M_stadler13

I am just getting started in photography. Something I started as a hobby when my husband bought me my camera a couple Christmases ago and has grown. Now everyone wants me to do photos for them from senior pictures to weddings. I just did a softball teams photos (almost 30 girls with A and B team) and my computer has finally quit on me. It's been repaired, updated it done. Any recommendations on brand of computer best for editing as I will be purchasing a computer today as I have to get these photos done and out as the season is ending (I was told at the last minute I would be photographing this team) help!
Also any photo editing advice? I have tried Lightroom and photoshop which maybe it is just me but I find extremely difficult no matter how many tutorials I watch. And it frustrates me bc i see all these amazing photos come out on these ads for photoshop filters. So far I just try to take the most crisp clear photos I can and any editing I do on pic monkey or a couple other editing software I have that's similar. But I want to expand my work to so much more, especially with the demand I am now getting! If anyone has any suggestions on the computer that's my 1st priority I have a lot of work to do quick now that mines done for (by the way it's a dell we have had for quite some time, it's been through a house fire and everything, I think it's time she goes) I appreciate any time, help, and advice you so kindly could share!
Thank you.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

If you have to get a new computer today, good luck. I guess the best thing to do is go to a big box store of your choice and buy the best computer they have within your budget.

Personally, Dell has been good for me, and still is. If you liked your previous Dell, why not just stay with them? My current Dell is one of their all-in-one desktop models. There's no tower, just a large screen and a wireless keyboard and mouse. Does everything I need. I'd suggest you get a Windows 7 instead of Windows 8; it'll be more like you're already used to.

Here are the latest models:
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/all-in-one-desktops


Best of luck! Having photo work to do is a great accomplishment.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I don't know what your budget is but I love my MAC. I had Dells for years and I am never going back. If you check out Apples refurbished computers, they come with the same warranty as new, you can often find a deal.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Here is the link to their refurbished page.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac

Joshc Loc: Stockton, Ca

Sorry to dispute you speedy, but I would avoid the big box stores like the plague. Your best bet is to look for a lot end gaming machines then max out the ram on it. The first places I would look would be tigerdirect.Com and newegg.Com. If you can tell me what your budget is I am more than willing to find you a couple of examples. Also do you need a new monitor or not, do your want to install the operating system yourself, are you comfortable assembLing your own pc? Talk to you soon.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

15" Macbook pro with 24" 2nd display...SSD drive for start up and applications...cram it full of ram. External drives for backup and storage. Lightroom 5 to catalog and edit.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

Joshc, If there is no rush, then I agree with you. I only said a big box store because of the need to get it TODAY. I researched my last computer purchase for about two weeks, and then about a week for delivery; but my old computer was still working.

Ronny Loc: Netherlands

In the PC world are computers with Intel Processors or Amd types.
The Intel processors are standard (celerion), I3, I5, and I7.
I7 is the fastest and people are using these machines especially for gaming. For editing pictures the I5 is good enough, but ask for a min. 8 GB of memory. The amd processors are a bit cheaper and they use a kind of A rating for speed.
Also I recommend also to have at least 2 hard drives, one for all the pictures and files and for all the software a SSD drive. This last ones are super fast to upload your software. I use for editing mainly Topazlabs. And all their training are on a webinar and free.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

Personally, I am not a big fan of Dell. I've always spec'd and built my computers on my own.

I have my mother's Dell, a 3.0 Quadcore. My 2.6 dual core ran circles around it--both were based on Athlon chips.
Dell also loads so much performance-stealing junk on their boxes.

Two best options, in my opinion, are to either pick up a gaming system or a Mac.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

Mac's are good machines, but you are spending a thousand up front for the Mac Name. I don't have a personal choice on computer brands but tend to stay away from Gateway. I prefer a lap Top, because I find it more useful then a tower and I have both. As mentioned 8 GB of ram, and with today's file loads in the digital world as much hard disk as you can afford.

You can always get a back up disk, or the cloud as you go along.

My daughter gives me heck because of my refusal to go with a Mac. When I'm traveling I have replaced two computers in on trip because of damage. If they were Mac's. I would of had to come out of retirement. An that isn't going to happen.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

For editing I recommend PICASA http://www.picasa.com. Its FREE

Joshc Loc: Stockton, Ca

My wife doesn't like the fact that she is not allowed to buy anything apple, they are overpriced and there are to many better options available.

stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

I asked the same question when I started photography. most told me to get a mac. I was nervous about trying a new system, but knowing I could install windows on it incase I didn't like mac OS I bought one.
I have never been sorry I did. I paid a little more the buying a pc, but have had no problems with them. the only problem now is they are getting to old to update to the new OS.

LaurenT Loc: Northern California

You didn't say what your old computer was, Mac or PC. If you need to make a decision today, in order to jump right into editing, etc., you are in for a major challenge. I'm assuming that you have a PC, as I doubt a Mac would have given you all of the problems you have mentioned.

If you were previously using a PC, I'm also assuming that you were running Windows 7 (at least). Windows 8 (or 8.1) will be a major learning curve that you might have to hurdle before being able to even begin your photo editing, etc. Please take the software (operating system) into consideration before making your decision. If you have a support system at home (usually kids, as they tend to keep up on this sort of stuff), then go for the computer that you can get help with. If you don't have the support system at home, then I would recommend going with a Mac, as Apple has a WONDERFUL support system, both in their stores or over the phone. I don't believe they are outsourced, as english seems to be their first language as well. Good Luck :-)

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

The other thing to consider is that Windows 8 is going to be like nothing you have used before. I bought a cheap laptop to use to backup photos while traveling. I eventually learned to use it but it sure isn't intuitive. I would do without a computer for a few days to a week and get what I wanted and not settle for something subpar just to get it today. You would be better off going to that box store and buying as cheap as you can to hold you over until you know for sure what you want.