Suggestions for PC Sought

[Sonnar Brian]

I am heading for Nepal to teach for 4 months as a volunteer in early January. I have recently moved toward digital (X100/DLux5) and would like to purchase a laptop with enough power to run Lightroom. I will be taking it along and learning digital processing in my spare time in Kathmandu. So any suggestions as to make and model would be welcome. I figure on spending $600-1000.


Thanks.

Asking which PC to buy around here is like asking what lens should you get. Some will tell you to get a 50/0.95 Noctilux, and others will tell you to buy a pre-war Contax in RF mount with a Leica mount J-3 and convert the lens yourself.

At work, it's easy to decide what computer to get. Determine what the computer needs to do, and then design and make it.

With the requirements set by the OP to run Lightroom for an X-100 and a DLux 5, just about any Laptop will do the job. Traveling and using in Spare time, a Laptop makes sense. A 17" Laptop with a good carrying case for protection makes it much easier to edit Pictures. Any Pentium I3 with 4GBytes of memory and a 500GByte hard disk will meet the requirements of running Lightroom for an X100 and DLux5.

If "Tactile Touch" of the Keyboard and Pad is critical to you, go into a store and try them out. I personally like a Keytronics Keyboard and original Microsoft two-button mouse when writing code. Use something for over 25 years, you get used to the feel of it. But at home- I can deal with the HP keyboard. The whole computer cost about as much as my Keyboard and Mouse did 25 years ago.

 

[mugent]

I think it's worth remembering that any Mac you can buy today can also run Windows, thus if you buy a Mac, and then for whatever reason, want to run Windows at a later date, you can. The reverse isn't true. (Well, it can be done on some PCs, but it's a lot of hassle.)

So think about it this way, a PC is a PC, a Mac is in fact Mac+PC.

So it's down to money, if you can afford it, get the Mac, simply because it offers every a PC does, AND it's a Mac.

If you can't spend the money for a Mac, get a PC.

Also, if you are already a Mac user, you will find switching to PC a bit of a shock, the reverse is also true.

As others have said, I think one rarely regrets getting the best one can afford.

MT

 

[Peter S]

Why not see whether you can pimp up your netbook a bit. I have an "old" Samsung NC10 and just went from 1 to 2 GB ram. It runs Lightroom, not blazingly fast, but it works when I am travelling. You might be able to do the same with your netbook and maybe you could replace the hard disk with a SSD? Netbooks and laptops are not ideal for post processing work unless you connect them to a bigger monitor and are able to callibrate same. If it is more about tagging and organizing they will do the trick.

If you have an Apple then it is cheaper software wise to stay with Apple, why not buy second hand or refurbished ?

Personally a big fan of Lenovo thinkpads. Very rugged and reliable. Some of them are even milspec.

 

[mugent]

If you have an Apple then it is cheaper software wise to stay with Apple, why not buy second hand or refurbished ?

Good idea, I've bought many Mac from the Apple Store refurb section, they are as good as new, and you save a bit of cash.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

Cheers

Moray

 

[ktmrider]

More Things to Think About

More Things to Think About

Software for the Mac is not an issue. Am thinking the netbook is too slow with only 1gig of RAM. Again, this system is primarily to learn didgital processing in my spare time while volunteering in Nepal.

My nephew works in software development at Apple in California. Should be biased but think you get much more for the money right now with PC's. What are the minimum system requirements for Lightroom? And what would make it run ok? Will probably donate the computer to the school when I leave anyway.

Thanks for all the great info. Anyone want to talk about film cameras which I have a bit of experience with 🙄

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I use an HP Pavillion G series with 4GBytes of memory, 500GByte disk, and Pentium I-3 processors, 17" screen. No problem running Lightroom 3.5 with my Leica M9 files and Olympus EP2. Videos are fine with the EP2 and Ricoh CX-1.

This computer was under $600 several months ago. also- I get several (2~3) hours off of the battery processing images.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

The basic 13" inch Apple Pro starts at $1200 - overpriced like I said. Your description of Apple of being 'very solid' with a better trackpad vs a Dell is well - laughable.

