I just registered with UKNP and this is my first post, I've been checking the site for a little while (nice work!) and decided to get more involved. Sorry not to put up a photo this time - my PC is problematic just now and actually that's why I am asking for some advice. I am replacing my desktop as its old, rickety and just too slow for my needs now for photoshop work, RAW processing etc (AMD Athlon 900Mhz Zzzzzz).
I like the idea of getting a laptop but this would then be my main computer (ie desktop replacement). I'd really like to hear opinions on whether that's a good idea. I can't afford both a laptop and desktop and like the idea of portability. Does anyone out there use a laptop as their main computer? Most of my heavy usage would be photoshop and probably a bit of video editing in future.
For most photoshop work, I would hook the laptop up to my existing CRT monitor. For storage I would use external drives via USB 2.0.
The main specs I'm currently looking at is:
2GHz or 2.13Ghz Core2Duo processor
2Gb Ram
256MB Graphics
100 Gb 7200rpm internal hard drive (assuming advantageous to 5400rpm)
4 USB ports, 1 firewire port
Probably 15" screen for portability, poss. 17 inch (also does anyone have opinions on glossy vs antiglare - assuming antiglare preferable).
Budget: upto £1300 ish
Of course I could post on an IT forum but I'd really like opinions from fellow nature photographers/photoshop users and especially anyone using a laptop for most/all their work. If the latter, do you miss your desktop and how's reliability? Anything in particular to look out for?
thanks so much
Mike
Posted by szekiat chan on March 17, 2007 at 12:57 PM
i'm not sure what they run for here but you could probably pick up a used mac book pro for that money. I personally feel they represent the pinacle of graphics processing on the move. the macs also allow you to get away with a slower processor as they seem to be more well trimmed. I'm sure a good PC based one can do as well but i have my reservations with XP and vista is still a new toy out there.
Personally, I use a powerbook g4 15" with a 1ghz processor and 2gb of ram to do most of my raw processing and video rendering. Its not that good for HD work (really crawls) but considering its over 3yrs old technology, i don't really have any complains. For external hdd, i'd get firewire ones as they allow you to daisy chain which speeds up when u're transferring from drive to drive. USB ports are not an issue really as u can just get a cheap hub. The macs also have brilliant screens when used properly. The top end dells and sony's probably compare well but they also cost a hell lot more.
The main issue for me when using a lappy is that it matters what angle your screen is flipped open at. ie: if u look at it from 90deg, it looks different from at 45 deg or 120deg. U can avoid that by using an external monitor but that negates the ability to work on the move (i like working in starbucks)
Thanks for the reply Szekiat. Starbucks would make a very good hide - no chance of falling asleep waiting for your subject with that many coffee beans on tap!
I did have the use of a powerbook g5 for a few months for video editing but it didn't have photoshop installed and wasn't mine to take home so I couldn't test that. I agree they are really nice machines and they certainly make narrowing down the model to buy easy - sooooo many choices for PC's. However all my software is PC and (shock horror), somehow mac operating system doesn't quite suit me as well as windows (I know, I know).
Anyway, I don't want to turn my post into macs vs pc's as that's not important. Its more a question on the practialities of using a laptop for all photoshop processing. Good to hear it seems to be working for you, thanks
Laptops are designed to be portable. This portability does hamper performance signifigantly.
I use a 17" Macbook Pro with an Intel duo core processer. It is superb for what I do with it, but when it comes to crunching through hundreds of RAW shots it is left standing by my desktop Mac....an iMac 24", running the same processer and same RAM. If you intend shooting lots of RAW files then stick with a desktop. If portability is a must then go for the laptop but beware that they are not designed to compete with desktops of the same price Even top end laptop screens (and I include the Macbook Pros here) are poor relations to what I would use for serious photo editing, fine for getting an idea of composition and what to crop or not. I use mine to transfer files to pic desks, but if I didn't have to do this I would opt for a couple of storage devices to save my field stuff to, much cheaper and easier to carry around.
welcome to the forums BTW
Posted by szekiat chan on March 17, 2007 at 6:30 PM
mike, i know what u mean. I use a lot of windows devices myself, with a my pocket PC often running my life for me so i share your issues. The thing is the new macs allow you to boot windows as well so u can keep using a lot those proprietary software even when u get a mac. As for ease of use, well like all things new, its like switching from nikon to canon, give it enough time we will all adapt and in 5 yrs time, wonder what the big fuss was about... my 2c worth anyway...
