laptop for photo editing

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jchin
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p.1 #1 · laptop for photo editing

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive laptop (portability is key, so I guess 14-inch) for light photo editing (resize, crop, highlights/shadows)? Thanks.

BTW, I was told Lenovo makes a good travel laptop. Has anyone used it for photo editing?

Aug 19, 2008 at 08:29 PM

arcticchilla
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p.1 #2 · laptop for photo editing

Macbook

I used to be a PC guy, but not anymore. Mac's are amazing for photo/video editing.

Aug 19, 2008 at 09:17 PM

jchin
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p.1 #3 · laptop for photo editing

Unfortunately, my day job is supporting PCs and their environment

I would love to get a Mac, but cannot afford it right now.

Aug 19, 2008 at 09:26 PM

vidoprof
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p.1 #4 · laptop for photo editing

Jchin,

The mac (not sure if you know) can run everything windows can in the windows environment ON THE MAC. Might want to look into it.

That being said. If COLOR calibration is not a big deal then anything now a days will run photoshop decently. Just MAX out the ram on that thing. I have an older $400 laptop Compaq R3000 or something like that that does OK. I have 2 gig of ram in it though. If you dont need it to be perfectly accurate I would say any $400 laptop would be ok as long as you have alot of ram

Ryan

Aug 19, 2008 at 09:58 PM

UCSB
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p.1 #5 · laptop for photo editing

Here you go: Lenovo W700 ... even includes built in color calibration and graphics tablet.

Link: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087¤t-category-id=F2A3EC7C45634AE8AB0F26CCAC867854

Aug 19, 2008 at 10:28 PM

hidden_Markov
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p.1 #6 · laptop for photo editing

vidoprof wrote:
Jchin,

The mac (not sure if you know) can run everything windows can in the windows environment ON THE MAC. Might want to look into it.

Not a Mac hater, just want to clarify...but always saw the slight flaw in this argument. Why run a Mac if you are gonna be in vmware and parallels? If you got the money and ambition to transer stuff like adobe products over to Mac, go mac (mac pro on the short list of potential upgrades for me to be honest). If you will be a mac user relying on windows emulation why get a mac in the first place though. Just my .02. Not picking on the Mac people who do this exclusively, will argue that point with linux users who vmware/wine most of their day as well lol...I am a Linux user who cut that vmware cord, if it ain't in a debian/ubuntu specific repository or I can't build off of source, chances are good I don't need it or it don't exist lol...

But spot on about the memory. Also if not an option, get the newer 7200 RPM laptop drives out now from some place like newegg (or any other place that sells drives). Memory was a nice upgrade on my beater laptop. 7200 100gb hard drive....night and day is all I have to say. They go for around $100, worth the money for the storage alone, the speed boost icing on the cake.

Edited on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:01 AM

Aug 20, 2008 at 12:27 AM

jerryrock
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p.1 #7 · laptop for photo editing

hidden_Markov wrote:
Not a Mac hater, just want to clarify...but always saw the slight flaw in this argument. Why run a Mac if you are gonna be in vmware and parallels? If you got the money and ambition to transer stuff like adobe products over to Mac, go mac (mac pro on the short list of potential upgrades for me to be honest). If you will be a mac user relying on windows emulation why get a mac in the first place though. Just my .02.

I'm not suggesting a Mac for the OP who clearly needs a PC. I just want to clarify this issue brought up by every PC user who is not familiar with the current Mac product.

Intel based Macs do not need to run emulators to install and run Windows. Windows (including Vista 64 bit) run natively on these machines.

I own a MacPro and a MacBook Pro. Both run OSX and Vista64 on a dual boot system. This is the best of both worlds.

The MacBook Pro is the top rated workhorse laptop (PC Magazine and Consumer Reports)
It runs Windows faster than any other laptop manufactured.

Edited on Aug 20, 2008 at 02:46 AM

Aug 20, 2008 at 02:43 AM

vidoprof
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p.1 #8 · laptop for photo editing

jerry

That is what i was meaning, but didnt relay it correctly.

Markov: See above, although I hear what you are saying.