This is funny. I'm actually laughing out loud.

I would rather have a ten year old Apple ANYTHING than the latest Dell.

"Overpriced?" Sure. A Dell is like a Corvette. They can cram all manner of power into it, but it's still a cheesy piece of crap.

To the OP: decide which OS you want to run. —*for $1,000, buy a refurb Macbook Pro, 15". Find a used/refurb from a reputable dealer. With a clean OS Lion install. I'm running a 3-year old MacBook Pro, and it's still all i need. Get RAM.

A Dell. God. Some people just don't get it. The problem is that they don't know they don't get it, and insist a PC is as good as a Mac....

There's a reason why Macs are The Industry Standard. People who have actual money on the line aren't messing around with PCs. And, frankly, for photographers, who are supposed to be so attuned to aesthetics, i'm shocked that anyone would consider a PC. Even if you don't disagree with the hardware design, what's on-screen is UGLY. UG-LY.

I've been a graphic designer for nearly 20 years. If i had to use a PC, i would give up my computer-based career. That's how offensive they are.

Okay. Rant over.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

This is what makes apple good - things like the trackpad, the overall build, the ingenuity of the charger and adapter and a million other little details that sets them apart.

That's exactly it. God is in the details.

Sorta related: it creases me no end, all the chippy dialog in the 'phone wars.' People talking about how all these new phones compete against the iPhone. People need to remember what cellphones looked like before the iPhone came along. They're ALL just copies of the iPhone at this point.

Even if the iPhone were underspec'd compared to, say, a Samsung — i would still choose the Apple. Originators and Innovators versus the Copycats. Besides that - just take a close-up look at the iPhone. It's a tiny miracle of design. Can't say that about the competition. They're just phones.

I remember when i got my first iPhone, the 2. My girlfriend wanted one, as well. But, she couldn't wait and i had to buy her something else. When we saw each other after she had hers — the one she thought was so highly spec'd — we compared. There was such an obvious tactile difference, even before we turned them on... that i felt like i had wasted money in buying hers. Even though it was cheaper. She immediately recognized it, too, and she was not 'tech-y.'

Yeah, a phone's a phone and a computer's a computer. Just like a Chevy is a Mercedes. Dockers = Prada. A Bessa is a Leica....

 

[iamzip]

The first thought that popped into my head was "MacBook Air." A couple pounds difference may not sound like a lot on paper, but when you are carrying it on your back everyday, it is a world of difference. I used to carry my unibody 13" macbook to school every day. Over the summer I got an iPad and I would never go back to carrying the MacBook everyday, unless absolutely necessary.

That being said I admit I have no direct experience with the MacBook Air, so I can't vouch for performance. My best guess is that it would be blazing fast compared to your current netbook. Just be careful of the glass screens, ok?

I have had good luck buying refurbished stuff from Apple's online store in the past. In fact, I purchased my iPad refurbished from them, and when the home button started acting wonky, I took it into an Apple store and they replaced it with a brand new one.

I have also purchased from macofalltrades.com, which sells used macs. Only once though, but it seemed to be ok. Might be worth a look.

 

[ray*j*gun]

check newegg.com they have the best prices and great tutorials on what you need for what/

 

[f16sunshine]

One other point with the Mac.

Since you are teaching you can legitimately purchase through the online education store.
It will save you $100-$200 on the basic computer and a bit more on any upgrades.
Plus they give you a $100 gift card to spend at the store.
There is no big hassle to prove your status as an educator or student.

 

[hipsterdufus]

I'm just baffled that people want to edit photos on a 13" screen. I have a 19" monitor at home and sometimes that seems like barely enough screen real estate. To each their own, I guess.

 

[iamzip]

I'm just baffled that people want to edit photos on a 13" screen. I have a 19" monitor at home and sometimes that seems like barely enough screen real estate. To each their own, I guess.

The OP is looking for something to take to Nepal. He did not ask for the ideal home setup.

