Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

I am now using an old HP desk top with Vista. Looking for a new laptop. Dell & HP have 13" & 15" with 750 GB to 1 TB with High Def screens for about $800. I have been told to go to Apple's Mac Book Pro with 250 GB for twice the price. What do you pros recommend? I already have over half a TB on my external hard drive of photos.
One other consideration is I currently have PS CS6, and Elements 10 on my desktop, but am a total amateur with them. With a laptop I can take to PS CS6 classes and learn how to use them. I wonder if I can still switch from windows CS6 for Apple CS6, or if I would have to go to the Creative Cloud subscription.
Greatly appreciate all advise.
Thanks in advance.
Duane

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

As much as I hate to like 'em, it's hard to beat a do-it-yourself customization of an HP laptop that is on sale PLUS a coupon code {in this case = SUMMER20 which was good through the end of June}. I've looked at Dell, Acer, Sony, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, Samsung, MSI, using Google, Amazon, New Egg sites.
So - what did I get?? See Below:
Unfortunately - - everything you get now will have Winblows 8 on it.
Would MUCH rather have had Win7 - but can't get it any more.
Nobody seems to like Win8 - - as they all recognize it's just a Microsnot ploy - stepping stone to whatever they have planned as the real successor to Win7 - but Win7 had been around for too long, so Microsnot HAD to release something new. Unfortunately - it does NOT seem ready for prime time.
I am NOT a fan of Crapple - and that's just me - for those who like MACs, and can tolerate their pricing structure and 'we know best what you want' policies - I cannot argue that they do make a polished product. I just cannot tolerate their closed architecture and elitist attitude {no, I will NOT respond to MAC vs PC baiting - I am happy and content with the fact that some completely competent folks out there love MACs}
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Good luck on your search! Make a list of the features you want, and comparative shop accordingly. Avoid the bleeding edge - as you will pay dearly for it, and it may not last. Pick solid hardware that has withstood the test of time.
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Also - - be aware if you do choose the HP route, YOU WILL BE CHARGED TAX {the total price was still far less than anything comparable that was tax free}, and their quality control is sometimes lacking. These things are assembled in CHINA {the custom ones individually assembled to your specs} - then flown into the USA for delivery. You have 21 days to test what you get - and if there are ANY flaws - be sure to get an RMA for replacement PRONTO !!
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Customized HP 17t-j000 quad edition

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

If you have a Costco membership look there because you get an extended (2 year instead of one year) warranty. Costco prices are competitive.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Didn't look at all the specs - but here's an HP 17t at Costco on-line - $949 plus $30 S&H - unk if you'll get hit up for Tax - has some of the same specs as my configuration.
More RAM, but no 24GB SSD boost drive, and it has integrated graphics - so you share your graphics memory bandwidth with your main processor (my config has dedicated NVIDIA card). Also - my screen is anti-glare to minimize reflections from stuff behind you.
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http://www.costco.com/HP-ENVY-17t-Laptop%2C-Intel%C2%AE-Core%E2%84%A2-i7-4700MQ-2.4GHz.product.100053580.html?catalogId=10701&categoryId=30113&identifier=laptops&langId=-1&storeId=10301&refine=30113%2B12462%2B15467
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Costco is fine - IF they have EXACTLY what you want - -
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I had to have a 17" screen, an i7 quad processor, and a dedicated graphics card.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I won't advise you which one to get, although I'm an Apple user. What I will advise is that you make sure you can attach a second monitor and then get the largest HD monitor you can afford. It will make a great deal of difference in your editing speed and quality.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Mogul - - great recommendation - - and will build on that one. While it's nice to have a laptop for mobility - you can't beat a full sized keyboard, mouse, and dual monitors for getting stuff done. In my home office configuration, the Laptop drops onto it's docking station {on table at left}- and is instantly attached to power, hard-wired internet, a full sized (wireless) keyboard and mouse, as well as TWO monitors - one a DVI connected 22" 1920 x 1080 IPS LED Viewsonic, and the other a 4x3 aspect ratio older style 19" VGA Radius monitor.
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The laptop instantly disconnects and plugs back in to a similar docking station at my company's office location which is the usual work site.

Merlin - Working at Home

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Would love to have a setup like that. Right now, I'm looking for a couple of sturdier tables to move my two Windows PC's (the Macbook has its own desk, but then need a rack for my printers. I could go get tables from the kids' homes, but I'm afraid I'll have to sell my car to buy cartridges for the main three printers (the other two can stay in the closet). Blast it all anyway, I think I need another closet! Does anybody know where I can get three or four ABC switches? 8-)

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

It looks like neither of you guys has checked out the Intel Haskell series of laptops. Although it's an i5 type CPU, they've improved the bus and increased overall capabilities so it's more applicable for gaming and advanced graphics applications. Perfect example is the ASUS 750 which has dedicated graphics chip and memory, 17" HD IPS screen, duel drive slots for installing both a good sized internal HDD (1 Terabyte or larger)and either a second HDD or SSD and improved ventilation for keeping all that heat removed. It's the lower priced version of their G-75 series laptops. All the Asus G series laptops are built like a brick s**t house and this new HASKELL i5 version has significantly improved battery life.
You should really check it out.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

I'll have to agree with you on this one. I have a G75V series, 16gig, 512 SSD, 750 HD, 3 gig graphic card. It screams........IF you want power, look at a "gamer" laptop.

Denisedancer Loc: Sydney Australia

You wanted a laptop.

Go Apple Macbook Pro with Retina Display. The visual photo quality is brilliant.

Re cost - you get what you pay for!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Also, see if you have a credit card that will double the warranty.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That is a very nice setup, but I'd have to add a room onto the house! I know what you mean about the full size keyboard. What kind do you have? This one seems to be on it's way out.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Do you live near a college? You might be able to find a geek to build you a desktop computer from "bare bones". It is not hard and you can get a great setup for $5-600 plus the monitor. PLUS you buy the operating system, so you can get Windows 7 64-bit Professional for $100. You might pay $50 to 100 to have someone build one for you.

I just built a desktop with an AMD 8-core processor, 16BG RAM, two 1TB HDD in a RAID1 array for constant backup, for about $850. With a barebones you can pick whatever additions you like - a Blu-Ray drive for $80 (you can store 25GB of photos on a Blu-Ray disc), and definitely a memory card reader for $18. Another plus is that they don't come with all the ridiculous trial programs that come with the store-bought computers (last time I checked at Best Buy they charged $50 to remove all these programs!)

Here is an example: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8204317&Sku=B69-1637

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If you get a name brand with the fastest processor, large drive, and max memory, you'll be all set.

lbrandt79 Loc: League City, Tx.

I think you can get in touch with Adobe and transfer CS to Apple, have not done that lately but did at one time when I saw the light and went to Apple products.
You will never regret making that move. And if you have an Apple store nearby, you can take it in no matter how old and if they can fix it on site they will at no charge. There customer service is as good as the products. I have taken mine in one time, it was brutal hot and one of their guys met me in the Mall Parking lot, carried it in and out for me. They fixed it right there it was operator error.
I have a desktop from 09, and I almost wish it would die so I could get a new one. Have a Mac Book Pro also.