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Computer recommendations

2K views 40 replies 26 participants last post by  LittleBlackDuck 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Can anyone recommend a computer to run Sketchup and Adobe Premiere Pro? I'm getting a workshop started and want something that can handle this software. I'd like to keep the entire set up including monitor under $1500. I'm not completely ignorant about PCs but I'm not interested in the headache of parts selection and building my own. I'd like to buy and have a warranty. I'm guessing that some of you guys have been in this position.

If this is an inappropriate post here, sorry.
 
#7 ·
With Costco and electronics, you can almost 100% of the time find the same item cheaper elsewhere. That being said, the convenience of Costco customer service and warranties can prove invaluable and if you are not self-sufficient on "going it alone" with a device, I'd say you can't go wrong with Costco.
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
I don't buy new computers anymore, and I don't use laptops to design on (my personal preference). I use 4 desktops and have 2 laptops. I use the laptops for business meetings and for the last year staying sheltered in, I use the laptops to talk to clients and friends in Skype and Zoom.

I buy refurbished Dell's and they've never let me down. I needed a new XP machine about 4 years ago to run Autocad 2000, Autocad Architectural Desktop 2004, Photoshop, Paintshop Pro, CorelDraw 14 and Peachtree Accounting, Adobe Premiere 8.0, and Adobe 8.0 professional. Not going to pay for expensive software upgrades when I don't need them just to run on Windows 10. My 36" Plotter works on the XP machines.

I bought one loaded with ram and HD from a reputable dealer on Ebay that I've used before and it's still rocking with no issues and have never had any. The best I can remember I paid him $274.00 for the machine with a 6 month warranty. I bought a HP 22" monitor for it from Walmart that came with a 12 month warranty for $139.00. I also bought an XP machine from him 5 years ago for my shop. Had an issue, he called it back at his expense, fixed it and returned it to me. Still working like a charm.

Right after the purchase, I got a Windows 10 machine from him, loaded, for about the same price as the XP machine and it's still rocking along with no issues.

I also have a Windows 7 machine bought new and given to me as a gift. Slow as heck and have had issues with it from day one, not a Dell.

Everything you see on my website was drawn on those machines in Autocad 2000 and Autocad Architectural Desktop 2004 except for the ones I drew in the late 90's and later on a refurbished Windows 2000 NT Pro Dell, still running.

Computers are like a spouse a friend told me one time. You actually don't know what your getting until you get one lol.
 
#9 ·
Yep. I too have Laptops, and tablets, but for anything real, where my eyes need to do some work, it's the trusty PC with a bigazz monitor. :)

I think the biggest plus is it's possible to get a lot more processing power, and memory on a PC type frame, than a lappie, if total cost is important. You can get it on a laptop, but dang, you gotta pay. With external SSD drives becoming cheaper having a huge vat to store all of your work, files, video, etc etc, is a cinch outside of the box, no matter what shape or size your box is. All you need is a USB, or whatever applicable port on your system to the drive and there you are.
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
Yep. I too have Laptops, and tablets, but for anything real, where my eyes need to do some work, it s the trusty PC with a bigazz monitor. :)

I think the biggest plus is it s possible to get a lot more processing power, and memory on a PC type frame, than a lappie, if total cost is important. You can get it on a laptop, but dang, you gotta pay. With external SSD drives becoming cheaper having a huge vat to store all of your work, files, video, etc etc, is a cinch outside of the box, no matter what shape or size your box is. All you need is a USB, or whatever applicable port on your system to the drive and there you are.

- therealSteveN
Amen on the bigazzz monitor! The more space you got on a monitor when designing the easier it is to see and get more on it without having to zoom in and out. I'm going to three 27" monitors just as soon as I get my new workstation finished.
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Regarding "bigazz" monitors (who talks like that?), they are great if you're a day trader and need 20 windows open at once. When it comes to graphics, like SketchUp, not such a big deal, since you're working in one window and can zoom for detail. I use SketchUp on a 15" laptop, and would be just fine on a 13" as well.

The Adobe Premier Pro is a different story. I do just fine with my laptop, but if you're planning professional-level multi-track video editing, it can get cramped. For simpler tasks, the smaller monitor is adequate. Only you can make that assessment.

