Laptop or pc

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scooby1doo1

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Dean
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When i get my D3100 i will need photo editing software, i'm going to go with Adobe Photoshop Elements 9. I no 10's come out but i'm a noob so 9 will do, plus it's only £60.

Right i'm going to buy a new laptop or pc, it will be a mac laptop or a windows pc. What would be best in regards editing with the above.

will be spending 1k max if that helps

Can you please state why you inform me to go one way or the other, this way it gives me an idea as to why im going what ever route.

cheers
 
scooby1doo1 said:
When i get my D3100 i will need photo editing software, i'm going to go with Adobe Photoshop Elements 9. I no 10's come out but i'm a noob so 9 will do, plus it's only £60.

Right i'm going to buy a new laptop or pc, it will be a mac laptop or a windows pc. What would be best in regards editing with the above.

will be spending 1k max if that helps

Can you please state why you inform me to go one way or the other, this way it gives me an idea as to why im going what ever route.

cheers
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I have a laptop ( windows though ).


I think you should go for the mac laptop, they tend to have great specs which is what you need.

You'll obviously be wanting loads of hard drive space, should be able to get 500GB +

RAM is the most important, not too sure about macs but with windows i'd want atleast 4GM RAM.

Processor probably 2GHZ +


PHoto editing software can use alot of RAM.


The main advantage of getting the laptop would be that you have portability. It doesn't have to be sat in one room in your house, you can go anywhere... take it all around the world if you want :lol:



:)


:canon:
 
Mac or pc won't make a difference, it's only an operating system that's different.

You'll get more bang for buck with pc though. An i7 sandy bridge with loads of ram is within budget. Dell or asus are worth a look, dell normally have good discount codes.

Whatever you do get an external ips monitor if you want easily calibrated and accurate viewing.
 
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For the same price a PC will be a far better spec than any laptop.
 
It depends on which OS you get on with best. I can't stand Windows now having had a MacBook for three years and I've found Windows laptops simply can't stand up to the kind of abuse I give my computers. There are obviously slightly tougher Windows laptops out there but they still can't keep up in terms of stability and lack of maintenance in terms of the OS. It spends more time out of the house than in it and follows me everywhere and in that respect I find Desktops to be infuriatingly static. You do get more bang for buck for portability is a big thing for me.
 
I go through a new laptop ever other yr, that's why I was going for a mac one. Needs to last. My bros got one and had it 7 years now, and performs better that my MSI of 8 months old. Just find them hard to use as I've been using windows for over 15 yrs now. So would be all new, are they easy to use if your a noob in macs.
 
If you decide to go for a windows desktop you would be better off building one yourself. If you use an AMD hex core processer, 8gb DDR3 ram and a 1tb hard drive, bluray drive and a 1gb graphics card and buy a copy of windows 7 (any version will be good enough to run Elements 9 or 10) and a decent sized monitor you would still have change out of your £1000. I built mine for just under £750 recently. Parts from www.ebuyer.com and no I'm not a representative of the company, just a happy buyer and builder. Good luck either way !

Just an update, I've got a HP laptop with a dual core AMD 2.6, 4Gb ram, 320Gb hard disc, and 512Mb Graphics running windows 7 home premium and I've got Elements 9 and CS5 running very quickly on it. No where as good as the desktop above though.
 
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scooby1doo1 said:
I go through a new laptop ever other yr, that's why I was going for a mac one. Needs to last. My bros got one and had it 7 years now, and performs better that my MSI of 8 months old. Just find them hard to use as I've been using windows for over 15 yrs now. So would be all new, are they easy to use if your a noob in macs.
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MSI? seriously..

spend the same amount on a PC laptop as you would a mac and it will be of similar quality and higher spec.

as for stability we get about the same amount of support requests from OSX users to the remaining XP users, W7 we rarely hear a peep from other than the usual "my email isnt working, the printer is jammed". may i should mention the batch of new i7 MBP we had that all have network card issues.. ;)

fact is the only difference will be the feel of the OS, both platforms have quirks, pros and cons. use whichever will get you the job done the quickest. like i say get a decent IPS screen whichever route you go. just dont fall for the "apple just works twoddle".

but for me it always be an PC desktop over laptop any day. based on bang for buck.
 
