Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

What kind of help is this? Your son owns an older version of the Macbook Pro and "most that know the line would not touch one." Who are the "most that know the line?" Is this just local hearsay or have you been reading reviews? What is your source?

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

I have both, a 15" MacBookPro (MBP) and the 27" iMac. I do use my MBP whenever I travel. It does allow me to do post processing while on the road. But when I'm home I do enjoy the larger screen for processing. With my failing eyes the larger screen allows me to see more of the processing. The iMac also provides for more storage. Also since my MBP is almost 6 years old and the iMac is now only 2 months old the latter is so much faster.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I'm using a laptop with Win 7 Pro, but have a 27" Samsung monitor for easier and more critical viewing when doing PP.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I use a PC, but the principle is the same. If you can only buy one, you have to consider what would best suit your needs.

Desktop computers have all the capabilities of a laptop but much better all in one system. And the larger monitor is a must if you do extensive editing because it lets you see the details. And you will need backups - External HDs.

Laptops don't have as much memory, tend to be slower, and the monitors are smaller. For backups you will need MORE xHDs so that you are saving almost everything on them rather than on the laptop. When traveling, you don't have to take the xHDs with you, although a small one such as the WD Ultra Passport would be good if you are going to take a lot of pictures.

My own solution was to buy a good desktop set-up with a 27" monitor, and to buy an inexpensive laptop for travel. That laptop sits on my desk most of the time, but for multi-day trips it is great to have. Even if it is pretty slow, I can look at my images and also send some by email or post to Facebook while I am away. I have Adobe CC with LR & PS installed on both computers, which makes it easy to export pictures as small .jpg files.

In the end the decision is based on your needs and budget. You can spend a lot of money on one or the other, or on both if you can afford it... It was my personal choice to spend on the desktop because I do all my editing at home.

Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

This cheap & handy little gadget works well for making sure the angle of your laptop screen is in proper position for best editing
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/652830-REG/Acratech_6005S_Viewing_Angle_Gauge_Silver.html

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

What you said...

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

What who said?

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have both an iMac and a MacBook Pro and would not want to be without either. My MacBook is 3 years old, an i5 with 8gb memory and a 256GB SSD. It is running Sierra just fine. My iMac is 1 year old, also an i5 (I would buy an i7 if I did this over again) 32gb memory (bought with 8gb) and a 1TB hybrid. It is a 27" 5k Retina display. I wouldn't use anything else for serious editing, and only use the laptop for this when absolutely necessary. ALL of my photo storage, including the Lr Catalog, is on external devices, of which I have an impressive array. Best of luck.

texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH

I have both. My dual monitor PC sits on the desk in the other room and I am seldom on it because I do not like where it is located (no windows). The laptop I use always and everywhere. I have it at the kitchen table when home so I can watch all the critters in the back yard which makes me the happiest. My mac pro laptop is also 3 years old and runs everything well although it is very full and I need more space.... have lots of programs. The desktop is much older and needs replacing... do love those large monitors though.

CaltechNerd Loc: Whittier, CA, USA

Abo

Hmmm...

Your head is at a different height depending on how you are sitting at any particular time which of course effects ones viewing angle. Same
with chair height. The distance your head is from the display... depending on your position in
whatever chair one may be using will effect your viewing angle too. All that is apart from the change in viewing
angle if the laptop is in a different position on your desk or even possibly in your lap.

Soooo, the angle of your screen vis a vis; "measure from the top edge of the monitor to the front edge of the laptop yadda yadda yadda"
is an exercise in futility...

Unless you have a vise that you clamp your head in and your laptop is nailed to a desk... that is of course
a calibrated distance from your head vise.

.

Morning Star and assistant in preparation for a little post processing.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Is there anywhere else in the house where you could relocate the PC and its dual monitors? If not, try doing something to brighten up the room where it is. But I don't blame you for preferring windows - my 6' desk and computer with 27" monitor are in the living room, facing the big window, so I can look at the front yard and the woods on the other side of the driveway. My living room is not all that big, could probably benefit from more seating area, but we don't get that many visitors and I don't like to stash myself away!!!

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I have been taking a 17" laptop on my trips and download my pictures and GPS log data each day, reconciling the two data streams to put geographic coordinates in the EXIF of the photos. At that point, I have 2 repositories of my pictures--the laptop and the SD chip. When I get home, I transfer the geolocated photos to my desktop and do any adjusting with LR® on that machine before uploading them to Flickr®. My desktop uses a 27" monitor. My original desktop machine died last February and I was using my laptop as a temporary replacement (successfully) until it, too, died a couple of months ago. I now have a new desktop computer and will be wanting a new laptop for a tour in February 2017. (The 27" monitor worked fine with the laptop, BTW.)

Until a few years ago I was using JASC Paint Shop Pro® to adjust my photos, but discovered that it was removing the geographic information from the EXIF and there was no way to disable that. I changed to LR4® and on the new machine am using LRCC®.

whitewolfowner

I remember that episode. Kudos for the Adams family.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Same chair, same table, same back rest, same location of mouse.... every time!
For my comfort, the laptop is also always the same distance from the edge of the table and the table the same distance from my chair.
But if you don't like my method, this gadget will work for just under $15.00 :
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/650472-REG/Acratech_6005R_Viewing_Angle_Gauge_Red.html

Or you could use a large one like these:
http://www.staples.com/Staples-Black-Metal-Binder-Clips/product_SS271759
on the side of the monitor, and move the monitor till the ends of the "handles" line up.

Or if you're handy, you could even make something yourself with some wire, cardboard, popsicle sticks...