HELP on CHOICE:Which laptop for the wife starting graphic editing position?

I realize this is not a hot topic in regards to the regrets or happiness of the new refresh but I have been waiting for the refresh to purchase a new macbook for my wife. Here is the plan... attempting to get my wife a position for graphic editing. Ive been told the hot apps are quark, indesign, and of course CS3 skills.

My plan was to just buy the best I can. I know that is ridiculous to some but my ignorance of graphic design laptops is limited. Plus, I have specifically saved 4k just to get her a portable laptop. Just so I can play WoW at night without her asking me to check email. So, a month ago that lead me to the 17", 4gb 2.6ghz 320gb @7200 model for 3.1k+ model. That would of included a new 24" cinema display and then I would be left going to coinstar to get enough cash for quark and indesign software.

With what I am asking for help on is with the new refresh... do I really need the 17" model. I picked the model because I saw that it had a better screen resolution than the 15" but then I saw somewhere that it was the same gfx card and the resolution would be smaller because of the screen size and not based upon the gfx card. Is that correct? Since, the 15' would be lighter... she is a small girl... that would be better in daily life with her carrying it. Or, should I just stick to the 17" in which it looks like it didnt get refreshed at all?

Whats the pros opinions? Thank you in advance.

 

A more powerful gfx card won't make a big impact, since graphics design software typically demands more CPU, RAM, and HD performance. You may want to consider the lower priced 15" model for portability (if that matters at all to your wife; can you ask her, or does she not know about your plan?), plus the 34" screen while at a desk. This would offer her the best of both worlds.

 

So, instead of going with the "larger" screen size... its best to upgrade the other elements? Upgrade to 2.8ghz cpu, upgrade to the 320gb@7200 rpm, and finally upgrade the ram? Does anyone know if they offer the 2gb ram version with all the upgrades so I can purchase my own 4gb ram for cheaper?

 

If you customize it on Apple's website, then you can do that for sure; that is a decision that I'd strongly recommend.

 

i vote $1299 MacBook with 24" LED Screen when it becomes available, that is an awesome setup, the built in magsafe is absolutely genius.

 

No point in 17" MBP. For most people, it's not the weight of the laptop, but the size of the laptop. I can carry a 5 lb laptop or a 9 lb laptop. It doesn't matter. The thing that matters is whether or not it will fit inside my bag along with all the other stuff. Get the 2.4GHz 15" MBP with the 9600M GT. Adobe Photoshop CS4 will start utilizing the GPU so might as well have the better one and not the integrated 9400M.