Computer upgrade (Page 2): Start by getting 16 gig RAM, a decent graphics card, and 1T or 2T hard disk. Lots of choices out there.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Start by getting 16 gig RAM, a decent graphics card, and 1T or 2T hard disk. Lots of choices out there.

old poet

Curious as to why no one has mentioned Asus? I'm running an Asus laptop with Intel I-7, 2.7-2.9 Ghz with only 12 Gig ram and a 540 hz nvda gforce graphics card. PS lassic and PS cc and and Lightroom subscription well. I use a 1 tb Toshiba ext backup. So far, no problems.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

kdoran wrote:

I am ready to upgrade my laptop but I don't know w... (show quote)

If your cpu is at least an I5, and can have 16GB in it, add the memory, and swap out the HDD for a SSD. Do a complete image backup of your system drive, to transfer to your new SSD. If you do an image backup first, you don’t need keys and applications to re-install.

It’s actually easier than it sounds. I bought Acronis software for the image backup, 16GB of memory, a new 1TB SSD, and installed it in my 5 year old laptop by watching YouTube videos on how to do so. Total cost was less than $200.

My old laptop now runs like a new laptop. Although I don’t use PS/LR, I use Luminar 3 which was VERY slow before I did the upgrade ... but now runs fine.

Just another thought. With the saved money, maybe go buy another lens?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

An SSD will definitely be faster than a traditional hard drive, but SSDs have a smaller capacity, so that's a consideration. You'd probably need an external hard drive for storage.

Some ideas -
https://makeawebsitehub.com/best-laptops-for-photo-editing/
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/167185-best-laptops-for-photo-editing
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2017/sep/07/which-is-the-best-laptop-for-photo-editing
http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-laptops-for-image-editing-2016-1329234
https://laptopunderbudget.com/best-laptops-for-photo-editing/

Memory -
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-much-ram-does-your-pc-need-probably-less-than-you-think/
http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-much-ram-does-your-pc-need/

Processor -
http://gizmodo.com/dont-waste-money-on-intels-top-processor-1791426602
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404674,00.asp
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/intel-core-i9-vs-i7-vs-i5-cpu/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/core-i5-vs-i7
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/210703-intel-core-i5-vs-core-i7-which-processor-should-you-buy

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

jerryc41 wrote:

An SSD will definitely be faster than a traditiona... (show quote)

SSD’s have plenty of capacity. I have a 1TB SSD that holds everything on my laptop. So far I’m only using 154 GB, with a couple thousand images on it. They come in multiple TB’s as well.

JohnR Loc: The Gates of Hell

kdoran wrote:

I am ready to upgrade my laptop but I don't know w... (show quote)

2nd hand MacBooks are still pretty good - can probably be had for the same price as a new Windows laptop. Apple in Australia also have refurbished MacBook with full warranty for around 70% of new price - I don't know but would expect USA to be the same. The screens on MacBooks are what set them apart from most Windows laptops. To get a Windows laptop with a similar quality screen to the MacBook will cost you more than a 2nd hand MacBook (at least here in Australia it will)

mh2bttb Loc: NC

easy one, Dell is running a 512ssd , high qty ram, current intel chip, $1900 laptop for $1100, & buy up to $500 Dell 4k monitor and you have a killer current system for $1500-$1600

rbest77701

You will definitely want a SSD hard drive, which will make running LR and PS a much more pleasant experience. They definitely run smaller, but I just upgraded my laptop to a Western Digital 1.9 TB SSD for $250 and it has made a world of difference. Windows 10 just plain runs better on an SSD, so consequently so does everything else.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

JohnR wrote:

2nd hand MacBooks are still pretty good - can probably be had for the same price as a new Windows laptop. Apple in Australia also have refurbished MacBook with full warranty for around 70% of new price - I don't know but would expect USA to be the same. The screens on MacBooks are what set them apart from most Windows laptops. To get a Windows laptop with a similar quality screen to the MacBook will cost you more than a 2nd hand MacBook (at least here in Australia it will)

BUT a new I7 based PC Laptop PLUS a nice monitor is still way less expensive than the Mac, higher performance and a real full sized monitor to edit on.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Les Brown wrote:

Curious as to why no one has mentioned Asus? I'm running an Asus laptop with Intel I-7, 2.7-2.9 Ghz with only 12 Gig ram and a 540 hz nvda gforce graphics card. PS lassic and PS cc and and Lightroom subscription well. I use a 1 tb Toshiba ext backup. So far, no problems.

I almost bought an Asus laptop. But chose the Lenovo instead, when I purchased it in 2012. Sony, HP's, and Lenovo were the top sellers back then. And, I remember Acer too.

John O.

Make sure you get a solid state hard drive. Your computer will boot up within 15-20 seconds. I took a 5 year old laptop with lots of memory, separate video card and an I-7 microprocessor. I had the original hard drive replaced and it just flys with speed. Solid state hard drives are a must!

hankswan

PixelStan77 wrote:

Save your pennies and go with a Apple Macbook Pro.I did and never looked back.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1481052-REG/apple_z0wq_mv96_11_bh_13_3_macbook_pro_with.html

I cannot understand how so many camera users (might even be photographers) beat themselves up over what might happen if (heaven forbid camera/lens/etc.) is damaged, fails to operate properly and the manufacturer will not repair it, warranty or not. I have bad news for you. Even though you act as a good customer, jump through the hoops, do everything you are told to do, there will still come that day when your wonderful camera manufacturer tells you "we no longer support your model, but come in and take a look at all of the wonderful new models we will sell you." I have never ever thought of repair of the camera as being something impossible. In this day and age where we can send a message to the far ends of the earth at light speed, or send a package to the same ends of the earth in just a few days. Some where on this dirtball is a photo repairman who will be more than happy to repair your piece of photo equipment and possibly at a much lower price than you would pay in the US. I have bought new Leica Photo equipment from Europe at a price about 50-60 percent of the US price. If I need a Leica photo item repaired (or replaced) I send an email (or phone call) describing the problem. It will cost about $75.00 to send a camera to Europe and return (each way) and about 2 days each way, and the cost of the repair (might be under warranty). Many ways to skin a rabbit! Food for thought.

lschiz Loc: Elgin, IL

CHG_CANON wrote:

Do you need to account for a high-def monitor and ... (show quote)

Excellent reply CHG_Canon (as I’m sure there will be others too). I’ll be in his position in a year or so and I can get an early start in this.

kdoran

I think I can uninstall and reinstall my photoshop elements software. My current processor is i3 which sounds like is part of the problem with my current set up. I upgraded to 16g ram which helped but I still am unable to upload raw files, at least in a reasonable amount of time. Time seems to be the biggest drawback on what I am currently using, very slow. I am getting more requests from friends for portrait shoots which is great but my turn around time is not great, partially due to taking too many photos! If I could just quit my day job! Thank you for the input, it has been a huge help.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

S

kdoran wrote:

I think I can uninstall and reinstall my photoshop... (show quote)

A couple of potential issues. First, while an I3 is fine for browsing and running Word, etc, it is not enough horsepower/cores and threads for photo processing. I would consider an I5 (or the AMD equivalent) as a minimum, and an I-7 is preferable. In terms of the time to download (you said upload) files, that could be a USB speed issue (are your USB ports USB-2 or USB-3?), a card reader issue (if you’re using one), a disk issue (an SSD is dramatically faster than an HD) or the slow processor (the processor has to manage the transfer, even if it doesn’t actually “touch” the data). And if it’s really an upload issue, then it could be your internet and network/NIC/modem speed. Just a few things to ponder...