i have an older asrock beebox with dp and hdmi and ubuntu desktop installed on it, here you go:
https://www.google.com/search?q=asr.....AMQABgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHjIICAkQABgWGB7SAQg5MzQ1ajBqN6gCCLACAfEFFnhSd_ZXIDg&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Do they still make laptops that spin the monitor around into a tablet? If they do, maybe that'll be a good idea? Sorry I don't have any specific recommendations.

Probably mean like those: https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/d/conv.....-in-1-laptops/
I know other companies also make similar laptops. I saw some with Acer and Dell in the past.

Some can even have a pen. Though how good is their digitizer, compared to a graphic tablet, can't say.

Yeah, that's what I meant.

Have you considered buying something used? I just bought a used Macbook pro for $550.

I would definitely look at Intel and ASUS NUCs. It's really all about core efficiency and single/multicore performance when it comes to art. RAM speed also helps with but with the proliferation of DDR5 in the market, it's a pretty safe bet regardless in that category.

I have a Asus rogstrix gaming laptop I used to use before I got an actual PC and traveled with it quite a bit with my tablet setup to it :)

these models are very popular with nerds when bought used. make sure they're the sff models.
Lenovo thinkcentre/station tiny - I have two.
Dell optiplex micros
hp pro/elite mini

some even have dedicated GPUs.

nevermind. sff is actually the bigger models.

the tiny/mini/micros can sit on your hand.

I really like my Framework. They let you buy them in a DIY edition so you can shop around for cheaper components like SSD and RAM, and they’re upgradable so you can buy a new cpu from them in the future when you need an upgrade. The build quality is great, too.

https://frame.work/

i was thinking of framework while reading this post, glad someone else already beat me to it!

I'm running one of these with windows 8.1 embedded, Krita and one of the samsung digitizer pens.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1770594808.....amp;ssuid=vwgs

Does not have USB-c
With DP
But I wonder how a steamdeck would work for this
Only like 300 USD
And it has a touch screen

What do you mean it has no USB-C. How do you charge yours? You can use a USB-C adapter and can get multiple ports and video output ports.

1800? ASUS rigs run in that neighborhood and work damn well for gaming, art, and other things. They tend to be extremely bulky laptops, though.

I would personally just go with a good quality second hand laptop, 1800 is pretty high. Since you're working with large illustrations, you probably just want like, 32gb of RAM. It may be easier to retrofit that onto a laptop rather than trying to buy one like that though. Since you don't necessarily need dedicated graphics, you can go more to the midrange at around $1000 or so (or even cheaper if you like).

And yeah, getting a second hand Surface with the inbuilt tablet + pencil can be good value, friends got them for like ~$300 USD or so since a lot of businesses sell them off.

Corse someone like me would recommend a steam deck with a third party dock and 2 Tb memory stick but there are a few hoops to jump through if you need windows on that thing. But it is a reliable umpc that can easily switch from desktop to palmtop like a Nintendo switch. And In spite of it looking a little hefty it's surprisingly light and easy to handle for your artistic and gaming needs.

I use a ASUS ROG G14 for everything, the screen is amazing, it runs 90% of games you through at it, and I have a multiple monitor set up using a HDMI splitter or Type display. Couldn't be happier in a laptop! I got mine for $1200 when it was on special, so I'd keep a finger on the pulse on possible sales!

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-r.....?skuId=6570270

Thank you!

Msi has some good gaming laptops for around that price. Any pc that can run games at a high FPS is usually good for illustrations

Their support is garbage and there's a decent amount of people who complain about receiving duds but: Minisforum MS-A2: https://store.minisforum.com/produc.....nisforum-ms-a2

It'll probably be the strongest thing anyone will link.

Well mine is expensive took awhile to pay of but Surface pro 11 is what I use. its more expensive with a bluetooth keyboard but doesnt need to be either.


this is best buy but Microsoft has it as well. And sorry for the long link T_T
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/micros.....;loc=18023516332&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18023520436&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoNzABhDbARIsALfY8VN_z20jaRdq1rSMUD1abzf_A3rvj2rPbC8jcLHdF6tpFomXehp9MDkaApadEALw_wcB

I love my Asus proart.
Has a touchscreen

This would work perfectly for your needs honestly

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-p.....4436&gQT=2 $1700

if you're loaded and can deal with import customs I'd recommend looking at GPD line of UMPC (ultra mobile/micro personal computer), there's the "mini" laptop 10" GPD win max 2 check year version revision, 2024 onwards version has a oculink port for PCIe 8x eGPU setup. The GPD win mini, a super compact even pockatable "laptop" a 7" clamshell PC. Both yopu can use while holding them on your hand like a slightly chunky phone.

Kinda an issue is these have Xinput "build into them" and looked like a game console but most common setup they can be docked to a USB C hub into a desk workstation, plus unlike the "gaming handhelds, these have a qwerty keyboard you can work on either thumbtype or on the "max" on desk typing. They're all running windows and linux can be installed on them too/dual booted. They're also all dont have a GPU/all processing is in iGPU from the CPU which most of the time is top of the line chips, 6800u, 7840u, 8840u and 370hx.

Just note these PC does require a good amount of technical know how to take full advantage of the system and documentation mostly came from community to community knowhow

I might be a little late to the party but GPD WIN MAX 2 is outstandingly small (built around 10.1" screen), competes with all these other top-end machines in specs... it's not the first choice of 3D rendering powerhouse because of overheat limits but it's very efficient with lower power compared to these others. It has 4 usbs, 2 of which are type-c (one of those type-c used for powering it), and its hdmi2.1 can be downgraded to displayport1.4 with a cable converter. It also has a built-in game controller, it has that going for it as well.

A friend of mine is using a Mini PC the "MinisForum Neptune HX99G" and it seems pretty amazing and portable specially with one of those slim wacom tablets.