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Best Mac For Graphics



  1. Best Graphics Card For Mac Pro 2012
  2. Free Graphic Software For Mac
  3. Mac Graphics Driver
  4. Mac Graphic Design
Updated: October 06, 2020 | 13 min readBest Mac For Graphics

The best Mac OS 9 graphics card is the GeForce 4Ti. All those cards are great in Mac OS X Tiger & Leopard, but Mac OS 9 lacks drivers meaning no GPU acceleration. The 4Ti has full support in Mac OS 9, and runs just about any app or game smoothly. The Apple MacBook Pro is a good quality computer. And if you are accustomed to the Mac OS, and you own other Apple Products, and you don’t mind spending a little more, then I suggest you choose a MacBook Pro for graphic design. There is a strong prejudice toward Macintosh in the graphic design community. In August 2020, Apple refreshed its 5K ‌‌iMac‌‌ all-in-one desktop computers, upgrading the 27-inch models with new processors and graphics chips, but sticking with the same tried-and.

The internet is full of confusing advice about choosing the right computer for graphic design. Which is better—laptop or desktop, Windows or Mac? What specs do you go for? How much should you be ready to pay?

Before we start

To ensure your graphic design apps work perfectly on your device, you need to devote your attention to optimizing your Mac. Download MacKeeper and let it optimize your Mac with almost no effort from you.

One thing we know for sure—Macs are in the favourites among all kinds of graphic designers, from typographers to 3D animators. Once you’ve set your mind on Apple, it’s time to choose one out of the wide variety of devices. This article will help you figure out which Mac is best suited for your budget and your creative tasks.

We have produced the ultimate list of Apple devices that are the best for graphic design:

  • Best overall: 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019)
  • Best desktop: 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina display
  • Best alternative: MacBook Air (2020)

Why choose a Mac for graphic design?

Macs have been preferred by the world’s leading designers for years, mainly due to the superb colour accuracy and image quality that come with Apple’s high-end Retina displays. Furthermore, the new features that the company introduces with each release, such as the Magic Keyboard and Touch Bar, improve user experience, making it easier and more comfortable to design on Macs.

Simply having a powerful computer is not enough for creative occupations. A significant amount of memory and the best graphics cards are essential to pull off most professional software. The majority of Macs from the current line have plenty of RAM and discrete GPUs with on-board memory of up to 4GB.

The exquisite integration that comes with macOS allows smooth workflow between all the different apps that you use when working on a project. Additionally, cross-platform compatibility enables you to run Windows through Apple’s own built-in tool, Boot Camp—so, when you need to run a Windows-specific app, you’re sorted.

Finally, Macs are diverse and flexible when it comes to lifestyle. Are you a dynamic person who is always on the run? Then you must need to be able to carry your entire workstation with you. The light and compact MacBooks with long battery life have got your back. Correspondingly, if you’re more of a desktop dweller and prefer working from the comfort of your home, you can opt for a large and impressive iMac.

The best Mac configuration for graphic design

Professional applications for designers are focused on interface design, illustration, and 3D. All of them are RAM-hungry, so look for devices with at least 8GB of RAM. Cats free slots. If you’re not sure how much memory you’ll need for future projects, consider models that can be upgraded (the latest generations of MacBook Pro, the majority of iMacs, and Mac mini). Otherwise, always opt for the highest amount of RAM possible—you can purchase it in-store when buying your Mac.

On top of RAM, you’ll need at least 256GB of internal SSD storage to keep many high-resolution images on your internal disk. Make sure you get a Mac with a solid-state drive rather than a hard drive for better performance. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to replace a drive yourself after the purchase as Apple’s products are sealed units, so make sure that you get plenty of storage space at the start. If that’s not an option, get an external drive.

When it comes to processor power, graphic design applications are not that intense, especially when compared to video editing software. You’ll get away with a 1.6GHz dual-core Core i5 CPU. Obviously, it is encouraged that you get a Mac that has more cores, but in most cases, you won’t notice a change in performance once you’re over the GHz range—instead, invest in additional RAM.

Make sure that your Mac has a discrete graphics card with plenty of RAM or is compatible with an eGPU. Older Mac models and most MacBook Airs use integrated GPU, which eats away from the CPU power and slows down the computer when working on graphics-heavy projects. We recommend looking for a Mac with at least AMD Radeon RX 570—an equivalent of Nvidia GTX 1050.

Don’t forget about the ports—as a graphic designer, you’ll need to connect your tablet and other peripherals for regular work. Make sure your computer has at least two Thunderbolt 3s.

Finally, the display—one of the most important aspects of design work. Of course, most creators will agree that the larger the monitor, the better the workflow. However, the key aspect here is the resolution—make sure it’s at least 1280x800. As for pixel density, it’s higher in Apple monitors than in most PCs and regular laptops, so you’ll be fine with any Mac.

