Best Laptop for Silhouette Cameo 2020 Ultimate Buyers Guide

Before posting this, we posted about the top laptops for the Cricut research machine, and some of our readers using the Silhouette machine asked us to think of the tools that can run Cameo 4 along with the Studio software.

We’re going to talk a little about cutting machine, the specs needed to run the plan studio software, and things it can do below, so if you are in a rush and are here just for the notebook reviews, jump into the list.

The Silhouette Cameo 4 is one of the popular digital cutting machines on the marketplace and is an update to the previous generation Cameo 2 and 3 (which are no more accessible.) If you don’t know about cutting machines, they are just like printers, but with cutting functionalities that can cut paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric, and much more.

The machine is ideal for custom DIY projects in the home, school, business, and events. You can just connect it to your device using USB, run the Silhouette Studio software, make designs, knockouts using it and use the Cameo 4 to get them out of the system in the form of cut-outs, print outs, etc..

A lot of users have reported that even after trying a few workarounds and troubleshooting the Silhouette Studio and Cameo 4 did not work with their laptop. If you are among them, then there is a good chance your current laptop is not compatible with it. Be sure that your current system has specifications above the minimum required. We have listed down the minimum and recommended specs below, if your existing system does not have them, it is time to update.

1. Microsoft Surface Book 2  For Best Laptop For Silhouette Cameo 3

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is definitely among the best laptops for Silhouette Cameo. This 2-in-1 Multi-touch notebook provides high performance and functions as a laptop as well as a Tablet. With 13.5 inches 3000 x 2000 PixelSense Display, this laptop gives a stunning image quality. It has a detachable design where you can remove the touchscreen screen from the computer keyboard and use it as a tablet. It’s a 360-degree rotation capacity for superior mobility and versatility.

To runs everything smooth, it has included a powerful 1.9 GHz quad-core Intel i7 processor that maybe boosted to 4.2 GHz. Well, concerning storage and memory, it’s a 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage to make it easier for you to store multiple files without any hassle. You’ll be stunned to find the touchscreen display and how amazingly well it works. It’s a multi-touch gesture where it can recognize 10-point touch at the same time.

To give an immersive graphics experience, it has NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU with 2 GB GDDR5 graphics memory capacity. It has Windows 10 preinstalled that features Windows Creators Update, which extends the creativity and productivity with immersive virtual reality, 3D storytelling, and cross-device experiences. It surely is far more powerful than anybody could think.

The connectivity ports include an SDXC media card slot, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 LE, a 5MP front-facing camera, an 8MP rear-facing camera with autofocus and 1080p HD video recording, and dual integrated microphones. Also, it is very much affordable and just a little too much compared to others.

PROS:

• 2-in-1 touchscreen display
• Stunning graphics quality
• Amazing PixelSense display
• Features Creators display
• Average Priced

CONS:

• Constant software glitches
• Touchscreen display disappointing overall

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Surface-Book-13-5-Intel/dp/B07NMZTSK1/?tag=10invent-20″ target=”blank” background=”#000000″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes”]Buy on Amazon[/su_button]

2. Lenovo Flex 14 For Laptop Silhouette

Laptop with touchscreen, especially with the convertible design are expensive, but let’s meet the most recent Lenovo Flex 14 laptop, which is telling another story. This AMD Ryzen 5 powered Windows 10 laptop is quite versatile and powerful; therefore, it would be a trusted option to run Silhouette Cameo 2/3, Portrait, or Curio machines.

The 2-in-1 layout is the main highlight here, which may serve different functions; you don’t need a tablet and laptop separately. With the full-HD vibrant touchscreen, you can work directly on the screen with the stylus. Additionally, it could be helpful in custom drawing or taking notes.

By the performance aspect, it is quite sturdy. The Ryzen 5 3500U is a Quad-Core processor with a 3.7GHz clock rate, with the 8GB memory, and 256GB of NVMe SSD storage. Overall, together with Silhouette Studio, you utilize some other programs. Also, this notebook can handle it easily.

Despite having a high-performance processor, touch-enabled screen, and compact body, the Lenovo has done a great job in battery life. It may last up to 8 hours on internet browsing and support the fast charging feature also.

