Head to head - in the field notebook

[Gidi Morris]

Hi,
I've reached a point where I'm need of a powerful notebook for doign the intial image selection & post production in the field.

I'm trying to figure out what the specifics should be for a laptop which will be able to run PS CS3 (and newer when applicable) + Lightroom + all daily uses of a laptop.

At the moment I'm trying to shoose between these two laptops:
1) HP Pavilion dv6790ej which cost me 6,900 NIS (about 2000$) and has the following specs:
Microprocessor 2.50 GHz Intel Core2 Duo processor T9300
Memory 4096 (2 x 2048 MB)
Hard Drive 250 GB (5400)
Screen ''15.4
(Many more details here: HP Specigfications (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?docname=c01367136&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN))

2) Apple Macbook Pro for 3,000$:
Microprocessor 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 2048 MB (can expand to 4GB later)
Hard Drive 200 GB (5400)
Screen ''15.4
(more Here (http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs.html))

Assuming I plan on getting an external ruggedized HD so the intial HD size isn't very important to me.

The thing is, the Macbook looks like a silly decision because the specs seem lower & is 1000$ more, but everyone keeps telling me that graphics work much smoother on Macs- so I'm asking.

Which of the two?
Thanks!

[Mark Vuleta]

Depends upon how much into the future your looking, I believe that the next version of Photoshop CS4?? is going to be Windows 64bit only. Who knows when this is going to be though:rolleyes:

[Gidi Morris]

Would a 64bit version of PS work on these laptops anyway?
Aren't these 32bit processors?

[Stephan.]

I think most current processors are capable of running a 64-bit OS. They have "64-bit extensions" anyway. The only thing you do need however is a 64-bit OS. Right now, it should't be too much of an advantage because CS3 is reported to have some problems on Vista 64 here and there. It is only certified for the 32-bit version. I don't think that CS4 will be an exclusive 64-bit version. There are too many computers that run the tried-and-trued XP.

[nadtz]

Trying to future proof technology (and especially computers) is a waste of time. Rather than buying the best and newest you do better buying a generation behind, saving lots of money and getting similar performance at a lesser price. For Photoshop (depending on exactly what you do) I would be more concerned with how much memory I could stuff into said laptop, and 64bit is almost no concern as most laptops don't do over 4gb of memory anyway.

[cfcRebel]

Gidi, does the HP allow RAM memory to be upgraded to 4Gb later? I won't choose it if it max out at 2Gb, especially if Vista is the platform.

[ELT_Photo]

You might look at a refurb Mac Book Pro - great bang for the buck - nadtz is right about futureproofing, the technology moves too fast.
Mac Book Pro is a great machine, mine got caught in a thunderstorm while open and running - had to pour water out of it - still works like a champ!
Plus, its a Mac.

[photographer unknown]

The Mac Book Pro is a great machine. I just purchased one with the same specs you listed for $2000. I had/have a windows machine but I love the Mac Book Pro.

[garbidz]

If you can afford a Mac, take it.
You will save a LOT of time avoiding the virus screen software going through everything you download or receive in email related messages. IF you want to run XP, you can either boot up your Mac as a winmachine or use a simulation software. I also have XP on my Mac and I've used it twice. A terribly frustrating experience as the machine kept asking whether I REALLY wanted to launch the software that I just had bought.

The Mac built quality is something you might want to pay for as well. Or the ease of which networking, file sharing etc work with no rocket science required from the user's side.

so, if you want to "just do it" get a Mac

If you feel like installing, upgrading, screening viruses and so forth, you can also do it on an Intel Mac. Once you recovered your senses you can boot it up as a Mac again.

But if you do not have the money and you have the time, why not Windows.
If syncing a cell phone is an issue, Mac can be a real PITA.

[medic-on-fire]

After working for years and years on Windows PC's, I finally took the plunge and made the switch to Mac about two years ago. I'm running a MacBook Pro 15.4", and I couldn't be happier. The graphics are greatly improved over any Window's machine I've ever worked on, and the OS is so much more intuitive (IMHO). I still have a couple XP machines that I use within my network, but to be honest, I actually don't like using them -- I always reach for my Mac first!