The best MacBook for graphic design

MacBook Pro for graphic design

Mac

The 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro is an improved successor of its outdated 15-inch version. The base model has a 2.6GHz 6-core 9th Gen Core i7 processor that can be upgraded up to a 2.4GHz 8-core 9th gen Core i9 with Turbo Boost to 5.0GHz. This is more than enough power for any graphic design software.

But what about GPU? This beast has an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory—a substantial amount for gaming, let alone creative work. Blacklisted online casinos. It’s equipped with 16GB of on-board RAM and up to 8TB of SSD storage.

The LED-backlit Retina display with True Tone and P3 has 3072x1920 native resolution with 226 PPI and 500 nits brightness. Finally, four Thunderbolt 3 ports are available to connect peripherals—all of this in just 2 kg, starting at $2,399.

In 2020, Apple released an updated 13-inch version of MacBook Pro. This might not be enough for print design, but will be sufficient for web-designing purposes.

The base model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro has a 1.4GHz quad-core 8th Gen Core i5 processor with room for improvement up to 2.3GHz quad-core Core i7. However, it has an integrated Iris Plus graphics card, which is a significant drawback.

The base 8GB of RAM can be configured to 32GB, and SSD storage can be expanded to 4TB. The Retina display’s resolution is 2560x1900 with 500 nits brightness, True Tone and P3 technologies in place as always. The laptop can have two or four Thunderbolt 3 ports, weighing 1.4 kg and costing from $1,299 to $1,799.

MacBook Air for graphic design

The 2020 MacBook Air is the cheapest and most portable among all Apple computers. Weighing only 1.290 kg, it still packs powerful components that will satisfy beginner designers.

The base $999 model has a 1.1GHz dual-core Core i3 processor. The more expensive $1,299 option brings it up to a 1.2GHz quad-core Core i5 with Turbo Boost to 3.5GHz. Both the models have an integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics card with support for an eGPU available. 8GB of on-board RAM is configurable to 16GB, while 256GB of SSD storage can be boosted up to 2TB.

The display of the MacBook is impressive. The LED-backlit 13.3-inch screen with IPS and True Tone technologies packs 2560x1600 native resolution at 227 PPI with support for millions of colors.

Finally, two Thunderbolt 3 ports are available. The computer is also known for its long battery life of up to 12 hours with no need to connect the charger.

iMac for graphic design

On August 5, 2020, Apple announced a major update to their 27-inch iMac, making it the most powerful iMac ever created. It’s ideal even for the most intense tasks such as game design and 3D modeling.

The CPU of the new iMac is configurable up to 3.6GHz 10-core 10th Gen Core i9, which has not been done before in any of the Apple devices except for Mac Pro. The base model of the iMac has a discrete GPU of Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory. This can be improved up to a staggering Radeon Pro XT with 16GB of GDDR6 memory.

Two 4GB blocks of RAM can be customized to the maximum of 128GB—56GB each. SSD storage, starting at 256GB in the base model, can shoot up to 8TB in the best configuration.

The famous 27-inch 5K display has a 5120x2880 resolution and supports more than a billion colors. It has all the usual specs: True Tone, P3, 500 nits brightness… But it can also be turned into nano-texture glass, guaranteeing truly unbelievable user experience.

As for ports, the computer has four USB-As, two Thunderbolt 3s and an SDXC card slot. The iMac’s price starts at $1,799, going up to $2,299.

How to optimize your Mac ready for design projects?

Mac is one of the most comfortable computers for graphic design. However, having insufficient RAM or disk space may interfere with your work.

For example, 3D modeling is a RAM-hungry process, that's why freeing up RAM memory is an excellent idea. You can use Memory Cleaner in MacKeeper to free up your Mac's RAM without some extra effort. With a few clicks, MacKeeper will help to optimize your current Mac session.

Graphic design software also requires a lot of storage. https://truenfiles108.weebly.com/dolphin-quest-reviews.html. Unused apps, duplicates, cache, junk files, and other useless elements take the space you can use for your creative projects. You can quickly free it up with MacKeeper’s set of cleaning tools. Let your Mac be ready for your most daring creations!

Conclusion

World-renowned companies, such as Pixar and Walt Disney, choose Macs to create their masterpieces. This is not surprising—the majority of graphic designers prefer Macs for their fast functionality, simple file management, and outstanding design software.

Read more:

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Are you looking for the best PC to use for your graphic designing? Can’t decide between Windows 10 and Mac?

Well, we’re here to help you.

According to Apple, there are more Windows 10 users than there are Mac users. Don’t get fooled by these statistics because it doesn’t automatically mean Windows 10 is better than Mac. Everyone has his own reason for his preferred computer.

If you’re updated on the Mac vs Windows 10 debate, you might already know some of their pros and cons. If you aren’t, read on. Below are some advantages and disadvantages for both Macs and Windows PCs:

Brief History

You might have learned that most graphic designers prefer the Mac over Windows. There’s a reason for that. Did you know that Photoshop and digital typography were born on the Mac computer?

