Mac/InDesign anyone?

[CurlieQCarrie]

Let's just get this out there. I am a PC person. :P But since I am going to be doing graphics/layout design for the yearbook and/or newspaper at school next fall, I am wanting/needing a Mac with InDesign, plus Illustrator probably. I would like a laptop for convenience and mobility, but I'm gonna need a considerable amount of memory.

I like the 13-inch MacBook here (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/6294003/wo/X4203KRbHbbV2Z0QOb71RUq7piX/4.?p=0) because it's tiny (and tiny is cute!), and the memory upgrades seem good. What do you computer-knowledge ones say? (I'm not stupid when it comes to computers, but I have a lot to learn in that lingo.)

I'm going to KC to the Apple store sometime to check out things & see what they say would be a good choice, but I thought maybe you guys had some ideas which Mac would be best. I'd rather spend a little extra $ now, rather than wait and then have to upgrade or something later on. I won't be buying it until towards the end of the summer so I figured I'd start looking into things now.

Thanks in advance. :)

[Scott Pruett]

A macbook will likely get the job done just fine. The biggest drawback w/ design work, especially for print, will be the screen size. This won't cause much issue but 10:1 says you'll scroll more than you'd prefer. Plus, the color accuracy won't be perfect for soft proofing, but that may not be a big deal.

Memory - beef it up to 2gb if you can - it'll be cheaper to purchase an upgrade elsewhere than Apple & just drop it in, providing you have an open slot. 1gb will probably work, but you'll notice lag with large documents.

Hard drive - don't go overboard with the internal drive. Get something basic & at least get an external drive for backups. Doesn't need to be fancy, but backups are important...

InDesign/Illustrator/etc - wait until the CS3 versions are available to purchase (they will be by summer), and take advantage of academic pricing. You may find a suite with all you need (and more) for the same price as the two programs alone.

[betheny]

I just got Illustrator, although it's on a PC. You're gonna love it. I wish I had a Mac because the colors I see on my monitor aren't what prints and I hear Macs have less problems.

[Patonb]

Good idea would also pickup a decent LCD screen, round 200 bucks, and a keyboard and mouse for when your at home..

Eliminates the anoying 13" screen...

Also, buy aftermarket RAM, way cheaper.

[Andy]

I wish I had a Mac because the colors I see on my monitor aren't what prints and I hear Macs have less problems.

It's not the computer, really! :p <ducks>

Do you have your display output and printer output both set to sRBG or is one or both of those set to Adobe RGB? Unless you have a fancy monitor, your screen only displays sRGB (and maybe not even that in some cases). If colors get wonked out because you are seeing sRGB and the computer thinks you are using the Adobe RGB gamut, problems can occur. Also helps to calibrate your monitor if you want better quality digital pre-press.

[Scott Pruett]

true that it's not the computer (macs are no better than PCs in this regard although you'll typically find better components on their base models vs. widespread base-model PC stuff), but a calibrated display won't necessarily ensure that prints are accurate either. that's a different discussion. :)

the macbook's screen is fine carrie - don't sweat this.

[PN]

I like the 13 inch MacBook (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/61124002/wo/yk4bopb5BUAV3Z0dEX62QkLNKuE/5.?p=0) with the glossy widescreen display. I don't think the GMA 950 integrated graphics are going to be an issue for your needs. Buying an additional LCD monitor sounds like a good idea.

I recently learned that Matrox has a device called DualHead2Go (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000CC5J2U/leoville0f-20) that is an external dongle. It connects to a single video card head which then splits the head. The video card needs to have at least 128 MB of RAM.

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/media/common/dh2go/screenshots/photos_animation.gif

[CurlieQCarrie]

Thanks guys.

I know that the Macs in the lab at school where all the work is done all have CS2 programs...and so they wouldn't open a CS3 file, would they? That's my only concern about getting that, even though I know it's better. We're actually getting a new chairWOman of our mass media department who talked about upgrading software in July, so hopefully she'll hurry when CS3 is released.

And I read on the Apple site that the 13" does have 2 SODIMMs. Is that for memory?

I'm sure I'll have more questions later! Thanks.

[Scott Pruett]

Adobe knows better than to make CS3 formats that don't open in older versions, at least CS(1) - you should be fine.

The DIMMs are the type of slot available for memory. 2 slots = 2 sticks of RAM. If you start with 1gb and intend to upgrade to 2gb later, one of the slots will need to be free for an additional stick. Sometimes it's cheaper to have 1gb made up of (2) 512mb sticks vs. (1) 1gb stick, but that'll fill up the extra slot. Make sense?

(Edit: okay actually "DIMM" refers to the memory module/stick itself, but you get the idea :) )

[CurlieQCarrie]

Yup, got it. Thanks. I would've still been scratching my head about that one. :)

[Tiger Racing]

I like the 13-inch MacBook here (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/6294003/wo/X4203KRbHbbV2Z0QOb71RUq7piX/4.?p=0) because it's tiny (and tiny is cute!)
If you plan on doing graphic design and page layout on the computer, you will HATE the 13 inch screen. Go with the 15 inch version. The 17 inch is gorgeous, but it's a bit inconvenient to carry around. You'll need a special case and it's actually bigger than your lap.

