Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
p.5 #1Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
tsdevine wrote:
I tend to try to get 5+ years out of a laptop if I can.
YMMV of course.
Single-threaded CPU performance will be way behind the times in 5 years. Multi-threaded may be less so if you buy at the highest level. GPU and NPU are expected to continue increasing and want more RAM, so software in 5 years may be rather slow if it is expecting contemporary performance.
I suppose it depends on what you are doing with the laptop compared to all your other computers.
Under normal circumstances I could argue that the performance area under the curve might be better if you replace every 3 years. Today who knows what computing gear we will be able to obtain in 5 years and what it will cost.
EBH
I tend to try to get 5+ years out of a laptop if I can.
YMMV of course.
Single-threaded CPU performance will be way behind the times in 5 years. Multi-threaded may be less so if you buy at the highest level. GPU and NPU are expected to continue increasing and want more RAM, so software in 5 years may be rather slow if it is expecting contemporary performance.
I suppose it depends on what you are doing with the laptop compared to all your other computers.
Under normal circumstances I could argue that the performance area under the curve might be better if you replace every 3 years. Today who knows what computing gear we will be able to obtain in 5 years and what it will cost.
EBH
Sep 27, 2026 at 11:21 PM
p.5 #2Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
EB-1 wrote:
YMMV of course.Single-threaded CPU performance will be way behind the times in 5 years. Multi-threaded may be less so if you buy at the highest level. GPU and NPU are expected to continue increasing and want more RAM, so software in 5 years may be rather slow if it is expecting contemporary performance.
I suppose it depends on what you are doing with the laptop compared to all your other computers.
Under normal circumstances I could argue that the performance area under the curve might be better if you replace every 3 years. Today who knows what computing gear we will be...Show more →
My laptop is my only computer, and we're all different. Hence my "try" and "YMMV" statement. I'm at about 5 years on this laptop, and I don't see me replacing it until maybe end of next year. If something monumental comes down the pike, it doesn't mean that I would never buy another machine within a 5 year span. But I won't buy a machine that "just" passes for what I do now. I try to buy with a decent bit of headroom.
Maybe that doesn't make sense to everyone. I do lower volume processing, obviously those who have other shooting styles and other types of photography than I do, might be better served by a 3 year cycle.
But the main point was that I don't shoot for "adequate for right now" when I buy.
tsdevine wrote
I tend to try to get 5+ years out of a laptop if I can.YMMV of course.
I suppose it depends on what you are doing with the laptop compared to all your other computers.
Under normal circumstances I could argue that the performance area under the curve might be better if you replace every 3 years. Today who knows what computing gear we will be...Show more →
My laptop is my only computer, and we're all different. Hence my "try" and "YMMV" statement. I'm at about 5 years on this laptop, and I don't see me replacing it until maybe end of next year. If something monumental comes down the pike, it doesn't mean that I would never buy another machine within a 5 year span. But I won't buy a machine that "just" passes for what I do now. I try to buy with a decent bit of headroom.
Maybe that doesn't make sense to everyone. I do lower volume processing, obviously those who have other shooting styles and other types of photography than I do, might be better served by a 3 year cycle.
But the main point was that I don't shoot for "adequate for right now" when I buy.
Sep 28, 2026 at 04:50 AM
p.5 #3Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
gdanmitchell wrote:
The price of slightly under-equipping is probably worse than the price of somewhat over-equipping.
+1
It generally means that you'll be repurchasing a new chassis, keyboard, power supply, display, existing memory and other components in order to get the additional CPU / GPU / RAM performance much sooner, than if you harnessed it up front. Classic pay me now or pay me later.
Mac laptops (imo) represent the most "redundant" purchase possible when upgrading. Meaning, if I move from my M2 Base to an M3 / M4 / M5 Pro / Max , I'm repaying for all the components that add essentially ZERO value increase, just to get where the REAL value / performance increase is ... the additional MODULES.
