From time to time we get questions about what hardware to buy for people looking to upgrade their machines.
Our general recommendation for computer/tablets:
A computer/tablet from the last 5 years that has at least 4GB of RAM that has an integrated or dedicated graphics card.
How do I know if my computer is good enough to use for modifications?
Duplicate a scan, then use the Combine tool to merge scans together. If the browser crashes, you need a computer with more memory. If it's successful, that computer should work well for modifications as well.
How much should I spend on a new computer?
We recommend planning to spend at least around $500 (for example, on a refurbished Macbook Pro). We recommend visiting your local computer shop to see which one you like the most. You can always sign in to Design Studio on a display computer before you buy to make sure it works well (just remember to log out!). On the spec sheet - you want to look for a good "integrated graphics card" (e.g, Intel HD Graphics 620.) Generally, salespeople can be helpful with this.
If you are looking to get a computer replacement that will last you 4-5 years, then we suggest planning to spend up to $1000. At this price point, you will be able to get a "discrete graphics card" for much faster performance.
How do I upgrade an older desktop computer?
If an older computer does not work with Design Studio, it's usually because the computer does not have a sufficiently powerful graphics card. With desktop computers however, you can usually upgrade your graphics card fairly inexpensively.
Our software uses a technology called WebGL 2.0. This enables a lot of the advanced 3D graphics . Click these links to check whether your computer supports WebGL 1.0 (http://webglreport.com/?v=1) and 2.0 (http://webglreport.com/?v=2).
WebGL 2.0 requires a technology called Open GL 3.0.
An example of a graphics card you can purchase to upgrade your desktop: GEForce 8000 series graphics card starts at $35 from Fry's - link
If you have specific questions about what to upgrade on an older machine - please feel free to reach out to us!