C.

[trainman]

I have Indesign and Illustrator on my 15" PowerBook G4. With what I do, I use them very little, but they are excellent programs. I agree with bumping up the size for doing graphic work. My 15" can get small at times, I'd imagine a smaller size would get annoying quickly and not give a good view of your project.

[Broknwing]

Go with the 15 inch version. The 17 inch is gorgeous, but it's a bit inconvenient to carry around. You'll need a special case and it's actually bigger than your lap.


YEAH!!!! Carrie is FINALLY joining the "Force" :p I KNEW we'd get you sooner or later ;) ;)

RE: screen size...The 17" is NOT all that inconvenient to carry, fits in most backpacks and messenger bags(is thinner than most PC's so fits in a lot of cases that say are too small for it)...The two drawbacks are that it runs HOT, I don't know if the smaller screens are any cooler...and it's slippery to grab onto(aircraft aluminum case, no grippies), all 3 sizes will have this problem, but it might be less of an issue a few ounces lighter in the smaller screen size...I take my 17" practically everywhere with me, have a few different backpacks/bags/sleeves/etc for it depending on circumstances...none of them were outrageously expensive like the bags typically used to be(you know me carrie, I find outrageous deals & i can find you one ;) ) My messenger bag came from Target & isn't even a "computer bag" lol...but it fits beautifully...

ANYWAY....For graphic design, my vote is the 17" screen, if ya can afford it...I've been intending to put some sort of grippies on the bottom(kinda like the grippy shelf liner) so that it was easier to pick up, I just haven't tried it yet...

[CurlieQCarrie]

Anybody have a preference between the glossy screen and the non-glossy?

[CurlieQCarrie]

MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.33GHz
Part Number: Z0DQ
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
Accessory Kit
3GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 1x2GB, 1x1GB
MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
200GB Serial ATA Drive @ 4200 rpm
2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
SuperDrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)


Okay, that's it, I think.
Is there such a thing as getting too much memory?

[PN]

Glossy!

[Broknwing]

Okay, that's it, I think.
Is there such a thing as getting too much memory?
nope, you can never have TOO MUCH memory...

[Patonb]

nope, you can never have TOO MUCH memory...

Yha there is... If you have 3 sticks of RAM and only 2 slots.... You have 1 stick too many :)

[Scott Pruett]

Anybody have a preference between the glossy screen and the non-glossy?
It depends where you use it. The glossy screens can create some annoying reflections under certain lighting conditions (esp. direct light), but some people like the extra "pop" they give to photos, etc. I have a new windows notebook w/ a glossy screen, an older powerbook (non-glossy), and an apple cinema display (none of which have glossy finishes). I prefer non-glossy, but they're both fine. The glossy ones like fingerprints and smudges more, but that's not a big deal.

[Scott Pruett]

MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.33GHz
Part Number: Z0DQ
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
Accessory Kit
3GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 1x2GB, 1x1GB
MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
200GB Serial ATA Drive @ 4200 rpm
2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
SuperDrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)


Okay, that's it, I think.
Is there such a thing as getting too much memory?
If your budget is pretty large, nah, there's never too much. If you have to factor in software or other peripheral costs, then yeah I'd cut back to 2gb of RAM and a slower processor - I can pretty much guarantee that will still serve your needs quite well & you won't notice a difference even at a savings of however many hundred dollars. Try building the model starting @ $1,999 & just increase the RAM. Save some pennies for an external hard drive and other stuff.

Just my $0.02.

[Scott Pruett]

Yha there is... If you have 3 sticks of RAM and only 2 slots.... You have 1 stick too many :)
one of those is a 2gb stick.

[CurlieQCarrie]

Okay, good. I'll change it. I'm glad I'm at least set now--it's just a matter of ordering it. My student discount is save me a buttload on that CS3 package! Yay!

[Patonb]

one of those is a 2gb stick.

You missed the joke......... :p

[Patonb]

Okay, good. I'll change it. I'm glad I'm at least set now--it's just a matter of ordering it. My student discount is save me a buttload on that CS3 package! Yay!

From what i've heard Photoshop totally blws on intel Macs, as it was writen for the powerpc chipset.

It's been recommended to wait for the new version. Or get the Windows version and use Bootcamp.

[Scott Pruett]

CS3 *is* the new version.

CS2 isn't bad on intel macs.

yeah, I missed the joke. Still have.

[Patonb]

:o CS3 *is* the new version.

CS2 isn't bad on intel macs.

My Bad...



yeah, I missed the joke. Still have.


I wasn't reffering to the 3 gigs, but to its only too much RAM if you HAVE 3 RAM sticks, but your computer can only hold 2 of them...... Bad joke, i know.....

[pauly]

CS3 sounds great. There is an in depth preview of it here:

http://thetechnofile.com/2007/03/27/adobe-creative-suite-3/187/