perfect blend of a tablet’s convenience and a laptop’s power? If so, look no further than the Microsoft Surface Pro 9! This extraordinary device functions as both a stylus-supported laptop and a tablet, providing you with a seamless creative experience. Its highly responsive touch screen allows for intuitive interactions, smooth application navigation, precise image zooming, and effortless document annotations.
Experience exceptional display quality with the Surface Pro 9’s remarkable 13-inch PixelSense Flow display boasting a stunning 2880 x 1920 resolution. This vibrant touchscreen, equipped with 10-point multi-touch support, effortlessly brings your sketches, designs, and artistic creations to life.
Enhance your creative process with the included MTC Stylus Pen, ensuring precise and responsive strokes that capture even the most intricate details with accuracy. What’s more, enjoy an impressive battery life of up to 15.5 hours, allowing you to work tirelessly on your craft. Whether you’re a digital artist, architect, or photographer, the Surface Pro 9 is the best choice for you.
Fueling the Surface Pro 9’s outstanding performance is the 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor, delivering unparalleled power for resource-intensive tasks. This ensures that you can effortlessly handle demanding projects, such as high-resolution video editing or running complex simulations, with ease.
Despite its advanced features, it’s essential to note that the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 comes at a higher price point. However, its lack of an audio jack is compensated by its Bluetooth connection, allowing you to utilize reliable wireless earphones.
In conclusion, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 stands as the ultimate laptop for Cricut artists who crave both the power of a laptop and the convenience of a tablet. This versatile 2-in-1 laptop offers artists and professionals unmatched flexibility, power, portability, and precision. With its PixelSense Flow display and stylus support, creative expression becomes effortless, while the 12th Gen Intel Core processor ensures smooth and efficient performance.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- 15.5 hours battery life
- 13-inch PixelSense Flow display
Cons
- Expensive Laptop
- No audio jack
How to choose the best laptop for Cricut
When choosing a laptop to work with Cricut machines like the Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Maker 3, and Cricut Explore 3, there are some key specifications to consider. Here are some recommendations for both Windows laptops and MacBooks:
Operating System:
For Windows laptops, it’s best to have at least Windows 10 64-bit to support all the advanced features and ensure smooth performance.
For MacBooks, macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later versions are recommended.
Processor:
Look for a laptop with a capable processor like Intel Core i5 or i7 for Windows laptops, or an Apple M1 chip for MacBooks. These processors will handle both Cricut software and general computing tasks efficiently.
RAM:
Aim for at least 8GB of RAM for satisfactory performance. Having 16GB or more will provide even better multitasking capabilities.
Storage:
Cricut Design Space and related design files can take up considerable space, so it’s best to opt for a laptop with a minimum of 256GB SSD storage. Larger capacities are beneficial for storing other files and applications.
Graphics:
For most Cricut projects, integrated graphics will suffice. However, if you plan on using the laptop for graphic-intensive tasks or gaming, consider a laptop with a dedicated graphics card.
Screen Size and Resolution:
A larger screen, such as a 15-inch or 13-inch laptop, will provide a better design experience. A Full HD (1920×1080) or higher resolution is ideal for accurate design work.
Connectivity:
Ensure the laptop has sufficient USB ports to connect your Cricut machine, a stable internet connection, and Bluetooth support for wireless functionality.
Battery Life:
Consider a laptop with decent battery life to work on projects without constantly being tethered to a power outlet.
What kind of laptop do you need for a Cricut?
In our carefully curated list of top-notch laptops for Cricut, each device not only meets but surpasses the software’s system requirements with flying colors. However, should you choose to explore other laptop options, rest assured that they must fulfill the fundamental Cricut system requirements provided below. And if you lean towards a Windows laptop, be certain that it operates on the full version of Windows, steering clear of Windows S mode.
For Windows:
- Operating system: Windows 8 or later
- CPU: Intel Dual-Core or equivalent AMD processor
- RAM: 4GB
- Free disk space: 2 GB free disk space
- Connectivity: USB port or Bluetooth connection
- Display: 1024px x 768px screen resolution
For Mac:
- Operating system: macOS 10.15 or later
- CPU: 1.83 GHz
- RAM: 4GB
- Free disk space: 2GB
- Connectivity: USB port or Bluetooth connection
- Display: 1,024px x 768px screen resolution
Conclusion
I comprehend that many individuals may encounter challenges with the overall Cricut experience. However, I’ve come to the realization that using quality laptops with Cricut is actually quite straightforward.
The primary objective of this comprehensive review was to ensure that those embarking on their Cricut journey have a notably smoother and more convenient experience. If you’ve been eagerly anticipating equipping yourself with the right tools, then this guide is tailor-made for you.
Rest assured, all the laptops showcased here offer exceptional performance across the board. Your experience is destined to remain unblemished. I can confidently guarantee that you’re receiving optimal value for your investment.
