Computer help...

[dazie]

I'm looking to get a new computer to do graphic stuff.  I'm tired of not using my chops, and if I ever want to make a career out of this, I need to have the proper tools.

What's the best mid-range setup that I could get to do graphics?  I have a scanner and printer etc.... all I need is a box and a monitor.  Something that can run Adobe Creative Suite, plus PageMaker and Quark.

I know that laptops aren't the best for graphics, simply because of the size of most screens, but I've seen some new ones lately that might work.

Any suggestions?  I'm good with PC or Mac, but realistically, PC would be better because of compatibility issues.

[SockmonkeyHolocaust]

I would actually suggest a laptop, if you can swing it, to plug a largish CRT monitor into. Most have a dual monitor system built in anymore. The plasma screens (or whatever they are) are supposed to be really bad for showing you the real colors of a project. Also, whether or not you use a laptop should be decided on what kind of graphics you are designing- web and print media like newsletters and brochures? Yeah, a laptop can swing it. Billboards? Not so much, but I have successfully converted 50 meg photoshop files (400 DPI 2' x 3') from RGB to CMYK on my old Sony Vaio. It's all a matter of how fast you want to be able to do it.

Basic specs you should shoot for:

Laptop:
(this is what my laptop has)
At least 512 of RAM
64 megs or higher video card (can be shared ram)
1.6 Ghz Processor
Optical mouse

Desktop:
Gig of Ram
Video card with 128 megs or ram
2.6 Ghz P4 Processor w/hyperthreading (useful for Photoshop and Illustrator)

[swolt]

I can build you a nice box for pretty cheap. Plus I can load all the software apps for you.

For graphic work you need a good processor and video card. Getting a good processor will bump the price up but it will be worth it.

If you would rather some place local for repair options, go with a custom built PC from a local shop. Don't get Dell, HP, Gateway, Emachine, etc.

If you want to call me we can go over specs and whatnot. 1-800-548-4128

[dazie]

I'll call you later, or I'll email you tonight if that's ok.

[swolt]

I'll call you later, or I'll email you tonight if that's ok.

sure, I'm here til 7 my time so you can call when you get home. Or I'll be on AIM tonight.

as SMH said a laptop is nice for graphic design because you can take it with you (I know a bunch of graphic guys that go to the park) the only downside is a good laptop cost more.

[Infobahn]

Pagemaker and Quark are dead.  Really.  Time to focus on Indesign.

[dazie]

Pagemaker and Quark are dead.  Really.  Time to focus on Indesign.

I know- but some companies still want you to have Quark chops.  Which I don't.     I have killer PageMaker chops, and some InDesign ones, but I need to round out my skillset.

[SockmonkeyHolocaust]

Pagemaker and Quark are dead.  Really.  Time to focus on Indesign.

Quark is very much alive and still in use. Just pretend that version 6.0 never happened.

[Alice]

dazie, you should check out www.threadless.com.

It's a site for t-shirts... submit a design & if it gets printed, you get $1500.