Going to buy a MacBook Pro for PP - but what options do I need?(RAM, display

Hi folks,

I'm currently using an Asus Laptop, Vista(ZZzzZZzz) and of course PS CS3. I've been wanting a Mac for some time, they are better for my uses, but it really can turn into a costly affair.

I use a EOS 40D now, which leaves me with .TIFF files around 50mb, and it really struggles when e.g. using brushes.

As I'll be buying a 5D II within a short period, I need something quite a bit more powerful..

I think my choice will be the 17" MacBook Pro, but what options?

The 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo seems to be enough, but when it comes to RAM I don't know if I need the "8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2X4GB" instead of "4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2X2GB", which is the standard. Help?

And what about the display? It comes in a anti-glare edition - do I need this?

Kind regards,

Ebbe

What kind of volume of photos are you processing at once?

A mobile core 2 duo is about the minimum spec for processing 5D MKII RAW files, and I wouldn't recomend it if your going to be working with any kind of volume.

The ideal solution, if your serious about PP, especially with large files is a quad core. Unfortunalty there are not many quad core laptops around at the moment. How badly do you need a laptop?

I agree a quad would be ideal if you'll be working with a larger volume of images. 4GB of RAM is probably enough, especially if you won't be running multiple applications at once while working on images and won't be working with numerous images at the same time. Still, I do always like having extra RAM to grow in to if need be, so it certainly depends on what your budget is.

Apple has no quad core laptops yet, but there are options from some other manufacturers (there goes your Mac idea).

I really dislike glossy displays but if you're going to have one, an anti-glare coating is a must IMO.

Like Moppie said, if you're set on a laptop and going to spend the dough on a Macbook, I'd wait for the next generation and then buy it when it is fresh. The 17" should have an i5/i7 option which will be much faster than the core2duos when converting.

Also you should stock it with an SSD. As some informal testing has shown, importing and converting is a diskbound process and not just involving processor speed and RAM. If you wait a few months, bigger and better SSDs will be here; big enough to use as a photo catalog (for a while at least).

For RAM, just get the 4GB. It is always cheaper to upgrade from a non-Apple source but then you lose Applecare on the RAM. 4 Gigs will probably be enough; you're usually not maxing out the RAM even if you have LR and Photoshop both open with multiple files. OS X is very good when it comes to paging in and out the things you're not using; I hardly notice it compared to Vista.

Glossy v. Matte is a personal choice. I'd recommend checking them out in-store if possible. I went glossy since you should have an external monitor for colour critical work anyway. The glossy looks great for movies and in most situations. If it glares up, a shift or a tilt to one side usually clears it up.

Thanks for quick replies guys.

Well, I prefer Laptops. It's always convenient to bring them along to process your work everywhere. I would also prefer one computer for everything.

I can see that the new IMac is quad core, but. I need something I can bring along.


Kind regards,

Ebbe

And again; thanks!

I guess I'll wait a little for a quad core Mac Book then.


Kind regards,

Ebbe

The developer update of OSX 10.6.2 has indications of 2 new MacBook Pros. Since the new iMacs have i5 & i7 processors, most are assuming that these will show up in the new MBP's. The MacRumors buyers guide lists an average of 200 days between updates, but recently it has been about 8 months. The most recent update was in June - expect January or February for the new MBP's.

Considering the size of 5d2 files, I agree with Moppie. I suggest waiting for the quad core MBP's to arrive or look at the quad core iMacs and a possibly a refurb MacBook. If you don't need the latest/greatest, the Apple refurbs are a great bargain. I recently saw a white MacBook 2.16GHz 13" for $749. I have purchased several computers this way (myself & family members) and all were indistinguishable from new.

Even though Apple has dropped the price of upgrading RAM, it is cheaper to buy elsewhere. I use OWC (macsales.com) & have received excellent support (they even have videos on installation).

I agree with TheHoff - check out the screen out first, but for color critical work, add an external monitor.

EbbeJ wrote in post #8942504
Hi folks,

I'm currently using an Asus Laptop, Vista(ZZzzZZzz) and of course PS CS3. I've been wanting a Mac for some time, they are better for my uses, but it really can turn into a costly affair.

I use a EOS 40D now, which leaves me with .TIFF files around 50mb, and it really struggles when e.g. using brushes.

As I'll be buying a 5D II within a short period, I need something quite a bit more powerful..

I think my choice will be the 17" MacBook Pro, but what options?

The 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo seems to be enough, but when it comes to RAM I don't know if I need the "8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2X4GB" instead of "4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2X2GB", which is the standard. Help?

And what about the display? It comes in a anti-glare edition - do I need this?

Kind regards,

Ebbe

If you can wait for quad core, then wait, MBP now isn't that much faster than your old laptop. BUT.... you'll need to add between $300 and 600 to your budget, you can't crossgrade CS3 any more. You'll have to buy cs4 for osx.