Wich is a  better buy

i just started going back to school for graphic design and I've been reading these forums and was wondering which is better, one of the desk top macs or laptops or the mini? I've already bought a mini but if i will need to upgrade then i would like to know before i get to that point where it's the last minute and have to drop a bunch of money right then instead of saving to get one before that time comes. Also which is really better for the kind of work i'll be doing mac, p.c. or a sony viao? doesn't really matter because i love the macs i was just curious.

Graphic design is a wide range of subjects and areas of work, some of which a Mac mini will do more than adequately, and some of which it would not. But in saying that, aside from high end photographic work, or top end animation, the mini will actually be able to run almost any task - how well depends on your expectations.
I use an original 1.25GHz mini for a number of graphic design functions. It is used for photo editing and the application of effects, the design and layout of pages for magazine production, and even for video editing, and it does all these things more than adequately - not least because I know what performance limits the mini has, and if I need to work with RAW files or multiple video tracks, I'll use a G5 instead.
You really need to tell us what aspects of graphic design you are involved in, what sort of tasks you'll be doing, and what software the school uses or recommends you use.
As to which is better - the graphic design 'industry' tends to lean heavily towards Macs because the Mac platform has been consistently the easiest one to productively work with. That's not to say Windows PCs are worse, or that Macs are better than, say a Sony Vaio (I've got a couple of those too) but that for creative work, many pros find that the way the hardware, operating system and software integrate more tightly and seamlessly together allows them to concentrate far more on the creative workflow than on the system. In my own case, when I switch back and forth between Macs and PCs doing the same work, I find my attention being distracted on the PC by a number of tiny, but intrusive, factors which the Mac doesn't suffer. As a result, I find that a moderately powerful Mac provides a better work environment and better workflow than a theoretically more powerful PC.

Similar Messages

  • Which is a better buy?

    Hi folks,
    I've been using an Imac 700MHz G3 for a few years now, and it's time again to upgrade my computer. I'm looking at two possible used systems: an emac G4 1.42GHz (1Gig, 160gb, Pioneer DVD/RW-CD) and an Imac G5 1.8ghz (256mb, 80gb, superdrive).
    The imac doesn't come with a keyboard, mouse, or system software. The emac comes with 10.5 installed but with no disks.
    I think I can purchase the emac for $500 including shipping. I can buy the imac for $600 including shipping.
    I'm planning on using photoshop and scanned-in images but not in a major way.
    Which computer would be the better buy?
    Thanks!
    Al

    <$0.02>
    I recently had to upgrade from my 1.42GHz emac to a G5 imac because some lightning fried my ethernet. It was a reluctant change as I really like a crt for working with images.
    The 160GB 1.42 emac would have a superdrive plus a radeon 9600 with 64Mb of ram. The imac you are looking at is an early model with the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphic card, which is not as good as the radeon 9600. Plus you'll definitely have to put in a gig of ram minimum.
    If it was down to those two I'd go for the emac. $600 (USD?) is a rip off for that particular specced g5. When buying second hand it's always better to get the best in the class, especially as there is not a lot of price difference (if any) between the best and the worst because many buyers do not take into account things like video cards they just see 1.8 and 1.9 and think there's no real difference.
    However having said that, seeing as you are going to have to bite the bullet and go with LCD eventually I think your best option is to buy the latest G5 imac, which is what I did.
    You should be able to get a 1.9GHz G5 with an X600 card (basically the same as a 9600) and 128Mb of Vram + a gig of ram for about $700 with keyboard mouse and disks, plus you'll get the built in isight as well. The ram on the 1.9 will be faster too.
    </$0.02>

  • I have a creative zen small wonder wich remote should i buy??? Pleese Te

    I have a creative zen small wonder wich remote should i buy, I think i should buy the zen wired remote but would it work?Pleese answer

    Yes, the Creative Wired Remote works with my Zen, at least in my test. This is the one I used http://uk.europe.creative.com/produc...=747&product=2

  • Which laptop is a better buy?

    Which is a better buy?
    Asus - Laptop / Intel® Core™ i5 Processor / 15.6" Display / 6GB Memory
                                                                   OR
    Dell - Inspiron Laptop / Intel® Core™ i5 Processor / 17.3" Display / 6GB Memory / 640GB Hard Drive
    Or if you have any other suggestions!!!

    You won't find a laptop that is good at gaming. You will find some laptops that will play some games pretty well (web based games), and some that will play some games okay with everything turned down, and a tiny handful of (very expensive) laptops that will play some of the most demanding games with some features cranked up a bit.  You will not find a laptop that will play demanding games like a desktop, 
    Since you are looking in the $1000 and below range, you'll not find a single laptop that will play demanding games with any power.  They will do fine on non-demanding games.  Those with dedicated graphics (as opposed to integrated graphics) will do a better job at playing games, but they are much more expensive...
    AMD has some new CPU/GPU hybrid chips which look very promising, but it is very early in the technology...
    If you find my post useful or informative, please click the icon below with the plus sign and star to give kudos. Thank you!

