Well, I guess the two main concers would be to have a decent processor and lost of memory. Something like 2-3 GHz and 1-2 Gb should run just about any 2D graphics program at least decently. The more the better, altough the actual benefits get lesser the further you go.
Wouldn't bother myself too much with the number of cores. I have doubts on just how effectively todays programs are able to actualy use more than one core at a time.

A big enough screen to be used comortably. The actualy size and wether it's flat or not is more a question of preference and budget.

Enough disc space to hold all the stuff you need. Pefreribly ten times over. Experience has shown that you WILL run out of space, no matter how much there is.

Not sure just how much the graphics processor affects arting. Any decent one should do well. Other details entirely up to preferences.

Opinnions open for debate.

I've already got a 300GB external hard drive. I'd hope that's enough space XD Thanks for your input.

Personally, I'd suggest a Mac, but, of course, any new system takes a little getting used to.

I used macs in my short stint at college and I really didn't like them.

Really? How long ago?
The system's changed, considerably.
What about them didn't you like?

well my computer is a iMac with a windows XP, so i got both in a Mac and here what i think; Mac dose have some tight graphics but the feel and the way it works feels a bit weird then to a windows, though I do have adobe CS3 photoshop on it and soon flash, I like staying on the windows sides, feels easier to control and stuff. Hardware will be hard to find though, and the only thing you can upgrade is the memory. So if you want a better video card you should have gotten one when you bought the mac. The memory is this card, one card would have 1 GB and I can only about 2, but there are 2 GB cards but their kinda hard to find so if you want more memory I suggest an external hard drive. Now if you’re playing video games though then never go with Mac, unless you want to sacrifice your favorite computer games. Another thing is the safari, ok seriously, don’t use it. Try to get something else. Anway Mas is high tech, good graphics and all and compacted for a messy desk, but if you don’t feel like switching over I don’t blame ya :P

Yeah, I'd like something I am able to upgrade plus Macs seem a hell of a lot more expensive than a P.C. (at least in Ireland they do!)

Usually most professional (as a caree) use Macs, but not all programs work with a Mac, most programs are made for PC, you would need a software to emulate windows in your Mac for using them.

I personally like PC over Mac's, but if I were to choose something over PC that would be Linux, but that's because I'm somewhat of a geek. There are great digital art programs such openCanvas and SAI that only works with PC's But both Mac and Linux have programs that can make them run. (Though Linux runs it through commands and it's free meanwhile MAC's you have to buy the software).

What program do you need to make Open Canvas run on a Mac? My friends want to use OC on their Macs and have never been able to figure out how.

On a PowerPC Mac? Virtual PC or another hardware emulator running an install of Windows. Be forewarned that it will run like absolute shit. Don't even bother if this is the case.

On an Intel Mac? Parallels running Windows or dual-booting Windows with Bootcamp. This should work pretty well.

Yeah, I don't particularly like Macs either. I think I will stick with a P.C but try and find XP somewhere.

Just stick with PC, Windows, whatever you're comfortable with. There are setups for all of em. In contrast with Art's statement, most professionals I've seen use Windows.

At this point in technology, if all you're after is artwork type stuff, it hardly matters anymore. a halfway decent computer will do you greatly. Could easily make a new one from scratch stuff for $500 give or take $100. Nvidia 8600 or 8800, depends on prices, etc. 6xxx series arent bad either, probably very cheap today. Sing or dual core, doesnt matter much in this case, go for 2.0+ ghz processor...but it does run smoother with more RAM, i have 4 gigabytes. with the money saved from all the other parts, the ram should be easy to cover.

Yes. A lot of professional photographers I know use PC's. I think the main thing I need is a good monitor and the know how to calibrate it so my prints come out well.

Right now I have an 8 year old Dell PC which is really slow and cannot be upgraded

Im trying to find a great illustration monitor too, made a journal about it a while back, yet still not sure. might look into HP, Dell, possibly the Mac montiors, or Acer.

I would recommend getting a PC with at LEAST 2 or 3GB of RAM.

You want something with that... and a DUAL CORE PROCESSOR (or the equivalent thereof).


While Macs run graphics programs better, PCs run all the graphic programs, whether they be 3-D or 2-D.


Also, if you can, try to get a Windows XP machine, and not Vista. Vista has all these inner pen settings that fuck with your Wacom pen, and it's a pain in the ass to get rid of those settings.

Yeah, I'd heard about problems with Vista >:-[ The only 3-D program I know that runs on Mac is Cinema-4D. I used a mac in college and I honestly did not like how it ran, plus Macs are really expensive and you cannot really upgrade them.

At this point, the hardware differences between Mac and PC are very small. At one point, Macs were rocking PC's with their 64-bit processors with superior architecture to the P4 and such. Right now, you're mainly talking software differences. Mac OSX is still superior to Vista, IMO.

Personally, if I built a PC (running Windows) for graphics apps, I wouldn't accept any less than a Intel Core 2 @ 2.0 gHz, 3 gigs (running Windows XP) or 4 gigs(running 64-bit Vista) of DDR2 RAM. Graphics cards are pretty unimportant for this. You need something that's got good digital out. If you're thinking about something with more than 512 megs of video RAM, you're wasting your money. Personally, I'd use 32-bit XP, cause Vista blows in so many ways.

Make sure there's a good numb of USB ports. Between scanners, printers, Wacoms, etc, you're gonna need them.

Monitors are very important. If you're looking for an LCD, you're not going to want what's widely available on the market. Lots of LCDs are made for gaming; they'll have fast response time, but they may display only as much as 60% of the color gamut accurately. Unless you're about to drop 3 grand on an LCD that's specially backlit by LEDS that can get almost 100% of the color gamut, you'll probably be looking at an S-PVA panel that can get about 90% of the color gamut, along with good contrast, brightness, viewing angles, etc. It's just going to be terrible for watching movies or playing games on (low response time, lots of ghosting).

Three 250 gig hard drives and a hardware RAID card. Using RAID 5 with that gives you 500 gigs of storage and the ability to suffer one hard drive failure and not lose any data.

Thanks! That's some great info, especially about the monitors. I'll probably keep the crappy one I have now for gaming, movies etc. What would you think about two monitors?

Two monitors is fine, just make sure you set your Wacom up appropriately. Personally, I'm saving my pennies for a Cintiq. Not sure if I'll get the 12WX or the 20WSX yet. Assuming you don't want to drop a grand on that, though, getting another monitor isn't bad. Make certain you buy one that matches the aspect ratio of your tablet, though. Nothing sillier than to buy, say, a widescreen monitor when you have a 4:3 aspect ratio tablet (6x8, 4x6, etc).

Not a lot to add for the technical mumbo-jumbo, but don't be afraid to change. Macs aren't very difficult to figure out. I think they're nice work machines.

I used a Mac in college and I honestly didn't like the feel of it D: