If you are a professional designer, the Cricut Explore Air 2 can be one of the worthiest cutter machines for under 200 dollars. But you may ask, what laptop works best with Cricut explore air 2?
Straightforwardly, if you are in a rush, you can pick our editor’s choice, the HP Pavilion X360 or the ASUS ZenBook 15. If you prefer any Mac laptops, then we recommend you to switch with Apple MacBook Air.
Before determining the best one, we have undergone thorough research with many laptops from multiple brands. The best thing about these laptops is they both come with a high-quality graphics card, powerful processor, high-resolution display, and a long-lasting battery.
Below we’ll go through with a detailed discussion about these best laptop for cricut explore air 2. So, without any delay, let’s begin!
What Laptop Works Best With Cricut Explore Air 2
Contents
Cricut Explore Air 2 has specific laptop or computer requirements for accessing these cutting or designing tools. Both Mac OS and Windows are compatible with the Cricut Explore Air 2 machine. That’s why here we have picked laptops from both categories(Windows & Mac).
Before you begin, we will mention one key variation between Mac and Windows laptops. The Mac has double the battery power as the Windows ones.
Suppose the HP Pavilion X360 has a battery usage time of 9 hours. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook Air has a battery capable of providing up to 18 hours of usage time.
1. HP Pavilion X360 Laptop
Starting with the best one concerning the budget value and overall performance. The HP Pavilion X300 is one of the latest 2 in 1 laptops from HP, which is a great one for Circuit Design tools as well. The uniqueness and efficiency in handling the Cricut design have placed it on the top of our best Cricut laptops list. Why not have a glimpse at the specifications of this unprecedented laptop!
Specifications of the HP Pavilion X360
- Features a faster 1.0 GHz to 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5 1035G1 processor(10th Generation)
- The powerful battery ensures up to 9 hours of anonymous mixed usage
- It comes with an 8 GB DDR4 RAM(Random Access Memory), and up to 516 GB SSD memory
- It includes a 2 GB NVidia GeForce 940MX Graphics Processing Unit(GPU)
- Has a 14 inches full HD IPS touch display panel with HD resolution(1920 x 1080 pixels), the screen to body ratio is 80%
- Provides stable Wireless communication through WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity feature
- It opens with the Windows 10 Home Operating system for more excellent compatibility
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Pros Cons Slim, lightweight, and portable Extended battery lifespan An optimized processor with Graphics compatibility Superior quality RAM Updated accessibility, and connectivity features The construction makes the screen a little bit smallish Non-upgradable RAM
Key Features Of HP Pavilion x360 (2 in 1) Laptop
CPU(Central Processing Unit)
The HP Pavilion X360 laptop features the compatible Core i5 1035G1 processor for the best quality graphics optimization.
However, Intel Core i5 processors may look scantier, but It optimizes graphics tasks with Cricut design tools with excellent efficiency. With the Hyper-Threading quad-core engineering, it takes the art of photoshop into precision.
GPU(Graphics Processing Unit)
A quality graphics card plays an essential role in the task handling regarding the best cricut machine. The latest Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics Processing Unit takes a bow to the pressure of Cricut’s designs.
It means this power-packed graphics card from Nvidia will provide you with the boost to stay elevated with the design-specific requirements for Cricut designing.
Storage and RAM(Random Access Memory)
RAM and the internal storage drive play a vital role in Cricut designing, as they need to be capable enough to take into action the high-quality graphic’s load. The 8 GB DDR4 3200 SDRAM(1 x 8 GB) can get hold of the loads with up to 3200 MHz speed of uploading.
The quicker system operation meets excellency with the 512 GB Solid State Drive memory. The storage module has a restricted subscription-only design space, which keeps the uploading number to 20, maintaining a valuable output for Cricut designs.
Keyboard And Accessibility
If you are concerned about productivity, then be assured, it has loyal liabilities to handle the load. It has a sturdy built backlit keyboard with compatibility with Amazon’s Alexa and stylus usability.
Moreover, it has B&O speakers and a decent-quality webcam for video meetings. As long as the compactness is concerned, it weighs just 3.5 pounds, making it the best portability quotient.