Best Graphics Card For Mac Pro 2012

In the 1980s, the Mac was the lone computer to allow for digital typography. Susan Kare pioneered digital typography with her unique typefaces, fonts, and digital art. Later, she sold her other designs to companies like Microsoft and Oracle.

John and Thomas Knoll, the creators of Photoshop, built the first version on a Mac computer in 1988. The Mac was the computer with a color display and the capacity to handle the program at the time. For a long time, most graphic designers had one option for the kind of computers they could work on and it was Mac.

The reason why older graphic designers prefer Mac is because it’s what they knew would work.

Now, most graphic design software for PC is available for both Windows and iOS platforms. At this point, it all depends on your preference.

Hardware

If you’re a PC buff and you want a PC that’s upgradeable and customizable, get a Windows computer. Windows PCs allow for different configurations because you can swap out the components. That isn’t to say that you cannot upgrade your Mac PC. How to pull up flash drive on mac.

There are limits to what you can upgrade on a Mac PC, which is swapping out the memory and storage drives only. Getting a Mac is one great choice if you don’t have the time or the familiarity with customizing your PC. In general, the easiest way to upgrade a Mac is to buy a new one.

Art software for PCs doesn’t require that many hardware changes. Thus, there won’t be much difference if you got Adobe Photoshop on a Mac or Windows PC. The differences will be the commands and the different Photoshop plug-ins.

Software

Now, there are tons of software created for both Windows and Mac. Each has its unique edge against the competition but both are trying to cover all bases. Both even have their own voice-controlled personal assistants: Siri and Cortana.

If you are a gamer and graphic designer, a Windows PC is your best choice. The Windows PC has the processing power, RAM space, storage, ports, and displays. These are all demands of high-end gaming.

Other than the advantage of games, Windows 10 has a few editions available. Some have more features and higher costs. If you’re planning on getting Windows, you might want to understand the difference between windows 10 pro and home before you buy anything.

The thing about Mac computers is they work better with other Apple programs. These are software like iTunes, iCloud Drive, iCloud Photo Library, Find My iPhone, iMessage, Handoff, or iCloud Keychain software. Mac is popular for its intuitive design for its own apps.

https://cooljfile871.weebly.com/gambling-places-in-louisiana.html. Since there are fewer Macs than there are Windows PCs, it is safer to use against viruses and malware. This makes the Mac less likely to get infected by malware. We still recommend taking steps for caution if you end up choosing a Mac.

As far as graphic design goes, the best graphic design software for Mac and Windows vary on your personal tastes. What works for you will work differently for everyone else. It’s all a matter of which one you’re more used to using.

Price

Free Graphic Software For Mac

What you’ve got to spend on a computer is one big deciding factor for buying one. And computers are expensive. Are you a graphics or logo designer on a budget?

Think about this: the cheapest laptop with the Mac logo on it costs $999.99 USD. One reason for this is because the people who make the Mac software also make the Mac hardware. They have specific software designed to run on the hardware.

Here are some reasons why Mac computers are worth the price. Mac has regular software updates that make them capable over time. Its bug fixes and patches are even available for older versions of the iOS to keep old Macs safe.

The cheapest Windows PC could put you back about 300 USD. They’re great for people on a budget who could look to get upgrades for their PCs later. But, if you’re planning to do a lot of upgrading in the future, you might end up spending more on your PC than on a Mac.

Mac Graphics Driver

Pros and Cons Summarized: Mac vs Windows 10

While there isn’t a better computer now, there is a preferred computer for each one. Below we’ve got lists for the pros and cons for Mac and Windows 10.

The strengths of a Macintosh computer include its intuitive design and better security. It is also compatible with other Apple products and software. The display and color calibration of Mac computers are also more accurate.

In contrast, the weaknesses of a Macintosh computer include its expensive price range. A Mac computer is not very customizable however it can last for a long time. It is also lacking support for high-performance games.

Mac Graphic Design

With that said, the Windows 10 PCs have advantages such as their cheaper prices and many customization options. When your components are inadequate or obsolete, you can always swap them out. Windows 10 also runs high-performance games.

However, Windows PCs are more vulnerable to malware and viruses. Another weakness of a Windows PC is that they aren’t as great communicators with other products as Macs are with Apple products. You’ll still need to do some manual syncing if you want to back-up some of your files onto your phone.

When it comes to choosing the computer for graphic designers, it all comes down to which you favor. You can have the same software and programs on both computers, almost. Still, you can do the same quality of work on both computers.

Design Graphics on Your Preferred PC

We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: It’s all up to which you like better. The Mac vs Windows 10 debate has been alive for decades now. For graphic designers like you, there is no real lead for either software or hardware.

Price is a big factor, but so is comfortability. Your comfort and your clients’ comfort matter. When choosing, also take note of which platform has more system compatibility with your clients.

Free adware removal mac. In the end, your computer shouldn’t matter much as long as you get the job done.

Did you enjoy the read? Looking for more?

Don’t hesitate to read our other blog posts. Here’s a helpful bit we’ve got if you want some tips on web design.






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