Mac Laptop? I'm in the process of purchasing an new MacBook Air, 128 GB. It has an SSD, rather than a regular hard drive. What I'm wondering is how this computer will be for managing...

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I'm in the process of purchasing an new MacBook Air, 128 GB. It has an SSD, rather than a regular hard drive. What I'm wondering is how this computer will be for managing and editing photos. I also realize that 128GB isn't a very large drive, so I will, no doubt be forced to keep the ones I want to do something with and load everything onto an external HD or thumb drives. I'd use SD cards, but large capacity ones are pretty expensive. Any advice on this particular computer?

gsconsolvo Loc: Ruidoso, New Mexico

Far North wrote:

I'm in the process of purchasing an new MacBook Air, 128 GB. It has an SSD, rather than a regular hard drive. What I'm wondering is how this computer will be for managing and editing photos. I also realize that 128GB isn't a very large drive, so I will, no doubt be forced to keep the ones I want to do something with and load everything onto an external HD or thumb drives. I'd use SD cards, but large capacity ones are pretty expensive. Any advice on this particular computer?

I would invest in a external drive with at least 2TB of storage. They connect USB to the laptop, no need to use your laptop drive at all.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Sort of what I'm thinking. I have a 1TB external drive that I just got, and I feel that will be enough as I'm not that prolific with picture output, although that may be changing next summer. I'm thinking of giving up motorcycling up here, as it's sort of boring with our limited road system. So spending more time in the pickup with my camera seems a pretty enjoyable alternative replacement for the bike. I figure I can keep a few of the best shots on the internal hard drive, though, like some good family photos of the grandkids and all.

My other choice is to go with a Samsung Glaxay Tab tablet that I can use 64 GB cards to store photos on. But I don't know how amenable that will be. I don't have any experience with it. I already have the iMac desktop for the heavy stuff.

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

Since you will be using an external hard drive what you need to be looking at is RAM. My Mac book pro has 8GB of RAM, I wish I could upgrade to more but am at my limit. Lightroom and PS can get slow if you are short on RAM. I would suggest 16GB.

Also, I see you are from Wasilla. I was raised in Willow and went to Wasilla for Jr High and High school.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Far North wrote:

I'm in the process of purchasing an new MacBook Air, 128 GB. It has an SSD, rather than a regular hard drive. What I'm wondering is how this computer will be for managing and editing photos. I also realize that 128GB isn't a very large drive, so I will, no doubt be forced to keep the ones I want to do something with and load everything onto an external HD or thumb drives. I'd use SD cards, but large capacity ones are pretty expensive. Any advice on this particular computer?

My advice?

Get a bigger drive if possible. If the air doesn't come with it...then by a mac HUGE drive and get used to storing your images offline.

They aren't expensive; a 1TB drive is way less than 100.00

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Japakomom wrote:

Since you will be using an external hard drive what you need to be looking at is RAM. My Mac book pro has 8GB of RAM, I wish I could upgrade to more but am at my limit. Lightroom and PS can get slow if you are short on RAM. I would suggest 16GB.

Also, I see you are from Wasilla. I was raised in Willow and went to Wasilla for Jr High and High school.

I've lived all over the state since 1951, HS in Juneau, now in the Mat-Su.

Unfortunately, with the Mac's, it seems that RAM isn't upgradeable. You're stuck with what comes with it. This one comes with 4GB of SDram. Budget considerations preclude getting into anything more expensive. Fortunately, I'm not into doing anything heavy duty, so this will probably serve my purposes. Or I may just opt for keeping the iMac and not bother with the laptop and just use the tablet for fooling around on the internet.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

rpavich wrote:

My advice?

Get a bigger drive if possible. If the air doesn't come with it...then by a mac HUGE drive and get used to storing your images offline.

