what to consider/ what laptop do I buy to digital scrapbook?

[Grumpy's Gal]

ok - I asked this before a long time ago....I'm getting closer to getting a laptop.

Here's how the conversation went:

me: I'd like a laptop for digital scrapbooking
DH: sure! what do you need?
me: one for scrapbooking.....
DH: what are your specifications?
me: uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


which brings me there! HELP! HELP! Any recommendations are appreciated! There are so many laptops on the market today. What do I look for? What do I stay away from? What options do I make sure I get?

TIA!

 

[JandJ]

The one main thing I'd recommend is to make sure you have a LARGE screen. You want to be able to see your entire layout on a nice, big screen. For me, I also prefer a mouse to the touch pad but that's a personal thing and I think I just don't use our laptop enough or else I'd get used to the touch pad, but I'd recommend a wireless mouse. Are you planning to use a program like CM or work with full-blown Photoshop or with Elements? Make sure you have enough memory for whatever program you are planning to use, so that will require a little research on your part. HTH and have fun choosing!

 

[Lisa]

For me, the screen size was critical, followed by a light up keyboard. I choose a Dell reconditioned Studio. Got an awesome deal thru Dell.com

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

For me, the screen size was critical, followed by a light up keyboard. I choose a Dell reconditioned Studio. Got an awesome deal thru Dell.com

hmmmmmmm I think DH can get a discount from dell at work.......

 

[rie'smom]

In July, I bought an HP DV7 17.3", Intel P7550, 6GBRAM 640GBHD DVDRW1GB Graphics from QVC. Just saw it at Sam's for $400 less but I do love it. Lots of RAM, very fast, and I LOVE the large screen!!!

 

[MazdaUK]

I'm still of digital scrapping (plus I have soooooo much paper and spend most of the day in front of a screen anyway) but we're currently trying to decide what to get for DS (17 later this month). DH favours an apple - but I think its *** he likes the look and the way the little apple lights up I need convincing its worth the double price of an "ordinary" laptop (£400 buys a LOT of scrap stuff, after all)

 

[jacknireji]

Try the version of the orkut for digital scrap book that would give you the best idea.

 

[rie'smom]

I'm still of digital scrapping (plus I have soooooo much paper and spend most of the day in front of a screen anyway) but we're currently trying to decide what to get for DS (17 later this month). DH favours an apple - but I think its *** he likes the look and the way the little apple lights up I need convincing its worth the double price of an "ordinary" laptop (£400 buys a LOT of scrap stuff, after all)

The only problem I've seen with Apple is sometimes the digital stuff is not available for Aplle computers.

 

[MazdaUK]

As I won't be scrapping on it that's not an issue for me - what makes it better than, say, a Dell or Acer laptop? Just the pretty light-up apple?

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

we have an Apple but it was not good for ditigal scrapbooking so my husband got me a Dell just to do my digital scrapbooks or digital pages (I liked doing digiatl pages b/c I can do the traditional scrap pages and then do a digital page)...I love the Creative Memories stuff like the storybook.
Apple does have a program to do photobooks but the pages are boring to me and I wanted to be more creative...

 

[bamamolly]

we have an Apple but it was not good for ditigal scrapbooking so my husband got me a Dell just to do my digital scrapbooks or digital pages (I liked doing digiatl pages b/c I can do the traditional scrap pages and then do a digital page)...I love the Creative Memories stuff like the storybook.
Apple does have a program to do photobooks but the pages are boring to me and I wanted to be more creative...

Really? Interesting because as a graphic artist, Apple is the only computer we use. But really I think it's all about the program you are wanting to use. I use photoshop but that's just my preference. A lot of people use other programs like CM and such and you're right, I don't know that they make those for Macintosh computers. The one AWESOME thing about Apple computers is that they stay pretty free and clear of viruses and can stand not being updated and deal with spyware and virus scan and those tedious programs that have to be run on a PC. Really though, it's all in what's important to you and what programs you're wanting to use. If price is the deciding factor than a Mac isn't really for you.

But do keep in mind that most people get a new computer nowadays every 2 years or so because they get old or bogged down with viruses. I've had my Mac laptop now for 5 years and never had a problem with it. No viruses, no major updates costing a ton of money or anything like that. So you can spend a lot upfront and not have to worry about it for YEARS or you can spend a little now, and a little more in a couple years when you have to get a new one.

 

[TimeLady]

I don't do too much digital scrapbooking (yet!), but I do use graphic software alot for web design projects. I guess it depends on what software you use, but if it's something heavy duty like Photoshop, memory is the big thing. I think you'd want at least 3 gigabytes to have it run well.

I have an HP laptop with a 16 inch screen right now and really love it. I'm not a fan of Apple, personally, because of their prices and their compatibility issues. I know people in the design industry swear by them and it's true that they're nearly immune to viruses, but I've found that as long as I use Mozilla Firefox instead of Internet Explorer and keep my antivirus software up to date, I don't have any problems.