
Owning a Cricut Maker Machine is a blessing for artists, but it necessitates an input computer, and laptops are a portable choice for their small size and easy-to-carry benefits. Here we’ve listed our researched, top 12 from 300 models that we explored and compared for the $500 range, offering the excellent capacity to manage all of the ‘Cricut Design Space’ software attributes and custom design development with a breeze.
Image | Product | Details |
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ASUS VivoBook 17 X712 | Check Price on Amazon |
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HP Pavilion x360 Convertible 14-dw1025nr | Check Price on Amazon |
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Lenovo Ideapad 3i | Check Price on Amazon |
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MSI GF63 Thin | Check Price on Amazon |
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ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 | Check Price on Amazon |
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Lenovo Flex 5 | Check Price on Amazon |
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Microsoft Surface Laptop Go | Check Price on Amazon |
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HP Laptop 15-dy2024nr | Check Price on Amazon |
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Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3501) | Check Price on Amazon |
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Acer Spin 3 | Check Price on Amazon |
In our research, we focused on features such as an uncompromised screen, the latest processor for faster work, a good port selection, Bluetooth wireless communication for occasional cable-free connectivity, and a large battery to keep up with late-night projects without needing to plug in a charger. Additionally good brand support for updates, and a perfect combination of a lightweight design that looks great on your working desk with a minimalist appearance.
If you need the best laptop of a similar kind for designing and printing with Cricut machines but don’t want to spend more than $500, our listings can meet your needs and go above and beyond, allowing you to run all types of design programs adequately with uncompromised performance. We believe that a high-quality, durable chassis can last a couple of years without spending more. These good-budget laptops can be a great alternative to more expensive laptops with much more flexibility for native software support.
Why PCCores is trustworthy because our expert reviewers put in a lot of time and effort to test and compare different products and services, allowing you to make informed decisions about what is best for you. Find out How We Review
Best Laptop for Cricut Under $500
At a Glance:
- ASUS VivoBook 17 X712
- HP Pavilion x360 Convertible 14-dw1025nr
- Lenovo Ideapad 3i
- MSI GF63 Thin
- ASUS VivoBook Flip 14
- Lenovo Flex 5
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Go
- HP Laptop 15-dy2024nr
- Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3501)
- Acer Spin 3
- Acer Aspire 5 (A515-45-R74Z)
- Dell Inspiron 13 (7391)
ASUS VivoBook 17 X712
Best Laptop for Cricut Design Space
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating System: Windows 11 | Display: 17 inches FHD | CPU: Intel i3-1115G4 (up to 4.10 GHz) | RAM: 16 GB DDR4 | Battery: 37 WHr, Last over 6 work hours |
The ASUS VivoBook 17 X712 is an incredible wide-screen laptop with 17-inch FHD pixels, and it has even flawless viewing angles, edge-to-edge, no bezel to block your vision, and certainly no chin-to-waste screen ratio. The beautiful chassis has an uplifting design for cooling, and Asus has provided it with an Intel 11 Gen i3 processor, which is a significant improvement over previous versions. With integrated Xe graphics, it can handle all types of creative tools including Design Space Cricut software.
In real-world applications, it works lightning fast with multiple apps in the background which is achieved by the combined effort of CPU power, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 1TB PCIe SSD which is massive storage that is also fast, so no delays in Windows boot time and no stress on transferring and sharing your work with teams or friends with superior Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ac), provides uncompromised internet speed at long distance.
This is our choice for the best laptop for Cricut design space reliability; Asus care service is excellent with warranties, for both problem solutions and software updates. We’ve had a great time with Asus business laptops over the last few years, and it’s worthwhile for professionals to use Cricut Maker machines with smooth interactions.
HP Pavilion x360 Convertible 14-dw1025nr
Best Laptop for Cricut Explore Air 3
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating System: Windows 11 | Display: 14-inches FHD (Touchscreen), 360 Convertible | CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 | RAM: 8 GB DDR4 | Storage: 256 GB NVMe SSD | Battery: 3-cell, 43 Wh Li-ion polymer |
From HP, we have seen a variety of amazing machines for work from the HP Essential and HP ProBook series to the HP Spectre, HP EliteBook, and now the HP Pavilion, and they are great to taste PCs for business-oriented applications. Now that we’re recommending it for “Cricut Maker” the HP Pavilion x360 Convertible 14-dw1025nr exceeds expectations; it’s a faultless 2-in-1 laptop that can conduct design work and operate Cricut Software well.