Kinda like buying a one cylinder Rolls Royce, the deciding you want a twelve cylinder. Unlike a car, where you can do an engine (component) upgrade, you have to buy an entirely new (i.e. repurchase what you already own) set of components that were designed to last a VERY LONG TIME. The architectural design of the chassis, keyboard, display, power supply, etc. ... all that "stuff" that will be essentially the same ... you wind up buying them TWICE.
If you have the vision to recognize that your upgrade cycle can be quite long, then spec it out to that. Before moving to Mac, I came to realize that a LOT of folks were in a longer upgrade cycle than PC folks were. Accordingly ... and being a previous PC approach user for swapping out components / upgrades ... I targeted a 5-8 year upgrade cycle. I figure that software development moves at a different pace than Moore's Law for hardware development. But, with each annual model improvement in incremental % of CPU / GPU / NPU ... the need to repurchase perfectly functioning power supply, chassis, display, keyboard, etc. ... man, what a waste of existing components ($$$) to get an incremental % boost. Especially, if the rig is still outperforming my needs.
That said, until software demands outgrow my existing rig ... the Siren's Song of replacement / upgrade is easily dismissed. If I had spec'd "slightly under" ... I'd be outgrowing the rig vastly sooner, and the allure to make the redundant purchase would loom larger.
So yeah, there's the "what can I afford now" that can tap out some folks. There's the "what can I stomach, now" (even if I can afford). Then, there's "where do I want to be in 5-8 years" (i.e. what is my expected upgrade cycle).
Those are different questions from how fast is this thing.
YMMV
The price of slightly under-equipping is probably worse than the price of somewhat over-equipping.
+1
It generally means that you'll be repurchasing a new chassis, keyboard, power supply, display, existing memory and other components in order to get the additional CPU / GPU / RAM performance much sooner, than if you harnessed it up front. Classic pay me now or pay me later.
Mac laptops (imo) represent the most "redundant" purchase possible when upgrading. Meaning, if I move from my M2 Base to an M3 / M4 / M5 Pro / Max , I'm repaying for all the components that add essentially ZERO value increase, just to get where the REAL value / performance increase is ... the additional MODULES.
Kinda like buying a one cylinder Rolls Royce, the deciding you want a twelve cylinder. Unlike a car, where you can do an engine (component) upgrade, you have to buy an entirely new (i.e. repurchase what you already own) set of components that were designed to last a VERY LONG TIME. The architectural design of the chassis, keyboard, display, power supply, etc. ... all that "stuff" that will be essentially the same ... you wind up buying them TWICE.
If you have the vision to recognize that your upgrade cycle can be quite long, then spec it out to that. Before moving to Mac, I came to realize that a LOT of folks were in a longer upgrade cycle than PC folks were. Accordingly ... and being a previous PC approach user for swapping out components / upgrades ... I targeted a 5-8 year upgrade cycle. I figure that software development moves at a different pace than Moore's Law for hardware development. But, with each annual model improvement in incremental % of CPU / GPU / NPU ... the need to repurchase perfectly functioning power supply, chassis, display, keyboard, etc. ... man, what a waste of existing components ($$$) to get an incremental % boost. Especially, if the rig is still outperforming my needs.
That said, until software demands outgrow my existing rig ... the Siren's Song of replacement / upgrade is easily dismissed. If I had spec'd "slightly under" ... I'd be outgrowing the rig vastly sooner, and the allure to make the redundant purchase would loom larger.
So yeah, there's the "what can I afford now" that can tap out some folks. There's the "what can I stomach, now" (even if I can afford). Then, there's "where do I want to be in 5-8 years" (i.e. what is my expected upgrade cycle).
Those are different questions from how fast is this thing.
YMMV
Sep 28, 2026 at 06:16 AM
p.5 #4Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
After buying computers for — Good Lord! — 40 years (!), one thing I have learned is that a few years later the differences between, say, the middle spec’ed machines and the highest-spec’ed machines typically amount to very little by comparisons between the old machines as a group and the then-new stuff.