I just saw that Lenovo on Engadget. It looks incredible. Someone else is making one too. But that Lenovo is gonna run around 5k, but hey it DOES have a calibrator built in. 90 seconds and you get it done.

Ryan

Aug 20, 2008 at 03:14 AM

hidden_Markov
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p.1 #9 · laptop for photo editing

Oh yeah, M$ on Apple an option. So is linux

I'd not run it that way though. If I go mac, looking forward to running Mac OS and Mac adobe products. While the Mac interface does not thrill me, love the fact that Mac OS designed programs run better it seems. I am a purist I guess lol. Why would I ruin a good mac architecture (they are one of the better OEM builders I will admit) with windows. Except for games, LR (don't wine too well, okay, at all) , and I need to keep up MCSE skills (not all of us are Gate's fan boys lol) with a windows based server wouldn't be a M$ puter in the house at all.

OP said out of price range though for a mac book. Maybe a dell you can cut down on price? They generally don't ship with good drives and more memory unless you pay more over newegg. And their memory prices kind of suck too. Both are easy to replace for cheaper. Just downgrade in the custom build form.

IBM always has made good laptops. Sure the lenova continues the trend.

I am an HP/comcrap hater. too many bad experiences with them personally and professionally. Others mileage may vary. Mine had video problems a month after a warranty expired. Either screen or an internal component that were expensive. Don't like 50/50 odds when money and time on the line, went for another laptop instead lol...

Edited on Aug 20, 2008 at 05:18 AM

Aug 20, 2008 at 05:06 AM

jchin
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p.1 #10 · laptop for photo editing

Hey folks ... let us not turn this into a PC vs Mac debate.

I am looking to see if there are any decent Windows laptops that are light weight and cheap. Light weight (say less than 6 pounds), cheap (say under $1000).

I do love a Mac (mainly because I love to run Unix, which I do), but for the sack of having one laptop to support my day job, I will keep it Windows (purely, no VMWARE, no VirtualBox, no VirtualPC, etc. etc.). It just doesn't look professional to support clients in Windows environments with a Mac (or Linux, or BSD) running an emulator. Besides, not everything runs in an emulator.

Thanks.

Aug 20, 2008 at 08:09 AM

globalkiwi
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p.1 #11 · laptop for photo editing

FWIW, I have been using IBM/Lenovo laptops (I think I'm on my 6th or 7th one) for years & have been very happy with them. I currently use a Thinkpad A31P for photo editing & it's great. I have not yet used the W700 but from what I've seen & read, it looks pretty damn good!

Aug 20, 2008 at 03:10 PM

invalid2
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p.1 #12 · laptop for photo editing

jchin wrote:
Can anyone recommend an inexpensive laptop (portability is key, so I guess 14-inch) for light photo editing (resize, crop, highlights/shadows)? Thanks.

BTW, I was told Lenovo makes a good travel laptop. Has anyone used it for photo editing?

You might see if you can try out one of those ASUS EeePCs - small, portable, and inexpensive. They are not speed demons, which is why I suggest you try using one to see if it would work for you.

Aug 21, 2008 at 11:23 AM

jerryrock
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p.1 #13 · laptop for photo editing

jchin wrote:I do love a Mac (mainly because I love to run Unix, which I do), but for the sack of having one laptop to support my day job, I will keep it Windows (purely, no VMWARE, no VirtualBox, no VirtualPC, etc. etc.). It just doesn't look professional to support clients in Windows environments with a Mac (or Linux, or BSD) running an emulator. Besides, not everything runs in an emulator.
Thanks.

JChin,

Please read my previous post. The new intel based Mac does not need emulation software to run Windows. It runs Windows natively and faster than any other laptop on the market.

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2007/10/30/fastest-vista-notebook-mac

Jerry

Aug 21, 2008 at 12:07 PM

dan727
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p.1 #14 · laptop for photo editing

jerryrock wrote:

JChin,

Please read my previous post. The new intel based Mac does not need emulation software to run Windows. It runs Windows natively and faster than any other laptop on the market.

