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Catalytically
Catalytically
Participating Frequently
February 13, 2019
Question

Laptop vs Desktop for CC

  • February 13, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 2874 views

I'm trying to decide between my desktop and a laptop I picked up last night. I'm in a graphic communication major, so I will be utilizing most of the CC suite with my classes, definitely PS, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro, possibly After Effects and Dreamweaver. Long term, videos aren't high on my list, vectors are mainly my plan and InDesign.

Desktop is i5-6600k (not overclocked), 16GB RAM, GTX 970. Laptop is i7-8750H, 8GB RAM (if I switch to this I will put in 32GB), 1050Ti.

I did PassMark benchmarks, and the desktop comes out ahead, but I'm unsure of how much of that is due to more RAM. It looks like the GPU is better, as well. I guess my question is, how well is the laptop's 1050Ti going to do if I put 32GB RAM in it?

I have always hated laptops, and I'm a former gamer, but now I'm finding I'd like to be more mobile. I know if the laptop is a big step down from the desktop I'll hate it, though.  How much of CC is CPU/RAM dependent vs how much is GPU?

Desktop Benchmark

Laptop Benchmark

Any thoughts? Figured I would come to the pros who actually use CC to guide me!

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

Daniel E Lane
Daniel E Lane
Inspiring
February 13, 2019

You will just end up putting all of the software on both. Use the laptop when you need mobility, but you will end up doing all of your heavy lifting on the desktop computer. Makes sense as well since you will probably have the larger monitor on the desktop as well. More working real estate to deal with the larger things to do.

    Catalytically
    CatalyticallyAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    February 13, 2019

    Hi Daniel, I'm a one-computer girl :-(  I hate moving between computers haha.  I do have some travel coming up, but I usually deal with using my kid's laptop for that (until I bought this one).  But other than travel, if I don't use the laptop as "my" computer, I won't have access to it.  One of these computers will be mine, the other one will be my son's.  (Both are sufficient for his needs)  Since we both tend to use them at the same time, I won't be swapping between them.  He doesn't need a laptop (I set it up with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse anyway), and since this one was decent, I wondered if it was time for me to make the switch and put him on my tower.  But I need to know if this laptop is going to work well for me.  I mostly use PS, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and Illustrator, but I do have classes coming up that will require Premiere Pro and possibly After Effects.  Unlikely I will use PP or AE much other than what is required for my classes though, as my interests don't lie in video.

    John Waller
    Community Expert
    John WallerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 13, 2019

    If you've already got the laptop, have you tried running the Cloud app trials for 7 days for free?

    You'll get most of your answers taking them for a spin yourself.

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