In other words, if you come back in, say, 2030 and compare the difference between two machines that have slightly different numbers of processors or differences in processor speed, those differences will seem small to the point of insignificance by comparison to what is new in 2030. (At that point, any of the older machines start to run into thing like inability to run the latest OS software at speed or with full features… and before long to upgrade to newer OS’s at all.)
If you are thinking in cost terms, there’s a very good chance tat it makes more sense to buy a bit below the peak performance levels and then replace a bit more frequently as necessary… compared to thinking that you can significantly extend the useful lifespan of your current purchase by getting the fastest thing. (Believe me, I’ve tried…)
In other words, if you come back in, say, 2030 and compare the difference between two machines that have slightly different numbers of processors or differences in processor speed, those differences will seem small to the point of insignificance by comparison to what is new in 2030. (At that point, any of the older machines start to run into thing like inability to run the latest OS software at speed or with full features… and before long to upgrade to newer OS’s at all.)
If you are thinking in cost terms, there’s a very good chance tat it makes more sense to buy a bit below the peak performance levels and then replace a bit more frequently as necessary… compared to thinking that you can significantly extend the useful lifespan of your current purchase by getting the fastest thing. (Believe me, I’ve tried…)
Sep 28, 2026 at 08:40 AM
p.5 #5Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
What Dan said ^^^. Another way to say it is, good enough is, because it will be superseded in 18 months, then you’re likely going to replace it in 3 years anyway; and will probably have to replace it in 5 years because it won’t support your software anymore.
Sep 28, 2026 at 08:51 AM
p.5 #6Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
Jack Flesher wrote:
What Dan said ^^^. Another way to say it is, good enough is, because it will be superseded in 18 months, then you’re likely going to replace it in 3 years anyway; and will probably have to replace it in 5 years because it won’t support your software anymore.
There’s another version of this approach that used to work, though perhaps a bit less so these days. Some recommend NOT buying the latest new thing when it comes out… but instead waiting until a year later to buy it or so when the _next_ shiny new thing arrives and last year’s shiny new thing is discounted…
… and then combine this approach with the “buy below the top end” and “replace more often” policies.
Confession: Though I understand this and think it has legs, I’ve never been quite able to convince myself to do it. My approach is more one of carefully and objectively looking at the real world effect of different product categories and levels of specifications on my use, and then padding that a little bit by erring one level higher.
What Dan said ^^^. Another way to say it is, good enough is, because it will be superseded in 18 months, then you’re likely going to replace it in 3 years anyway; and will probably have to replace it in 5 years because it won’t support your software anymore.
There’s another version of this approach that used to work, though perhaps a bit less so these days. Some recommend NOT buying the latest new thing when it comes out… but instead waiting until a year later to buy it or so when the _next_ shiny new thing arrives and last year’s shiny new thing is discounted…
… and then combine this approach with the “buy below the top end” and “replace more often” policies.
Confession: Though I understand this and think it has legs, I’ve never been quite able to convince myself to do it. My approach is more one of carefully and objectively looking at the real world effect of different product categories and levels of specifications on my use, and then padding that a little bit by erring one level higher.
Sep 28, 2026 at 09:08 AM
p.5 #7Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
gdanmitchell wrote:
There’s another version of this approach that used to work, though perhaps a bit less so these days. Some recommend NOT buying the latest new thing when it comes out… but instead waiting until a year later to buy it or so when the _next_ shiny new thing arrives and last year’s shiny new thing is discounted…
… and then combine this approach with the “buy below the top end” and “replace more often” policies.
Confession: Though I understand this and think it has legs, I’ve never been quite able to convince myself to do it. My approach is more one...Show more →
I ALWAYS buy the new model at mid or mid-plus spec for image processing -- it's always going to be plenty fast enough (for me) and almost always has longer use legs...
If all I did was web surf, email and keep my checkbook records, it would be a totally different use scenario; I'd still buy a new model, but probably lower end and it would likely last 5 or 6 years.
