joan4115 Loc: Virginia, USA

Hi all,

I have been looking for a new laptop for several months now. I am willing to invest enough money in it to make it as state of the art as possible for a little while, at least!! LOL!

What I would like to have from y'all is your input on what the laptop should have on it. How much ROM and RAM? Type of screen? I have Photoshop Elements 10 and I want to be able to use it without any problems such a being slow. Anything else y'all can think of that I should have, please add your opinion. It will be appreciated. I also want to be able to pull up photos on my laptop in real time as I take them so that I can evaluate them on the spot instead of having to download them on the computer later.

I appreciate your help.

Thanks, Joanie

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Well, this is not a popular point of view, but laptops are not the best for critical color work. Their screens are not able to be calibrated as well as many stand-alone monitors. On the other hand, lots of people use them that way and see no big issues.

You did not state if you were a Mac or Windows person, but whatever, it would make sense to stay in the same platform. Although I have several friends who are Windoze on the desktop and Mac with the laptop. (All will be changing to Mac when the desktop goes.)

A 17 inch MacBook Pro will blow you away - and definitely warm up your credit card. Windows is cheaper.
I've been a Mac user since 1985, so I am biased.

The short answer is get the largest screen you can tolerate with as much RAM as you can afford. ANYTHING you buy will not be slow.

joan4115 Loc: Virginia, USA

Thank you for your reply. I am a PC user. Have been checking out Macs too, though. About the screens... I was told that it is almost impossible to calibrate colors on a the flat screen monitors unless you buy a program that only professional photographers can justify buying because of the cost. Has this situation changed?

Thanks, Joanie

Stef C Loc: Conshohocken (near philly) PA

Asus (NOT ACER haha) /toshiba/sony for windows.. i'd stay away from dell or hp. I just did a lot of research with my purchase. I didn't want a mac because i didn't wnat to drop 1200+ on a computer i couldn't customize, without USB 3.0, but they are good.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

It is not only the software, it is the nature of laptop screens. Even Apple monitors are not so great at the calibration thing, but we work around it. The work-around is to keep the brightness low and then compare your prints to the screen and make adjustments that you know will deliver the output you want.

It is not a horrible problem - just something to be aware of if your prints do not look like what you expected.

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

I use a Alien M17X* for the last two years. Despite what folks tell you I do not see any difference in screen quality. I also use a calibration system (Spyder3 - but I just upgraded with Spyder4).

The draw backs of this system are
Weight
Battery life
HDD space (add a second HDD)
Memory, it is limited by the laptop itself, you must select the size at purchase time to avoid losing part of your investment.

Of note: the M17X is not outclassed by the M18X. 17 and 18 are the screen size.

Speed is not an issue, heat is.

* Alienware is a sub division of Dell and made for gamers.

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

Toshiba w/17" screen, 6--8gig ram, equal to i3 or i5 processer
a good video card, 500gig hd {mim} {windows 7}

that should do it.....good luck

Elle Loc: Long Island, NY

Here is my solution...since you are specifying a laptop..do not buy from a chain..buy from Dell, HP or where ever you can customize the equipment. First thing to consider is the RAM, upgrade to as much as you can, minimum 8 Gig. The next thing is the Graphic card..upgrade to the best they offer for the machine being offered.

As far as colors are concerned, I haven't found on any of the machines I've had that calibration was a biggie..you'll never exactly match what you see on screen when printing, paper just can't display the luminance of a monitor. I would think about buying a large screen monitor (which can be connected to your laptop.) I use my laptop almost like a desktop, with the cover closed, and work with what I see on the large screen monitor, overcoming any limitations of a laptop monitor.

J. R. WEEMS Loc: Winchester, Virginia

A 17" MAC PRO BOOK-- I doubt there can really be any other qualified entries to this answer. If you doubt me, look around. Even on the tube. ANYTIME you see someone doing something really important, they are using a MAC. Not shouting mind you. Also, I don't believe there has ever been a MAC infected with a virus. Of course this is JMHO. :) Oh yes, you want all the ram, and memory you can afford. :)
Best,
J. R.
Winchester, VA

joan4115 Loc: Virginia, USA

I thank all of you who have taken the time to help me. I really appreciate it. You have given me alot to think about.

Thanks, Joanie

Elle Loc: Long Island, NY

There is no doubt that a MAC is a good machine when it comes to graphics, but it is no longer as invulnerable as it seemed to be in the past. With the advent of the popularity of the Ipad, the operating system is now attracting the hackers. On top of that, it's software is proprietary so if you've been using a PC, it means replacing what you own. If a machine does double duty and interacts with business machines, it also can be problematic.

RocketScientist Loc: Littleton, Colorado

I thought I was the only one who used the "WinDoze" term. I run Linux on PC hardware for the most part.

When it comes to Gigahertz or Gigabytes, the more the merrier. If you're going with a Windows system, the common Intel video card will work well, but you might like a machine that has an Nvidia video card. They tend to perform better with gaming and video (and CAD depending on the model), though they can run warmer. Unless you are doing some serious number crunching (CAD, calculating PI to the millionth digit, etc...) you will not notice a difference between the i5 and i7 processors you can save money there. Go for the i5.

ShakyShutter Loc: Arizona

Caution Will Robinson!

PC users are not likely to adapt easily to the MAC world unless they have some previous exposure. The issue with lap tops is the viewing angle of the screen is very narrow tilt them in the store, you'll see right away. Mac screens are better in this respect for sure. If you are prone to a MAC use caution and ask lots of questions before purchase. Ask if the operating system is Lion or not. There is a big issue with software compatibility, old vs new on the Lion operating system. And double check the mouse situation. You will want an outboard mouse but apple meese are a breed of their own.

Look at PCs at a reputable retailer. Look for a lap top with as much software included in the purchase price as possible. It won't be special stuff like Photoshop but as much of the basics like MS word and the usual players otherwise it will cost a lot later. Fill the machine with as much ROM as it will hold. Today you can by one with an Intel i5 processor no need for i7 unless the price is low, not likely.

Also, for your own information price some nice larger flat panel monitors including the cables. This is a simple plug-in you can add any time later but you might want to start out using a bigger monitor right away.

Hando Rei Loc: Long Island New York

Mac is the only way to go...have used a Mac Pro for 5+ years and am very satisfied with what I can do with it. Take the advice of the UHH members.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I have been using Macs from 1985. In my eyes they are getting easyer to use. I went to the dollar store and got a wiress mouse. It was just plug and play. I am on a MacBook Pro now. Just off the shelf. I did add more memory my self. Easy to do. And you can make it a PC by adding Paralles to it. It runs right along side of the Mac.
From what I have seen in the last few years tho, is the PC's are getting closer to the Mac's.
The leaning curve for Mac's is very easy. My youngest son just got out of college. UM. The whole school is Mac.
On a side note, my last Mac froze up and I tried everything to get it going. Finally took it to the Apple store. They took it in the back and 15 minutes later handed it to me. Cost was $35. They just had to reboot it some how. everything was still in it. The wife uses it now. And if she can run it any one can ;) It is her first computer. At age 59.
Erv