I'm sure that your intention in starting this thread was not to create another Windows vs. Mac "urinating" contest, but fwiw, I would purchase the $1K more expensive Mac lappy without a moment's hesitation.

You know what they say: Once you go Mac, you don't go back! ;)

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do...

[garbidz]

I am sorry this a aside of the subject but probably you have all heard about the theory according to which a big enough crowd of monkeys given enough computers and time would eventually come up with Shakespeare's complete works.

A field test proved the premise false. A monkey is not a random figure generator.
What happened that the monkeys kept pounding mostly the letters in the middle of the keyboard. TYUHJNBGHYUJYHGBVNHJHY does not spell "Midsummernight's Dream" no matter how one encodes or decodes it. After a while our cousins got bored about the game, urinated and defecated on the keyboards and smashed them against rocks and tree trunks.

It was the Medi-con-on-fire who got me started on this.
His fault!

Ok 3 beers, time to log out.

[darksparkz]

Well, you do know that you need a 64-bit OS to be able to take 4GB of ram, otherwise a 32-bit OS would only show 3.2GB.

Speeds are very similar in both computers, with the MBP having a 8600M with 512MB and the HP having a 8400M with 256MB video card.

The reason why the mac has less ram is beacuse the OS itself doesn't require that much to begin with. Windows Vista in general requires more ram, that's why they offer 3GB or 4GB configurations, while 2GB on the mac is plenty. I run plenty of photoshop and illustrator applications as well as architectural programs and with my 2GB on my MBP, it's fine.

On the Windows side, you'll have to worry about all the virus/spyware as well as the occasional blue screen or any other errors you may run into. In general the Mac is a faster computer if you compare programs thats running on both at the same time.

[Gidi Morris]

Gidi, does the HP allow RAM memory to be upgraded to 4Gb later? I won't choose it if it max out at 2Gb, especially if Vista is the platform.
It comes with 4GB :)

You might look at a refurb Mac Book Pro - great bang for the buck - nadtz is right about futureproofing, the technology moves too fast.
Mac Book Pro is a great machine, mine got caught in a thunderstorm while open and running - had to pour water out of it - still works like a champ!
Plus, its a Mac.
Nope, no refurb for me- only new. I have a fobia of refurbs.

The Mac Book Pro is a great machine. I just purchased one with the same specs you listed for $2000. I had/have a windows machine but I love the Mac Book Pro.

Not in Israel ;)
We have to pay a little more than you guys for this stuff.


I'm sure that your intention in starting this thread was not to create another Windows vs. Mac "urinating" contest, but fwiw, I would purchase the $1K more expensive Mac lappy without a moment's hesitation.
..

Not at all :)
I don't think those threads ever end well.

Just for you info guys - I am seriously leaning towards the Mac.

[garbidz]

About syncing a cellphone on the Mac...
There are companies who sell plug-ins that able iCal and Address book synchronization with iSync if the ones Mac itself comes with (quite a few) do not work with the latest of the latest. In which case you might have to resort to NovaMedia stuff http://www.novamedia.de/index_e.html

The only phone that absolutely ipponed me and my Mac was the SE m600i.
It also broke down 2 weeks after the guarantee expired. A beautiful phone that had been launched to be beta tested by end-users. Shameful!

So there goes another excuse to not to down the drain.
I am on the 4th year of my PBook G4. Getting a new battery.
An external HD for the Time Machine Backup...some of these things you really appreciate even if IT happens only once!

Back up. Time Machine which comes with the Leopard OS does it automatically if you want. SuperDuper I used to BU my startup disk. Then there is the ChronoSync which enables me to keep the two "Documents" folders on my 2 Macs synchronized.

It is funny how many things you learn when you dip a clic clac sofa on your laptop and the hard disk goes "Screech"....