Jack Flesher wrote
What Dan said ^^^. Another way to say it is, good enough is, because it will be superseded in 18 months, then you’re likely going to replace it in 3 years anyway; and will probably have to replace it in 5 years because it won’t support your software anymore.… and then combine this approach with the “buy below the top end” and “replace more often” policies.
Confession: Though I understand this and think it has legs, I’ve never been quite able to convince myself to do it. My approach is more one...Show more →
I ALWAYS buy the new model at mid or mid-plus spec for image processing -- it's always going to be plenty fast enough (for me) and almost always has longer use legs...
If all I did was web surf, email and keep my checkbook records, it would be a totally different use scenario; I'd still buy a new model, but probably lower end and it would likely last 5 or 6 years.
Sep 28, 2026 at 09:15 AM
p.5 #8Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
I'm watching this thread closely. I normally upgrade my PC every five years and I am due for one. I love the Mag 7 and nvidia so I want one with the RTX 5070. Apparently the RTX-60 series won't be launched until late next year or early 2028. I don't think I want to wait that long. So I am leaning towards another Dell PC, but I am open to an Apple M5 Max. I have both Photoshop and DXO PL 10 Elite. I don't do batch processing and do edits one image at a time. However, I prefer to open both PS and PL 10 at the same time. I have aging EF lenses so I run PL 10 auto Chromatic Aberration tool and if it still needs more PS will eliminate it. I have a lot of Photoshop/ACR presets and sometimes use denoise with PS (Deep Prime XD with PL 10). Sometimes I use Super Resolution so I can use my Sony aps-c lenses with my A7V.
I have credits for Photoshop and this is the extent of my AI use (on prompt to edit I normally write give me some dynamic lighting but leave subject alone)
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
1/800s f/1.2 at 50.0mm iso100
Does Apple have some deals during the holidays or even Black Friday re: M5 Max?
I have credits for Photoshop and this is the extent of my AI use (on prompt to edit I normally write give me some dynamic lighting but leave subject alone)
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
1/800s f/1.2 at 50.0mm iso100
Does Apple have some deals during the holidays or even Black Friday re: M5 Max?
Sep 28, 2026 at 09:49 AM
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p.5 #9Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
The MacBook Pro I just traded in only had 16 GB of RAM and an M1 Pro processor, but it was still capable of handling all my personal workloads. I agree with slightly over-equipping a machine for longevity, and that's exactly how I started with a $2,000 budget and somehow ended up with a $3,000 laptop.
I can spend roughly another $900 and bump it up from 48 GB to 64 GB of RAM and from a 1 TB SSD to a 2 TB SSD, but that's where I start questioning the value. Mind you, that $900 delta is based on sale pricing on the higher-end configurations. At Apple's retail pricing, the gap would be even larger. Back in the day, before the tech industry caught AI cancer and decided every component needed to be priced like a luxury-car option package, that kind of upgrade would have cost maybe $100 on the PC side. Even by Apple's historical standards, it probably would have been under $500. Paying nearly a grand for additional RAM and storage feels hard to justify when my old 16 GB M1 Pro machine was already handling everything I threw at it. At some point, you have to draw a line. Otherwise, the answer is always "spend more money," because a more expensive computer is almost always going to be a better computer.
I keep my machines for a long time. I don't think I've ever owned a laptop for less than five years. By year five, the hardware usually starts to show its age. The keyboard is glossy and shiny from years of use, the battery barely functions as a laptop battery anymore, and the CPU, GPU, and RAM have fallen meaningfully behind the demands of ever-bloating software.
If someone only plans to keep a machine for three years, as was suggested earlier, Apple's lease program is actually the cheaper option. You don't have to deal with trade-ins or selling your old machine to recoup some cash. You simply return the leased machine and get a new one. That said, I'm Gen X and have never liked the idea of leasing things, so I didn't even bother doing the math until recently.
