Hi (desperately seeking advice on what computer to buy) ,

I'm using a HP Pavilion a6300f PC, (I'll post the computer specs below) and have just started using my Adobe CS4 programs. Illustrator is really starting to slow me down. I read somewhere that I have 2GHz, but I can't find it in the spec sheet. I checked my CPU usage. My RAM usage goes from 75% to 94% depending on what I'm doing, and my CPU usage goes up to 100% when I'm opening an illustration. I closed all other programs to see if that helps, and apparently it doesn't make much difference when in Illustrator. SO, I am now going to shop for a computer.

I'm curious as to what you have. I need one that allows me to have Outlook, internet, and Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Bridge open, and possibly maybe one other small program.I know that a lot of people use MACs with the Adobe Suite because the videos I view are mostly in MACs. I asked my son, who has had two specially built for him because he plays online games, and he said for the price of a MAC I could get a loaded PC. But I'm interested in the MAC (I've never used one by the way) because I'm tired of Microsoft, I've heard they are less likely to get attacked by a virus, etc. Anyway, I'd appreciate any feedback on what you have.

To give you an idea of what I do, I design and edit book manuscripts, book covers and publications, web banners, and also maintain my own business website (which I'm going to be redesigning and I know I'll need a lot of programs open at the same time).

Thank you,

Susan
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Motherboard
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System Board
Chipset nVidia MCP73
Base Board
Manufacturer FOXCONN
Product Napa
BIOS
Vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Release Date 12/14/2007
BIOS Version String 5.07
ROM Size 1.00 MB
Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz CPU:0
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GH
Size 64.00 kB
Size 1.00 MB
Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz CPU:1
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GH
Size 64.00 kB
Size 1.00 MB

Memory
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System Memory
Total Physical Memory 1.88 GB
Free Physical Memory 936.04 MB
1024 MB DDR2-SDRAM (PC2-5300 / 667 MHz)
Memory Size 1.00 GB
Memory Type DDR2-SDRAM (PC2-5300 / 667 MHz)
Memory Manufacture Date Week 3, Year 2008
Memory Part Number 64T128020EU3SB2
Memory Serial Number 0208FE17
Memory Revision Code 0E21
1024 MB DDR2-SDRAM (PC2-5300 / 667 MHz)
Memory Size 1.00 GB
2 of 6
Memory Type DDR2-SDRAM (PC2-5300 / 667 MHz)
Memory Manufacture Date Week 3, Year 2008
Memory Part Number 64T128020EU3SB2
Memory Serial Number 0209011D
Memory Revision Code 0E21
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ST3500630AS ATA Device
Firmware Revision 3.CHN
Total Capacity 465.76 GB Buffer Size 16.00 MB
Temperature 35 C Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\disk.sys Driver Version 6.0.6000.16386, 6-21-2006
HP - C:
Drive Letter C
Volume Name HP
Volume Serial Number 3C72-D712
File System NTFS Volume Capacity 456.21 GB Volume Free Space 404.12 GB Volume Used Space 52.08 GB
FACTORY_IMAGE - D: Drive Letter D
Volume Name FACTORY_IMAGE
Volume Serial Number 8874-071C
File System Volume Capacity Volume Free Space Volume Used Space NTFS 9.55 GB 957.36 MB 8.62 GB
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USB Controller
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Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Manufacturer (Standard USB Host Controller)
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\usbohci.sys
Driver Version 6.0.6000.20672, 6-21-2006
Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Manufacturer (Standard USB Host Controller)
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\usbehci.sys
Driver Version 6.0.6000.20672, 6-21-2006
Product Version: 5.00.4589.14