Any advice or comments?

I'm a sophmore in highschool and I am very interested in computer/graphic arts such as graphic design, typography, layout design, packaging, logos, photoshop, etc. Currently i have an HP laptop which is about 5 years old. What type of computer would u reccomend me getting if i was going to practice graphic art? Also, what type of programs, besides photoshop, would be the best to get? Any other comments or tips would be helpful. Thankss!!

Any advice or comments?

Get a Mac, definitely. A Mac Pro or Macbook Pro would be the best choices, if you can't afford them then go for an iMac or Macbook. Whatever you get, make sure it has plenty of RAM.

Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Director, and Quark are all programs you'll probably need to learn to use... I'd reccomend getting at least Photoshop and Illustrator if not the entire Adobe Creative Suite.

Any advice or comments?

Without a doubt, get a MAC. MACs are best for all artists whether visual or musical. As for programs, I know someone who recently completed an internship at Cartoon Network and everything they used was Adobe. Photoshop. Illustrator. etc.

And everything was on a MAC.

Any advice or comments?

definately go with the MAC. sorry I can't help you with programs.

Any advice or comments?

As the other guys said, get a MAC, they are really good with art stuff and are practically invincible to viruses

as far as programs go (in addition to photoshop) i would definitely get illustrator and flash and practice until you are totally comfortable with them.

Depending on exactly what you want to do, you should probably also be at least proficient in Paint shop pro, Imageready, Terragen, 3d studio max, etc