[Wolverine]

Alrighty, so I'm really looking to get back into graphics and I want a computer to be able to do my own school work on without the issue of strangling a sibling for PC access.

One problem, I'm not really sure what to look for and am upsettingly braindead towards the whole topic of "what to look for"

I want either a PC or a laptop, whichever turns out to be the better option in the end.

Usage:
Photo editing etc. so programs including PS/Corel etc.
Workplace programs such as Excel/Word
Photo/HV storage
Music/Video editing
browsing sites such as here
NO social network browsing
NO gaming
NO music/video downloads=movies, latest pirated rihanna album....

Side note:
-I'm limited in local store availability....Such as Staples,FutureShop and Walmart(I work at Walmart with a %10 discount)
-I'm looking for something as cheap and affordable as possible that can fit as many wants as possible. My main thing is to b able to have a decent card for use of PS....if excel/word is included that's a bonus/if not I'll end up splitting the cost of the programs alone with a friend.
-I have a monitor screen and adapters
-I am not sure which is a better option in terms of PC/laptop etc.
not really sure what else to say :/

If you have any tips/hints to contribute to my hunt, all are much appreciated!

[Solartide]

Order parts online.

Build pc for about 500-600.

If you have money left over, buy a netbook to take on the go.

Tons of great hardware guides online:
http://techreport.co...icles.x/22513/2
for one.

Anandtech, arstechnica, techreport.

Don't be overwhelmed with building a computer. Even a complete beginner can finish in an afternoon.

And never skimp on the power supply.

This post has been edited by Solartide: 05 May 2012 - 10:39 PM

[LT Crunch]

^Agreed. Never skimp on a power supply. Personally I would get a laptop. A good one (not a dell) would run you anywhere from 800 and up. You can go to microsoft.com and build a laptop, or you can build your own PC. Tigerdirect.com zipzoomfly.com and newegg.com are pretty good ones. If you are close to college I would get a laptop though.

[Solartide]

If this is a computer for college, don't get a laptop.

You'll end up taking it to class and your attention starts to drift away from the lecturer...

[LT Crunch]

@Solartide, that happens either way. It is so much easier to carry around a computer than having one at home. Specially if you have a huge break in between classes, and you have a lot of homework that requires computer work.

[merrak]

Solartide, on 06 May 2012 - 01:59 AM, said:

If this is a computer for college, don't get a laptop.

You'll end up taking it to class and your attention starts to drift away from the lecturer...

On the other end of this spectrum, some colleges require students to have laptops.

[sydney]

Typically, for your first 1-2 years in college you won't need a laptop, at least not to bring to campus.

Also, I may be in the minority, but I've had pretty good luck with Dell.