I can spend roughly another $900 and bump it up from 48 GB to 64 GB of RAM and from a 1 TB SSD to a 2 TB SSD, but that's where I start questioning the value. Mind you, that $900 delta is based on sale pricing on the higher-end configurations. At Apple's retail pricing, the gap would be even larger. Back in the day, before the tech industry caught AI cancer and decided every component needed to be priced like a luxury-car option package, that kind of upgrade would have cost maybe $100 on the PC side. Even by Apple's historical standards, it probably would have been under $500. Paying nearly a grand for additional RAM and storage feels hard to justify when my old 16 GB M1 Pro machine was already handling everything I threw at it. At some point, you have to draw a line. Otherwise, the answer is always "spend more money," because a more expensive computer is almost always going to be a better computer.
I keep my machines for a long time. I don't think I've ever owned a laptop for less than five years. By year five, the hardware usually starts to show its age. The keyboard is glossy and shiny from years of use, the battery barely functions as a laptop battery anymore, and the CPU, GPU, and RAM have fallen meaningfully behind the demands of ever-bloating software.
If someone only plans to keep a machine for three years, as was suggested earlier, Apple's lease program is actually the cheaper option. You don't have to deal with trade-ins or selling your old machine to recoup some cash. You simply return the leased machine and get a new one. That said, I'm Gen X and have never liked the idea of leasing things, so I didn't even bother doing the math until recently.
Sep 28, 2026 at 09:53 AM
p.5 #10Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
jojib wrote:
I'm watching this thread closely. I normally upgrade my PC every five years and I am due for one. I love the Mag 7 and nvidia so I want one with the RTX 5070. Apparently the RTX-60 series won't be launched until late next year or early 2028. I don't think I want to wait that long. So I am leaning towards another Dell PC, but I am open to an Apple M5 Max. I have both Photoshop and DXO PL 10 Elite. I don't do batch processing and do edits one image at a time. However, I prefer to...Show more →
Apple itself basically only offers discounts in the $100 to $150 range, at best. Retailers like Amazon, B&H, and Micro Center, on the other hand, often run much deeper discounts on Apple hardware. That seems especially true for the higher-end configurations that cost several thousand dollars and apparently aren't moving fast enough in this economy.
I'm watching this thread closely. I normally upgrade my PC every five years and I am due for one. I love the Mag 7 and nvidia so I want one with the RTX 5070. Apparently the RTX-60 series won't be launched until late next year or early 2028. I don't think I want to wait that long. So I am leaning towards another Dell PC, but I am open to an Apple M5 Max. I have both Photoshop and DXO PL 10 Elite. I don't do batch processing and do edits one image at a time. However, I prefer to...Show more →
Apple itself basically only offers discounts in the $100 to $150 range, at best. Retailers like Amazon, B&H, and Micro Center, on the other hand, often run much deeper discounts on Apple hardware. That seems especially true for the higher-end configurations that cost several thousand dollars and apparently aren't moving fast enough in this economy.
Sep 28, 2026 at 10:18 AM
p.5 #11Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
I have credits for Photoshop and this is the extent of my AI use (on prompt to edit I normally write give me some dynamic lighting but leave subject alone)
https://a4.pbase.com/g13/30/64330/2/176575488.1655c787.jpg
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
1/800s f/1.2 at 50.0mm iso100
Does Apple have some deals during the holidays or even Black Friday re: M5 Max?Apple itself basically only offers discounts in the $100 to $150 range, at best. Retailers like Amazon, B&H, and Micro Center, on the other hand, often run much deeper discounts on Apple hardware. That seems especially true for the higher-end configurations that cost several thousand dollars and apparently aren't moving fast enough in this economy.
