Photo mom Loc: Wexford, PA

Can anyone suggest a good computer specifically for editing? I am not really interested in building one. I'd like one that all ready to order or pick up. I'd like to keep it under 1000, as far under as possible!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Be prepared for lots of replies and varied answers. Let me begin by saying that if you plan to do serious editing, you will want a high quality monitor.

As for the computer, I would recommend a minimum of 8GB of memory. Memory has gotten cheaper, so you could go to 16GB, depending on your budget, but you can always add memory later. A hard drive of 1TB will provide lots of storage and room for large editing programs. Many people have two hard drives - the C: drive for programs and a second, installed drive for data. Again, you can buy the computer with one drive and add the second one later, to keep the initial cost down. Then use an external 1TB drive for backup. Microsoft has a very nice free program called SyncToy that I use for backup.

One item you cannot add later is the processor. I prefer Intel for no particular reason. If I were getting a new computer today, I would get a Core i7, which is what I have now. You will find that the fastest processors cost quite a bit more than the next step down. That's a good way to save money. You want a fast computer, but it doesn't have to be the fastest available today.

Since you want to spend nore more than $1,000, Apple is out. We have used Dells in our house a few years, and they work fine, but they're not the only game in town. My son has a high end HP that he uses for video editing.

So, sit back, and wait for the experts to give their opinions. Decide exactly what specs you want, look for sales, and read online reviews.

Photo mom Loc: Wexford, PA

Jerry, thanks for the info. I will look into what you have said. I do have a decent IPS monitor however I may upgrade that as well in the future. I am currently using my Dell laptop, that isn't work out very well at all! I'm not interested in a Mac either, I have spent too much money on programs that will not work with a Mac. I also have an external harddrive that I use for back up too. I can't wait to get my hands on a good computer! I just want to make sure I get the right one.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'll be interested in seeing the other replies. I was thinking about replacing my 2 1/2 year-old computer a few weeks ago. I looked at what was available, and I didn't see any need to spend another $1,000.

renomike Loc: Reno, Nevada

Sorry, but you get what you pay for. Top end computers that can handle large graphic photos and processing, do not come cheap. Better to save for a while and buy a better computer than settle for something cheap just to get by. You will be happier in the long run if you wait. You might want to get a larger monitor too, I use a 28" Hanns-G and love it.

Mike

fotogk Loc: Tuftonboro, NH

Imac 21" 1199.00 Ready to go except high end software such as PS or Lightroom. Does come with Iphoto which is not a bad piece of software to start. Great tech support and plenty of power to running any photo editing software.

Schwabo Loc: Florida

Ditto fotogk, I am very happy with my iMac 21.

marvin Klein Loc: upstate NY

I would go along withfotogk and go with the IMac 21" or larger it's an all in one set up. It has everything that Jerry suggested. You can partition your hard drive into 3 partition one for applications, one for your work (local drive), one for scratch (that is for PS working memory).
But also what Mike said save for awhile and go for the bucks. You will be happy in the long run.
Also as someone told me along time ago. The computer is the cheapest part the software is expensive.
Go luck. Like Jerry said you will get a lot of opinions

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

I think you need to define the level of photo editing. In my mind it can range from RAW images in the 12mp to 15mp range which would require a moderate computer. However if you are going to do panoramas that are a few images again a simple computer. Also some software requires a lot more ram than others. Another consideration is that on PC's you will probably look at a life span of around 5 years. Apple will give you a longer life.
Is your editing going to be for friends and family, vacations etc. or are you trying to get published? If it is the latter, you will need a large screen with very good resolution. The long and short of it is you need to tell us what you really want to do.
Swede

Picdude Loc: Ohio

If your primary goal is photo processing only, you obviously don't need a full-blown, quad-core water-cooled processor. The things you really should concentrate on is RAM, monitor and video card. These variables will have the most immediate effect on your processing software.

Rich Maher Loc: Sonoma County, CA

Monitor is the most important.

littlebug Loc: woburn ma

jerry,were you an enginer,I love reading this site,and you give some of the most interesting advice I can say that this club has made me a better photographer just want to say thanks to everyone I don't say much but I read most of the ques. and answers and they are helpful for sure

Photo mom Loc: Wexford, PA

Editing mostly portraits. Some landscapes. I do newborn,child, family photography.

Photo mom Loc: Wexford, PA

What monitor would you suggest?

Photo mom Loc: Wexford, PA

I'm looking at the HP Pavilion HPE H8XT, any thoughts?