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While I can (and do) do minor tweaking on a netbook (sing PSE2), I find it far easier and I get better results using a desktop. Not a fan of Apple so I stick with Windows based systems (and I don't thrash or abuse them so seem to be able to keep them stable and reliable.)
 
If you're editing photos the primary requirement has to be that what you see on screen is a correct representation of your image.

For that you need a decent screen, which means IPS, which rules out the majority of laptops (unless you get an external monitor for your laptop, but that negates the advantage of portability).

As already mentioned, you will also get a more processing power from a desktop / Tower PC than a laptop for a given price.
 
Newest 256GB 13" MacBook Air, I'd say. Or the Pro if you don't care about weight & resolution. With Aperture!
 
I'm always amazed at the number of people who buy a laptop and then only use it at home.

The ideal solution is a separate screen & base unit for home use and a laptop if you really need to use it "one the move".
 
I switched from desktop to a large laptop when I moved to a smaller flat because I wanted more space. Now we've moved again and the laptop is in the spare room hooked up to a film scanner and printer so I'm pretty much back where I started except I have a screen with colour saturation that changes significantly depending on the viewing angle.

I'd say the only real benefit of the laptop at the moment is that we can hook it up to the TV with an HDMI lead for watching the iplayer.
 
Ok I'm goin to go with a mac laptop, never had one but since my bro got his and it's never let him down.
I'll just have to get used to the difference OS and keys, think I'll buy one when I get my D3100.
 
scooby1doo1 said:
Ok I'm goin to go with a mac laptop, never had one but since my bro got his and it's never let him down.
I'll just have to get used to the difference OS and keys, think I'll buy one when I get my D3100.
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What makes me think is you already made up you mind in the first place to get the mac laptop like your bro, before you posted this thread so why ask the question?
 
Im currently in transition period from pc to mac. Bit of a cliche now but i wouldn't go back either. No instability issues and its how computing should be. IMHO.
Got MBP and about to invest in 27" screen.
Goodbye windows i won't be back.
 
CanonEOS said:
What makes me think is you already made up you mind in the first place to get the mac laptop like your bro, before you posted this thread so why ask the question?
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I wanted more views on the macs, my bro having his for so long with out fault could be a one off.

Nobody's posted saying there not that good, or they have plenty of faults reassured the mac is the way to go.

Also need 20 post in order to look in the for sale section along with 2 months new user staters.

Sorry for wasting your time, but I don't no what to ask as I no nothing about DSLR's. So getting my 20 post with out asking questions on some thing to don't own is abit hard.

I'm sure I'll get my post count up when I get the camera, now if your Wanna talk cars, RC helicopter, planes, buggy's, trucks then I can talk all day.
 
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scooby1doo1 said:
I wanted more views on the macs, my bro having his for so long with out fault could be a one off.

Nobody's posted saying there not that good, or they have plenty of faults reassured the mac is the way to go.

Also need 20 post in order to look in the for sale section along with 2 months new user staters.

Sorry for wasting your time, but I don't no what to ask as I no nothing about DSLR's. So getting my 20 post with out asking questions on some thing to don't own is abit hard.

I'm sure I'll get my post count up when I get the camera, now if your Wanna talk cars, RC helicopter, planes, buggy's, trucks then I can talk all day.
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This is an interactive forum and I am sure if you ask a few questions around and about the place,
or post comments on peoples images, you will soon see your post count rising.

But just a word to the wise, those that have relentlessly tried to push their
post count up, by what could be construed as spam or "worthless" posts,
have found their classified access restricted or revoked ;)
 
Except for Neil who said they are both similar in terms of reliability.

