Computer for Animation Major

[Holmcross]

I currently have my own laptop - it's a very basic Acer computer running Windows, and is good for going online, typing things up, and listening to music. It's a very bare machine with little to it. It gets me by for casual use, but having my sights set on being an animation major sometime in the near future, I know that I will eventually have to upgrade. With the way this computer is built, we'll just say there's little to no possibility of doing that.

I'm not necessarily the most tech savvy person, but I know a thing or two about computers, and I was wondering if anybody could help me decide on what I should do for my next big purchase. I don't have any money at the moment, but I have a birthday coming up and a regular job on the weekends when I don't have school, it should take me a little over a year to make a good amount of money, or enough to get virtually any PC that I may need. I'm not in desperate need of this thing, but I'd like it for this time next year.

Anyway, I'm more used to Windows PCs, but I can learn to use a Mac, I don't discriminate. I would like a desktop, not a laptop. If I'm going for power, I want to have something that I can eventually upgrade. I know that I could simply pack it full of the most powerful things I can find, but I'd like any tips on what would be best before I go and blow money on something uber powerful. I'll be using it for animation, movie making, etc., so I know I'll need a very good graphics card, and I'll probably want a good soundcard to go with it.

So yep, any help is... helpful

 

[Franice]

I don't know a whole lot about everything animation entails, but in general, go for the best processor you can afford. CPU is the most important factor in anything with a lot of movement like animation, so don't skimp.

Obviously, the more RAM the better. I'd personally go with 4GB, and get two separate hard drives each at a minimum of 7200RPM. If you're doing 3D animation, then a high-end GPU would be a good idea, but if not, then you're better off saving money.

As far as upgrading, Macs suck. If you go with Apple, the Mac Pro is the most suitable, but as far as I know, the only thing you can upgrade yourself is the RAM. However, if the school you're going to uses primarily Macs, it might be beneficial to own one.

And on that note, most mainstream "custom" machines like Dell and HP can't be upgraded either.