5DMII owners: What lap/desktop do you use to process files?

HOW ABOUT...

How about this at Fry's for $999 without monitor. I am thinking about getting one for myself.

K320 IdeaCentre 3019-1LU
Processor: Core I7-860 Quad Core
Processor speed 2.80 GHz – 64 bit processing
L3 Cache: 8 MB
Standard memory 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066/PC3-8500
4 memory slots / 16-in-1 memory card reader
Hard drive capacity – 1 TB
Hard drive interface: serial ATA/300 7200 RPM
Optical drive DVD-Writer Optical media support: DVD+-R/+-RW
Dual layer media support
Controller Type: Serial ATA/300 RAID Support RAID levels 0
Graphics Memory 1GB

Any quad-core i7 is going to smoke.

Core i7 920 clocked to 3.6
Ati Radeon 5970 I think
12gb ram, Win7 64bit
2x 80gb Intel SSD's in a mirrored array with a 2tb mirrored external drive.

Takes under 30 minutes to apply a preset and export 1400 full sized 5D2 images in lightroom.

I'm using an SZ71VN/X - way out of your budget, and 2 years old, but works fine

You need:
a 2,5GHz Core2Duo or better
4GB RAM or more (3GB used in 32Bit OS)

That's all - a slower CPU might work too, but that's mine and its fine - faster is better.
Graphics card doesn't matte - I stick to my Intel X3100 - the new ones on the i CPUs are more powerful.

I've got a MacPro dual quad and a MacBookPro. neither are a bother to process 5d2 images, but the tower is faster with faster and more CPUs, and more ram. whatever you do, ram is the key. get more than you can afford.

I use a Mac Pro Nehalem primarily and Macbook Pro C2D to process my 5D2 images. Both machines are fine with 5d2 files but I prefer to process on Mac Pro as well. Not only do I prefer the power but the screens I have connected to the Mac Pro. I might get another Mac pro though when the new ones come out, Apple is taking their jolly old time with the Mac Pro being upgraded. I hope they don't change the design of the tower.

If looking for a laptop I also recommend the ASUS G73, it is $1,250 right now at Best Buy.

The ASUS G60J, with an i5 processor might be enough (although didn't see it on Best Buys site when I just looked, it was running $850 (nice drop from when I bought it) when I saw it a week ago. It has handled everything I have asked of i t so far. Might be able to locate one in your local store. But the G73 will run cooler, and will be your better bet, for other reasons too, if you can afford the extra money.

Gnhntn wrote in post #10518519
If looking for a laptop I also recommend the ASUS G73, it is $1,250 right now at Best Buy.

The ASUS G60J, with an i5 processor might be enough (although didn't see it on Best Buys site when I just looked, it was running $850 (nice drop from when I bought it) when I saw it a week ago. It has handled everything I have asked of i t so far. Might be able to locate one in your local store. But the G73 will run cooler, and will be your better bet, for other reasons too, if you can afford the extra money.

I'd have to give a word of warning about the G73 and say do your research first. Mine suffered a thermal meltdown on the weekend to the point where the GPU was hovering above 110 degrees just doing light gaming. Research the "GSOD" or 'Grey Screen of Death" which is a common problem with the G73 as is the 5870 overheating to the point the heatsink slips off and the heat starts cooking the other components. Once I got the GSOD it all went downhill from there and the laptop couldn't even idle at the windows login screen without overheating and locking up.

Im using an 15inch i7 2.66 MBP with 8gb of RAM, 7D files are not problem!

smcclelland wrote in post #10549376
I'd have to give a word of warning about the G73 and say do your research first. Mine suffered a thermal meltdown on the weekend to the point where the GPU was hovering above 110 degrees just doing light gaming. Research the "GSOD" or 'Grey Screen of Death" which is a common problem with the G73 as is the 5870 overheating to the point the heatsink slips off and the heat starts cooking the other components. Once I got the GSOD it all went downhill from there and the laptop couldn't even idle at the windows login screen without overheating and locking up.

I hadn't heard of any problems with the G73, was unaware of that. Thanks for letting me know. I bought hte G60, with the i5 processer, and have had no problems with it. Was considering geting a G73, and setting this up for travel with work so I wouldn't have to take anything important with me.

Gnhntn wrote in post #10586867
I hadn't heard of any problems with the G73, was unaware of that. Thanks for letting me know. I bought hte G60, with the i5 processer, and have had no problems with it. Was considering geting a G73, and setting this up for travel with work so I wouldn't have to take anything important with me.

Mine was fine and then it went down like a worn out boxer. I did a ton of searching just before I RMA'd it and it seemed to be pretty random with the VSOD for people. Some would get it just powering on the new laptop, others it'd be 2-3 months after buying it and then a large majority don't have any issues. So far it's been a week sitting at the repair facility with no progress which normally would backlog me with so much work but I've thankfully got my MBP and my M6400 from the office to keep working away on. We'll see what happens but everyone I've talked to has gotten a new G73 sent to them and sold it shortly thereafter which is probably the route I am going to take as well.