photo editing

[january112013]

I have had 4x5 scans done for me and would like to try my hand at editing them before sending to someone to print. Scans are as large as 1.2 Gb but most in 500Mb range. This is just for me so there is no need for production efficiency.
What laptop might give me the ability to edit without spending more than necessary?
Thanks
Jim

[Preston]

Jim,

There are, as I am sure you know, many choices for a laptop. It would help if we had a general idea of what your budget is.

Keep in mind that a laptop will be more expensive than an equivalently specd desk top, but you'd have to have a monitor if you go the desk top route.

You would also have to have a way to calibrate the screen, so you'd have to add this in. There's also the question of editing software.

So, if you could be a little more specific in your needs, that will be helpful.

--P

[january112013]

Preston,
Thank you for reply.
I would like to keep the PC price under $800. Editing software, etc would be added on to that.
Jim

[HMG]

I think you might want to decide on the s/w you'll use first. For example, I find Photoshop Elements adequate for me needs. I can do anything I've needed to do on a dated Dell Core2duo laptop. It's slow (and not my first choice) but does work. I don't know if my laptop would be able to handle a full version of Photoshop.

Amount of memory is important, so consider that in any laptop decision. A SSD is helpful.

My son uses a more up-to-date and more powerful Dell Precision (M series) for his architectural rendering. He finds it adequate, but still not the equal to a good desktop. My laptop has very limited controls for adjusting screen or an external monitor. I assume the Precision is better, but don't know if good enough for serious photo work.

In any event, if you're set on a laptop I would look at the "workstation" or "gaming" lines.

[bobwysiwyg]

If you photo editing needs are minimal, consider "paint.net" It's free and certainly meets my minimal needs.

[bob carnie]

I would recommend Adobe Cloud, and spend as much money on RAM , pretty big file size you want to work with.

[jp]

For $800, I'd get a $600 ish lenovo laptop, add RAM (helps greatly for larger images), and a screen calibration tool like the Spyder series.

An external display is very useful for it's higher res and larger size, but you're going to be over budget. If you did editing regularly, you'd choose to invest in a big screen.

[koraks]

I do most of my editing on an Asus Zenbook UX31. It was one of the 459,275 options that I could choose from at the time of purchase (about 1 year ago). This question is about as open-ended as "which clothes should I wear to this occasion?" As you may know from conversing with women, any answer is right or they are all wrong, depending on the person who's asking and the mood they're in.

[Tin Can]

Your files are big. Any affordable laptop is a mistake.

Get a box, get at least 8gb ram. Try the free Adobe tryout software, but don't download until you are ready, or you will burn through your free month.

For B&W your monitor is less critical. Look for deals on 23" as they are obsolete. I use Asus PRO ART 23" refurbs.

[january112013]

Good info. I am getting a laptop to meet other less demanding requirements so I am stuck with laptop for now.
Thanks for heads up on SSD.
Jim

[january112013]

Thanks Randy.
Will definitely get 8Gb ram and i5 or i7 if I can.
Jim

[january112013]

I always felt naked worked best generally.
Jim

[january112013]

Interesting I have used Lenovo for years and have been happy. Adorama has an Edge E540, i5-4200 with 4Gb ram.
Jim

[Tin Can]

Read this thread. (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?119073-New-computer-rambling&p=1203175&viewfull=1#post1203175)

[jp]

If you simply need a laptop for non-demanding requirements, I'd get a chromebook (and do zero photo editing on it), and spend the $N-200 on a desktop box for editing.

[Preston]

Jim,

I have a 15" laptop with an i5 and 8GB RAM, and a 240 GB Intel SSD from Puget Systems (http://www.pugetsystems.com/), but one of their machines is outside your budget. The machine handles large image files just fine with Photo Shop CS6. I also have an attached 22" NEC monitor, when needed. The i7 will give better performance, but for my money, I'd stay with i5, an SSD, and up the RAM to 16GB.

Good luck in your search, and be sure to let us know what you wind up with, and how it's working for you.

--P

[RKPhoto]

Unsure if you have already picked one up, but if on a budget, or want to get bang for your buck - i've had great luck with local craigslist. Admittedly i'm an IT guy, so this is what i do... but with a budget of $800 you should be able to get a much nicer laptop than one new. Admittedly without warranty, but if it's in good shape in general you should be fine! I'd rather get an older (one gen back) i7 w/ more processor threads (less efficient on battery life), and upgrade either the RAM (pretty inexpensive) or to a larger SSD (the *only* way to go).
I've always had good luck with Dell and Lenovo (formerly IBM), but also Toshiba and others. There are so many good ones out there, i'd pick any major brand you like. (weight - size - battery life (pick two)).

Given you are not into a production/efficiency workflow and will do this only occasionally (right?) - any new'ish laptop should do what you want. Some will be slower than others. A modern generation processor with 8-16GB RAM (more is almost always better, but i'd spend $ on larger SSD first), Biggest SSD you can afford, and a decent sized screen (i use a 13 and 15 for my two laptops - both doing photos on occasion).

I personally would spend some $ on Lightroom (cloud if you'd like, or local). It's what i know and use obviously, but it makes modifying images sooooo easy and is non-destructive of the original file (changes are added on, but do not manipulate original - you export the final image with changes (jpg, dng, etc.)). Love the little tweaks for image straightening, dodge and burn... all the digital darkroom stuff you could ever want. Even the auto settings are REALLY good (or a starting point).

