Well, I have been putting off buying a new computer, but my system has been leaving me little hints that it is old and tired. So, my gut tells me I better bite the bullet soon.
I will be ordering a new computer this week, and it looks like the one I'm looking at comes with Windows 8.1 with a free upgrade to windows 10 when it becomes available. I do have the option of getting it with windows 7. At one time I was hearing a lot of moans and groans about 8, so I'm wondering if there are still concerns, or if it is just a matter of getting used to it. Also, hoping 8 plays nice with Corel.
Coming from Corel x3, I'm finding out I'll be having to buy a new version of Corel, rather than being able to upgrade. (bummer)
The thing that really has me shell shocked is the cost of Photoshop these days. I'm not seeing it for under $1600. Is this for real???? Are people actually paying as much for a software program as they would a whole computer system? I am thinking I may have to do something abit differently here in that regard. Any suggestions?
Lastly, I am trying to decide whether to do a dual monitor system with 2/ 24" monitors, or to just get a larger monitor and stick with one.
I appreciate those with more experience for some insight because you guys have a better understanding of what people in our "tribe" need in a computer. My existing computer is almost 8 years old now, and so I've been out of the loop on some of the technological changes of late.
Any advice or direction would certainly be helpful to me right now.
~ janette
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Hi Janette...Our current laptops have Win 8.1 and CorelDraw x3 works just fine on them. If you are upgrading from XP Win 7 would be an easier progression. I have had Win 7 for a few years and the change to 8.1 was a little confusing at first, but now I like it. As far as a monitor, I have a 28" and find it to be fine.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
I have two monitors and really like the convenience of seeing two different things at once and being able to drag back and forth.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
RAY...... its that bi-polar thing.........2 things at once))))))hahahahahahahahahaa only problem with X3 there is no more support for it. i have WIN 7 and it runs just fine. i stil do most of my work from it. i got an academic version of X7. DONT LIKE IT. glad i didnt get a full version ans i still use X3. i sent a graphic to fill an order for some front plates for vehicles.....i worked it up in X7, only to find out i had to redo it in X3. X7 FILES are not backward compatible!!!! as the place that was making the auto tags....couldnt use X7 files)))) oh and when you asked what hard drive you want get a 250 gig SSD for your main drive. you can slave a 1TBYTE for saving files....
as for MONITORS.......look at 28-32" 1080p FLATSCREEN TV...... i have a visio 28......LOVE IT!!!and it was under $300....4 years ago))))
[ April 22, 2015, 04:39 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
I agree with Raymond about using two monitors, for the convenience of having different programs running without having one "intrude" on the other, but I still like my one largish one. Of course, if I were still in the workforce, I would probably have two 28" monitors.
DEFINITLY get a computer with a solid state drive. We have 250 GB SSD's currently, but once we are back in Canada, I will be upgrading to 960 GB SSD's. (on sale at Tiger Direct recently for about $350) WAY faster than HDD.
Never skimp on the RAM and be very careful to check the processor speed, faster is better. AMD has, in my opinion, much better options than Intel.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Dittos on the duel monitors.
While I agree with Dave about the ram (there is never enough) and the SSD, I've grown to prefer the Intel I7 processor. Photoshop CC 2014 seems to be faster and more responsive with it than any of the computers I have with the AMD chip.
As for Photoshop, if that is all you need, I believe you can subscribe to it for about $10 per month.
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
AMD is a non starter any more. Yes they run good. But the AMD chips lost the power long ago. Yes they are cheaper. At one time gamers used AMD because it could be hacked ro run faster over time.
However Today, the Intel chips has the advantage hands down in speed and rendering larger files Any I7 chips is the one to get. They are screaming faster than anything else out there. Yes, Apple uses them in their machines too.
There is not one single chip that will do what the Intel chips will do including on board graphics without the need for a high end video card.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
I'd listen to Curtis on the Intel chips.
I also prefer 2 monitors. One big monitor is nice, but, you will increase your window to fit your artwork. I like having a full window open on both monitors, like sometimes I have a logo that I'm redrawing and I like to have Illustrator up on my main monitor and have the jpg version on the other to reference without having to click on it to bring it forward. And yes, (I feel the earth shaking) I agree with Joe about getting TV's as monitors.
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
Windows 8.1 is a really difficult program and so much different from XP. None of the old MS or Corel programs work on the 'new' system. Honestly, I only use that laptop for email and rarely at that. I will never trust Microsoft again as the 8.1 is a total joke.
Now, it is rare that I bash anyone, but the 8.1 is really a poor excuse for an upgrade. I do not care what it does better. The downside was a complete waste of my money.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Local computer shop here will not build a system with or work on computers with Win 8. They hate it. They have been using Win 10 for a while and love it, just awaiting the release. I've heard that 8 was designed for touch screens.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Add my recommendation to a Solid State system also. A local shop built my latest computer with Win 7 and it has been working great for almost a year. It has never been connected to the internet. I am not very computer savvy, but it has a ton of RAM and more storage than I will ever use.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
I use SignWizard 6.0, Corel x4, and Aspire 2.5 every day in Windows 8.1 with no problems. The only things I hate about it is that stupid flyout at the right of the screen and the way it flips between screens like when you have opened a pdf file.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
The system I am ordering does have a solid state drive. and 24 ram. I had the option to get a larger hardrive and 32 ram for 200 bux more, but decided against it. I am leaning towards doing window 7 for now, and they will upgrade me to 10 for free when it gets released. I think I may just side step any potential issues with 8.1.
I am going to check out some monitors at Costco this weekend. Will keep you posted on what I decide in that regard.
I sure do appreciate you folks. This was a daunting task for me, and it's good to get some feedback from other users.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
monitors....aka LCD TV....VISIO, SAMSUNG, sony, INSIGNA....all top brand names. 1. 1080P NOT LESS....... and read this little article http://www.wikihow.com/Pick-a-Flat-Screen-TV Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Janette...You'll like the speed of the SSD and the 24 GIG of ram. (The processor speed is also important. Whether it is Intel or AMD, I would be wanting at very least 3.5 GHz. in a desktop. I am sure, Curtis will dispute that too though)
I won't add any info on a monitor selection since you were the gal who "blew me away" when I had a 14" monitor and you introduced me to the HUGE 21" monitor that you had back in 1998!!!!
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)