new lenses vs new laptop for PP?

alright so my big birthday is coming up (i'm leap year), and my parents told me they would get me equipment to help with my photography.

Originally I jumped at some glass, specifically the Sigma 10-20, and a walkaround I hadn't decided on yet (probably a tammy 17-50 or a 28-135IS, or something similar to either).

Alternatively, I could just stick with the glass I have and get a macbook with 2gb of ram (edit: or imac), which would really be nice for LR editing. I'm kind of outgrowing my ibook, but I suppose I could deal with it for a while longer. It's hard though, since I don't have enough hard drive space or processing power to start shooting raw, which I'd really like to do.

The only thing is I will be going to college in two years, and by then the macbook would be a bit outdated, and I can't justify getting a new machine again then, so maybe I could just wait until then?


In your opinion, which is the better way to go? Glass or Digital Darkroom?

Thanks =)

Get the macbook and a replace your 18-55 with the IS version. (you can sell the kit easily for $50)

sadatk wrote in post #4946904
Get the macbook and a replace your 18-55 with the IS version. (you can sell the kit easily for $50)

just as a sidenote, from your flickr I saw that you have a macbook. How does Aperture 2 run on it (since you commented on it running faster). Otherwise, an imac to go with my ibook (though not ideal since I would need a new battery for this ibook and stuff), or just lightroom instead of Aperture should work.

gregjp48 wrote in post #4946926
just as a sidenote, from your flickr I saw that you have a macbook. How does Aperture 2 run on it (since you commented on it running faster). Otherwise, an imac to go with my ibook (though not ideal since I would need a new battery for this ibook and stuff), or just lightroom instead of Aperture should work.

It runs great. It handles it pretty well though the fan will shoot up when cpu usage gets high. The loupe can slow down though if I do too many adjustments with it.

iMac isn't a bad idea and I would prefer it for editing photos. 13" is limiting for editing.

well i have a 20" external monitor, so the screen real estate issue is moot... unless screen spanning would affect performance.
I think having the controls on the big screen and the image on the laptop screen would be nice, or vice versa, as long as it didn't slow down the program.

Edit: oh, and how much ram do you have?
and is the 18-55IS good? Any logic behind the macbook instead of the glass?
I kind of wanted that 10-20, but you gotta do what you gotta do with a limited budget I suppose.

btw, Is there some kind of third party app that could move my lightroom edits into aperture so I didn't have to start over?

I have 2GB of ram. 18-55 IS reviews have been very positive. I think dpreview has one, as do some other sites.

My logic is that you're missing out on raw and its capabilities. But it's really up to you if it's not a big deal and would rather have the uwa. (i myself am picking up the 10-20 soon)

Not sure about lightroom though.