Laptop for photo/video: I will upgrade to a laptop strictly for photo & video editing. Currently use a Surface Pro but the AI apps are straining it. I run the full Creative Cloud...

chemsaf Loc: San Diego

I will upgrade to a laptop strictly for photo & video editing. Currently use a Surface Pro but the AI apps are straining it. I run the full Creative Cloud suite, LR-Timelapse and the full Topaz suite. I will be traveling later this year and want processing to be close to my Puget Systems box.
My requirements are limited to a 15 inch form factor. I will use an i10 20 thread processor, NVIDEA 3080 series video, at least 64 Gb ram.
I am looking at the Razer Blade 15 or the Alienware 15. Msi maybe but not likely.
My budget is about $6k, USD. A custom build is possible.

Thoughts on what to select?
{I searched the UHH and this topic has not been explored much recently).

Look forward to a discussion.
Neal

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

chemsaf wrote:

I will upgrade to a laptop strictly for photo &... (show quote)

Neal consider an Apple.

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

chemsaf wrote:

I am looking at the Razer Blade 15 or the Alienware 15. Msi maybe but not likely.My budget is about $6k, USD.

For $6K you could buy three computers that have the power you want.

I have the Alienware 17, which I use mainly for Lightroom/Photoshop. It is more than adequate. I use external matching Dell UHQ 25” monitors. I don’t trust a laptop screen for image processing. The price of the Alienware, two monitors and a monitor calibration device should leave you plenty of money to buy some extra lenses.

chemsaf Loc: San Diego

ejones0310 wrote:

For $6K you could buy three computers that have the power you want.

I have the Alienware 17, which I use mainly for Lightroom/Photoshop. It is more than adequate. I use external matching Dell UHQ 25” monitors. I don’t trust a laptop screen for image processing. The price of the Alienware, two monitors and a monitor calibration device should leave you plenty of money to buy some extra lenses.

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I appreciate your perspective. I have traveled with a 17" laptop and it is too big. Traveling with an external monitor does not work. It is a compromise. I do keep my laptops all color calibrated and over the years have been successful in producing top quality underwater images with a wide variety of laptops, including Dell XPS.

While I really like the MS Surface Pros, thee AI creative software really stresses them. LT-Timelapse can take over an hour to render a video from 1500 frames. My Puget Systems does it in < 10 minutes.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

chemsaf wrote:

------------------------------------ br I apprecia... (show quote)

Looks like you made your mind up.

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

chemsaf wrote:

------------------------------------ br I apprecia... (show quote)

I missed the part about traveling. I actually meant the Alienware 15 should have the same hardware as the 17, which performs well. Compare the two to be sure.

chemsaf Loc: San Diego

The Alienware 15 looks good. I couldn't put the newest processor in it. Need to call them.
And, No, I have not yet made up my mind. Still trying to get a feel for how well a high end gaming machine will handle the software I use.

tcthome Loc: NJ

chemsaf wrote:

I will upgrade to a laptop strictly for photo &... (show quote)

I believe this will be your best way to go. Give them a call & don't mention your budget. Just tell them what you want to do with it. Don't forget to ask about warranties & service while on the road if needed.

https://xoticpc.com/?msclkid=38aa400ae5a2165bbb7c20c5f8bd6500&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CPCS%20-%20Text%20-%20Trademark%20-%20XOTIC%20PC%20Campaign&utm_term=exotic%20pcs&utm_content=XPC

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

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/

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I'm using a Lenevo Legion (gaming) laptop for my Adobe apps and think it works well. It cost $1100. Before that I used an $1800 ASUS Republic of Gamers until I broke it. Maybe I don't know what I'm missing with more expensive rigs.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

chemsaf wrote:

I will upgrade to a laptop strictly for photo &... (show quote)

Look at the excellent reviews and comparisons by Max and Vadim on the MaxTech YouTube channel.

6K is a little over the top!

gwcole

Add a large external monitor. 24 inches is a minimum size. Use it at your home base.

chemsaf Loc: San Diego

Replies to several comments. For me, there is a direct relation between the cost of the components (processor, RAM, SSD, video chipset) and the overall speed of processing. The faster the device crunches through the program, the less waiting for me. That by itself is reason enough to go high end.
I have two very high quality monitors. I plan to use this laptop on same monitor as my Puget Systems box via a switch. While traveling I will just use the 15" screen.
Thank you all for the links. I will be looking at them today.
And finally, as to my budget. I came into some taxable money this year and want to run some justifiable expenses to reduce taxes.
Neal

photoman43

Check out the Lenovo Legion 7i (15") with RTX 2080. It should have 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, etc. Make sure the video card has the RAM you need and its display meets your needs too. And that its SSD drive is the really fast one.

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/legion-laptops/legion-7-series/Lenovo-Legion-7/p/81YT0006US

Other choice might be a 15 inch Alienware.