Since we don't have a "computer questions" forum yet...

I'm wondering what Mac laptop would correspond to my Lenovo Y430 as far as post-processing performance. The Lenovo has:

Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T5800 @ 2Ghz

3GB RAM

Vista (32, I think)

250 GB HD. (I also have a couple external HDs for storage/backup.)

I shoot with a 5D2 with normal family stuff, some travel, occasional weddings. I'm considering doing up to 15 weddings/year by 2011.

99% of my processing is through Canon's DPP at this point. And it's basic--exposure, contrast, WB, sharpness, crop. I rarely even dodge and burn (don't even know if if DPP does it--I also have GIMP and a real old PS).

That should be enough to make comments, but if you want the full story, keep reading:








I will be radically changing my computing life come Dec/Jan. I'm wondering if LR2 might be enough for what I need to do--the stuff mentioned above (including dodge/burn), but fast (with batching or whatever), and also cataloging to help me find stuff. I don't enjoy post-processing, but I know I need to get better at it. I just don't know what I need.

My wife and I both write, and I shoot, too (mostly editorial, some weddings/portraiture, will maybe add some sport). The past two years, while living in South Africa, we had two Lenovos. Strong machines, pretty stable, only about $600 each. I look at Mac prices and want to throw up. But we can sell the machines in SA, getting nearly what we paid for them, so it's a good time to jump. If the quality/user experience is everything it's supposed to be, it'd be worth the extra money, as we're both on our computers quite a bit.

But can a laptop suffice for editing? Now, I'm shooting about 2000 images/month, including one wedding. I properly process up to half of them (the basic stuff above). The rest are ok, but I have similar shots that are slightly stronger or whatever.

I'm trying to get a cohesive flow to my tech-life, and thinking two Macs (whether two laptops or one laptop and one desktop) with one or two iPhones might help make my life easier, my time more effective, etc. I will be traveling abroad 2 or 3 times per year shooting and should have something along for basic editing and backup. (Could conceivably have desktop, laptop, and a netbook, but I'm not thrilled at that thinking.)

Finally, to really muck stuff up, I may be trying to work with video from the 5D2 occasionally for projects next year. I know that's a hard task to manage. Think 5-10 minute finished pieces of interviews and such. Not only for web-use, so likely in 1080.

Any comments are most appreciated.

Adam

15" Macbook Pro. 17" if you've got a little extra cash, but I actually prefer the 15 - it fits in more bags but it's still big enough.

At the moment I do all of my editing on my MBP, with an external screen attached when I'm at my desk. Not an ideal setup, but I actually prefer being able to work on images on the couch or on the road.

I know most people here swear by LR, but I really enjoy using Aperture 2. It's a matter of personal taste in the end, I just like the layout and interface more. I find that Aperture is better suited to my 15" screen - LR just feels cluttered. Apple's got some videos about it, you should check them out.

I'm a big proponent of Aperture 2.0-- the workflow is so smooth, and the RAW conversions are the best I've found outside of using DPP (which has such terrible workflow).

If you don't need to edit on the laptop, consider a new iMac instead. The 4-core i5 iMac ($1999) w/ built-in 27 inch screen will be a monster for editing. Then you can pick up a less expensive, smaller, lighter laptop (maybe even a netbook) for backing up and quick reviewing on-site or during travel. You can get a macbook for ~$1000 or less, or a netbook (which it is possible to install OS X on) for ~$300 +- $50.

If you need to edit on the laptop, Kyle's suggestion of a 15" Macbook Pro w/ external monitor is a good one. I'd avoid the 17" unless you absolutely need it... the size makes it cumbersome, and 17-inches still isn't ideal for editing.

Another vote for the new iMac. I use a 24" with a second monitor and I believe I like it better than my Mac Pro at home. Seems very fast.

The iMacs do have glossy screens though, which bother some people. I find I need to control the light in my office a little more due to the glossy screen, but no big deal.

the switch isn't any big deal, if going for apature on a mbp get the biggest video card. 17'' are bulky but you do get 24'' real estate. i'm using a 24'' imac, cant imaging the 15'' mbp is any slower the newer are probably faster.

http://macperformanceguide.com/index.html

if you go all apple (mbp, apature, iphot, iphone) they all connect nicley, very handy.

Macbook Pro 15"

- Steve

OP here again...

@louis--a big part of the switch is the wall all Apple products flow ito each other, and we're starting from scratch: laptops/netbooks, desktop (if we get one), phones, whatever. We don't even own a TV.

I'll have to look at some intros to LR and Aperture and likely just play around a bit. I know many people say they use LR and barely have to go to PS to work on images, which sounds great to me. Do people use Aperture the same way?

I'm sure I don't want a 17", and I'm even considering a 13"--I think I will usually work/do most editing at home with external monitor. If I got a MBP, I'd want (need?) an external monitor--what's a ballpark for a decent screen to plug into it? The Mac one is $900, which nearly made me fall off my chair.

It's a shame you have to switch. If Apple offered their OS for general sale, you could just install it on your current box. In fact, the Apple OS will work on your current box, but that violates the licence.

acjeske wrote:
I'll have to look at some intros to LR and Aperture and likely just play around a bit. I know many people say they use LR and barely have to go to PS to work on images, which sounds great to me. Do people use Aperture the same way?

