HP laptop for editing: After much research I'm zeroing in on the 17'' HP ENVY dv7-7212nr laptop for photo editing. The specs look great, and while I know many of you are already...

Dazay Loc: Laurentians

After much research I'm zeroing in on the 17'' HP ENVY dv7-7212nr laptop for photo editing. The specs look great, and while I know many of you are already jumping up and down yelling ''MacBook Pro with Retina Display'' I've rejected this option for multiple reasons. A desktop is also out of the question. While reviews are very positive only a few are photo-centric, so I'd be grateful to hear any comments from those of you who've used this machine for editing purposes. Thanks!

gbh46 Loc: St Ives Cambridge UK

I've done quite a bit of photo editing on HP laptops. Nothing wrong with that they are all computers after all. The only drawback is calibrating the screen. I get reasonable results which appear to print out very similar to what I saw on the screen originally. In fact I have done a fair bit of video editing on them too. If you are storing lots of pictures it may be an idea to get a separate USB large capacity hard drive rather than risk clogging up the inbuilt one.

Dazay wrote:

After much research I'm zeroing in on the 17'' HP ENVY dv7-7212nr laptop for photo editing. The specs look great, and while I know many of you are already jumping up and down yelling ''MacBook Pro with Retina Display'' I've rejected this option for multiple reasons. A desktop is also out of the question. While reviews are very positive only a few are photo-centric, so I'd be grateful to hear any comments from those of you who've used this machine for editing purposes. Thanks!

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Do you have to have a laptop, if you do then GOOGLE "best photo editing laptops"

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/top-laptops-25-best-laptops-in-the-world-706673/3

I use one if I have to when away but would not swap my PC for one

gbh46 Loc: St Ives Cambridge UK

interesting thanks for the tip, however I use a PC myself nowadays but mainly for video editing.

JR1 wrote:

Do you have to have a laptop, if you do then GOOGLE "best photo editing laptops"

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/top-laptops-25-best-laptops-in-the-world-706673/3

I use one if I have to when away but would not swap my PC for one

Dazay Loc: Laurentians

gbh46 wrote:

I've done quite a bit of photo editing on HP laptops. Nothing wrong with that they are all computers after all. The only drawback is calibrating the screen. I get reasonable results which appear to print out very similar to what I saw on the screen originally. In fact I have done a fair bit of video editing on them too. If you are storing lots of pictures it may be an idea to get a separate USB large capacity hard drive rather than risk clogging up the inbuilt one.

Thanks gbh. If that stands for 'grevious bodily harm' then I dare not disagree with any of your advice! I take your point about calibration (am typing this of an old HP laptop) and have that separate hard drive. Pleased by your thumbs up for HP. Do you have any hands on experience with the model I mentioned? Unfortunately it's unavailable in Canada so would have to have it shipped from the USA sight unseen. Best regards to the UK. I spent 12 happy years there.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I use a laptop for all my editing but I realize the limitations of a laptop screen.

Getting a beefy laptop is an expensive proposition, but if you have to have one just know that it's tougher to edit on one because of the way the screens look.

PS: that looks like a good laptop but if it were me; I'd not get two HDD's but get a very large SSD drive. The speed difference between the regular HDD and the SSD is dramatic and I'd put my money there.

Also, I'd max out the video card too.

Dazay Loc: Laurentians

JR1 wrote:

Do you have to have a laptop, if you do then GOOGLE "best photo editing laptops"

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/top-laptops-25-best-laptops-in-the-world-706673/3

I use one if I have to when away but would not swap my PC for one

Thanks JR. Stumbled across a few similar sites searching on Google but not the one you provided, so now have more to chew on. There's no dispute that a desktop with a nice, big monitor is preferable but, alas, mobility is a requisite. Cheers!

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Dazay wrote:

After much research I'm zeroing in on the 17'' HP ENVY dv7-7212nr laptop for photo editing. The specs look great, and while I know many of you are already jumping up and down yelling ''MacBook Pro with Retina Display'' I've rejected this option for multiple reasons. A desktop is also out of the question. While reviews are very positive only a few are photo-centric, so I'd be grateful to hear any comments from those of you who've used this machine for editing purposes. Thanks!

You shot down my intended reply right from the start. ha ha. Good for you. Thanks for being specific. Of course, I'm going to rant about something anyway: Retina Display.

This is all marketing hype. No question it looks gorgeous, but so will an equally equipped non-Apple screen if you are willing to shell out the money. Problem is, most (not all) PC users are cheap, and they buy a complete system with an included monitor. Well, to keep PCs cheap, they have to skimp somewhere. A monitor is among the components. If you are a serious photographer, you know better than to buy a "kit" monitor.

Regarding the HP ENVY dv7-7212nr laptop... Based on the specs, it's a fine machine. It's not as good as a desktop, but you should have no problem editing photos with it. I don't need to own one to tell you this.

Dazay Loc: Laurentians

rpavich wrote:

I use a laptop for all my editing but I realize th... (show quote)

Very sound advice. Will certainly heed your solid state drive recommendation. The installed video card is a NVIDIA GeForce GT 650 M. Is that not up to snuff? If not what should I be thinking about? Many thanks for your help!

Dazay Loc: Laurentians

mdorn wrote:

You shot down my intended reply right from the sta... (show quote)

Retina display hype is not the only problem with the MacBook Pro. There's a ghosting/burn-in problem with some of the screens (typically those manufactured by LG) and a class-action suit is ongoing. The fan/venting system is badly designed and overheating is a problem. There is no outer protective layer on the screen, the whole thing is incorporated so any damage and it's bye-bye. I guess the outstanding advantage must be its amazingly low price.

I own a desktop and edit on it so know the advantages, however I'm rarely at that residence and move about a fair bit, so a 17.3'' laptop seems a good option. Keep in mind I'm not a pro, just an enthusiastic amateur.

rebride

The ENVY dv7-7212nr comes with a real nice photo editing program. Cyberlink PhotoDirector.

Dazay Loc: Laurentians

rebride wrote:

The ENVY dv7-7212nr comes with a real nice photo editing program. Cyberlink PhotoDirector.

Somehow I missed that! In fact I'd never heard of Cyberlink PhotoDirector but just checked it out and it looks darn good. I use Elements 9 and (in that I can't download it twice) am still planning on buying Elements 11, but can see that for plenty of shots this software should be more than adequate. Thanks for taking the time to update me!

steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA

I use a 15.5 inch Dell, connected to a 32 inch HD Samsung
Tv for editing. :)

Dazay Loc: Laurentians

steve40 wrote:

I use a 15.5 inch Dell, connected to a 32 inch HD Samsung
Tv for editing. :)

Thanks to you and JR1 (who provided a great link) I've been reading up on the Dell XPS 15. It lurked below the radar screen as I was limiting my search to 17'' laptops. This machine looks incredible!

steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA

They are (incredible). A little irritating when it comes to reload time, but that's a Dell for you. :)