Whether you’re just starting out, or you have been working as a graphic designer for a while, using the right technology to provide your clients with your best work is essential.
Graphic designers naturally want the best computer that helps them design efficiently and in many cases, a desktop computer can provide a more powerful processor, more memory and a larger display than working on a laptop.
But for some, working on a laptop is easier and much more portable so if you’re interested, see our article on the best laptops for graphic designers.
Today we’ve decided to take a look at the Best Computers for Graphic Design in 2019, both Mac and PC, so we can help you find the one you need.
If you’re ready, let’s get started with what you should be looking at when you go to the store so you choose the one that’s best for you.
How to Choose the Best Computer for Graphic Design
It can be very tempting to hand over your cash or credit card for the first shiny new desktop computer that you lay your eyes on at the store, believe me, we’ve all been there. However, there are a few details that we think you should consider first:
- GPU
- Processor
- Memory
- Hard Drive
- Monitor
GPU
The GPU, which is also known as the Graphics Processing Unit, is one of the most important parts stuck inside your computer, especially if you plan on doing design work as a graphic designer. A better GPU will provide you with a much better graphics performance providing you with better quality images that you can work with.
While whichever computer you buy will have a GPU in it, in time you may want to swap it out for a better one. In this case, you will want to choose the best GPU out there depending on your budget. Having the best graphics card available can make it easier for your computer to display rich colors and striking visuals.
Processor
The CPU, or central processing unit, is like the brain of your desktop computer. When you turn your computer on, the CPU works to make sure that the programs and functions that are supposed to run on startup.
The typical software that graphic designers use on a daily bases can be very processor-intensive and new programs that come out every year or so only add to this intensity. When you’re looking for a computer, the CPU should run at least 1Ghz. This means that it can perform one billion computations per second. Now, 1 GHz is the minimum you should be looking for, but if you have the money to spend, get the fastest processor that you can afford, to avoid lag or problems when you’re working on a project. Ideally, you should shoot for 2 Ghz or more.
Memory
The processor isn’t the only part of your new desktop computer that can help it run fast. The amount of memory that you have can also play a big part. Memory can also be known as RAM or Random Access Memory. Now, this type of memory is not like the memory that a hard drive uses to store your projects. An easy way to think of this type of memory is like your short-term memory. The RAM keeps stuff at the front of its brain, much in the same way you do when you remember a phone number a few hours later.
Like someone with a good short-term memory, the more RAM your computer has, then it can process more things at once. This is because it is much faster to do this than trying to access the hard drive for the files you need. When you look for a computer, shoot for a minimum of 8Gb of RAM. If you can afford to purchase a computer with more RAM, then we suggest doing so. 16GB of RAM is recommended for intensive design work.
Hard Drive
If RAM is the short-term memory, then the hard drive in your computer is like your long-term memory.
Am I the only one picturing Pixar’s Inside Out right now? Anyway, there are typically two types of hard drives out there: Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid State Drives (SSD). While both drives do the same thing essentially, there are some advantages as well as disadvantages to each type.
HDD’s tend to be cheaper than SSD’s, coming in at about half the price for the same amount of storage. Where HDD’s stand out is in the ceiling for total storage, being much higher than an SSD, which tends to top out at around 4 terabytes. However, an SSD drive is much more durable because they don’t have moving parts as an HDD does.
The biggest difference between the two is in their speed. A computer with SSD boots faster and programs launch quicker as well. If you don’t plan on moving around a lot while you’re working, an HDD is a good option here. Starting at 1TB of storage is a good place to start, while 2 TB would obviously be better. With advancements in tech, as you upgrade, the price will come down so you don’t have to worry about buying the best option right now.
Monitor
In a previous post, we covered the best monitors for graphic design. Many desktop computers still come with a monitor, however, it is not really going to be suitable for your needs in most cases.
If you do buy a computer with a monitor included, be sure that the resolution is at least 1280 x 800. The higher the resolution, the better the image on your screen will be, but it can get expensive. There are three different types of monitors, Twisted Nematic (TN), Vertical Alignment (VA), and In-Plane Switching (IPS), for graphic design work, focus on purchasing either a VA or IPS monitor as the quality far exceeds a TN.
A monitor with In-Plane Switching is the top of the line when it comes to monitors and the price reflects that. While they can put a serious dent in your wallet, the performance and quality of the images presented make it well worth it.
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" Source : justcreative.com "