When it comes to design, this notebook looks gorgeous together with the portability and lightweight. You can carry this buddy easily anywhere with no fatigue. Behind its streamlined body, thin bezels are also playing a significant part and delivering the high screen-to-body ratio.

For connectivity, this laptop equipped with the latest USB Type-C port together with HDMI and USB Type-A ports, which allow connecting external display or storage devices without difficulty. Moreover, this device is offering a fingerprint reader, which might be helpful in a quicker log in without needing traditional passwords.

Overall, if you’re looking for a mobile and touch-enabled laptop for your Silhouette Cameo cutting machine, the Lenovo Flex 14 is unquestionably an excellent choice in 2020.

PROS:

• Affordable price
• Amazing 2-in-1 design with full HD touchscreen
• Robust performance with the AMD Quad-Core processor, 8GB memory and NVMe SSD storage
• Good battery life with fast charging
• Lightweight and portable
• Latest USB Type-C port along with HDMI and fingerprint reader

CONS:

• Screen brightness and build quality could have been better

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Convertible-Touchscreen-Processor-81SS000DUS/dp/B07TWHYTSQ/?tag=10invent-20″ target=”blank” background=”#000000″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes”]Buy on Amazon[/su_button]

3. Apple MacBook Air  For Silhouette Cameo 4

The first laptop that’s excellent for cameo 3 is the MacBook Air. It comes in three different colors — space grey, silver, and gold. It is is a top-performance and excellent laptop with terrific features.

The laptop comes thinner, lighter, and with immersive Retina display. Additionally, it features a touch ID and a Force Torch trackpad that made into a 100% recycled body. The MacBook Air is extremely portable with long battery timing.

The newly designed Apple keyboard includes the butterfly mechanism providing considerably more stability for better comfort. It, too, has a backlit light detector that you can control directly from your function keys. You can now enjoy the 20 times larger trackpad that is much smoother and easy to use with multiple touch options and other features included.

Speaking about the storage, it’s 8GB RAM and up to 1.5TB SSD storage for all your documents, games, software, and much more. You will be stunned to know that with one fee, you can enjoy uninterrupted usage for up to 12 hours of battery capacity.

PROS:

• Latest generation backlit keyboard
• Ultra-light and thin
• 12-13 hours battery
• Elegant look with an appealing finish
• Great sound plus HD Webcam
• Good audio sounds

CONS:

• It is not can be upgraded

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-13-inch-256GB-Storage/dp/B08636NKF8/?tag=10invent-20″ target=”blank” background=”#000000″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes”]Buy on Amazon[/su_button]

4. Acer Aspire E 15 For Silhouette Cameo

The Acer Aspire is one of the most cost-efficient and amazing laptops of 2020, and it’s meeting the shape software requirements without being heavy on the pocket. Yes, I am referring to the Intel Core i3 version of the Acer Aspire E 15, which is surprisingly cheap. Even if you choose the Intel Core i3 version with SSD, it will not let you down.

Can this model handle the Silhouette Studio software?

Yes, it comes with 6GB of memory together with a dual-core chip, which is sufficient to run the Silhouette Studio on this Windows 10 machine. But if you’re using some other photos or video editing programs, then you need to decide on the Intel Core i5 version.

This affordable laptop is coming with a 15.6-inch full HD display, which is suitable for working with a few high-definition images or designs. Additionally, it provides some additional room for multitasking.

The battery life is also great; it would be useful if you are an on-the-go user.

The best thing about the Aspire E 15 is, it’s easily upgradable. It is possible to extend the storage and memory capacity as per your requirements. It applied to the Core i5 and Core i7 versions also.

The higher weight and thicker body might be a bit annoying to some users; differently, it is a very inexpensive and great laptop for the vinyl cutting machine in 2020.

