Computer Gear: I have been limping along with my HP Pavillion, but I realize that I am going to have to put out some dollars for proper computer/backup/monitor gear if I'm going to...

TwoCents

I have been limping along with my HP Pavillion, but I realize that I am going to have to put out some dollars for proper computer/backup/monitor gear if I'm going to pursue my new photography obsession without hurling my laptop out the window. I don't want to waste money, so I'm looking for input on what I need in the way of hard drive, RAM, backup drives, etc. I speak "computer" somewhat, but I am no where near the geeky level. Please, some of you must be master geeks out there. Help please with the choosing. I don't to make mistakes at this level of dollar outlay. I shoot in RAW and use Lightroom, Photoshop Elements and Photomatix.

TwoCents

I apparently can't spell either..."dollar" and insert "want" before "to". Sorry, but I had to take dumb bell English in college and that old lady (now I is one myself) teacher just pounded me to the point that I can't let these typo things go.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TwoCents wrote:

I have been limping along with my HP Pavillion, bu... (show quote)

I recently got a Dell 8500 with Core i7 processor and a 2TB drive and added a 1TB drive. The computer came with 16GB of memory, so I will limp along with that. :D. It's a good idea to put the operating system and programs on the C drive, with all you data on the second drive.

Of course you should have more than one external backup drive. I recently got a drive dock from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-BlacX-eSATA-Docking-Station/dp/B001A4HAFS/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1343486611&sr=1-3&keywords=drive+dock

It's gone up $5.00 in the last two weeks. I took the old (not too old) drives out of my old (not too old) computers, and I can use them as backup for my backups.

For external backups, I have a large Western Digital Elements 2TB. I also have a couple of pocket-sized drives.

Getting a good computer to do editing should not be a challenge.

TwoCents

Thanks for the info. I forgot to mention that I am a PC user and I would actually like to have a laptop with an extra monitor for accurate color, etc. I know we're talking money here, but I only want to do this once. I know there is no "once" in the computer world as things change every 5 minutes, but I would like to go at least 10 minutes without having to get new stuff.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TwoCents wrote:

Thanks for the info. I forgot to mention that I am a PC user and I would actually like to have a laptop with an extra monitor for accurate color, etc. I know we're talking money here, but I only want to do this once. I know there is no "once" in the computer world as things change every 5 minutes, but I would like to go at least 10 minutes without having to get new stuff.

I've had Toshiba and Dell laptops, with no problems. I once got a small laptop for convenience, but it was too small, so I returned it for a regular size laptop. Laptop specs come close to desktops now. Core i5 or i7 should be fine, and get as much memory as you can. External backup drives are the same, or course, whether it's a desktop or a laptop.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

TwoCents wrote:

I apparently can't spell either..."dollar" and insert "want" before "to". Sorry, but I had to take dumb bell English in college and that old lady (now I is one myself) teacher just pounded me to the point that I can't let these typo things go.

Well, Mate, you'll have a ball here. Most of these guys are poor typists. Good on the photography tho'.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

TwoCents wrote:

I have been limping along with my HP Pavillion, bu... (show quote)

I updated last year abouts & agonised between an Apple or a Sony. They both have the all in one integrated unit with w/less mouse & keyboard.
I settled for the Sony because I am familiar with Windows & Apple is a whole new ball game & I don't have the time to learn the switch.
My Sony has 1 TB of capacity with 4 GB ram. I just LOVE it.
It's a desk top but that's where I do my photo stuff.

dasloaf

I love my Apple MacBook Pro! I'd go for an Apple! Get the biggest, baddest one you can afford!

berchman Loc: South Central PA

TwoCents wrote:

Thanks for the info. I forgot to mention that I am a PC user and I would actually like to have a laptop with an extra monitor for accurate color, etc. I know we're talking money here, but I only want to do this once. I know there is no "once" in the computer world as things change every 5 minutes, but I would like to go at least 10 minutes without having to get new stuff.

Go here for a lot of useful information:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/65028-35-laptop-buying-advice

For your external monitor get this together with the NEC MDSV sensor for calibration:
http://www.macmall.com/p/NEC-Displays-Monitors/product~dpno~8118849~pdp.gbefhgb#pdpOverview

ggttc Loc: TN

Go for as much RAM as you can...make sure you have at least 4 USB ports...youre going to find yourself using external hard drives...so original HD capacity is of some importance but not much...also consider portability...are you taking on your trips?...lugging around an 7lb laptop is a pain

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

TwoCents wrote:

I have been limping along with my HP Pavillion, bu... (show quote)

Thinking about this myself, do I get a 14" for portability or a 17" for screen size and easy reading, 15" not portable enough and too small for editing, Bob.

Gidgette Loc: Boerne,Texas

14" don't have cd/dvd burners if you ever need to burn pictures.

RedIris Loc: MN, USA

I maintained my last Desktop computer for 10 years and the monitor for about 15. I really hated to see that monitor go.

You NEED a good monitor.. Most Laptop screens are not up to par for photo processing. I don't know why people insist on them for their main/home computer. VERY convenient while traveling though. Another biggy is the display card.. don't settle on "integrated", get a real one like ATI or NVidia.

A "larger than you think hard drive" will make you happy, when it comes to editing photos. Not only for the capacity, but for the extra room for swap-files(in your editing programs). RAM is important, get more than you think you'll ever need or can afford(you can always put more in later,also). Most new computers come with over 4GB now. Average is 8 and higher these days.

That just about covers it, except external drives.. and you'll be glad if you get at least 1 USB-3 port.

If you have to go 'over the counter', get a Dell and spring for the Windows Installation Disc.

ggttc Loc: TN

Gidgette wrote:

14" don't have cd/dvd burners if you ever need to burn pictures.

A good netbook will accomodate extertal drives and external cd drives...it depends on your needs for portability...it goes back to my experiences lugging laptops
thru Ohare and Atlanta airports.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

ggttc wrote:

Gidgette wrote:

14" don't have cd/dvd burners if you ever need to burn pictures.

A good netbook will accomodate extertal drives and external cd drives...it depends on your needs for portability...it goes back to my experiences lugging laptops
thru Ohare and Atlanta airports.

I own a netbook and the problem is it won't run PSE unless I have an external screen attached. I could not get the resolution required to run PSE on the netbook. I know use a 17 inch Dell laptop and have no problems.

Jim D