We are impressed with how well, this laptop performed with Cricut Explore Air 3. It’s a workhorse, doesn’t hang your art & design works, and the touchscreen is suitable for office presentations.
If you often share data, this comes packed with the HP QuickDrop function, which allows your documents, and images to go from PC to mobile and phones to PC safely via wireless networks, providing a hassle-free alternative to cable transfers. This is on par with our list of the best laptops for lawyers with professional appearances.
Nothing can compare to the delight of owning a colorful laptop that will last for years. Except for a few reservations, it will meet your requirements. It features a 720p sensor with mediocre camera quality, which may cause Zoom meetings to suffer. Additionally, designers must purchase an HP pen separately because it is not included with computers; yet, it is ideal for the price.
Lenovo Ideapad 3i
Best Budget Laptop for Cricut under $500
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating System: Windows 11 | Display: 15.6 inches FHD | CPU: Intel i3-1115G4 (up to 3.10 GHz) | RAM: 8 GB DDR4 | Battery: 35 WHr, Last over 7 work-hours |
If saving some bucks is motivation, this Lenovo Ideapad 3i is the best laptop for Cricut under $500 with a quiet room for upgrades to last extra long on your desk. The Intel I3 11th gen, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD is welcoming at a sweet price of $388.
We haven’t found any major compromises for the regular usage, our experience with thoughtful design is been great. The physical webcam security shutter keeps you safe from prying eyes, and keyboard typing is fantastic, other than a serious business laptop appearance, it is a lightweight computer with 3.64 pounds.
You can easily run and configure the Cricut software and this cheapest laptop for Cricut will meet the highest requirements for compatibility in an affordable range. However, screen brightness isn’t as expected, but this drawback turned out to be an advantage for battery life, which marks over 7 hours of continuous usage on a single charge, which is a good back time for working.
If you are looking for a low-cost laptop that will not hinder your ability to learn new skills? You can find our list of the best laptops for Kali Linux here. This list includes high-performance laptops with lightweight designs, making them an excellent choice for students on a budget.
MSI GF63 Thin
Best High Performance Laptop for Cricut Creators
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 15.6 inches FHD | CPU: Intel i5-10300H (up to 4.5 GHz) | GPU: Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q (4GB Vram) | RAM: 8 GB DDR4 | Storage: 256 GB SSD | Weight: (4.1 pounds) 1.9 Kg |
Enjoy faster personalization than ever before, the MSI GF63 Thin is a masterpiece of the best budget laptop for graphic designing and facilitating Cricut’s applications. It has the horsepower for speeding up your work on multiple monitors with several tasks at once. The best thing about this laptop has a faster CPU from the Intel 10th Gen series which is paired with a dedicated GPU from Nvidia, GeForce GTX 1650.
It means you can do a lot more than you are bragging about in the same budget bracket of $500. It’s our favorite for doing multiple applications and gaming and even rendering intense graphics. The MSI GF63 Thin has been on our radar for the past year, but that model has a 9th Gen processor, so all credit goes to MSI for being so much with such an incredible offer for a great laptop in the $500 range.
It is simply the most powerful laptop for any professional business, regarding 3D rendering, photoshop, and even gaming on the go, delivering massive performance leaps if you want to use your laptop for a few extra jobs. It has complete ports with more possibilities for expanding your creation on the wide TV screen so that major flaws can be noticed.
If you need more power, check out our list of the best laptops for After Effects VFX workflow. They are as powerful as desktop computers and are reasonably priced for the specifications.
ASUS VivoBook Flip 14
Best 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop for Cricut Workspace
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 14 inches (Touch Screen) | Design: Convertible | CPU: Intel i3-1115G4 (4 Cores, 8 Threads) | RAM: 4 GB DDR4 | Storage: 128 GB SSD | Weight: (4.1 pounds) 1.9 Kg |
The ASUS VivoBook series is an essential laptop for anybody looking for high-quality internet surfing and running design software at a reasonable cost of $429. This price range makes it a favorite among others. It is also a thin, lightweight 2-in-1 laptop with Windows S Mode that allows native drawing and sketching for DIY projects.
Its convertible 360° hinge and 14″ size are unbounded from the limitations of placements on a lap or desk. It may also stand on the Cricut machine in a tent mod, rather than flat on the desk, to give more free room for your work.
