OLI’S TECH TIPS

Furthermore Apple MacOS devices (iMac/MacBook) are the fastest and most power efficient devices on the market at the moment – this is great for video editing, photoshop, graphic design.

However a few negative of the Apple Ecosystem is the support available by external software. What I mean by this is, When it comes to producing amazing photorealistic renders of your building – MacOS has a limited support of what you can use on it. More 3rd party software is being added all the time but it is slow and often a trial/error basis due to the new releasing of software.

Microsoft’s Windows Operating System on the other hand offers a more universal and comforting approach.

Unlike Apple, where it is a whole laptop, iPad or whatever with the operating system inside ready to go. Windows, is sold as an operating system to companies such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer etc.

This then allows aforementioned laptop manufacturers to go and create a wider range of laptops to suit any customer. However; this is where the minefield begins.

For architecture you generally want a high powered laptop. This will have a processor that would for example say i7 or Ryzen 7 or even Ryzen 9.

The memory (don’t get too confused with memory/storage, memory is a vital component but NOT related to storage). Memory you would want 8 GB or 16GB this will give the computer more “thinking power” to complete the task you want it to do.

Storage you would want something with a minimum of 256GB this will be enough to save your reasonably sized files and photos of models or photoshop files. Just note when looking at storage you may see the abbreviation SSD don’t get worried about it, It just means (solid state drive), or in a nutshell digital storage.

Other than that there isn’t much to worry about when choosing a laptop in the Microsoft Windows realm, As all manufacturers: HP, Dell etc, will sell laptops with these specifications.

When it comes to cost your laptop will be expensive but what you get out of it will pay off very quickly; At best you will spend a minimum of £600 and this should see you through your degree & if you choose to do so, your post-graduate degree.

Now the cons for a windows laptops are that they are susceptible to viruses & “hacking” due to the open nature of the operating system (OS).

This is where I say if you choose to go to any computer shop to buy a laptop or iPad or tablet or whatever.

Please consider buying; either an insurance or tech support plan – they may cost a lot but trust me when it’s 24 hours to go before a deadline and you just spilled coffee over your laptop and you’re panicking – at-least you know you’re laptop will be recovered or somewhat saved!

Oliver Sage