You never specified OS - Windows or Mac OSX? If you prefer Apple - again a used macbook pro might squeeze into your budget, but new most likely will not. The macbook pro has a dedicated GPU (graphics card) that will help speed up any image intensive tasks (photos/video/games), where the macbook air does not. Almost all recent models are SSD based and the latest have easily swapped HDD and RAM for upgrading (good to know if getting one used).

Likely overkill, but hope it helps. If interested in getting a used system, feel free to PM me w/ ones you find and i can help you pick the best one? Or post here and i'll keep an eye to make suggestions.

GL!

Rob

[january112013]

Unsure if you have already picked one up, but if on a budget, or want to get bang for your buck - i've had great luck with local craigslist. Admittedly i'm an IT guy, so this is what i do... but with a budget of $800 you should be able to get a much nicer laptop than one new. Admittedly without warranty, but if it's in good shape in general you should be fine! I'd rather get an older (one gen back) i7 w/ more processor threads (less efficient on battery life), and upgrade either the RAM (pretty inexpensive) or to a larger SSD (the *only* way to go).
I've always had good luck with Dell and Lenovo (formerly IBM), but also Toshiba and others. There are so many good ones out there, i'd pick any major brand you like. (weight - size - battery life (pick two)).

Given you are not into a production/efficiency workflow and will do this only occasionally (right?) - any new'ish laptop should do what you want. Some will be slower than others. A modern generation processor with 8-16GB RAM (more is almost always better, but i'd spend $ on larger SSD first), Biggest SSD you can afford, and a decent sized screen (i use a 13 and 15 for my two laptops - both doing photos on occasion).

I personally would spend some $ on Lightroom (cloud if you'd like, or local). It's what i know and use obviously, but it makes modifying images sooooo easy and is non-destructive of the original file (changes are added on, but do not manipulate original - you export the final image with changes (jpg, dng, etc.)). Love the little tweaks for image straightening, dodge and burn... all the digital darkroom stuff you could ever want. Even the auto settings are REALLY good (or a starting point).

You never specified OS - Windows or Mac OSX? If you prefer Apple - again a used macbook pro might squeeze into your budget, but new most likely will not. The macbook pro has a dedicated GPU (graphics card) that will help speed up any image intensive tasks (photos/video/games), where the macbook air does not. Almost all recent models are SSD based and the latest have easily swapped HDD and RAM for upgrading (good to know if getting one used).

Likely overkill, but hope it helps. If interested in getting a used system, feel free to PM me w/ ones you find and i can help you pick the best one? Or post here and i'll keep an eye to make suggestions.

GL!

Rob

Rob,
Whew! At 69 yrs old, my experience with PC is utilitarian - just to get me a decent career and retirement. The offer to advise is a task I would be abusive to accept. I think my next step is to have a long talk with the local company I have used to edit and print my scans. They have been helpful so far and maybe I can work out something with them that lets me use their systems so I can have more hands on input upfront before final edit and print.
I do have one question for you- If I get a laptop with 8-16 Gb RAM, GPU card and SSD based and has HDM1 connection; can I edit in Lightroom and look at edit on my Sony Bravia will I get a clearer idea of what I have done??
Thanks

[Tin Can]

Rob,
Whew! At 69 yrs old, my experience with PC is utilitarian - just to get me a decent career and retirement. The offer to advise is a task I would be abusive to accept. I think my next step is to have a long talk with the local company I have used to edit and print my scans. They have been helpful so far and maybe I can work out something with them that lets me use their systems so I can have more hands on input upfront before final edit and print.
I do have one question for you- If I get a laptop with 8-16 Gb RAM, GPU card and SSD based and has HDM1 connection; can I edit in Lightroom and look at edit on my Sony Bravia will I get a clearer idea of what I have done??
Thanks

I hooked my new this month Sony Bravia to my laptop and it allows a pretty nice view. Color is way off, but for B&W it is fairly interesting. However a lot of laptops are strained running a second screen.

Laptops just don't cut it.

Mine is 2010 ce, WIN 8.1, i7, 8gb ram and new SSD. Not good enough.

[Preston]

In terms of the actual hardware/software processing of an image, a laptop will certainly work, assuming it has decent up-to-date computing and video capabilities.

The real downside is the small screen, I believe. You just can't see the entire image large enough for critical work, and the screen type may also affect viewing angle and color gamut. In short, an external monitor is pretty much required, in my opinion. Your Sony Bravia will work, but I think you'll want to have a means of calibrating it.

Jim, having said all this, I think that a nicely spec'd desktop and monitor will make life much easier for you. Given your budget, you can obtain a very nice desktop that will work well for you. This assumes, of course, that you're open to the idea.

--P

[january112013]

Thanks to all for input.
My best bet if I cannot work something out with the company I have been using will be to wait and get a desktop. I do not have the skill or patience to creatively get to a happy spot. Plus I will save on the laptop. But I will still probably go with Lenovo.
Jim

[miesnert]

I would get a laptop with an ips panel, and a lot of ram if I were you, and a screen calibration device.