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Computer Help and Support

LearnedHand

(4,621 posts)

6. And if you do go to MicroCenter, be sure they don't steer you to underpowered crap machines

Reply to Paula Sims (Original post)

Wed Mar 5, 2025, 01:53 AM

Mar 5

If they smell “non-techy” on you, they can turn into what The Register calls BOFH (bastard operator from hell). I’d say the specs for what you need are:

Intel i5 or i7 processor
Dedicated consumer-level graphics cards (NVIDIA and AMD Radeon are two popular makers)
16GB RAM
500GB hard drive — make SURE it’s a solid state drive, not an old “spindle” drive
Windows 11 Pro if you can find it. If not you can self upgrade to windows 11 pro for $100

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Time for a Windows 11 computer -- what to get? [View all] Paula Sims Mar 5 OP

got a dell with win 11. took a few hours with youtube vids to purge all the junk, garbage, and spying msongs Mar 5 #1

I don't see any new laptops with DVD. amerikat Mar 5 #2

You'll want a dedicated graphics card LearnedHand Mar 5 #3

I've used Lenovo Thinkpads for years without any problems. Tarzanrock Mar 5 #4

I just had a Lenovo mini-desktop set up for me; I'm extremely happy with it & endorse Lenovo. NBachers Mar 5 #9

Do you you use any specfic software for your design work, and whatare you burning to DVD ? CentralMass Mar 5 #5

And if you do go to MicroCenter, be sure they don't steer you to underpowered crap machines LearnedHand Mar 5 #6

Running Windows 11 on a budget laptop since late 2022. Eugene Mar 5 #7

A link to The best laptops for graphic designers: Expert tested CentralMass Mar 5 #8

I bought an Alexander pc Americanme Mar 5 #10