What kind of computer would you get to start a web design business?

I want to desgin multiple websites not just my own. I hate MACs so please don't suggest one. PLEASE BE SPECIFIC.

What kind of computer would you get to start a web design business?
If you are truely serious about being a web designer, it is actually better to have multiple PCs of different levels with different operating systems. The actual processor speed and type of computer is not as important as other factors.





1. Internet connection - This is the backbone of your business, since you will be uploading web pages and graphics to a server, and some things will need to be tested online. Go for verizon fiber optic if it is available in your area. DSL or Cable internet is secondary.





2. Have different PCs, Operating systems, Web Browsers, etc... so that you can test your webpages under different circumstances. Your webpage may appear different on a Computer running Windows 98 %26amp; Mozilla, than it does on a machine running Windows XP and Internet Explorer, or a machine running Linux and Netscape. Since the computers do not need to be new, you can usually get away with using old used PCs that people are trying to give away because they are updating their machines (example-I have a newer machine that runs Windows XP and an old AMD-K6-2 300 MHZ that runs a dual boot of Windows 98 and Linux that I use just for testing). Web pages will also look different depending on your screen resolutions (so change them and see how it looks when testing a site 800x600 looks a lot different from 1024x800).





3. Items to consider when buying a new PC: (a.)No matter what you do, the biggest bottleneck to performance will almost always be internet speed. (b.)If you are planning to do a lot with graphics (maybee some video), the best upgrade that you can do is to buy more memory (RAM). (c.)If you are planning on taking your new computer with you at any time to show things to clients, then you probably want a LAPTOP (If you get a laptop, stay away from the low end intel processors - Celeron's -instead go with an AMD processor or an Intel Pentium dual Core processor). (d.) Always get a CD/DVD burner as this is useful for backing up files, creating presentations, and having a portable copy of your work to give potential clients.





If looking for under $600.00:


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...





Here is another model with another GB of RAM for under $700:


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...
Reply:To be honest any pc will do. I managed to make quite a few pro sites (hard coded in php) on the most sluggish of pc's











windows xp on 64mb ram... beat that!





I'd say pick a pc which has alot of ram. When you have multiple windows open and are doing lots of things like editing, uploading, downloading, speaking with mates over IM it can get rather crazy.





So... personally.. typical low price pc something like..





AMD


Win XP (not vista)


2.0 Ghz + or over (processor)


1 GB RAM minimum
Reply:then get a PC.


Any would do. models from HP, Dell, Compaq, Sony, etc.. they're all the same if you just use it purely in web designing. Maybe you can revise your question on what specs should they have. An $800 to $1K PC would do if it would fit your budget.
Reply:If you're going to start a web design business here's a few things you should have in mind.





1. Developing a simple backup solution


-- This could simply be creating a process or habit of burning anything you're worked on for your company or your clients to optical disks and keeping them in organized storage





2. How many employees do you have?


-- If it's just you then this is ok. However, as you may start to grow you may want think about investing in employees or you company; purchasing computer models that are around longer or purchasing / renting computers and / or servers.





3. Computer Power


If you plan on designing using 3D models before rendering to a 2D picture you may want to consider purchashing a 3D graphics card to help boost performance





So what should your target PC be?





2.00 Ghz or higher Intel Core 2 Duo (1.63 Ghz or higher may suffice)


2 GB of RAM


CD Burner / DVD Burner


250 GB Hard Drive (Preferrable SATA: You may want to consider 2x250 GB this way if 1 hard drive fails you won't have to worry about busines downtime)


Any graphics card that supports OpenGL(There are alot of them out there. If you need a higher end model I would suggest an ATI Fire GL or higher / equivalent)