Wondering which is the best laptop for Cricut? We round up the best options at a range of prices.
We have also post on our original blog about an extended list for best computer for cricut.
The best laptop for Cricut likely comes with a lower price tag than you’d initially think, as, unlike many other creative hobbies that require a computer, Cricut related applications aren’t very demanding, so you don’t need especially powerful specifications to run them.
This is great news for anyone looking to jump into using a Cricut machine as you’re not obligated to spend a small fortune on a luxury laptop, so those with tight budgets can also enjoy the hobby or turn it into a potential business.
All you really need is a good display, a recently released processor and sufficient RAM (we would recommend at least 8GB, though 4GB will work if your budget is especially limited).
If you’re especially creative and interested in making your own designs or marketing materials for a small business then instead opting for a more powerful system will allow you to explore digital illustration and vector software, or open up the potential to explore new hobbies alongside using your Cricut.
Gaming laptops also make a great choice as they typically have high-quality displays, the latest powerful hardware and a lot of ports to connect external storage, though these tend to be significantly more expensive than standard laptops. Still, if you also enjoy playing some games in your downtime, it makes complete sense to purchase one device that can do everything.
There’s also good news if you have a preference of operating system as you’ll find options for both Windows and macOS on this list, with a plethora of programs designed for either that can support creative applications like Adobe Suite, allowing you to create your own designs rather than seek out existing ones online. To see the full Cricut system requirements for Windows and Mac, keep scrolling for a full list.
In the roundup below, we offer our pick of the best list for Cricut design space makers for a range of budgets and outline the pros and cons of each based on their specs and our own reviews.
If you don’t yet have any knowledge about how to use a laptop, see our laptop guide to the best Cricut machines too, and make sure you also have the best Cricut accessories. You might also want to explore the best Cricut alternatives.
The best laptop for Cricut makers available now
01. Dell XPS 15
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating system: Windows 10 / Windows 11
CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 – Intel Core i9
RAM: 8 – 64GB
Connectivity: 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports, USB-C port,
SD card reader, audio jack
Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 / 3,840 x 2,400
The Dell XPS 15 is often ranked as one of the best laptops you can buy in general even outside of the makerspace, with a beautiful display, fantastic build quality and plenty of configurable components. This is a premium purchase, but this laptop will handle anything you throw at it, so if you run a business around your Cricut, you can manage every aspect of it, from graphic design to accounts on one beefy device.
Given the XPS line is one of Dell’s most premium, it’s no surprise that this isn’t a cheap laptop, but you’re getting some seriously powerful hardware for your money. You can configure it with up to an 11th-generation Intel processor and the latest Nvidia RTX 3050 or 3050 Ti graphics cards, though integrated Intel UHD graphics is also an anyone trying to save money should consider this alternative.
You also have a choice of displays, including an OLED panel if you really have the cash to burn, providing vivid colours and accurate black tones, and you can bump the storage up from 512GB to a whopping 2TB SSD to save all of your projects without needing to rely on external or cloud storage.
REASONS TO BUY
+Fast performer
+Amazing battery life
+4K option
REASONS TO AVOID
-No USB-A port
02. Asus Vivobook S14
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating system: Windows 10 / Windows 11
CPU: Intel Core i5 – Intel Core i7 11th Gen
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Connectivity: HDMI, 1 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 3 x USB-A, audio jack, microSD slot
Display: 14-inch, (1920 x 1080)
Keeping a more careful eye on cash? Don’t worry, you don’t necessarily need a premium laptop for Cricut use, so we’d recommend the Asus Vivobook S14 thanks to its affordability, and the fact it was designed with creatives in mind rather than typical office work.
In fact, the Asus VivoBook S14 is the ideal laptop for anyone looking for some creative hardware on a tight budget, offering lots of niche features to appeal to digital illustrators and graphic designers alike, all while being highly portable and lightweight so you can move it around with ease to clear your workstation.
The Vivobook range is one of the few relatively affordable lines designed with creatives in mind, but just because it’s much cheaper than, say, a MacBook Pro 14-inch, doesn’t mean it can’t handle itself well if you need to run some demanding software.
You’re getting three USB-A ports, allowing you to connect your Cricut machine and other devices simultaneously, as well as a Thunderbolt USB-C to hook up any other peripherals. All this, at an affordable price, makes the Vivobook S14 a great choice for any Cricut maker.
REASONS TO BUY
+Reasonably priced
+Large screen
+Lots of storage
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not the highest resolution
03. Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating system: Windows 10
CPU: 11th gen Intel Core i3 / Intel Core i5
RAM: 4GB
Connectivity: HDMI, 3 x USB, audio jack, Novo Button, SD card
Display: 14-inch, 1920 x 1080
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is another cheap and cheerful option and one of the most affordable devices that will still work well with Cricut’s Design Space software…providing you’re careful to buy the right version.
Before you buy, there are two important things to be aware of. Firstly, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i runs Windows 10 Home in S mode as default. You’ll need to change this to the full version of Windows 10 to run Cricut’s Design Space software. Don’t worry, this is free and easy to do: just follow this Microsoft guide(opens in new tab).
Secondly, you need to make sure you’re buying the Windows version of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i. Confusingly, there’s a Chromebook on the market with the same name, but that definitely won’t work with your Cricut machines.
You can also choose between two sizes for this laptop, a portable 14-inch model (our top choice), or a larger 17-inch version. Both have a full 1080p display so regardless of size, you’ll be able to watch content in HD so it’s just down to personal taste. The larger display may appeal if you intend to use graphic design software to create your own designs.
The base model has an i3 processor and just 4GB RAM, so it won’t be as smooth and fast as the more expensive laptops featured here, but it’ll get the job done if you’re on a tight budget. The battery life comes in at around seven and a half hours which is fairly respectable, but you’ll need to keep a charger handy if you intend to do an entire day’s work on it.
REASONS TO BUY
+Very budget friendly
+Meets Cricut system requirements
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not the fastest
-Limited battery life
FAQs
What type of computer do you need for a Cricut?
You will need to switch any computer that comes in “S mode” to regular in order to run Cricut Design Space. There are instructions for doing so here. You will want an Intel Dual Core or equivalent processor.
What laptops are not compatible with Cricut design space?
Cricut Design Space requires a Windows or Mac operating system when used on a desktop or laptop computer. Instead of Windows or Mac iOS, Chromebooks run Google’s Chrome operating system, which is not compatible with Cricut Design Space.
