Recommend Laptop

Firblog

Hi, Looking for new laptop for rel, into photography - not for work, willing to spend 1K - 1.5K for something decent, doesn't want mac.


What would people recommend? SSD & HDD? What Graphics Card? or if you know a good model of laptop you'd recommend feel free to share

Mike Litoris

Check out this beast with a 1070gtx for a smidgen over your 1.5k budget.


https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/proteusvi-15/Xt7Yb56tus/

Adrian.Sadlier

Hi Firblog

I'm no expert but am looking at replacement desktop for photograhy myself.

A good spec is a dell XPS laptop @€;1,599.

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/laptops/new-xps-15/spd/xps-15-9570-laptop/cnx97002

It has an i7 (8th Generation) processor, 16GB of memory and M2 PCI 256GB drive. 1050ti graphics card, 8Gb RAM. I would upgrade the RAM to 16GB at least ASAP.

The graphics card is a modest Nvidia 1050Ti but is only a few % (<10) slower than the faster models - Photoshop doesn't get that much performance boost from graphics card hardware acceleration and then only in a limited set of functions. The processor, amount and speed of memeory and drive are the biggest performance factor.

The 1050ti will drive an external 4K monitor no problem. Get an external drive for mass storage and a second one for backup (and clod as well if you can afford it - 1TB is about €10 per month).

An idea might be to wait until Black Friday - there will be deals to be had. But check prices now. Or you could try the dell outlet store - good discounts, full warranty but they go very fast.

You will also get more bang for your buck with a desktop.

Adrian.Sadlier

Mike Litoris wrote: »

Check out this beast with a 1070gtx for a smidgen over your 1.5k budget.
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/proteusvi-15/Xt7Yb56tus/

Mike, unless I am reading that wrong, at that price is has 4Gb, i3 processor and HDD. Performance would be sluggish. The process, RAM and SSD (M2 PCI best of all) would give much better performance thyan money spent on a "faster" graphics card. An i3 processor couldn't keep up with a 1070 (or 1070Ti) graphics card and would be wasted money.

The desktop spec I am looking for is i7 8700 (6 core) 16GB RAm (I will immediately upgrade to 32GB - after market memory is cheaper than buying Dell), 256GB M2 PCI (will probably upgrade this to 512MB or 1TB later - there is a price war at the moment and these are cheap). I have lots of hard drives already, in both eSATA and NAS enclosures. Probably go with a NVidia 1080 or Ti but at a push will keep my 1050Ti - it depeneds what is bundled with the particular build.

This is all subject to the fact I am no expert and have only done some online research of benchmarks, forums etc.

Mike Litoris

^^^^


Since I posted the above the website have removed the machine altogether. It was like the Dell you posted but with a 1070!! I've had my eye on it for ages and was going to pull the trigger next month. Dammit.

Mike Litoris

This is close but is a 17" and with only 256gig M2 SSD at €1665. Still got the 1070gtx though.


https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers-for-next-day-delivery/802/

ED E

Mike Litoris wrote: »

This is close but is a 17" and with only 256gig M2 SSD at €1665. Still got the 1070gtx though.


https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers-for-next-day-delivery/802/

If this was the gaming forum I might agree with you, in Photography noooo. You need a known quantity of a display. Especially not 144Hz one designed to be fast and inaccurate.

Mike Litoris

ED E wrote: »

If this was the gaming forum I might agree with you, in Photography noooo. You need a known quantity of a display. Especially not 144Hz one designed to be fast and inaccurate.

What kind of screen would you recommend?

Cork Photographer

I changed to a MacBook pro. No problems since. I find workflows easier and the retina display goes straight to print. I would personally recommend an apple MBP.

Kooto1982

Please recommend me good laptop under $700?

ED E

Mike Litoris wrote: »

What kind of screen would you recommend?

Something thats been reviewed from an accuracy standpoint. The SP4 for example has a really fantastic IPS/PLS that would be a beaut to work on.

Kooto1982

I keep only three things in mind during the buy the Lap. such as Processor Type, Memory & Hard Drive. Is it good?

K.O.Kiki

Firblog wrote: »

Hi, Looking for new laptop for rel, into photography - not for work, willing to spend 1K - 1.5K for something decent, doesn't want mac.


What would people recommend? SSD & HDD? What Graphics Card? or if you know a good model of laptop you'd recommend feel free to share

Get a (used) Lenovo ThinkPad with IPS screen & Core i7.

Read reviews of any model first; e.g. on NotebookCheck.

Avoid Mac.

wersal gummage

Also recommend the Dell XPS. Have one a while now. Got it on the UK website, clearance or something like that (I think they are custom orders that fall through, or are returned).

Firblog

Saw this one online, if increased the RAM to 24/32GB would it suffice? Your views appreciated.

Alanstrainor

Firblog wrote: »

Saw this one online, if increased the RAM to 24/32GB would it suffice? Your views appreciated.

I think everyone needs to be more specific as to what exactly they are doing with these machines. I've been a long term lightroom user with some photoshop, although nothing too crazy. But all these gaming machines being posted seem way overkill, or simply ignoring the importance of the screen. Really, most photogs would use an external monitor that they have calibrated as generally speaking laptop screens don't quite cut it. Although I do use my 2017 Macbook Pro on the go and it's grand.

Why do you think you need 32GB of RAM? Or even a gaphics card at all? For most I would expect a modern processor with a minimum of 8GB would suffice, and 16GB would probably be a sweet spot. Yes there are outliers that need way more RAM or graphics processing, but they're in the minority imo.

Firblog

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I think everyone needs to be more specific as to what exactly they are doing with these machines. I've been a long term lightroom user with some photoshop, although nothing too crazy. But all these gaming machines being posted seem way overkill, or simply ignoring the importance of the screen. Really, most photogs would use an external monitor that they have calibrated as generally speaking laptop screens don't quite cut it. Although I do use my 2017 Macbook Pro on the go and it's grand.

Why do you think you need 32GB of RAM? Or even a gaphics card at all? For most I would expect a modern processor with a minimum of 8GB would suffice, and 16GB would probably be a sweet spot. Yes there are outliers that need way more RAM or graphics processing, but they're in the minority imo.

I've been asked by a relative to get her a laptop which she'll use for photoshop on as part of her photography hobby, came on here for advice as I know bugger all about photoshop requirements, but thought it would probably need something with a dedicated graphics card.


What do you reckon would be a well spec'd laptop to run photoshop?

Alanstrainor

The Dell XPS15 has two screen options, a 1080p HD and a 4K UHD display and both are rated highly for the screen accuracy for the likes of photoshop. It is also a good laptop for most other uses. It's a compact size with a 15" display, and the specs are generally very good. Good processors coupled with SSD and even a graphics card should make it a very snappy system for all tasks. It even has upgradeable RAM which is a plus if more was needed in the future.

They offer different pricing options on the Dell site. The cheapest model comes in at 1399 with 120 off until Oct 30th with a discount code on the dell site. The base model offers more than adequate specs for the needs you describe. I think it's a great option. Better than the gaming machines posted earlier imo.