- Jul 23, 2018
- 3
- 0
- 10
Hello,
Please help me understand which computer / system / tower / mini pc or other might fit my need - I believe it will need to run Win 10.
Computer experience: Decades as mac user / some years Linux user. Over 10 yrs ago I did simple upgrades to my own equipment (desktop and laptop) - install RAM - replace HD - etc. I can do it if the instructions are very clear (pictures help).
My computer use:
I use(d) both Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator to create low-CPU-taxing vector-based designs - typography. I rasterize some vector work using Gimp presently. (Formerly Photoshop - but photoshop is overkill for this simple need.) If it takes several minutes to convert each vector image to raster - that really doesn't matter to me. Converting an image is something I do maybe 4 times a day at best. The bulk of my work is in Illustrator.
Don't really think dedicated graphics card would be of great importance. This is just light illustrator work.
Don't really think I'd need more than an i3 - since Illustrator doesn't do that much better with a faster processor.
How often do I do this work?
Every day. Self employed. Small online shop.
Which OS?
This new system will probably have to be Windows. Last time I used Windows, it felt like Windows took over the entire system. So I'm leery of this, but I think I have to do Windows to accomplish my work goals. (Being able to dual boot in linux would be kind of nice.)
What's the problem?
Had to switch back to Mac last year even though I liked Linux - I needed some things only Illustrator could do to make my work more efficient. (Loathe the subscription service of Adobe.) Presently using Mac Book Pro mid-2015 - retina screen. Largely, I like this machine. However, it runs hot as a pistol sometimes. Wow. Have noticed that some Mac updates will send it careening into the too hot to touch for long zone. When it does that - it will not allow anything to be plugged into the USB ports for more than a few minutes before losing internet connectivity. Sometimes it can't see the USB ports either. It was behaving for the last several months, but started again last night after a new mac security update. So I need to have a back up system to work on - because I just can't trust my expensive Macbook Pro anymore. (Have dealt with their support - useless. Can't drop it at Apple repair because I need it to keep creating work for my customers. Plus it would be out of my pocket and I can just imagine they'll want to put in a new motherboard.) My old linux laptops would just barely get me by doing my work if the MacBook dies today.
Online searches of best system for my needs yields 95% laptops - and I am not sure I want to gamble on another overheating laptop. Small form factor now has me nervous for heat issues. Plus, I'm paying a premium for small factor - and I don't really need it. Well, maybe I do a little bit - I like to put a small lap-desk, then cooling pad, then laptop on my lap. Some physical injuries make that far more workable than sitting at a desk. I will not necessarily travel with this system, but it would be nice to move it from room to room in the house each day.
Was thinking mini-PC - but read they run hot too.
Was thinking a monitor built for traveling - as I could pick it up and move it daily. It doesn't need to even cover the full RGB gamut. I'm not doing photo editing - but using a limited palette of solid colors typically. It doesn't need to be much bigger than this 15" macbook screen - but would be nice if larger of course.
Wondering how I work on my lap/desk using a non-laptop computer.
Have become disenchanted with Mac's pricing - and the inability to modify or add ram etc to a system.
Would not be averse to something I have to partially build - as long as I can find directions, pictures, or a video helping me see what to do.
Budget-wise, I need to keep this very low. The outlay for the MacBook Pro was supposed to be it for at least 2-3 years. It's just over a year old now.
Should I look at used? My linux stuff was all used. Always like buying a pig-in-a-poke, but if the price is low enough, I'd gamble on it.
Would a tower be cheapest - and allow upgrading by me?
What do you recommend?
Thanks for helping.
Please help me understand which computer / system / tower / mini pc or other might fit my need - I believe it will need to run Win 10.
Computer experience: Decades as mac user / some years Linux user. Over 10 yrs ago I did simple upgrades to my own equipment (desktop and laptop) - install RAM - replace HD - etc. I can do it if the instructions are very clear (pictures help).
My computer use:
I use(d) both Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator to create low-CPU-taxing vector-based designs - typography. I rasterize some vector work using Gimp presently. (Formerly Photoshop - but photoshop is overkill for this simple need.) If it takes several minutes to convert each vector image to raster - that really doesn't matter to me. Converting an image is something I do maybe 4 times a day at best. The bulk of my work is in Illustrator.
Don't really think dedicated graphics card would be of great importance. This is just light illustrator work.
Don't really think I'd need more than an i3 - since Illustrator doesn't do that much better with a faster processor.
How often do I do this work?
Every day. Self employed. Small online shop.
Which OS?
This new system will probably have to be Windows. Last time I used Windows, it felt like Windows took over the entire system. So I'm leery of this, but I think I have to do Windows to accomplish my work goals. (Being able to dual boot in linux would be kind of nice.)
What's the problem?
Had to switch back to Mac last year even though I liked Linux - I needed some things only Illustrator could do to make my work more efficient. (Loathe the subscription service of Adobe.) Presently using Mac Book Pro mid-2015 - retina screen. Largely, I like this machine. However, it runs hot as a pistol sometimes. Wow. Have noticed that some Mac updates will send it careening into the too hot to touch for long zone. When it does that - it will not allow anything to be plugged into the USB ports for more than a few minutes before losing internet connectivity. Sometimes it can't see the USB ports either. It was behaving for the last several months, but started again last night after a new mac security update. So I need to have a back up system to work on - because I just can't trust my expensive Macbook Pro anymore. (Have dealt with their support - useless. Can't drop it at Apple repair because I need it to keep creating work for my customers. Plus it would be out of my pocket and I can just imagine they'll want to put in a new motherboard.) My old linux laptops would just barely get me by doing my work if the MacBook dies today.
Online searches of best system for my needs yields 95% laptops - and I am not sure I want to gamble on another overheating laptop. Small form factor now has me nervous for heat issues. Plus, I'm paying a premium for small factor - and I don't really need it. Well, maybe I do a little bit - I like to put a small lap-desk, then cooling pad, then laptop on my lap. Some physical injuries make that far more workable than sitting at a desk. I will not necessarily travel with this system, but it would be nice to move it from room to room in the house each day.
Was thinking mini-PC - but read they run hot too.
Was thinking a monitor built for traveling - as I could pick it up and move it daily. It doesn't need to even cover the full RGB gamut. I'm not doing photo editing - but using a limited palette of solid colors typically. It doesn't need to be much bigger than this 15" macbook screen - but would be nice if larger of course.
Wondering how I work on my lap/desk using a non-laptop computer.
Have become disenchanted with Mac's pricing - and the inability to modify or add ram etc to a system.
Would not be averse to something I have to partially build - as long as I can find directions, pictures, or a video helping me see what to do.
Budget-wise, I need to keep this very low. The outlay for the MacBook Pro was supposed to be it for at least 2-3 years. It's just over a year old now.
Should I look at used? My linux stuff was all used. Always like buying a pig-in-a-poke, but if the price is low enough, I'd gamble on it.
Would a tower be cheapest - and allow upgrading by me?
What do you recommend?
Thanks for helping.
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