Most Creative Cloud apps need a 64-bit OS (Windows 10/11 64-bit or macOS 11+), 8 GB RAM minimum (16 GB recommended), a modern multi-core CPU, and a GPU with at least 2–4 GB of VRAM for video and 3D work. Requirements vary a lot by app — Photoshop is far lighter than Premiere Pro or After Effects. Here's what you need per app in 2026.
Baseline requirements (most apps)
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10/11 64-bit, macOS 11+ | Latest version |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB+ |
| CPU | Multi-core 64-bit | 6+ cores |
| GPU | 2 GB VRAM | 4–8 GB VRAM |
| Storage | ~20 GB free (apps) + fast SSD | NVMe SSD + scratch space |
| Display | 1920×1080 | 2560×1440+ |
Per-app reality check
- Photoshop: the lightest — runs fine on 8 GB RAM and integrated graphics for basic editing; 16 GB recommended for large files.
- Illustrator: similar to Photoshop; CPU matters more than GPU for vector work.
- Premiere Pro: demanding — 16 GB RAM minimum for smooth editing, 32 GB for 4K, and a strong GPU (4–8 GB VRAM) for effects and export.
- After Effects: the hungriest — 32 GB RAM recommended, fast multi-core CPU, and plenty of SSD scratch space.
- Lightroom: moderate — 16 GB RAM and a fast SSD for large catalogs.
Windows vs Mac
Creative Cloud runs natively on both. On Mac, Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) runs the apps extremely well — often better per-watt than equivalent Windows laptops. On Windows, prioritize a strong CPU and a discrete NVIDIA/AMD GPU for video work.
The bottom line
Any modern mid-range computer with 16 GB RAM and an SSD runs Photoshop, Illustrator and Lightroom comfortably. Video editing in Premiere Pro and motion work in After Effects want 16–32 GB RAM and a decent GPU. DigitalTools sells Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions with instant activation — make sure your hardware matches the apps you plan to use most.
