Web Design Forums

freelancr · 11-04-2008, 10:52

Alright chaps, I'm looking to replace my current laptop with something a bit better.

I currently have a Dell Inspiron 6000 which work gave me recently, its a very low spec and couldn't run Windows XP very well, so I am using CentOS Linux. It's fine for what I want to do, apart from I need to use another PC to use CS3. The battery life is about 45 minutes, so its bloody useless for doing any work on my 3 hour each way train journey to the office - at least it gives me a chance to read my RoR books.

I am very tempted by a Mac Book Pro, either the 15" or the 17", but if I am being honest it is priced way out of my league. I could save up, but it would take me forever cos I can see the money getting spent on everything else that we need instead. Also the missus would nail my bollocks to the ceiling for spending over £2000 on it instead of buying her a new kitchen floor that she's been nagging at me to do for ages.

This then leaves the 13" Mac Book, much easier to save up for, could probably get one in about 3 or 4 months if I don't spend anything. The screen is smaller than my current laptop, but the resolution is the same, and the battery life is a hell of a lot longer if the apple website is to be believed.

I'm predominately a developer, so don't necessarily need the poke of the Pro, but I still need to make use of CS3 applications like Fireworks, Photoshop and Illustrator to work with files the designers make.

Should I get one then, or won't it be good enough? Should I bother upgrading the ram, or is 4GB a waste for this laptop. I reckon it would be ok as it is, but would be good to hear from anyone who has one.

I suppose even if it isn't good enough for me to do what I wanna do on it, I'm sure I could wrap it up for the missus as a birthday/xmas present, and then get the Pro! I've never had an apple computer before so I suppose this is probably the best way of doing it, since I don't wanna spend a fortune and find I can't get on with it!

pgo · 11-04-2008, 11:02

I've got one at work. It runs CS3 alright so long as you aren't running much else.

For instance, I'm always running: Firefox, Adium, Entourage, Smart SVN, and TextMate. If I turn on Photoshop, it's no problem. If I turn on my Windows XP Virtual Machine, it's no problem.

If I turn on Photoshop and the XP Virtual Machine...it's like clicking through molasses. Photoshop regularly uses 500MB of RAM by itself.

Sadly, I'm a bit underwhelmed by the performance of this Mac. My Vista machine does just as well with lower processor specs (but higher RAM - 3GB instead of 2GB). OS X is nice, though. It's pretty and once you get used to it, it's usable. Still prefer Explorer to Finder, though.

Do Gooder · 11-04-2008, 11:10

i have a slightly older model macbook that only supports 2gig of ram at home.

it's all relative this stuff.. but mine works fine for me with CS3.. just don't try any 3D/video apps! it falls on it's arse.

i doubt there'll be much real-world performance differences between the pro and consumer models when it comes to CS3

maxing out to 4gig will help things to run smoother with multiple apps open.

a few things..

my macbooks battery was great at first but is not lasting amazingly well with use... seems to be fading fast!

the thing gets bloody hot.

the gloss screen is a bit shit... not just for being gloss.. but having terribly narrow viewing angles.. it is good and bright though.

all in it is a very good machine.

JonoMarshall · 11-04-2008, 11:18

I use a 2.0 C2D with 2gb RAM and the GMA 950 at home with CS3 Master Collection, it's fine for most jobs, but obviously applying filters to a high res image in photoshop or rendering in FCP 5.1 can take a while... the graphics are the main issue as I'm sure you're well aware. There are no real issues with everything else though?

I use a newer MacBook when out and about at work and the difference when going from 2-4gb RAM is noticeable, plus I think the onboard graphics card is slightly better?!

If you need to do a lot of video work, or working with RAW imagery, then a MBP would service you better, have you thought about getting a refurb MBP?

Otherwise I'm sure the MB would be fine...

safe as milk · 11-04-2008, 11:20

my wife has an early 2Ghz with 2Gb of memory

good machine but when she uses Indesign it really starts to creak

JonoMarshall · 11-04-2008, 11:21

Indesign (CS3) using the typical display performance setting is fine for huge docs/files?! ...tell her to sort out her workflow!

freelancr · 11-04-2008, 11:38

Cheers chaps. I'm not looking to do 3d, video or print work, so I'm sure it will be fine!

