<p>My son will go attending college next fall majoring in art and I was wondering if any current art students could give me some advice on what laptops you have? I think I've heard that most of the art schools use Apple macintosh? Would iMac Pro be a good computer? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>A lot of artists like macs because of the graphic quality and processing, but windows computers are also used by a lot of artists. I would say that I would first check with the school and see what their departments have a preference for. For example, to be a graphic design major at RISD you have to buy a certain mac, but for illustration there is no laptop requirement. Personally I went for the mac for the previous reasons I mentioned and because I wanted a computer that was going to last a long time, but your son may feel different. If his school doesn’t have a preference, it is up to him which computer he feels more comfortable with.</p>
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<p>Bang for the buck, you generally get better processing speed with a PC. Graphic quality is the same between platforms. The only thing you’d want to look at is monitor resolution when making a decision. </p>
<p>Most art schools likely have Macs because Macs were first adopted by the art and design community because of the original Macintosh operating system, but it really isn’t relevant any longer because of the consistency between applications and files on both platforms. </p>
<p>The only reason to choose one platform over the other is if the school has a requirement, and if the school has one platform or the other in the labs, it’s a little easier learning one operating system instead of two. </p>
<p>One advantage of a Mac is that you can run Windows on a partition. A disadvantage is that they cost a little more, but as an Apple fan boy since 1990, I love the elegance and attention to the design and packaging.</p>
<p>Thanks, Bowman. If you don’t mind, could you tell me specifically which mac you got? My son is also interested in graphic design and there doesn’t seem to be a required laptop at the schools he’s interested in attending. We just know they use macs.</p>
<p>I would definitely contact the school before making such a large investment. At my dd’s school Mac Book Pro is what most kids have, but that could be different elsewhere.</p>
<p>phillyartmom, thanks. Mac book pro is what I’m hearing most too. He’s been accepted to Temple and has pretty much made up his mind that’s where he wants to go. I was planning on calling them to ask. I thought I’d get him a laptop as a Christmas present.</p>
<p>I got the basic Macbook pro 13 inch. I’d recommend not going larger than that. Getting a 15 inch computer is a pain to carry around. The macbook airs are also nice and light and perfect to carry around.</p>
<p>Thank you, Bowman. I appreciate your help.</p>
<p>Career, congratulations to your son. Are you from the Philadelphia area? We are and there are about 4 or 5 kids from my dd’s class last year at Tyler and from what I hear, they all love it!</p>
<p>phillyartmom, yes we’re from the area. That’s why he’s leaning toward Temple. He doesn’t want to go too far from home. He applied to RIT, Syracuse, and Cooper Union too. He did love NYC, but he likes Philly as well. He likes the vibrancy of Temple’s urban campus and Cooper Union’s. We haven’t heard back from the other schools yet.</p>
<p>Honestly, it depends on the major and the school. For most art and design majors, MACs are the computer of choice. However, some majors, such as animation , use a PC. Check with your school.</p>
<p>Career: My dd loved RIT, and liked Syracuse, but did not apply there as she did not want to walk up the hills! (Crazy reason.) Tyler is a great place and if your son likes it and Philly, why look elsewhere? It is such a great value for in-state kids! My dd also ended up with merit money from there (from Temple) and would have applied for money from Tyler too, had she chosen to go there. I love the campus and I love Tyler! Good luck with your other applications.</p>
<p>I don’t know whether you wanted this, but I did some searching and the graphic design program at RISD specifically recommends the 15 inch macbook pro and if possible, the retina display. I just wouldn’t encourage this because anyone I know who has a 15 inch doesn’t take it with them constantly ie. to a cafe because its rather heavy and bulky. If his school doesn’t have a preference, I’d go with a smaller version because if he wants really great graphics he can get a nice monitor or use one in the lab, but after re-reading your question I wondered if this info was what you were looking specifically for.</p>
<p>Thanks, Bowman. I called Temple and they did in fact recommend the 15" macbook pro, so that’s what I went with. Now just hoping it gets here in time for Christmas. They couldn’t promise me though. :(</p>
<p>My DD is in her senior year as an art/design major and her 15" mac book pro that she bought herself before freshman year is still going strong. yes it is a bit heavy, but she brings it all over without any problems.</p>
<p>So I’m an advertising design major, and we use macs. This is a personal preference and there is many students that run the adobe suite as well if not better on their PC’s. </p>
<p>I have found that many of the instructors at my university do not know windows very well so they do not know how to help with tech questions.</p>
<p>Overall, a mac is a wise, simple choice for an art school I believe, and if used wisely should last straight through college (mine did not however).</p>
<p>@CareerMom66</p>
<p>Wonderful! I’m happy it all worked out. Good luck to your son!</p>
<p>My D uses a MacBook Pro at MCAD - all the kids get the same computer so it is pre-loaded with all the software they need. This also allows them them to have free support wehen needed. Another upside is that is less susceptible to viruses.</p>