Suggested laptop for graphics design.?

Question

Next year I am going into a university graphics design course and I need a new laptop that is capable of running heavier programs like photoshop and animation software. I'm looking at the Dell XPS which is built for design I guess. http://www.dell.com/ca/p/xps-15z/fs
I was wondering what you all thought about the XPS and if you had any other suggestions for computers that are good quality.
Thanks!

Answer 1

Your best bet would be to get a Mac Book pro. Those computers are probably the most compatible with graphic design software.

Answer 2

Almost any computer made in the last 5 years will run Photoshop. Its mimimum hardware requirements are a Pentium 4 and 1Gb of RAM - http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/tech-specs.html .Honestly, Photoshop is not a particularly heavy resource hog unless you use a lot of Repoussé work.



You do not need a Mac (unless you want one or your course uses Mac only software) because Macs stopped being optimized for media work 10 years ago when they moved from the Motorola RISC processors and SCSI hard drives. They now contain exactly the same hardware as any other high-end home / SOHO computer. With the release of Final Cut Pro X it looks like Apple is actually tuning its back on professional users - http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/early-adopters-unimpressed-by-apples-final-cut-pro-x/13411



The XPS range or anything similar will easily do what you want to do.



You could also contact the university you've signed up for and see what they suggest. They'll know exactly what the software they use needs to run.

Answer 3

For what you are doing a Macbook Pro would be a better idea. Its quickly become the standard for graphics and presentation due to its audio and video capabilities. a Dell XPS wouldnt be able to drive the graphics engine with multiple layers.

I bought my Macbook Pro for college 3 years ago and its still running strong and Ill be getting a new one at the beginning of the semester.



http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/



EDIT: Disregard the second guy. Thats a junk computer. Quad core isnt any good for video editing because most software can only use a single core making Dual core a perfect machine. One for the software and one for the OS.

And Quad Core is not 4 processors in one. 512MB is pretty weak for video driving.

Answer 4

HP Envy 14 -1260SE is lovely product, i am enjoying every bit of it. i would have rated it a five, only i was a lil bit disappointed with the size. i tot it was gonna be slightly bigger. the only reason i didnt return it is cos i shipped it already to Nigeria. the keyboard is excellent. i dont know wat people are saying about the touchpad, i have no problems with it at all. if u want a functional laptop that aint too big nor too small, u got the choice here. The beats logo in front doesn't light up, wish it did.

Answer 5

try this one, it is on clearance for 499. it has a quad core processor( for processors in one), and a 512 mb graphics card. would be able to handle any program like photoshop you throw at it.the site offers free shipping and no sales tax if you live outside california.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215120