bigtex2000 Loc: Arlington, TX

I am needing some valuable opinions on the best laptop (Not Apple or MAC) for under $1000 for running photoshop. I want to take some classes to learn photoshop and it seems most all want you to bring a laptop for training. I do not own a laptop so this has limited my options considerably. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond and hopefully provide my the guidance I need to proceed.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"Gaming" laptops share the same needs as photo processing laptops. They have good screens, lots of RAM, graphics cards and faster hard drives. Here is the one that B&H currently recommends. Photoshop is known for liking lots of RAM!


https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1260884-REG/dell_i7559_3763blk_i7_6700hq_16gb_1tb_gtx960m_windows_10_15_6.html

Pc45

I use PS and LR on my Macbook Pro all the time with no problems. Early 2013 retina with 8gb ram, 2.6Ghz i5....Bought on ebay 6 months ago for $700 (make sure you check out seller) and no problems to date. Good luck:)

MtnMan Loc: ID

I bought my wife a Lenovo for about $500 that is more than sufficient. Be sure to get touch screen with Windows 10. HP and Dell are equally good.

Get at least an i5 processor. Maximize RAM and hard drive size for what you want to spend. You might even get a 21 inch in your budget if size isn't an issue.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

This is a good one, but I'd look for one with a SSD hard drive. But if you get one with the SSD, it's ok to import your pictures there, but after you are finished editing them, move to an external HDD. Never store pictures on your internal SSD.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I agree that an SSD has benefits. The problem is that, so far, most "affordable" laptops don't have them big enough for much photo storage and that leads to always needing an external HDD. Shuffling from internal SSD to external HDD and back is procedure step that I would not want as a regular part of my routine.

That said, B&H has an ASUS with 512GB SSD, enough RAM and a good (but small) screen for $999: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1264123-REG/asus_ux306ua_vb72_13_3_zenbook_ux306ua_notebook.html

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I would recommend either ASUS or Dell: Call or chat with them and tell them your needs/purposes/budget. They'll recommend configurations to match. I have an ASUS I configured to match my desktop. I run Photoshop & LR CC, Photoshop Elements 11, Faststone, NIK Filters, GIMP and a host of other programs (not for photography). I use the laptop when I travel. It's perfect for post processing. The one downside is it's weight. It is 15.6 inches. I like the size of the screen. It's also touchscreen.
Good luck in making your decision. You might also discuss with a local computer shop, if reliable and good reputation. They can probably custom build one. Hope this helps.
Mark
Dell: http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/19/campaigns/us_chat
ASUS: http://www.asus.com/us/support/article/743

either i5 or i7 processor (if you can afford)
2 GB Graphics processor
SSD Operating drive & another data storage drive
16 GB RAM

JPL

I would also like to have a display port to connect 4k monitor.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

That's going to cost. But most laptops have an HDMI input so you can connect a nice LCD to it and use a full size keyboard and mouse. Disconnect it all and take it on the road. I still prefer a regular desktop computer for my purposes. They are much faster than any laptop and more comfortable for me. I take a small laptop with me on long trips for just importing my images to free up card space and view some of the images. But I don't even try to process them on my laptop. It's much too slow. I just transfer them to my home PC after I get home.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

If you want Brand A or Brand B then read above otherwise I'm going to try to help you the best way I can.

First, why do you want a laptop over a desktop? Do you intend to travel with it or do you want portability for some reason? If so what do you intend to do with it, travel on a plane, take it out in the field, or maybe go hiking with it? The question relates to the size and weight you're willing to carry and the size of the monitor you're willing to put up with where if you buy a desktop you can spend less and get more, especially more as in a bigger monitor.

Assuming you still want a laptop, there are some things to think about, mainly its everyday use. How big of a monitor do you want? How does the keyboard feel and do you need a 10-key? How much storage do you want (hard drive) and will you have an external storage device(options)? How fast do you want it to be, as in can you click something and wait (less ram) or are you super impatient (more ram), and do you have any special accessories (Wacom tablet, etc.)?

Here are some thoughts for you -
- I have a five or six-year-old laptop I bought for $250 and have loaded it with everything possible. It has 15-inch Monitor, 4GB Ram and a 500GB Hard Drive, and runs graphics programs without a hitch. I can run most post processing programs without noticing it but have two more intense ones that stand it to a crawl. I'll eventually order more Ram which is easy to install and will speed it up like it was a $1000 machine but will only spend $100 more to get there.
- The point is that you can buy a $1000 dollar gaming laptop but unless you need it you're basically parking a supercar in the garage. Fun to look at but you'll never drive it fast enough to get a ticket. My suggestion then is to buy a low-end desktop and a giant Monitor* then add Ram, or a low-end laptop with an acceptable Hard Drive then add Ram and a large external Monitor then take the rest of the money you would have spent and buy life changing experiences!
*I bought my friend an HP desktop with 4GB Ram and a 300MB Hard Drive for $95 on sale and a 23-inch ASUS Monitor he absolutely loves for $125!

It's your choice and your money, but I used to help a lot of people buy computers and the first thing I always ask is What Are You Using It For? S-

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

"I want to take some classes to learn Photoshop and it seems most all want you to bring a laptop for training".
That seems to indicate portability, so a desktop is not plausible. Your idea of an inexpensive laptop and upgrade is excellent, providing the person is capable of doing it. Not everyone has that technical ability. Generally, good suggestions!
Mark

bigtex2000 Loc: Arlington, TX

There are some great suggestions here, and as I mentioned, the laptop will be mostly to take to photoshop classes, but might also take along on the road at times. I hadn't thought about upgrading, so that is another thing to think about. Thanks for all the suggestions.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

For me it comes down to what they are going to use it for, and most pre-teens can mod a computer without thinking much about it. Cheers! S-

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you decide, and be sure to post your progress here! Cheers, S-

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA