7 Best Laptops for Cricut Maker in 2023

So you’ve heard about these awesome precision cutting machines, and now you want to get in on the action. Whether you’re a fashion designer, a home decorator, an event planner, or a DIY enthusiast, chances are you can get a lot of value from investing in a Cricut machine. 

But getting a Cricut Maker or any other model of these cutting machines is not the end of the story. In order to operate them, you also need a suitable device that can connect and support the software (Cricut Design Space), among other things. 

The good news is that Cricut machines can connect with all kinds of devices (laptops, desktops, phones, tablets, etc.). Since this is a laptop site before anything else, we’ll focus on the best laptops for Cricut. Not only that, we’ll take a deep dive into some of the key factors you need to consider before selecting the right option for you.

Excited? We sure are.

Minimum & Recommended System Requirements

While even an entry-level laptop can support Cricut Design Space, to get your money’s worth, you still need to consider the specs. Since you’ll probably use your new laptop for other more hardware-intensive tasks as well, going for the bare minimum may not always be the best idea. 

Having this in mind, we’ve listed the minimum and the recommended system requirements any modern laptop should have in order to run smoothly with Cricut software and other similar or more demanding applications.

Looking at the recommended specs above is a good starting point if you also need a decent laptop for interior design or a well-packed laptop for web design.

Top 7 Laptops for Cricut Maker

We don’t want to keep you guessing any longer. Let’s explore the best laptops for Cricut.

1. Budget Cricut Laptop: HP 14

HP 14

• CPU: 2.1GHz AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Radeon 448SP
• Battery: Up to 7.5 hours

$406.00

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If you need a reasonably portable Cricut laptop with a nice display — and don’t want to overspend — then HP 14 might just be the thing.

Like most designers, I appreciate a good look when I see one, and HP 14 has gone strides ahead of previous HP models. The sleek chassis is compact, elegant, and fits any environment — home or office.

Plus, the whole thing weighs only 3.22 lbs, which is pretty good, and easy to carry around.

Under the hood, you’ll find a newer Ryzen 5 processor and an integrated Radeon GPU. This combo is quite enough for Cricut Maker and smooth, easy creation — and execution — of design.

Moreover, with loads of ports, HP 14 is great with peripherals. For example, if you’d like to switch up the hi-res 14” display for something bigger, simply plug the external monitor into the HDMI slot.

The main concern with this model is the RAM and storage. 8GB RAM and 256GB are a great starting point, but they will become insufficient for complex, hefty projects. So I’d recommend upgrading both to 16GB and 512GB, respectively.

Overall, for the price, HP 14 is a pretty good laptop for Cricut Maker that will serve its purpose. Just make sure to upgrade it at some point and it’ll work awesome.

2. Excellent Value: Acer Aspire 5

Acer Aspire 5

• CPU: 3GHz Intel Core i3-1115G4
• RAM: 20GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
• Battery: Up to 8 hours

$489.99

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Acer Aspire 5 is one of the most popular budget productivity laptops and a great choice for Cricut. With ample RAM, a good battery, and a gorgeous display, this buddy is worth every buck.

One of the main selling points for Aspire is the 15.6” display that is color-accurate and crisp. It makes life with Cricut much easier because you’ll see the designs in great detail and precise colors.

Though it comes with a larger panel, Aspire doesn’t sacrifice portability. At 3.64 lbs and with 8 hours of juice, I’m happy with what Acer’s engineers did. The laptop is easy to carry around and will last a full workday.

Plus, the build quality is sturdy, so the machine can withstand everyday wear-and-tear, unlike the flimsier budget laptops.

Aspire runs on 11th Gen. i3 and integrated Intel UHD graphics. Performance-wise, these are good specs for Cricut and will do the job well, especially when you add a generous 20GB RAM to the mix. However, if you also dabble with GPU-intensive tasks like Blender or video editing, the Intel UHD will limit the performance.

While I love the keyboard, the overall design of the laptop seems a bit blocky and outdated. If you’re only interested in performance, this isn’t an issue, but take note if you’re also taking it to the office.

Aspire 5 is a tried-and-tested Cricut warrior that will fulfill the expectations and won’t cost you an arm and leg to get it.

3. Top of the Line 17″ Laptop for Cricut: LG gram 17

LG gram 17

• CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i7-1360P
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 17.3-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
• GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Battery: Up to 12 hours

$1,048.00

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Perhaps you want a remarkable Cricut laptop with lots of workspace and great performance. If you also care about portability, only a few laptops can match LG Gram 17.

LG’s Gram series is somewhat of an engineering marvel since all the laptops are unbelievably lightweight and come with a crazy-long battery life.

Take LG Gram 17, for example. In my tests, I got around 12 hours of battery life, which is impressive. But even more impressive is that the machine weighs under 3 lbs, which means it’s light as a feather. And this is a 17” laptop.

Since I already mentioned the diagonal, Gram sports a high-quality, very color-accurate, gorgeous 17” WQXGA panel. Cricut designs look exactly as they should: large, crisp, saturated and precise.

The fun doesn’t stop there: with Intel’s latest 13th-gen i7 processor and Intel Iris GPU, Gram zaps through workload like a laser knife through butter.

Moreover, with 16GB RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, you just know this thing runs fast and has enough space for complex projects.

I love the sleek, elegant design of Gram, but bear in mind that, because of the thin profile, the laptop feels a little flimsy. So make sure you handle it with care.

And of course, there’s the price. But if your budget allows it and you want a really versatile, capable and practical laptop for Cricut, LG Gram 17 is easily one of the top picks.

4. Beatiful Display & Ample Storage: ASUS Zenbook 14

ASUS Zenbook 14

• CPU: 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-1240P
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 14-inch 2.8K (2880x 1800)
• GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Battery: Up to 11 hours

$715.99

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Which Cricut fan doesn’t like a superior display? If you dance to the beat of rich colors and high resolution, look no further than the ASUS Zenbook 14.

The Zenbook has an amazing, 14” OLED display with 2.8K resolution. The OLED panel makes the colors pop, thanks to the awesome contrast and high brightness. It’s basically like having your own premiere of the prototype, red-carpet style.

Similar to Apple’s Macbooks, ASUS specifically aimed for this resolution. It’s a sweet spot for battery life and overall portability, and the numbers prove it. With 3.64 lbs and around 11 hours of battery life, you’ll enjoy your work whenever, wherever.

What about performance?

Zenbook packs a punch with a 12th Gen. i5 and integrated Intel Iris. It’s a capable combo that can easily handle software like Cricut Maker, Explore Air 2 or 3, and Joy.

It’s also worth mentioning that, like the LG Gram above, there’s also 1TB of storage for more demanding preparations.

Zenbook comes with the initial 8GB RAM. This is enough for Cricut and most everyday tasks, but if you really want to future-proof the laptop and truly enjoy those visuals, I’d upgrade to 16GB.

Overall, if you don’t plan on playing AAA titles, the ASUS Zenbook is a great laptop for Cricut that will make you see your designs in all their glory way before you start cutting them.

5. Premium Cutting Experience: MacBook Air M2 15

MacBook Air M2 15

• CPU: 3.5GHz 8-core M2
• RAM: 8GB DDR5
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.3-inch Retina (2880 x 1864)
• GPU: Integrated Apple 10-core GPU
• Battery: Up to 18 Hours

$1,099.00

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This list wouldn’t be complete without the latest MacBook Air. The new-and-larger Air M2 is an amazing laptop for Cricut Maker on so many levels.

Let’s start with performance. The M2 chip smokes most Windows laptops in benchmark tests, so it’s safe to say your new laptop will handle Cricut Maker and similar software without any lags, stutter, or other annoying issues.

The workflow happens on a gorgeous 15.3” Retina display, which Apple finally upgraded on Air from 13” (thank you, Apple). Similarly to the ASUS Zenbook, this is a 2.8K, high-quality, amazing panel that won’t strain your eyes even when you’re designing for hours on end.

Want more? Air M2 is one of the most portable laptops on the market. With 3.3 lbs and an unbelievable 17-18 hours of juice, I’d take this laptop on travel anytime.

Plus, we all know that Apple keyboards and trackpads are some of the best on the market.

You may be wondering about 8GB RAM. Normally I’d upgrade to 16GB, but this doesn’t apply to Apple. Because of the whole MacOS ecosystem, the 8GB will serve you great for years to come.

The bigger concern is the storage. This particular model comes with 256GB. While you also get iCloud, bear in mind that MacBooks aren’t upgradable, so I’d get an external disk too.

However, if you want a sleek, powerful, gorgeous laptop for Cricut and you love MacOS, you can’t go wrong with the MacBook Air M2.

6. Entry-Level Option for Cricut Design Space: Lenovo IdeaPad 3

Lenovo IdeaPad 3

• CPU: 3GHz Intel Core i3-1115G4
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
• Battery: Up to 10 hours

$269.00

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Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is another affordable laptop for Cricut, even more so than the HP 14. With strong performance, long battery life, and a surprisingly good keyboard, this laptop is well worth considering.

IdeaPad houses an 11th Gen. i3 and Intel UHD graphics. It’s a solid combo for Cricut and runs without significant lags or stutter. You’ll be able to easily create designs, tweak them, and add decorative effects.

I also like the portability of this laptop. The machine weighs around 3.3 lbs which is pretty good if you want to go for a stroll. And I got around 10 hours of battery life, which is more than enough for a full workday.

The interesting thing about Lenovo’s budget laptops is that they come with great keyboards, and IdeaPad’s is no exception: tactile, comfy, and spacious.

As for the display, a 14” FHD panel does the job and works great with both Cricut and entertainment. Just don’t expect to work under direct sunlight.

Since this is a budget model, 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage are expected. However, I’d upgrade this asap, especially storage, since it will fill up quickly.

But the price is just unbeatable. For the average cost of a Chromebook, you get a full-fledged — and very capable — Windows laptop for Cricut Maker.

7. Mid-Range Convertible: HP Pavilion x360

HP Pavilion x360

• CPU: 1.3GHz Intel Core i5-1235U
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Battery: Up to 8 hours

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Finally, what would a selection of laptops for Cricut be without at least one touchscreen? HP Pavilion x360 is lightweight, powerful, touchscreen — and quite affordable.

The star of the show is a 14” hi-res, touchscreen panel that is pretty responsive and plays well with Cricut Maker. If you want easier navigation, interactivity — or just to shake things up a bit — this panel is amazing.

Pavilion runs on a 12th-gen. i5 and Intel Iris Xe, which is a similar combo to the ASUS Zenbook. Like Zenbook, it’s a great choice for Cricut, general tasks, and even light-to-mid photo editing.

Interestingly enough, the portability doesn’t suffer with Pavilion’s specs. In my tests, the laptop pulls about 8 hours of battery life. Plus, it weighs 3.35 lbs, so if you’re using it in tablet mode, it’s still lightweight — unlike HP Spectre, for example.

Besides the tablet mode, the design allows for a tent mode, too — which I quite like when I’m tired of typing. The overall look feels very elegant and polished.

Pavilion comes with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage. You know the drill: this might be enough for Cricut, but if you want to boost the performance and storage further, I’d upgrade these.

Still, for a very affordable price, Pavilion x360 might be one of the best solutions for Cricut Maker if you want a convertible that’s also portable.

Buying Guide for Laptops for Cricut Maker

When choosing the best laptops for your Cricut projects, there are a few important factors to consider to ensure a smooth and efficient crafting experience.

1. Choose a Suitable Operating System First

Cricut Design Space is compatible with both Windows and macOS, which is great. However, you need to have a laptop with a newer operating system to support all future updates of the software. 

On that note, Cricut’s official page recommends at least a Windows 10 (or later) or a macOS 11 (or later). 

The good news is if you’re buying a new off-the-shelf laptop, you don’t have to worry about your OS being up to date with the software. 

IMPORTANT: Cricut’s official software isn’t compatible with Windows in S mode or with Chromebooks or Unix / Linux operating systems.

