<p>Personally, I wouldn't use a Laptop (Mac or PC) due to the static nature of their hardware.<br>
If I was going to use a laptop, the most important features for me would be ability and ease of upgrades for HDD, RAM, VGA card, using industry-standard connections/components. This is both to ensure I can actually do my work, and that I'm not looking to change the whole machine just because I can't upgrade or replace something.<br /><br />Lightroom does not use tons of CPU power. I edit 3-4GB TIFF/PSD files in LR and my CPU usage is low, my system RAM usage goes beyond 10GB regularly. Having 16GB on my work machine is a must.<br /><br />As already mentioned, screens are also a hugely important factor to consider.<br />I would not use a laptop screen for serious editing, I would only use it for reviewing and image admin. Editing would always have to take place on a calibrated screen, one big enough to make it useful. <br>
I.E. a 27" 2560x1440 screen. There are plenty of reasonably priced 24-27" screens that are suitable for image editing/processing. Using a good screen really makes a huge difference.<br /><br />My advice is avoid any brand that does not comply with industry standards. Apple are not the only ones who use their own bits n bobs to lock you in to their ecosystem, but unfortunatly they are the only "apple" manufacturer so if you want a Mac you are stuck with it. If you want a PC you can shop around for brands that don't play silly hardware games.<br>
should I buy a macbook pro or pc to edit in lightroom?
in The Digital Darkroom: Process, Technique & Printing
Posted
<p>Personally, I wouldn't use a Laptop (Mac or PC) due to the static nature of their hardware.<br>
If I was going to use a laptop, the most important features for me would be ability and ease of upgrades for HDD, RAM, VGA card, using industry-standard connections/components. This is both to ensure I can actually do my work, and that I'm not looking to change the whole machine just because I can't upgrade or replace something.<br /><br />Lightroom does not use tons of CPU power. I edit 3-4GB TIFF/PSD files in LR and my CPU usage is low, my system RAM usage goes beyond 10GB regularly. Having 16GB on my work machine is a must.<br /><br />As already mentioned, screens are also a hugely important factor to consider.<br />I would not use a laptop screen for serious editing, I would only use it for reviewing and image admin. Editing would always have to take place on a calibrated screen, one big enough to make it useful. <br>
I.E. a 27" 2560x1440 screen. There are plenty of reasonably priced 24-27" screens that are suitable for image editing/processing. Using a good screen really makes a huge difference.<br /><br />My advice is avoid any brand that does not comply with industry standards. Apple are not the only ones who use their own bits n bobs to lock you in to their ecosystem, but unfortunatly they are the only "apple" manufacturer so if you want a Mac you are stuck with it. If you want a PC you can shop around for brands that don't play silly hardware games.<br>
Good luck!</p>
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