What is the Best Mac for UX design? - The Designer's Toolbox (2025)

FAQs

Which MacBook is the best for UI UX? ›

However, some of the best MacBooks for UI UX design include the 13-inch MacBook Pro, the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and the MacBook Air. Each of these MacBooks has unique features that make them ideal for UI UX design work.

In conclusion, you may use either the industry-standard — Mac or Windows — for UX design since both are viable alternatives. As more design tools become more accessible and web-based, it should make little difference whatever operating system you use. It is all about personal choice and mobility.

You should buy a laptop with an i3 or i5 processor.

An Intel Core i7 processor is the most suitable one for a UX designer, but if you are searching for a more affordable choice, you should go for an i5 or even an i3 processor because you will pay less for a smaller processor.

Most computers come with 8gbs of RAM standard. This will be fine for word processing, watching Netflix, writing emails, etc. However, for the best performance, I recommend 16gbs as a minimum.

1. Apple MacBook Pro 16″ (2021) (Editor's Choice) If you are in search of new MacBook, then the Apple MacBook Pro 16 with its new version in 2021 is for you. Considering the design of the laptop, the new version of the MacBook is similar to the 2019 version with some changes.

After using multiple Macs, the best Mac for UI and UX design is the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the new M1 Pro chip. It has excellent performance, a bright and colorful screen, and fantastic battery life.

All in all, you can either decide to go with the industry standard — Mac for designing or Windows as both are feasible options. As more design tools become more readily available and web-based, there should not be a difference in which OS you use. It all comes down to aesthetic preference and portability.

They're Consistent and Pretty. Designers tend to appreciate Apple's business model, where they build not only an operating system, but also the hardware that runs it. This allows for a truly seamless experience, where Apple controls what happens to the user from their first interaction to their last.

Most graphic designers use Mac because it has always been the case. It isn't necessary anymore but yet it still remains the case today. Finally, and this is something you can argue about, Macs are generally seen as slick high-quality machines that are aesthetically pleasing.

Visual design and design software

Both UX designers and UI designers use visual design software, like Figma, Sketch, Photoshop, and Illustrator, to create the visual elements of a product.

What is the most popular UX design tool? ›

What are the most popular UX design tools? Tools from Adobe's Creative Cloud are typically considered industry standards, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe XD. Other platforms, like Figma and InVision, are also popular UX design tools used across many companies and industries.

The Dell XPS 15 7590 is one of the best laptops for UX/UI designers. It provides a superfast Intel Core i7–8750H processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card.

UX design was ranked by both Glassdoor and LinkedIn as one of the top 50 jobs to have in 2022 and as one of the top five most in-demand skills for 2020. Investing in UX design teams may have a big impact on revenue and overall business goals, and organizations are beginning to see the value of doing so.

No, most UX Designers are not required to code (at least, not at an advanced level). However, it's still to their advantage to develop an understanding and appreciation for what Developers do.

However a large majority of graphic designers choose Mac over PC because it is widely used across the industry, it's simple operating system, and the amazing build quality Apple produces. These are just a few reasons 99.9% of graphic designers choose Mac over PC.

The MacBook Air is perfectly capable of running Adobe apps and other design tools, but don't expect it to handle giant and complex work well. And certainly if you need a MacBook for resource-intensive software like 3D software or editing 8K video, it's worth spending the extra $100 on a Pro.

It may come as no surprise that a MacBook Pro laptop is our pick for the best laptop for graphic designers. Apple's MacBook Pros are hugely popular with creatives and graphic designers thanks to their excellent build quality, design and power, and the brand-new 16-inch MacBook Pro is the pinnacle of this.

The M2 processor is the improved version of the M1 processor. The new processor's cores are slightly more powerful and notably more efficient than the M1's cores. With both the M1 and M2 processors on the MacBook Air, you get eight processing cores, four performance and four efficient.

And after conducting 774 individual benchmark measures, the team found that Creative Cloud is "on average over 80% faster using the M1 system when compared to an identically configured Intel system."

Is the MacBook Pro M1 worth buying? ›

M1: This is the base-level chip of the lineup. It has an eight-core CPU and up to an eight-core GPU with support for up to 16 GB of unified memory (RAM) at an extra cost. It's much faster than any previous Intel-powered MacBook Pro, and it is the practical choice for most people.

Without any drop-down menus, Apple provides smooth navigation which makes the UX better. Users can find what they are looking for quickly and easily. This is important because internet users are used to getting information fast.

Adobe XD is Adobe's offering for UI/UX designers. Adobe XD offers vector-based UI tools that can be used to create prototypes and mockups. The interface is similar to all other Adobe interfaces, so the sense of familiarity kicks in when working on the software.

Yes, Microsoft employees use both Apple hardware and software (and vice-versa, in case you were curious) in various departments. Additionally, some consultants & vendors have a choice as to what platform they work on.

The average Apple UI/UX Designer earns $155,167 annually, which includes a base salary of $122,667 with a $32,500 bonus. This total compensation is $57,934 more than the US average for a UI/UX Designer. UI/UX Designer salaries at Apple can range from $115,000 - $188,000 with equity ranging from 10-40K.

Is the MacBook Air good for designers? For everyday 2D design work, a current MacBook Air will be good enough. The new M1 processors are faster than previous chips, and they offer good graphical performance too. However, the fanless design of the MacBook Air is a problem if you work long hours.

