Unit 2: Task 5: M3/D2

Task 5 (M3)

Evaluate the performance of a given computer system. This can be either a laptop or desktop, and either Mac or PC.

You may wish to use benchmarking software to do this (i.e.Novabench).
(D2)

Suggest improvements to the system, in each case explaining what benefits the improvement will bring in terms of performance and/or functionality.

2011 MacBookPro

The computer system that I will be evaluating is a MacBookPro as I wish to determine this computers performance. Computers all have variation in function and price but the rating of the performance is completely reliable to its price, this meaning if the computer system is expensive than it will have a higher performance quality for the user. I would like to display this with a Mac computer system as they are known highly for their price as well as their performance. 

The score this MacBookPro has achieved is an overall 340 which is not overly spectacular as most computer systems can range up into the thousands with their performance as they have i7 processors which run and have exceptional performance and quality. This is a MacBookPro from 2011 which has an Intel Core 2 Duo at 2MHzwhich is an older version of the latest MacBook's which have i7 processors which will have an overall better performance than they do now. 

Specs of the computer system:
CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo 
Ram/Memory- 4GB -DDR @1067 MHz 
Hard drive- 500GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm

What this means?
The CPU is an Intel Core 2 Duo processor which means that this is a fast processing unit but is on the same level as an i2 processing unit which is not the best as it runs slower than your average system, which will either have an i5 or i7 processor which improve the speed of all interactions your computer may have to complete throughout the whole system. The RAM is quite low for a Mac system but it can support up to 8GB which means there is enough power for the system to run the essential tasks and a good standard at a relatively quick speed of 1067 MHz. 

Specs achieved on Novabench:

• The Ram had received a score of 108 which is fairly good for the system it is contained within, the Ram is capable and has been recorded at 2687 MB/s which is rather fast for a 4096 MB system. 
• The CPU had received a score of 187 this is low in comparison to i7 computer systems however is very good for the model.  Floating Point Operations in seconds has achieved 48447244 which is at a relatively high speed.
• Graphics test had scored 29 which is fairly low for a MacBook which reach up to 70 3D frames per second. 
• Hardware test had scored 16 it has a partial capacity of 223GB  and a drive write speed of 40MB/s which is fast for the capabilities of this system. 

Improvements:

To improve the performance of a MacBookPro I would alter the processing unit so that it is higher so the computer system will be able to run a lot faster regarding various software that is important to your system. Also by improving your processor it will help run various tasks at once at the same fast speed without any interference. By upgrading the CPU to an i7 it makes it a lot easier to produce better graphics and edit videos but to upgrade your CPU that also means you must change your motherboard as the CPU will not be complementary to the existing motherboards processing unit. To also improve this computer system you can change the graphics card so that it will display better graphics at a faster rate. You can also improve the hard drive to a larger storage system of a higher GB/TB so more data and information can be stored on your system.
By improving these aspects the computer system will be capable of achieving a higher Novabench score and will achieve a higher performance rating. To purchase a new motherboard they are roughly £70 at Ebuyer.com. 

Unit 2: Task 6b: M2

Task 6b (M2)

So the marketing director can make an informed decision about the system the design team will purchase you are required to suggest an alternative system for example an Apple Mac.  The report needs to compare this system with the system in P4 and you need to make a decision on which system should be purchased and why.

(For M2, learners must justify why the system set up was chosen eg cost, and suggest alternative set ups (at least one) and discuss why these could also be appropriate. The reasons for the choices should be clearly explained and referenced to the user need. Any optional extras must be justified).

To: Marketing Director From: The Design Agency.Date: 13th May 2013.Subject: A report justifying the comparison between alternative systems.

In this report I will be discussing and informing you of the differences that are present between an Apple Mac computer system and that of a Windows computer system and why and Apple Mac would be preferable for your business. I will be familiarizing you with particular aspects that feature within the different computers and how the specification of an Apple Mac system will be more beneficial for the purpose it will be having. 

Apple Mac systems are particularly designed for graphics purposes, through built in software to the designed of the PC and tower the features it entails are perfect for any format of work. An Apple Mac is perfectly designed for specific graphic creations for example Photography, 3D Modelling and animation, Video editing and much more. This computing system is perfect for creating highly detailed images. Apple Macs have been widely known as 'designers computers' due to this the makers have focused on particular aspects to improve features such as fonts and colouring. Mac has an advantage against PC's for this one reason, the fact that Mac systems have specifically improved to fit the image of being a designer's computer whereas PC systems are for all round usage mainly and not one aspect above the rest.  However a PC is also able to improve fonts and colouring just not to the same standard Mac is able to produce on their computers. 

If price is the main decider on which system should be purchased then the Windows is considerably cheaper than a Mac computer this is due to the manufacturer Apple introducing new complex software systems with new and improved graphics and many other aspects and have been rapidly improving with the generations. Apple has been changing and advancing their computer software whereas Windows has remained virtually the same with slight improvements over the decades with Windows 7 + 8 adding an edge.

Regarding the computer system itself Apple has deliberately enabled there operating system to be of ease to use with enhanced features which can improve the users overall experience and end result of what they may produce. Each change to different applications and software that may have been installed onto your device is quick and flows easily onto the next application. It also only offers particular features that Apple owns and offers to its users for example iPhoto and iVideo with professional tools which allow you to edit your graphics. Windows (PC) has also improved the experience that it offers to the user with the update of Windows 8.1 however Mac computer systems have the edge when in regards to the purpose your design team shall be using the system for.  

In relation to the purpose this computer system will be having aka graphic design and animation there is not a lot of differentiation between the two when regarding graphics. The software between both the computer systems are virtually similar and available for both types of systems, there will slight variation but they shall entail the same aspects and features. Major graphic software for example Adobe Creative are available for both systems so it will ensure that the graphics that are produced will be of the same standard and depth. Mac computers are widely known for graphics and designer's computers this is due to there being specific tools which are complementary to Mac computing systems which will allow the user to create and edit graphics in different manners as they would when using a normal PC. The main variation between Mac systems and PC systems is that PC's have software that mainly enables you to focus on particular graphics such as architecture whereas Mac's allow you to make any graphics that may be desired.  There is always the option of whether the budget is too high to purchase a smaller system or Windows product to start as it will have similar software but will not produce as equal graphics but graphics that are adequate but not exceptional as that a Mac will  allow you to create.

In culmination I believe that through evaluating the performance of both a PC and an Apple Mac, the Apple Mac computer system is certainly the better product for these purposes. Within my report it displays that an Apple Mac computer system will be the most beneficial system that would help the business and design team create graphics that are detailed and precise. Overall I believe the evidence supports that an Apple Mac system will be best for your design team and will help create spectacular graphics.  Mac systems have excellent graphics and create as equally excellent graphics from scratch, and the font capabilities are very advanced and useful for any graphic design work.