I need help

[Joel Bookhammer]

It sounds like a good option....but sounds a tad out of my price range , I may be wrong if I am great, if not please everyone keep suggestions within $1500-$2000 (us).


Thanks


Joel

[Joel Bookhammer]

Oh forgot the "good option" is for Dallas, but the mac holds good favor as well.


thanks


joel

[40Doodle]

Joel,


I'm running Windows XP on an Intel Dual Core system that I built myself (I've never bought a pre-built packaged system, but that's another story). Dual Core means 2 Processors and Intel also manufactures 4 Processor chips. Anyway, my rig is an Intel Dual Core (2.66Ghz), 4GB memory, ~2TB of disk, and I'm running Photoshop CS4 with no problems whatsoever. I do some video editing too. If I were building (or buying) a new rig today, I'd go with Intel's newest processor the I7 Quad Core, 4-6GB of Memory, lots of Disk space, etc. I say that because I'm the kind of person that likes to wring out as much use of a system as possible before having to buy something new.


The Intel Dual Core processor systems will get the job done because I'm using one and I stress it pretty well (lots of multitasking and applications that eat PC's for fun). But if buying today, I'd certainly take advantage of Intel's latest Quad Core Processors and you will find that many PC's are already configured with them anyway. Also don't skimp on Disk space, especially with Disk pricing being so low these days. I don't know your needs for space, but I'd say avoid the default 500GB that comes standard on many packages these days. I'd also suggest that you have 2 individual disks (one for your applications, files, etc and a second one that is used for backups). There is nothing worse than losing data because you lose the main hard drive and had no plans for backups of your data.


It appears that you are looking for someone to suggest a given packaged PC and in reality if you follow the suggestions folks have given you about what that PC should contain, it's really only a matter of going to HP, Dell, Apple, whatever and picking a package that contains those suggested components/configs. $1500 is plenty to get a nice system, so you should be able to find something pretty easily. Just avoid the low cost $500 budget price PC's because they will have minimal configurations and will not be suited for your needs. If you go to HP's site for instance, you can pick a starting package and then add/upgrade the components of your choosing.


Happy shopping!


Rick

[Tim]

The low end imac will do just about anything you need to, except edit HD videos smoothly. You also get a nice size screen with it, which is great for photos. They run about 1100 i think.

[Keith B]

The low end imac will do just about anything you need to, except edit HD videos smoothly. You also get a nice size screen with it, which is great for photos. They run about 1100 i think.

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Any iMac running Aperture is nice. You will still need Photoshop for advanced editing. Despite what I have seen on a few threads on here, Aperture and Photoshop play very well together.
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[SupraSonic]

iMac 24" with DUAL CORE Pentium, 4 GIG RAM and 400++ gig hard drive.[]

[Joel Bookhammer]

Thanks Rick for the info, weather it be a packaged PC or a "custom" built one as long as it meets my needs of editing a large amount of photos it works. The main reason I havent gotten away from Adobe and went to Aperture is that I do alot of graphic layer work on the photos as well, and as far as I know Aperture is sorta like lightroom in that regards.


Thanks Again


Joel

[Joel Bookhammer]

Im finding alot of systems out there for "gaming" are they also good for photoshop work as well?


Thanks


joel

[40Doodle]

Im finding alot of systems out there for "gaming" are they also good for photoshop work as well?


Thanks


joel
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Joel,


A "gaming system" will actually contain some of the same things that would be good for your system. A decent gaming rig will have decent Memory (performance &amp; capacity), Disk Drives with good performance/capacity, higher end video cards and a powerful processor that is Quad Core, etc. There can be a few areas of over-kill too for what you need. Things like SLI Video cards which means you are running two video cards that are communicating with each other and driving higher frame rates for video is one example. A Gaming rig may also come with a case that is over-the-top for you, but there too can be some goodness. These higher-end rigs can also produce a fair amount of heat, so a case that does a good job of dissipating heat is a good thing.


When I was at HP's website yesterday, I saw a very nice deal on their Voodoo Blackbird system with some significant savings that would fit your budget. Most PC Manufacturers will have systems that are a next notch below Gaming rigs and will be identified as high-end Media Systems or some such description. That is probably the target spot for you if you go with a PC.


I have never owned a Mac, but can tell you that most of the graphic designers I've encountered in business run Macs. Some of that has to do with the software they use in their profession and I think some of it is also related to having really good Monitors for color control, etc.


Rick

[Joel Bookhammer]

Thanks Rick I will have to look up that system (VooDoo).


Sense my budget has increased now is the time for all the Mac lovers out there. How is the Macbook Pros Screen? Another big concern of mine with the operating system is the screen. A laptop would be nice, but correct color is a big concern.


Thanks


Joel