Macbook recommendations

[inView]

Need a "cheap" MacBook for events to process pics trackside or in media centres etc but frankly can't afford a new one. What generation of MacBook could I run Lightroom to back up pics from my Z9 and 6II to distribute as needed, something that would last a few years with updates from Apple etc. Could an MacBook Air be ok or should I be looking at Pros? Anything to look for, look to avoid and finally what should I be looking to pay..... I was thinking no more than £500 btw

Thoughts??

 

[ancient_mariner]

I'd try to stretch to a used M1-based Air. It's likely the Intel Macs have only a couple of years OS updates left before they fall out of support.

 

[Craikeybaby]

As above, an Intel MacBook would be a false economy now, unless it was mega cheap. Even the bottom of the range M1 MacBook Airs are good (I'm posting this from one).

 

[inView]

I'd try to stretch to a used M1-based Air. It's likely the Intel Macs have only a couple of years OS updates left before they fall out of support.

shoestring budget in this case, not seen any less than 800 ....... I assume the M1 and Lightroom play nice now? Another thing, would video be a possibility on a M1 MacBook Air?

 

[ancient_mariner]

shoestring budget in this case, not seen any less than 800 ....... I assume the M1 and Lightroom play nice now? Another thing, would video be a possibility on a M1 MacBook Air?

I've seen them come up as refurbs around £600ish via HUKD.co.uk. I'd expect video editing to be better than on a higher-spec old intel machine.

 

[stickytape]

I've happily using my MAcbook Pro M1 which is terrific - but my backup is a 2015 11 inch. Which just about does 4K editing and the rest, so it's OK!

No point cutting corers, why not just get an M1 Pro or Air, and if you can't finance it upfront, get a 0 percent credit card and spread the cost.

 

[stickytape]

I've seen them come up as refurbs around £600ish via HUKD.co.uk. I'd expect video editing to be better than on a higher-spec old intel machine.

I'm doing 4K editing on my 2015 11 inch (i5, 8gb) when I accidentally left my m1 13 inch at work one time!

 

[RichardC27]

Have you considered an iPad Pro? Lightweight, portable and LR runs like a dream, and you may be able to pick up a used 2018 or even 2020 model within your budget.

 

[inView]

Have you considered an iPad Pro? Lightweight, portable and LR runs like a dream, and you may be able to pick up a used 2018 or even 2020 model within your budget.

Ironically I have an iPad Pro (gen2) and was thinking if I could get it to work for backing up and letting me do some adjustments track side with my Z9? What would I need, it’s a bit rubbish doing the Bluetooth transfer.

 

[RichardC27]

Ironically I have an iPad Pro (gen2) and was thinking if I could get it to work for backing up and letting me do some adjustments track side with my Z9? What would I need, it’s a bit rubbish doing the Bluetooth transfer.

Is that one with a Lightning Port? Although you can buy Lightning card readers I think, for SD Cards anyway. If its a 2018 onwards one then just get a USB-C card reader and you're away. You can import directly into Lightroom, no need to go through the photos app first.

Lightroom does require a subscription on the iPad, and paying for the 1TB cloud storage option isn't essential but will make your life much easier. I've been iPad only for almost 3 years, I couldn't go back to a desktop now. There isn't really anything LR desktop can do that the iPad app can't now, unless you're into HDR or printing.

And get an Apple Pencil, absolutely essential for photo editing

 

[Deleted member 95430]

Is this for a business or do you get paid for the work. Apple now do credit sometimes interest free so what you pay in interest over 12/24 months you make back in clients and pay cheques

 

[inView]

Is that one with a Lightning Port? Although you can buy Lightning card readers I think, for SD Cards anyway. If its a 2018 onwards one then just get a USB-C card reader and you're away. You can import directly into Lightroom, no need to go through the photos app first.

Lightroom does require a subscription on the iPad, and paying for the 1TB cloud storage option isn't essential but will make your life much easier. I've been iPad only for almost 3 years, I couldn't go back to a desktop now. There isn't really anything LR desktop can do that the iPad app can't now, unless you're into HDR or printing.

And get an Apple Pencil, absolutely essential for photo editing

Ok so I have had my iPad for years and never knew I could do this…….. damn. For quick edits and fast sending to social this will be the go to, will still need a laptop to back things up but damn. Thanks

 

[RichardC27]

Ok so I have had my iPad for years and never knew I could do this…….. damn. For quick edits and fast sending to social this will be the go to, will still need a laptop to back things up but damn. Thanks

iPads support external drives, have done for a couple of years so you might not even need a laptop for that. Just plug in your backup drive after every meeting and export the original files from Lightroom. You'll see loads online about how you can't do a full photography workflow from an iPad but you absolutely can, it's just different from on a Mac / PC.

Have a look on YouTube for iPad Pro LR photography workflow videos. Just make sure it's from the past few months, if you watch one from 2019 or 2020 things will have moved on a bit since then.