  • Wich mac is better for running Motion ?  iMac 27" retina or Mac Pro 8 core ?

    wich mac is better for running Motion ?  iMac 27" retina or Mac Pro 8 core ?

    I'm not sure if you've returned the monitor but I had the same problem with my new Mac Pro.
    Basically the Dell monitor doesn't identify itself properly via Mini Display Port/Thunderbolt and newer Macs think it's a TV so the wrong kind of signal is sent to the monitor.
    It's easily fixed - don't be put off by the instructions below, I've just done it and it takes less than a minute.
    Here's what you do:
    Download the Ruby script (click 'patch-edid.rb' in yellow):
    http://embdev.net/topic/284710#3027030
    Move the downloaded 'patch-edid.rb' file to your desktop
    Open the Terminal app from: /Applications/Utilities/Terminal
    In Terminal, type the following and hitting enter  (or copy and paste it into Terminal and hit enter):
    ruby ~/Desktop/patch-edid.rb
    Go to your desktop
    Check that a new folder was created - something like: "DisplayVendorID-10ac"
    Open the Display Overrides folder at:
    /Macintosh HD/System/Library/Displays/Overrides/
    Copy the new folder into the /Overrides directory
    Authenticate with your user password (if asked)
    Restart your mac
    For the first few seconds after restart it might look like nothing has changed but by the time you see the login screen (or your Desktop) everything will look as it should.
    That's it - you won't have to do this again unless you erase and reinstall your mac.
    Hope that helps someone.
    Cheers
    Ben

  • Just wondering ... wich mac is better??

    Which mac is better?? The Mac Book Pro or Mac Book Air. I already have the Pro, but I want to buy a new one. Which one should I buy?

    tjk wrote:
    Hi ana,
    Well gee, if money is no object, the 15" MBP with i7 quad core, 512GB SSD and RAM maxed out would be a real beast (just sit down before you look at the price).
    I got the top of the line 17", it was $4000, but it's the absolute best machine in the world.

  • Wich DirectX is better?

    I have a ATI Radeon 9600XT on my MSI K7n2 Delta board and want to know if DX9.0A is better or is DX9.0B better?
    Thank you

    Hi,
    No real idea as to the answer to your question - but I'd go for the latest release every time. It's a good idea to wait a little while after a new release though, to make sure there are no "Issues" reported. You usually know when the latest release is OK - when it becomes the only one available. (though, this is not always the case.)
    It also depends of course, on whether the software you buy requires it. Which in a lot of cases it does!
    I can tell you however, that I'm using 9.0b with no problems - my card is only fully compatible (for want of a better word) with DirectX 8.1.
    Axel  

  • Wich card is better

    Hi My question is the next one. I want to buy a graphic card and I dont know wich card to buy between the fx 5600 or  the 5700 (256,MSI, non of them are ultra version). I have been told that both cards are preaty much the same, but obviously the 5600 is cheaper, so im thinking on buying this one; But at the end I really dont know.
    Thanks.

    As you can see, i got the MSI FX 5700LE-TD256 and one of my friend have the MSI FX5600-TD256.
    I run Half Life 2 at 1024x768 32bits and i got 42fps
    My friend with the same configuration: 40fps
    so judge by yourself.  
    We got the same board, cpu, ram and Seagates HD.
    Hope this will help!

  • Should I get a screen protector for my iPad or better buy a sleeve?

    I already have a belkin case for my iPad ( which is way better compared to the apple case I returned mine and got the belkin instead)
    Now I'm planning on buying a screen protector for my iPad Or a sleeve for traveling... Is it worth the buy to get an iPad screen protector? Or should I wait and look for more option when choosing a screen protector ?

    Mikeappletan wrote:
    I already have a belkin case for my iPad ( which is way better compared to the apple case I returned mine and got the belkin instead)
    Now I'm planning on buying a screen protector for my iPad Or a sleeve for traveling... Is it worth the buy to get an iPad screen protector? Or should I wait and look for more option when choosing a screen protector ?
    Don't waste the money on a screen protector. Greasy fingers are easy to clean with a dry lint-free cloth since the screen is oleophobic or resistant to oil. You might actually have a worse experience with the screen protector. The glass is almost resistant to scratching. If my iPhone experience is anything, I've throw it into my pocket with keys, and I have no scratches on the screen.
    Get the sleeve. I like the Apple version, because I can prop it up on my desk, and it does protect the screen when you're not using it.

  • Wich imac i should buy ?

