Pick my laptop

[johnohio]

I'm an amateur photographer who needs a laptop (never had one before). Would like to buy a laptop and not build one. Would like to run lightroom and probably elements or PS. I don't need a mega computer, just a dependable, efficient machine. Please suggest specs or even brands (don't want this to be a PC/Mac dispute). Probably leaning towards PC. Need a machine that will last 3-4 years. Sorry my computer knowledge is limited so when you reply, please keep it simple. Thanks in advance for all your help.

John
20d gitzo and stuff

[pprice]

When it comes to computer and price, the more you pay, the more you get.

You want the fastest processor you can afford, the most RAM you can afford, and the rest is kind of up to you.

I never worry about the hard drive size as I use an external for my files anyway.

I would not say any one brand is better than another, I have had them all.

[Moppie]

What is your budget, and how many photos do your process at once in light room, and how many to you keep in the library?

[johnohio]

When it comes to computer and price, the more you pay, the more you get.

You want the fastest processor you can afford, the most RAM you can afford, and the rest is kind of up to you.

I never worry about the hard drive size as I use an external for my files anyway.

I would not say any one brand is better than another, I have had them all.



Thanks for your help
John

[SkedAddled]

"Building" one isn't really an option, since they all use proprietary hardware to a large degree.

As the others have already mentioned, there is a lot you will have to decide on for your own needs. I'd suggest looking at all offerings within your budget.

[BottomBracket]

I agree, no one really builds a laptop. At least no one I know! Anyway, if you can wait until Black Friday, there should be a lot of great deals by then.

I would also suggest that you look into a desktop machine. If you don;t need the portability, desktops give you much more performance for your dollar.

[johnohio]

What is your budget, and how many photos do your process at once in light room, and how many to you keep in the library?


Thanks for responding to my question. We would like to stay around a $1000 (u.s.) give or take. I don't currently use lightroom, i do very little or no post processing right now. I am going to use this laptop to clear my memory cards while i am traveling and to do some processing while away from home. I am just looking for the amount of memory i will need to run lightroom and pse6, most likely it will run vista. How big of a hard drive would you suggest? Since i am buying my first laptop i trying to get as much right as i can. I really do appreciate you help.

John 20D Gitzo and stuff

[johnohio]

I agree, no one really builds a laptop. At least no one I know! Anyway, if you can wait until Black Friday, there should be a lot of great deals by then.

I would also suggest that you look into a desktop machine. If you don;t need the portability, desktops give you much more performance for your dollar.

Portability is the reason I'm going with a laptop. Currently using an older desktop and looking to upgrade in the near future. I agree, desktops give you much more performance for your money.

As much as I would love to take advantage of the deals on Black Friday, I don't think I can wait until the end of November to get one.

Thanks for responding.

John
20d gitzo and stuff

[BottomBracket]

What'syour location by the way? here's a good deal (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=2W3CIHF2PPTQTKC4D3GFAGY?_dy ncharset=ISO-8859-1&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=9052945&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960) going on right now.

[garryknight]

Lightroom and PS will run on my 10" Advent netbook with 1GB of RAM and a 1.6GHz processor, but not very fast. They run better on my Dell desktop with 2GB of RAM and an Intel E2220 dual-core processor, though Lightroom's brushes can be unusably slow. I would say that this should be the minimum spec you go for in a laptop. If you can go to 4GB and quad-core processor, all the better.

As for screen size, my litle 10" netbook is fine for viewing photos and doing basic editing but I would say that 14" is the minimum for serious work and 17-18" would be even better, though less portable.

If I had unlimited funds, I'd go for one of these new Sony Vaio 18" laptops (http://http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10038282-1.html) and a truck to carry it around in. Or maybe one of these Dell quad-core jobs (http://arstechnica.com/journals/hardware.ars/2007/11/27/dell-launches-new-quad-core-workstations-xps-m1530-laptop) and a slightly smaller truck.

[johnohio]

What'syour location by the way? here's a good deal (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=2W3CIHF2PPTQTKC4D3GFAGY?_dy ncharset=ISO-8859-1&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=9052945&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960) going on right now.

Thanks for the link. I did check it out. I think I want a little more than this offers. I appreciate your help.

BTW, I'm in northern Ohio.

John 20d gitzo and stuff

[johnohio]

Lightroom and PS will run on my 10" Advent netbook with 1GB of RAM and a 1.6GHz processor, but not very fast. They run better on my Dell desktop with 2GB of RAM and an Intel E2220 dual-core processor, though Lightroom's brushes can be unusably slow. I would say that this should be the minimum spec you go for in a laptop. If you can go to 4GB and quad-core processor, all the better.

As for screen size, my litle 10" netbook is fine for viewing photos and doing basic editing but I would say that 14" is the minimum for serious work and 17-18" would be even better, though less portable.

If I had unlimited funds, I'd go for one of these new Sony Vaio 18" laptops (http://http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10038282-1.html) and a truck to carry it around in. Or maybe one of these Dell quad-core jobs (http://arstechnica.com/journals/hardware.ars/2007/11/27/dell-launches-new-quad-core-workstations-xps-m1530-laptop) and a slightly smaller truck.

Thanks Garry. That's the kind of information I was looking for. I'm definitely leaning towards a 4GB. If I understand correctly, you can only get a quad-core in a desktop. A duo core, I believe is, max for a laptop currently (again, I'm not very good at this). But I did check out both Sony & Dell websites and also checked Sony at our local Best Buy. It was one that the salesperson there also recommended. I'm probably leaning towards a 15-17" screen.

Again, thanks for your assistance.

John 20d gitzo and more

[khall]

I purchased a Toshiba A300-J00 but find that my desk top is much better for editing pictures, the desk top is much slower but the color much truer. I have the Asus 22inch monitor but as yet can not get to work with the laptop.

[Motley]

Sony VAIO all the way. I just got one, and it's fast as hell. Great for photography, the widescreen display is incredible.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SYCTOProcess?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&LBomId=8198552921665519347

[garryknight]

If I understand correctly, you can only get a quad-core in a desktop.

Sorry, yes, you're right. I misread the article.