From a small chassis to a touch-enabled screen, Asus put several elements into the VivoBook Flip 14 to make it a suitable device for artists. Making drawing on the glossy screen is a breeze, and with an outstanding camera and AI noise-canceling technology, it even qualifies for teaching Cricut designs and tutorials and taking online courses.
Lenovo Flex 5
Best Budget Touch Screen Laptop with Pen
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 14 inches (Touch Screen) | Design: Convertible | CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (6 Cores, 12 Threads) | RAM: 16 GB DDR4 | Storage: 256 GB SSD | Battery: 3-cell, 52.5Wh (Mark over 9 hours of usage) | Weight: 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) |
An improved illustration of getting work done is the Lenovo Flex 5. In comparison to the VivoBook Flip 14, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U ensures that everything runs smoothly with Flex 5, from computing to maintaining a faster WiFi connection. It is a great recipe for a good Cricut designing laptop, with a little bit extra 16GB RAM, touch and type functionality, and it comes included with a digital pen from Lenovo’s manufacturing.
At $625, which is just on the border of our budget, it’s a wonderful package that provides better value. Lenovo has transformed into a spectacular manufacturer with the Legion, Thinkpad, Yoga, and now Flex line of flexible laptops. Their experience with hinge design has improved since the five-year-old Legion Y series, which was great until a poor hinge caused a damaged lid.
Since Lenovo learned more over time and improved the design, everything was resolved from the release of new models. Resuming the discussion, we are now discussing design and advantages. In addition to having twice as much storage as the Asus VivoBook Flip, the Lenovo Flex 5 has a 720P webcam with a privacy shutter, a backlit keyboard, and a fingerprint reader. It also includes 802.11ac (WiFi 6) for the fastest possible internet connection. So it’s worth the money.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go
Best Ultrabook for Travel and Business
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 12.4″ Touchscreen | Design: Non-Convertible | CPU: Core i5 10th Gen (1035G1) | RAM: 8 GB DDR4 | Storage: 256 GB SSD | Weight: 2.44 lbs (1.1 kg) |
Is Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go a better travel laptop than the Surface Go tablet? After all, it is intended for professionals and travelers who need to work while on the road. The strength of the 10th generation Intel Core i5 (1035G1) CPU for dealing with Cricut machines is sufficient, and the design is the most glamorous laptop on the market, with a great-looking exterior, extremely slim, and a selection of colors that range from Ice blue, sandstone to platinum, it appeals far more luxury with a light weight of 1.1 kg (2.44 lbs).
It runs Windows 11 S operating system for creative software and features a 12.4″ touchscreen with a 3:2 aspect ratio, which is easier for reading than a 16:9 aspect ratio. Plus the addition of realistic security features is an advantage, such as Windows Hello sign-in, fingerprint power button, best trackpad experience, big and responsive, and TPM 2.0 chipsets to deter unethical applications and hacking attempts.
Though it is a great bargain laptop at about $550 for the high-spec version, there are some significant compromises, such as a lack of ports, which may be remedied by a USB-C Hub, which extends to many full-size ports from its single USB-C and USB-A connector. But the biggest disappointment for me is the lack of a lighted keyboard; yet, the speaker system is adequate but not exceptional. So, if you’re interested, be sure you’re right with the trade-offs.
HP Laptop 15-dy2024nr
Cheapest Laptop for Designers
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating System: Windows 11 | Display: 15.6-inch (Non-Touchscreen) | CPU: Core i5 i5-1135G7 (up to 4.2 GHz) | RAM: 8 GB DDR4 | Storage: 256 GB SSD | Weight: 3.75 lbs (1.7 kg) |
This new HP 15s Laptop (dy2024nr) appeared as the same classy design that resembles HP’s famous workstations. It carries an improved user experience from the wide trackpad, higher bandwidth wireless connectivity, and HP fast charging support, which takes 45 minutes to score 0 to 50% battery cap, an amazing feature for a modern-day busy life, plus the power of Intel i5-1135G7 handles all day-to-day tasks from 3D designing to printing excellent DIY design and craft materials.
Besides clean aesthetics, HP equipped it with a faster version of 256 GB NVMe M.2 SSD, which improves boot time even more, as well as a standard multi-format SD media card reader, which can be used to transfer photographs from a camera, and a MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 card with Bluetooth 5.2 combo, which can speed up to a Gigabit of data per second. This is a satisfying business laptop, and HP was generous and provided us with a one-year limited hardware warranty. Overall, a great package, although the battery is on the low side, with a 3-cell, 41 Wh Li-ion battery that lasts just 7 hours at maximum usage.