 

[Fraser]

I'm just baffled that people want to edit photos on a 13" screen. I have a 19" monitor at home and sometimes that seems like barely enough screen real estate. To each their own, I guess.

I edit every day on a 13inch screen because it wouldn't be that practical carrying a 19 inch monitor and a desktop about.
The computer I use everyday for work is a 13inch sony i3 which is very good and when I bought it it was top spec. But recently I bought an imac for my office and since having it the sony will be the last pc I buy. I think macs are worth the extra cash for the screens alone.

 

[Peter S]

Well, when I travel I run Lightroom on a Samsung NC10 with 2gb (added myself) that has the Atom N270 processor, single core and 3 years old. Nowadays you get at least dual core, with bigger cache and faster bus speed and more internal memory for say 4-500 USD. That should run Lightroom at an acceptable speed.

Lenovo also has an online outlet and there are quite a few good deals to be found there. They might not be the most sexy looking latops, but they have a good reputation in respect of build quality/specs. If you are thinking about leaving behind the laptop in Nepal I would buy a windows based laptop instead of an Apple because it will most likely be easier to repair or find replacement parts.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

My Micron Trek II is still going after 14 years. the four original Lithium Ion batteries all hold a full charge. My Pentium Pro still going after 16 years. Great realtime device controller running Win98se booted into Real mode and all custom written drivers.

You can buy a PC, you can buy a Mac.

Decide which to get.

This is a Photography forum, but we have a lot of veteran computer users here.

I use PC's. I find it pathetic where some of these attitudes come from of one type of computer versus another.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I had my own Dec VAX 11/750 and a Vax 11/730s. VMS was a great operating system, realtime response when needed. The Vax 11/730 was about the size of a small refrigerator with two fixed disks. Went on field experiments. They cost real money.

 

[Matus]

It actually is simple.

If you want the most (in terms of processing power) for your buck, do not get an Apple. Get XYZ (I do not know all the huge amount of models that all the major producers put out just to confuse their customers)

If you want light, sturdy, with one of the best screens (in laptops), the best trackpad (I used one of the latest Pro Dell models, do not want to talk about it) get Macbook Air 13". Or the MacBook Pro 13" if Air is too much $$$.

I used Windows, Linux, OS-X. Liked Linux, but Prefer the OS-X as it is also unix based and is nice to use. My Macbook 13" (the first non-Pro alu model) is just 3 years old and I have no reason to get a new laptop. All the hardware works as new. It looks like new (when I clean the screen 😛 ).

Apple really let you pay high dollar for their products (for some way too high), 10% less would not hurt. But when you look at the (around) $800 dollar laptops and try to get one where all relevant components are good - you will have a hard time. My wife spent LOTS of time looking at MANY reviews and so often there was something out of the line (gets too hot, too loud cooler, weak screen, etc.). Once you find PC with fine performance - the price will go up too.

Just a note on the trackpad - it seems that people who do not like the one on MacBooks (my wife) get confused by the amount of possible configurations (1 - 4 fingers). You do not have to use that 3 or 4 finger movements (tough I find it great to be able to move in the history of browsing with Safari or Finder with simple 3 finger movement), but already the simple 2 finger scrolling is SMOOTH, very precise. I often do rather complex selection in Photoshop and have never needed external mouse for that.

________

But the point is 😉 get the system/machine that you feel confident with (or just get a Windows PC 😀)

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Again- back to the requirements set forth by the OP. a machine for $600 to $1000 for running Lightroom.

I've spent more money on computers than I have on cameras.

I feel confident that this 17" laptop HP Pavillion G series that I use to run Lightroom 3 for my M9 can do the job perfectly fine. And cost under $600.

 

[Peter S]

I am with Brian, I find this discussion Mac vs PC very off-putting and on the border of uncivilized .

Just a Christmas thought: maybe some of the Apple owners in this thread still have a Windows laptop lying at home shamefully hidden away in a closet that they would be willing to donate to OP on the condition that he leaves it behind in Nepal ?