PROS:

• Budget-friendly price
• A full HD display ensures good quality images
• Long battery life
• Easily upgradable design
• SSD drive for faster speed
• Many input/output ports for flexibility

CONS:

• A bit heavy and thick

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-i5-8250U-GeForce-E5-576G-5762/dp/B075FLBJV7/?tag=10invent-20″ target=”blank” background=”#000000″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes”]Buy on Amazon[/su_button]

5. Lenovo IdeaPad S340 For Cameo Machine

• Complemented by aluminum in its build
• Thin and light design
• Great battery life
• Features an SD card reader and a backlight to its keyboard
• One of the highest performing ULV laptops

CONS:

• Has some thermal issues when graphics load is applied (MX230 version)
• Its base is not very stable
• Inadequate color coverage, contrast ratio and viewing angles on the TN panel (Innolux N156HGA-EA3 (CMN15F5))

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-S340-Anti-Glare-i3-8145U-Bluetooth/dp/B07VC6894J/?tag=10invent-20″ target=”blank” background=”#000000″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes”]Buy on Amazon[/su_button]

6. LG Gram Laptop For New Silhouette Cameo

The 8th generation Core i5 chip LG Gram Notebook delivers enough processing power to complete different tasks. It comes with excellent portability and functionality to bring one to ease with 24 hours of battery time.

The metal alloy body is not only compact but also lightweight and durable. The laptop comes with an 8GB dual-channel DDR4 RAM. Storage is not an issue with a 256GB HDD. There’s faster connectivity using the USB Type-C port for a quicker data transfer and better display of HD videos. For gamers, this laptop is going to be a fantastic companion anytime, any day.

PROS:

• 24.5 hours of battery life
• Backlit keyboard
• Supports USB Type-C and microSD card
• Durable and portable
• Durable and portable
• Built-in speakers plus headphones

CONS:

• No Thunderbolt-3 support
• The battery is built-in and not replaceable
• No fingerprint reader

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/LG-Gram-Laptop-i5-1035G7-Thunderbolt/dp/B082XQP1G4/?tag=10invent-20″ target=”blank” background=”#000000″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes”]Buy on Amazon[/su_button]

7. Lenovo Yoga C930

Lenovo’s Yoga C930 puts its 360-degree hinges to function as a two-in-ones speaker system. The included Active Pen is discreetly housed and billed in the C930’s body, and its Webcam has a physical slider to block it when not in use.

The Bad The included Pen is a bit small for extended use, and there is no option for discrete graphics, but no actual deal-breakers if you don’t object to its price. The Bottom Line Excellent performance and stylish and functional design make the Lenovo Yoga C930 only among the most excellent two-in-one laptops available.

Back in August, Lenovo announced it would use the Yoga name that has become synonymous with convertible notebooks for premium models of all sorts, such as a Chromebook and a regular clamshell laptop. The Yoga C930 is, in reality, a two-in-one laptop, however, and the followup to the generally excellent Yoga 920. It should not be confused with the dual-screen Yoga Book C930 that’s intriguing, but considerably less awesome.

A touch design bit of past premium Yoga versions since 2014 was the watchband-style 360-degree hinge that helped reduce the thickness of the convertible notebook. That hinge was replaced with a 360-degree soundbar hinge that’s eminently more useful than a slightly thinner body (and it looks cool). There are a few other extras that improve performance and usability remains impressive for its size. It is, perhaps, the best ultraportable two-in-one at the moment. But it isn’t cheap.

PROS:

• Sturdy aluminum case, very well built
• Dolby Vision display
• Dolby Atmos soundbar
• Decent Wi-Fi performance
• Active Pen, touch display without PWM
• NVMe SSD
• Good performance

CONS:

• Cooler quickly overburdened under load
• The touchscreen keyboard isn’t great for hammering out long documents
• Poor color accuracy out of the box
• 7th Generation Core i5 CPU
• No dedicated GPU
• Lacks SD card reader

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Thinkpad-Edge-E530-3259AC5/dp/B0091T2GLC/?tag=10invent-20″ target=”blank” background=”#000000″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes”]Buy on Amazon[/su_button]

8. Dell Latitude 14

The Latitude 7480’s body is built around its 14-inch display, which orders its 0.72 by 13 by 8.7 inch (HWD) measurements. It’s not showy, instead of going for a secure, dark gray/black exterior with the only flash of color being the blue pointing stick cap–an all-business aesthetic. At 3.34 lbs, it’s perfectly appropriate for carrying from meeting to meeting or in a commute bag every day. It’s not quite as small in any dimension or as mild as the latest Lenovo X1 Carbon ($1,281.75 at Lenovo), which is 0.6 by 12.7 by 8.5 inches (HWD) and weighs 2.45 lbs.

