Hi, I'm investigating getting a new laptop - and want to know which one's are best for using inkscape on, and any to avoid!
I use inkscape A LOT to create geometric designs, and particularly want one that's going to give accurate colour representation. I'm ideally looking to spend a max of £700, but could go higher for something really special. So, what do you guys use, what would you recommend?
I use a gaming laptop that has lots of system ram and a dedicated gpu. The fast cpu and ram are good for rendering filters and large images (many nodes). The gpu is good for output to the display (it does not assist with image processing) and does not share system memory.
A previously-loved laptop is fine, particularly if you are open to running Linux. I run a dual boot that has Windows and Linux Mint.
I do have some features I'd steer away in order to work somewhat effective using Inkscape:
Some of function keys share same button as regular number keys (have to use Fn key to access some of those keys).
Assuming you don't use touchpad when editing: be sure the touchpad can be deactivated within Windows.
Monitor resolution should be at least 1920x1080 px.
If you're sure you'll never consider using Linux instead of windows - please disregard text below.
Some background: When I bought my laptop a couple of years ago, I intended it to run Linux. Therefor I went for the very cheapest windows 10 version, and also never mind any crapware preinstalled.
If you go that route, you need to consider the following:
The computer must be able to disable any obstacle (meant to make it ard to install any other os than windows) so that you can install whatever OS you want (after all you own the computer).
Since you also should take in consideration that not every web store / manufacturer is clear in the advertisement whether the hardware does active prevents the user from installing other OS than windows, you should ensure your right to return the computer back to the seller if it turns out installing other OS on the computer being impossible.
Thanks guys, but all a bit too technical for me, I'm afraid. My current laptop runs on Windows 10, and, as far as I can tell, it's never caused a problem for me when using inkscape. What's the positive of Linux - I have no real idea what it is, excuse my ignorance!
But I really just want to know if, for example, people would recommend a particular laptop, or even brand - HP over Acer, for example?
Ok, If not comfortable installing operating systems then continue using windows are probably best for you.
I'd not expect being any reason to recommend a particular brand, because after all it boils down to your personal preference. Also - for keyboard quality it can be pretty big difference between two computers at same brand, especially if there is a price gap between the models.
I bought an Acer Aspire 3 - probably less than half the price of your budget, the performance isn't that much to brags about, but the monitor resolution is good enough and it have a relatively good keyboard solution, including numeric keyboard on right side.
I see I forgot mention my laptop screen resolution is 1920x1080 (aka. good). For smaller resolution, Inkscape will auto-hide some of the menu buttons because not enough space - but a small arrow button will appear so you're still enable to use those functions.
If you wonder what the minimum acceptable resolution for you, I suggest you play/testing Inkscape while it's window isn't maximized (you can use programs like Autohotkey spy to verify the window size on screen in Windows). That is the easy-go way.
However - if you really want to play (aka new hobby and learn new stuff) you install VirtualBox on your Windows machine. You need to investigate and learn how this concept work - but essentially it is a virtual computer that let you install whatever operating system into it, never touching the outside (that is no changes to your Windows OS except from installing VirtualBox).
Then you can install any OS you want to try on your VirtualBox. You can test all you want. Broke your installation? Get malware? No problem, just reset the VirtualBox and start over. With this method you don't have to worry damaging Windows in any way. O, well - the virtual disk images does eat disk space so you might want to use a external hdd to avoid the issue with virtual disk images eating up valuable space on your laptop ssd.
Linux definitely looks like it's worth investigating - great explanation of operating systems, Tyler. I'm definitely going to go for a 1920x1080 screen resolution.
I seem to be an outlier here. My main Inkscape machine is an ancient (2012) macbook air with limited RAM (4GB), a small SSD (128GB) and an outdated OS (10.15). In its defence it has a good display, even compared to modern laptops.
I use Gimp, Krita, LibreOffice, VLC and others on the same device. Amazingly they all work well, though I admit I'm not working on any huge projects. I recently installed Blender and FreeCAD which also seem responsive but I need to put in some self-study before I can rate these.