[photographer unknown]

Not in Israel ;)
We have to pay a little more than you guys for this stuff.

I looked to see if you had listed a location. :oops: But that is quite a bit more I would say. FWiiW, you will enjoy the mac.

[Gidi Morris]

I looked to see if you had listed a location. :oops: But that is quite a bit more I would say. FWiiW, you will enjoy the mac.

I've been flames in the past for being Israeli, so I don't mention it much.

Anyway - the decision has been made.

My brand panking new Macbook Pro will be arriving next week!
:D

Thanks for the advice guys.

Now I need to buy new Photoshop & new Lightroom & download all the mac versions of my favorite tools.
Thanks god Firefox is Java & works on Mac... otherwise I wouldn't have switched :)

[garbidz]

I see your point...I've heard from reliable Palestine sources that you eat little babies for breakfast.

And you have a worlwide plot to take over all the symphony orchestras and Nobel prices there are.

OK, let's see your pictures, you kosher....

[MusoD]

Go for the Mac. The operating system is as important as the hardware specs.

[garbidz]

Gidi's Flickr shots (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gidimorris/)

have quite some jewels in there.
Kudos!

[Gidi Morris]

Gidi's Flickr shots (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gidimorris/)

have quite some jewels in there.
Kudos!

Hehe, thanks.
I've had a lot of energy lately... its all that baby blood, realy rejuvinates you. :p

[blonde]

Gidi,

the new Dell XPS are VERY nice and can be had for quite cheap. i plan on picking up one similar to this in a month or so:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DYDWTF1&s=dhs


i bought one for my brother in law and it is a great laptop.

[condyk]

I picked up the little XPS M1330 as a replacement for my Vaio and highly recommended: great screen, fast, nice Vista interface, quiet, good connectivity options, etc.

[Grentz]

Note that for Photoshop, lightroom, etc. video card does not make a difference.

I run Photoshop, Lightroom, and other image editing programs on my T61 Laptop with just the integrated Intel X3100 graphics (very basic) and it works great.

The Core 2 Duo processors are very fast and are 64bit (my laptop runs Vista x64 Home Premium).

Also, remember the Core 2 Duos are very fast for their clocks (ghz). I have only a 2ghz in mine and it runs things easily like Photoshop and Lightroom. Also note that the faster processor you will have the less battery life you will have (by a lot).

[chauncey]

Why would 64bit be an advantage as PS CS3 only recognizes 32bit?

[Grentz]

In the future it will be if CS4 or other further programs support 64bit.

Lightroom 2.0 is going to have a native 64bit version as well.

[Matthew62024]

Why would 64bit be an advantage as PS CS3 only recognizes 32bit?

A 64-Bit OS will also see all the RAM in a 4GB setup. I do believe that the new lightroom 2.0 has a 64-bit version as well so things are coming that will benefit from have a 64-bit processor.

On a side note, I was just looking at the Mac Pro and noticed that you can configure it with up to 32GB of RAM, wow. That just isn't possible in a 32-bit world.

[photographer unknown]

I followed garbidz link to your flickr site. You have some powerful stuff there.

Congrads on the mac. I am loving mine.

[tundrwd]

Nope, no refurb for me- only new. I have a fobia of refurbs.


Don't be. I've bought 3 Macs in the last year (2 MacBooks, one aluminum 24" iMac), and all look like new. You get the same warranty as new. You get everything that comes with a new Mac, except a bit of packaging.

I've saved hundreds over the cost of new, and am still able to buy the extended warranty - just as if it were new.

I just switched from Windows 14 months ago - I'm now all Mac. I've used M$ products since DOS 1.0, even played with Windows 1.0 (yech), Win 2.0 (yech), Win 3.0 (buggy), WFW 3.11 (not bad), etc., etc., etc. I now have NO Windows machines at all. Everything's Mac, and I'm pretty happy with it.

In fact, I know the Apocalypse must be near, as I swore in 1986 it would be cold day in h*ll before I ever purchased a Mac. I've now got 3. You've been warned :)!