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Buying a new laptop.
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Jan 14, 2020 09:07:55   #
dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia
 
TriX wrote:
Unfortunately, neither of these links are working for me.

The issue I’d have with the first machine is the Intel graphics. Since it is based on the CPU, it shares CPU resources including memory. A separate graphics card such as the NVIDIA with its own VRAM specified on the second machine would definitely be preferable.


Do a google search for dell outlet and you should get a usable link.

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Jan 14, 2020 09:38:19   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
dsmeltz wrote:
In your budget of $1,000

Refurbished Dell XPS 13 from the outlet at $975

Intel Core 8th Generation i5-8365U Processor (Quad Core, Up to 4.10GHz, 6MB Cache, 15W)
Windows 10 Pro
256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive
16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 Memory
13.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) InfinityEdge Touch Display - Patinum Silver
Intel UHD Graphics

https://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/SecondaryInventorySearch.aspx?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&sign=PXhcOSHtr1T4IOw%2fPR7UddAIG%2b8VmuYKJLsmFtW3Mc%2fdncPJp0DU9PmJOwutWS0pISt1qxU6Z5c8pX%2bvoaIxH8k5SEeVHOu1poMDFqQyb25mF%2bqQwTM4cKwSzD%2f9EsP3M%2bXL9FmK%2bA%2fQiKjRa7uLsv%2fxq%2fAWufTPfAt7RE2px9IU5K8Xo4WjkwZHo%2fzd3RkI

Or a Refurbished Dell Alienware m15 at $987 if you do not care about the touch screen but want the 6 core processor an SSD for programs and a hybrid drive for files

Intel Core 8th Generation i7-8750H Processor (6 Core, Up to 4.10GHz, 9MB Cache, 45W)
Windows 10 Home
128GB PCIe M.2 NVMe Solid State Drive
1TB Solid State Hybrid Drive (5400 RPM) with 8 GB Flash
16GB (2x8GB) 2666MHz DDR4 Non-ECC
15.6inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 60Hz IPS 300-nits 72% color gamut, Narrow-Border
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5
Epic Silver - LCD Back Cover (Non-Touch)
Dell Outlet Alienware m15 Laptop

https://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/SecondaryInventorySearch.aspx?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&sign=PXhcOSHtr1T4IOw%2fPR7UdfE8Ckz0YH6QX5yApBnpl4J551yLf2EKkPKIi%2fENZu9NF%2fMFouIcJyVpKXejSsjj2FYv3tUNU3ccHY4pax92Y2UL8k%2baic4LGLMGMTS44Ouvoibve0Nj%2fqCPWfJ%2bakuqmcBxTgc1RbCcW0Lt3zXiRYvXAeeM2e4aNeGpEnyo2ZkZJjrRwJkG1b9FI8iMiicpag%3d%3d

Note: I use the XPS 13 but rarely use the touch screen while editing. If I were doing it over, I would be tempted by the Alienware gaming laptop.
In your budget of $1,000 br br Refurbished Dell X... (show quote)


There’s really no benefit to a 6 core processor if you’re using LR/PS since they don’t use multi threading. And gaming cards aren’t always the best for photo editing. They sometimes sacrifice color accuracy for speed.

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Jan 14, 2020 09:58:32   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
SuperflyTNT wrote:
There’s really no benefit to a 6 core processor if you’re using LR/PS since they don’t use multi threading. And gaming cards aren’t always the best for photo editing. They sometimes sacrifice color accuracy for speed.


