I was wondering if you could give me any laptop suggestions? The laptop that I was previously using had the screen die on it, and I do not currently have one to use.
I did look back through the recent posts, but did not see a thread on this specific subject.
Couple of things to say:
1. For me, my photography at this point is about convenience. I like to work on my photos while I sit on the couch at night with my wife. If I ever need to do major processing, I will use a desktop, but for now, I like a laptop.
2. My wife has a Dell Latitude D8xx (can't remember the exact model) and the screen is horrible for viewing and editing photos.
3. I prefer a PC but might consider a Mac. I just hate to pay the premium on a Mac.
4. I will use my laptop to connect to work over a VPN connection, so a bit bigger screen would be helpful.
I'd recommend a Macbook Pro. Your choice of 15" or 17" screen. The trade-off is acreage versus portability. I use one in the field and find it to be excellent. Get 4GB of RAM and at least a 500GB hard drive. If you'll be working where screen glare is a problem, spring for the anti-glare coating. CPU speed is not a huge deal.
You'll pay more for an Apple product up front, but, in my experience, you'll more than make it up over the life of the machine. No malware subscriptions, much higher reliability and lower maintenance.
There's a good VPN client built in. If you're connecting to a Cisco router, the Cisco Mac VPN client is excellent.
I just purchased a Dell Studio XPS 16. Got it configured with the Full Hi_Def WLED 1980-1020 screen. Comes with an i5 processor and a good mid range 1 gb discrete video card. Also, added 6 GB of RAM. Can do Cs4 with this baby and purchased for about $1350. Thought about the MAC but didn't want to pay the premium, especially with the Win 7 platform.
Jim: There are several co-workers with MACs, so I have thought about that, but I have not gotten into the exact pricing. Thanks for your thoughts.
Glenn: I looked at that one. A co-worker has one with the RGB LED Display and he likes it. He said that he spent extra for that display, but I can't see it available for the current XPS 16. Do you like the display that you got with yours?
Absolutely love it. I haven't calibrated it yet but don't expect a problem with the discrete video card. My laptop serves a specific purpose in that is mobile but powerful enough to run CS5. Since I shoot in RAW and travel a lot portability is an important factor. Also, getting away from the kids is also an added benefit! If I really want to get picky about a high quality display in the future I'll like get an Eizo and just hook it to the laptop as a second monitor.
One reason that photography is a great hobby for me is that I can pick it up and put it down within minutes if need be. I need a portable computer solution. I just do not see myself squirreling away in an office on a desktop to edit photos.
Couldn't agree more! Besides the wife and 2 daughters wouldn't let me get away with it anyway!
Glenn
Posted by Sue Eberhart on July 10, 2010 at 12:31 AM
I have never had anything except Macs and am am now enjoying a 15" macBook Pro. I take it everywhere and use Lightroom 3 and Elements 6 on it. Yeah for MACS!
Posted by Garry Revesz on July 10, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Hi Nathan,
I come from the IT world with more than 30 years experience with PCs. When I decided that my 40 year photography hobby was the real passion I wanted to pursue, I took a serious look at the best tools I would need to create the results I wanted and the MacBook Pro was a no brainer decision. It's built from a single piece of machined aluminum (which also acts as a heat sink so no need for noisy fans), everything just fits like a Lexus and feels like a precision tool in your hands. The screen is sharp and crisp and ideal for photo editing, and the Mac OS is built on the ever reliable UNIX platform. I don't want to go into a huge technical description, but everything just WORKS, and I no longer struggle with SPAM, viruses, worms and trojans.
I can't tell you how tired I got of repairing PCs for clients because the machines just don't have the same level of build quality. The only one that comes remotely close, in my opinion, is HP, but you still have to deal with software compatibility issues, outdated drivers, Windows crashes, SPAM, viruses, trojans ad nauseum, etc., etc. There is a lot of work and nurturing to keeping a PC humming. I know, I used to charge $150/hr to do it. I still have several PC notebooks I used to use but haven't touch them since I got the Mac.
With the Mac, I finally feel free to work, produce and not work about equipment issues; my anxiety level has dropped to a -10. I have only had my Mac for 6 months and I'm planning to replace my Windows server and workstations in the studio with an iMac and Mac Server.
I thought you might want to hear about an experienced PC user's Mac experience. Good luck with your decision.
P.S. This is not a paid Mac commercial (although I wish it were) javascript:%20x()
I'm way behind the power curve but also suggest going with a Mac. I much prefer the user interface to Windows, plus the stability and the security. I'm working at the moment on a 17" PowerBook G4 from around 2004 - same generation as my PowerMac G4 desktop. I use PS CS3 on both and only shoot raw.
You must be close enough to Salt Lake City to visit the Apple Store there and check out all the laptops. The Apple Store experience is worth the visit and they will be glad to help you in selection and transition. And they are always there to help (usually free) if you need them. Just don't go on a day when a new iPhone or iPad is released!
Posted by Lee Daniels on July 10, 2010 at 10:28 PM
I will be a PC advocate here. The HP laptops are superb. I would not hesitate to buy another. Ended up buying a bunch for the school system I worked for,given equal costs.
It is all software now and PC and MAC have the same software.
My qualifications? Helped build one of the first prototype PCs from scratch (soldering iron at the ready) in 1976, been online since 1982, build my own PCs until recently, Corporate Network Admin to DB Admin to IT Director. (really big deal places) Web design and development director since 1994, Marketing online and design and art direction since 1990. Teach advanced technology and media arts.
Work with both Mac and PC. Work in dual environments back and forth.