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3501)
Most Reliable Laptop for Work
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating System: Windows 11 | Display: 15.6-inch (Non-Touchscreen) | CPU: Core i5-1135G7 (up to 4.2 GHz) | RAM: 8 GB DDR4 | Storage: 256 GB SSD | Weight: 3.75 lbs (1.7 kg) |
Professional looks appeal to serious business, that is how Dell Inspiron 15 3000 3501, will change your view on doing business and keep you focused on work. It is a tiny workstation with an 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 quad-core processor that can handle more than only Cricut machine activities. There is sufficient 16GB RAM, a vivid screen, and a 256GB SSD, all at a reasonable price of $566.23.
The only catch is the plastic construction, which makes it light in weight but cannot be used carelessly. Apart from that, it runs Windows 10 out of the box, which has to be updated to Windows 11 for improved compatibility. On the bright side, it’s a fantastic budget-friendly option that works well with Cricut’s Design Space program, and Photoshop, and can even handle some editing, which makes it the best cheap laptop for editing lightweight videos. Plus nothing to squander when your old 2.5-inch hard drive can be used with your new laptop as additional storage.
Acer Spin 3
Best Laptop for Drawing with Cricut Maker
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 13.3-inch Touchscreen | Stylus: Dockable | CPU: Core i5-1135G7 (up to 4.2 GHz) | RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4X | Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD | Weight: 1.42 kg (3.1 pounds) |
Acer is the finest brand for affordable, high-quality computers after Chromebooks. The Acer Spin 3 is designed for productivity; it allows Cricut Maker designers to express their ideas on a 2-in-1 type-touchscreen with a 360-degree responsive hinge, an aesthetically beautiful metal cut body, and an unrealistically wide selection of connector ports with its 14-inch size, can accomplish all your business needs from drawing with a dockable stylus with Wacom AES to running smoothly with Cricut machine daily at a fair price of $586.
It is simply a “jack of all trades” with some caveats. The Intel Evo platform significantly improves battery life, extending it to a maximum of 13 hours while using active programs and a little longer when performing less demanding tasks. The 13.3″ 2560 x 1600 IPS display is 100% sRGB, it is excellent for rendering colors and sketches. And on this laptop, you can upgrade your WiFi card.
The only problem is that the screen’s high pixel density makes it difficult for it to transition quickly from dark to light, which results in a pronounced blur. High-resolution videos at 60 frames per second can occasionally be fuzzy, while this is not a major issue for the Cricut jobs. We recommend it as the best laptop for Cricut Maker because it is convertible and lightweight.
Acer Aspire 5 (A515-45-R74Z)
Best Wicked Fast Laptop for Artists
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 15.6″ (Non-Touchscreen) | CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (6 Cores, 12 Threads) | GPU: Radeon RX Vega 7 | RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4X | Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD | Weight: 1.75 kg (3.88 lb) |
The Acer Aspire 5 offers excellent performance in exchange for the absence of a reversible hinge, which is essential for taking notes and sketching, and painting. Instead, this offers blazing-fast productivity, including an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U 6-Core 12 Thread processor and powerful Radeon RX Vega 7 graphics. It can render, edit, and conduct professional Auto-Cad work faster than most Intel chips, making it a bargain laptop for $450.
It includes an excessive number of ports, including USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting your Cricut machine, as well as a dedicated Ethernet jack for extra-fast direct cable internet over your router’s WiFi, accelerating project completion. If you want such a fast laptop that does the majority of tasks for a very affordable price and has lots of high-speed RAM and storage, then look no further! Except for the mushy keyboard switches, the aluminum body and 15.6″ Full HD IPS display let you focus on what is in front of you and work as efficiently as possible.
Dell Inspiron 13 (7391)
Best Touch Screen Laptop for Cricut Projects
SPECIFICATIONS
Display: 13.3″ (Touchscreen) | Type: Convertible | CPU: 10th Gen Intel i5-10210U (up to 4.20 GHz) | Battery: 52Wh, 4-cell (Lasts solid 10 hours of use) | RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4X | Storage: 512GB SSD | Weight: 1.45 kg (3.2 lbs) |
The Dell Inspiron 13 (7391) is a tablet and laptop in one, allowing you to use it to run Cricut Space software while also creating illustrations for your profession without the need to connect a separate drawing tablet. It is compatible with touch pens of all kinds, and also lets you type on the keyboard and use the trackpad whenever you need to document your work, making it a nice feature for business travelers and a true laptop for Cricut projects.
