Which laptop to get for art/Design students?

Hello friends! Q is basically what the title says.

My friend is going into first year of the Design program, and she's looking for a laptop. She's interested in graphic design so obviously she wants to be able to draw on whatever device she gets. She just doesn't know what's the best and most cost efficient option.

I asked another friend that's already in the program and she has a Macbook but connects a drawing monitor to it. It seems like a good option, but drawing monitors themselves cost around 1000$ which is a lot when she still has to buy a laptop.

Just for reference, she is leaning towards buying a Surface Pro.

Any opinions are welcome (even if they're non-art related). Thanks in advance!