Need a new computer for photo editing, got a recommendation?
Discussion
I'm looking to replace my Dell XPS 17, it's been great when working but problem after problem has meant it's been out of action more often than not so after a written complaint, Dell have agreed to a full refund.
So now i'm looking for something well spec'd (XPS was i7, 1Tb, 8Gb RAM), and well built (which the XPS wasn't!).
I have considered a Mac, the 27" iMac looks awesome, but i would wait a few months for the next generation if i was to go that route, in the hope that they add a Blu-Ray drive.
So what do you recommend? Budget is up to £1000 for a Windows laptop (obviously expect to pay more for the iMac if i go that route), emphasis on build quality and reliability.
What are you all using?
So now i'm looking for something well spec'd (XPS was i7, 1Tb, 8Gb RAM), and well built (which the XPS wasn't!).
I have considered a Mac, the 27" iMac looks awesome, but i would wait a few months for the next generation if i was to go that route, in the hope that they add a Blu-Ray drive.
So what do you recommend? Budget is up to £1000 for a Windows laptop (obviously expect to pay more for the iMac if i go that route), emphasis on build quality and reliability.
What are you all using?
I use a Dell XPS - complete crap - crashes weekly, had rebuilt twice. Will happily kill.
an iMac 27" - superb
a Mac G5 with two cinema displays - 4 years perfect service
A Sony PC Vista laptop - bearable, but slow
An IPad - fautless
and a PC made of the best bits available in 2011 - which is ok... just. Most of it works. (Mainly because I insisted on XP not Vista or 7 - spit)
I've used both platforms as a day job since 1984 (I need both for my work). If you have to choose one, PLEASE go Mac. They are SO, SO, SO much better. (But so much more money, of course - a bit like the 911 is more expensive than the Nissan Satsuma)
IMHO of course
an iMac 27" - superb
a Mac G5 with two cinema displays - 4 years perfect service
A Sony PC Vista laptop - bearable, but slow
An IPad - fautless
and a PC made of the best bits available in 2011 - which is ok... just. Most of it works. (Mainly because I insisted on XP not Vista or 7 - spit)
I've used both platforms as a day job since 1984 (I need both for my work). If you have to choose one, PLEASE go Mac. They are SO, SO, SO much better. (But so much more money, of course - a bit like the 911 is more expensive than the Nissan Satsuma)
IMHO of course
Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 11th December 17:44
I don't have any problems with my 6 year old intel dual core PC. Yes I bought Windows 7 and extra RAM earlier this year but that's it. Otherwise it's just a normal PC, 3ghz processor(s), 8GB ram, 1GB graphics card.
I use it for photo and video editing using Adobe Photoshop, After Effects and Premier Pro. It doesn't struggle even when I have all three programs open, media player running, 4/5 internet windows and windows home server launch pad.
I bought mine from Novatech and they offer excellent customer service.
I use it for photo and video editing using Adobe Photoshop, After Effects and Premier Pro. It doesn't struggle even when I have all three programs open, media player running, 4/5 internet windows and windows home server launch pad.
I bought mine from Novatech and they offer excellent customer service.
GetCarter said:
I use a Dell XPS - complete crap - crashes weekly, had rebuilt twice. Will happily kill.
an iMac 27" - superb
a Mac G5 with two cinema displays - 4 years perfect service
A Sony PC Vista laptop - bearable, but slow
An IPad - fautless
and a PC made of the best bits available in 2011 - which is ok... just. Most of it works. (Mainly because I insisted on XP not Vista or 7 - spit)
I've used both platforms as a day job since 1984 (I need both for my work). If you have to choose one, PLEASE go Mac. They are SO, SO, SO much better. (But so much more money, of course - a bit like the 911 is more expensive than the Nissan Satsuma)
IMHO of course
Another disappointed XPS owner! From what the tech support agents and on-site engineers kept telling me i thought i was the only one! So glad i bought the enhanced warranty.an iMac 27" - superb
a Mac G5 with two cinema displays - 4 years perfect service
A Sony PC Vista laptop - bearable, but slow
An IPad - fautless
and a PC made of the best bits available in 2011 - which is ok... just. Most of it works. (Mainly because I insisted on XP not Vista or 7 - spit)
I've used both platforms as a day job since 1984 (I need both for my work). If you have to choose one, PLEASE go Mac. They are SO, SO, SO much better. (But so much more money, of course - a bit like the 911 is more expensive than the Nissan Satsuma)
IMHO of course
Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 11th December 17:44
Was a Widoze guy for ever.
Desktops: Built a few myself, that were quite good, then got a cheap/value for money one a few years back and at about the same time went to a Dell Vostro Lapdog. The Dell has had to be rebuilt once in four years (HD failed) and soon became as slow as a slow thing on a slow-boat to nowhere. It wasn't bad, and now has a new lease of life, but I don't give it anything too taxing.