OT I used to fly RC helo and sold my Losi LST2 last year.
 
£1000 PC spec will out do any £1000 laptop, as has already been mentioned.

where do you want to do your editing? at home at your desk or out and about or in front of the tv?

Personally, while I like have a laptop/netbook for backing up on the fly, I would always go for a desktop PC over them for editing etc. Just more bang for buck as they say.

I don't understand the issues people have with the reliability of windows and insist Mac's are trouble free. I know several people who have had issues with their macs while my desktop windows PC only ever has issues when playing games, and that is still extremely rare.
 
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scooby1doo1 said:
Nobody's posted saying there not that good, or they have plenty of faults reassured the mac is the way to go.
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T'missus has a Macbook, a wide-screen dual boot one from a few years ago and she's adamant that she'll never have another. It had to go back under warranty for repairs to the speakers and once out of warranty, the problem came up again so she had to pay to have it repaired.

She's on her third battery because the previous ones expand and can burst once they've been cycle charged for a while. This happens because in a quest to trim the weight from laptops for the ultimate in portability, the batteries were made with inner walls between the cells that were too thin. Over time they bend. It doesn't just happen to Apple laptops but if I were paying a premium price then I wouldn't expect it.

The power pack gets so hot that you can't hold it in your hand.

Still, it still boots quickly and runs what she needs so it does the job. And it does look nice.
 
Yes I under stand about pushing your count up in order to get to the relevant count needed, hence why I don't want to seem as though I'm asking daft stuff.

On a car forum I'm registered on, if you post in general, or newbies section your post don't count.

I noticed this forum does the same thing for noobs.
 
No brainer, buy yourself a desktop PC, i3 or i5 with 8gb - 16gb of ram will do you just fine. Spend the money you save on a new lens:thumbs:

Macs are pretty and have some clever marketing but they are so expensive for what get if you compare it against a similar spec PC.

I would imagine a pc is easier and cheaper to upgrade as well.:)
 
PsiFox said:
Except for Neil who said they are both similar in terms of reliability.

OT I used to fly RC helo and sold my Losi LST2 last year.
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Ha ha well I have a trex 600 nitro pro, i have a raptor 60 use for windy days, or when i crash the 600 only use both for sport flying. Not into 3D you have got it or not as they say, I have a p51 mustang only had this 2 weeks but wanted to try fixed wing. Very easy to fly compared to helis, this is leki as it was a lot cheaper 1400mm wing span version. Ive had a lightning nitro buggy, a savage X nitro, a Carson 1/5 scale proper monster truck. This run on petrol mixed with oil.

On this list is another 1/5 monster truck for my son/me.
 
Cobra said:
Not all forums increase post count, that is for everyone not just the newbies ;)
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Sorry I ment if you post in the newbies section your post count don't go up, regardless who's posting in there.
 
Ok plenty of advise now on the 2 and it seems i may not go with a mac after all, or the wife wanted a mac if I got one so I may buy the wife one and then get me somert else.

The thing is I'm no IT tech and I normally just buy what I like when I need to buy one, so most of these numbers and letters are meaning nothing with out the aid of google. Then I would have to find a review for it, so I can see what peeps think of it.

This is how I found this forum in the first place, wanted a DSLR and then googled it and here I am.
 
Harvey_nikon said:
£1000 PC spec will out do any £1000 laptop, as has already been mentioned.

where do you want to do your editing? at home at your desk or out and about or in front of the tv?
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I hope you are not implying that using a "desktop" pc in some way implies the horror of having to actually sit at a desk. There is no way I'd spend 8 hours per day at work sat at a desk only to come home to sit at yet another desk. :'(
 
I like a PC myself as they are very easy to upgrade. Win 7 is awesome
 
boliston said:
I hope you are not implying that using a "desktop" pc in some way implies the horror of having to actually sit at a desk. There is no way I'd spend 8 hours per day at work sat at a desk only to come home to sit at yet another desk. :'(
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Rather a desk than a sofa to be honest, least a desk you'll get the best posture and screen position. I hate looking down at a laptop when it's on my lap.
 
