Currently, the electronics market, in particular laptops, is full of different models for every taste and color, as well as for any application. Previously, laptops lured with its portability and style, but the main characteristics were much different with desktop computers in both quality and price. Almost any laptop computer was inferior to the "stationary" in everything, but really good models were too expensive. Now laptops occupy a worthy niche in the computer market and meet all the requirements of the consumer. The price of models with high parameters has also become proportionate. Now each user can choose a model that suits his preferences and professional activities.
What to look for when choosing a laptop
When buying a laptop computer, a person already assumes that he will use it anywhere, regardless of the availability of outlets or a large enough space for the location of the volume keyboard and monitor. Therefore, first of all, a laptop should be practical, not very bulky (the benefit of almost all new models is small in weight and size), have a good enough battery to operate the computer without recharging for a long time, stylish design. Together with all these qualities, the "filling" must be combined so that the laptop meets all the professional requirements of the user.
Notebook for graphic programs
For the average layman there is no difference how the information is processed in the device’s processor or how much the motherboard and video card are combined. The main thing is that everything is bigger, and the price is lower. But for more advanced users who are dealing with programming or with a graphical editor, each computer setting is very important. Indeed, to work with programs that are heavy in structure and filling, you need good hardware. In this article, we will analyze in detail which laptop is best suited for graphics programs and what the device settings should be for high-quality processing of video files and images.
Basic parameters for working with graphic programs
To work with any graphic editor, be it raster, vector or their hybrid, the laptop needs a good "filling". And if you work with three-dimensional graphics, then indicators of such parameters as processor power, video card model and RAM size should be at a high level.
When choosing a laptop for graphics programs, the parameters that can be called basic are as follows:
Screen
A high-quality display on a computer is an important part of it, so that during long work the eyes do not strain and the color of the picture is transmitted with the least deviations. Many new models have a widescreen screen with a resolution of 1024 × 768 and higher. The quality of the picture for working with graphics should be at least 720p. Also, do not forget that the display is protected from glare for ease of use.
CPU
It is also worth taking care of the availability of a productive processor, which affects the processing speed of photo and video files. The best indicator for choosing a processor will be its multicore, that is, multithreading, so as not to lose in the speed of downloading programs and working in them. High clock speed and the presence of an integrated graphics core will be an advantage. These features are usually possessed by processors from Intel. The multithreading of their cores allows you to process information quickly and without lags.
Video card
In working with graphic programs, namely with 3D graphics, the choice of a fairly powerful video card is of great importance. Laptop computers can have a dedicated or integrated (integrated) motherboard. In the case of integrated video cards, the only advantage may be the compactness of the device itself, since the built-in does not take up much space, unlike the external one. But you will have to forget about high-quality graphics processing or get more RAM due to the fact that such a video card does not have its own memory, it borrows it from other sources. A full-fledged video card with its processor and memory can only be allocated. In such cases, it makes sense to look at a laptop with a nVidia GTX brand graphics card.
These are the main features of a laptop for graphics programs. However, one should not forget about its other qualities and parameters, such as RAM, cooling system, type of hard drive, the model itself and the operating system. Since the compatibility of all its elements is important for fast and confident performance of a portable device.
So, to choose a laptop for graphics programs, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- Processor (the more cores and frequencies, the better).
- Video card (with memory from 1 GB).
- High resolution display.
- RAM (suitable from 4 GB of RAM).
- Hard drive (for faster performance, choose an SSD drive).
- Operating system (Windows 7 and above).
But in order to choose a laptop for graphic programs as the main device on which most projects will be carried out, one must always rely on what kind of programs these will be and what are their minimum requirements.
Types of graphic programs and their system requirements
Graphic programs are divided into types of computer graphics and are used to create editing and processing graphic files, store information about objects in a pixel format, in the form of simple lines and patterns, or in the form of three-dimensional projection.
