Best Laptops for photo editing (resolution, calibration,...)

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I need to buy a laptop, and I am sort of a technophobe. I do film photo, and use a scanner to scan negatives then edit them on Photoshop. <br>

I am reluctant to go to Mac (for a technophobe switching is not fun) UNLESS you think it is the best choice for photographers, but I know things have changed during the last 5 years. </p>

<p>What I need in my laptop: </p>

<p>- speed & power & memory<br>

- great resolution, easy to calibrate, the usual needs for a photographer ... <br>

- light to carry and not too large (not over 14" screen)<br>

- preferably windows system </p>

<p>My budget is probably 1500 but willing to go up to 2K if worth it.. </p>

<p>Thanks a lot! </p>

<p> </p>

<p>I'd stick with Windows. Out of the two OS's, they're the only innovative one and will be the first to synchronize mobile and desktop computing.</p>

<p>With that said, I'd run Windows on a Mac Book Pro. I've tried lots of laptops and there is none that matches the build quality and interface than that of a MBP. It's just such a shame that the OS is a left-over from the 90's with limited function and very little care or thought from Apple</p>

<p>I think Eric~ doesn't know much about the state of the Mac OS. People who run Macs do so for the OS, not for the hardware. His statements about "innovation" and "synchronization of desktop and mobile" are exactly backward of what most people (e.g., <a href="http://osxdaily.com/2011/08/30/windows-8-vs-mac-os-x-and-ios/">link</a>) think about the two OSs, unless they are "Windows bigots"*.</p>

<p>but never mind. Stick with what you are used to, and for heaven's sake do NOT buy a Mac to run Windows. If you are going to run Windows, the whole point is to take advantage of the cheapness of the machines that can run it. If you already have a working version of Photoshop and other software, you won't have to buy new copies (for a Mac), if you stick with Windows.<br /> I would agree that the MacBook Pro, especially with a Retina screen, is a sweet machine, however, but not cheap.</p>

<p>A laptop of any kind is not really ideal for Photoshop editing work, but if you get a large <em>and</em> high-resolution screen (not so cheap, however) it can substitute pretty well. Given your criterion on screen size, maybe you should consider an external desktop monitor for home work.</p>

<p>________<br /> *A "Windows bigot" is the PC equivalent of the "Mac Mujahid".</p>

<p>For other examples of Mac innovation see <a href="http://www.theonion.com/video/apple-introduces-revolutionary-new-laptop-with-no,14299/">link</a>. :)</p>

<p>Unless you really need Photoshop you might find that Lightroom does most of what you need. Even my low end Lenovo laptop with a 1.6GHz AMD APU and 4GB RAM runs Lightroom 4 & 5 well enough for 16mp raw files. But if you work in layers or have other special editing needs, sure, Photoshop is a better choice. If you're not sure you might consider Adobe's cloud option with monthly rental/lease fees.</p>

<p>Other than that, my only advice is to get the best display you can afford. If the view angle is too finicky it'll be impossible calibrate accurately. That's the weak point of my Lenovo laptop - it's mainly a low end student grade/business-lite model that's made well and performs well for the money, but skimped on the screen to meet a price point. I mostly use it to tweak JPEGs from the camera, and only occasionally for raw files. I use the in-camera JPEGs as reference points for estimating gamma and color, since the view angle is so finicky it's impossible to adjust the screen so that the entire screen looks right.</p>

<p>So if the budget is tight, get a laptop with a really good screen even if it means skimping on the RAM or hard drive. While some folks might scoff, 4GB RAM and a 5500 RPM HD really are adequate for Lightroom and other non-demanding editing software. If the laptop can be upgraded (not all can), you can add RAM or replace the hard drive later as budget permits. But you can't upgrade a mediocre screen.</p>

<p>Also, even if a touch screen seems like something you wouldn't use now, it's still worth considering. I'm looking forward to more natural gesture implementation of photo editing software for laptops and hybrid laptop/tablet devices like the Surface.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, I'm hoping Amazon will try to compete with the Google Chromebook. If Amazon shoehorned the Kindle Fire HD/HDX tablet screen into a laptop and sold them at the loss leader price point of other Kindles, it'd be pretty sweet. That Kindle Fire HD/HDX screen is really good, and remarkably accurate even though it can't be calibrated.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>...unless they are "Windows bigots"*.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Right. Name calling...Nah man, most just aren't sentimentally attached or emotionally invested in their computer choices.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>most just aren't sentimentally attached or emotionally invested in their computer choices.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>;)</p>

<p>Thanks guys.. although the last thing I wanted was a Mac vs Windows battle, to make it simple I am going to go for windows, and was hoping for specific suggestions on the laptop (my budget is not all too limited...)</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I have stuck with Windows and decided that Windows 7 pro 64bit was the best option. I do a lot of traveling and needed my laptop to be lightweight. I have chosen the Toshiba Portege Z930-151. It weighs in at 2lb 6oz and has a 13" screen. It's not perfect for accurate colour work but fine for first fix. I use Photoshop using a mouse no problems. It is fast and capable of handling large files with ease.<br>