Best start saving up for one then!

JonoMarshall · 11-04-2008, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by freelancr

I'm not looking to do 3d, video or print work

Text Editor with 4gb of RAM should work just fine...

freelancr · 11-04-2008, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonoMarshall

Text Editor with 4gb of RAM should work just fine...

Smart arse!

Hunch · 15-04-2008, 01:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgo

Sadly, I'm a bit underwhelmed by the performance of this Mac. My Vista machine does just as well with lower processor specs (but higher RAM - 3GB instead of 2GB).

An extra Gig of RAM will make a significant difference to performance in situations like that. Using RAM intensive processes like Ps with other apps open, will benefit a lot more from an extra Gig than from a processor upgrade.

herkalees · 15-04-2008, 06:14

To add; RAM, at least in my parts, is getting quite cheap. I saw 4gb of notebook ram for $60.00 USD about a week back over at slickdeals.net

woodss · 15-04-2008, 06:37

Freelancr:

You say money is an issue (having to save up) ... why not just get a cheap Windows laptop and upgrade the RAM ?

I bought an Acer Aspire 3610 WLMi for £530 last year with 1280x600 screen, 1Gb RAM, 1.6GHz processor.

It's not exactly bleeding edge, but I regularly run:

Visual Studio .NET 2005
EditPlus
Photoshop CS2
Firefox with plenty of tabs
MSN/Skype/GTalk
WinAmp for muh choonz

I never really see any slowdown - the files i'm working with in photoshop tend to be screen comps, i.e. 780x1000 or whatever and so don't really chew the RAM.

Battery life is about 1hr 20 mins with CPU and brightness maxxed .. if you use the power profile manager you can easily top 2 hours usage albeit with everything running a bit slower and the screen duller :P

Might be worthwhile spending half the price and getting yourself something that a) you're familiar with (since you don't wanna save up and spend loads on a machine you decide you hate), b) can run your applications decently and is easily upgradable (are Macs easy to upgrade? I don't know!)

If I were in your shoes, that's what I would do - even if you added say £200, and got a mid-level laptop for 700 quid you'd probably get a decent one

Remember to factor in a copy of XP Pro instead of Vista too!

Do Gooder · 15-04-2008, 07:06

please let this not turn into a macvpc thread... please.

woodss · 15-04-2008, 07:59

Thats not what I was trying to turn it into .. just my humble opinion, and what I'd do in his position.

Do Gooder · 15-04-2008, 08:07

nah worries woodss. not a go at you.. just a general concern.

RaelRode · 15-04-2008, 12:58

I have a bog standard Macbook. 1GB RAM 2.0GHz processor.

I can run Photoshop and Dreamweaver in different spaces, aswell as FireFox, Adium, and anything else in any of the 12 spaces I've set up.

I'd say go for it, best investment I've ever made.

Hunch · 15-04-2008, 22:16

You realize if you move to Mac you'll need to spend more than the cost of the laptop grand buying a completely new copy of CS3?

...but then you weren't planning to pay for it right?

Mitch · 18-04-2008, 08:03

Get it a month earlier...

Apple MacBook White 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo/ 1GB/ 80GB/Combo MB061B/B from MacWarehouse

freelancr · 21-04-2008, 17:12

Sorry I haven't replied to your stinky bait until now, I switched ISP and teh internets nearly switched off forever!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunch

You realize if you move to Mac you'll need to spend more than the cost of the laptop grand buying a completely new copy of CS3?

...but then you weren't planning to pay for it right?

Work have recently given me a laptop that works, and since I don't have the heart to drop it one day and claim it died - I will have to buy the Mac myself. Me being fussy and wanting a Mac doesn't really cut it when the current laptop will do the job. At least I will own it, and it'll be mine to keep.

The software they pay for and supply me with, and as the designers at work are a mix of Windows and Mac users they get licences for both platforms.

Hunch · 23-04-2008, 08:17

Good to hear. Glad you sorted out your ISP.