    Hi all,
    Actually i have a MBP 15" which is quite old .... imovie '09 is telling me when importing 720P60Fps movies that editing the video will be degrade due to my configuration ... i guess my MBP is out of age for those things ....
    in fact i use a Kodak Playsport cam to record my movies in 720P 60Fps and i will buy a better camera in few month. i would like to create Blu-ray project, so i would like to buy an imac with more power ...
    my first idea was buying the 21.5" with the 3.2 Ghz I3 processor then i took a look on the same imac with the i5 option i saw some test about this one and looks great ....
    maybe a refurbish imac in 27" with i5 or i7 in it could be great but i don't know how refurbish hardware are.. i mean in which state they are ?
    regarding software i will use imovie (for my old projects) and final cut express for my HD projects.
    i anyone can help me to choose my imac i will appreciate.
    if you can give me your feedback about your imac if you are using it for video edition.
    Thx by advance

    Just a note regarding your mention of wanting to create a blu-ray project: Macs do not supports blu-ray (because Apple does not have the license from Sony to do so). If you want to buy Roxio Toast 10, and either the HD plug-in or the Pro version, they claim to be able to burn blu-ray quality movies.
    My camera is the Canon SX1 IS and shoots in full HD (1080); since I don't have a blu-ray player, I generally use the best quality in iMovie 06 (or 09, but prefer the 06), iDVD and/or Final Cut Express. I then burn with Toast (without the plug-in) and, at least to my eyes/distance from my 42" HDTV, the quality couldn't be better. My new iMac is in my profile and it performs well.

  • For X1 carbon 20A7 wich Windows is better for all functions to work?

    Hello guys,
    I've buyed a second hand Lenovo Carbon x1 20A7 without OS on it, I've tried Win 8.1 and win 8 but I never managed to make the camera gestures , voice recognision, light sensor and other functions to work...
    Wich windows to install for them to work?
    If the Windows with the functions preinstalled was erased I cannot make these functions to work?
    Little help please....
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    Win 8.1 Enterprise...and Win 8.1 Pro  also . ......All functions works like a charm.....with 20A7...best regards.....from Germany ....
    use the Lenovo auto update driver tool...
    http://support.lenovo.com/de/de/downloads/migr-736​95
    and for software check this link  out..
    http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Series-ThinkPad-Lapt​ops/X1-Carbon-2014-Gesture-control-software/td-p/1​...

  • Which is a better buy for college a non-retina display 15 inch macbook pro with a 2.6ghz processor or a 2.9 ghz 13 inch non retina max specs macbook pro both with 8 gb of ram will be using to write papers basically for general use im a Science major

    im a college student im studying to be a vet tech and i want this computer too last which a more sound investment the non retina macook pro 15 inch with these specs:2.6 ghz 1 tb ata hd with 8 gb of ram or a maxspec 13 inch mac book pro: 2.9 ghz 1Tb and 8gb of ram any help is appreciated thank you

    Hi,
    I am a researcher so I store a lot of papers, data, and use numerical software. I have had a 17inch high spec macbook pro for over a year now. I find that apart from the large screen, it was unnecessary to get the high specs. This is why. Firstly, the hard drive is easy to replace and upgrade, apple charge a lot for their own ones. Secondly, the ram in my one was upgradable (which i didnt know when i bought it) and i since upgraded to 16gigs from 8 and its amazing. Thirdly, the newer macbook pros run hotter than the previous ones.
    The retina is overrated and the programs for retina need more memory and processing power, so what you find is that your hard drive will get taken over sooner, your mac will run hotter, and battery life lower.
    I would say to you, dont worry about the processor speed, the normal speed offered is perfect, more than that is not necessary unless you are running highly demanding apps, the mac will run hotter too. Dont bother getting a large hard drive in the macbook. Get a flash SSD drive, and buy a good portable 2tb HD, like a WD one, and use that to store as much of your work as possible. I believe apple started soldering their ram cards to the motherboard or something so that people cant upgrade. Check in advance and see if the macbook you want can be ram upgradable, then get a lower ram model and buy good 8gb ram cards to make 16gig. Very very easy to install them, took me about two minutes to do mine, it will be much cheaper.
    If I think of anything else i will post back. Dont forget to install GFX card status too and use integrated only when on battery, i get up to ten hours of battery life without wifi, around 8 with wifi.
    edit. I forgot to mention that if you buy your mac and try to open it you will void the warranty.

  • Which is better buy a Thunderbold External vs Time capsual Price w/ an IMac i7

    I want a 2TB external but not sure what to go with :S

    An external drive is always a better backup solution for a single mac.  If you have several macs, a time capsule system will work but wifi based backups are slow.  Restores also slow.  I have 3 family members with macs at home and one in college with a mac.  They each have their own backup drives.  Good luck.

  • Wich one is better for home use. Nothing powerfull.

    Hello People.
    I would like to know. Wich one is the best "all day" use Macbook. I don't use nothing special. Just Browse the web and listen to music or airplay, those things.
    Macbook Pro, or Macbook air?

    Depends on your definition of "best". If the display size makes the computer best for you, then best would be the computer with the largest display. If best to you means internal DVD player, then the Macbook Pro is "best" for you. If "best" to you means light weight then the Macbook Air is "best" for you. Decide what "best" means for you then make the decision.

  • Wich one is better between theses 2 soundcards

    Hi all, I have 2 old soundcards at home that I want to use in my second pc. I would like to know wich one of these 2 is the best. Soundblaster li've! Value and Soundblaster Li've! 5.So what's the best?Thanks in advance.

    The non value one... Soundblaster Li've!

Maybe you are looking for