But...I work like you do now. Want to be on the couch/bed for a lot basic editing, browsing. On my desktop for major stuff. Swore I'd never do that until I worked with the HP laptops. The screens are wonderful.
And, Apple people, nothing against Macbooks and the kind. Great stuff. Worked with both. For 20+ years. Not worth the premium to me.
Thanks folks for all of the opinions. I sincerely appreciate them!
Now to find some cash!
Nathan
Posted by Rodney Ninow on July 25, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Here's a true story about Apple. My buddy got a Macbook Pro 2 1/2 years ago. They replaced the superdrive twice. They did other repairs (not sure what). Finally something else broke about 3 months ago. Apple said enough is enough and gave him a BRAND NEW Macbook Pro with TODAY's hardware! That's service!
Discussion
12 repliesI was wondering if you could give me any laptop suggestions? The laptop that I was previously using had the screen die on it, and I do not currently have one to use.
I did look back through the recent posts, but did not see a thread on this specific subject.
Couple of things to say:
1. For me, my photography at this point is about convenience. I like to work on my photos while I sit on the couch at night with my wife. If I ever need to do major processing, I will use a desktop, but for now, I like a laptop.
2. My wife has a Dell Latitude D8xx (can't remember the exact model) and the screen is horrible for viewing and editing photos.
3. I prefer a PC but might consider a Mac. I just hate to pay the premium on a Mac.
4. I will use my laptop to connect to work over a VPN connection, so a bit bigger screen would be helpful.
Any suggestions would be great!
Thanks.
Nathan
You'll pay more for an Apple product up front, but, in my experience, you'll more than make it up over the life of the machine. No malware subscriptions, much higher reliability and lower maintenance.
There's a good VPN client built in. If you're connecting to a Cisco router, the Cisco Mac VPN client is excellent.
I just purchased a Dell Studio XPS 16. Got it configured with the Full Hi_Def WLED 1980-1020 screen. Comes with an i5 processor and a good mid range 1 gb discrete video card. Also, added 6 GB of RAM. Can do Cs4 with this baby and purchased for about $1350. Thought about the MAC but didn't want to pay the premium, especially with the Win 7 platform.
Glenn
Jim: There are several co-workers with MACs, so I have thought about that, but I have not gotten into the exact pricing. Thanks for your thoughts.
Glenn: I looked at that one. A co-worker has one with the RGB LED Display and he likes it. He said that he spent extra for that display, but I can't see it available for the current XPS 16. Do you like the display that you got with yours?
Nathan
Absolutely love it. I haven't calibrated it yet but don't expect a problem with the discrete video card. My laptop serves a specific purpose in that is mobile but powerful enough to run CS5. Since I shoot in RAW and travel a lot portability is an important factor. Also, getting away from the kids is also an added benefit! If I really want to get picky about a high quality display in the future I'll like get an Eizo and just hook it to the laptop as a second monitor.
One reason that photography is a great hobby for me is that I can pick it up and put it down within minutes if need be. I need a portable computer solution. I just do not see myself squirreling away in an office on a desktop to edit photos.
Nathan
Couldn't agree more! Besides the wife and 2 daughters wouldn't let me get away with it anyway!
Glenn
I come from the IT world with more than 30 years experience with PCs. When I decided that my 40 year photography hobby was the real passion I wanted to pursue, I took a serious look at the best tools I would need to create the results I wanted and the MacBook Pro was a no brainer decision. It's built from a single piece of machined aluminum (which also acts as a heat sink so no need for noisy fans), everything just fits like a Lexus and feels like a precision tool in your hands. The screen is sharp and crisp and ideal for photo editing, and the Mac OS is built on the ever reliable UNIX platform. I don't want to go into a huge technical description, but everything just WORKS, and I no longer struggle with SPAM, viruses, worms and trojans.
I can't tell you how tired I got of repairing PCs for clients because the machines just don't have the same level of build quality. The only one that comes remotely close, in my opinion, is HP, but you still have to deal with software compatibility issues, outdated drivers, Windows crashes, SPAM, viruses, trojans ad nauseum, etc., etc. There is a lot of work and nurturing to keeping a PC humming. I know, I used to charge $150/hr to do it. I still have several PC notebooks I used to use but haven't touch them since I got the Mac.
With the Mac, I finally feel free to work, produce and not work about equipment issues; my anxiety level has dropped to a -10. I have only had my Mac for 6 months and I'm planning to replace my Windows server and workstations in the studio with an iMac and Mac Server.
I thought you might want to hear about an experienced PC user's Mac experience. Good luck with your decision.
P.S. This is not a paid Mac commercial (although I wish it were) javascript:%20x()
Garry
SceneInAction Photography
Toronto, Canada
You must be close enough to Salt Lake City to visit the Apple Store there and check out all the laptops. The Apple Store experience is worth the visit and they will be glad to help you in selection and transition. And they are always there to help (usually free) if you need them. Just don't go on a day when a new iPhone or iPad is released!
It is all software now and PC and MAC have the same software.
My qualifications? Helped build one of the first prototype PCs from scratch (soldering iron at the ready) in 1976, been online since 1982, build my own PCs until recently, Corporate Network Admin to DB Admin to IT Director. (really big deal places) Web design and development director since 1994, Marketing online and design and art direction since 1990. Teach advanced technology and media arts.
Work with both Mac and PC. Work in dual environments back and forth.
But...I work like you do now. Want to be on the couch/bed for a lot basic editing, browsing. On my desktop for major stuff. Swore I'd never do that until I worked with the HP laptops. The screens are wonderful.
And, Apple people, nothing against Macbooks and the kind. Great stuff. Worked with both. For 20+ years. Not worth the premium to me.
Now to find some cash!
Nathan