What's the best MacBook for basic graphic editing?

Hi there,
I've been saving up to finally get a MacBook after having a pro during university (stupidly it got soaked in my bag during a thunderstorm and didn't have any insurance on it). However, I'm trying to save as much money as I can so can't afford the high end laptops.
All I need for the MacBook to do is run the following programs without it becoming slow in the long run:
Adobe Photoshop CC
Adobe Dreamweaver CC
Adobe InDesign CC
Microsoft Office Home & Business
The basic system requirements for the Adobe CC programs are:
Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
Mac OS X v10.7, v10.8, or v10.9
2GB of RAM
3.2GB of available hard-disk space
1280x1024 display with 16-bit video card
QuickTime 7.6.6 software required for HTML5 media playback
All I need it for is templating and editing newsletters as well as creative posters/flyers/brochures.
I'm deciding whether I should just get the basic 13-inch MacBook Air, 13-inch Macbook Pro (with Retina display) or 2.5GHz Mac mini? Bear in mind that I'll have to purchase the Micrsoft Office program (approx. £157 on Amazon) & get a screen/keyboard/mouse with the Mac Mini).
I have around £1,000 to spend and really unsure as to what to buy.
Please note, I am not interested in buying a Windows equivelant (as I cannot stand Windows 8/8.1).
Thanks!

Any of those Macs will meet the basic specs for Office and Adobe. The real question is how you configure what you buy, based on how you are going to use the programs. The system requirements listed are definitely basic. They are about as basic as saying that you could buy a 2-seater Smart Car as your transportation: You could, but you'd be very limited in what you could do.
If you are going to run any one program at a time, the base model of any of those Macs (4GB RAM) will be fine. But working on newsletters and flyers, for efficiency's sake you will probably have more than one program open at a time: Word for preparing text, Photoshop for preparing photos, and Dreamweaver or InDesign where you lay it all out, going back and forth between them. That increases your RAM needs. 8GB would be a good place to be, but if you can afford to buy with the maximum amount of RAM that would help future-proof the Mac (since future versions of software always need more RAM, not less).
Having more RAM is more critical if you plan to use Photoshop for fancy stuff like cameras with lots of megapixels, raw editing, panoramas, HDR, or 3D. If you are just doing basic photo editing, 8GB RAM is fine. The other software you listed doesn't need as much RAM so more than one of them will run fine together under 8GB RAM.
If you get a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, they start with only 128GB storage and it cannot be upgraded. That might not be enough space in the long run if you use a lot of graphics files and photos, so think about specifying at least 256GB storage in whatever you buy if your newsletter projects are large and you don't want to store them on external drives. The Mac mini starts out with a nice big hard drive.
What it will probably come down to is, spec out all three models you are considering with at least 8GB RAM and as much storage as you will need during the life of the computer, then pick the one that fits your budget. If you need portability, cross off the Mac mini.

Similar Messages

  • What is the best Computer for HD video editing where can I get it under $3000-5000? Thank you!

    What is the best Computer for HD video editing where can I get it under $3000- $5000.00?

    The wording of your question suggests you may be new to video editing, in which case the types of projects you will be doing may not be the most complex.
    Please accept my apology if that assumption is incorrect.
    The cheapest computer available will edit 1080p video perfectly well but if you must have the "best" you will be looking at nothing less than a MacPro.
    Too many people get hung up about the equipment they use  and blame it for any inadequacies  .  .  .  when the most important component is the operator.

  • What is the best Macbook for me? (Music producer)

    Hello.
    I'm looking for the perfect Macbook for which I can use for recording vocals and producing instrumental beats. It is highly important that the music software, which I use, will run smoothly and quickly.
    Thanks a lot and I hope you can help!

    This is not the place, it is the Pages forum.
    Go to an Apple Store and try what is available, it is not a big range. Any model would do the job, all you need is good external storage.
    Peter

  • What is the best software for home movie editing

    Have some old home movies that were digitalized from 8mm film to VOB format.  Want to edit and clean them up and reformat into modern mp4/H.264 format. What is the best software/app to use on iMAC running 10.9.2?  Thank you for any suggestion.

