Air performance question

[beangibbs]

I've been wondering if the Intel graphics in the Air could handle Adobe Illustrator, or Sketchbook Designer.
Just some light illustrations, nothing like Photoshop, or any 3D rendering.
I had been looking at an iMac, but I convinced myself after some time that a purchase like that can wait until after I'm officially in the Marine Corps, and earning a steady pay from the government because that sucker (27 inch ultimate) is not cheap.
For a laptop, I'd honestly rather have a MacBook Pro with an SSD but for the moment, that goal too, is far too lofty.
I figured an Air would be a viable substitute for the time being.
As far as extra storage, I can always get an external drive, and extra screen real estate...thunderbolt display.

So, I pulled up a 13 inch maxed out Air, with AppleCare, and no extra bs.
I can always buy a printer later that is also AirPrint enabled, so it'll work with my iPad too. (Little sister will get iPad when I get this laptop)

All I need to know is this: for what it is, can it do what I'm asking, which is simple Illustrator work, no weird effects or heavy renderings?

 

[KPOM]

It should be able to handle light photo editing without a problem. No, it won't be as fast as a MacBook Pro with an SSD, but it still has a very good processor. The HD 3000 GPU isn't great, but it is at least acceptable.

 

[reputationZed]

Shouldn't be a problem. I believe Illustrator is more CPU dependent than GPU dependent, the i5 or i7 will have more than enough power.

Enjoy bootcamp

Semper Fi