neil_g said:
Rather a desk than a sofa to be honest, least a desk you'll get the best posture and screen position. I hate looking down at a laptop when it's on my lap.
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I agree about having a laptop actually on your lap. I used to have a desktop on a desk, them moved to a laptop on a coffee table in front of the sofa (as I like to have my feet up and be relaxed ;) ), but then I decided to ditch the laptop in favour of a 21.5" IPS screen & quad core PC, so I just put the screen on the coffee table where the laptop used to be and put the base unit on the floor. It actually works better than the laptop as the screen is hight adjustable whereas the laptop was not.
 
So what your saying is you have a screen in the middle of your lounge, then sit on the sofa to use it. Mouse and keyboard an issue or do you hunch over the coffee table to use it?

I've a media PC connected to my TV, wireless keyboard and mouse. Great for that type of thing but I certainly wouldn't want to spend any more than 10 mins using it for editing.

At a desk I sit better, have a couple of nice big screens, my printer and scanner and a nice comfy chair. Even my netbook sits on the side desk so it can play movies etc while I work.
 
i think you're forgetting the fact that you can't just take a macbook pro and a dell laptop and compare them spec for spec. The build quality, aesthetics, keyboard quality (subjective of course), and backlit keys all cost money

compare a macbook pro to a top of the line vaio and the price no longer becomes a factor

Macbook is also more likely to retain resale value above and beyond what it's 'worth'


for my line of work (i.e. having to have a mobile studio) a laptop is a must, but i'm just a poor student so I still work on a 2.4 ghz core 2 duo with 4gb of ram, and I do complex composites with tiffs getting up to 6gb in size, 1080p video editing, and 3d models that take days to render out- I get paid for this and I manage with my system just fine, to buy this laptop used would only cost around £500- a quicker system would just give me less time to think and procrastinate...

I connect my laptop to a 26" ips display
 
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Harvey_nikon said:
So what your saying is you have a screen in the middle of your lounge, then sit on the sofa to use it. Mouse and keyboard an issue or do you hunch over the coffee table to use it?...
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I can type pretty easily while I'm lounging on the sofa with my feet up (found a photo of sofa/table/screen) :cool:

sofa.jpg
 
Waw, you can type with your feet up while typing from the table!! Awesome!! lol
 
Desktop every time I reckon for serious editing. I have a Macbook Pro 13" for out and about and tethered shooting- it's an excellent laptop but it's far from ideal for editing, I do all that on my Mac desktop.
 
mrjames said:
i think you're forgetting the fact that you can't just take a macbook pro and a dell laptop and compare them spec for spec. The build quality, aesthetics, keyboard quality (subjective of course), and backlit keys all cost money
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Why not? Dell have some top end compatible models too ;)

Personally I'd take dell over Sony any day too.
 
One thing missing here is a laptop over heats much quickly than a PC, a laptop is handy when travelling but it will never replace a PC, at lease you can upgrade a PC but not a laptop and I happy with my PC with a 24” widescreen Samsung for all my editing & games, i also have a dell laptop for all my work but not for Photoshop or editing i see no fun looking at a 15.5" laptop screen to a 24" or 28" PC screen IMO.

scooby1doo1 said:
Sorry for wasting your time, but I don't no what to ask as I no nothing about DSLR's. So getting my 20 post with out asking questions on some thing to don't own is abit hard.

I'm sure I'll get my post count up when I get the camera, now if your Wanna talk cars, RC helicopter, planes, buggy's, trucks then I can talk all day.
Click to expand...

You did waste my time i was only making a point to what you have, because i have seen many post like yours lead to a poll or debate. But i know what you are asking you just want to make sure on the mac laptop and members opinion.

Good luck
 
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