Using an updated MacBook Pro as a Photo Editor
Nov 20, 2020 10:30:28 #
I have a mid 2012 model that I will upgrade the memory to 16 gb and change the HD to 1TB SSD. It has a 2.5 Intel Core i5 and I will only use this Mac for photos and editing (no video).
I'm new to the digital world of photography and hoping that this looks like a good way to start editing both Raw and JPEG formats.
Also, I intend to change to Catalina. I'd like to use Lightroom but I'm looking for suggestions.
Thanks for any help,
Bob
I'm new to the digital world of photography and hoping that this looks like a good way to start editing both Raw and JPEG formats.
Also, I intend to change to Catalina. I'd like to use Lightroom but I'm looking for suggestions.
Thanks for any help,
Bob
Nov 20, 2020 10:39:11 #
This can only be a guess because an 8 year old computer with brand new software is full of unknowns. That said, it 'should' work. What software are you going to use for the RAW and JPEG editing?
Nov 20, 2020 10:44:23 #
Nov 20, 2020 11:21:19 #
There were TWO Mid 2012 MacBook pro models. If you have this one, Model Identifier MacBookPro10,1 with Retina Display you can only update the SSD with another SSD, your Mac cannot have a conventional hard drive installed (good source for a compatible SSD is macsales.com). They are very reliable and have very good products.
Nov 20, 2020 12:57:14 #
Nov 21, 2020 06:51:10 #
Stan Gould
Loc: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Robert Piana wrote:
I have a mid 2012 model that I will upgrade the memory to 16 gb and change the HD to 1TB SSD. It has a 2.5 Intel Core i5 and I will only use this Mac for photos and editing (no video).
Thanks for any help,
Bob
Thanks for any help,
Bob
I use a MacBook Pro 9,1 with Intel i7, 16 GB ram, 1TB SSD on Mohave. I use Canon’s photo editor, Infinity and Luminar. I use them because they work and no subscription fees.
This setup works for me.
Give it a shot see how it goes.
Stanley
Nov 21, 2020 08:04:55 #
I have a 2012 MBP, and I replaced the HDD with a Samsung 500GB SSD. BIG difference in start-up times. It has 16GB of RAM and a Core i7. Unfortunately, half the keyboard stopped working, so I bought a wireless kbd replacement. Although I have LR on it, I mainly use my desktop for processing. I bought the MBP refurbished from Apple in 2012.
Nov 21, 2020 08:47:50 #
Chadp
Loc: Virginia Beach
I am using a 2012 Mac mini with a quad core I7 and 16 GB RAM running the latest version of Catalina. It works great for photo editing. I have also edited some 4K video and it does the job. But if I was doing 4K video often I would want more speed. I was on the phone with Apple tech support awhile back regarding a photo sharing issue I was having between my computer and phone (was a phone icloud issue) and he was puzzled at how I was able to run Catalina on a 2012. But it has worked great.
Nov 21, 2020 09:10:26 #
I would verify on the Adobe site that if you update to Catalina that you can run the latest version of Creative Cloud products. They have a list of viable Mac devices that LR and PS will run on. Will not work on my 2011 MacBook.
Nov 21, 2020 10:43:37 #
I'd suggest that for slightly more than you're considering paying to upgrade a 2012 MBP, the new M1 MacBook Air will give you a far more satisfying experience! Or for less money, the M1 MacMini and a good HDMI monitor (calibrated) and your own keyboard and mouse will do the same.
However, best bang-for-buck sits at M1 MacBook Air. Check the reviews and see if what I'm writing makes sense.
However, best bang-for-buck sits at M1 MacBook Air. Check the reviews and see if what I'm writing makes sense.
Nov 21, 2020 13:02:11 #
Robert Piana wrote:
I have a mid 2012 model that I will upgrade the memory to 16 gb and change the HD to 1TB SSD. It has a 2.5 Intel Core i5 and I will only use this Mac for photos and editing (no video).
I'm new to the digital world of photography and hoping that this looks like a good way to start editing both Raw and JPEG formats.
Also, I intend to change to Catalina. I'd like to use Lightroom but I'm looking for suggestions.
Thanks for any help,
Bob
I'm new to the digital world of photography and hoping that this looks like a good way to start editing both Raw and JPEG formats.
Also, I intend to change to Catalina. I'd like to use Lightroom but I'm looking for suggestions.
Thanks for any help,
Bob
Hey Bob...I may have the exact same model as you. I've replaced the main drive with a 2TB SSD, taken out the optical drive and replaced with a 1TB SSD and maxed the RAM. All other components are stock. It's a great 'puter and I would do my processing on it, but I set it up for traveling and now use it for GP. I have two other machines (both PC's) that are hot potatoes where I do the bulk of my work, but the fact remains I'd use this mac in a heartbeat for heavy photographic tasks. Oh, and it's on Catalina...prolly to stay, lol...these macs are the last of an era where you can actually dig in and change components!
Nov 21, 2020 15:05:42 #
Bob,
I've got the 2012 mid year, non retina MBP that you have. Like several above I've maxed out the RAM to 16GB - replaced the hard drive with a 1TB SSD and replaced the optical drive with another 1TB SSD. My apps are on the boot drive while my recent image files are on the other internal SDD. My sys is powered by an I7 CPU.
I run Lightroom 6, On1, Luminar III and the rest of my "desktop applications on this machine.
I do use an external monitor, 24" as my primary display. All of this is run from this 8 year old wonder.
Is the the speediest thing around? No! But it is in no way limiting my normal computer operations and in no way my image post processing.
The one correction you may want to consider is to limit your operating system to Mojave as it is the last OS to support 32 bit applications. Operating systems later than that will be limited to 64 bit apps.
I've got the 2012 mid year, non retina MBP that you have. Like several above I've maxed out the RAM to 16GB - replaced the hard drive with a 1TB SSD and replaced the optical drive with another 1TB SSD. My apps are on the boot drive while my recent image files are on the other internal SDD. My sys is powered by an I7 CPU.
I run Lightroom 6, On1, Luminar III and the rest of my "desktop applications on this machine.
I do use an external monitor, 24" as my primary display. All of this is run from this 8 year old wonder.
Is the the speediest thing around? No! But it is in no way limiting my normal computer operations and in no way my image post processing.
The one correction you may want to consider is to limit your operating system to Mojave as it is the last OS to support 32 bit applications. Operating systems later than that will be limited to 64 bit apps.
Nov 21, 2020 16:00:53 #
DennisC.
Loc: Antelope, CA
You are gonna luv the new MacBooks with the M1 chip, don’t worry about the price, just do it.
Nov 21, 2020 16:02:03 #
DennisC. wrote:
You are gonna luv the new MacBooks with the M1 chip, don’t worry about the price, just do it.
...been thinkin' on it. Prolly wait for next gen, tho...
Nov 21, 2020 17:33:08 #
Obviously, the faster the computer, the better, but try what you have. I hope your screen is at least 16" diagonally so you are not too cramped.
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