Now upgraded to Macbook Pro - a 15" (1680 x 1050) and 8Gb - using SSD and firewire to external portable drives (WD Passport thingy is latest, though would consider a thunderbolt when they come widely available).
Lightroom sings along these days compared to the Dell, the screen is a pleasure to view and generally the build of an Apple is commensurate with the price tag - solid billet of Alooominum as they say.
Best move I made.
Desktops: Built a few myself, that were quite good, then got a cheap/value for money one a few years back and at about the same time went to a Dell Vostro Lapdog. The Dell has had to be rebuilt once in four years (HD failed) and soon became as slow as a slow thing on a slow-boat to nowhere. It wasn't bad, and now has a new lease of life, but I don't give it anything too taxing.
Now upgraded to Macbook Pro - a 15" (1680 x 1050) and 8Gb - using SSD and firewire to external portable drives (WD Passport thingy is latest, though would consider a thunderbolt when they come widely available).
Lightroom sings along these days compared to the Dell, the screen is a pleasure to view and generally the build of an Apple is commensurate with the price tag - solid billet of Alooominum as they say.
Best move I made.
KevSeymour said:
GFWilliams said:
13" Macbook pro does the job for me. Running a bit slow now though as I run so much on it.
13", really? What resolution does it go upto? I'd have thought it a bit small for photo editing?not enough really, but does the job. Only cost me £860 IIRC with a student discout last year.
I don't have a problem photo editing with it. In fact, I've spent 40 hours in photoshop so far this month, so that shows how much editing I do at the moment
Another Mac vote here. I'm using a 21.5" imac, a 13" macbook and an ipad 2 (yes I am an Apple w
e!). The imac is just fantastic. I do sometimes wish I'd gone for the 27" version but at the time it was nearly £500 more spec for spec and on a limited budget I put the difference into massive amounts of ram and PS and Aperture software. Very, very pleased. Gave up on PC's years ago.
e!). The imac is just fantastic. I do sometimes wish I'd gone for the 27" version but at the time it was nearly £500 more spec for spec and on a limited budget I put the difference into massive amounts of ram and PS and Aperture software. Very, very pleased. Gave up on PC's years ago.Just a heads-up: 16GB of fast PC memory from Crucial is now £70
If you have money to burn then by all means buy a Mac. If you only have half the money, you can own a PC that is just as reliable and just as fast. If you possibly can, go for a desktop. They inherently have fewer compromises than laptops. Photo editing on a good 24in+ screen is a totally different prospect to using a laptop.
If you have money to burn then by all means buy a Mac. If you only have half the money, you can own a PC that is just as reliable and just as fast. If you possibly can, go for a desktop. They inherently have fewer compromises than laptops. Photo editing on a good 24in+ screen is a totally different prospect to using a laptop.
Zad said:
Just a heads-up: 16GB of fast PC memory from Crucial is now £70
If you have money to burn then by all means buy a Mac. If you only have half the money, you can own a PC that is just as reliable and just as fast. If you possibly can, go for a desktop. They inherently have fewer compromises than laptops. Photo editing on a good 24in+ screen is a totally different prospect to using a laptop.
You can run a laptop into a screen though. I regularly put my mbp into a 42" TV for filmsIf you have money to burn then by all means buy a Mac. If you only have half the money, you can own a PC that is just as reliable and just as fast. If you possibly can, go for a desktop. They inherently have fewer compromises than laptops. Photo editing on a good 24in+ screen is a totally different prospect to using a laptop.
but pity spec not as good as the iMacs.14-7 said:
I don't have any problems with my 6 year old intel dual core PC. Yes I bought Windows 7 and extra RAM earlier this year but that's it. Otherwise it's just a normal PC, 3ghz processor(s), 8GB ram, 1GB graphics card.
I use it for photo and video editing using Adobe Photoshop, After Effects and Premier Pro. It doesn't struggle even when I have all three programs open, media player running, 4/5 internet windows and windows home server launch pad.
I bought mine from Novatech and they offer excellent customer service.
I've used Novatech of late, and they are great value.I use it for photo and video editing using Adobe Photoshop, After Effects and Premier Pro. It doesn't struggle even when I have all three programs open, media player running, 4/5 internet windows and windows home server launch pad.
I bought mine from Novatech and they offer excellent customer service.
Otherwise in the past I've used CCL
Having done both the MacBook and iMac thing, my preference is MacBook, plus (good quality) external screen, the screen on the iMac is great for editing, but I get fed up moving thing between Lightroom catalogues when I need to do work on the road.
I'd rather take the performance hit of using a laptop all the time.
I'd rather take the performance hit of using a laptop all the time.
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