For various reasons, I have a little extra money this quarter. I have decided to spend it on Cinderella the Rhymer. She’s been using one of my cast-off computers and could use a new one. She’s a photographer and digital artist and has to hate the one she’s using now; I only ever use my computers for word processing, spreadsheets, and light web surfing, and the cast-off she has is slow even when using Word.
I don’t want to spend more than $1500. Thoughts?
Macbook? You can even get a macbook pro now for less than that.
What does she have now? It may be better to get her a decent monitor and a professional graphics card.
What software is she going to use or would like to use? All you’ve given us is to go on is digital photography which suggests a need for RAM. If she isn’t opening up 8 sessions of explorer she doesn’t need a quad core. $1500 would buy a decent notebook with 4 gb and Adobe PhotoShop.
NM
Couple of things to keep in mind:
The choice of monitor may be more important than the computer itself. Size and resolution are important, but also the type of LCD panel used. Most monitors use TN panels, but if you pay extra for a PVA or IPS panel, the difference can be significant. Unfortunately the type isn’t often listed in the specs, but if you choose a monitor with a 178-degree viewing angle you’ll probably end up with a PVA or IPS panel. Dell sometimes has good deals on IPS and PVA displays, e.g. the 2007FP (IPS) and the 2408WFP (PVA).
Allocate some money for software first. You’ll probably have to ask her what she needs. If she wants/needs a new Photoshop license and is not eligible for student discount, that’s almost half your budget right there.
Second Macbook, if she is working with graphics/design she will surely appreciate the design of the macbook (pro); also appearantly macs role at this kind of stuff (based on hearsay…)
Third Macbook. I don’t do much heavy-duty graphics work, but based on recommendations from graphic artist acquaintances, Macs are far superior to PCs in this respect. Also, I’ve found that my Macbook functions better than any PC ever did–I’ve had it a year and have never once had to cold-boot it, which was a once-a-week occurrence back when I had a Dell.
I must politely disagree, based on my experience in printing, design and pre-press. Macs were superior but that hasn’t been the case for many years. PC platforms are just as good with graphics and can be superior, depending on the graphics card used.
Macs got entrenched early on in the design community and there has built up a culture of assumed Mac superiority for graphics in that community ever since. I’ve dealt with both platforms and Macs are no better than PCs for graphics work. Photoshop is Photoshop, no matter where its running.
I also nominate a MacBook. I just like Macs better than PCs. (I have Office for Macs, so I have Word, Excel and Powerpoint.)
I’m a Microsoft gal, but I recommend a MacBook as well. If you have that much money to spend on a computer, then get the best of what’s around.
And do get her a copy of Photoshop as well.
MacBook.
I don’t think you can get both for under $1500, unless she qualifies for an upgrade version or a student version of Photoshop.