2. Think About Performance

You don’t need a powerhouse to work in Cricut Design Space. In fact, even the cheapest modern laptops will work just fine. But since you’re investing in a new laptop, getting something more capable may be worth considering.  

That being said, if you’re looking for a super-cheap laptop to run only Cricut Design Space and other minimally demanding tasks, you can go for a lower-tier processor like the Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3.

On the other hand, if you plan to use other more demanding apps like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Corel Draw, investing in a mid-range Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor is a good idea. And yes, there are some great budget options for just under $800 featuring these processors. 

As for the GPU, the Integrated Intel Iris Xe is pretty good value for money and can run Cricut Design Space without any issues. But if you’re looking for something that can run video games and other graphically intensive applications, investing in a dedicated graphics card is a must.

3. Get Enough RAM and Storage

Cricut Design Space is not a RAM-hungry application, and you could easily get by with as little as 8GB RAM, which is the standard minimum these days. But to ensure your laptop works smoothly for several years, we’d recommend considering something with at least 16GB or an extra slot for upgrades.

As for the storage space, having more is usually better, but obviously, it will cost more. The cheapest laptops these days come with 128GB SSD, which is enough to run the OS and store some temporary files. But most users end up needing more than that. So ideally, you should start with at least 512GB SSD and see how that works for you. 

However, if you wind up needing more space, it’s nothing to worry about since most laptops have upgradable storage. But do check, just to be on the safe side.  

4. Pick a Display Based on Your Preferences 

Any modern laptop will have a decent display for Cricut, and there is a ton of variety to choose from. You can go for a small 13-inch laptop all the way up to an 18-inch desktop replacement featuring an FHD, QHD, UHD, and more. 

The 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) display is the most common type you can get since it provides the best balance between price, workspace, and portability. 

Of course, going for a higher-resolution display can be beneficial if you’re looking for a better visual experience. But as you would expect, those will cost more. 

5. Consider Battery Life and Portability 

This is kind of obvious, but if you are traveling a lot or like to work on your designs outside, go for a lightweight laptop with a long battery life. 

As a ballpark, anything that weighs around 3lbs with a battery life above 8 hours is considered pretty good in terms of portability.

6. Ensure a Fast and Stable Connectivity 

Connecting to a Cricut machine is super-easy and can be done in two ways – via wireless Bluetooth or with a USB cable. 

While most modern laptops support USB and Bluetooth connectivity, remember that the later versions of each (USB 3.2 and Bluetooth 5.3) will provide more stable and faster data transfers. 

DisplayPort, HDMI, Thunderbolt 3, or USB Type-C are also nice to have for connecting to external displays and other peripherals you might use. 

Last but not least, for a more reliable internet connection, make sure to pick a laptop with the latest Wi-Fi 6 card.

FAQs about Laptops for Cricut Maker

Here are some of the most common questions people ask us about Cricut laptops:

Verdict

Hopefully, you learned a few things about what makes a good Cricut laptop. Since any modern laptop could run the software, you should choose the one that best fits your personal preferences and budget. 

If you want to learn more about laptops in general, diving into our comprehensive buying guide is a good idea. 

In case you’re still undecided, here is a quick recap: 

• If you’re looking for a professional-grade Windows laptop for Cricut and other more intensive applications, the LG Gram 17 is our champion. It has powerful specs, a gorgeous 17-inch display, and excellent battery life. 
• For the die-hard Apple fans looking for a premium crafting and cutting experience, we recommend the new MacBook Air M2 15. Power, visual excellence, build quality and endless battery life – you name it, this bad boy has it all. 
• Finally, if you need something more affordable that doesn’t fall behind in terms of specs, the ASUS Zenbook 14 is probably the ideal choice.

Last but not least, if you want to find out if iPads are better than computers for Cricut Design Space, we already covered that story a while ago. But maybe you have an old Cricut Expression machine and have trouble connecting it to a computer. Don’t despair; we have a solution for that as well. 

 For any other questions that you might have, hit us up in the comments below.