Digital Processing Hardware-PC or MAC: Hello. I'm new to UHH and so I have a question or two about Post processing hardware. After years of shooting film and training in the darkroom I...

Jlink951 Loc: St George UT

Hello. I'm new to UHH and so I have a question or two about Post processing hardware. After years of shooting film and training in the darkroom I made the digital jump and started out with Photoshop +LightRoom on a PC. Software changes soon required new hardware, over and over, until my PC could no longer be upgraded; I'd hit the wall. I then made the jump to Apple. First with a MackBook and LCD monitor. Worked fine but soon it couldn't be upgraded any longer either so I got my first MAC. I'm definitely in the Apple camp and on my second MAC now and ready for a third! Will it ever end? No doubt it's fun getting new stuff but I want consistency. Would you go for the latest and greatest MAC with gobs of memory and a decent video card OR jump back to PC with just as many upgrade requirements and seemingly faster processing speeds? I'd appreciate knowing your approach to the incessant needs and wants when it comes to hardware? Thanks. jL

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Hmmm.
I'm using an eight+ year old PC.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I'd go back to Windows and get a 'gamer' set-up for my digital editing platform. Whether you think Apple is better or not, Windows-based equipment is always consistently cheaper for the same capabilities, simply because the equipment is intended to be plug-n-play across multiple competing vendors.

You don't need anything particularly cutting edge to run LR / PS. I have a Dell XPS desktop that is now is approaching 5-years age and as good as new relative to my editing needs. A 1TB harddrive, 16GB RAM and a modern video card are fine. Look for plenty of USB ports so you can add USB-based external storage unless you plan to store your back-ups in the cloud.

Your monitor is getting to be more important than the brand / model of the computer. Keep that in mind as you investigate your options and where / if to spend more money on new equipment.

gouldopfl

You will hear as many opinions on what is best just like photographers on which camera brand is best.

Before I retired recently I was in various jobs for over 35 years in IT but always did programming for large scale applications. I personally programmed on Windows and Unix/Linux. I know many people who use Mac's. Which one is better can be determined by what else you do with your computer. My laptop has a AMD 4900H processor with 64 Gig Ram and 1 TB SSD. I run Windows 10 and have a virtual machine that is Linux. I can do anything I want with it.

My personal opinion is that Mac's are over priced. Until the M1 came out Mac's used completely off the shelf hardware at a huge profit.

If you use a Mac for other reasons, that is the only reason you will want a Mac. I have used Windows since it first came out so I am familiar and every app I use works fine. I found that with all programs like LR and PS they work better with 32 gig of RAM.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Mac people love Mac and windows people love Windows. Both are good and both can have drawbacks.

I use both and find, it depends. I end up using my Mac most of the time now. So nothing is perfect like us.

Use one get use to it and enjoy photography.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

Funny this thread would come up today. I am using an 11-year-old ASUS laptop with an i7 processor and 16-gig RAM and fully updated Windows Pro. This laptop is maxed out based on its motherboard. I just updated Creative Cloud with Photoshop 2021, etc.

I shot some photos this morning with my Nikon D5300 in RAW/NEF. Photoshop will not load a RAW photo. It simply closes. But, I converted one of the photos to jpg in another program and Photoshop runs fine.

I sent them the error message/crash report and if I don’t hear from them first, I plan to contact Adobe Monday when I get home. I’ll take any suggestions, though.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I agree with Chg Cannon

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

newsguygeorge wrote:

Funny this thread would come up today. I am using ... (show quote)

Your problem is likely not the NEF file nor the hardware. This discussion had prompted me to find what equipment I'm running. I don't have the same Adobe software, but my system reports an Intel i7-6700 core and 16GM RAM. Your D5300 is just a 24MP sensor, nothing outrageous, especially for a computer that could handle these files previously. Look at your available diskspace on the HD as that might be the issue, especially if you don't have 100GB free on the local drive.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

CHG_CANON wrote:

Your problem is likely not the NEF file nor the hardware. This discussion had prompted me to find what equipment I'm running. I don't have the same Adobe software, but my system reports an Intel i7-6700 core and 16GM RAM. Your D5300 is just a 24MP sensor, nothing outrageous, especially for a computer that could handle these files previously. Look at your available diskspace on the HD as that might be the issue, especially if you don't have 100GB free on the local drive.

This is our travel laptop, FWIW; and, it's got a 1 TB SSD with 815 Gig free. It did run PS with RAW in the past.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

newsguygeorge wrote:

This is our travel laptop, FWIW; and, it's got a 1 TB SSD with 815 Gig free. It did run PS with RAW in the past.

I'll defer to the Adobe experts as nothing you've described should cause the problem you've also described. The technical support chat is rather time-effective with Adobe if you happen to be working on the equipment for an extended period doing other stuff waiting in the queue for a someone 'live' on the other end to become available.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

CHG_CANON wrote:

I'll defer to the Adobe experts as nothing you've described should cause the problem you've also described. The technical support chat is rather time-effective with Adobe if you happen to be working on the equipment for an extended period doing other stuff waiting in the queue for a someone 'live' on the other end to become available.

Thanks. That's the plan.

BebuLamar

I think my PC is 12 year old.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Jlink951 wrote:

Hello. I'm new to UHH and so I have a question or ... (show quote)

It’s digital imagery - one system is as artificial as the other.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

OK, just spent 1:15 with adobe support. they fixed it, but don't ask me how. they also saved me from having to buy a new laptop, so it also cured some GAS.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

newsguygeorge wrote:

OK, just spent 1:15 with adobe support. they fixed it, but don't ask me how. they also saved me from having to buy a new laptop, so it also cured some GAS.

Hooray!