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2007/10/30/fastest-vista-notebook-mac

Jerry

The OP said inexpensive... the macbook pro is nearly double his budget plus he would need to buy a copy of Vista on top of that. There are no magical parts inside a mac. Your article link is from 10/30/2007 probably when macbookpros came with Penryns and benchmarked against previous generation cpu's. And don't link any macbook pro versus Dell 1530's. I have seen the benchmarks and that was a dell driver screwup, lol.

But back to the OP... how portable do you want? Lenovo just release a small notebook (X200) that comes with a 12" screen and has up to a 9 hour battery all coming in at around 4.5 pounds. I would stay away from the Asus EeePC's... I would thinkt the 12" would be kind of small but those things have screens even smaller.

You can also check into the Thinkpad T60... from what I have heard they have good screens for working with photoshop (the ones with the matte screens anyway).

Aug 22, 2008 at 12:32 AM

Jonathan Knight
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p.1 #15 · laptop for photo editing

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet or not, but STEER CLEAR FROM GLOSSY SCREENS. I have a Macbook which only comes in glossy screens and it can be brutal to try and use with ANY light source behind me. It is virtually unusable outside all days.

Aug 22, 2008 at 01:03 AM

godfather
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p.1 #16 · laptop for photo editing

Just an option...dell laptops have been good to me in the past.

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Edited on Aug 22, 2008 at 04:26 AM

Aug 22, 2008 at 04:25 AM

Derek Lacey
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p.1 #17 · laptop for photo editing

I second the XPS M1330. Even with money very tight lately I used our house Dell account and got one with the LED screen. I was really worried at first as I did not want a mirror-like glossy screen and when I arrived I was almost afraid to open the box.

When I did I was very happy as while it is a bit glossier then what I would consider a matt screen it is not like a mirror and the colours, weight etc. are great!

P.S. - the fingerprint reader software SUCKS! I can't get it to work and will be on the phone with Dell sometime this weekend but I really don't care one way or the other frankly as I just want the machine for in the field camera to laptop file transfers and light Lightroom 2 work. Main processing is done at home on the desktop machine.

Good luck with your search.....

I would suggest the M1330 as well

Aug 22, 2008 at 11:05 AM

rachp
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p.1 #18 · laptop for photo editing

I have a Dell Inspiron 5100 (I think that is the #) that is VERY old and still going strong. I can give a good recommendation for the Dells.

I received an HP Pavilion dv6000 last Christmas. I have LR, CS3, DSLR Remote Pro, Breeze Browser and Downloader, Photomatix and some other photo programs on it and it runs great! I can get a decent calibration with a Spyder 2 Express. It is a 15.4 but fairly inexpensive and not big/bulky.

I know others have had issues with HPs and Dells but I have had nothing but great luck with mine.

Aug 22, 2008 at 05:21 PM

Michael H
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p.1 #19 · laptop for photo editing

jerryrock wrote:
jchin wrote:I do love a Mac (mainly because I love to run Unix, which I do), but for the sack of having one laptop to support my day job, I will keep it Windows (purely, no VMWARE, no VirtualBox, no VirtualPC, etc. etc.). It just doesn't look professional to support clients in Windows environments with a Mac (or Linux, or BSD) running an emulator. Besides, not everything runs in an emulator.
Thanks.

JChin,

Please read my previous post. The new intel based Mac does not need emulation software to run Windows. It runs Windows natively and faster than any other laptop on the market.

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2007/10/30/fastest-vista-notebook-mac

Jerry

I'm always VERY reluctant to jump into these fan-boy discussions that popup at the most inappropriate discussions, but...

Jerry, the first thing I'd tell you is you really don't add much credibility to your position using a nearly 1-year old report from theinquirier. Just like there are other ah hem..."stories" like this one linked supporting the position, there are just as many supporting the opposite. There are pro/con arguements for both sides of the fence. However, when someone asks about an "inexpensive solution" (quoted from the OP) a Macbook Pro is the last thing a reasonable person would ever consider. Expensive to purchase, more expensive to upgrade, more expensive for common parts, less reliable, blah, blah...

I think this quote from the article you referenced sums it all up for me...