It's my recommendation.</p>

<p>I use a 15" Mac BookPro retina display as a travel laptop and when I want to do serious editing, I just hook it up to a 27" Thunderbolt display and plug in my Wacom table. I also run Windows 8.1 on my virtual machine (Parallels). Not sure how much synchronization you need with your desktop, but my email, calendar, to do list, and contacts across my phone, iPad, Desktop, laptop are all instantaneously updated. Also Pandora, my Sonos controller, and Beats Music (these are also synced with my wive's iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch).</p>

<p>Like Steve, I'm just about to do the W8.1 on my MBP soon. My reasoning is, it's all made in China running Intel so if Windows is going to be installed and running on something, I feel it may as well be the one with the best keyboard and track-pad...a Mac Book Pro. The bonus is, one has the option of using the safer OSx if you wish as well</p>

<p>OK I was reading around and I had a change of heart and was convinced by readings and the comments that Maco Pro might be the way to go for photo editing and light laptop. Below is for $1900. Sounds good?</p>

<h1> </h1>

<p><strong>Macbook Pro retina Display, 15.4'', 8GB memory, 256 GB Flash storage</strong><br>

<strong>Processor speed 2.0GHz (Low??)</strong><br>

<strong>2880 x 1800 pixel LED-backlit </strong><br>

<strong> </strong><br>

<strong>Intel Iris Pro Graphics</strong></p>

<p><strong>Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks</strong><br>

<strong>Weight: 4.46lbs</strong><br>

<strong> </strong></p>

<p>You might try looking at the refurbished models for a little savings. The chip speed is fine, I would get the 16GB of ram. And if you can afford it, the 500GB drive. The ram is soldered so if you get 8gb I believe you are stuck. I would consider getting 16GB Ram. Apparently it is possible to swap out the 256 SSD drive at a later date with a larger, one. Check out this link:<br>

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/macbook-pro-retina-display-faq/macbook-pro-retina-display-how-to-upgrade-ssd-storage.html<br>

it will require you to tinker. so you will have to have some comfort with that. You can get by with a 256 size hardware, but you will have to mind your data somewhat carefully and put most of your photos and video on an external drive. not a bad thing to do anyways. Because of the screen quality, which is, as far as I know, the best for a laptop, the rMBP is a quality tool, not up to a good desk top monitor, but the best of the laptop world, but they are pricey, no way of getting around that.</p>

<p>I BOUGHT<br /> MSI GP70 Leopard<br /><a href="http://www.msi.com/product/nb/GP70-2PE-Leopard.html#hero-overview" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.msi.com/product/nb/GP70-2PE-Leopard.html#hero-overview</a><br /><br /> Why?<br /> 2 X hard drives - 1 mSATA and 1 X 1tb, 7200RPM (I installed the mSata my self and moved the OS from the 1tb stock drive to it. (mSATA = 256 GB Plexter M6M)<br /> Screen-17.3 Best screen I could find for the $$ -1080P with contrast ratio between 900-1000 (depends on review) and cd/m2 of 335 brightness as far as 1080P screens go I couldn't find better numbers and it really does look great.<br /> Nvideo 2GB -840. more then enough for any Photo or video editing. <br /> 8GB ram installed in bay 1- may not be enough for some, good for me.. it's on one stick and there is one open slot in the computer. so you can add a second stick very easily. <br /> PRICE $1000, + $160 for the 256 GB plexter mSATA.<br /><br /> Boot time into windows 8.1 -25 seconds. mSATA or SSD is the way to go for installing your OS and your programs. So far 256 seems to be more then enough as long as you have a large drive for video's and photo storage. <br /><br /> Couldn't be happier with the results. had to share!<br /> Detailed review<br /><a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/MSI-GP70-Leopard-Notebook-Review.117541.0.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.notebookcheck.net/MSI-GP70-Leopard-Notebook-Review.117541.0.html</a><br /><br /> Note: the mSATA (Plexter 256GB) is located in the bottom right Corner on top of the Network card, see image below.<br>

<em ><img src="http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k626/Renderw/918A3C32-C2EB-44CF-A9C6-DC650D5926BE_zpsnxyp5x0k.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="768" />New Member</em></p>

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I do photography professionally. And I have been working with LG GRAM 15Z960 I7 this laptop can handle the job

There are two basic roles for a laptop in photo editing - mobile, and docked as a desktop. Disk space is always at a premium in a laptop, and 500 GB, even 1 TB can quickly be filled. This means you rely on external storage in both roles.

 

Small, USB powered portable drives, up to 4 TB, are convenient and increasingly affordable. They are not suitable for archival storage, but with care can last a long time. I transfer their contents to a desktop based storage system at the first opportunity. While on the road, I transfer memory cards to a portable drive, and back up to BD drives (also portable) for added security. I recently added an external 1 TB SSD for mobile use, mainly for resistance to physical damage and a very small size. Once memory cards are backed up to an HD and BD discs, I format them for reuse.

 

At home, I have a large (20 TB) DROBO drive for long term storage. It is basically a proprietary type of RAID, with high fault tolerance should one or two drives fail. I back up to BD discs on a regular basis, for added security. It's not a big job if you keep at it. For working storage, I have a 5 bay drive unit which can be configured as a RAID, but I usually use the drives straight up, and swap them out when full. Most of my work involves video, so working drives fill up fast.

 

16 GB of RAM are ample for photo editing. The only time I need 32 GB (or more) is for video compilations, especially into YouTube formats. More memory is also useful for image stacking operations, such as HDR, panorama stitching, focus stacking and astronomical stacking.