    I would expect that iMovie would be quite adequate for this. If you find it lacking, or if you're just curious, take a look at Final Cut Pro X. There is a thirty day, fully functional trial download so you can find out first and whether it's worth $300 for your purposes.
    Russ

  • What is the best App for filing, viewing, editing excel?

    I need help choosing the best app to work with excel for the ipad. I have mariner calc and am unhappy with it. It drops out quite a bit of formatting and you cannot file in folders. What is the best option?
    Thanks!

    To Edit excel files the best app right now is currently Numbers, Numbers is severely limited in file organization and sharing right now. If all you need to do is look at excel files you have a couple options.
    Option 1 (Requires Connectivity):
    Place the file on the web and view it in safari
    Option 2 (Offline use):
    Use Goodreader to download and save your files, you can create folder Heiarchies and copy files from your computer using a sync cable from itunes, via email, or even through wifi.
    If you can find something that combines the two options please let me know as I have been looking for solutions to this problem too. I wish apple had a shared folder space where apps could save files to be used in multiple programs much like they do with the photo albums

  • What is the best MacBook for a UNI student studying design (also making videos, websites, etc)?

    I'm starting university next year and am wanting to study design. I also make videos and websites and what not on the side. I've never had a Mac before, I have an iPhone but have never owned or used a MacBook but I hear they're the best for graphics, etc. Which MacBook out of the all would be the best for designing and video making, etc?
    Thanks!

    I have a late 2011 MBP with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD - it may not be as fast as the most expensive Retina model, but it's pretty close. I use the Adobe CS6 Design & Web Premium suite but I'm not much into video editing. However, were I you...
    I'd get the top-of-the-line non-Retina MacBook Pro and opt to spend the extra $100US on the HD antiglare screen. You can upgrade the RAM to 16GB yourself and, if you decide that the drive that comes with it is just too slow, you can always upgrade to a SSD. I'd also look at a good external monitor for your 'home' studio - I have the Apple Thunderbolt Display (which I've not even taken out of the box yet) but I'd ask for recommendations for a less expensive monitor if you don't need all the extra ports on the ATD.
    That's my recommendation - video editing can take a toll on the CPU and, particularly, the hard drive. That's why I recommend the fastest processor you can get and the possible move to a SSD.
    Good luck,
    Clinton

  • What is the best system for HD Video Editing?

    We are planning to upgrade our system for HD video editing and I am looking for a system that will perform better with Adobe Premiere CS6 and CC. These are the options that we have:
    PROCESSOR : 4.3 GHz Intel Core i7-4960  OR Dual 2.6 GHz Intel Xeon E5-2630 (both with 6-cores and 15 MB cache) - Which is more powerful?
    GPU  : Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 w/ 6GB GDRR5 OR Dual 3GB NVIDIA Quadro K4000 - Which is more stable? more faster for rendering?
    Both will have 64GB of RAM and 512GB SSD 6Gb/s MAIN + 3TB 7200RPM Storage. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

    First read Tweakers Page and all the articles there.
    Then you will understand why it is better to opt for an i7-4930K and a single GTX 760 with that disk setup. Otherwise you will end up with a convoluted, unbalanced system, spending money unwisely.

  • What is the best laptop for a graphic design student?

    Hi, I`m going to study graphic design. I want to buy a new computer for this purpose.
    Which qualities should I look for? Which computers work good with Adobe Creative Suite® 6?
    Thank you for advice.

    You didn't defined a budget. So for best for the buck I would definitly go for a Lenovo IdeaPad 510p.
    Very good overall performance : Great processor, very power graphic card (really nice for Video Editing), SSD + HDD combo wich make it really fast to boot and use softwares.
    It has also a very nice Full HD screen with REALLY nice colors. IdeaPad Y series have really good screens compared to every other companies (even Samsung).
    Last touch : Backlid keyboard, aluminium cover and "slim" (for the components).
    Usually start at 1200$ but they have alot of specials. Right now its 849$
    Up to 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor
    Windows 8
    NVIDIA® GeForce® GT750M 2GB graphics
    Up to 16GB DDR3 memory
    Up to 1TB HDD + 24GB SSD
    Up to 5 hours' battery life
    15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) widescreen display
    Starting at 5.95 lbs / .61" thin

  • What is the best process for creating, opening, editing, etc PDFs from within Visual Studio 2008?

