Need help on buying a MAC and Creative Cloud

Helpmeplz

New Member
Hi guys

Im new to the forum so hope this is the right place.

So basically I am currently a full time employed junior graphic designer in an agency seeking a new job.

I am going to spend the next few months completely revamping my portfolio and cv. Theres a lot of work to do.

Now here is the problem - I am quite poorly paid (one of the reasons im moving jobs...) and I need to get access to a mac or computer, and the Adobe creative suite (or at least Indesign, illustrator, and photoshop) to do my portfolio and cv on. I aim to be working on this stuff in my spare time (evenings some weekends) until about xmas time.

If I WAS to purchase a computer to work on, I would ideally like it to allow me to use after effects and obviously handle large files of artwork going forward.

So can you tell me, what spec I would need?
Should I just buy a MAC? I am aware computers are getting better nowadays. I am exclusively MAC based otherwise. But I wouldnt know what to buy.

Also adobe creative cloud is so expensive. I cant afford the fifty quid a month for a full year. So i would be looking at doing the monthly subscription and paying £75 for three months. This still seems steap.

Is there any way around this?
Are you able to borrow a second license from a friend or even pay for 1 user license under a subscription? (Sort of share the cost with someone)

I was even looking at old versions of the suite and cs4 seemed to retail at £700

Can you guys think of any solutions here? I was even looking at just hiring out a MAC but even that seemed a rip off with lots of credit checks...

Any help appreciated- sorry if there is a lot to consider, I just want to get a new Job!
 
Buying a Windows based PC is better value for money in terms of what you can get due to the way Apple are capitalising on 'brexit' (they've been increasing pretty much every price of late). Outside of the OS the programs you mentioned will work pretty much the same on windows or os-x

Adobe isn't the only tool out there, there are plenty of free or cheap alternatives that can do the same job for less.
You can't legally borrow a second license, old versions will be expensive due to them being old/discontinued.

If I'm honest it seems like you need to look at the possibility you'll need to spend some time saving some money before buying new gear.
 
Welcome to GDF. :D

Not sure on the spec of the Mac but regarding Adobe CC.

I work with a company and they loaned/provided me with a better MacBook as the MEGA files I was working on for them were killing my other, lower spec one.
I think you can have two users on the standard licence but I'm not totally sure.
 
Buy a PC for now - software is the exact same (I work PC and Mac - equally) - shortcuts slightly different and at first difficult to master.

If you signed up for a course with a local accredited education body in your area you would be able to get the Education version of CC which is much cheaper - however, outside the US you cannot use for commercial (purchased from US you can).


Other programs that do quite well that are free
Scribus - InDesign
Inkscape - Illustrator
GIMP - Photoshop

After Effects - Wondershare OR Wax


There's plenty of free alternatives - although not the industry standard - so moving back to those apps after learning other techniques.


Of course there's cheaper paid for
Affinity Designer - Illustrator
Affinity Photo - Photoshop

Which are pretty damn good.

Affinity are also due to launch Affinity Publisher - to rival Indesign.
 
I think you can have two users on the standard licence but I'm not totally sure.
Pretty sure it's two 'pc's', ie one being a laptop and one being a desktop type of thing, owned by the same person and only using one at a time. Been a while since I read the eula etc though so might have been changed.
 
Affinity Designer - Illustrator
Affinity Photo - Photoshop

Which are pretty damn good.

Affinity are also due to launch Affinity Publisher - to rival Indesign.

Just to add, these are not subscription based, no monthly charges, just a one-off payment to purchase like the good old days. If I were in your position, I would go for Affinity until I could afford (and actually need) the industry standard Adobe.
 
you could look out for Black Friday deals also as this is coming up. Also you and lease computers and software.

This is from the Adobe website https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/plans.html?plan=edu


Can I use Student and Teacher Edition products commercially?

Yes, Student and Teacher Edition products can be used commercially on your privately owned computer. They may not be resold.

On how many computers can I use my Creative Cloud subscription?

You can install Creative Cloud applications on multiple computers, regardless of operating system.
You can activate Creative Cloud on up to two computers.
You can use the software on one computer at a time.
 
Also, QVC sells Apple Macs and you can pay in 4 payments on some if you find an outlet store even cheaper and go on Mondays with someone over 65 with proof extra discount.
 
€19.99/month Creative Cloud Introductory Pricing
Eligible students 13 and older and teachers can purchase an annual membership to Adobe® Creative Cloud™ for a reduced price of €19.99/month for the first year. After the first year we will renew your contract automatically for another year at the then-current standard monthly price unless you cancel. This pricing is valid for purchases of an annual plan, which requires a 12-month contract. This pricing is available for first time membership only and limited to eligible education customers who purchase directly from the Adobe Store or by calling Adobe Sales. This pricing is not available to OEM, commercial or volume licensing customers. This pricing is limited to one (1) purchase of one (1) Creative Cloud annual membership per customer. Offer may not be assigned, exchanged, sold, transferred, or combined with any other discount or offer, or redeemed for cash or other goods and services. This pricing is subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

One Year Prepaid Creative Cloud Introductory Pricing
Eligible students 13 and older and teachers can purchase an annual membership to Adobe® Creative Cloud™ for a reduced price of €239.85 for the first year. After the first year we will renew your contract automatically for another year at the then-current standard annual price unless you cancel. This pricing is available for first time membership only and limited to eligible education customers who purchase directly from the Adobe Store or by calling Adobe Sales. This pricing is not available to OEM, commercial or volume licensing customers. This pricing is limited to one (1) purchase of one (1) Creative Cloud annual membership per customer. Offer may not be assigned, exchanged, sold, transferred, or combined with any other discount or offer, or redeemed for cash or other goods and services. This pricing is subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.
 
I can absolutely categorically tell you right now that is not allowed for Commercial use in the UK. I've posted the copied and pasted EULA from the UK Education - which clearly states and I highlighted in red!

I work very close with Adobe as one of their Professionals in their online community and I know what I'm talking about. I know this as fact.
 
Did you photoshop your screenshot? I don't see that particular one there at all.
I see the top half when I go to that URL.
And I can see the bottom half when I go to to the CC EULA for the US.

Just wondering.
Please post the correct urls to any information.
 
Thanks guys

So i think most likely i will end up getting the free programs which will be slightly an annoyance, as it would be good to have the artwork in my native programs but if its just too pricey i will have to.

You guys have discussed a lot here but im not clear on the conclusion - so can I or can't I essentially 'sub-let' an adobe license from a friend say by using their "second computer usage"?

Also are there any specific computers or macs you would recommend up to £1200? Or can you give me specific recomended specs?
 
This is pretty damn good
https://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/G752VY-GC480T-ASUS-G752VY-GC480T_1952540.html

Or a more specialised one

Chassis & Display
Octane Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD IPS LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-7700k (4.2GHz) 8MB Cache
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE 2400MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 - 6.0GB GDDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1, G-SYNC
M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG SM961 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3200MB/R, 1800MB/W)

Thermal Paste
EK-TIM ECTOTHERM THERMAL COMPOUND


Price £1,930.00 including VAT and delivery

Unique URL to re-configure : https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/octaneIII-17/yaFUfp2bSR/
 
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