11-04-2008, 10:52	#1 (permalink)
freelancr Web Developer Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,984	13" Mac Book - Good enough for CS3? Alright chaps, I'm looking to replace my current laptop with something a bit better. I currently have a Dell Inspiron 6000 which work gave me recently, its a very low spec and couldn't run Windows XP very well, so I am using CentOS Linux. It's fine for what I want to do, apart from I need to use another PC to use CS3. The battery life is about 45 minutes, so its bloody useless for doing any work on my 3 hour each way train journey to the office - at least it gives me a chance to read my RoR books. I am very tempted by a Mac Book Pro, either the 15" or the 17", but if I am being honest it is priced way out of my league. I could save up, but it would take me forever cos I can see the money getting spent on everything else that we need instead. Also the missus would nail my bollocks to the ceiling for spending over £2000 on it instead of buying her a new kitchen floor that she's been nagging at me to do for ages. This then leaves the 13" Mac Book, much easier to save up for, could probably get one in about 3 or 4 months if I don't spend anything. The screen is smaller than my current laptop, but the resolution is the same, and the battery life is a hell of a lot longer if the apple website is to be believed. I'm predominately a developer, so don't necessarily need the poke of the Pro, but I still need to make use of CS3 applications like Fireworks, Photoshop and Illustrator to work with files the designers make. Should I get one then, or won't it be good enough? Should I bother upgrading the ram, or is 4GB a waste for this laptop. I reckon it would be ok as it is, but would be good to hear from anyone who has one. I suppose even if it isn't good enough for me to do what I wanna do on it, I'm sure I could wrap it up for the missus as a birthday/xmas present, and then get the Pro! I've never had an apple computer before so I suppose this is probably the best way of doing it, since I don't wanna spend a fortune and find I can't get on with it! __________________ web developer

11-04-2008, 11:10	#3 (permalink)
Do Gooder Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,040	i have a slightly older model macbook that only supports 2gig of ram at home. it's all relative this stuff.. but mine works fine for me with CS3.. just don't try any 3D/video apps! it falls on it's arse. i doubt there'll be much real-world performance differences between the pro and consumer models when it comes to CS3 maxing out to 4gig will help things to run smoother with multiple apps open. a few things.. my macbooks battery was great at first but is not lasting amazingly well with use... seems to be fading fast! the thing gets bloody hot. the gloss screen is a bit shit... not just for being gloss.. but having terribly narrow viewing angles.. it is good and bright though. all in it is a very good machine. Last edited by Do Gooder : 11-04-2008 at 11:26.

11-04-2008, 11:18	#4 (permalink)
JonoMarshall Day-Glo Jazz Monkey Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Shoreditch, London Posts: 1,047	I use a 2.0 C2D with 2gb RAM and the GMA 950 at home with CS3 Master Collection, it's fine for most jobs, but obviously applying filters to a high res image in photoshop or rendering in FCP 5.1 can take a while... the graphics are the main issue as I'm sure you're well aware. There are no real issues with everything else though? I use a newer MacBook when out and about at work and the difference when going from 2-4gb RAM is noticeable, plus I think the onboard graphics card is slightly better?! If you need to do a lot of video work, or working with RAW imagery, then a MBP would service you better, have you thought about getting a refurb MBP? Otherwise I'm sure the MB would be fine... __________________ Jon Marshall - Graphic Design

11-04-2008, 11:21	#6 (permalink)
JonoMarshall Day-Glo Jazz Monkey Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Shoreditch, London Posts: 1,047	Indesign (CS3) using the typical display performance setting is fine for huge docs/files?! ...tell her to sort out her workflow! __________________ Jon Marshall - Graphic Design

11-04-2008, 11:38	#7 (permalink)
freelancr Web Developer Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,984	Cheers chaps. I'm not looking to do 3d, video or print work, so I'm sure it will be fine! Best start saving up for one then! __________________ web developer

11-04-2008, 11:02	#2 (permalink)
pgo i'm done, son Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,262	I've got one at work. It runs CS3 alright so long as you aren't running much else. For instance, I'm always running: Firefox, Adium, Entourage, Smart SVN, and TextMate. If I turn on Photoshop, it's no problem. If I turn on my Windows XP Virtual Machine, it's no problem. If I turn on Photoshop and the XP Virtual Machine...it's like clicking through molasses. Photoshop regularly uses 500MB of RAM by itself. Sadly, I'm a bit underwhelmed by the performance of this Mac. My Vista machine does just as well with lower processor specs (but higher RAM - 3GB instead of 2GB). OS X is nice, though. It's pretty and once you get used to it, it's usable. Still prefer Explorer to Finder, though.