Within the Adobe programs, the interface is virtually the same, and as long as your hardware meets or exceeds the specs Adobe puts out for their programs, it's not likely you'd be able to tell a significant difference simply because you're using a Windows PC. Some designers even use both in their workflows.

The MacBook Pro is a great choice for Photoshop users. It has a large Retina display, making it perfect for editing photos. Plus, the MacBook Pro is powerful enough to handle even the most demanding Photoshop tasks. If you can afford it, the MacBook Pro is a great choice for photographers.

As far as graphic design is concerned, there is no significant difference in the software available for the Mac or PC. All the major applications, including Adobe Creative Cloud applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are developed for both platforms.

What type of UX Designer makes the most money? ›

I make more than $300,000 working as a UX designer for 3 different companies.

Virtual reality (VR)

Although virtual reality (VR) is a new frontier in UX design, it's rapidly evolving. Virtual reality is a simulated environment in which designers can mimic real-life experiences. The move into the world of 3D will completely change the way users interact with products.

According to Glassdoor, the average base salary of a UI designer in the United States is $80,450/yr, while the average base salary of a UX designer is $90,697. For more information, here is a study of UI/UX designer salaries from around the world.

UI UX designers need a powerful laptop to create high-quality user interfaces. A good laptop for UI UX design should have a large screen and a fast processor. It is also important for the laptop to have a good graphics card so that the user interfaces can be seen clearly.

A drawing tablet is also extremely useful for fast layout explanation if you work remotely. In my experience, people with no experience in drawing do not need drawing tablets with a screen, while experienced drawers feel a lot of frustration without the feel of directly looking at the point of their pencil.

While you may face different obstacles than your younger colleagues, becoming a UX designer (and succeeding!) in your 30s, 40s, 50s (and beyond) is totally doable. In fact there are even advantages and perks that you'll experience that your younger colleagues won't (at least not for a while).

UX design is a field that can be very stressful. Many times, there are tight deadlines, and the designer must create a product that meets the needs of the client while also meeting their own personal standards.

Generally, UX designers work 8-10 hours per day, but this can vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. They may also work evenings or weekends as needed. UX designers typically have a degree in graphic design or another related field and have experience designing user interfaces.

Where will UX be in 5 years? ›

In the next five years, AI will be a standard for many products, so it's time to adapt your design solutions. I already work with an AI-based company myself and create the whole marketing tool based on AI. The first thing you need to know is how to explain your user's interaction between them and the product.

On average, it takes between two to six years to become a UX designer, but it can take as little as three months.

That doesn't mean that UI design is a bad profession. On the contrary, there are plenty of opportunities for talented designers to find jobs in the industry. PRO TIP: There is no doubt that UI UX design is oversaturated. There are too many designers vying for attention and not enough work to go around.

I recommend a laptop with at least a Full HD (1920×1080) resolution for UX and UI design work. However, go for a 1440p or 4K screen if you have the budget. If you work on a second screen, you can pick a 13 or 14-inch screen size for your laptop to save some money.

However, math skills are not essential for becoming a successful UI UX designer. PRO TIP: No, UI UX design does not require math. However, a basic understanding of mathematical concepts may be helpful for some aspects of designing user interfaces and user experiences.

What is an average UX designer salary? The average base salary for UX designers in the US is $109,776 as of May 2022, according to job listing site Glassdoor [1]. The role was also included in Glassdoor's list of 25 Highest Paying Entry Level Jobs, coming in at number six [2].

The best laptop for UX design is without a doubt the new 14-inch MacBook Pro. With the new M1 Pro on board, it is blazing fast and the battery will last the entire day.

Apple MacBook Pro

This can be a great choice for the AI and ML engineers that comes with 256GB SSD storage, 8-Core GPU, M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU, and 8GB unified memory.

If you're learning to code or have some experience programming, you've probably wondered whether a Mac or a PC is better for programming. Overall, a PC is a good option for gaming and offers a great variety of programs developed exclusively for Windows, while a Mac offers a better user experience and security.

Do I need laptop for UI UX design? ›

UI UX designers need a powerful laptop to create high-quality user interfaces. A good laptop for UI UX design should have a large screen and a fast processor. It is also important for the laptop to have a good graphics card so that the user interfaces can be seen clearly.

Anything with intel i3 (or equivalent), 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM would be enough to give you a headstart.

The average salary of a UX Designer in the US is $115,743 per year. This can increase to over $134,395 for more experienced designers. Entry-level UI Designers make an average of approximately $73,040 a year and $100,559 at mid-level. When you gain more experience, you can earn as much as $103,026 a year.

According to Glassdoor, the average base salary of a UI designer in the United States is $80,450/yr, while the average base salary of a UX designer is $90,697.

UI Design Is Arguably Easier Than Learning UX Design.

MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air

Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer's exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Don't spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.

The M1 Pro with 16 cores GPU is an upgrade to the M1 chip. It has double the GPU cores and more than double the memory bandwidth. You have access to tons of memory, as the memory is shared by the CPU and GPU, which is optimal for deep learning pipelines, as the tensors don't need to be moved from one device to another.

Sure, there's around 2x improvement in M1 than my other Intel-based Mac, but these still aren't machines made for deep learning. Don't get me wrong, you can use the MBP for any basic deep learning tasks, but there are better machines in the same price range if you'll do deep learning daily.