That1NJGuy

I'd like to upgrade the laptop I presently use to edit.

Now the age old question, with the emphasis on longevity. I use adobe CC suite, so as long I have internet, I'm good. So I'm tossed between Windows with 12 - 16 gb of ram, or a MacBook. I'd like to stay with a laptop for portability reasons. I haven't used Apple before, but not opposed to it. So save the Windows vs Apple argument.

So what I'm asking for your experiences. Is a couple of hundred dollar difference worth it? Are there any models you would recommend? If anyone has used both, let me hear your experiences.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Stay with Windows, it is what you are used to, and yes, you deserve to spend a little extra on yourself, you earned it!

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I am a total Mac guy, but...changing from something you are familiar with can be a pain in the butt. I would stick with windows. I use a number of windows laptops in my work and have found the HP models don't seem to hold up well under hard use. Also, in the windows world there are some cheap laptops that look like a good deal but aren't really. You get what you pay for. I would spend what cash it takes to get a high build quality machine. It will be money well spent.
...Cam

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I was a windows guy and left my comfort zone and bought Mac Book Pro. Never looked back and added a Mac Desktop.
Depending upon your needs this model is what I started with. I did upgrade the memory for my Lightroom and Photoshop programs.
Good luck with what you decide. All Apple stores offer free lessons and walk in or call in for questions.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I was windows only since the Mac came out. Windows was an open system. Apple was closed. I needed third party accessories so I had to go with Windows.

When I got a phone it was an Android. Used it until about 18 months ago. I was due for an upgrade and I had left it home when I was on a trip and I needed a phone so I went for an iPhone. My wife had an iPhone and texts between Android and Apple sometimes took 24 hours to come through.

Now the iPhone does email, but her iPhone and laptop talk to each other so when something is marked spam, it quits showing up on both the laptop and the iPhone. My Windows laptop doesn't do this. Spam deleted on one will still show up on the other. Several other programs do some handshaking between apple machines, but not between apple and windows machines.

So take that into consideration. The Apple platform is nice the way it consolidates things between machines. Mixing systems can be less than optimal. I'm still using Win10 on my laptop and desktop but I'm leaning toward a Mac for the next upgrade. Nothing definite yet, things are still working so I don't need to update just yet.

But if you jump from Win to Mac, you might need to move your phone also.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Couple of points... get as much ram and disk space as you can afford. Go with a SSD or flash storage vs a spinning disk - way faster.

I am biased because back in 2010 or so I dropped all Windows from my house and went all Macintosh. Macs run Windows natively better than PC's run Windowsin my opinion. Using Virtual software, I run Windows 10 inside my Imac alongside my Mac apps.

Macs will last for many many years, PC's, well, thats subjective.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Must have been a pretty cold first winter without Windows in your house . . .

My current Windows 7 machine, which I built in 2011, is running just fine. How long do these things need to last, anyway? Win7 runs perfectly without any hiccups - always has.

I must be lucky - I don't have to run Mac OS in my Windows machine - I have all the software I need - and no envy.

What I wrote is true, but you do realize I am yanking on your chain just a little. . . But you need to stop bashing Windows - I am a switch hitter, much like yourself - I don't care what I run on, as long as it runs what I want, and does it fast, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg . . .

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Actually, without Windows it was warmer! :)

I made my living for 22 years managing and using Windows computers, so I was a beneficiary of their growing pains .... I never knew why certain people loved their Mac's. That was back in the days of a mouse with only 1 button on a Mac. After Mac's went INTEL chips it was a huge difference, and I preferred and still prefer OSX to Windows on a PeeCee, I guess it is the UNIX underpinnings that makes it interesting.

If I did not need to program my scanner radio, I would close the Windows chapter for good ;) I am sure that will happen one day soon.

I don't think of myself as a windows basher.... just someone that has learned and moved on

I am with you on the cost factor... else I would have a Imac Pro fully tricked out!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I will avoid the Windows vs MacOS discussion (which has been replicated ad nauseam) and just simplify it to one of several consideration: you can buy more performance/$ with a Windows machine than a Mac. I hope that is not an argumentative (or arguable) comment.

In general, my suggestion is that you pick the SW that you intend to run first, and then buy the platform that runs them (all) best and you are most comfortable with.

Cheers

jerseymike

That "treat" would be a Mac.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have both, and Apple gives me fewer problems. As for memory, I would say that 16GB is the minimum you should get. In most cases, you cannot add anything internal to a Mac laptop, so order it with what you want, and maybe a little more. The difference in price between Windows and Mac will be substantial.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I had used both windows and Mac computers at work. I bought a windows based Desktop for home use. After many years, I grew tired of having to pay for Windows upgrades and the crick in my neck from the desk top. I decided I needed to move to a laptop and talked to every photographer I knew to find out what they used and how they liked it. I read reviews, etc. I bought a MacBook Pro, 13” screen because I knew I was going to travel with it and I wanted something that would easily fit into carry on. That was in 2014 and I’ve never looked back. Was there a learning curve? Yes, but it was pretty easy to adapt to the new system.

vanbr

[quote=That1NJGuy]I'd like to upgrade the laptop I presently use to edit.

I have some suggestions, but I never know what other criteria are hidden from the original inquiry. Hidden criteria can include: budget, portability for travel, having a screen that flips so you can watch a movie even though the person in front of you in coach has reclined his seat, etc.

A starting point might be "https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/best-photo-editing-laptops" . Here you can read through 10 different machines to help you find features you want, features you could care less about and those you can't live without.

My own thoughts are:
Stick with Windows. one less learning curve.
Choose the processor from the most current (there are some Intel 10th gen now, Otherwise I7-8xxx or I9)
Choose a laptop with a dedicated Graphics Card. Nvidia seems better than AMD.
Only choose a laptop with an SSD drive. 512GB is more than sufficient assuming you will use external storage for your images.
Choose a 15.6" screen size unless you plan on attaching a larger monitor.
16GB memory

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

For you, and that's great. I have no stick in this game, I don't use Windows or Mac

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

A number of years ago I made the switch from a PC to Mac. I was an avid PC nut and liked the because I could build and work on them. My first iPhone and iPad mad me switch. I haven't looked back. My MacBook Pro is outstanding and totally trouble free.