New Mac set-up for design student

[DuranHernandez]

I have just started a graphic design program at school. I have a 13" Macbook Pro, but i know that is not the ideal screen to be using for designing. Because cost is the major factor at the moment, I wanted to know if I could hook-up my laptop to the older 23" cinema HD display? and would I be able to use it with a wireless mouse and keyboard? Also, i have heard good and bad things about the magic mouse, of course its beautiful, but would it be suitable for design work? Or should i go for a more homely looking but functional mouse?

 

[Apple Key]

It's always nice to have a larger screen size, and very helpful for design work. If the 23" Cinema Display is the DVI model, you would just need the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter ($29.00). If it's a VGA model, it's the same price of the Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter.

You would definitely be able to use it with a wireless bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Personally I love trackpads so I have the magic trackpad. I like that it allows me to do very fine finger movement and adjustments. But, the best mouse to get is the one that you are the most comfortable using.

 

[walzo]

Get a Wacom Tablet

I would suggest getting a Wacom Intuos tablet as soon as you can. Even the smallest model (4" x 6") is a HUGE improvement over a mouse or trackpad for graphic work, once you get over the learning curve and tweak the settings a bit. I know this sounds like cheesy product placement, but getting into these tablets totally changed my work life.

 

[thejoshhoward]

Thought I'd chime in and second the Wacom tablet. While I don't think it's a necessity, I know that when I finally started using one, about 4 years into my career, it improved parts of my workflow immensely. You could have a leg up on a lot of people if you got familiar with one in school.

As for a standard mouse, I'm a fan of the Logitech Performance MX. For a wireless keyboard, I've fallen in love with the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 .

I like that combo because they use the one small, unifying receiver to comment to your Macbook.

The Magic Mouse is cool. I stuck with it for about a month before I went back to my old mouse. I wasn't able to consistently make the gestures on the small surface. But I have big hands, so it may not be an issue for you.

 

[chaosbunny]

23" Cinema Display sounds like a good idea for the budget.

And another vote for the wacom tablet. Without it you are pretty limited in Photoshop.

 

[radug]

good recommendations

+1 for all previous comments :

cinema display is great for colour reproduction (with calibration)
Logitech performance MX is extremely comfortable and precise (as you already suspect, the magic mouse is useless.)

and

a graphics tablet improves your workflow considerably (i can't picture working in Photoshop/Illustrator without one any more).
If it is out of your budget, check out Aiptek ones on Amazon : £80 for a full A4, same pressure sensitivity & resolution as a Wacom Intuos A4.

 

[Jim Campbell]

(as you already suspect, the magic mouse is useless.)

Just as a counter-example, I spend 8-10 hours a day working primarily in Illustrator and InDesign and have no issue at all with the Magic Mouse.

Cheers

Jim