Laptop Help
Jan 28, 2013 18:14:43 #
keithmac
Loc: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada
I am considering an upgrade for my current laptop. Size is critical because I want to be able to travel with it. I am considering a Macbook Air or an Asus Zenbook. What I would like to know is if anyone has experience using either of these ultra books with Lightroom 4. My first choice is the Zenbook but I am concerned that with only 4 gigs of RAM it may not be enough for Lightroom. I know that I can get the MBA with 8 gigs so that may have to be my choice. Any input will be appreciated.
Keith
Keith
Jan 28, 2013 18:28:26 #
Jan 28, 2013 18:49:43 #
Sheila
Loc: Arizona or New York
Use MACbook Pro , know pro with older Mac Air, we both use Lightroom 4. We both keep catalog and photos on external harddrive. My Macpro has 4 g ram. Have not noticed a problem.
I suppose if you wanted to keep everything on Mac air there would be some issues but it would be related to amount of storage as well as 4g of ram.
I suppose if you wanted to keep everything on Mac air there would be some issues but it would be related to amount of storage as well as 4g of ram.
Jan 28, 2013 18:57:32 #
If you are looking at the 13 may I suggest you also look at the 13 MacBook pro same price. More processor speed and and more storage. If you do go with the air you will have to get an external HD. Either way go with 8GB ram, you CAN NOT add RAM on the AIR or retina display MBP. If you already have LR4 on a PC based machine you can download the trial to the MAC and use your PCs serial number. Or at least you could on LR2, when I converted.
Jan 29, 2013 11:53:27 #
I use the Macbook Air 11". It is light and extremely dependable and versatile. I use Photoshop Elements and Lightroom. I store most of my photos in a 1TB external hard drive. I keep the ones I am currently working on or photos downloaded during a trip on the computer and when I am done with them I put them on the external drive. I found that I don't mind taking the Air with me since it is so light. I got rid of the Macbook Pro 13" because of the weight.
Hope this helps !!
Hope this helps !!
Jan 29, 2013 13:24:18 #
MacBook. The Pro has the advantages cited above in terms of storage, upgrade capability. The Air was the weight advantage. The 11" Air is only if size and weight are THE critical issues. 11" screen is just a step backwards.
Jan 29, 2013 13:56:45 #
I went though the same quandry and finally settled on the Mac Book Pro 13" and I am sure glad I did. It was a few bucks more, but it has paid off in the end.
Jan 29, 2013 14:43:38 #
I would go with the MacBook Pro. It does cost slightly more than the Asus but I'm sure if you put the two side by side, you would choose the MBPS.
I have been using a 13.3 inch MBP as my main photo editing computer for a few years now. I have an HP EliteBook 8440p as a backup and second computer, but the MBP far outshines it.
I have been using a 13.3 inch MBP as my main photo editing computer for a few years now. I have an HP EliteBook 8440p as a backup and second computer, but the MBP far outshines it.
Jan 29, 2013 19:28:00 #
Sheila
Loc: Arizona or New York
About 2 years ago I switched from pc to MAC Book Pro and have never looked back. I upgraded to Lion but not Mountain Lion.
As a very long pc user who had some experience with an Apple IIe, I was reluctant to change for a long time. The Mac is more expensive and the software is more limited in some areas but for photographers I think it is excellent. The Mac pro has more features but is thicker and heavier than the Mac Air. When I bought, I picked the fastest processor available at the time for the Mac Pro. The initial financial cost has been offset by the lack of frustration with my computer. With pcs, it seemed every time I had a new machine I was frustrated and annoyed with it after 6 months.
As a very long pc user who had some experience with an Apple IIe, I was reluctant to change for a long time. The Mac is more expensive and the software is more limited in some areas but for photographers I think it is excellent. The Mac pro has more features but is thicker and heavier than the Mac Air. When I bought, I picked the fastest processor available at the time for the Mac Pro. The initial financial cost has been offset by the lack of frustration with my computer. With pcs, it seemed every time I had a new machine I was frustrated and annoyed with it after 6 months.
Jan 29, 2013 21:05:59 #
With very few exceptions memory can be upgraded for cheap - don't use that as your deciding factor. Right now 16 gigabytes of laptop memory is about $80.
Check out the processor specs and ratings. Right now the top of the line Macbook Pro selling for more than $2500 has the same processor as windows computers in the $800 range.
I'm not saying the MBP isn't a good choice, just don't make your decision based on amount of RAM...
I should also point out that the MBP with Retina display has soldered in memory and can NEVER be upgraded. It also uses a nonstandard hard drive size/shape so you can't easily upgrade it either... many folks are baffled by these severe limitations.
Edit: you can look up comparative processor ratings at http://www.cpubenchmark.net/
Check out the processor specs and ratings. Right now the top of the line Macbook Pro selling for more than $2500 has the same processor as windows computers in the $800 range.
I'm not saying the MBP isn't a good choice, just don't make your decision based on amount of RAM...
I should also point out that the MBP with Retina display has soldered in memory and can NEVER be upgraded. It also uses a nonstandard hard drive size/shape so you can't easily upgrade it either... many folks are baffled by these severe limitations.
Edit: you can look up comparative processor ratings at http://www.cpubenchmark.net/
Jan 29, 2013 21:43:37 #
sloscheider wrote:
I should also point out that the MBP with Retina display has soldered in memory and can NEVER be upgraded. It also uses a nonstandard hard drive size/shape so you can't easily upgrade it either... many folks are baffled by these severe limitations.
Edit: you can look up comparative processor ratings at http://www.cpubenchmark.net/
I should also point out that the MBP with Retina display has soldered in memory and can NEVER be upgraded. It also uses a nonstandard hard drive size/shape so you can't easily upgrade it either... many folks are baffled by these severe limitations.
Edit: you can look up comparative processor ratings at http://www.cpubenchmark.net/
The MacBook Pro and the MacBook Pro with Retina display are two very different animals. The MBP 13inch starts at $1199 and the MBP with Retina display starts at $1699.
I am running a newer MBP with 8Gb of RAM and a 1.5TB hard drive. This setup is very quick and I have sufficient storage.
The MBP with Retina display uses an SSD for storage and has no optical drive.
Jan 29, 2013 22:02:45 #
haroldross wrote:
The MacBook Pro and the MacBook Pro with Retina display are two very different animals. The MBP 13inch starts at $1199 and the MBP with Retina display starts at $1699.
I completely agree - thus my point about not making a decision based upon how much memory a stock model comes equipped with - there are more important aspects to consider...
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