Desktop or Laptop, Windows 8 or not

davidjpope1

davidjpope1

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My laptop has recently died and I'm now in the process of choosing something new. At the moment I'm looking at an all on one desktop running windows 8 but I was wondering what everyone here uses. Have you got experience of all in one desktops and what do you think of windows 8? Or should I just get another laptop?
 
Although I have quite a reasonable lap-top, I do all my image processing on an i7 based desktop (tower), with a 22" monitor.

Windows 8?, no not for me thank you, I'll stick with Win 7 Pro (64bit).

Dave
 
2 main considerations - what os will your existing apps run on w/o having to repurchase them? Eg in the pc world things that run on XP won't necessarily run on W7 or 8.

And for photo purposes the screen you have is crucial!
 
What should I be looking for in a screen to make it particularly suited to photos?
 
Samsung 700G7C, 17.3-inch Laptop (Black) - (Intel Core i7 3630QM 2.4GHz Processor, 16GB RAM, 1.5TB HDD, Blu-ray, LAN, WLAN, BT, Webcam, Nvidia Graphics, Windows 8)

Thats from the retailers site however I've upgraded the hard drive to an SSD which is an immense difference even on a fast computer.

Windows 7 or 8, it doesnt matter, If its windows 8 then install classic shell for the start menu until 8.1 is released shortly that has the start menu back again (supposedly)

As for a screen, you would like something with good contrast ratio. like 5m:1 or more. If you go past the 24inch screen and your still a 1080p resolution then your going to stretch the pixels.
 
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One of the things I wanted was a matte screen. A lot of laptops have a glossy screen. The advantage is deeper blacks. The downside is reflections.
 
Such a shame Photoshop doesn't run on Linux. Sure there is Gimp, but it's a learning curve for sure from the Adobe product.
 
I run everything on my laptop at present, although I am building a new tower as you can build a I7 with 16 gig of ram and at least a 2gig gfx card for less than £600 which puts them way way way above that of similar priced laptops.
 
JayB said:
Samsung 700G7C, 17.3-inch Laptop (Black) - (Intel Core i7 3630QM 2.4GHz Processor, 16GB RAM, 1.5TB HDD, Blu-ray, LAN, WLAN, BT, Webcam, Nvidia Graphics, Windows 8)

Thats from the retailers site however I've upgraded the hard drive to an SSD which is an immense difference even on a fast computer.

Windows 7 or 8, it doesnt matter, If its windows 8 then install classic shell for the start menu until 8.1 is released shortly that has the start menu back again (supposedly)

As for a screen, you would like something with good contrast ratio. like 5m:1 or more. If you go past the 24inch screen and your still a 1080p resolution then your going to stretch the pixels.
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Problem is SSD's dont have a great life span
 
Windows 8 is fine, it just takes a bit of getting used to.
When I last rebuilt my pc I seriously considered going back to 7, but 8 just won out.

As to laptop or desktop it depends, if you want to upgrade any hardware go desktop otherwise laptops are fine
 
I prefer an desktop for my photographer,yet to fine an laptop with a good enought screen that I can afford.

Running window 8 on mine,not to bad once you get used to it,also because I got the full pro version for £24.99 a while ago when Microsoft were doing an deal.

:)
 
I have a desktop (win7) and laptop (win8.1 beta/preview). The desktop gets used most and I have no plans to upgrade it to Win8.
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I think desktop is a definite and windows 8 seems to be inconclusive but I think I've probably got to move with the times and go for it. If anyone has any experience of all in one desktops I'd be interested to hear it.
 
JohnN said:
Windows 8 is fine, it just takes a bit of getting used to.
When I last rebuilt my pc I seriously considered going back to 7, but 8 just won out.

As to laptop or desktop it depends, if you want to upgrade any hardware go desktop otherwise laptops are fine
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Yer its super... not! Half the printer drivers dont work on windows 8 and you cant have a proper start button
 
barratt1988 said:
...you cant have a proper start button
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You can. There is a tool called 'Classic Shell' which brings it back, with Program Menu and most other things I expect behind the start button.

I use Windows 8 for its updated drivers and better support of some features like USB3. But indeed, if it weren't for that, Windows 7 would be my system of choice, no question.

Regarding laptop or desktop - with a laptop you pay a lot more for the same performance as you'd pay for a desktop. So if portability (or stow-away-ability :) ) are not very important criteria, with a desktop you'll get a lot more bang for the buck in terms of speed and memory.
 
I recently purchased a Toshiba All-in-one with windows 8.
I love the all-in-one as I have only one cable and more desktop space.
Prior to purchase I had planned to download a program to bring back the classic start menu. However I read on here that someone who works with computers advising that people do not give windows 8 a chance. I therefore stuck with it and now really like it.
 
I'd buy something with Windows 8, but install 7 for the next year or so - this will allow you to legitimately upgrade when 8 becomes common, but keep using something that works now. 8 at present, is just not intuitive to use and adoption within home use has not been great, within business it's very, very low and may well be the next Vista.
 
if youre umming and ahhing about W8 then wait for 8.1. i dislike the boot straight to metro, 8.1 gives you the option to disable this and gives you metro as a fancy start menu/screen which i found makes it tonnes better. or spend a couple of quid on start8.

regarding all-in-one machines, im yet to see one with a decent spec/screen. personally id say spend your money on a decent IPS panel and then at least an i5 with 8gb. if you can stretch to a SSD even better. try novatech, their machines are good bang for buck with good parts (prices exc OS).
 
