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May 17, 2008 03:17am pdt
04.20.2008 at 10:56AM PDT, ID: 23337939
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PC vs. Mac - For Graphic Design
Okay - so I know this will elicit alot of passionate answers...but, I need help!

To start with, I work in a PC environment, running Windows Server 2003.

We use to farm all of our grahic work out of house, until just recently.
I've been given the new assignment.

I've been told to research the cost of a new PC or Mac that would be best for this.

If I stay with PC - I need suggestions as to how to build it.
If I go with a Mac - Is it worth the learning curve and can it network with the Windows Server 2003?

Thanks in Advance!
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Question Stats
Zone: Computer Hardware
Question Asked By: jwooden08
Solution Provided By: PcBooters
Participating Experts: 5
Solution Grade: A
Views: 31
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04.20.2008 at 10:58AM PDT, ID: 21396983

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04.20.2008 at 11:03AM PDT, ID: 21397002

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04.20.2008 at 11:06AM PDT, ID: 21397020

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04.20.2008 at 11:26AM PDT, ID: 21397101

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04.20.2008 at 12:20PM PDT, ID: 21397273

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04.20.2008 at 12:31PM PDT, ID: 21397303

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04.20.2008 at 02:46PM PDT, ID: 21397700

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04.20.2008 at 03:09PM PDT, ID: 21397765

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04.20.2008 at 08:20PM PDT, ID: 21398668

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04.20.2008 at 11:00PM PDT, ID: 21399055

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04.20.2008 at 11:44PM PDT, ID: 21399183

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04.20.2008 at 10:58AM PDT, ID: 21396983
Well, it depends on a number of things really. What kind of graphical design will you be doing? Web development or print? What applications do you plan on using?
 
04.20.2008 at 11:03AM PDT, ID: 21397002
MiniDevo

I'll mostly be doing Print - which I now use Photoshop for the graphics and Microsoft Publisher for the layout.  I also use Photoshop for all of the graphics for our website.  I haven't done animations (ie. web banners) for a while - I used Flash many years ago, but I'm sure I'll need to be able to produce these as well.
 
04.20.2008 at 11:06AM PDT, ID: 21397020
If you're going to simply use those applications, then a PC should suit you fine. If you plan on going to something like Quark Express, then you'll need a Mac.

As for system requirements, you'll be best served with a lot of RAM and hard drive space unless you archive your publishing on say DVD like I do.
 
04.20.2008 at 11:26AM PDT, ID: 21397101
MiniDevo-

Any thoughts on how to build the system?
 
04.20.2008 at 12:20PM PDT, ID: 21397273

Rank: Master

Stick with windows microsoft based system where you use to it, it is better for you. I suggest to purchase system from Dell, HP, IBM/Lenovo to do the job.
 
04.20.2008 at 12:31PM PDT, ID: 21397303

Rank: Genius

For a graphics card, since you aren't running 3D games or CAD, a general purpose middle-of-the-road card should do, such as an nVidia 8600GT or Radeon 3650HD.  I would suggest 2 x 2GB DDR2 PC1066 RAM, since more memory will benefit and 4GB is not too expensive these days.  An Intel E6750 Core2 Duo cpu is a very good value and powerful enough to handle most tasks, and a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L motherboard to run it would be fine.  Two 500GB Seagate SATAII drives should suffice for storage (have the second one act as a backup for those critical files).
 
04.20.2008 at 02:46PM PDT, ID: 21397700
Whether you use Mac OSX  or Windows the real issue is the software.  A Mac will work perfectly well with a Windows 2003 network for file-sharing etc.. so it is more a decision of your preferred working environment.  Many Printers, Web and Graphic Designers use Mac but not all and the software is pretty much identical on both.

If you are serious about print, publishing and web then you'll have to drop MS Publisher and  learn one of the industry standard DTP tools such as InDesign or Quark XPress
MiniDevo is WRONG. Quark XPress is available in Windows  and Mac
http://www.quark.com/products/xpress

If you are OK with Photoshop then an investment in the Adobe CS3 Creative Suite - Design Standard Suite would be a good starting point.

In terms of hardware.. A perfectly good PC should set you back no more than $800-$1000 HOWEVER as a designer you'll appreciate a good quality and large format 22"+ LCD screen or even better a dual screen configuration.  Remember you're going to be looking at the colours and screen a LOT!!
Assisted Solution
 
04.20.2008 at 03:09PM PDT, ID: 21397765
eoinosullivan:-

Thanks.

I've heard, and seen the dual screen configuration - do you have a good resource I could use, on how to set it up?
 
04.20.2008 at 08:20PM PDT, ID: 21398668

Rank: Genius

Dual screen is as easy to set up as buying a dual port video card (such as the 8600GT I mentioned), connecting it to two monitors, and clicking on the checkbox to extend the desktop in display properties.  You can then drag windows to the right monitor from the left.
Assisted Solution
 
04.20.2008 at 11:00PM PDT, ID: 21399055
As a person who works with both PC and Mac on a daily basis , they will both do the Job.  it will all depend on how much time you want to spend on setup of the server and learning a Mac OS . Both PC and Mac have a lot of good Graphic software . I recommend  Adobe CS3 suite for the still shots and Creative Suite 3 Web Premium for the wed design. you seem to know PC better than the Mac so i would suggest PC for what you want to do lot less setup time and you know your way around the PC. I would also recommend a Custom Built PC from a local computer shop they will go over everything you will need for the system you want and they will set the Dual monitor system up for you so all you will have to do is pull it out the box and go.  Hope this helps  
 
04.20.2008 at 11:44PM PDT, ID: 21399183
I for got to add in the computer specs i would recommend for the PC
CPU- intel Core Duo E6850 3.0GHz
Mobo- MSI P7 Diamond
Video Cards - Msi/Evga- Nvidia 9600GT x2 run SLI
Memory - Crucial Ballisix DDR2 4-4-4-12 4GB if you can aford 8GB (Get it you will tell the difference )
DVD/DVDRW- liteon 20X + - rw
Hard drive = (Primary drive) western digital  74GB raptor drive 10,000 rpm
Storage Drive=WesternDigital 150 GB 10,0000RPM (For storage ) You will probably store on the server so you can use a small drive for this.
OS = recommend  XP PRO  Works better with Server 2003 and you can always upgrade to Vista later
Case = recommend thermal take or NZXT  Both have excellent cooling and are very afordable
this is just my recommendation  this would give you a good machine to do what you need and room for expantion later . Hope this was Helpful
Accepted Solution
 
 
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