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What is the best laptop/pc to get for a new designer?

6 years ago from Ryan Munro, Apprentice Designer

  • Cristian MoiseiCristian Moisei, 6 years ago

    If you are on a budget, MacBooks are not a good idea. The starting models (which are already not very cheap), are pretty weak and apps like PS/AI or Sketch are very poorly optimised and need a lot of resources to run well. Unless you really need the portability, I recommend the iMac. For $1300 you get:

    iMac: 3.0Ghz Quad Core i5, 8GB 2400 RAM, 1TB HDD, Radeon Pro 555 with 2GB and a large 21.5" 4k Display

    MacBook Pro: 2.3Ghz Dual Core i5, 8GB 2100 RAM, 128GB SSD, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640, no touch bar, 13" Display

    With the iMac, I would however recommend getting the Fusion Drive (128SSD + 1TBHDD that looks and acts like one drive and the OS keeps the most important stuff on the SSD), the speed differences are huge and it is only $100 more.

    The Air is too weak for design work and not that cheap at $1k, considering it doesn't have a retina screen and hasn't been updated in ages.

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    Windows has improved in recent years (I would argue still not close to Apple and still not great for designers), and while you could build a decent PC, I'd say it would cost more to get the same things you get with the iMac: 4k display, good specs, good mouse and keyboard included, all the built in stuff like webcam, mic, bluetooth, speakers, cables.

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    Edit: Don't be tempted by the cheaper $1100 iMac, for $200 you get a much slower dual core processor, slower ram, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640, and no retina display.

    Edit 2: If you are a student, or know someone who is and is willing to go with you to the Apple Store or login with their uni credentials online, Apple has great discounts of 10-15%.

    4 points
    • Interested Curious, 6 years ago

      While im with you

      I don't think a person needs a 4k display, a specific type of mouse or keyboard, or webcam or blue tooth speakers to do graphic design. Those are all certainly bonuses but are details and things that should be purchased after there is some income coming in.

      Pc is flat our more efficient if the OP wants to do 3d work for example.

      Luckily im fortunate to have both a personal built PC and the 2017 15 inch Mac Book Pro, but PC's are far and away more powerful for less when built properly.

      1 point
      • Cristian MoiseiCristian Moisei, 6 years ago

        While you don't need a 4k display for graphic design, you can't really do it on the shittiest $100 monitor right? And while I agree you don't need fancy speakers or the magic mouse, you do need speakers and a mouse right? And all of these add up to the cost of a PC.

        I'm saying the iMac is a good deal considering all the stuff you get with it and is perfect for design work.

        You are right, if you wanted 3D work, or gaming, then a mac would not be such a good choice anymore, but OP asked for a computer that can run PS and AI and the iMac is the best choice.

        1 point