Laptop for Programming & Photo-Editing

Neames

Folks,

I have for some time been thinking of learning some programming languages e.g. Java and SQL. I used to code many years ago and have for some time wanted to revisit programming even for a hobby. It would be very light programming that I have in mind.

Also, thinking about taking up photography and would like to pick up something that would handle some light photo editing. Again, this would not be very intensive as I'm not even at beginner level.

So, I'm looking at picking up a new laptop. I don't want to go too much over €1000. I'm happy enough to wait until Black Friday if there's a bargain to be had.

What are your thoughts on this Dell:

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/2-in-1-pcs/inspiron-15-5000-2-in-1/spd/inspiron-15-5579-2-in-1-laptop/cn57909

Neames

mordeith

Neames wrote: »

Folks,

I have for some time been thinking of learning some programming languages e.g. Java and SQL. I used to code many years ago and have for some time wanted to revisit programming even for a hobby. It would be very light programming that I have in mind.

Also, thinking about taking up photography and would like to pick up something that would handle some light photo editing. Again, this would not be very intensive as I'm not even at beginner level.

So, I'm looking at picking up a new laptop. I don't want to go too much over €1000. I'm happy enough to wait until Black Friday if there's a bargain to be had.

What are your thoughts on this Dell:

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/2-in-1-pcs/inspiron-15-5000-2-in-1/spd/inspiron-15-5579-2-in-1-laptop/cn57909

Neames

That machine would have no issues with what you propose. If you were concerned with budget you could probably get a lower spec machine for 200-300 less that would suffice just as well (albeit without the 2 in1 aspect).

Alanstrainor

mordeith wrote: »

That machine would have no issues with what you propose. If you were concerned with budget you could probably get a lower spec machine for 200-300 less that would suffice just as well (albeit without the 2 in1 aspect).

Yeah I'd agree. If there is a system with the same processor/RAM/SSD spec and without the touch screen for cheaper then it would be a better choice. I'm not so sure the touch screen would be of any use, it won't help really with photoshop or any similar photo applications because there is no pen support.

But this machine will absolutely demolish everything you throw at it. The spec is very good indeed.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

or for 720 you could get this beautiful looking laptop

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-zenbook-ux430-14-intel-core-i5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-blue-10176442-pdt.html

core i5 (only 5 to 10% less powerful than the i7 in real-world) and 8gb ram but still way more than enough for your needs. the screen is better than the dell

14 inch screen so still big enough.

256gb ssd

very light at 1.25kg vs the dell at 2kg.

definitely more premium than the dell 5000 range, even over the 7000 range. full metal build compared to plastic on the dell

touch-screens not that useful - have one on my own laptop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GbL3VKcjL4

Alanstrainor

glasso wrote: »

or for 720 you could get this beautiful looking laptop

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-zenbook-ux430-14-intel-core-i5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-blue-10176442-pdt.html

core i5 (only 5 to 10% less powerful than the i7 in real-world) and 8gb ram but still way more than enough for your needs. the screen is better than the dell

14 inch screen so still big enough.

256gb ssd

very light at 1.25kg vs the dell at 2kg.

definitely more premium than the dell 5000 range, even over the 7000 range. full metal build compared to plastic on the dell

touch-screens not that useful - have one on my own laptop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GbL3VKcjL4

It is a nice machine, but one point of note is that the RAM is not upgradeable in that Asus. I researched that Asus machine a while back and they do look good at that price. But soldered on RAM was a problem for me.

That being said, 8GB should be fine for the OP's needs.

Alanstrainor

Alanstrainor wrote: »

It is a nice machine, but one point of note is that the RAM is not upgradeable in that Asus. I researched that Asus machine a while back and they do look good at that price. But soldered on RAM was a problem for me.

That being said, 8GB should be fine for the OP's needs.

true - but would only need 16gb for 4k video editting really.

even 1080p video editting is ok with 8gb.

photos are less demanding.

very nice looking premium device imo and great at that price.