Thanks both for your input. I really enjoyed the forest pics on your website John - cracking stuff. And the ghostly barn owl too. Everyone's situation is different so I know its just a case of finding the option that least compromises my workflow. Assuming no laptop, something I've been thinking about is this:
I currently use an Epson P-2000 as portable storage. However I'd like to do back ups on long shoots to a second device. Is there one that I can connect to the Epson which will then navigate the folders in the Epson and copy the relevant material to its own drive as a back up? I'd like to do this at the end of each day's shooting. Otherwise for two backups it would have to be a case of copying each memory card twice before erasing which potentially gets in the way of shooting. Does anyone know of any portable storage devices you can link together that will read each other? Sadly, I don't think my epson has any facility for dumping TO a plugged in drive - only copying FROM a drive
Thanks Tom (and Paul), that's a great tip to remember, especially when all else is unavailable and with memory card prices tumbling. Its a function I overlooked on my Epson and just tried it out - it works.
Thought I would pipe in here as I have just purchased a new portable comp for photoshop work...
For a number of reasons I neede something that was portable and spent some time looking at what was available (still with win XP) I looked at the MAC option but at the end of the day I am used to windows and all my apps are windows, with some of the more specialized being windows only..
I settled for a Toshiba Satellite Pro, dual core, 4 gig ram, 128meg graphics (suffice for PS and for running an external monitor, 120gig drive and all the ports you mentioned. with a 17 inch screen running at 1440 x 900. the screen has calibrated and profiled as well as my Lacie here... best of all I picked it up for just over £700 as end of range, (the new models have the same spec but ship with Vista which at the moment should be avoided).
The resolution is the same as the monitor I use at work and I can honestly say that for my personal work I do not miss a desktop, as for glossy v matt screens, matt is preferable however I have no problems at all with the 'glossy' screen of the Toshiba.
Thanks to everyone who replied to this post
I feel like a wimbledon tennis ball after bouncing this way and that in the laptop-desktop debate. I've just ordered a desktop. That way I definitely get the power and storage/backup flexibility and if I find later I'm still missing a laptop, I can get look at getting one that's not so high spec and much cheaper as the bulk of my work will be covered by the desktop. I'll try the backing up to flashcard trick in the field.
Phew!!! Always a relief when these decisions are finally made isn't it
Now I might actually have some time to go and shoot something instead of spending time wondering how to process and store all those pictures I haven't been shooting! Oh for a simple life collecting wood on a beach........
Cheers
Discussion
9 repliesI just registered with UKNP and this is my first post, I've been checking the site for a little while (nice work!) and decided to get more involved. Sorry not to put up a photo this time - my PC is problematic just now and actually that's why I am asking for some advice. I am replacing my desktop as its old, rickety and just too slow for my needs now for photoshop work, RAW processing etc (AMD Athlon 900Mhz Zzzzzz).
I like the idea of getting a laptop but this would then be my main computer (ie desktop replacement). I'd really like to hear opinions on whether that's a good idea. I can't afford both a laptop and desktop and like the idea of portability. Does anyone out there use a laptop as their main computer? Most of my heavy usage would be photoshop and probably a bit of video editing in future.
For most photoshop work, I would hook the laptop up to my existing CRT monitor. For storage I would use external drives via USB 2.0.
The main specs I'm currently looking at is:
2GHz or 2.13Ghz Core2Duo processor
2Gb Ram
256MB Graphics
100 Gb 7200rpm internal hard drive (assuming advantageous to 5400rpm)
4 USB ports, 1 firewire port
Probably 15" screen for portability, poss. 17 inch (also does anyone have opinions on glossy vs antiglare - assuming antiglare preferable).
