I currently have a 3 year old Dell laptop use for photo editing. Even though I have calibrated my screen, I know that my color quality of my screen is not ideal. I edit my pictures to a point where I think they look great and then I view them on another computer and they aren’t so great.
I am looking at investing in a new computer or laptop. I plan to use the new computer for mostly only photo editing and internet access. I would probably also do some of my work on it as well (I am an architect).
I know a desk top is preferred and I am open to suggestions for one. But- with my life as a mom of 3, a laptop is so much more convenient in my life. But- are there laptops that are good for photo editing out there?
I also would love a MAC, but I think that a PC is probably my better option since I could use it for work as well. I need to use Microsoft programs, Photoshop, and AutoCAD for work….so I don’t believe I can use my work copies on a MAC.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
The biggest benefit you'll see when it comes to photo/video editing is a lot of RAM and a multi-core processor. Otherwise, brand, model, and other bells and whistles mean very little.
I do most of my editing on my Dell Studio XPS 16 laptop. It handles HD video encoding and raw file editing with ease because it has an i7 quad-core processor and 6 GB of ram.
So, pay attention to those two specifications closely regardless of what brand you look at. You'll ideally want something in the i5 or i7 processor family and as much ram as you can afford to build into the system.
If you don't care about the screen (ie the plastic box it is in) the PC will do as much as the MAC for a lower price point. Now if you love the interface ect that is another thing... the the truth is now MAC and PC are the same under the hood.
I second the lots of RAM and a faster processor... I always buy one generation behind... that way it is cheaper and if it goes missing or blows up... eh not a big deal as I plan on replacing my laptop every 12 - 18 months...
as to the copies of software from work... be sure you can legal do that... some software says if you buy this you get one copy for work and one for home, some are more controlling... just don't want you to get in trouble...
@icywarm - I agree with what Jordan has said. I brought a new laptop two days ago and I went for high ram and high processor. It has made the world of difference. I have a Toshiba with an i.5 processor and 4gig of ram. I have a 512mb dedicated graphics and she just processes the photographs great.
@icywarm
Thanks! I am sure the copies I have are legal. I do a lot of work on my laptop that is work related (at home or on job sites). I will most likely get my own copy of photoshop soon anyway so that I can keep personal stuff and work separate.
If you are going for a PC I will argue heavily for Dell. I do pc tech support and we've had a decent amount of problems with any HP product we've ever used. Dell builds a solid machine, we have relatively few problems with the ones we have at work. Go for the highest processor speed and Ram you can afford, as long as you're not going the I'll upgrade in a year route. Also, get as big a hard drive you can, I'd say at least 500 GB. Also take note of the graphics card to see if it has dedicated ram like Rose said.
I own a Mac Powerbook 15 inch that I got refurb a year ago for Christmas. You can't go wrong with a Mac either, though it sounds like you've got some constraints with work software. Check out the licensing, for sure, to make sure you wouldn't have to buy a copy for home.
If you are not currently backing up your hard drive, get an external hard drive to back up everything you've got!
As a weird suggestion, ever thought about hooking the laptop via VGA or HDMI (hdmi might not be possible as you said 3 years old) to a TV? Make it a dual screen set up, image is nice and big, clear.
You won't get better colors with a faster computer. You should consider an external screen with a high quality panel. Most laptops have a TN panel, but if you hook up an external screen you can have a higer resolution, color depth, contrast ratio, etc.
@berend Thanks so much for your help! Yes- a high resolution would be great for my architecture work too! I also need the speed to run some of the programs I use for 3D work etc.. I should have also added that I just need a new laptop anyway...my power connection is about to break completely and I don;t want to spend the money to get it fixed. I have used this computer everyday for 3 years and it has been beaten up.....so time for something new in the near future. So...since I want to buy something new, i am wondering if people have suggestions for laptops with good graphics? But, I have heard what you are saying several times...so I am wondering if I should just get a desk top instead? I can't make up my mind!
Thanks everyone. Keep the recommendations coming. I am still unsure what to do!
@cohare Sounds stupid but there is a option in the display settings to change how the computer displays colours have you tried this - not sure where but I read a tutorial about how to do it a few years ago. ( I'll see if I can find it).
A faster processer or more ram wont affect the screen colours - you may be lucky and hit one that has colours to your liking but that's an expensive lottery ticket you will be buying.
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I do most of my editing on my Dell Studio XPS 16 laptop. It handles HD video encoding and raw file editing with ease because it has an i7 quad-core processor and 6 GB of ram.
So, pay attention to those two specifications closely regardless of what brand you look at. You'll ideally want something in the i5 or i7 processor family and as much ram as you can afford to build into the system.
I second the lots of RAM and a faster processor... I always buy one generation behind... that way it is cheaper and if it goes missing or blows up... eh not a big deal as I plan on replacing my laptop every 12 - 18 months...
as to the copies of software from work... be sure you can legal do that... some software says if you buy this you get one copy for work and one for home, some are more controlling... just don't want you to get in trouble...
Thanks! I am sure the copies I have are legal. I do a lot of work on my laptop that is work related (at home or on job sites). I will most likely get my own copy of photoshop soon anyway so that I can keep personal stuff and work separate.
I own a Mac Powerbook 15 inch that I got refurb a year ago for Christmas. You can't go wrong with a Mac either, though it sounds like you've got some constraints with work software. Check out the licensing, for sure, to make sure you wouldn't have to buy a copy for home.
If you are not currently backing up your hard drive, get an external hard drive to back up everything you've got!
Just a thought, might not work
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD#Types
As an architect I can imagine that a very high resolution can also be very useful.
Thanks everyone. Keep the recommendations coming. I am still unsure what to do!
A faster processer or more ram wont affect the screen colours - you may be lucky and hit one that has colours to your liking but that's an expensive lottery ticket you will be buying.