JamesAlison

If you are looking laptop for programming & photo editing then go for high configuration. Otherwise, the computer will hang because of heavy software. According to me, you can go for i7 processor. These are best for programming. Otherwise, go for Macbook. But MacBook is costlier than windows. Macbook easily processes heavy software.

Neames

Neames wrote: »

Folks,

I have for some time been thinking of learning some programming languages e.g. Java and SQL. I used to code many years ago and have for some time wanted to revisit programming even for a hobby. It would be very light programming that I have in mind.

Also, thinking about taking up photography and would like to pick up something that would handle some light photo editing. Again, this would not be very intensive as I'm not even at beginner level.

So, I'm looking at picking up a new laptop. I don't want to go too much over €1000. I'm happy enough to wait until Black Friday if there's a bargain to be had.

What are your thoughts on this Dell:

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/2-in-1-pcs/inspiron-15-5000-2-in-1/spd/inspiron-15-5579-2-in-1-laptop/cn57909

Neames

Guys,

I didn't purchase yet.

But managed to get a reservation code for this Apple laptop mentioned on bargain alerts.

https://m.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/6872005.htm?_$ja=tsid%3A30390%7Cprd%3A7337207&cjevent=5ac520cb222511e982f102970a180513

It's 8gig ram and an i5 at €799 (half price) if Argos honour the price.

I'm going to pull the trigger on this if you think it's good enough for light photo editing and light programming.

Any thoughts?

should be ok if you get it - was it not supposed to be a misprice?

otherwise this win 10 laptop in pcworld has the very similar specs for 600

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-14-ce0501sa-14-intel-core-i5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10184651-pdt.html#srcid=11026

actually that macbook only has a dual-core i5 the 7360u

not as good as the 4-core 8250u

Alanstrainor

Go for the Mac if you can. Great machine for that money, far better quality than any Windows device. Although the spec is a bit out dated it won't cause you any issues for your usage. I run a similarly spec'd Mac for similar use and it's perfect. The screen is better than anything for that 799 misprice and that's a huge bonus to a photographer imo. And the having a native terminal on a UNIX based operating system is a big advantage here.

You'd be mad to not try. If you don't like it after a month you could sell for a tidy profit.

Neames

Neames wrote: »

Guys,

I didn't purchase yet.

But managed to get a reservation code for this Apple laptop mentioned on bargain alerts.

https://m.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/6872005.htm?_$ja=tsid%3A30390%7Cprd%3A7337207&cjevent=5ac520cb222511e982f102970a180513

It's 8gig ram and an i5 at €799 (half price) if Argos honour the price.

I'm going to pull the trigger on this if you think it's good enough for light photo editing and light programming.

Any thoughts?

did you get the macbook before Argos realised and fixed their error?

Neames

glasso wrote: »

did you get the macbook before Argos realised and fixed their error?

I have a reservation code for collection tomorrow. I don't hold out much hope but I'll go anyway and see what they say.

I believe that they've called people to say there was an error. Unfortunately my phone is on the blink so they may have contacted me and left a message. Let's see how it goes.

Neames

Neames wrote: »

I have a reservation code for collection tomorrow. I don't hold out much hope but I'll go anyway and see what they say.

I believe that they've called people to say there was an error. Unfortunately my phone is on the blink so they may have contacted me and left a message. Let's see how it goes.

had a look at the thread.

you're not going to get it unfortunately.

the pcworld one that I linked is a good option.

Neames

glasso wrote: »

did you get the macbook before Argos realised and fixed their error?

Glasso, As expected, went to Argos today with reservation code in hand. I was told very politely that Argos weren't honouring the price. I was also told that a number of people managed to snag the laptop at the 799 price on Saturday before it was flagged in head office.

Neames

Neames wrote: »

Glasso, As expected, went to Argos today with reservation code in hand. I was told very politely that Argos weren't honouring the price. I was also told that a number of people managed to snag the laptop at the 799 price on Saturday before it was flagged in head office.

you win some you lose some.

I saw from that thread that a couple of people actually got it yesterday in one or two places - seems to be random on the outlet location

they must have taken a hit on that - even tho it's not worth the actual full (original) price that they are charging as it's an older model.