The New Macbook
Discussion
Craikeybaby said:
How is the MacBook for photo editing?
All of my main editing is done using Lightroom CC on my iMac, but when I'm travelling I have been using my iPad with Lightroom Mobile for copying images from my camera and basic editing etc.
The tablet form factor isn't really working for me, a small portable laptop would work better, so I'm looking at either the new retina MacBook, or the 11" MacBook Air. I would spec up the Air to 256GB and 8GB RAM, so they are pretty much the same spec and similarly priced.
I see the benefits of the Air to be more ports and a more powerful processor, whereas the MacBook has the retina screen. Which would be a better bet for Lightroom and general computing?
Depends how deep the photographic rabbit hole goes. All of my main editing is done using Lightroom CC on my iMac, but when I'm travelling I have been using my iPad with Lightroom Mobile for copying images from my camera and basic editing etc.
The tablet form factor isn't really working for me, a small portable laptop would work better, so I'm looking at either the new retina MacBook, or the 11" MacBook Air. I would spec up the Air to 256GB and 8GB RAM, so they are pretty much the same spec and similarly priced.
I see the benefits of the Air to be more ports and a more powerful processor, whereas the MacBook has the retina screen. Which would be a better bet for Lightroom and general computing?
I shoot in RAW and have recently replaced my MacBook Pro 13" 2.66GHz 8Gb RAM Early 2010 with a MacBook Pro 15" 2.5GHz 16Gb Late 2015. Seeing as the MacBook specs are similar to the 2010 Pro i'd go as far as to assume that it will take anywhere between 1-3 minutes per 60Mb RAW file to open. The 2015 Pro opens the same files in 30 seconds.
Pro's have always been the workhorses for photographic and video work, and despite the increased form factor by a few inches, are surprisingly portable - My 2015 15" Pro is lighter than the 2010 13" Pro it replaces. If form factor (11-12") is a priority element, the Air (long in the tooth tech wise) or the MacBook (new and limited physical connectivity) are the only real choices. If you're willing to take a few extra inches and a few grams of weight, you will be better off with either a 13" Pro or 15" Pro.
I won't be using it for any serious editing - I have an iMac back at base for that. It would be for downloading cards, then uploading a few images of social media. The main editing etc would wait until I get back to my iMac.
Portability is key, so it really is between the Retina MacBook and the 11" MacBook Air. I think it comes down to screen quality vs connectivity.
Portability is key, so it really is between the Retina MacBook and the 11" MacBook Air. I think it comes down to screen quality vs connectivity.
Craikeybaby said:
I won't be using it for any serious editing - I have an iMac back at base for that. It would be for downloading cards, then uploading a few images of social media. The main editing etc would wait until I get back to my iMac.
Portability is key, so it really is between the Retina MacBook and the 11" MacBook Air. I think it comes down to screen quality vs connectivity.
I went from non retina to retina and the difference is night and day - i didn't think it would be, but it is. Furthermore, if you need more screen space, you can ramp it up.Portability is key, so it really is between the Retina MacBook and the 11" MacBook Air. I think it comes down to screen quality vs connectivity.
Retina is resolution doubling for quality - so the actual display looks no 'bigger' than a 1440 x 900, but i can set it to Apples 'More Space' setting and have it at 1920 x 1200.
In all honesty, i never actually have more than one device plugged into my MacBook at a time anyway - and the reason i got the 15" was because i don't have an iMac and wanted the extra oomph of the Radeon. i'd look at the MacBook over the Air - purely on retina alone.
Im going to give it another go. I purchased one previously but sold it as I could not get used to not having a USB port. I am venturing into Europe today and will be using it fairly extensively on my travels with no charger so lets see how long the battery really lasts and how useable it it....
Initially it is a lot lighter to carry round that the MBP Retina. I can see this thing being perfect for travels - quick emails, some browsing, excel and word and for holiday use as it really feels like an iPad with a proper keyboard. I hate facing around so have never got accustomed to having an iPad and bluetooth keyboard etc.
So far so good. Picks up Wifi instantly and the keyboard is pretty easy to type on. I think I still prefer the responsiveness of the MBP but this is by no means a poor keyboard at all, it simply takes a small amount of getting used to. I have 5/6 applications open at the same time, namely Word, Calander, Mail, Safari and iTunes. It can be slightly sluggish but again it is something I find tolerable as it is only a few seconds while it catches up with itself.
Initially it is a lot lighter to carry round that the MBP Retina. I can see this thing being perfect for travels - quick emails, some browsing, excel and word and for holiday use as it really feels like an iPad with a proper keyboard. I hate facing around so have never got accustomed to having an iPad and bluetooth keyboard etc.
So far so good. Picks up Wifi instantly and the keyboard is pretty easy to type on. I think I still prefer the responsiveness of the MBP but this is by no means a poor keyboard at all, it simply takes a small amount of getting used to. I have 5/6 applications open at the same time, namely Word, Calander, Mail, Safari and iTunes. It can be slightly sluggish but again it is something I find tolerable as it is only a few seconds while it catches up with itself.
Slightly O/T but I Just took delivery of a new MBP 15" with retina and all the options ticked inc 2.8Ghz quad core i7, 16Gb RAM and 1Tb of flash disk. Did get £200 off through work but it was eye-wateringly expensive and several times more than I've ever spent on a computer of any description. It is however AWESOME and I'm glad I did.
So I have been travelling and using the laptop on Wifi on and off whilst flying and its been on the in the background while at meetings without using it a huge amount and the battery is now on 55% at 11am, having been on 100% when I left home at 5am. ON that basis I do not believe the laptop is for a full days use without charger, something Apple claim to be the case... but otherwise for usage Im really getting used to the size and form factor. The charger is not massive to carry round but still an annoyance as I can imagine myself having to charge this by circa 5/6pm.
I've had the MacBook a few weeks now and I'm getting on well with it, other than a few wifi glitches that I've struggled to nail down.
What bags are people using when they take their MacBook out and about, its either too big for the iPad pockets in my smaller bags, or rattles around in laptop pockets designed for chunky 15" laptops.
What bags are people using when they take their MacBook out and about, its either too big for the iPad pockets in my smaller bags, or rattles around in laptop pockets designed for chunky 15" laptops.
Craikeybaby said:
I've had the MacBook a few weeks now and I'm getting on well with it, other than a few wifi glitches that I've struggled to nail down.
What bags are people using when they take their MacBook out and about, its either too big for the iPad pockets in my smaller bags, or rattles around in laptop pockets designed for chunky 15" laptops.
Try the Snugg range, I have one and am very pleased with it.What bags are people using when they take their MacBook out and about, its either too big for the iPad pockets in my smaller bags, or rattles around in laptop pockets designed for chunky 15" laptops.
tim0409 said:
I'm on holiday in Florida at the moment and picked up a MacBook in space grey but it's still sitting unopened...still not sure if I prefer silver or space grey (first world problem I know!)
I've sold my existing MacBook Air today so really need to make a decision; I have the new MacBook and a new 11" MBA (both unused) and need to keep one and sell the other. I'm terrible at making decisions!
(will advertise in classifieds)First day using my new Macbook and it really is brilliant; I've had MacBook Airs for years but the retina screen on the Macbook really is stunning and the keyboard, whilst taking a bit of getting used to is excellent. I don't really need a "fast" laptop so hopefully it will cope with day to day stuff. I've had to sign up for Office 365 as my old copy of Office wasn't optimised for the screen resolution and appeared blurry; I needed an excuse to upgrade anyway!
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