I use Aperture (as I mentioned above) and for "whole image" changes (things like contrast, saturation, white balance, etc.) it's WAY faster than going into PS for each image. Now I only use PS for really tinkering with an image (masks, layering, text, stuff like that).

Aperture even supports using PS (or any other editor) as an "external editor." It creates a TIFF version of the image you'd like to work on and opens it up in your editor of choice, all with one command. When you're done working on it you just have to hit save and it's updated in your Aperture library. Very sleek.

(I'm not saying LR CAN'T do this, only that Aperture CAN)

I personally find the 15" MBP's too large for traveling. I use a nearly 2 yr old MacBook, but would now get the 13" MBP if in your situation and also the new 27" iMac with either the i5 or i7 processor (considering this myself instead of a MacPro... if only the iMac had eSATA ports...).

But, if you want to do all of the work on a laptop, and use a GPU intensive app like Aperture, then you'd be better off to get the higher end 15" with dedicated graphics chip.

As for a second external monitor, take a look at the higher end Dell units. They're well reviewed and are typically a few hundred less than similar Apple products. Note you'll probably need an adapter to port to the DisplayPort port Apple now uses on all new models.

And which computer will your wife use? Does she need a portable? As a writer I'm sure she could get by fine with the basic MacBook. Check out sites like Gizmodo. As someone else mentioned you can now fairly easily create a 'Hackintosh' by installing OSX onto a netbook. The Dell 10" is currently a favorite for this and costs around $300. Though as a netbook, the keyboard will be somewhat smaller, which could be an issue for a writer...

Also keep an eye on the online Apple Store's refurb section. If you're not averse to this option, you could save some money by picking up a previous generation model. Your wife might like a refurb MacBook Air instead of a MacBook. Prices should be quite similar. Good times to check for refurb deals are just after product refreshes, as just happened with the iMacs.

Ron

Why do you guys like Aperture over Lightroom? In another thread everyone recommends Lightroom over Aperture...

gee, kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it? Some people even say there is more than 1 way to skin a cat. Can you imagine

2nd on the refurb store. They recently had MacBooks for as low as $749.

You may want to wait until after the new year if you are looking at a MacBook Pro. There are references to new MacBook Pros in the developer release of OSX 10.6.2. If Apple follows the usual pattern of releases, it will be in january.
MacBook Pro buyers guide

kylegehmlich wrote:
acjeske wrote:
I'll have to look at some intros to LR and Aperture and likely just play around a bit. I know many people say they use LR and barely have to go to PS to work on images, which sounds great to me. Do people use Aperture the same way?
Aperture even supports using PS (or any other editor) as an "external editor." It creates a TIFF version of the image you'd like to work on and opens it up in your editor of choice, all with one command. When you're done working on it you just have to hit save and it's updated in your Aperture library. Very sleek.

(I'm not saying LR CAN'T do this, only that Aperture CAN)

LR does this.

3rd on the refurb section. My laptop was bought refurbished and I couldn't distinguish it from a new one. Unless you need the cutting edge specs I don't know any reason not to buy refurbished.

@Mister Bean:
Out of curiosity, will LR do that with any external editor or does it only work with Adobe software?

@Travelinbri:
As I mentioned above, I like Aperture for its layout, and I find the workflow is just smoother. Granted, I have much less experience with LR, and it obviously works for many people out there. I also don't know which thread you're referring to, but it's possible that people were comparing to Aperture 1, which I also didn't like (thought it's been so long I can't remember why). Aperture 2 is way better than its predecessor.

I bought a 15" macbook pro (refurb) right after they introduced the new model (replaced the express card slot with a sd card slot). so, no option but to go refurb. looking back, it was a good decision. perfect laptop, does everything I need it to. If for any reason you're not satisfied, you should be able to return it for a full refund, I believe. I didn't need to.

So I'd totally recommend a 15" macbook pro for on-the-go work (it does a great job as a desktop replacement too). Or get an iMac if you absolutely need the extra desk space.

edit: just make sure to get 4gb RAM minimum.

So I got to play with a friend's MacBook (2.13 ghz, 2gb).

I was surprised it seemed to download the files much quicker (150 took six minutes using EOS Utility or whatever it's called). And they processed fast, too, converting 32 RAW images in DPP in 13 minutes. My Lenovo with faster processor and more Ram took 34 minutes! The screen generally seemed a bit nicer--color, contrast, sharpness/resolution...or maybe my eyes were effected by Mac-love.

Anyway, more questions:

Other than aluminum body and possibility of faster processor, what are MBP advantages over MB? (I'm looking at the 13" MBP...)

I don't see an option on the Mac store for a matte screen on either MB or MBP. How do I get one?

If I buy a refurb, it doesn't seem like I can buy Office or Aperture/LR (haven't decided between those yet) on it. Can I just go to MS/Apple/Adobe and buy the discs? Can you buy with multiple licenses and stuff? My wife and I will both be needing...

Can I save stuff (eg Word docs) from a Mac on a flash drive and then put it in a pc and have it read everything properly? (Still don't understand the guts of getting these machines to talk to each other...)

Thanks.

Adam