I've been using Onshape mostly lately. I like that it's multi-platform and I can design on my laptop as well as my 12.9" iPad Pro. It even allows me to fully display my designs on my iPhone. It also has a pretty extensive material database that can be useful determining mass and CG, etc.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
Just about any computer made in the last 10 years will run Sketchup.

Adobe Premier Pro will dictate your minimum system requirements. The info is in the following link: System Requirements

Go with minimum system requirements if you're a light user. Match the recommended system requirements if you plan to be a heavy user.

I'd recommend a system marketed towards professionals from Dell or HP (I've had good luck with their pro laptops and buy refurbished like Bruc) if you're not building your own. Or skip the PC and get a Mac. PC's are good for people who like to build their own or people who like to game on their computers. If you don't plan on doing those things, a Mac sounds like a better fit for you.

I recommend a dual screen monitor for serious work in Sketchup or video editing. One screen gets filled with toolboxes and references while the other is used for the actual work. So check for dual output video cards on the systems you look at.
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
I prefer laptops for portability and built in UPS. But if staring at the screen all day doing CAD, then the biggest/highest rez (rez preferred vs size) display is called for. External mouse is also preferred as is "ergo" keyboard.

Save your eyes, work CAD in low light. Use task light instead of general illumination. Bright office lighting causes eyestrain when doing CAD 40 hrs/wk.
 
#17 ·
Well I stand corrected if Richh says you only need a 13" laptop, well there ya go. I often point out to him there are a LOT of ways to do most anything in woodworking, and none of them is right, one time he even said in a thread the same as.

However classic Rich today, because he can do it, it s the only feasible answer.

Ok, let s roll this one up, once again Rich has decided the only answer is, gee, his answer again. Why am I surprised.

- therealSteveN
No need to apologize, Steve. Those bigazz monitors cost a lotta bigazz bux and the OP has a budget.

What would Glen and Bob choose? Ask them for me willya?
 
#19 ·
I have worked in the IT industry for over 25 years and have a 32" monitor for work. i work in pretty high tech stuff that makes it almost a requirement. but here is a pro tip:

You can connect a laptop to an external monitor! Some may require a "docking station", but many modern laptops have an external port that a $10 cable will allow you to connect to if you need it. that way you have the portability of a laptop and the y0 y0 y0 bigazz monitor fool!
 
#20 ·
bruc101, Can you tell the Ebay seller name? I was going to buy a Dell Optiplex on Ebay a while ago after reading that gamers will use them as an inexpensive and upgradable machine on a budget. Are you familiar with those computers? I like the idea of a refurbed machine with a warranty.

My friend who works in tech told me to go with Mac. He said that he would never go back to PC for personal use even though he works on a PC everyday. However, it seems that it would really push my budget. I'm not frugal but I really don't care much about computers and would prefer to spend as little money as possible. Ideally under 1k.

I'm pretty set on a big monitor and capable utilitarian desktop for a dedicated workspace. Is there a reason to go Dell or HP as opposed to Asus or Acer?

I will shop based on the recommended specs for Adobe Premiere Pro. Are there any monitor specs that I should look out for?

Thanks for all of the advice and shared experience.
 
#21 ·
The mac/PC decision should be based on the software you intend to run. Many packages run on one or the other but not both, or run differently on each. Find your app, order the recommended configuration. New machines are getting cheaper.
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
If you got any universities or largish government agencies near you, check their surplus auctions. Last computer I got was a Dell 3Ghz quad processor thing with 8Gb of memory and a terabyte of disk for $35. Came with brand new keyboard, mouse and power cord. No OS though, so you have to load your own. Monitors are similar… 28" LED Samsung for $20ish.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
My real recommendation is to custom-build a PC. That's the best way to ensure quality components and the right system specs at a reasonable price and also ensure the PC has sufficient cooling and a reliable power supply. Building a machine is super easy. Lookup a build list at Tom's Hardware, tweak as desired and order the parts.

Dell and HP have high-end product lines that have a good reputation for performance and reliability. Those machines are good candidates for refurbishing since quality computers will run for decades.

