best laptop to use for serious photography - any ideas?

Question

Currently doing a n HNC in photography and looking to buy a laptop that would be used primarily for editing etc.

Answer 1

my boyfriend is a photographer and he swears by mac's

Answer 2

I work with Macs and Windows computers so depending on how much money you have will make the difference.



I guess when you mean editing you mean working on the in Adobe photoshop CS or something. Photoshop is a RAM hungry animal in the computer I built (desktop) it runs 3 gigs of ram but photoshop only sees 2 gigs and will take as much as you will give it to a point. If you have any plugs that you would also like to use you have to put that into consideration if not it will not let the plug in run because it wants the ram. Maybe when Photoshop CS3 comes out they solved the 2 gig limit.



Consider a 64 bit system since you just doubled your processing power.



Some of the soft ware that come with the DSLRs (Nikon Capture NX, Nikon View 6) will also help you run batch files and let you also work on the NEF files if using Nikon and these programs also want power and ram. With the Nikon Capture you can also shoot right into your laptop ( I assume Canon and some others have it also). But some of these manufactures might not support Macs.



Hope this helps,

Kevin

Answer 3

It depends on two things IMHO. First, do you already have investment in software, and if so, what platform is it for (Mac or PC). Second, what are you most comfortable with and are you willing to learn a new system?



If your answer is either Mac for the first one, or yes for the second, I would say that a Macbook Pro is your best bet, coupled with Lightroom & Photoshop CS3. I have had a Powerbook for 4 years and it's still going strong. They are built tough so you can take them on your shoot and not worry too much as well as the fact that most, if not all the time, they just work. To me it's like buying a Toyota or Honda versus something else. Sure, maybe there are more sexy options out there (well, not really but...) but in the end, you just want this thing to work well and keep working for a long time with a minimum of downtime and maintinenece, and that's what you get with a Mac laptop. I use both platforms for work and play and I still say the Mac is the way to go but I'm sure you will get other opinions.



Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Macbook Pro

Answer 5

use whatever you are comfortable with.

I think the single most important thing for image processing on any computer is the amount of RAM you have.

Make sure that's at least 512MB, maybe even more though I doubt you'd ever need more than 1GB unless you do 3D modeling as well.

Buy an used computer (e.g craigs list) as long as it is not ancient and either has enough RAM or you can put it in (though make sure you know what its max is if you do that) and with the money you saved buy photoshop if you don't already have it.

Answer 6

i could desire to be unsuitable approximately this, yet I belive that Photoshop replaced into orginally a Mac in common terms software. It replaced into no longer until eventually years later that it replaced into made attainable for living house windows. so as that form of paved the way for the Mac to get a carry interior the early years of digital photos. in my opinion, i exploit a Mac, yet i can't say it is in common terms as a results of a pair photographic reason. I in basic terms like the way the element in basic terms sits here and WORKS. No stupid crashes, or lockups, or errors bins, or warnings of "permitting" this or that. Virus issues are almost non-existent, regardless of the undeniable fact which you nevertheless decide to exercising subject-loose sense. while i purchase any application or hardware device it is made for the Mac, it takes little extra desirable than plugging it in and going on my way, no "wizards" or different acquire hassels and issues. ok... it is extremely not meant to be a Mac vs. computer debate. Oh... I even have used desktops for years until eventually now switching to the Mac. My spouse nevertheless makes use of computer, so i'm no longer able to forget all it is strange issues that human beings take with no attention as known for a working laptop or computing device. Get a Mac and notice how a working laptop or computing device is meant to artwork. steve

Answer 7

surly the college/ university has computers so why do you want to spend money on a lap top when you could buy a 3 gig stick and put your images on there and you have only spent 20 to 30 quid or is it the status of walking around with a lap top that attracts you get real. you can do your editing at college and print them else were, you can carry it everywhere around you're neck plug in unplug with out the hassle of walking around loosing misplacing a lap top.

Answer 8

I would recommend a powerful one. It doesn't matter on the computer apart from the power you really want to focus on the software.

Answer 9

There isn't "a best" laptop. It varies from person to person.

Answer 10

dell

Answer 11

apple and the pro's use it.