11-04-2008, 11:20	#5 (permalink)
safe as milk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 125	my wife has an early 2Ghz with 2Gb of memory good machine but when she uses Indesign it really starts to creak

15-04-2008, 06:14	#11 (permalink)
herkalees Semantics, yay. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Salem, Massachusetts Posts: 1,079	To add; RAM, at least in my parts, is getting quite cheap. I saw 4gb of notebook ram for $60.00 USD about a week back over at slickdeals.net __________________ Writing on markup, CSS, and other web geekery Professional, accessible, and search engine friendly web site development by Boston Web Studio

15-04-2008, 06:37	#12 (permalink)
woodss Just another web monkey Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 216	Freelancr: You say money is an issue (having to save up) ... why not just get a cheap Windows laptop and upgrade the RAM ? I bought an Acer Aspire 3610 WLMi for £530 last year with 1280x600 screen, 1Gb RAM, 1.6GHz processor. It's not exactly bleeding edge, but I regularly run: Visual Studio .NET 2005 EditPlus Photoshop CS2 Firefox with plenty of tabs MSN/Skype/GTalk WinAmp for muh choonz I never really see any slowdown - the files i'm working with in photoshop tend to be screen comps, i.e. 780x1000 or whatever and so don't really chew the RAM. Battery life is about 1hr 20 mins with CPU and brightness maxxed .. if you use the power profile manager you can easily top 2 hours usage albeit with everything running a bit slower and the screen duller :P Might be worthwhile spending half the price and getting yourself something that a) you're familiar with (since you don't wanna save up and spend loads on a machine you decide you hate), b) can run your applications decently and is easily upgradable (are Macs easy to upgrade? I don't know!) If I were in your shoes, that's what I would do - even if you added say £200, and got a mid-level laptop for 700 quid you'd probably get a decent one Remember to factor in a copy of XP Pro instead of Vista too! __________________ Steve Woods Freelance Web Developer in Newcastle (who also blogs here) Tel: 07701 019804 - E-Mail: steve@swoo.co.uk - Portfolio: http://www.swoo.co.uk/ XHTML / CSS / ASP / .NET / Accessibilty / Usability / Search Engine Optimisation / Mobile Applications

15-04-2008, 07:06	#13 (permalink)
Do Gooder Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,040	please let this not turn into a macvpc thread... please.

15-04-2008, 07:59	#14 (permalink)
woodss Just another web monkey Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 216	Thats not what I was trying to turn it into .. just my humble opinion, and what I'd do in his position. __________________ Steve Woods Freelance Web Developer in Newcastle (who also blogs here) Tel: 07701 019804 - E-Mail: steve@swoo.co.uk - Portfolio: http://www.swoo.co.uk/ XHTML / CSS / ASP / .NET / Accessibilty / Usability / Search Engine Optimisation / Mobile Applications

15-04-2008, 08:07	#15 (permalink)
Do Gooder Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,040	nah worries woodss. not a go at you.. just a general concern.

15-04-2008, 12:58	#16 (permalink)
RaelRode Designers are strange :) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Shrewsbury, UK Posts: 1,689	I have a bog standard Macbook. 1GB RAM 2.0GHz processor. I can run Photoshop and Dreamweaver in different spaces, aswell as FireFox, Adium, and anything else in any of the 12 spaces I've set up. I'd say go for it, best investment I've ever made. __________________ If it works, it's valid.

15-04-2008, 22:16	#17 (permalink)
Hunch Grumpy old man Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Japan Posts: 1,375	You realize if you move to Mac you'll need to spend more than the cost of the laptop grand buying a completely new copy of CS3? ...but then you weren't planning to pay for it right?

18-04-2008, 08:03	#18 (permalink)
Mitch Chavtastic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West London Posts: 1,256	Get it a month earlier... Apple MacBook White 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo/ 1GB/ 80GB/Combo MB061B/B from MacWarehouse

23-04-2008, 08:17	#20 (permalink)
Hunch Grumpy old man Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Japan Posts: 1,375	Good to hear. Glad you sorted out your ISP.

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