If little luxury looks are important to you, Dell wins with quality services to prevent you from regretting your choice in the long run. The 13.5-inch screen is brilliant, and the keyboard is excellent—much better than mushy caps, and the Dell guarantee is lovely to have, even after sales, you can relocate the transferrable warranty, which is a fantastic choice.
Buying Guide for Best Laptop for Cricut
Is it reasonable to expect a high-quality Cricut laptop for $500?
A budget of $500 is an ideal starting point for a Cricut laptop. At this price point, you can find compelling options that are perfect for design work and using Cricut Design Space in an out-of-office setting. However, increasing your budget to around $700 for a mid-range premium laptop may result in improved performance and more features. Though we understand that everyone’s needs and budgets are different, so we’ve compiled a list of the best Cricut laptops under $500. These laptops provide an excellent balance of performance and affordability, making them an attractive option for beginners or those on a budget. We hope that our recommendations will help you make an informed decision that meets your crafting needs. Please consider sharing, commenting, and recommending our advice if you find it useful.
When it comes to using a Cricut machine, there are a few questions that often come up. Here are some frequently asked questions about using a laptop or tablet with Cricut.
Will any Laptop or Tablet Work with Cricut?
Both Macs and Windows laptops are compatible with Cricut machines, offering a reliable operating system and a range of tools for running the Design Space software in conjunction with your Cricut machine. What’s new in 2025, the latest version of the Design Space app has included support for Chromebooks, Android tablets, and iPads.
Is Cricut Design Space on Your Laptop Free or Do You Need to Pay a Monthly Fee?
You can use Cricut Design Space for free, which is the only way to use a Cricut machine, no matter its an old model Cricut Explorer or a new model Circut Maker. The basic free plan includes free fonts, images, and ready-to-make projects in Design Space. However, there is a standard subscription starting at $7.99 per month to $9.99 per month billing for premium users, which also has an option for a one-time annual payment.
Can You Use Cricut Design Space on Your Laptop or Tablet without an Internet Connection?
To download, install, and sign in to Cricut Design Space on your laptop or iOS mobile device (iPad tablet), a high-speed broadband internet connection is required. However, offline mode is available for Design Space on Mac and Windows laptops, as well as iPads. Unfortunately, the offline mode is not yet available for Android tablets and Chromebooks, but it will be soon. With offline mode, you can save your projects on your device rather than in the cloud, allowing you to work on your designs and draw new projects with previously saved fonts, images, and patterns.
Pros and Cons of Laptop for Cricut
What are the Six Things to Know Before Buying a Cricut Maker?
Before purchasing a Cricut Maker, there are six things you should consider.
- Think about the types of projects you want to make with the Cricut Maker, as it can cut paper, vinyl, fabric, leather, and thin wood.
- If you are a new user, you must learn how to use Design Space, as well as how to create and save design projects, which may take some time and effort.
- A Cricut Maker costs around $400, and it is important to consider the costs of additional bundles and accessories.
- To get the best results from the Cricut Maker machine, you can completely customize and experiment with different materials and settings.
- There are many online resources and tutorials available to learn more about the Cricut Maker, including YouTube.
- It is worth noting, that you are not required to purchase Cricut brand supplies, as there are many other options for getting the best deals, such as BestBuy, Amazon, or Walmart.
Overall, using a laptop or tablet with a Cricut machine can open up a world of possibilities for crafters and designers alike. With a little research and experimentation, anyone can create beautiful and unique projects with their Cricut Maker.
Tablet Vs Laptop for Cricut Machines
Conclusion
A tablet or a smartphone won’t suffice for serious work when it comes to input options and versatility; instead, you’ll need a full-featured laptop with fast hardware or a better 2-in-1 laptop for tasks like sketching, drawing, and illustration that will satisfy the most advanced Cricut functions and satisfy your desire to create your DIY projects. For your convenience and compatibility with the Cricut Machines; Maker 3, Explore 3, or Cricut Explore Air 2, we’ve included all the great selections from affordable versions to value for money so that you can work with Cricut’s Design Space smoothly and effortlessly. Our computing knowledge will assist you in selecting the best Cricut laptop for around $500. You may keep working with these laptops and accomplish more if you do not want to buy one of the more expensive MacBooks available.