Raster
These are programs that operate on the basis of editing bitmap graphics, that is, a pixel image. Such editors are the best means of processing photographs and drawings, have high accuracy in the transmission of colors and halftones. Their disadvantages are the large amount of file memory after editing and the lack of the ability to enlarge the image to clarify details. Even with these shortcomings, raster editors are very popular and are widely used in various fields of activity. These programs for processing raster graphics include Photoshop, Paint, etc. If Paint is the simplest program for processing and creating images, then Photoshop will require more or less good parameters. The minimum system requirements for the processor to work in it must be at least Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon 64 and at least 2 GHz clock speed, 8 GB of recommended RAM and a screen resolution of 1024 × 768, video memory of at least 512 MB.
Vector
Such programs process images in the form of graphic primitives: straight lines, circular arcs, rectangles, shading, etc. They are characterized by high accuracy of drawing, a small graphic file and can convert without distortion. In such editors, drawing is quick and easy, but you should not expect realistic images from them. Vector graphics programs are used in computer printing, engineering and design. These include programs such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator. Their system requirements must meet the following parameters: Intel Pentium 4 processor, AMD Athlon 64 and higher, a minimum of 1 GB of RAM and a display resolution of 1024 × 768.
3D modeling software
These programs work with three-dimensional models (three-dimensional objects, animation). 3D editors are the most demanding because they contain a wide range of image processing and perform many functions for editing three-dimensional graphic files. Of the universal programs for 3D-modeling, the most famous are 3D Max, Maya, Modo. To work with editing 3D graphics you will need a really good computer with considerable system parameters. The minimum system requirements of such programs are: Intel Core i5 processor and higher, from 4 GB of RAM, nVidia Geforce graphics card series from 780, HDD, but it is recommended to have a solid-state SSD-drive.
Which laptop is better
This section presents the models of the best laptops for graphics programs that have all the parameters for convenient and efficient work with graphics, and their price-quality ratio is optimal:
- ASUS Zenbook UX 330UA series has a very elegant design and good options for working with graphic editors of vector and raster graphics. Compact, high quality and with a good battery for a low price. Suitable for those who work outside the home, it will be a convenient solution for those who often travel and work on the computer on their trips and business trips. But for better performance, it is better to choose with a dedicated video card and a large screen size.
- The HP Pavilion Gaming 17-ab314ur is a great choice for graphic designers as well as gamers. The powerful Intel Core i5 processor, not stripped down (which is important), the improved nVidia Geforce graphics card in combination with the FHD-display make this laptop a very good option for working with three-dimensional graphics and 3D-modeling.
- HP Envy complete with Intel Core i7 processor, 17-inch screen and SSD-drive is the leading and one of the best laptops for working with graphic programs. Such devices are preferable for designers and architects.
- Notebook ASUS N552VX has a quad-core Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor with a clock frequency of 2.6 GHz and an nVidia graphics card with 2 GB of memory. A large amount of RAM and 2 TB of hard drive, of course, are the advantages of this model. The only drawback of the laptop can be considered a TFT display.
- Notebook Dell Inspiron 5767-7506 series has an excellent value for money. It’s not often that you find a computer for 45,000 rubles, on which you can work with small graphic programs.
Here are some good models. But which laptop for graphics programs is better, only the user can decide, finding for himself the most optimal one.
From inexpensive portable devices, the user can pay attention to the Lenovo IdeaPad V310 and Acer Extensa 2520G models. They are ideal for beginners in graphic design. Photoshop and Corel Draw will pull.
According to the rating of laptops for graphic programs, the HP Pavilion and HP Envy models can be put in first place. And more advanced users and professionals should take a closer look at more expensive laptops from MSI, ASUS and Mac.
Conclusion
To choose a laptop for graphics programs, you need to know all the features of the device. If you choose with an external video card, then do not forget to look at the function of the cooling system and the battery capacity. A powerful processor also consumes a lot of power. The amount of RAM for three-dimensional modeling, of course, needs at least 12 GB. A high-quality display will make working in a graphic editor convenient and comfortable for the eyes. Such parameters for working with graphic programs are simply necessary for a laptop. Only in combination with all of the above qualities and characteristics can you choose the best option for your activity and expression of personality.