What should I look in a computer to use big PDFs?

[nukiduz]

Hi, I am thinking of buying a MBA or MBP in the next months and would like to know which one would be best for my computing needs. The only tasks where I see my actual 2009 MBP lagging is dealing with large, image heavy PDFs. I am not sure if I should aim for CPU, GPU, RAM, or which combination of them. So, could you tell me what should I look in a computer to be able to deal with 4-5 big PDF files with no lag? Thanks!

 

[sonicrobby]

Im not 100% sure, but I would say CPU mainly, and then RAM

 

[takeshi74]

I am not sure if I should aim for CPU, GPU, RAM, or which combination of them.

Look at your resource usage when you're working with them on your current MBP.

So, could you tell me what should I look in a computer to be able to deal with 4-5 big PDF files with no lag?

How big is "big"?

 

[nukiduz]

How big is "big"?

Some of them weigh around 30mb and are 400 page books which were scanned. I don't know how to put it clear: they are scanned books saved as PDFs, which pages are images and not vectorial text. Is that understandable?

 

[leman]

First of all, you should look for a PDF viewer other then Preview, it has its problems with big PDFs. Rendering an image-heavy PDF does not require a powerful computer. Its another deal if your pdf contains really complex vector graphics, but then PDF is not a correct tool in the first place...

 

[Stetrain]

A solid state drive (aka SSD or Flash Storage) would help with the speed of initially opening the PDF file. As far as other specs go I think any current generation Mac would work just fine (even the slowest Macbook Air should be more than fast enough).

One thing to keep in mind is that the new version of OSX coming out this fall (10.9 aka Mavericks) introduces a new system-wide scrolling framework that promises to provide much smoother scrolling of large complex documents.

 

[Freyqq]

importance in order for that usage

1. CPU
2. ram
3. SSD

 

[A Hebrew]

ANY 2010+ Apple computer (maybe not the low end MBAs in some cases) should be able to handle ANY PDF you will use on a daily basis (Unless you are something something ridiculous.)

Also look into a different PDF viewer first, it might just be Preview.

 

[Xcallibur]

ANY 2010+ Apple computer (maybe not the low end MBAs in some cases) should be able to handle ANY PDF you will use on a daily basis (Unless you are something something ridiculous.)

Also look into a different PDF viewer first, it might just be Preview.

You'd expect so, but the same happened on my 2012 13" cMBP, the large PDF's I made were terrible for scrolling on, they'd take a second or two to catch up to where I scrolled. I think its the app (preview) and scalling issues.

 

[nukiduz]

Thanks all for your answers. Would you recommend any alternative to Preview?