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General Discussion

Posted by Dylan Dixon
Dylan Dixon
947 Points

Best Hardware for Web Design?

Hey guys.

When browsing Dribbble, I always see people taking pictures of their imacs and their macbooks, and I rarely ever see them using PCs.

I was wondering what computer I should get when this one dies? It's going to die soon and I was looking to get a new one, but I'm not sure if I should get a Laptop, a Desktop, a Macbook, an iMac, the new mac computer thing that they have, or even just the mac mini?

If you guys have any suggestions please leave them in the comments below, and if possible maybe some of the mods and some of the staff could tell me what computer they prefer?

3 Answers

Rafal Dudek
Rafal Dudek
1,962 Points
Rafal Dudek
Rafal Dudek
1,962 Points

I would recommend using one that you can use as many browsers as possible. As you know, some things are not compatible between browsers and some may render things differently than expected. You could get a Mac system and run a virtual machine loaded with Windows to test Internet Explorer browser.

For any web design stuff, I would stick with desktop style computers, or All-In-One's like iMacs. Mainly because you'll want a larger screen, it's just so much easier to work with.

Dylan Dixon
Dylan Dixon
947 Points

Alright, well I'll start saving now haha!

It would definitely be a mac for me if it weren't so expensive, I think I'll ask for it for xmas, or maybe ask for my parents to pay for half or something. I dunno, I'll work something out probably.

Thanks for your answer!

Rafal Dudek
Rafal Dudek
1,962 Points
Rafal Dudek
Rafal Dudek
1,962 Points

True, if the money is tight, you could get away with a lot of it just using a PC. There are guides out there how to create a hackintosh :)

Dylan Dixon
Dylan Dixon
947 Points

Ah alright.

Thanks for the help!

James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points
James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points

> I always see people taking pictures of their imacs and their macbooks

Web peeps as a group tend to be a very trendy group, always chasing the next trend. Dribble being one of those trends.

In terms of technical functionality there's no compelling reason to design on Windows vs OS X. There are a few apps that are only available on OS X, although in my experience most of them have suitable Windows counterparts.

Dylan Dixon
Dylan Dixon
947 Points

Oh alright then.

Would you recommend any specific pcs?

James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points

Personally I've always been a fan of Dell Latitude laptops, Dell's business line both desktop and laptops have always been good to me (in a former life I was a systems administrator).

Personally I have a factory refurbished Dell laptop that comes with a factory warranty and has been good to me. So I'd suggest Dell's factory refrubished as a way to save some money.

I've also heard good things about Lenovo ThinkPad line (what used to be IBM's).

PC Mag's Top Business Laptops of 2014

Remember there's an inverse correlation between screen size and battery life. In general doing web design or development you want screen size. If you always work at your desk then you an get a monitor. However I like to work when not at a desk so I have a 17" laptop.

The biggest bang for your buck is:

  • SSD
  • RAM