I don’t know about that. Maybe not so much with hyperthreading, but multi cores, definitely. Even with early versions of LR/PS, there is clearly a big performance increase up to 4 cores, and a smaller increase up to 6, after that, it’s fairly flat, BUT the newer multi core processors also execute a single thread faster, both due to architecture and faster clock speeds. And having a couple of spare cores (and adequate memory) allows you to keep another application or two open without impacting PS/LR performance. Here’s an older benchmark from Puget Systems based on CS6 that shows the relationship between the number of cores and LR performance, and the data is pretty clear: https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Adobe-Lightroom-CC-6-Multi-Core-Performance-649/

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Jan 14, 2020 10:45:06   #
schaut
 
Consider a used or refurbished Mac. I have 2 mid 2010 15" macbook pros both which i bought refurbished many years ago. Installed High Sierra into both with very few problems, especially good after installing digital hard drives. Also if you DO have a problem, the solutions are more user friendly. If the card reader on the machine won't accomodate your card, get a card reader(which won't cost much on Amazon). I use Photoshop elements and an old copy of Photoshop which works out fine if you don't need lots of bells and whistles (which i don't). I have found these macs and the available solutions online to be the easiest solution for me. The only downside is that eventually Apple will decide to no longer support old Macs. But you still will have lots of resources. I would not go smaller than 15".

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Jan 14, 2020 10:51:37   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
TriX wrote:
I don’t know about that. Maybe not so much with hyperthreading, but multi cores, definitely. Even with early versions of LR/PS, there is clearly a big performance increase up to 4 cores, and a smaller increase up to 6, after that, it’s fairly flat, BUT the newer multi core processors also execute a single thread faster, both due to architecture and faster clock speeds. And having a couple of spare cores (and adequate memory) allows you to keep another application or two open without impacting PS/LR performance. Here’s an older benchmark from Puget Systems based on CS6 that shows the relationship between the number of cores and LR performance, and the data is pretty clear: https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Adobe-Lightroom-CC-6-Multi-Core-Performance-649/
I don’t know about that. Maybe not so much with hy... (show quote)


Interesting article, but it pretty much beats out the any gains above a quad core are negligible for most operations and that clock speed is more important. I guess it’s up to the user to decide if there’s enough gain to pay more for six cores. I’d be curious about how things are affected by a GPU. LR and PS didn’t really make much use of the GPU in the past but more and more functionality is making use of it. I wonder if that’s why operations like HDR stacking and panorama stitching aren’t as affected by the number of cores.

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Jan 14, 2020 10:51:52   #
Reconvic Loc: clermont Fl
 
Jeffers wrote:
Here's some knowledge for SuperflyTNT: I take my Dell XPS 13 everywhere. When travelling, at the end of each day I download my images from camera to the XPS. I use OneDrive, so shortly after downloading to the XPS, they are on my Desktop at home. At 6:00 am Eastern time each day, they are automatically backed up from the Desktop to an external drive, via SyncBackSE. I have two external drives, one in my home and one in our bank safe deposit box. I swap them once a month. I don't delete the images from my camera until I've verified that they are properly backed up. I have never lost an image since going to this system about eight years ago. My wife and I have transitioned to Dell because they offer an extended warranty good until about six to eight years of life. It includes next-business-day in-home service. We have three Dells and this extended warranty has paid for itself on all three of our computers.
Here's some knowledge for SuperflyTNT: I take my D... (show quote)


Thanks, posting a reply to this font of information so that I can easily have it on my Dell inspiron (maybe I'll upgrade)

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Jan 14, 2020 12:55:23   #
dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia
 
SuperflyTNT wrote:
There’s really no benefit to a 6 core processor if you’re using LR/PS since they don’t use multi threading. And gaming cards aren’t always the best for photo editing. They sometimes sacrifice color accuracy for speed.


Maybe. But when you add in the two internal drives which eliminates the need for an external, it is still tempting. It is all a matter of trade offs.

And, OK, the red case for the Alienware is kind of cool.

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Jan 14, 2020 13:02:50   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
SuperflyTNT wrote:
Interesting article, but it pretty much beats out the any gains above a quad core are negligible for most operations and that clock speed is more important. I guess it’s up to the user to decide if there’s enough gain to pay more for six cores. I’d be curious about how things are affected by a GPU. LR and PS didn’t really make much use of the GPU in the past but more and more functionality is making use of it. I wonder if that’s why operations like HDR stacking and panorama stitching aren’t as affected by the number of cores.
Interesting article, but it pretty much beats out ... (show quote)


Good questions. It’s interesting how different CPU manufacturers are evolving. Intel is upping clock speed and slowly adding cores in the consumer CPUs such as the I-7 and I-9, and adding more cores to the Xeons, which is appropriate for enterprise servers. AMD, on the other hand, is going to much smaller die technology (7-8 nm) and adding a ton of cores at the expense of much higher power/heat dissipation. IBM is somewhere in the middle with their power PCs, which are currently powering the world’s fastest computers and utilizing 12 nm technology. One thing for sure - GPUs are having a larger and larger influence, both from a performance and heat/power perspective.