WIndows 8 is the way its going, you can't avoid it.

However, I love it, on my desktop with 3 screens, my non touch laptop and my touch laptop.

It depends how stuck in your ways you are ;)
 
barratt1988 said:
Problem is SSD's dont have a great life span
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Not sure where you get that idea?

Mine is about a year and a half old, the health checker says it has more than 8 years left :shrug:
 
I think you'll find the older people who are stuck in their ways and cannot deal with change are those who hate windows 8.

Those of use with our faculties still intact can quickly get over the 20 minute learning curve you get if you are new to Windows 8 & just get on with it.

until 8.1 is released shortly that has the start menu back again (supposedly)
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I doubt if Microsoft will want to dumb down Windows 8 by installing a start menu.
 
as an example of one of many reports that suggest you are unlikely to be correct
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Please re read the article. A start button will be added to 8.1 not a start menu.
 
Ahahaha... semantics
 
Ahahaha... semantics
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You are obviously having problems reading and understand what is said in the article you have linked to. I know, its kind of long and has some difficult words in it.

Below is quote from that article, just hope you can comprehend that it is saying that the xp\win7 start menu is not coming back.

One feature which will undoubtedly be seen as a U-turn is the return of the Start button in Windows 8.1. However, it’s just a shortcut to the modern Start screen which, if you think about it, is really a replacement for the old Start menu.
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I have Win 8.1 preview installed on a vm so I can thankfully say it does not have a start menu installed.
 
redsnappa said:
I think you'll find the older people who are stuck in their ways and cannot deal with change are those who hate windows 8.

Those of use with our faculties still intact can quickly get over the 20 minute learning curve you get if you are new to Windows 8 & just get on with it.
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You may like Windows 8 but there are many who don't. i dont for several reasons and not being prepared to spend 20 minutes on a "learning curve" isn't one of them. Try not to be so bloody patronising.
 
Gaz J said:
You may like Windows 8 but there are many who don't. i dont for several reasons and not being prepared to spend 20 minutes on a "learning curve" isn't one of them. Try not to be so bloody patronising.
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Recently built 2 machines to replace old XP machines, one for me and the other for my wife. The major problem I had was there was no help or tutorials to show how the new interface worked. I don't use the metro interface apart from search, which I don't find that useful, preferring explorer most of the time.

Having said that, I configured my wife's machine so that everything she uses was pinned to the taskbar and she wonders why people have problems with windows 8 :lol:
 
redsnappa said:
You are obviously having problems reading and understand what is said in the article you have linked to. I know, its kind of long and has some difficult words in it.
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And you are having problems understanding irony - the fact I got caught out due to semantics.

I know irony is difficult for some to understand (now where is that roll eyes smiley) ;)
 
the fact I got caught out due to semantics.
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The fact that you think you got caught out by semantics tells me you still have no idea about the difference between as start menu and a start button.
 
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redsnappa said:
I think you'll find the older people who are stuck in their ways and cannot deal with change are those who hate windows 8.

Those of use with our faculties still intact can quickly get over the 20 minute learning curve you get if you are new to Windows 8 & just get on with it.

I doubt if Microsoft will want to dumb down Windows 8 by installing a start menu.
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Oor heres an idea... windows 8 sucks as it wont work with my printer despite windows 7 working and microsoft sayin it will it actually wont... also the raw file photo viewer... where is the one for wi dows 8? I checked a few weeks back and still its unsupported. Nothing to do with the tech. Im a plc programmer and love tech... just like it to work and not be built for a crappy tablet
 
it wont work with my printer
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You have to blame manufacturer of your printer for that issue. It's usually a commerce reason why the printer manufacturer does not supply updated drivers, they want you to buy a new printer.
 
redsnappa said:
You have to blame manufacturer of your printer for that issue. It's usually a commerce reason why the printer manufacturer does not supply updated drivers, they want you to buy a new printer.
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Nope contacted epson and they state that the issue lies with windows. Various devices have this issue. Windows 8 is windows 7 with a crappy front page but doing so means that the comms changes windows 7 drovers wont work and neither will the patched ones from epson and typically windows cant resolve the issue for me... if windows 8 is so amazing why are microsoft offering free downgrades? Even they know its poor
 
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redsnappa said:
I think you'll find the older people who are stuck in their ways and cannot deal with change are those who hate windows 8.

Those of use with our faculties still intact can quickly get over the 20 minute learning curve you get if you are new to Windows 8 & just get on with it.


I doubt if Microsoft will want to dumb down Windows 8 by installing a start menu.
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A trifle - well a lot actually- ageist. I'm past 60, so probably classed as old, but from conversations I've had with younger users of Win 8 I don't think its an age thing at all, just badly thought out design.

But back to the original question, I'd go for a desktop. I've got both a desktop with a 24" screen and a MacBook pro. I much prefer processing on the desktop.

Alchad
 
Windows 8 works fine for me but admittedly I've added a Start button. Works fine on a self-built pc and on old Gateway laptop. My Epson scanner works fine, along with my Canon IP4000 printer.
 
redsnappa said:
I think you'll find the older people who are stuck in their ways and cannot deal with change are those who hate windows 8.

Those of use with our faculties still intact can quickly get over the 20 minute learning curve you get if you are new to Windows 8 & just get on with it.

I doubt if Microsoft will want to dumb down Windows 8 by installing a start menu.
Click to expand...

Ever thought about doing stand up?
 
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