Acer and Asus may have similar product lines but if so, I'm not aware of it. They seem to target personal use and gaming. I'm not a fan of budget gaming machines since they are usually overclocked which means more heat and have cheap cases which means less heat dissipation. High end gaming machines are expensive and you may as well go Mac if you're spending that kind of money.
 
#24 · (Edited by Moderator)
Just about any computer made in the last 10 years will run Sketchup.

Adobe Premier Pro will dictate your minimum system requirements. The info is in the following link: System Requirements

Go with minimum system requirements if you re a light user. Match the recommended system requirements if you plan to be a heavy user.

I d recommend a system marketed towards professionals from Dell or HP (I ve had good luck with their pro laptops and buy refurbished like Bruc) if you re not building your own. Or skip the PC and get a Mac. PC s are good for people who like to build their own or people who like to game on their computers. If you don t plan on doing those things, a Mac sounds like a better fit for you.

I recommend a dual screen monitor for serious work in Sketchup or video editing. One screen gets filled with toolboxes and references while the other is used for the actual work. So check for dual output video cards on the systems you look at.

- JAAune
I use dual screen often, mostly when I'm designing a kitchen or an architectural project. I also use a vertical monitor
when I'm working on a tall cabinet drawing. I like all the monitor I can get when I'm designing. That scrolling in and out for me slows me down and I don't have to scroll much on a large monitor.

On complex designs I use layers with different colored lines. When I need to look at a particular part of the drawing I just click on the layer and there it is without all the other parts of the design staring me in the face. When done I just click on the main drawing layer and the complete design is back again. That's a huge plus for me especially in 3d drawings. I can also make one click and the lines are all the same color and gives the view of the initial design without all the colored lines showing up.

I draw face frames in one color, doors in another color, drawer fronts in another color, panels in another color and so on it goes and let's me see where and how everything is working out. If i need to do something to the doors per say, I just click on the door layer and have only the doors showing up, etc. For me that can stop some confusion looking at a lot of the same regular lines and colored lines, especially on a highly detailed drawing.
 
#25 · (Edited by Moderator)
bruc101, Can you tell the Ebay seller name? I was going to buy a Dell Optiplex on Ebay a while ago after reading that gamers will use them as an inexpensive and upgradable machine on a budget. Are you familiar with those computers? I like the idea of a refurbed machine with a warranty.

My friend who works in tech told me to go with Mac. He said that he would never go back to PC for personal use even though he works on a PC everyday. However, it seems that it would really push my budget. I m not frugal but I really don t care much about computers and would prefer to spend as little money as possible. Ideally under 1k.

I m pretty set on a big monitor and capable utilitarian desktop for a dedicated workspace. Is there a reason to go Dell or HP as opposed to Asus or Acer?

I will shop based on the recommended specs for Adobe Premiere Pro. Are there any monitor specs that I should look out for?

Thanks for all of the advice and shared experience.

- BrindleDog
I'm not a MAC person, and I have nothing against a MAC. Everything I have is window's based. As far as the Dell Optiplex, that's what I use in my shop, because of the low profile of it, and I can also sit a 22" monitor on top of it. The only thing I don't like about the Optiplex is it doesn't support the high resolution I like giving me more model space on the monitor. I've had it for several years also with no problems, refurbished.

I use it mostly to put my build plans on it, but do some designing on it also. If I need to change or tweak a drawing, I can do it right there on the Optiplex and re dimension it real fast like right there in the shop, especially if I have a client in the shop wanting to make some changes. I can make them right then and then for the client so they can see it. I don't use paper drawings. Has a lot of ram and hd and runs fast even when I'm pushing it using 3d in Autocad. I'll get the seller for you and send it to you in a pm, may be sometime tomorrow.
 
#26 · (Edited by Moderator)
Here is what I was talking about using layers and using colored lines in a design. I can turned the colors off and on and look at one layer such as the doors or face frames by themselves. Lost a lot of resolution going from cad to a jpeg. When the lady saw that she liked the colors so much she wanted her kitchen painted that color lol.

Building Window Product Rectangle House
 

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