Wow, people can spend a lot of money on systems.
I use Tiger and Egghead.
I purchase refurbished laptops.
I then add memory and swap out the hard drive if necessary.
I do this because I get a great system for a lot less to do what a $1,000 dollar system will do.
Technology is at a constant change and systems that I've purchased are still running from 2014.
Good luck.
I think most of your are missing the point. He needs something light enough to carry most places, but still powerful enough to do what needs doing. I suggest a Surface Pro. One can be configured with a large, solid state HD, lots of RAM, and a great processor. Though merely 12" screen, it's very high resolution, powerful, and easy to use. Does everything a traditional computer does. I have even put mine in a docking station, and use a monitor and keyboard, for my desk top application. It's a go anywhere, do everything tool, at a decent price. There are some deals on used and refurbished ones, too. Just saying...
Edia
Loc: Central New Jersey
Laptops with big screens are heavy and not too portable. I use a Dell Insperon 13 for PP when I am traveling. It fits in my camera bag and weighs only 3.5 lbs. When I am home, I use a full sized desktop computer with a 24" monitor ( I am looking to buy a 27" or larger monitor). I find that PP with the 13.3" screen is not as accurate as with the larger monitor, so I do my preliminary PP with the Dell and finalize the PP at home. Both computers have all my PP software installed and both run them well. Just one additional thought; Laptops and 2in1s like my Dell have limited internal memory. Transferring raw files from your camera to your computer will fill that internal memory quickly. My Dell has 3 USB 3 ports and I plug in a portable external drive to store the raw files and the PP files. Costco sells a 256G flash drive for under $50. It weighs nothing and takes up little space in my camera bag.
PhotoKurtz wrote:
Two years ago my laptop died. Was 5 years old. I picked up a cheap HP (15") from BBuy (under $300) and later added a 250GB SSD. Flawless. I keep all my files in external HD's. Here at home I view on a 24" Samsung monitor.
My all in one is an HP, 24" quite happy with it. Lap top I replaced was a 17" HP, about 7 years old.
You have already received many good suggestions!! I feel TRIX hit the topic perfectly.
Mark
tcthome wrote:
dell xps or allienware models. at least 16 gb ram & 2gb dedicated video card.
Happy with my $2700 Macbook pro. My last one was a 2007, and still works but only has 4gb ram and won't run most recent operating system. I have always had good luck with Macs. Even when I do have a problem, Apple fixes them quickly, and in some instances for free. I had a hard drive go on my Imac. Cost $190. But then they waived the cost, charged me nothing when I told them I have always been a repeat customer, having bought computers, iphones, ipads and accessories.
joeparker1 wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I would like to be under $1500 and want to stay with a PC since I have a lot of functional software I can reload on a new machine.
If the Alienware is too pricey, the next step down in the Dell XPS line. I use an XPS 13 for travel but do only initial culling using it; I do the PP on a desktop when I get home. You will want something larger than the 13" screen if it is your main machine for PP, so look at the 15" or 17" models. If you order directly from Dell, you have the ability to specify upgrades to the hardware.
I like my Dell Inspiron 2 in 1, i7 , 17.3 inch unit. Cost me $680, but I didn't get the individual (discrete) video card - versus the integrated one I got. The video card will cost about $100 more. It has a HD screen and it is touch as well, with 16 GB of DDR4 memory. It came with a 500 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive. For $300 you can get a 2 TB SSD or a M.2 1 TB SSD to $180. Really great screen and powerful Laptop. It comes with Windows 10 home.
joeparker1 wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I would like to be under $1500 and want to stay with a PC since I have a lot of functional software I can reload on a new machine.
Many people like Dell. For what it's worth, the great majority of professional
IT people I work with recommend HP laptops. I just bought one myself. >Alan
joeparker1 wrote:
It looks like I need to replace my laptop soon. Are any of you using a laptop for post processing and organizing your photos? If so, what is your configuration? Any specific recommendations?
Thanks
I just bought a Dell from Costco. They do have sales periodically and if you get their online ads you can keep an eye open for one that suits your needs. I got $250 off a one of the Dells that I wanted with an 8th gen Intel i7 1.8GHz processor, 16GB RAM, 4GB video, 512GB SSD, backlit keyboard and 4k touchscreen. It has room inside to add another hard drive too. Anyway, I suggest you get one that is as fast as possible because editing photos and video is pretty processor intensive and it needs RAM. Having a 4GB video will get your app working optimally. The SSD drive provides fast boot ups and fast access to images and fast saving of images. I got mine for a grand but this model usually sells for $1250.
I recently picked up an open box asus w 4k 15.6 screen i7 4 core processor 16gb ram 2 gig video card 500 gb ssd for under 1000 on amazon with no interest if paid within 12 months. It works great with LR and ps and the screen is amazing
Back when I was going to do the same thing I took my question to the group here also. I read over everything that was posted to me with great care. I got the ASUS gaming it was a little over what I did want to spend but today I can tell you it was well worth every extra $1. If you go to Best Buy like I did you can see it and use it and see what you think.
A lot depends on how deep into editing you plan to be, and the horsepower and screen size of the laptop. Here are some 100% free editors that do not require you to be online. There is even a free, legal, older Photoshop version.
http://www.sillycatvalley.com/6free.htm
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