ok im going 2 college 4 graphic design- should i get a laptop or a desktop?

Question

i know macs r best for graphic design, but the whole world is PC, so which 1 should i get? And will PCs and Macs b compatible w eachother- for instance can i continue a project on a PC if i created it on a mac?

Answer 1

The majority of graphic design world uses Macs. More importantly, most schools require specific computers for many of their students. The first thing I would do is look up the graphic design department's computer requirements at your college. Buy one based on their recommendations/requirements. That way your system will be compatible with your professors' and classmates' systems. This is essential for sharing files for group projects, etc.

Answer 2

I faced this same problem. Our school has PCs and MACs that are available to everyone. I picked a PC Desktop. I am a New MEdia / Information Technology student. I recommend a desktop as your primary machine. They are more powerful and cheaper than a laptop. If you feel you still need something portable, invest in a laptop also. I would not go in without a PC.

As for deciding between a MAC and PC, I'd pick PC. Though everyone says MACs are better for design, I really don't see why. It seems to me that PCs actually run design programs like PhotoShop and Illustrator better than the MACs. I suppose if you're doing film and animation, a MAC might be a bit faster, but it all depends on the processor speeds.

My recommendation is to first research what platforms your college has available. If they have only MACs in their labs, get a PC. If they only have PCs, get a MAC. Also look at the specifics. If you find that their MACs are out of date, but they have avant-garde PCs, then I'd get a MAC.

I have never owned a MAC, but eventually I'll probably have one. Another thing to consider is that MACs can run Windows now. Maybe that's your best alternative.

Answer 3

If you're doing graphic design, you should probably get a Mac desktop. Now that there are the dual core intel processors, a Mac can run windows as well using programs like Boot Camp and other programs of this sort, though Boot Camp is the most reliable. As for compatability, most programs that have a matching Mac version if it is Windows are compatable with each other. So if you start a photoshop program on a PC and then continue working on it with a Mac, you shouldn't have any problems. And it works the other way around too. So I would suggest that you just go buy a Mac. Because it really doesn't make that much difference anymore.

Answer 4

I can't believe I'm telling you this, as I'm a PC diehard; however, the mac would be best for graphic design. And in the form of a laptop. Especially if you're going to college. You won't regret it.

My wife has been a graphics illustrator for about 12 years. She's used both. She currently owns a mac laptop. She's very happy with it. ALL Macs have a pc emulation mode, so you can run pc software if you need to. I use a Dell XPS, which at the time I purchased it this winter was the only laptop beefy enough to run my graphic intensive software.

The main disadvantage to macs is the lack of applications made for it. But there isn't any lack of that with graphic intensive programs. That's why the mac was made. If you do by chance decide to go with a PC, buy it online through Costco. They have a 6 month return policy if you're not happy. (I had to use their return policy 3 times before I got a laptop that would do what I needed.)

Hope this helps...

Answer 5

buy a macbook, and a wacom tablet. Macs are mostly compatible with PC's and most graphic design programs produce the same files no matter whether or not they were created on a mac or pc.
Most legit graphic design college programs use macs anyway.

But if compatibility does actually become an issue, you can now run windows xp on macs with a free download from the apple website called Boot camp.

Answer 6

A laptop, and make it a macintosh. Y? I'm going to school for music business and any designing that is done on a computer is best done on a mac. They just work the best, no clue why. That is the only computer they have in the design lab. But for your schoolwork, macs aren't always compatible, so i'd get a computer to do my schoolwork on (hp) and a computer to do my design work on (mac). Most often you can get a loan or grant for these things.

Answer 7

desktops are cheaper and more powerful. Also easier to upgrade as a PC. Macs run PC programs. talk to someone in the field and see what they use. I work with video and use Macs more, but PC has good software as well. I wouldnt get a laptop for my editing purposes but you might be able to swing it, I suggest getting a docking station if you do so you can ave a home base where you can hook up any periphals.

Answer 8

I would get a desktop, it's more cost effective, upgradable, and more devices. I would recoomend getting as much RAM(memory) as possible. Also you would need the fastest processor on the market. Stay away from intergrated devices such sound card, video card, etc. as for they allocate your system RAM; non intergrated devices has there own onboard ram. Also graphics tend to use a lot disk space so opt. for a very large hard drive as well as a RAID controller for security(i.e. Raid-is a system which uses multiple hard drives to share or replicate data among the drives.) As for which standard you use is totally up to you(i.e. pc or mac) To answer you question about compatibilty between the two standards, there have emulators out on the market for years that give you the abilty to use files in both environments.

Answer 9

for graphic design, your going to want both, for when your on the go, and desktop bacause your going to need the space. If you go with a Mac you will not be able to transfer to a PC, there not made to read MAc, but most the world is PC. Personally I use dreamweaver and photoshop CS2 on PC.

Answer 10

Bluntly, design itself is a craft. It is not a craft which is taught in visual communications and you probably should go for a four year degree because you will be up against people who have been in school in some cases for six years or more, or have been groomed for most of their lives to do this stuff. A BFA in design would be the best way to start, if you can afford it, from a school like MIT or Cooper Union. It is very expensive though, but I would not cut my expectations much below that. You will find everyone else is impressing clients with their mad skills and accomplishments.