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Jan 14, 2020 13:11:58   #
rich1hart Loc: Chicago suburbs
 
There are many laptops that cost under $1000 and will work fine. I recommend getting one with at least 16 GB of RAM and an HMDI port for connection to a 24" or 27" HD monitor. The prices on the latter are coming down and are quite useful for photo editing.

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Jan 14, 2020 13:49:54   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
rich1hart wrote:
There are many laptops that cost under $1000 and will work fine. I recommend getting one with at least 16 GB of RAM and an HMDI port for connection to a 24" or 27" HD monitor. The prices on the latter are coming down and are quite useful for photo editing.


Do you have a favorite monitor?

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Jan 14, 2020 13:57:39   #
schaut
 
I have external drives so i can store photos and operating system on a source that can be acessed when something breaks. When i was a computer operator/programmer the rather large internet manufacturing company i worked for had 3 backups for sensitive data, and stored one copy in a safe in a neighboring town in case of fire. The building did eventually burn down!

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Jan 14, 2020 18:41:54   #
ginsnews
 
I use a Macbook Pro 13" with sd card slot early 2015. I upgraded the hard drive to 1T, and have 8 gig ram. I use an external 32" Samsung Screen that cost about $100. If you look up "best places to buy a used MAC" you will find a few good sources. I am able to run Adobe on this no problem. And am running Catalina 10.15.2. Prices are going down all the time, so just find the best tech specs you can for the money you have, expect to have to buy a larger screen, and make sure you can parts before you buy. I've been very happy. I am not a pro. I used to calibrate my screen etc, but the prints I get from my Epson are close enough to what I see on my screen. This is all for about $1200.

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Jan 15, 2020 08:41:31   #
dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia
 
ginsnews wrote:
I use a Macbook Pro 13" with sd card slot early 2015. I upgraded the hard drive to 1T, and have 8 gig ram. I use an external 32" Samsung Screen that cost about $100. If you look up "best places to buy a used MAC" you will find a few good sources. I am able to run Adobe on this no problem. And am running Catalina 10.15.2. Prices are going down all the time, so just find the best tech specs you can for the money you have, expect to have to buy a larger screen, and make sure you can parts before you buy. I've been very happy. I am not a pro. I used to calibrate my screen etc, but the prints I get from my Epson are close enough to what I see on my screen. This is all for about $1200.
I use a Macbook Pro 13" with sd card slot ear... (show quote)


$1,200. Or $200 over the OP's budget for a four year old machine. There are refurbished one year old Windows Laptops with twice the RAM, SD slots (standard on non-Apple machines), 6 core processors, 1T AND an SSD all in the OP's budget of under $1,000.

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Jan 16, 2020 19:40:06   #
ginsnews
 
Understood. I use both Mac and Windows... My four year old MAC runs consistently better than the newer windows machines. So... I was just saying one doesn't have to buy a new machine to get a good, reliable system. I have learned the hardware specs are worth looking at, but only work as well as the operating system that manages them.

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Jan 19, 2020 20:43:08   #
seagull5
 
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/tech-support-showdown
This may interest you. Apple comes in number one. Nice computer but too pricey for me. Lenovo and MSI dead last. I use a Y900 Lenovo desktop really decked out for gaming. Its beautifully made and darn fast. Does 4k video with ease... not a sputter. So far the tech support was on the money in its troubleshooting but for them to just replace the mechanical keyboard (razer black widow) took 6 weeks. They do not make that model anymore but the parts are high end ( Nvidia 1080 graphic card} 3 slots for hard drives.

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