Ok thanks. I prefer to buy it an Apple store. I just hope the transition (Photoshop, DXO PL 10 Elite, Nik Collection and etc.) is seamless if I decide to buy the M5 Max.
jojib wrote
I'm watching this thread closely. I normally upgrade my PC every five years and I am due for one. I love the Mag 7 and nvidia so I want one with the RTX 5070. Apparently the RTX-60 series won't be launched until late next year or early 2028. I don't think I want to wait that long. So I am leaning towards another Dell PC, but I am open to an Apple M5 Max. I have both Photoshop and DXO PL 10 Elite. I don't do batch processing and do edits one image at a time. However, I prefer to open both PS and PL 10 at the same time. I have aging EF lenses so I run PL 10 auto Chromatic Aberration tool and if it still needs more PS will eliminate it. I have a lot of Photoshop/ACR presets and sometimes use denoise with PS (Deep Prime XD with PL 10). Sometimes I use Super Resolution so I can use my Sony aps-c lenses with my A7V.I have credits for Photoshop and this is the extent of my AI use (on prompt to edit I normally write give me some dynamic lighting but leave subject alone)
https://a4.pbase.com/g13/30/64330/2/176575488.1655c787.jpg
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
1/800s f/1.2 at 50.0mm iso100
Does Apple have some deals during the holidays or even Black Friday re: M5 Max?
Ok thanks. I prefer to buy it an Apple store. I just hope the transition (Photoshop, DXO PL 10 Elite, Nik Collection and etc.) is seamless if I decide to buy the M5 Max.
Sep 28, 2026 at 10:23 AM
p.5 #12Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
Last year's Cadillac.
It was the best thing going last year and built to last 20. It's still gonna perform the same (vs. Chevette, etc), just at a discounted price once the shiny new comes out. Same car,just new trinkets.
Unless there are significant changes, like going from AMD to M ... most changes are % incremental.
gdanmitchell wrote:
There’s another version of this approach that used to work, though perhaps a bit less so these days. Some recommend NOT buying the latest new thing when it comes out… but instead waiting until a year later to buy it or so when the _next_ shiny new thing arrives and last year’s shiny new thing is discounted…
… and then combine this approach with the “buy below the top end” and “replace more often” policies.
Confession: Though I understand this and think it has legs, I’ve never been quite able to convince myself to do it. My approach is more one...Show more →
It was the best thing going last year and built to last 20. It's still gonna perform the same (vs. Chevette, etc), just at a discounted price once the shiny new comes out. Same car,just new trinkets.
Unless there are significant changes, like going from AMD to M ... most changes are % incremental.
gdanmitchell wrote:
Jack Flesher wrote
What Dan said ^^^. Another way to say it is, good enough is, because it will be superseded in 18 months, then you’re likely going to replace it in 3 years anyway; and will probably have to replace it in 5 years because it won’t support your software anymore.… and then combine this approach with the “buy below the top end” and “replace more often” policies.
Confession: Though I understand this and think it has legs, I’ve never been quite able to convince myself to do it. My approach is more one...Show more →
Sep 28, 2026 at 01:36 PM
p.5 #13Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
RustyBug wrote:
Last year's Cadillac.
It was the best thing going last year and built to last 20. It's still gonna perform the same (vs. Chevette, etc), just at a discounted price once the shiny new comes out. Same car,just new trinkets.
Unless there are significant changes, like going from AMD to M ... most changes are % incremental.
There’s another version of this approach that used to work, though perhaps a bit less so these days. Some recommend NOT buying the latest new thing when it comes out… but instead waiting until a year later to buy it or so when the _next_ shiny new thing arrives and last year’s shiny new thing is discounted…
… and then combine this approach with the “buy below the top end” and “replace more often” policies.
Confession: Though I understand this and think it has legs, I’ve never been quite able to convince myself to do it. My approach is more one of carefully and objectively looking at the real world effect of different product categories and levels of specifications on my use, and then padding that a little bit by erring one level higher.
Yeah, if I could find a last-generation machine at a decent discount, I'd probably go for it, but there just aren't many available. Most of what I see on Facebook Marketplace are either base models or machines with only minor upgrades.
One really nice thing about the M5 Pro and M6 chips is their native support for three external displays. I currently use an expensive DisplayLink dock to run multiple monitors, but DisplayLink has some pretty frustrating memory leak issues. Over time, it just keeps consuming more and more memory the longer the system stays up.
Last year's Cadillac.
