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    Best Laptop under £700 for Creative Work in the UK

    Creative work on a sub-£700 laptop means balancing processor performance, memory, storage and portability. These UK-friendly picks focus on smooth everyday editing, design, writing and content creation without overspending.

    We compare the Samsung Galaxy Book4, Asus Vivobook 17 and MSI Modern 15 H for their CPU and GPU class, real-world battery life, keyboard and screen quality, weight, and port selection.

    Guide updated September 28, 2026. Shop prices have their own check dates.

    3 picks

    Best overall
    Samsung Galaxy Book4
    Our pick

    Samsung Galaxy Book4

    Why it fits you

    • a lightweight everyday laptop with a sharp Full HD screen, efficient processor and solid battery capacity.
    • It is suitable for photo editing, design work and general creative tasks, though the limited memory and storage make it less suitable for large projects.
    • It is the most portable and affordable option here, but the other two offer more storage or memory.

    est. £415

    Estimated list price — we haven't checked a shop yet.

    Checking shop prices now…

    Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.

    Key Specs

    Display
    15.6-inch IPS 60Hz
    Processor
    Intel Core i5-1335U
    Graphics
    Integrated Intel Iris Xe
    RAM
    8GB LPDDR4x
    Storage
    256GB SSD
    Battery
    54Wh

    2 alternatives

    Also a strong fit for what you told us.

    Asus Vivobook 17

    Asus Vivobook 17

    Why it fits you

    • its spacious 17.3-inch Full HD display gives creative applications more room, while the 512GB SSD provides useful working space for files and software.
    • The processor is well suited to everyday editing and design work. It is less portable than the Samsung and still has only 8GB of memory, while the MSI is stronger for demanding multitasking.

    Key Specs

    Display
    17.3-inch IPS-level 60Hz
    Processor
    Intel Core 5 120U
    Graphics
    Integrated Intel Graphics
    RAM
    8GB DDR4
    Storage
    512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD
    Battery
    42Wh

    est. £535

    Estimated list price — we haven't checked a shop yet.

    Checking shop prices now…

    Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.

    MSI Modern 15 H

    MSI Modern 15 H

    Why it fits you

    • 16GB of memory and a fast 512GB NVMe SSD make it the strongest choice here for multitasking, editing and larger creative files.
    • Its 15.6-inch format is more manageable than the Asus while retaining useful connectivity. The display is practical rather than colour-critical, and the Samsung is lighter while the Asus offers a larger canvas.

    Key Specs

    Display
    15.6"
    Processor
    210H
    Graphics
    Integrated Intel Graphics
    RAM
    16 GB
    Storage
    512 GB
    Battery
    39 mAh

    est. £668

    Estimated list price — we haven't checked a shop yet.

    Checking shop prices now…

    Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.

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    WhatDeviceForMe — AI-powered laptop recommendations

    Frequently asked questions

    Is 16GB RAM enough for creative work on a laptop under £700?

    Yes, 16GB RAM is a sensible target for photo editing, graphic design, office work and light video editing. It provides more headroom for running creative software alongside browsers and other applications.

    Which screen size is best for creative work on a UK laptop?

    A 15.6-inch display offers a useful balance of workspace and portability, while a 17-inch screen is better for timelines and detailed layouts. Check resolution, brightness and colour coverage as well as size.

    Can a laptop under £700 handle video editing?

    Budget laptops can manage 1080p editing and lighter creative projects, especially with a modern multi-core CPU, 16GB memory and an SSD. More demanding 4K projects, 3D work and advanced effects may require a dedicated GPU or a higher budget.

    What ports should a creative laptop under £700 have?

    Look for USB-C, multiple USB-A ports, HDMI and a headphone jack, with an SD or microSD card reader useful for cameras. A versatile port selection reduces the need for adapters when connecting displays and creative accessories.

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