Why Do Designer Use Both a MacBook pro and an iMac?

Designers, especially graphic designers, need the right tools to produce their work. For many of them, having both a Macbook Pro and an iMac is essential for completing digital projects with ease and efficiency. Both computers offer different advantages when it comes to design work, so combining the two can give designers the flexibility they need. This article will explore why designers may choose to use both a Macbook Pro and an iMac for their work.

Why designers prefer Macs

Designers have long been drawn to Apple’s Mac lineup due to its impressive capabilities when it comes to desktop publishing. Ever since the revolutionary Mac-led desktop publishing revolution, Windows PCs have found it difficult to compete with the accuracy and quality of typography available on Mac. However, while macOS and Windows operating systems continue to be separate, the cross-compatibility of popular suites such as Adobe’s Creative Cloud helps bridge the gap for all users.

The appeal of using a Mac over a Windows machine extends beyond just file compatibility though, as reliability is an important factor that keeps designers coming back. The majority of designers out there also prefer specialty apps that are only available on Mac such as Sketch rather than generic ones they can find readily on Window or Linux machines. Designers may even consider aesthetics, looking at macbooks as stylish and streamlined pieces of hardware compared to bulkier counterparts running other operating systems. Though perhaps non-essential in comparison to more practical reasons for choosing a system, esthetics still play a role in why many designers continue to pick Macs.

What apps do artists use on Mac?

If you’re an artist using a Mac to develop your creative ideas, there is an abundance of applications and programs available that can help you bring them to life. The macOS has all the necessary tools to help you work with audio, design logos, or create sketches more efficiently.

One of the most popular choices is Logic Pro X by Apple; this software is particularly helpful for those who want to produce audios quickly and easily. With dynamic tools such as Smart Tempo, Pitch Correction, Drum Machine Designer, Flex Pitch and Live Loops integration it provides plenty of features aiding in faster song creation without compromising quality. For graphic designers or illustrators who want high-quality digital art on their Macs, Adobe Creative Suite is a great option. The apps like Illustrator and Photoshop have professional level features allowing artists to create images with ease – ranging from drawing vectors and manipulating photos to building websites. Additionally if sketching by hand is preferred there are several software options such as Affinity Designer or Sketchbook Pro for doing the same digitally while still maintaining a natural feel in painting styles. No matter what kind of artist you are – be it a artists or a digital painter – there are plenty of applications specifically catering towards your needs available

RAM

RAM is an essential component of computers, allowing them to store and manage the system’s memory more efficiently. As a result, many applications can be RAM-hungry, so it’s important that you choose the most RAM available when purchasing your Mac. Apple offers upgrades in Universal Memory for most models at point of purchase, specifically tailoring your needs depending on your budget.

Fortunately, some models still offer the option to upgrade the RAM at a later date. The 27in iMac had a hatch at the back of its display which allowed users to add extra RAM as needed until March 2022 when Apple stopped selling this model entirely. Currently, only certain models such as the Mac Pro and Intel-powered version of the Mac mini are capable of upgrading their RAM in this way. When considering these options however, it pays to do your research and compare what each model has to offer before making a final decision.

Storage

Solid state storage is often the preferred choice for graphic designers due to its enhanced speed and reliability benefits. Modern Macs come with SSDs, although some may be disappointed Apple has discontinued Fusion Drives which combine the advantages of an SSD and a hard drive – providing more storage capacity than their SSD counterparts. To counteract this problem, it’s recommended to upgrade at point of purchase as SSDs can’t be upgraded later, leaving you stuck with whatever came pre-installed.

For those needing extra capacity, external drives offer a great solution for housing large folders and archives. A convenient solution that’s also fairly affordable, it’s definitely worth exploring if your project demands more storage than your computer provides. That said, internal SSDs are still the best option for faster performance, reliability in read/write activities and lower power consumption rates when compared to traditional HDDs.

Processor

The introduction of the M1 Macs in November 2020 changed the game for anyone looking to purchase a new computer. The new M1 chip, or system on chip (SOC), enabled Apple to begin transitioning their line of Macs away from traditional Intel processors, which have been used since 2006/7. This transition is estimated to be complete by mid 2022 with only two models still using Intel processors.

The M1 chip is available with even faster and more powerful variants such as the M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra. These newer versions can be found in 24in iMacs, MacBook Airs, 13in MacBook Pros, and Mac minis. Even compared to some of the most advanced Intel processors currently available on the market, the M1 performs at a significantly higher level while consuming less power than its counterparts. This revolutionary processor has enabled Apple to dramatically improve their line of products giving their users an unprecedented level of performance and efficiency.

Graphics

The M1 Mac has revolutionized the world of graphics. Whereas before, discrete graphics cards with their own dedicated memory were required, the advent of the M1 has changed all that. The system-on-chip design of the M1 enables it to offer a unified memory architecture which allows for GPU and CPU to exchange data quickly and efficiently, whilst also allowing RAM to be shared more effectively – something which was not possible on pre-M1 computers and Intel integrated graphics cards. We’ve seen this reflected in the performance tests, which show that while Apple’s graphics solution hasn’t quite managed to compete with AMD discrete options at their top level, they have come close. All in all, this makes the M1 Mac an attractive option for those looking for impressive graphical power without having to splash out on a second discretes card.

Display

Having a good display is essential for any designer because of the need for accurate colours and precise visuals. Apple provides multiple options for those in search of an ideal laptop or iMac display. These laptops boast Retina displays and a variety of useful features, such as True Tone, which adjusts the colour to the ambient light. Additionally, Wide colour (P3) technology offers richer colours and brightness up to 1,000 sustained nits. Furthermore, both 14-inch and 16-inch MacBooks come with ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120 Hz –– allowing smoother scrolling and improved performance. Should users be wary of colour accuracy with True Tone enabled, it can be disabled according to preference. Apple’s selection of different screen technologies makes it easy to find a display that suits any need.

Conclusion

In conclusion, designers use both a Macbook Pro and an iMac because of the superior performance, graphics capabilities, and display technology offered by Apple. The powerful M1 chip allows for faster video editing than ever before. Meanwhile, the iMac boasts one of the best displays available on the market complete with Wide Color (P3) technology and True Tone features. Both machines also offer external storage solutions which are great for managing large archives without compromising speed or reliability. Ultimately, these two computers offer an ideal package that no other manufacturer can match – allowing designers to work at their highest potential.