    I am the project manager on a web-based application that will need to:
    Create, open, edit, save, etc PDFs from within a Visual Studio 2008 web application (Visual Basic).
    Populate PDFs from SQL server 2010 database.
    Allow users to use PDF editing tools from within the website.
    BTW, the application is being written in Visual Basic.
    Will the SDK allow us to do this? What licenses do we need to purchase?
    Are there 3rd party plugins that make doing these things much faster and simpler?
    Any input is GREATLY appreciated!!!
    Sincerely,
    Mike

    I don't think Acrobat, or the Acrobat SDK can help you. Acrobat cannot be run on a server.

  • What's the best connection for Video/Film Editing and VFX...

    External Hard Drive connected via FireWire 800 or Ethernet (Network) External Hard Drive connected directly to my iMac's Ethernet port?
    Any Pros? Cons? How would that work? I am in a situation where I can exchange a USB 3.0 external hard drive (I totally didn't know 2011 iMacs didn't have USB 3.0 ports) with an Ethernet equipped (network) external hard drive.

    I would go firewire even if the ethernet is rated 1Gbit/sec
    not even sure how they will on adhoc networks which connecting it directly to the ethernet port would mean

  • What's the best SSD for a Macbook Pro 13" Mid 2010?

    Hello.
    I will upgrade my 2010 Macbook Pro. I need to know what's the best SSD for my Macbook Pro. I was thinking about those:
    - Kingston SSDNow V+200 (SVP200S37A/120G) - 120 GB
    - CRUCIAL SSD M4 128 GB
    - CORSAIR SSD  Force Series GS 128 GB
    - SAMSUNG SSD 840 Series Basic 2.5" - 120 GB (MZ-7TD120BW)
    - CRUCIAL SSD interno Crucial v4 - 128 GB
    Those are the easiest to find on Portugal.

    It is my understanding that SATA III is backwards compatible to SATA II so that should not be an issue for your selection process.
    As an aside, you might be interested to know that your MBP can now have 16 GB RAM installed.
    http://blog.macsales.com/16353-owc-announces-maxram-memory-upgrades-to-16gb-for- 2010-mac-mini-macbook-and-macbook-pro
    Ciao.

  • What's the best solution for audio out of sound files from a MacBook Air to both an amplifier and to a subwoofer amplifier? I'm using the MBA to play sound files for worship services at our church.

    I have a MacBook Air (13", 1.7GHz, 8GB RAM, 500GB SSD) that I'll be using to play sound files (primarily organ and piano) for worship services at my church. We'll be using a QSC RMX2450 650 Watts/Channel amplifier with Community CPL-27 speakers and also a JBL SUB 250P powered subwoofer with its own amplifier. What's the best option for getting sound out from the Mac to both of these amplifiers? 

    if you work with own recorded sounds you might wanna have a music program where you want to work with samples, steinberg has got very good ones (so they say)... but their really really ( ²) expensive(that's why almost no one haves them), magix haves good ones too bu their more for 'unprofessional' use, ableton haves really good ones too and they're not to difficult to use (if you know a bit of those programs you learn very quickly) and if you don't get them, there is a sort of manual built in it which explains and lets you do things to start (basics)
    i hope this helped, btw stereo speakers are always better if you buy good ones (no pc speakers), but if you don't think you need them, don't buy them...
    so again, i hope you have some ideas now

  • What is the best stylus for macbook pro?

    What is the best stylus for macbook pro?

    I dont understand? Why would a mac use a stylus when they aren't touchscreen?

  • What is the best antivirus for MacBook Pro?

    What is the best antivirus for MacBook Pro?

