The Best Computer For Graphic Design

Since Desktop Publishing (DTP) came out in the eighties, graphic designers have been utilizing Computer technology. This has pushed all graphic designers to become competent with Computer hardware at the very least.

The Best Computer For Graphic Design

The Best Computer For Graphic Design

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The Best Computer For Graphic Design

The Best Computer For Graphic Design

What is Desktop Publishing (DTP)? In the 1980s, it was a common term applied to digital publishing systems. These systems were developed to replace large, pre-press, specialist design and compositing systems.

Graphic designers rely heavily on computers whether these are Windows PCs or Apple Macs. Whichever computer a graphic designer chooses to use, he/she will opt for the best computer that he/she can purchase. Graphic designers will rarely choose cheap computer hardware.

Back in the eighties, Macs were the only choice for designing and printing. Almost all design layout and graphics software was developed for Macs only or even if the software could be used in Microsoft Windows PC, it was much more reliable on a Mac. Additionally, at that time, Macs were associated with the different technologies used in the prepress and Windows PC was just not a practical choice. Today, modern versions of Mac OS X and Windows allow graphics designers to use design software either in a Mac or PC - they are no longer forced to choose one over the other.

Many graphic designers are not IT experts and making a decision on which computer to buy can be quite daunting. Of course, if money is not a problem, the decision would simply be to buy the most expensive Apple Mac or Windows PC. But most designers cannot afford to do that. In fact, some creative professionals have budgets for second hand equipMent only. What really matters to these graphic designers are issues that regular computer users do not even have to think about. These are printer color accuracy, monitor calibration, hard disk speed and external storage devices for gigabytes of data.

Recent studies show that the top 5 computers for graphic design are a mix of Macs and PCs and both laptop and desktop computers fall in this category. But just like any product that a consumer buys, it really is the personal preference of the designer whether he/she will use a desktop computer or a laptop. The important thing is that the user/graphic designer has the appropriate software for the type of computer that he/she wants to purchase.

The Top 5 computers for graphic design are:

Mac Pro Desktop

The Mac line of computers is still widely preferred by most graphic designers. According to Apple, the latest Mac Pro features the all new quad-core Intel Xeon "Nehalen" processor which makes the Job of a graphic designer much easier. Apple states further that the new Mac Pro is up to 1.9 times Faster than its predecessor. Each processor has an integrated memory controller that allows the processors to have Faster access to stored data in the computer's memory, with memory latency decreased by up to 40 percent. This feature will save a lot of time for designers when they do their work.

MacBook Pro Laptop

The MacBook Pro Laptop comes in 13, 15 and 17 inch sizes. It has high-performance NVDIA graphics and LED backlit display which makes editing graphics easier and clearer. This latest model has battery power that lasts up to 8 hours (on 17-inch version). It is powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo processor.

Dell Studio XPS Desktop

The Dell Studio XPS Desktop features the Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. If you plan on working with intensive video or 3D editing, you can have an upgrade to the 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM. But its base 3GB memory will enable you to edit photos, create vector or raster designs with ease. Its high-definition ATI graphics card creates clear, precise and flawless graphics - just what a graphic designer needs.

Toshiba Qosmio Laptop

The Toshiba Qosimo is an affordable solution to your graphic design needs. It is powered by either the Intel Core i7 or i5 processor making it easier to create flawless graphics. It has a high-end NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, which ensures that you can clearly see every pixel and frame that you edit. It has a 6GB DDR3 1066MHz memory and a 1GB GDDR5 discrete graphics memory.

HP Pavilion Elite Desktop

The HP Pavilion Elite Desktop is an affordable computer. It is powered by either an AMD Athlon or an Intel Core processor that ranges from an X4 630 quad-core (Athlon) to an i7-980X six-core Extreme Edition (Intel). All HP Pavilion Elite Desktop computers come with genuine 64-bit Windows 7 for the latest technology. Memory ranges from 4GB up to 9GB which guarantees smooth and effortless run of the high-end graphics that you use.

The Best Computer For Graphic Design

Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

Why more memory in your laptop, notebook, sub-notebook or netbook (as these all apply here) is a valid way to boosting performance.

Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

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Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

Why laptop Computer memory matters?

The topic of laptop memory size is by no means new. What is more distinct however is that most people hear advice such as "more memory is always better" and automatically conclude that this stateMent is true whatever the use of your Computer. The real truth behind this is that while such advice is generally correct, it is best understood once one appreciates the background facts. All laptop Computers make use of a certain Operating System - Microsoft Windows is by far the most popular (Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, Vista or 7 etc.). This is the software that both interacts and manages two aspects: a) the hardware and other software used on it and b) the user (hardware).

An Operating System must load its own components into memory when it starts. In effect, a large chunk of its footprint gets copied into physical memory within your notebook computer, this in turn found on the memory modules inside your laptop's chassis. To add to this, any additional software that is necessary to run your laptop computer for the purposes you use it is also loaded. This usually means any device drivers and third Party software. Ideally the Operating System attempts to allocate most or all the above in physical memory. If there is an insufficient amount of such memory, the Operating System will imitate it on your laptop's storage medium. The latter will in most cases mean a hard drive or solid state drive (in newer laptops). The term given to describe it is virtual memory.

Since both a hard drive and solid state drive are considerably slower than notebook computer memory, the effect of this is that performance will be degraded. The net outcome of this is that it may take longer for software programs to load, to run, to shutdown, and to switch between (multi-task) etc. The more of these software programs run in such circumstances, the more the performance will suffer.

How much laptop computer memory is enough?

A cure to the above problem are laptop memory upgrades. This will expand the total amount of physical memory in your laptop computer and either reduce or completely eliminate the slowdown associated with insufficient physical memory. How much laptop computer memory is enough is subject to two different aspects: a) what types of software do you use on your laptop computer and b) how much laptop memory does your laptop computer support.

To answer part "A" you need to ask yourself what software you use. For example, you may simply use it for Internet browsing, word processing, the odd game. Alternatively you may use it professionally for graphics work or audio or video editing. Furthermore you may be an avid gamer. Each of these scenarios reflects a different optimum amount of laptop computer memory. For simple Internet browsing and similar 2GB will in most cases be enough. If however you are a professional doing graphics/audio or video work then anything between 4-8GB will probably suit you best. If on the other hand you are a gamer, 4GB or more is likely what you should be aiming for.

To answer Part "B" is a little trickier because in order to determine how much laptop computer memory your laptop supports, you need to either look into the user manual (not always possible and exhaustive) or determine the memory controller it uses. Either method works with the latter being more for the hardcore computer user. Luckily, there are tools online that will scan your laptop computer and tell you this information without any or much technical awareness on your part. You can find these tools by simply searching online, or optionally visiting my website. Whatever the outcome from part "A" or part "B" you should always opt for the most optimum laptop memory upgrades, both for your laptop computer and the tasks you use it for. As a result you will guarantee a smoother user experience.

In Summary

Be sure to extract the most important traits of the above information. Both the Operating System and any additional software used on your laptop computer are loaded into physical memory. Should your laptop computer not have enough of physical memory for the purposes for which you use it, the Operating System will simulate it in what is described as virtual memory. Unfortunately, the latter is considerably slower than physical memory and thus performance is degraded.

A well chosen laptop memory upgrade is a solution to the above. How large it should be is determined via a) what you use your laptop computer for and b) how much physical memory your laptop computer supports. This information can be rendered via asking yourself the first question, and looking in the user manual or using an online scanner for the second question.

Once you determine and opt for suitable laptop memory upgrades, you will witness a Faster performing laptop!

Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance