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Graham W

Graham W

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Graham
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Hi gang.
I'm in desperate need of a new computer (Desk Top). My main storage drive with 2.5TB of pics recently failed, so my back up drive is now my main and I've re-backed that up to a new external drive.
Since then, when I go to update Adobe I get a "Computer says no!" type message (Stuffs out of date.) so I'm running old Lightroom Classic without the new toys. On top of that I daren't shut down the computer as it's getting to not always start up...often needing several attempts.
So...time to blow some more pension!
I've always been happy with Dell / Windows and if I learn something new I'll likely forget where I live so I'd probably best stay with that.
Here's where I've been looking: https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/cty/pdp/spd/dell-ebt2250-desktop
Presumably these are base models and need to be configured to taste...so what do you chaps suggest?
I'll also be needing two new monitors (I've been using two and now only one will fire up!)
Would 4TB internal be enough for image storage (Don't forget I already have 2.5TB which I could reduce.)
I tend to back stuff up to external My Pasport drives which must also be due for replacement...is there a beter way?

Thanks for reading ...I really don't know what I'm doing!
Oh, and budget will be what it will be.
 
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No clue on the workstation front. But I'd be having at least one more external hard drive as a copy of the data (preferably a different manufacturer to the first)
 
I have an Apple Mac Studio Graham so I’m not really familiar with Windows machines. I used to use them when I was working but since retirement I’ve succumbed to the Apple way of life!

Have you not considered an Apple?
 
That's well spec'd and has room for additional drive(s). Rather than two monitors you might want to consider a widescreen - it can make life a lot simpler. I replaced my two monitors for one of these and have never regretted it.
 
I've had Dell machines for over 20 years, I don't think you can really go wrong with them, decide on your budget and then spent it, go for as much RAM as you can and a decent sized HD + the obvious graphics card, let the rest take care of itself.
 
I have been comfortable with Dell for years, though I went for a self-build at the latest upgrade (more to see if I could, rather than having gone off Dell).

I tend to aim fairly high in terms of specification and hope to delay the upgrade process as long as possible. Windows 10 messed that up this time, so I felt pressured into going rather early, but since Mrs Boots needed an upgrade and I could just hand my old one down, that eased the decision.

The headline spec for my current machine is:
i7 14700K processor
64Gb RAM
1Tb M.2 NVME for the system drive
2Tb M.2 NVME for the data drive
2 x 4TB HDD that are mirrored for in-case backups. I also backup to a portable drive from time to time.
Windows 11

The bill for all the parts listed and a whole smash of other stuff required to build the whole machine was just over £2k. That was about ten months ago, and I understand prices have gone up since then.

The result is a machine that is noticeably faster than the predecessor (which was no slouch).

I run Adobe Creative Cloud (Lr Classic and Ps), occasionally GIMP and the usual heap of other stuff like Chrome and LibreOffice.
 
OK, possibly best bang-for-buck will be an Apple.
Refurbished Mac Studio Apple M2 Max Chip with 12‑Core CPU and 30‑Core GPU £1609 https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/fqh73b/a/Refurbished-Mac-Studio-Apple-M2-Max-Chip-with-12‑Core-CPU-and-30‑Core-GPU?

Refurbished Mac Studio Apple M2 Max Chip with 12‑Core CPU and 38‑Core GPU £1759 https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/g17z9b/a/Refurbished-Mac-Studio-Apple-M2-Max-Chip-with-12‑Core-CPU-and-38‑Core-GPU?

You will need to budget for an Apple keyboad and an external high speed hard drive, because these only come with 512GB.

Don't fancy an Apple? I don't blame you. Don't buy from the main Dell store, but rather use the outlet. Spec should be 32/64GB RAM, at least 1TB NVME system drive, Nvidia 3060/5060 graphics (not the 5050 in the linked machine) and the fastest processor you can afford. I would add a 2 TB internal high speed drive for access to images from the last couple of years, plus a third conventional hard drive for older images not accessed frequently.

From Dell I would look at:

£1344 https://outlet.euro.dell.com/GDOOnl...roductid=&productvariant=dell-ebt2250-desktop

£1476 https://outlet.euro.dell.com/GDOOnl...roductid=&productvariant=dell-ebt2250-desktop

£1589 https://outlet.euro.dell.com/GDOOnl...riant=alienware-aurora-act1250-gaming-desktop

£1782 https://outlet.euro.dell.com/GDOOnl...riant=alienware-aurora-act1250-gaming-desktop

£2040 https://outlet.euro.dell.com/GDOOnl...riant=alienware-aurora-act1250-gaming-desktop

I think any of these would be usable and decent right now, possibly with additional drives etc. The last & most expensive has a seriously fast graphics card with 16GB memory that will handle image editing tasks easily, but all of them are going to be good.
 
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Many thanks for the help and suggestions chaps, most helpful...@Beetnik thay wide screen looks fabulous but since I'm in a tiny box room I'll stick to squeezing in two screens.
It does seem that it's a case of "More is more." so I'm just going to have to dive in and get on with it. :banana:
 
Yes, should be good for a few years while though
Is there an Apple Store near to you as personally I’d never go back to windows
 
It's my birthday soon if that's any help :ROFLMAO:
 
Graham W said:
Ok folks..Would I be going completly overboard with these selections?

Dell Tower Plus EBT2250

Shop the Dell Tower Plus featuring powerful performance for creation, multi-tasking and gaming with expandability in an elegant design.
www.dell.com
Click to expand...

Yes. Yes you would. But it should be a nice, fast machine.
 
Should be a good outfit, have fun with your new toy.
 
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