ms171106 wrote:
GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: Basic Level
I plan on spending about $350 (I can spend a little more if necessary) for a new laptop which will be used for GIMP photoediting and wix website building. I don't know the first thing about specs, so I need some more specific laptop model suggestions that will allow me to do about 15 hours of photoediting a week (I work on a contract basis) without slowing. Does anyone have suggestions? Will I need a separate drive of some sort? My sister has a Chrome book she loves, but she only ever uses it for school work/browsing/Netflix, so I don't know if that would be the right fit. Thank you!
Ram will be the single most important spec. The more the better. Do you really need the portability of a laptop? if not a desktop would be a better option. Desktops can be repaired, expanded easily. what type of graphic editing will you be doing in gimp? will this be mainly for web page elements? will this be full blown artwork?... you may want a physically larger monitor, and or one with more resolution to handle image details. Also nice on a desktop is multiple graphics cards and monitors. this was you can have all the menu/palettes open on one monitor and the image you are editing opened full screen on the other monitor. (I recently upgraded my tv from a 40 inch to 55inch, and replaced my failing 20 inch monitor with my 40 inch tv. A huge difference in ease of use on my computer. My "older eyes" dont have to strain so hard to see the screen.
Chromebooks use Chrome OS, a variant of Android. Rumor is that Google will replace Chrome OS with something more proprietary.
Mac options are outta the question as you are only wanting to spend around $350.
Slowing is mainly a problem with window machines. Linux wont have the overhead of windows os as the antivirus will use system resources, and the way windows is set up will eventually cause disk fragmentation which starts slowing down your system. Solid State Drives makes this type of slowdown from disk fragmentation less noticeable.
Full blown linux systems might be out of your price range, you will need to determine if the prices are worth the freedom you get with them.
I hope this helps somewhat..