Display
The display plays a huge role in defining the overall user interface level. The HP Pavilion X360 will beat the average with its 14 inches glass-made edge-to-edge touch screen display. For newer capabilities with classical compatibility, the Windows 10 Home operating system is loaded in it.
Ports And Connectivity
If you wonder what is the best laptop for Cricut Air 2, you may be missing the bulk if you’re not considering this HP Pavilion.
To suit the overall task handling of Cricut, it has USB Type-C, HDMI port, and other much-needed slots. Keeping the fastest pairing with the Cricut machine in mind, they put the WiFi 6 AX and Bluetooth 5.0 standards in it.
2. Apple Macbook Air Laptop
If you’re an Apple fanatic and wondering what laptop works best with Cricut Explore Air 2 from Apple, this is the one. Compared to other Windows laptops, Apple comes with a commitment of more reliability, stability, and better performance. Besides, the battery backup of Apple’s MacBook Air is second to none. Let’s dive deep into the superiority of Mac!
Specifications of the Apple Macbook Air
- Apple’s powerful M1 Chipset(16 billion transistors) with the next generation 8-core CPU for up to 3.5 times faster outputs
- With an edge-to-edge stunning 13.3 inches Retina display with 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution, feel the flavor of realism.
- All-day battery backup if up to 18 hours(6 hours more than averages)
- It comes with an 8 GB DDR4 RAM(Random Access Memory), and up to 256 GB SSD storage
- The combination of Apple’s integrated 7-core Graphics Processing Unit and the advanced Neural Engine performs five times faster than others
- Provides stable Wireless communication through WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity feature
- The advanced macOS Big Sur operating system makes the overall appearance snappier
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Pros Cons Built-in processor with Artificial Intelligence for greater efficiency Portability and compactness at it’s best The most extended battery life Compatible with the updated WiFi 6 standard An integrated Top of the line Graphics Processing Unit Powerful RAM for blazing-fast operations A Little bit pricey Restricts connecting to apps that are designed for Windows usage
Key Features Of Apple Macbook Air Laptop
CPU(Central Processing Unit)
In the center of this best laptop for Cricut maker, Apple has placed the most potent M1 chipset. Apple claims it is smaller, but it can take a long leap with more than 16 billion transmissions per second.
Moreover, it can clock a maximum speed of up to 3.2 GHz. With four elementary and four performance cores, the octa-core processor can go with almost any design task, no matter how heavy the resource load is!
GPU(Graphics Processing Unit)
The M1 chipset is crowned with the blazingly fast and highly capable 7-core GPU, which performs five times faster than average graphics cards. Along with the high-grade Cricut designs, this GPU is capable of performing Vinyl cuttings as well.
Storage and RAM(Random Access Memory)
Apple MacBook Air comes with an 8 GB DDR4 RAM(Random Access Memory) and up to 256 GB SSD storage, making it one of Apple’s best Cricut laptops. If you are looking for the best laptop for Cricut design space in 2021, the MacBook Air can be the leading one.
Keyboard And Accessibility
MacBook Air also has a great gathering of accessibility through the Magic Keyboard. Moreover, it comes with a force trackpad, integrated FaceTime webcam, potential mics, and Touch ID compatibility for secured usage.
An accumulation of four specially built thunderbolt ports leads the connectivity part with a unique motion. Moreover, it is packed with the modern WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 standards.
Display
The display of the MacBook Air can be a deal-breaker with all the users dependent on the Windows Operating System. With an edge-to-edge stunning 13.3 inches Retina display with 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution, you can feel the flavor of realism in the virtual world.
3. ASUS ZenBook 15 Ultra-Slim Laptop
This is one of the most expensive ones in our recommendations of the best laptop for cricut explore Air 2. Asus Zenbook 15 is a flagship quality laptop with unique features like ultra-slim built, an accessible touch screen pad, powerful specs, and a stylish look. If you assume what laptop works best with Cricut Explore Air 2, you can’t deny this one.
Specifications of the ASUS ZenBook 15
- It has an upgraded 10th generation Intel Core i7 10510U processor with up to 4.9 GHz transmission speed.
- With a 92% aspect ratio and Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 pixels resolution, it features the most advanced 15.6 inches NanoEdge bezel display.
- Faster operation is in your hand, as it has massive 16 GB RAM and 512 GB PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive.
- It includes a 4 GB NVidia Discrete GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q Graphics Processing Unit(GPU)
- The powerful battery lasts up to approximately 9 hours and 15 minutes of mixed usage.
- Features the Windows 10 Home Operating system for more excellent compatibility
Check on Amazon
Pros Cons Exceptional stellar display with a brilliant aspect ratio Superior quality processor for ultrafast processing Supports the updated WiFi 6 connectivity standard Compact and lightweight, easy to carry anywhere A commendable battery backup It comes with an expensive price tag The storage space is middling
Key Features Of ASUS ZenBook 15 Ultra-Slim Laptop
CPU(Central Processing Unit)
Asus ZenBook 15 is featured with a premium processing chipset and a combination of high-grade engines to perform at the peak level.
In the center has the turbo power compatible U-series processor from Intel Core i7, which can reach up to 4.9 GHz of clock speed. The Core i7 chipset included in this one may be a middle-performing one, but it can hit every aspect of professional Cricut designing machines.
GPU(Graphics Processing Unit)
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 11650 graphics processing card perfectly matches the quad-core processor of the ASUS ZenBook 15.
You may notice, ASUS has restricted the intensity of the graphics card by adding the power-efficient variant(Max Q ) of the GeForce. The ASUS ZenBook 15 is second to none regarding the design space for Cricut, as it has a massive 16 GB RAM.
Storage and RAM(Random Access Memory)
Mentioned the RAM above, but it also has excellent storage to cover up the intensity of Cricut designing machines. The 512 GB DDR4 storage memory easily adheres with the requirements of the Cricut Explore Air 2 laptop. Straight out of the package, it opens up with the popular Windows 10 Home operating system.
Keyboard And Accessibility
ASUS ZenBook 15 will not disappoint you in the segment of keyboard and accessibility. The unique screen pad 2.0 makes a fundamental difference in the controlling part. Moreover, it has Amazon’s Alexa compatibility, IR webcam, a durable build(MIL-STD), and a backlit keyboard.
Display
Amongst the Circuit compatible laptops, this one also leads the way with a significant 15.6 inches edge to edge Nano bezel display.
Moreover, it has a secondary display, which means a touchpad that allows easy controlling and navigation of the overall task management.
Ports And Connectivity
In terms of Circuit designing tools, we all also focus on the connectivity part. It is lightweight, which weighs just about 3.6 pounds.
ASUS has placed Type C, Type A, and necessary HDMI ports nicely in this sleek design. Besides, it has a snappy Bluetooth 5.0 standard and WiFi 6 adjustment, the Bluetooth segment stocks in some parts.
System Requirements of Cricut Explore Air 2 Design Machine
Before you pick any laptops for any Cricut designing tools, you need to look at the system requirements to function. Below we’ll briefly discuss the minimum requirements and the facts that experts recommend.
| Factors | Minimum System Requirements | Recommended System Requirements |
| Operating System | Windows 8 or any upgraded versions | Windows 10 Home |
| RAM | at least 4 GB | 8 GB or more than that |
| CPU | Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3, or anything similar | Intel Core i5 and above, or anything similar |
| Storage | 256 GB Solid State drive, or 1 TB Hard Disk Drive | 512 GB Solid State Drive |
| Battery | Up to 5 hours | Up to 9 hours |
| Connectivity | USB Ports or Bluetooth connection | USB Ports or Bluetooth connection, Wireless connectivity will be great |
However, you should note that Cricut Explore Air 2 design space is not compatible with Chromebook, Unix, or Linux computers/laptops.
Final Verdict
We have tried our best to deliver the answer to your question- ” What laptop works best with Cricut Explore Air 2?” For the overall budget value, we recommend you to go for the HP Pavilion x360 2 in 1 laptop.
However, if you want premium performance regardless of the budget, the Asus ZenBook 15 can be the best for you. On the other hand, if you’re a Mac fan, don’t miss out on the MacBook Air.