Laptop for editing Photos: Any recommendations for a laptop to buy to use for editing photos on?

BJS Loc: Co

Any recommendations for a laptop to buy to use for editing photos on?

BermBuster Loc: Hi Desert S.Cal

I use a MacBook Pro ... Photoshop is a resource hog, ...so my two cents, for any laptop.... get the fastest processor, and the most ram you can afford, then a SSD hard drive, and the best video card to can get.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Most any current mid-level or higher laptop should be fine. I agree about the amount of RAM being as high as you can get it. I would also look for an HDMI port to make sure you can connect the laptop to a big screen if needed. The video cards are all pretty good now, just make sure the laptop you select has a discrete video card with its own RAM, not pilfering on the main system RAM.

My 4 year old laptop has an 8-CPU i7 proc, 32GB of RAM, 2 SSDs and one HDD and a discrete video card with its own 3GB of RAM and HDMI output that drives my 55 inch 4K display and another 2K display on the side along with the laptop's 2k panel.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

BJS wrote:

Any recommendations for a laptop to buy to use for editing photos on?

My main machine right now is a 17" HP I5 6 Gigs 750 HD , not sure about the graphics, it's old and I'm considering replacing with the newer version, works fine for me, now I run PSP, Canon DPP, and several other processing programs on occasion, no problems, I don't do ADOBE! never had a need, I can get a customized 17" direct from HP in the $800-$1000 range, HP will customize many of their offerings to your specs. Bob.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

A Vaio Canvas X. Designed for photographers and artists so you can operate it. Like a standard laptop or similar to a Wacom Cintiq.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

BJS wrote:

Any recommendations for a laptop to buy to use for editing photos on?

My suggestion is what I have experience with and use. Do not know your budget.RAM is important and ssd hard drive does speed things up. If you want a 15 inch:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1151713-REG/apple_mjlq2ll_a_15_4_macbook_pro_notebook.html

or for a 13 inch great for travel as well.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/MacBook-MacBook-Pro/ci/13223/N/4110474291+4294948825/pn/2

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

The big question is how much money do you want to spend? You can by a fast, current generation Windows or MacBook which will be quick but at a price of $1k to $2k. Recently I've chosen to purchase a one or two generation old laptop with an i7 processor and dedicated graphics card, then increase the RAM and install an SSD. I end up with a pretty quick system for roughly $400 to $500.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Mbp 15" SSD drive and max the ram.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BJS wrote:

Any recommendations for a laptop to buy to use for editing photos on?

Lots of good choices. 16GB of memory is fine, and so is a Core i3 processor.

http://www.popsci.com/choose-right-laptop-for-you
https://www.photoworkout.com/best-laptop-photo-editing/
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/167185-best-laptops-for-photo-editing
https://sleeklens.com/top-ten-laptops-for-photo-editing/
http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-laptops-for-image-editing-2016-1329234

Lower cost -
http://www.popsci.com/choose-right-laptop-for-you
https://www.cnet.com/topics/laptops/best-laptops/budget-laptops/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3097473/computers/best-budget-laptops-we-rate-the-best-selling-portables-on-amazon-and-best-buy.html
http://www.consumerreports.org/laptops/laptops-for-every-budget/
https://www.lifewire.com/best-laptops-under-500-4043278

RAM -
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-much-ram-does-your-p
c-need-probably-less-than-you-think/
http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-much-ram-does-your-pc-need/

Processor -
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/core-i5-vs-i7
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/210703-intel-core-i5-vs-core-i7-which-processor-should-you-buy

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

BermBuster wrote:

I use a MacBook Pro ... Photoshop is a resource hog, ...so my two cents, for any laptop.... get the fastest processor, and the most ram you can afford, then a SSD hard drive, and the best video
card to can get.

"most ram you can afford" should read "most Ram your motherboard can handle"

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Here are recommendations by Photo Workout. I have an ASUS I configured to mimic my desktop. I use it for travel. I run PSCC, LRCC, PSE 10 & 11, GIMP and a few other PP software programs.
https://www.photoworkout.com/best-laptop-photo-editing/
I'm sure you will find one that is perfect for your needs.
Mark

BJS wrote:

Any recommendations for a laptop to buy to use for editing photos on?

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Pegasus wrote:

Most any current mid-level or higher laptop should... (show quote)

Pretty much what Pegasus said (That's why he flies so high) My Dell has 8gb, a 500gb ssd and an I7 chip. It was not chosen or designed for post processing so only a 13.1 inch screen. (I write and maintain several websites.) But I did use it with PS until I discovered Affinity Photo. I also use it to do minor video editing.

I stay away from Macs. They are overpriced and under power. And, of course, Apples do attract worms.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

Reinaldokool wrote:

Pretty much what Pegasus said (That's why he flies so high) My Dell has 8gb, a 500gb ssd and an I7 chip. It was not chosen or designed for post processing so only a 13.1 inch screen. (I write and maintain several websites.) But I did use it with PS until I discovered Affinity Photo. I also use it to do minor video editing.

I stay away from Macs. They are overpriced and under power. And, of course, Apples do attract worms.

Any computer can be easily configured for photo editing, that is not the issue. The issue is the Operating System used to run the computer. One creates a toxic environment, one does not..... 😎

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Reinaldokool wrote:

And, of course, Apples do attract worms.

Think of it as extra protein...it's better than viruses, spyware, and whatever else a PC will bring.

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

BermBuster wrote:

I use a MacBook Pro ... Photoshop is a resource hog, ...so my two cents, for any laptop.... get the fastest processor, and the most ram you can afford, then a SSD hard drive, and the best video card to can get.

I know it will probably start a war of insults but a good Windows machine will be more compatible with peripherals/software, faster and far less expensive than an Apple machine. Processing speeds are also better with Windows 10 on comparably priced laptops. Apple products are made to integrate mainly with other Apple devices so they can charge 3 times more for the same or less functionality.