whlsdn Loc: Colorado

On the cusp of the plandemic I made the mistake of switching from a Windows laptop to a MacBook Pro 16 with 8-Core i9, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, and that lovely retina display. Instantly, all Apple classes and all support became inaccessible, despite paying extra. With my HP Desktop Pavilion 590 (i7 but otherwise similarly equipped + 12 TB offboard storage) and a decent 27" HP monitor in use at home, weeks on the road in our motorhome find me cussing a very capable Mac laptop. The fault is my own foggy brain and my lack of willingness to study its mystical ways. So, I find myself planning to replace it.

As I look at Windows PC laptops, I want to find one that will last me a long time... plenty of RAM, enough storage to manage mostly photo files, and good processing power because I often have multiple programs open at once. I think I can nail all that down. My biggest need for advice is the display. I want to have a good clear image with accurate color. What's the best product to assure that? I'm considering the HP Spectre 360 with an OLED, but the biggest I can get is 16". I'd hoped to get a 17" and I'm not sure I'll use the Spectre 360's "convertible" feature. Never did on a Microsoft Surface I once had.

I started out looking at gaming laptops with 17" displays. They're generally fast, but I'm not sure the screens are made with the same goals as what those of us who spend lots of time with photo images have.

I'd just like to hear suggestions, if you have some current experience you could share, thanks.

mikey12654 Loc: Vancouver, WA

Why don't you have any support or classes for your Macbook Pro? I bought a MBP laptop back in 2010 and it was scary at first but gradually I did learn how to use it, have you tried looking on Youtube for videos that can help you? One of the cool things I like about Mac's is that you are much less likely to get a virus or get hacked on a Mac so you don't need to buy any anti-virus software. I need to buy another computer, mine is 12 years old now lol! My next computer will still be a Mac even though it's a pain to learn a new operating system. May I ask how much your Macbook Pro cost you?

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

There are several posts ref monitors on today’s UHH edition, posted below. Depending on it’s size, working in a motor home may necessitate some unhappy compromises.
Frankly, I think it’s worth the effort to learn to use the M1 Pro system on current MacBooks - they’re exceptional matchines.

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

Thanks. I must research this “M1 Pro System” thing. Never heard of it until reading a post here about monitors yesterday. I thought it was a desktop hardware pkg.

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

I’ll dig for my invoice and let you know. Considerably more than the 17” HP Spectre I first walked out the door with that day.... and have wished i’d kept.

No classes, no live support at all from either Apple or Best Buy? COVID, Sir. Though I had a Geek Squad contract and paid extra for Apple support plan, both were buttoned down and seeing no customers. Apple has completely changed their customer support strategy, I’m told, and Best Buy has finally opened their doors to walk-in customers but I feel too lost in bad habits and generally pissed at the whole scene. YouTube has been useful for some specific topics, but I don’t find it a strategic way to conquer a new system. Many brighter folks may.

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

To clarify: I’m not seeking suggestions for external monitors. Yes, I can search posts here to find many discussions on that topic. I’m asking what laptops have the best built-in screens for what we most want to do. Process photos. The bigger the better, to a certain extent.

Thanks.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I have not had a desktop computer for 20 years. I rely on laptops. Because I include video in my hobby, I need some power. The lowest cost way of doing that seems to be "gamer" laptops. I had a ASUS "ROG" (Republic of Gamers!) and now have a Lenovo Legion that is about 4 years old, used daily and came from Costco for $1100. It has a half TB SSD for software and a full TB HDD for storage. It is fast and fully capable of any Adobe application.

Color accuracy is a weird concept. Some will measure it, control it and make it match. I don't. I work an image so that it matches my "minds eye", memory of what it looked like or make it artistically "better". I've made enough prints than I can usually get it right the first time. My screen satisfies my needs. I have no way of telling you how good or bad it might be.

That said, every single one of the known online instructors that I enjoy use Apple products.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

Apple offers free online classes. Best Buy should have told you. Look at https://www.apple.com/today/ and change the location to your area. There are classes on how to use your mac. You will need to know your Apple ID and password.
That being said, there is really little difference between using a PC and using a Mac.
In future, I suggest purchasing Apple products directly from Apple, either in an Apple store or online, rather than from Best Buy.

Just Shoot Me Loc: Ithaca, NY

I just got a MacBook Pro with the M-1 chip and Retina display to compliment 2 Mac desk tops (27" and 21") 2 iPads and 2 iPhones. My wife uses half of them and I the other.
Once you go Mac you never look back. I switched from windoze over 15 years ago.
Try using your Mac book pro. It's not all that difficult.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"Once you go Mac you never look back."

No, once you spend that much money, you can't ever say it was a mistake!

Just Shoot Me Loc: Ithaca, NY

You get what you pay for!

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

My previous MacBook Pro lasted 8 years and still ran well. Over 30+ years I never had a PC laptop last that long without serious issues.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I needed a new phone when my granddaughter was in high school. I thought she might have some current knowledge and asked for her advice. Her answer was, "Grandpa, don't you know? iPhones are for girls and Androids are for boys!"

Just Shoot Me Loc: Ithaca, NY

Smart Girl

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

She is half way through the University of Washington and planning on law school. She does have an iPhone.