Dell xps 13 with an external 4k monitor
May 23, 2017 21:41:23 #
LouV
Loc: Juno Beach, FL
Hi, all. This is my first post. I'm a lifelong Nikon user starting in the 70's and recently upgraded from a Dx Nikon to the D810. Now I find I need to get a new computer for Lightroom. I travel a lot and really want a small laptop. But I also want a larger display for home use. I've looked closely at the xps vs the MacBook Pro and have read the earlier threads about them and have decided to go with the Dell. As I understand it, it will support a 4k monitor through the thunderbolt port. Does anyone here use that combination and, if so, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
May 23, 2017 22:22:11 #
I think it is a mistake, unless you just want it for email and browsing the net. It has an intel i3 processor running at 1.9GHZ and base RAM is 4GB. Also I believe your video RAM comes from your processor. I believe that processor is going to be underpowered and too slow to watch any 4k Youtube videos. And it only has a 128GB drive. A desktop is your best bet.
A year and a half ago I bought a used HP Z-200 desktop on ebay with an intel i7 870 processor running at 2.9GHz, 8GB of RAM, and a separate video card with 2GB of video RAM, and a 1TB (1000GB) drive for $229 with shipping. I added two additional 4GB RAM cards for $60 to raise it to 16GB of RAM, and have a computer that works fine for editing full HD (1920x1080) video and Photoshop and audio editing. I use a 10 year old 20" Viewsonic VA 2012WB back lit led monitor with 1680x1050 resolution, that works well with pictures and video. I'm not sure what a 4K video monitor would accomplish, since in post processing pictures any led monitor will zoom down to 100% resolution at a 1 to 1 pixel level.
A year and a half ago I bought a used HP Z-200 desktop on ebay with an intel i7 870 processor running at 2.9GHz, 8GB of RAM, and a separate video card with 2GB of video RAM, and a 1TB (1000GB) drive for $229 with shipping. I added two additional 4GB RAM cards for $60 to raise it to 16GB of RAM, and have a computer that works fine for editing full HD (1920x1080) video and Photoshop and audio editing. I use a 10 year old 20" Viewsonic VA 2012WB back lit led monitor with 1680x1050 resolution, that works well with pictures and video. I'm not sure what a 4K video monitor would accomplish, since in post processing pictures any led monitor will zoom down to 100% resolution at a 1 to 1 pixel level.
May 23, 2017 22:26:20 #
Dell XPS comes in many models including more powerful ones with i7 processor, 512 GB SSD, and 16 Gb RAM. (Pricy though) Should run Lightroom fine, but maybe not more complex Photoshop operations as there is no separate graphics card.
That said, buy a desktop first. If you want new, Costco has some pretty good deals on new Dells.
That said, buy a desktop first. If you want new, Costco has some pretty good deals on new Dells.
May 23, 2017 22:28:28 #
LouV
Loc: Juno Beach, FL
Thank you, Bob. The xps I'm considering has an i7 dual core processor and 16gb of ram. I'm not concerned about watching videos; I just want a bigger screen with good res for post production.
May 23, 2017 22:55:35 #
I have been using this with my Dell UltraSharp U3011 30” monitor with PremierColor and love it no lag
May 24, 2017 04:37:56 #
I have a Dell XPS 8910 with 24GB RAM, i7 4.0GHz 6700K cpu, 240GB SSD boot drive, 2TB 7200rpm hard drive and a bunch of USB 3.0 ports and one USB 3.1 port. I don't have a thunderbolt port and have not idea if it supports a 4k monitor. I do have a 4GB video card in this computer too. I am not going to invest in a 4k monitor until the technology for 4K is more available, costs less, and there is a good reason to get 4K. My camera takes 4K video but I don't use it because I'm not that much into video and I don't have a 4k TV yet. I'll wait a while for those to come down in price too.
May 24, 2017 06:02:03 #
May 24, 2017 07:00:41 #
LouV wrote:
Hi, all. This is my first post. I'm a lifelong Nik... (show quote)
I'm not sure about your "xps vs MacBook Pro." The XPS is a desktop, and the MBP is a laptop. A Dell laptop with Core i5 processor would be a good choice, much less expensive that the Apple, and it has gotten good reviews.
http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/category/laptops?appliedRefinements=1352
I've owned several XPS modes, and they are very good. I always got the Core i7 processor, but now I know that Core i5 is fine for virtually all processing needs. I don't know if Dell is offering an SSD as a C drive, but I added one after I received it. I also installed a second hard drive for data - 3 or 4TB HGST Ultrastar. When it comes to memory, many articles show that the main result of more memory is a higher price, not better performance.
Processors -
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/core-i5-vs-i7
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/210703-intel-core-i5-vs-core-i7-which-processor-should-you-buy
Memory -
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-much-ram-does-your-p
c-need-probably-less-than-you-think/
http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-much-ram-does-your-pc-need/
May 24, 2017 07:54:33 #
LouV wrote:
Thank you, Bob. The xps I'm considering has an i7 dual core processor and 16gb of ram. I'm not concerned about watching videos; I just want a bigger screen with good res for post production.
May 24, 2017 08:17:09 #
LouV
Loc: Juno Beach, FL
Jerry. Thanks for your response. The xps13 is a laptop and the one I'm considering has a 512gb SSD.
May 24, 2017 08:26:19 #
fyi I recently bought a Dell xps15 with i7, 32 gig ram, 1 tb ssd and 4k screen for about $2000 plus tax at Costco.com.
May 24, 2017 08:41:47 #
LouV
Loc: Juno Beach, FL
needmorethan24 wrote:
fyi I recently bought a Dell xps15 with i7, 32 gig ram, 1 tb ssd and 4k screen for about $2000 plus tax at Costco.com.
Sounds like you got a great deal. The 13 I'm looking at is on sale at my local Costco for $1000 and, if I get an external monitor for home use, the extra size, weight and cost of the 15 doesn't make sense for me. Question: how did you connect your monitor? The 13 does not have a video out port so you have to connect from the USB-C (thunderbolt) to HDMI input on the monitor. I'm wondering how well that works.
May 24, 2017 09:08:59 #
Have you factored the cost of a good 4K display along with the computer? Since you are considering a desk top, a 27 in IMac with the Retina display may be worth considering.
May 24, 2017 09:12:10 #
Mundj wrote:
Have you factored the cost of a good 4K display along with the computer? Since you are considering a desk top, a 27 in IMac with the Retina display may be worth considering.
Or 5k or 8k!
May 24, 2017 09:24:00 #
I have a Dell Insperon 13 7000 2 in 1 laptop and I love it. It has an i7 processor, 8G of memory and 256G SSD and comes with Windows 10. I also love the backlit keyboard and the touchscreen. It runs all my PP programs simultaneously with no problem. It also comes with a stylus and 3 USB 3.0 ports and an SD card reader. It weights 3.5 lbs. and cost $700 new at the Microsoft store. I also use a 256G USB 3.0 thumb drive to store my workflow so I don't fill up the internal SSD. A MacBook pro does not have all these features and the closest configuration costs twice as much. As for a dedicated graphics card, it is not really necessary for PP unless you also plan to play 3D graphics games. The 13.3" screen is small for photo editing but you can use an external monitor via the HDMI port. When I travel, the Dell fits neatly in my Manfroto backpack with my camera and lenses. I don't believe it will support 4K but will do everything else you need.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.