Beginners' Questions best windows laptop for inkscape
Inkscape.org
Hi, I'm investigating getting a new laptop - and want to know which one's are best for using inkscape on, and any to avoid!
I use inkscape A LOT to create geometric designs, and particularly want one that's going to give accurate colour representation. I'm ideally looking to spend a max of £700, but could go higher for something really special. So, what do you guys use, what would you recommend?
Thanks,
Rachel
I use a gaming laptop that has lots of system ram and a dedicated gpu. The fast cpu and ram are good for rendering filters and large images (many nodes). The gpu is good for output to the display (it does not assist with image processing) and does not share system memory.
A previously-loved laptop is fine, particularly if you are open to running Linux. I run a dual boot that has Windows and Linux Mint.
I do have some features I'd steer away in order to work somewhat effective using Inkscape:
If you're sure you'll never consider using Linux instead of windows - please disregard text below.
Some background: When I bought my laptop a couple of years ago, I intended it to run Linux. Therefor I went for the very cheapest windows 10 version, and also never mind any crapware preinstalled.
If you go that route, you need to consider the following:
Thanks guys, but all a bit too technical for me, I'm afraid. My current laptop runs on Windows 10, and, as far as I can tell, it's never caused a problem for me when using inkscape. What's the positive of Linux - I have no real idea what it is, excuse my ignorance!
But I really just want to know if, for example, people would recommend a particular laptop, or even brand - HP over Acer, for example?
Ok, If not comfortable installing operating systems then continue using windows are probably best for you.
I'd not expect being any reason to recommend a particular brand, because after all it boils down to your personal preference. Also - for keyboard quality it can be pretty big difference between two computers at same brand, especially if there is a price gap between the models.
I bought an Acer Aspire 3 - probably less than half the price of your budget, the performance isn't that much to brags about, but the monitor resolution is good enough and it have a relatively good keyboard solution, including numeric keyboard on right side.
Ok, thanks Grobe, that's actually reassuring - I don't have to spend a fortune to get good monitor resolution.
All the best,
Rachel
Linux is free, open-source software (just like Inkscape), but it's an operating system; an alternative to Windows and Mac.
I see I forgot mention my laptop screen resolution is 1920x1080 (aka. good). For smaller resolution, Inkscape will auto-hide some of the menu buttons because not enough space - but a small arrow button will appear so you're still enable to use those functions.
If you wonder what the minimum acceptable resolution for you, I suggest you play/testing Inkscape while it's window isn't maximized (you can use programs like Autohotkey spy to verify the window size on screen in Windows). That is the easy-go way.
However - if you really want to play (aka new hobby and learn new stuff) you install VirtualBox on your Windows machine. You need to investigate and learn how this concept work - but essentially it is a virtual computer that let you install whatever operating system into it, never touching the outside (that is no changes to your Windows OS except from installing VirtualBox).
Then you can install any OS you want to try on your VirtualBox. You can test all you want. Broke your installation? Get malware? No problem, just reset the VirtualBox and start over. With this method you don't have to worry damaging Windows in any way. O, well - the virtual disk images does eat disk space so you might want to use a external hdd to avoid the issue with virtual disk images eating up valuable space on your laptop ssd.
Thanks again guys.
Linux definitely looks like it's worth investigating - great explanation of operating systems, Tyler. I'm definitely going to go for a 1920x1080 screen resolution.
I seem to be an outlier here. My main Inkscape machine is an ancient (2012) macbook air with limited RAM (4GB), a small SSD (128GB) and an outdated OS (10.15). In its defence it has a good display, even compared to modern laptops.
I use Gimp, Krita, LibreOffice, VLC and others on the same device. Amazingly they all work well, though I admit I'm not working on any huge projects. I recently installed Blender and FreeCAD which also seem responsive but I need to put in some self-study before I can rate these.
The top laptops for graphic design in 2022: 1. MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021). very impressive