The backlit keyboard is comfortable enough to use all day, and as stated earlier, the machine has a pointing stick in addition to a touchpad with physical mouse buttons. The pointing stick is as responsive as the one on the X1 Carbon and other Lenovo ThinkPads, and that’s a good thing for people who can’t give them up, but the scalloped keys on the Lenovo keyboards are a bit more comfortable. That said, they’re certainly less taxing on your palms than the flat keyboard on the current Apple MacBook Pro laptops. Whatever the case, the manual is solid as a rock, and will likely last until the system is composed in five to six decades.

PROS:

• Powerful processor.
• USB-C with Thunderbolt 3.
• IR and fingerprint login

CONS:

• Pricey.
• Soft speakers.

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Latitude-7000-7480-Business/dp/B07BC59CBD/?tag=10invent-20″ target=”blank” background=”#000000″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes”]Buy on Amazon[/su_button]

9. ASUS VIVOBOOK

Dell’s XPS 13 has hogged our top spot among laptops for the past few decades, but a strong contender has always lingered in its own shadow. Though not quite as nice as the XPS 13, the ZenBook 13 consistently delivers excellent performance and functional portability. Its professional look was its only weakness.

The new Asus ZenBook 13 UX333 directly addresses that tender place. It is slimmer, more compact, and sports the stunning blue-and-gold look Asus debuted on earlier, more expensive laptops like the ZenBook 3.

The new system’s internals is impressive. You’ll find a Core i5-8265U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid-state drive, all for just $699. Is this the notebook that can finally dethrone Dell’s XPS 13?

PROS:

• Attractive yet distinct design
• Excellent 1080p screen
• Strong all-round performance
• Long battery life
• Great value

CONS:

• Weird keyboard layout
• Small touchpad

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Slim-Wideview-I5-8265U-Fingerprint-UX331FA-AS51/dp/B07QXKW89P/?tag=10invent-20″ target=”blank” background=”#000000″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes”]Buy on Amazon[/su_button]

10. New Apple MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 is, hands-down, the finest MacBook Pro to date. With a few notable upgrades on this brand new addition to the line, including a bigger spectacular screen along with other refinements under the hood, Apple has refined the MacBook Pro in several ways that we couldn’t have predicted.

Considering how the 15-inch model from 2019 failed to impress us with any significant upgrades, this is undoubtedly excellent news. Even with the brand new MacBook Pro 2020 (13-inch) also getting the Magic Keyboard as well as more storage and the 10th-generation chip, this 16-inch version still rules the MacBook kingdom.

There is its keyboard to start. Unlike the preceding MacBook Pros, which were cursed with a Butterfly switch keyboard that had more than its share of issues, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro 2019 has ditched the debatable Butterfly switches for Scissor switches found in the Magic Keyboard.

In other words, it has a new and much-improved keyboard that is a dream to use. Does the new manual avoid the issues of prior versions, but also, it permits the 16-inch MacBook Pro to remain unbelievably slim. It is only 0.64 inches, just a small gain in the MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)’s 0.61-inches.

What’s more, it has increased the crucial travel — space a key depresses when hit — to 1mm. Slim laptops can often suffer from the shallow secret journey, which makes the keyboards feel unsatisfying and uncomfortable to type on. In other words, the higher the travel, the more tactile and responsive the keyboard feels. And, because of its higher essential journey, the MacBook Pro 16-inch has the best keyboard we’ve used on a MacBook.

PROS:

• Stunning 16-inch screen
• New and improved keyboard
• Excellent speakers
• Same price as the previous model

CONS:

• Expensive
• Limited to four Thunderbolt 3 ports

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-16-Inch-512GB-Storage/dp/B081FZV45H/?tag=10invent-20″ target=”blank” background=”#000000″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes”]Buy on Amazon[/su_button]

CONCLUSION:

Once again, it doesn’t matter whether you’re going to craft projects for pleasure, school, or business — the Silhouette Cameo is well capable of bringing your designs to life. For that to be possible, however, you’ll need a good ecosystem to the Silhouette Studio platform. And given that this isn’t the only program you’ll be running, it behooves you to pick the best laptop you can afford.

From the display to connectivity options and storage capacity, many factors enter your decision. Also, remember that technology evolves fast. A laptop that looks great today might be rendered obsolete in a matter of months — leave room for future updates in your budget.