help me, computer geeks

[proudpittsburgher]

I need a little computer help. I may be fortunate enough to land a fairly big freelance gig where I will manage the production of a 200-page magazine. I will need to upgrade my current laptop for the job and was looking for advice on a new machine. So far, I've been told to look at something with 3 gigs of RAM and at least 2.0MgH on the processor speed. I know, from my experience working with my current laptop that it runs a bit slow when I am doing some projects and going back and forth from one program to the next (Photoshop, Quark, Internet, etc) and I need a machine that will run smoothly and fairly quick. I am looking to spend upwards of a grand on it. I currently have an HP laptop and have been very happry with it, until lately with the speed issues. Any suggestions on Brand, processor speeds, memory would be of great help to me. Thanks, in advance.

 

[ColbertNation]

Photoshop and Quark on a laptop, I'd lean toward going with a Mac. As for specs, I can't help you much. I haven't really checked the market lately as I am very poor and can't even consider looking for a new computer right now.

 

[Tom Petty]

I need a little computer help. I may be fortunate enough to land a fairly big freelance gig where I will manage the production of a 200-page magazine. I will need to upgrade my current laptop for the job and was looking for advice on a new machine. So far, I've been told to look at something with 3 gigs of RAM and at least 2.0MgH on the processor speed. I know, from my experience working with my current laptop that it runs a bit slow when I am doing some projects and going back and forth from one program to the next (Photoshop, Quark, Internet, etc) and I need a machine that will run smoothly and fairly quick. I am looking to spend upwards of a grand on it. I currently have an HP laptop and have been very happry with it, until lately with the speed issues. Any suggestions on Brand, processor speeds, memory would be of great help to me. Thanks, in advance.

mac makes a computer that would fit your needs to a T. you'll have to spend $2,500, though.

 

[markvid]

the more RAM, the better...go no less than 8GB.
But Tom nailed it. Mac will suit you.

 

[Tom Petty]

the more RAM, the better...go no less than 8GB.
But Tom nailed it. Mac will suit you.

just to piggyback ... from my experience, you do not want to run quark with a pc.

 

[wickedwritah]

Quark on a PC or anything older than Mac OS X = fail.

 

[shotglass]

Would've fought these sentiments at one time, but they're right. Quark, Photoshop, Illustrator are meant to be run on a Mac.

 

[wickedwritah]

Finally working at a paper that has a relatively recent version of Quark. Amen, Jesus.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

Bump:

I'm getting a new desktop computer. My old was seven, eight years old and was wiped out by a virus.
Does anyone know how I can wipe the hard drivemyself, before I recycle it?

Thanks.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive.html

 

[mike311gd]

"We're on the case."

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

We don't know who those guys are, but we think they work for the government. Don't trust them.

 

[jgmacg]

You can always save a few bucks on refurbished Macs at the Apple Store. Same warranty as new:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=44BD9AA1&nclm=CertifiedMac

 

[Gomer]

You never said specifically you wouldn't consider a desktop, so if money's an issue let me be the first to suggest it.

You can get better processor speeds, cheaper RAM and a much bigger monitor for the same price as a laptop.

I'd still suggest a Mac for the task of a 200-page layout though. But if you go fast enough on the processor a PC would still do the trick.