Laptop
Can anyone let me know what spec I would need for a decent windows laptop ? How much would I need to be spending and any recommendations?
What are you planning to do with it?
For example, do you intend to do significant amounts of HD/4K video processing? That is the type of activity which can put a computer under pressure and the process can be slow if you don't have a "fast" processor and a decent amount of RAM.
For stills photography, the spec of the device is much less important. Any laptop, even the cheapest, can cope. These days people do photo editing on their smartphones.
Prices are in a large range: £300-£2000 but you don't need to spend a lot unless you really need to.
For example, do you intend to do significant amounts of HD/4K video processing? That is the type of activity which can put a computer under pressure and the process can be slow if you don't have a "fast" processor and a decent amount of RAM.
For stills photography, the spec of the device is much less important. Any laptop, even the cheapest, can cope. These days people do photo editing on their smartphones.
Prices are in a large range: £300-£2000 but you don't need to spend a lot unless you really need to.
I would recommend Medion - had two and only upgraded to the second because Adobe's new suite needs a lot of space and a lot of power - the first one is still working (although around 10 years old) and will cope with PS etc but the old editions. They make a large range and I think with a laptop, if you are doing photography, then you need as big a screen as possible - unless you already have a large external screen then not so important.
I cannot recommend a particular laptop, without knowing what you want to use it for. It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of matching your requirements to the machine you are buying.
In terms of processor power and memory needed, the pecking order is:
games
graphics software (inc photo editors)
office software
web surfing
Search the net and find the recommended configuration for which ever software you use that is highest in that order. The software suppliers site will give you minimum requirements, try to find recommendations from a user or guru which are likely to be realistic. Then look at the laptops that match those requirements. As a starter my desktop runs Adobe CC2018 quite happily has an intel i5 chip and 16gb memory. This would be a mid range laptop.
Don't overbuy memory. My machine does not run out of memory even when processing a focus stack of 25 images.
Other things to think about:
Screen size. Personally when I am photo editing, I want the biggest screen I can afford.
Connectivity: How many USB ports do you need? When I go on holiday, I take my laptop with me. At the end of a day's shoot, I like to get my images onto the hard drive and backed up to another device as well. So ideally this needs at least 2 usb ports, one to connect to the camera, and one to an external hard drive.
Card reader. Do you need one to download your images, or use the camera's USB connection (see above)
Hard drive. How much space do you need? Where do you keep your images? On cloud storage or on a hard drive? I have fifteen years worth of images (including a not inconsiderable number of .psd files) occupying just under 1TB.
Service and support. What's on offer?
Finally, of course, what is your budget?
Hope this is helpful
Peter
In terms of processor power and memory needed, the pecking order is:
games
graphics software (inc photo editors)
office software
web surfing
Search the net and find the recommended configuration for which ever software you use that is highest in that order. The software suppliers site will give you minimum requirements, try to find recommendations from a user or guru which are likely to be realistic. Then look at the laptops that match those requirements. As a starter my desktop runs Adobe CC2018 quite happily has an intel i5 chip and 16gb memory. This would be a mid range laptop.
Don't overbuy memory. My machine does not run out of memory even when processing a focus stack of 25 images.
Other things to think about:
Screen size. Personally when I am photo editing, I want the biggest screen I can afford.
Connectivity: How many USB ports do you need? When I go on holiday, I take my laptop with me. At the end of a day's shoot, I like to get my images onto the hard drive and backed up to another device as well. So ideally this needs at least 2 usb ports, one to connect to the camera, and one to an external hard drive.
Card reader. Do you need one to download your images, or use the camera's USB connection (see above)
Hard drive. How much space do you need? Where do you keep your images? On cloud storage or on a hard drive? I have fifteen years worth of images (including a not inconsiderable number of .psd files) occupying just under 1TB.
Service and support. What's on offer?
Finally, of course, what is your budget?
Hope this is helpful
Peter
If you want a specific recommendation something on the lines of this might suit:
LINK
I moved to this size of laptop from a larger one and have not found it an issue at all. Much depends on your close-distance eyesight of course. I do not use reading glasses but, if you do, perhaps a larger screen, as others suggest, might be better for you.
LINK
I moved to this size of laptop from a larger one and have not found it an issue at all. Much depends on your close-distance eyesight of course. I do not use reading glasses but, if you do, perhaps a larger screen, as others suggest, might be better for you.