It was the best thing going last year and built to last 20. It's still gonna perform the same (vs. Chevette, etc), just at a discounted price once the shiny new comes out. Same car,just new trinkets.
Unless there are significant changes, like going from AMD to M ... most changes are % incremental.
gdanmitchell wrote
Jack Flesher wrote
What Dan said ^^^. Another way to say it is, good enough is, because it will be superseded in 18 months, then you’re likely going to replace it in 3 years anyway; and will probably have to replace it in 5 years because it won’t support your software anymore.… and then combine this approach with the “buy below the top end” and “replace more often” policies.
Confession: Though I understand this and think it has legs, I’ve never been quite able to convince myself to do it. My approach is more one of carefully and objectively looking at the real world effect of different product categories and levels of specifications on my use, and then padding that a little bit by erring one level higher.
Yeah, if I could find a last-generation machine at a decent discount, I'd probably go for it, but there just aren't many available. Most of what I see on Facebook Marketplace are either base models or machines with only minor upgrades.
One really nice thing about the M5 Pro and M6 chips is their native support for three external displays. I currently use an expensive DisplayLink dock to run multiple monitors, but DisplayLink has some pretty frustrating memory leak issues. Over time, it just keeps consuming more and more memory the longer the system stays up.
Sep 28, 2026 at 03:06 PM
p.5 #14Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
My current 14-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro) just died, so I'm in the market for a replacement. This time, I'm leaning toward a 15-inch MacBook Air. I use Lightroom Classic for all of my photo editing work, so performance is an important consideration.
With laptop prices being what they are these days, I'm planning to buy from Apple's refurbished store. In my experience, Apple's refurbished products are virtually indistinguishable from new.
Given a budget of around $2,000, which model (Air or Pro) would you recommend?
I went through the same process late last year, after I dumped an entire cup of coffee on the keyboard of my old 15" M1 Pro. It surprisingly held up great and wasn't worse for the wear, but decided I was ready to replace it after getting about 5 years of usage out of it.
In terms of spec, I needed something that could hold up to at least 15-20 open PSD files in photoshop, along with email app, capture one, and a browser, without slowing down. My old M1 Pro only had 16GB of RAM, so I would have to start closing down programs if I had around 10 files open in Photoshop, and even with medium usage the fan would be blowing and it would get a bit hot.
I ended up doing a trade-in deal at a big box store and got $600 credit towards a new 14" M4 Pro with 24GB of RAM. Sometimes I wish I had gotten the 15" but the 14" travels much better in a messenger bag. The screen is excellent and it performs great for what I need it for, but your use case may be different. If you're not doing editing multiple files at a time with lots of layers, you'd probably be fine with the Air, as the latest chipset is quite powerful. But you'd probably be better off in terms of future proofing by getting a Pro, in case you need more power down the road. Definitely do not need a Pro Max processor though unless you're doing some pretty heavy video or 3D work.
My current 14-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro) just died, so I'm in the market for a replacement. This time, I'm leaning toward a 15-inch MacBook Air. I use Lightroom Classic for all of my photo editing work, so performance is an important consideration.
With laptop prices being what they are these days, I'm planning to buy from Apple's refurbished store. In my experience, Apple's refurbished products are virtually indistinguishable from new.
Given a budget of around $2,000, which model (Air or Pro) would you recommend?
I went through the same process late last year, after I dumped an entire cup of coffee on the keyboard of my old 15" M1 Pro. It surprisingly held up great and wasn't worse for the wear, but decided I was ready to replace it after getting about 5 years of usage out of it.
In terms of spec, I needed something that could hold up to at least 15-20 open PSD files in photoshop, along with email app, capture one, and a browser, without slowing down. My old M1 Pro only had 16GB of RAM, so I would have to start closing down programs if I had around 10 files open in Photoshop, and even with medium usage the fan would be blowing and it would get a bit hot.
