Mac computer (Page 4): I have a Mac Desktop with a 27" screen and it is great for PP pictures. I agree with the others, select the features you need based on your PP software. Yes, MAC...

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

I have a Mac Desktop with a 27" screen and it is great for PP pictures. I agree with the others, select the features you need based on your PP software. Yes, MAC are more expensive than a PC, but sometimes you get what you pay for. Now my iPhone and iPad all work together.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Foto Jo wrote:

May I ask why a desktop vs a laptop? Besides the editing of pics (which is an issue), I am just curious.

That is what I use also. It is much easier to edit pictures when viewed on such a large screen. I only use the MacBook Pro when I am out of town. I opted for the 15” notebook, 2.7 GHz Quad-Core i7 with 16 GB memory. It has a 500 GB Flash Storage internal drive. No problem working with Lightroom or Photoshop. I’ve had it for over 2 years.

MJPerini

Look at your intended software to see what specs maximize it's speed and function. Not every Application operates the same way. Capture one recommends photos on a Fast Local drive (that would be a Thunderbolt 3 SSD or NVMe drive). The more work you do, and the bigger your RAW files the more power you need .
I would second 32GB RAM one any modern Photo computer. For an external drive look at OWC Computing's Envoy TB3 Drives. You get more bang for tour buck with an iMac, if you do not need the portability. I would beef up the graphics card as well. All this adds up, and I do not know your budget, but getting it set up right from the beginning, will save headaches and upgrades in the future. This goes for any computer, PC or Mac, they both can be configured to work great, if specified correctly.
I personally am a believer in keeping Photos on a dedicated fast drive, (with proper backup) rather than filling up the main SSD. Good luck.

Dubher

AndyGarcia wrote:

Get the most powerful one you can afford. Make sure you max out the RAM 32gb minimum. Also get a good sized screen. Rumour has it that Apple will release new MacBooks in, I think, December with their new chip. If you are buying new then it may be worth waiting.Good luck.

Have both with the MacBook Pro and an external monitor.

hrblaine

Foto Jo wrote:

I would appreciate input on what Mac laptop to purchase. I have always shied away from them but after my last Dell purchase less than 2 yrs ago and output of $1100.00 for upgrade of storage ect., I have decided not to get another as I have had it crash and repaired too many times this year.
Being a large frame camera photographer, I am interested in what model Mac you use or suggest.
Thanks for the input.

I've been using am HP Pavillion since I quit Macs some years ago (I started with a Lisa so that tells you how long I had Macs.) No problems whatsoever. Of course I really only use it fot the internet , use a Dell desktop for everthing else, including Photoshop. (No probs there either) I just put extra RAM on both. Harry

maciej

I use an I Mac 27" with 32GB Ram and 1 TB SSD. Works great. Don't settle for anything less. Larger SSDs are now available. Get the size to fit your budget. Also get the good Video Graphics Card.
Mac costs more but is easier to use and generally better quality. Have Fun!

oldmainer47

I use the MACBook Air with 8GB of memory and a small disk. I store my files on two portable hard drives of 2TB storage each. I have a third 1TB drive for backup if needed. I run Photoshop elements and Affinity Photo. The machine runs great and I have had no problems with it since I moved over from my HP Windows laptop. I hope this helps you decide. My unit cost me about $1,000 to purchase excluding the portable drives.

John Hicks Loc: Sible Hedinham North Essex England

I would personally not buy a Mac computer in England there are companies that build computers to your specification they will not let you choose items that are not compatible to each other. There must be companies like that in America try one of them

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Foto Jo wrote:

I would appreciate input on what Mac laptop to purchase. I have always shied away from them but after my last Dell purchase less than 2 yrs ago and output of $1100.00 for upgrade of storage ect., I have decided not to get another as I have had it crash and repaired too many times this year.
Being a large frame camera photographer, I am interested in what model Mac you use or suggest.
Thanks for the input.

As suggested go the the Apple site - then look at the Apple refurbished items. I'm on my second refurbished 21" iMac(purchased mid 2018; upgraded from previous one after nearly 5 yrs. of use). Savings will amount to between $300-$500 depending on additional items you desire.

Latsok Loc: Recently moved to Washington State.

Foto Jo wrote:

I would appreciate input on what Mac laptop to purchase. I have always shied away from them but after my last Dell purchase less than 2 yrs ago and output of $1100.00 for upgrade of storage ect., I have decided not to get another as I have had it crash and repaired too many times this year.
Being a large frame camera photographer, I am interested in what model Mac you use or suggest.
Thanks for the input.

I had the same question three months ago. Got some great advise and bought a 16" MacBrook Pro with 16 GB Memory, and it does great with all my PS needs. I also still use my 10 year old 27" Desktop Apple computer. It was slowing down quite a bit, but my neighbor , who is an IT guru did his magic on it (I don't exactly know. what additional processor & memory cards he installed) plus he vacuumed all the built up dust and whatever had build up there over ten years, and it's working like a brand new computer. I'm much happier with my <Mac than I ever was a with my previous Dells and my wife's Toshiba.

rsworden

I recommend 13” MacBook Pro with 16GB and as large an SSD as you can afford. For traveling, the screen is big enough. For daily use at home I plug in a larger monitor, full-size Apple keyboard, and Apple mouse.

I would not like having my data split between a desktop machine and a laptop, so I prefer one machine even if the MacBook is slightly less powerful than an iMac.

My company provides the 15” MacBook, and while it’s nicer for serious work (large spreadsheets etc.) I like the portability of the 13”.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Foto Jo wrote:

I would appreciate input on what Mac laptop to purchase. I have always shied away from them but after my last Dell purchase less than 2 yrs ago and output of $1100.00 for upgrade of storage ect., I have decided not to get another as I have had it crash and repaired too many times this year.
Being a large frame camera photographer, I am interested in what model Mac you use or suggest.
Thanks for the input.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

You are about to hear from we MAC users what use is best! Decide for yourself whether you want a desktop iMac or laptop Mac. Then, go on the Mac site, as you will see all kinds of reference material, comparisons clearly articulated and costs. Buy as much as you can afford! I like a $4,000 iMac, but you may not. This one area that you really have to do your own homework as technology accelerates so fast. Have fun!

Cheers!

Gallopingphotog

I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013). I'd love to have a 27" desktop but doing free-lance work and traveling make a laptop a must. Max out the RAM. I did not and sometimes have space problems. So I not only back up and back up the backup, but I have an SSD external drive to offload old photo files (and other stuff) that I don't anticipate needing, at least for awhile. Being as this laptop is kinda old and has been treated not very nicely (think Monument Valley in summer being bumped along in a saddlebag on a hard-trotting horse!) I hope to be able to get a new one soon. Which brings up a question of my own: Is it possible to get a 15" MacBook but connect it with a larger monitor at home? Because it would be nice to have the bigger screen, but portability is essential.

rsworden

Gallopingphotog, you can certainly connect an external monitor to a MacBook. You’ll need an adapter to HDMI. The laptop screen can be an extra display if you wish. That’s how I use mine all the time when at home.