Budget: upto £1300 ish
Of course I could post on an IT forum but I'd really like opinions from fellow nature photographers/photoshop users and especially anyone using a laptop for most/all their work. If the latter, do you miss your desktop and how's reliability? Anything in particular to look out for?
thanks so much
Mike
Personally, I use a powerbook g4 15" with a 1ghz processor and 2gb of ram to do most of my raw processing and video rendering. Its not that good for HD work (really crawls) but considering its over 3yrs old technology, i don't really have any complains. For external hdd, i'd get firewire ones as they allow you to daisy chain which speeds up when u're transferring from drive to drive. USB ports are not an issue really as u can just get a cheap hub. The macs also have brilliant screens when used properly. The top end dells and sony's probably compare well but they also cost a hell lot more.
The main issue for me when using a lappy is that it matters what angle your screen is flipped open at. ie: if u look at it from 90deg, it looks different from at 45 deg or 120deg. U can avoid that by using an external monitor but that negates the ability to work on the move (i like working in starbucks)
I did have the use of a powerbook g5 for a few months for video editing but it didn't have photoshop installed and wasn't mine to take home so I couldn't test that. I agree they are really nice machines and they certainly make narrowing down the model to buy easy - sooooo many choices for PC's. However all my software is PC and (shock horror), somehow mac operating system doesn't quite suit me as well as windows
Anyway, I don't want to turn my post into macs vs pc's as that's not important. Its more a question on the practialities of using a laptop for all photoshop processing. Good to hear it seems to be working for you, thanks
Mike
I use a 17" Macbook Pro with an Intel duo core processer. It is superb for what I do with it, but when it comes to crunching through hundreds of RAW shots it is left standing by my desktop Mac....an iMac 24", running the same processer and same RAM. If you intend shooting lots of RAW files then stick with a desktop. If portability is a must then go for the laptop but beware that they are not designed to compete with desktops of the same price Even top end laptop screens (and I include the Macbook Pros here) are poor relations to what I would use for serious photo editing, fine for getting an idea of composition and what to crop or not. I use mine to transfer files to pic desks, but if I didn't have to do this I would opt for a couple of storage devices to save my field stuff to, much cheaper and easier to carry around.
welcome to the forums BTW
I currently use an Epson P-2000 as portable storage. However I'd like to do back ups on long shoots to a second device. Is there one that I can connect to the Epson which will then navigate the folders in the Epson and copy the relevant material to its own drive as a back up? I'd like to do this at the end of each day's shooting. Otherwise for two backups it would have to be a case of copying each memory card twice before erasing which potentially gets in the way of shooting. Does anyone know of any portable storage devices you can link together that will read each other? Sadly, I don't think my epson has any facility for dumping TO a plugged in drive - only copying FROM a drive
A tip from Paul Hobson during the UKNP conference was to pick you best images and copy them back to a Compact Flash card solely for that purpose.
If that doesn't work you can connect the GigaVue Pro Evolution to a secondary device that is USB as the GVProEvo can act as a USB host.
Thought I would pipe in here as I have just purchased a new portable comp for photoshop work...
For a number of reasons I neede something that was portable and spent some time looking at what was available (still with win XP) I looked at the MAC option but at the end of the day I am used to windows and all my apps are windows, with some of the more specialized being windows only..
I settled for a Toshiba Satellite Pro, dual core, 4 gig ram, 128meg graphics (suffice for PS and for running an external monitor, 120gig drive and all the ports you mentioned. with a 17 inch screen running at 1440 x 900. the screen has calibrated and profiled as well as my Lacie here... best of all I picked it up for just over £700 as end of range, (the new models have the same spec but ship with Vista which at the moment should be avoided).
The resolution is the same as the monitor I use at work and I can honestly say that for my personal work I do not miss a desktop, as for glossy v matt screens, matt is preferable however I have no problems at all with the 'glossy' screen of the Toshiba.
All the best
Phil
I feel like a wimbledon tennis ball after bouncing this way and that in the laptop-desktop debate. I've just ordered a desktop. That way I definitely get the power and storage/backup flexibility and if I find later I'm still missing a laptop, I can get look at getting one that's not so high spec and much cheaper as the bulk of my work will be covered by the desktop. I'll try the backing up to flashcard trick in the field.
Phew!!! Always a relief when these decisions are finally made isn't it
Now I might actually have some time to go and shoot something instead of spending time wondering how to process and store all those pictures I haven't been shooting! Oh for a simple life collecting wood on a beach........
Cheers