I ended up doing a trade-in deal at a big box store and got $600 credit towards a new 14" M4 Pro with 24GB of RAM. Sometimes I wish I had gotten the 15" but the 14" travels much better in a messenger bag. The screen is excellent and it performs great for what I need it for, but your use case may be different. If you're not doing editing multiple files at a time with lots of layers, you'd probably be fine with the Air, as the latest chipset is quite powerful. But you'd probably be better off in terms of future proofing by getting a Pro, in case you need more power down the road. Definitely do not need a Pro Max processor though unless you're doing some pretty heavy video or 3D work.
Sep 28, 2026 at 03:48 PM
p.5 #15Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
It was the best thing going last year and built to last 20. It's still gonna perform the same (vs. Chevette, etc), just at a discounted price once the shiny new comes out. Same car,just new trinkets.
Unless there are significant changes, like going from AMD to M ... most changes are % incremental.
There’s another version of this approach that used to work, though perhaps a bit less so these days. Some recommend NOT buying the latest new thing when it comes out… but instead waiting until a year later to buy it or so when the _next_ shiny new thing arrives and last year’s shiny new thing is discounted…
… and then combine this approach with the “buy below the top end” and “replace more often” policies.
Confession: Though I understand this and think it has legs, I’ve never been quite able to convince myself to do it. My approach is more one of carefully and objectively looking at the real world effect of different product categories and levels of specifications on my use, and then padding that a little bit by erring one level higher.Yeah, if I could find a last-generation machine at a decent discount, I'd probably go for it, but there just aren't many available. Most of what I see on Facebook Marketplace are either base models or machines with only minor upgrades.
One really nice thing about the M5 Pro and M6 chips is their native support for three external displays. I currently use an expensive DisplayLink dock to run multiple monitors, but DisplayLink has some pretty frustrating memory leak issues. Over time, it just keeps consuming more and more memory the longer the system stays up.
After I went through my last "buy and try" (Air) ... then, it took a while for a configuration I was looking for to show up in the Apple Refurb. But, it was worth the wait, for me. Since I was "overshooting" my original budget, the extra watch / wait time just meant I built up my piggy bank for it a bit more, when it came time to pull the trigger.
All in all ... it was a lengthy process to go through the buy / try / return cycles (which likely feeds the refurb store, anyway) ... but, I learned a lot, and wound up with a rig that has served me well, and has no real signs of dropping the ball in that regard.
RustyBug wrote
Last year's Cadillac.It was the best thing going last year and built to last 20. It's still gonna perform the same (vs. Chevette, etc), just at a discounted price once the shiny new comes out. Same car,just new trinkets.
Unless there are significant changes, like going from AMD to M ... most changes are % incremental.
gdanmitchell wrote
Jack Flesher wrote
What Dan said ^^^. Another way to say it is, good enough is, because it will be superseded in 18 months, then you’re likely going to replace it in 3 years anyway; and will probably have to replace it in 5 years because it won’t support your software anymore.… and then combine this approach with the “buy below the top end” and “replace more often” policies.
Confession: Though I understand this and think it has legs, I’ve never been quite able to convince myself to do it. My approach is more one of carefully and objectively looking at the real world effect of different product categories and levels of specifications on my use, and then padding that a little bit by erring one level higher.
One really nice thing about the M5 Pro and M6 chips is their native support for three external displays. I currently use an expensive DisplayLink dock to run multiple monitors, but DisplayLink has some pretty frustrating memory leak issues. Over time, it just keeps consuming more and more memory the longer the system stays up.
After I went through my last "buy and try" (Air) ... then, it took a while for a configuration I was looking for to show up in the Apple Refurb. But, it was worth the wait, for me. Since I was "overshooting" my original budget, the extra watch / wait time just meant I built up my piggy bank for it a bit more, when it came time to pull the trigger.
All in all ... it was a lengthy process to go through the buy / try / return cycles (which likely feeds the refurb store, anyway) ... but, I learned a lot, and wound up with a rig that has served me well, and has no real signs of dropping the ball in that regard.
Sep 28, 2026 at 05:38 PM