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Laptop buying advice : Laptop features for photography
Laptop features for photography
by interactbiz - 4/27/09 12:00 PMIt is time to upgrade the almost 5 year-old Dell Inspiron 700m. I want a system that is compact for travel but a little larger than the current 12" screen. I want one with excellent photo handling capability to maintain and edit images that are close to 10MB each. In future, I plan to create short videos for web publication. The new notebook will be my primary system and I expect it to be in service for at least 5 years.
Which components matter most in photo editing? Between processor, memory and graphics card, where should the money be directed?
Definitely lots of RAM
by barkal_l - 4/27/09 12:59 PM In reply to: Laptop features for photography by interactbizPower apps like Photoshop and LightRoom can gobble RAM so you definitely want that (which is always helpful anyway). As for processor, you probably want something decently powerful but I wouldn't think you need absolute top of the line--perhaps a P8xxx (8600 is 2.4Ghz and 8700 is 2.53Ghz I believe). The P-series is more power efficient and has a larger cache than T-series, so better performance with lower power consumption for the same clock speed. Video probably is a lesser issue for purely photo and low-res video work. HOWEVER, if you plan on doing HD videos, I would say you definitely want to spring for some decent graphics then (i.e., integrated Intel GMA4500HD should be sufficient for low-res video and your photo work, but you'll want a GPU for HD video work). So in short: if you do not have any plans to migrate to HD video in the future, your focus should be 1) RAM, 2) Processor, 3) Graphics, whereas if you plan to do HD videos, then 1)RAM 2)GPU 3)Processor (but still get a pretty good processor if you're going to do HD).
"lots" keeps rising
by interactbiz - 4/27/09 1:28 PM In reply to: Definitely lots of RAM by barkal_lMy first mini-computer, a PDP8, had 16K RAM. When that was increased to 32K, it seemed a lot.
This 5 year-old Dell Inspiron has 512 MB. I thought that was fairly good when we bought it.
Today 4GB seems to me a lot but will it be in two or three years? Maybe I should be thinking 8GB or is this endless growth going to end?
It seems that more memory leads to bloated apps and users don't particularly benefit.
So, I suppose the question should be "How much is enough for 2009-2014?"
laptop features.......
by SINBAD - 4/27/09 1:43 PM In reply to: Laptop features for photography by interactbizI have been researching computers also for photography. This is what you need. Intel Duo 2.4 ghz, 500gb HD, Vista 64 bit, at least 4 GB RAM, dedicated graphics at least 512, screen size 17" for better editing and high resolution.
I have found the perfect one for $1200. Check out the HP dv7-1245dx. I am ordering mine today from BestBuy.com and/or you can pick it up at a Best Buy store. They also offer 18 month payments interest free.
Believe me, I have been researching computers for about 5 weeks now and finally just now found what I have been looking for plus more. This one has 6GB RAM and HP phone support is in USA. Or Best Buy also offers support which I will probably buy.
No, I am not employed by Best Buy and this is the last place I thought I would ever buy from again due to a store manager in a local store which is no longer in business.
I went to the new store here and the employees and managers were so helpful I couldn't believe I was in a Best Buy.
Good luck with your new purchase.
HP no-go
by interactbiz - 4/27/09 2:20 PM In reply to: laptop features....... by SINBADHP lost me permanently as a customer when they failed to create a Vista driver for a perfectly good AIO laser printer. Worse, they meekly tried to justify, then simply refused to answer countless inquiries from their own HP forums about the issue. If they had a reason beyond hoping to sell new printers to customers left unsupported, they couldn't be bothered to explain the rationale.
There is Nothing in the Size You Want
by Renegade Knight - 4/27/09 2:02 PM In reply to: Laptop features for photography by interactbizI'm not aware (maybe I'm wrong) of a 13" lapotp that has all of what you should have.
You need the RAM, CPU, and Graphics. That said A MacBook is 13" and while it doesnt' have a discrte graphics card it does have one that's improved over last years model. (You can install Vista on it, or Dual Boot it in Mac and Vista).
Upgrade to a 15" computer and now you can get what you need from a few sources. The Lenovo ThinkPad T400 is a 14" version with a discrete graphics card (if you get the right one). The W500 (15") should have the power.
Other makers you may have to look up on your own.
There is Nothing in the Size You Want
by SINBAD - 4/27/09 2:27 PM In reply to: There is Nothing in the Size You Want by Renegade KnightAre you a photographer? The bigger the screen the better you can edit your work. 15" isn't going to cut it. 17" or larger is preferred by photographers.
Size matters
by interactbiz - 4/27/09 2:46 PM In reply to: There is Nothing in the Size You Want by SINBADI find the smaller screens adequate for composition and even editing detail. We are trying to downsize everything carried on trips. Family members have 17" machines but I don't find them as comfortable. For photo shows at home, I will plug into the big screen of the TV.
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