New desktop or add monitor to laptop?

I'm taking a class to finally learn how to use Photoshop. I'm finding that using my laptop is a PIA. The touch pad mouse and the 15" screen simply don't cut it.

A new desktop is on my want list-I7, lots of RAM and a big monitor. It's also more money than I want to spend. Do I really need that much in the processor department? I have the money-I just don't want to part with it as income is minimal these days.

It's been suggested that I buy a new monitor and plug a regular mouse in to my laptop instead. Is this a reasonable solution? The laptop is Toshiba i3 with 8GB of RAM and the usual extras.

Newegg has a Gateway 23" monitor for under $200 bucks. I'm assuming, possibly erroneously, that it would do the trick quite nicely.

Any input is appreciated as I'm unsure what to do.

Hooking up to the monitor is an option to see how things go.
The core i3 should be fine with 8 GB Ram.
Later when you have the funds, you can get a tower to hook up to the monitor. Just make sure it's a decent one since you'll have it for a while.

Merlin_AZ wrote in post #13192369
Hooking up to the monitor is an option to see how things go.
The core i3 should be fine with 8 GB Ram.
Later when you have the funds, you can get a tower to hook up to the monitor. Just make sure it's a decent one since you'll have it for a while.

Thanks Merlin. That is exactly what I've decided to do. Now that I'm searching for a monitor I am realizing just how many options there are. Holy smokes...

Bloody hell, I just spent 1/2 an hour writing a response and lost it all.

short version...

I've just done all the research for the same reasons here is what I did.

Mouse, get one with a small USB dongle (sticks out about 1/4") these can stay plugged in and don't get damaged. I got a small Logitech and it wasn't dear....the monitor on the other hand....

You monitor is as important as your camera, with out a decent camera and monitor you might as well give it away.

Screen, Get an ASUS PA246Q This is a 24 " monitor specifically built fro photo editing it has IMPORTANT features such as IPS (in plane switching) so angle of view doesn't bugger up your exposure and saturation settings, it is a 10 bit monitor (displays ALL the coulous) bla bla bla...the tech stuff will drive you nuts.....just trust me and get the ASUS PA246Q and save your self a lot of time and effort and headaches only to end up buying it anyway.

Cheers, RAW

I agree the current laptop is fine, just get a new mouse and monitor. I prefer logitech wired mice, I have a G5 at home and at work that work well.

I disagree with RAW about two points. Firstly, Asus isn't a well known brand for photographers, in the midrange NEC, HP, and Dell are common, with NEC being the best.

Secondly, just because your monitor can't show a color or an aspect of an image, it doesn't mean it's not there. That monitor isn't the final destination of most prints, either prints are, or more likely these days highly compressed images online. So long as you monitor shows the colors it does show accurately, and it's calibrated, most monitors are fine. I'm a pro photog, I have a cheap Samsung 19" which is probably a TN panel, calibrated. My prints match the monitor, and they look good. If I had a more expensive monitor my prints would look exactly the same.

Sorry guys, I should have qualified my remarks. I wanted an economic solution and the ASUS monitor (one of the largest manufacturers of this gear in the world) was between about 30% and 50% cheaper than NEC HP and Dell. I was sick and tired of inconsistent editing results due to the TN monitor on my idiot laptop. As for the 10 bit resolution, this was a recommendation from an independent review that I saw somewhere. I find that the ASUS is a million times better to use than the TN monitor and I will probably not edit on a TN monitor again. My work is often printed very large and I hate having to throw prints away because I don't like the edit.

RAW RAW RAW wrote in post #13202483
I find that the ASUS is a million times better to use than the TN monitor

*Any* ips monitor is a million times better than a TN monitor. But Asus is not 'one of the largest manufacturers of this gear in the world', not when it comes to quality monitors. It is a newcomer in this area and not the first brand one thinks of when contemplating buying an IPS screen. Eizo, Nec and Quato are the best brands (with a price tag to match of course). Then comes the rest (Dell, HP, LG etc.).

Still, the Asus isn't half bad at all. Had some nice reviews as well.

I appreciate the feedback from everyone. Considering my limited funds, I picked up an Acer 23" LED for $119 on closeout. I thought the monitor on my laptop was amazing... the Acer blows it clear out of the water.

It may not be the 1D of monitors however it will do the trick for me.

Thanks again!

$119 is fantastic for an IPS screen. I still use a 19" TN panel.

tim wrote in post #13204877
$119 is fantastic for an IPS screen. I still use a 19" TN panel.

The $119 monitor you are referring to is NOT an IPS - just a basic TN unit.

Ah ok, I was just going by what was said above. I thought it was pretty cheap for a semi decent monitor.

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #13202824
*Any* ips monitor is a million times better than a TN monitor. But Asus is not 'one of the largest manufacturers of this gear in the world', not when it comes to quality monitors. It is a newcomer in this area and not the first brand one thinks of when contemplating buying an IPS screen. Eizo, Nec and Quato are the best brands (with a price tag to match of course). Then comes the rest (Dell, HP, LG etc.).

Specific models would be more helpful than brand names.

You bumped an old thread for no reason as talking brand names was quite relevant here.

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #13301137
You bumped an old thread

Were I to start a new one, would you reply therein telling me to search for old threads?

You miss the point. Brands offer more than one model, at more than one price point and at more than one quality level. Suggestions without mentioning models are worthless.

anthony11 wrote in post #13302246
Were I to start a new one, would you reply therein telling me to search for old threads?

That would very much depend on the question you'd ask…

anthony11 wrote in post #13302246
You miss the point. Brands offer more than one model, at more than one price point and at more than one quality level. Suggestions without mentioning models are worthless.

Yeah. But some brands offer better monitors then others…
The more expensive "photographic" monitors made by Eizo, NEC or Quatto for instance, are at a level way beyond anything for instance Dell or ASUS makes.
Here's a short thread: https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1067584
This might help as well: http://www.imagescienc​e.com.au …maging+Work#Bes​tOfTheBest

Now, what was the question?