Post Processing

SecretGarden

I'm researching a quality laptop for photo post-processing.

I'm seeking the opinion of anyone who has experience & knowledge of both Windows & Mac and can you tell me how these two machines compare in...
a) Performance (I want to 'future proof' somewhat)
b) Endurance (I want many years usage)
c) Realistic Colour Display & Colour Gamut

1) Windows: Inspiron 15 7577 @ €1,019 http://www.dell.com/ie/business/p/inspiron-15-7577-laptop/pd?
2) Mac: 2.3GHz Processor 256GB Storage https://www.apple.com/ie/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro#

Thanks in advance

CabanSail

I have been a Mac user for some time now. Currently have a 2012 17" MBP and at home a Adobe RGB full gamut monitor. I too have been looking at an upgrade recently. Using the Adobe CC suite means I have only a choice of Windows or OSx as it is not supported in Linux (AFAIK)

Having to use Windows at work I know I really do not like the way that it works and things seem to flow so much easier using OSx. The Apple products also seem to have good reliability and are quite tough when travelling. If Apple had a good machine right now I would upgrade, but I really do not like their current offering, which is made more to appeal to Hipsters than Pro's.

ATM I am balancing up which I despise the most, the current MBP or Windows. If you can stand using Windows then get the Dell.

Bacchus

Just comparing those two laptops you've identified.

1. The Mac you picked is a 13" screen vs the 15" of the Dell. You'll be very limited with a 13" screen IMO. I don't see any info on the colour gamut of either laptop so I can't comment on the quality or colour accuracy.
2. On performance, the Dell is far superior. 7th gen i7 CPU at 3.8Ghz vs 7th gen i5 CPU at 2.3Ghz. 16Gb DDR4 RAM vs 8Gb DDR3 RAM. GTX 1050 Ti graphics card vs Iris Plus Graphics 640. Those are three of the big boxes to check and Dell wins in each.
3. The other box is the harddisk. The 128Gb SSD on the Dell is a bit small (this is where you are best off working on files) but it has a 1Tb drive to store files you're not actively working on which is great. The Mac on the other hand has a larger SSD for working in but no secondary drive so you're limited on space there.

Honestly, taking the Mac vs Windows argument out, the spec on the Dell is way better. It'll offer you more performance and therefore is a bit more longevity. The build quality of the Inspirons is solid but it won't be as slick as the Mac. The Mac is about €700 more expensive though and really you need to go for the 15" which will bump up the cost another grand or so. So, is a shiny Mac with less processing power, half the RAM and an inferior graphics card worth paying twice the price?

Dinarius

Bacchus wrote: »

Just comparing those two laptops you've identified.

1. The Mac you picked is a 13" screen vs the 15" of the Dell. You'll be very limited with a 13" screen IMO. I don't see any info on the colour gamut of either laptop so I can't comment on the quality or colour accuracy.
2. On performance, the Dell is far superior. 7th gen i7 CPU at 3.8Ghz vs 7th gen i5 CPU at 2.3Ghz. 16Gb DDR4 RAM vs 8Gb DDR3 RAM. GTX 1050 Ti graphics card vs Iris Plus Graphics 640. Those are three of the big boxes to check and Dell wins in each.
3. The other box is the harddisk. The 128Gb SSD on the Dell is a bit small (this is where you are best off working on files) but it has a 1Tb drive to store files you're not actively working on which is great. The Mac on the other hand has a larger SSD for working in but no secondary drive so you're limited on space there.

Honestly, taking the Mac vs Windows argument out, the spec on the Dell is way better. It'll offer you more performance and therefore is a bit more longevity. The build quality of the Inspirons is solid but it won't be as slick as the Mac. The Mac is about €700 more expensive though and really you need to go for the 15" which will bump up the cost another grand or so. So, is a shiny Mac with less processing power, half the RAM and an inferior graphics card worth paying twice the price?

Totally agree with all of the above.

I would buy the DELL.

D.

SecretGarden

Many thanks for your lengthy and considered replies. I realise the Dell completely outranks the Mac on spec. as a PC user and as we're not comparing like with like in how they function, I wondered if despite the differences they were more equal than it would appear from the numbers. Your answers have completely scotched that idea on all levels - thanks

I have a further few questions if I may prevail please. The Dell is a new model and I'm finding it difficult to find quality reviews

a) This model has an integrated battery. I'd like to establish if it's just under a few screws or if it's soldered

b) It has expandable RAM - I notice some newer motherboards come with integrated RAM. I know it seldom 'breaks' but...

c) This Inspiron is targeting entry level gamers and I'm wondering if there may be 'heat issues' under the hood due to it's slimness and spec. Yes, I know the venting is improved, but again...

Are there sites where I can see under the cover (so to speak) of machines such as this? I've tried their sales chat but their answer to the battery question was 'they are all the same' and he wasn't able to expand

Again, thank's in advance for any guidence

SecretGarden

My apologies, I think this post may now be in the 'wrong' topic - I'm just trying to figure how I can move it - thank you all for your help

ED E

SecretGarden wrote: »

a) This model has an integrated battery. I'd like to establish if it's just under a few screws or if it's soldered

It would be very very weird to solder a battery connector.

Image too large to embed.

SecretGarden wrote: »

b) It has expandable RAM - I notice some newer motherboards come with integrated RAM. I know it seldom 'breaks' but...

This is a bonus all right. Means you can buy to your needs now and expand later if you start shooting 200 Megapixel RAW later.

SecretGarden wrote: »

c) This Inspiron is targeting entry level gamers and I'm wondering if there may be 'heat issues' under the hood due to it's slimness and spec. Yes, I know the venting is improved, but again...

The cooling will be designed for gaming which loads the GPU to 100%(typically) and CPU somewhere from 30-100%. With photo editing you'll only periodically load either (say 2-3s of 100% for applying a filter, then idle again) so cooling should be far more than you need.

Video work would warm it up a tad.

SecretGarden

ED E wrote: »

It would be very very weird to solder a battery connector.

Image too large to embed.

Thank you so much - that looks like the 7567 on which I think the 7577 is loosely based - the battery is removable Brill!
I was in my repair guy's workshop yesterday and looking at a battery which was directly connected, I also saw a motherboard with embedded RAM - neither are good

ED E wrote: »

This is a bonus all right. Means you can buy to your needs now and expand later if you start shooting 200 Megapixel RAW later.

I only shoot in RAW (not 200 mega px though) so my files can get quite large when using layers, styles etc. but my current machine (which I future proofed at purchase) is nearly 10 yrs old and still doing the job - very, very slowly

ED E wrote: »

The cooling will be designed for gaming which loads the GPU to 100%(typically) and CPU somewhere from 30-100%. With photo editing you'll only periodically load either (say 2-3s of 100% for applying a filter, then idle again) so cooling should be far more than you need.

That's what I was hoping

ED E wrote: »

Video work would warm it up a tad.

Thank you Ed - much appreciated