They aren't expensive; a 1TB drive is way less than 100.00

I purchases a Seagate 1TB Slim external HD, but I think I got the wrong one and need to exchange it for something different, as it doesn't seem like it's compatible for Mac to Mac data transfer. Says it's for transfer between Windows and Mac.

stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

Far North wrote:

I purchases a Seagate 1TB Slim external HD, but I think I got the wrong one and need to exchange it for something different, as it doesn't seem like it's compatible for Mac to Mac data transfer. Says it's for transfer between Windows and Mac.

you may need to reformat the drive for the mac.
if you want to keep pics of family and special images for viewing on the laptop, you could reduce them then save to the laptop. they dont need to be full size for viewing on the laptop.
as for giving up riding your motorcycle for photography. I find the 2 go together for me. my bike has saddle bags, so my camera fits nicely in it and I can go for a ride and stop when I see something I like

ddetloff Loc: Fair Haven, MI

Far North wrote:

I'm in the process of purchasing an new MacBook Air, 128 GB. It has an SSD, rather than a regular hard drive. What I'm wondering is how this computer will be for managing and editing photos. I also realize that 128GB isn't a very large drive, so I will, no doubt be forced to keep the ones I want to do something with and load everything onto an external HD or thumb drives. I'd use SD cards, but large capacity ones are pretty expensive. Any advice on this particular computer?

I ran out of room on my Time Capsule for my Time Machine backups, so earlier today I purchased a Seagate Slim 2TB at Best Buy for $129. It's USB 3.0 and is a lot faster than wi-fi backups to the Time Capsule. It's working great and I'm sure it would be just what you need for your MacBook Air.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

Far North wrote:

I'm in the process of purchasing an new MacBook Air, 128 GB. It has an SSD, rather than a regular hard drive. What I'm wondering is how this computer will be for managing and editing photos. I also realize that 128GB isn't a very large drive, so I will, no doubt be forced to keep the ones I want to do something with and load everything onto an external HD or thumb drives. I'd use SD cards, but large capacity ones are pretty expensive. Any advice on this particular computer?

As an owner of an iMac & a macBook Pro 13" I would suggest you just use the laptop to download to and transfer to make backups. Trying to run lightroom with a 13" screen does not work well for my old eyes. I just can't get the picture big enough to see what it is gonna look like when i am done with it.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Buy an external hard drive that can be configured as a RAID 1 drive. I didn't check your model,but it may have Thunderbolt ports. The RAID external drive is more expensive than a USB 3 drive but is blazing fast.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Far North wrote:

I'm in the process of purchasing an new MacBook Air, 128 GB. It has an SSD, rather than a regular hard drive. What I'm wondering is how this computer will be for managing and editing photos. I also realize that 128GB isn't a very large drive, so I will, no doubt be forced to keep the ones I want to do something with and load everything onto an external HD or thumb drives. I'd use SD cards, but large capacity ones are pretty expensive. Any advice on this particular computer?

I still use a MacBook Pro with a 160gb hard drive, but store my pictures on a WD external hard drive (when I'm traveling); at home I hook the same computer to a 1 + 1X4 RAID external backup.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Far North wrote:

I've lived all over the state since 1951, HS in Ju... (show quote)

I think you should honestly hold off on the laptop (MacAir) until you can order it with at least 8 Gig of RAM, especially now that RAM can not be upgraded later. Have OS and programs loaded on your 128 gig SSD but store your photos on the USB external drive. Storage of photos on an external drive will also allow you to access then on both machines in the future.

You haven't said what format you intend to take your photos but there is a vast difference in file size between JPEG and RAW files so be aware. A minimum of 1 terabyte is probably the smallest external drive recommended.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Far North wrote:

I purchases a Seagate 1TB Slim external HD, but I think I got the wrong one and need to exchange it for something different, as it doesn't seem like it's compatible for Mac to Mac data transfer. Says it's for transfer between Windows and Mac.

It has to be RE-FORMATTED for a Mac unless it was sold as a Mac version (and usually for more money).

Also A 1TB is perhaps no more than $80, for $120 you can get a 2TB. I have not priced 3TB's. I own 4 2-TB WD My Passport Ultra drives. All different colors so I can tell them apart.

Also I'd opt for a different iMac to get at least 12GB RAM, 16GB would be better. 4GB is for accounting and word processing. Ps & Lr need a lot of memory for editing. My oldish Windows Vista PC barely runs Ps CS6 with 6GB. I plan a second upgrade to 8GB once I find a single 4GB module.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

It may be for a PC and you have to format it for a Mac