Now that the holidays are over and everyone has some fun new toys, we decided to showcase some of the most popular gear for web designs. From Laptops to books, we have highlighted the 10 most popular items. The following list is a compilation of the most popular design gear sold on Amazon as well as the most purchased by the Outlaw community.

Laptops & Notebooks

Laptops and notebooks are popular tools for professional and freelancer web designers. Many of the top selling laptops are easy as powerful, if not more so, than their desktop counterparts. These powerful little bundles of technology make it easy to work remotely or from a home office.

1. Compaq Presario 15.6-Inch Notebook
2. Toshiba Satellite 15.6-Inch Laptop
3. Samsung 15.6-Inch HD LED Laptop
4. Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-Inch Laptop
5. Acer 15.6-Inch Laptop
6. Apple MacBook 13.3-Inch Laptop
7. HP G62-340us 15.6-Inch Laptop
8. Dell Inspiron 15R 15.6-Inch Laptop
9. Apple MacBook Air 11.6-Inch Laptop
10. ASUS 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop

Desktop Computers

While a good laptop is a key piece of gear for any designer, a good desktop is always nice to have. While Mac computers are the long time winners in this category, there are constantly new Windows machines that make their way to the top of the list for various lengths of time.

1. Apple Mac Mini MC270LL/A Desktop
2. Apple iMac MC508LL/A 21.5-Inch Desktop
3. Acer AspireRevo AR3700-U3002 Slim and Compact Desktop – Blue
4. Apple iMac MC510LL/A 27-Inch Desktop
5. Compaq Presario CQ5700F PC (Black)
6. HP Pavilion p6710f PC (Black)
7. Dell GX280 Desktop Computer
8. HP Pavilion Slimline s5710f PC (Black)
9. Compaq Presario CQ5720F PC
10. Apple iMac 21.5-Inch Desktop

Software

It goes without saying that the various Adobe programs are the most popular applications for designers. However, because of their price, they aren’t purchased that often, which is why they are so much further down the list on popularity. The other most popular programs were all the various office suites for Mac and Windows.

1. Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 (Win/Mac)
2. Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 & Premiere Elements 9 (Win/Mac)
3. iWork ’09
4. Adobe Photoshop CS5 [Mac]
5. Adobe Creative Suite 5 Design Premium Student & Teacher Edition
6. iLife ’11
7. Norton Internet Security 2011 – 1 User/3 Pc
8. Office Mac Home Student Family Pack 2011
9. Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Student (Disc Version)
10. Mac OS X version 10.6.3 Snow Leopard

External Hard Drives

External hard drives are key. They make for a good alternative backup solution for both desktop and laptop users. With external hard drives getting smaller and smaller, it also makes like easier for laptop only designers. This way you can store all your huge design files off the hard drive to help increase speed.

1. Western Digital WD Elements 2 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive
2. Western Digital My Passport Essential SE 1 TB USB 3.0/2.0 Ultra Portable External Hard Drive (Black)
3. Western Digital WD Elements 1 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive
4. Seagate Expansion 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive ST905004EXA101-RK
5. Western Digital My Passport Essential SE 1 TB USB 3.0/2.0 Ultra Portable External Hard Drive (Silver)
6. Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 1 TB USB 2.0 Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive STAA1000100 (Black)
7. Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB 3.0/2.0 Portable External Hard Drive (Midnight Black)
8. Western Digital My Book Essential 2 TB USB 3.0/2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive
9. Iomega eGo 2 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive 34823 (Jet Black)
10. Seagate Expansion 2.0 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive ST320005EXA101-RK

All in One Printers

Both web and printer designers are in need of a good all in one printer. Printer, scanner, and fax machine are just some of the necessary evils of running a business. Do yourself a favor and save some space and expenses by buying and all in one printer. If you can, make it a wireless one too.

1. Canon PIXMA MX870 Wireless Office All-in-One Printer (4206B002)
2. Canon PIXMA MG5220 Wireless Inkjet Photo All-In-One (4502B017)
3. Canon PIXMA MP495 Wireless Inkjet Photo All-In-One (4499B026)
4. HP Photosmart D110A Wireless e-All-in-One Printer (CN731A#B1H)
5. HP Deskjet 3050 All-in-One Printer (CH376A#B1H)
6. Canon PIXMA MX350 Wireless Office All-in-One Printer (4205B002)
7. Epson WorkForce 630 Color Inkjet All-in-One (C11CB07201)
8. Epson WorkForce 635 Color Inkjet All-in-One (C11CA69201)
9. Canon Pixma MX420 Wireless Office All-In-One Printer (4789B018)
10. Brother MFC-7340 Flatbed Laser Multi-Function Center

Books

If you aren’t constantly learning new things about your industry and how to run your business, you are doing yourself a disservice. Books are a great way to educate yourself and become a better designer and a better business person. There are a ton of great books out there. These are just the most popular in the web design category.

1. Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd Edition
2. The Web Designer’s Idea Book, Vol. 2: More of the Best Themes, Trends and Styles in Website Design
3. Thinking with Type, 2nd revised and expanded edition: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students (Design Briefs)
4. Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team
5. Envisioning Information
6. Non-Designer’s Design Book, The (3rd Edition)
7. Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities
8. Information Dashboard Design: The Effective Visual Communication of Data
9. Web Designer’s Idea Book: The Latest Themes, Trends & Styles in Website Design
10. Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a Book