What is a definitive minimum spec for a laptop?

Brocks

Brocks

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I've been trawling the search area for a spec on a laptop and I ain't winning. I take a laptop (well two actually) on my travels for emailing home and editing photos. My Dell D600 is finally giving up. The Ethernet port has died, the PCMCIA has died and now half the USB has packed in. The power switch is intermittent.

I want to run:

Photoshop 5
Photmatix,
Canon DPP
Office (when I buy a copy)

I use external drives for my music and photofiles the onboard will be used purely for the system!


What SPEC do I need as a minimum....I've looked at ta few retailers, and its clear the technolgy has moved on a bit since I last looked. Please explain in ENGLISH!:bang:

Once I know a spec, i can start looking at retailers again.

What Processor?
RAM?
Dedicated video card?
15" screen I'd say.....What else?
 
I'm going to be watching this thread carefully. I've given up trying to process RAW shots on my computer due to it's snail-like response - in fact it usually just crashes Elements. I've tried copies of PS/Lightroom and NX and had the same problems. I need more cyber-oomph!!
 
D600, wow i thought we were the only ones making those cling on to life :D

what sort of budget you looking at? if you liked the D600 in its time then the new E series Lat's are worth a look.
 
When you say Photoshop 5 do you mean Photoshop Elements 5?
 
Brocks said:
Once I know a spec, I can start looking at retailers again.
Click to expand...

More importantly, what's your budget?

You can get some VERY reasonably priced systems nowadays.

You mention a 15" screen - is this simply for portability? - A Larger screen would 'generally' give you a bigger resolution, thus - better quality images.

Processors - Its generally a "norm" nowadays to have a dual processor CPU, some will always sway to Intel processors, others to AMD - In real terms, there isn’t much between them in it in terms of performance - AMD generally cost less.

RAM - Depends how much you want to do! - 2GB I’d say as a minimum - 4GB if budget allows

As with anything - get the best you can afford at the time - don't base a system on the "minimum requirements" to run your software, you'll experience poor performance, and 6-months down the line (should you want to use it for anything else) it may be too slow!!!

Some Suggestions:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/179694
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172312
 
minimum spec - dual core (not celeron) and 4gb memory, screen size is personal preference and dedicated graphics memory isnt really essential unless you want video intensive apps to run faster :)
 
LemmingLover said:
When you say Photoshop 5 do you mean Photoshop Elements 5?
Click to expand...

mattydinx said:
More importantly, what's your budget?

You can get some VERY reasonably priced systems nowadays.

You mention a 15" screen - is this simply for portability? - A Larger screen would 'generally' give you a bigger resolution, thus - better quality images.

Processors - Its generally a "norm" nowadays to have a dual processor CPU, some will always sway to Intel processors, others to AMD - In real terms, there isn’t much between them in it in terms of performance - AMD generally cost less.

RAM - Depends how much you want to do! - 2GB I’d say as a minimum - 4GB if budget allows

As with anything - get the best you can afford at the time - don't base a system on the "minimum requirements" to run your software, you'll experience poor performance, and 6-months down the line (should you want to use it for anything else) it may be too slow!!!

Some Suggestions:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/179694
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172312
Click to expand...

neil_g said:
minimum spec - dual core (not celeron) and 4gb memory, screen size is personal preference and dedicated graphics memory isnt really essential unless you want video intensive apps to run faster :)
Click to expand...

Ok that gives me my search criteria....almost. looking at the Dell outlet site, There are a massive selection of processors and speeds. I'm guessing about 2.2 - 2.4 on a dual core is a good speed?
 
Brocks said:
I'm guessing about 2.2 - 2.4 on a dual core is a good speed?
Click to expand...
Either/Or - there isnt much performance difference between those speeds
 
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