    1. This comment applies to malicious software ("malware") that's installed unwittingly by the victim of a network attack. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the victim's computer. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. If you have reason to suspect that you're the target of such an attack, you need expert help.
    If you find this comment too long or too technical, read only sections 5, 6, and 10.
    OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
    2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user, but internally Apple calls it "XProtect." The malware recognition database is automatically checked for updates once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
    The following caveats apply to XProtect:
    It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
    It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
    3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
    Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
    It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
    A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
    An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
    For the reasons given above, App Store products, and other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. OS X security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
    4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is presumably effective against known attacks, but maybe not against unknown attacks. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
    5. XProtect, Gatekeeper, and MRT reduce the risk of malware attack, but they're not absolute protection. The first and best line of defense is always your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the malware attacker. If you're smarter than he thinks you are, you'll win.
    That means, in practice, that you never use software that comes from an untrustworthy source, or that does something inherently untrustworthy. How do you know what is trustworthy?
    Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, is untrustworthy.
    A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
    Pirated copies or "cracks" of commercial software, no matter where they come from, are unsafe.
    Software of any kind downloaded from a BitTorrent or from a Usenet binary newsgroup is unsafe.
    Software that purports to help you do something that's illegal or that infringes copyright, such as saving streamed audio or video for reuse without permission, is unsafe. All YouTube "downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily harmful.
    Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. If it comes from any other source, it's unsafe.
    Even signed applications, no matter what the source, should not be trusted if they do something unexpected, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
    6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
    Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
    Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it — not JavaScript — in your browsers.
    Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.
    Follow the above guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself from malware.
    7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good, if they do any good at all. Any database of known threats is always going to be out of date. Most of the danger is from unknown threats. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free anti-virus products in the Mac App Store — nothing else.
    Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
    Their design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere.
    In order to meet that nonexistent threat, the software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
    By modifying the operating system, the software itself may create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
    8. An anti-malware product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," doesn't have these drawbacks. That doesn't mean it's entirely safe. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
    An anti-virus app is not needed, and should not be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful only for detecting Windows malware. Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else.
    A Windows malware attachment in email is usually easy to recognize. The file name will often be targeted at people who aren't very bright; for example:
    ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!!!!H0TBABEZ4U!!!!!!!.AVI♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.exe
    Anti-virus software may be able to tell you which particular virus or trojan it is, but do you care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use the software unless a network administrator requires you to do it.
    The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
    9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.
    10. As a Mac user you don't have to live in fear that your computer is going to be infected every time you install an application, read email, or visit a web page. But neither should you have the false idea that you will always be safe, no matter what you do. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

  • What is the best skin for new Macbook Air 13"?

    What is the best skin for new Macbook Air 13"?
    I have a new Air and want to protect it from scratches and such.
    Thanks in advance

    Sorry, I don't like "skins". They inhibit the heat transfer necessary to keep your MBA cool. Get a soft or hard case to store it when not in use. I like Speck products.
    Just take care of it. Battle scars make it uniquely yours.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Trying to use tomahawk and rich faces jar?

    I tried a very simple example to know how to use menu group. These are the following steps: 1. I opened a web application using Netbeans using JSF as framework. 2. When I run my application, it worked and welcomeJSF page was displayed. 3. Then I want

  • Retrieve 3 rows of data and put each row in different position on screen

    I need to retrieve 3 consecutive rows of data (easy) and need to put each row's data in an entirely different location on the home page for example, row 1 needs to go up in the top left content box row 2 needs to go in the large content area in the m

  • HT4481 Haw can i download a new softwaer ios 7.0

    Haw can i download a new softwaer ios 7.0

  • Problem with block recovery!!!

    I backedup a database but,unable to backup this coz i got an error in which i found that my datafile 1 block's is currupt,then i look into session trace file in which i found that which block number has been currupt,then i recover block,but i get an

  • Premiere elements 8 problem

    my class got premiere elements 8 on our computers and we cant use it when ever we add video to the time line or anything in the preveiw they dont show corectly but our computer should run it corectly and we dont have nivida cards and idea on what the