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Best Computer Specifications For Graphic Design 2022
As a graphic designer, you will want a computer with enough processing power for whatever amount of jobs you need to do, no matter how demanding they may be. The challenge, though, is to locate a computer at an unbelievable price.
As a result, we are here to help you locate the greatest tools for graphic design that fit into both categories. As a graphic designer, you may relax knowing that the technical aspect of your job is taken care. With our picks for the best laptops for graphic designers in 2022, you can be certain that the technological aspects of your job are covered.
Why should a graphic designer use a Mac?
For decades, designers have chosen Macs because of their superior colour accuracy, picture quality, and simplicity of use. Additionally, the advent of high-end Retina screens simplifies and improves design work.
Another significant benefit is that Apple manufactures computers and the operating system that runs on them. As a result, Macs are more dependable than other computers, with far fewer compatibility or driver difficulties. To learn graphic design in a few months, try the online graphic design course by Blue Sky Graphics!
The optimal setup of your Mac for graphic design
RAM is one of the initial considerations (random access memory). This temporary storage area is used by graphic design applications to store various data types, including undo and redo states. The more RAM you have, the better, but at a minimum, you should have 8GB. If you want to work with 3D graphics or huge, multi-layered pictures, you should invest in 16GB or 32GB.
However, keep in mind that the latest M1 Macs support a maximum of 16GB. They do, however, manage RAM differently than previous Macs, thus 8GB or 16GB would plenty for most workloads.
While you can simply update the RAM on some Macs, it is more complicated or even impossible on others. RAM is integrated into the M1 CPUs rather than being a separate component. To be cautious, you should get as much RAM as your budget allows when purchasing your Mac.
You will also want storage in addition to RAM. You need an SSD over a regular hard disc, simply because it is far quicker. And in terms of storage, you will need at least 256GB, although your exact requirements may vary significantly depending on the amount of design work you perform and the size of the files you deal with. Although modern Macs do not support storage upgrades, you can utilise external devices if you run out of space.
GPU
Following it is the graphics processing unit (GPU). On-board graphics are far less expensive than separate graphics cards but are also significantly less powerful. However, most 2D design tasks do not require a powerful graphics card. Only if you perform a lot of 3D modelling, video editing, or other resource-intensive work will a separate graphics card be worthwhile.
Display
One of the most critical instruments for design work is the display. Naturally, size is a factor: in general, the larger the screen, the better, unless you want mobility. While screen resolution and pixel density are essential, you do not need to worry about them too much because any Mac that is now available will suffice.
Suppose you will use an external display — which you almost certainly will with a Mac mini — you will need at least a 1080p resolution. If you can buy 4K, though, you should do so, particularly at bigger resolutions.
The Best Computers for Graphic Designers in 2022
For Apple laptops for graphic design, choosing between a larger Intel machine and a smaller M1 system is a bit of a toss-up. While the M1 13-inch MacBook Pro is quick, the tiny screen makes graphic work difficult.
The basic model comes equipped with a 2.6GHz six-core Core i7 CPU, upgraded to a 2.4GHz eight-core Core i9 processor with Turbo Boost up to 5GHz. This is more than sufficient processing power for any graphic design application.
The LED-backlit Retina display with True Tone features a native resolution of 3072×1920, a pixel density of 226 pixels per inch, and a brightness of 500 nits. Finally, four Thunderbolt 3 ports are available for peripheral connectivity – all of this in a package weighing just 2kg and beginning at £2,399.
MacBook Pro M1 for graphic design
If you do not want the largest MacBook display, you may choose one of Apple’s newest MacBooks equipped with the speedy M1 CPU. The new MacBook Pro or the new MacBook Air, which feature eight-core M1 CPUs and 13-inch 2560×1600 IPS screens, are the only options.
The MacBook Air weighs 1.29 kilogrammes, whereas the MacBook Pro weighs 1.4 kilogrammes. If that is your primary consideration, the MacBook Air is an excellent pick. In the absence of such, we propose the MacBook Pro. It features eight GPU cores vs. seven on the MacBook Air; a brighter screen at 500 nits versus 400 nits; and active, fan-based cooling rather than passive cooling – a significant difference if you expect to work long hours on your MacBook.
The best Mac desktop for graphic design
If you are looking for the most powerful Mac money can buy, you will need to spend at least £5,999 on a Mac Pro. Naturally, these high-end computers are aimed at professional animators and 3D graphic artists. While it will face tough competition from the 24-inch iMac, it delivers an excellent balance of screen size and raw speed, which is why it is our desktop system of choice.
This iMac’s CPU can be configured up to a 3.6GHz 10-core 10th-generation Core i9 processor. The iMac’s entry-level variant comes equipped with a discrete Radeon Pro 5300 GPU and 4GB of GDDR6 RAM. This performance may be increased to a Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 RAM.
8GB of RAM is expandable to a maximum of 128GB. SSD storage starts at 256GB and can reach 8TB in the finest configuration.
The magnificent 27-inch 5K display features a resolution of 5120×2880 and a colour gamut of more than a billion. It features all the standard specifications, including True Tone, P3, and 500 nits of brightness. This Mac features four USB-A ports, two Thunderbolt 3 connectors, and an SDXC card slot for connection. The pricing of the iMac starts at £1,799 and goes up to £2,299.