Errrrr.....
....except that a notebook full of standard x86 bits and running Windows isn't a Mac anymore, it's a PC. Jolly well done to Apple for manufacturing an IBM clone 25 years after everyone else did it!

---

Get off the stupic mac/pc pissing contests and objectively answer the questions.

Aug 22, 2008 at 08:55 PM

jerryrock
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p.1 #20 · laptop for photo editing

Michael H wrote:
I'm always VERY reluctant to jump into these fan-boy discussions that popup at the most inappropriate discussions, but...

Get off the stupic mac/pc pissing contests and objectively answer the questions.

Get off my ass.......

I didn't ask for your bitchy comments.

Aug 22, 2008 at 09:43 PM

Gary Petersen
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p.1 #21 · laptop for photo editing

Any laptop will do a pretty good job. As far as Macs go the cheapest one Fry's had here when I bought this PC laptop was $1300.00 more. You could buy two of these for that price.

Aug 23, 2008 at 01:20 AM

tc95
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p.1 #22 · laptop for photo editing

Jchin,

I will probably get a little flack for this...but I use at home two machines...a IMac and Sony VGN-SZ650n.....both workout great for me....the sony is very portable when you just want to get up and move around...I do have the glossy screen...but never had too big of an issue outside..except for the glare...I am in Houston..so you do not sit outside much and do work...too humid...the one really big thing I have found always put the max ram in the unit...If you are looking for really portable...the sony ux380n is perfect...when I go on trips...very good little laptop to store and do some work...to small to really do alot of work though...

I use both systems...Mac and PC...both have thier pluses and minuses...I like the sony's because you can by the extra long life batteries...for them...

If you still like the Levino....I know Office Depot had some for under $600.00 with 3gigs of ram...the other day...

Hope this helps..

Tony C.
PS....and by the way if you would like to run Mac on the PC laptop..you can get a copy of OSx86 online...that will install on any PC laptop that has SSE3 on it....every new laptop can run it...(yes it does work and I did test it on the Sony....only issue...memory stick ports do not work...and the Wifi did not work...so I put vista back on the PC)

Edited on Aug 23, 2008 at 03:00 AM

Aug 23, 2008 at 02:59 AM

budjames
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p.1 #23 · laptop for photo editing

Ditto for the 2 thumbs up for MacBook Pro laptops. I switched from Dell computers (laptop, workstation and 2 PCs) about 18 months ago and I've never been happier. I have to run Windows using Parallels on my MacBook Pro laptop to run Windows specific software for my financial planning practice so I see everyday how much easier to use the Mac is compared to Windows. Also, 90% of my tech support issues are with the Windows.

For running Photoshop CS3, Lightroom 2.0, Bridge and MS Office, I use Macs running the latest version of Leopard. As the ads claim, they just work!

Cheers.
Bud James
North Wales, PA

Aug 25, 2008 at 02:38 AM

tomm101
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p.1 #24 · laptop for photo editing

Lenovo's are built like tanks but don't weigh much. My T42 weighs in at 4lb 12oz, with a 14 inch screen (not a fan of its screen, I use a separate screen for editing). We just received some T61s, the screen is much better, a little heavier, but still has the dropcage for the HD. Nice laptop, about the same price as a Macbook, which is also nice. Give a choice I'd go for the T61 just for durability.

Tom

Aug 25, 2008 at 05:25 PM

Alan321
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p.1 #25 · laptop for photo editing

Whatever laptop you get for photo editing there is a good chance that the screen will not do a good job of covering the sRGB colour gamut - especially if it's a cheap laptop but probably even if it's an expensive one. This issue is independent of screen calibration and colour profiling which are highly recommended but cannot produce colours that the monitor cannot display. Therefore be careful what photo editing you do on a laptop.

Also, if there is a chance that you'll want to do editing on the laptop while using an external screen for greater resolution and/or better colours then be sure that the graphics card in the laptop can support the resolution of that external screen. Chances are that you will not be able to upgrade the graphics card like you can in a desktop computer.

- Alan

Aug 25, 2008 at 06:45 PM


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