Recommended Desktop Computer for Photography

[herbert]

Hi Alex,

It has 4GB memory Intel core 2 duo 2.4mhz and 320 GB disk to which is attached one 1Tb and one 2 TB external disks and a 1 TB NAS that I use to view stuff on my iPhone when I'm out and about. Monitor is from Benq, 24in 1920x1080 @60 hz, calibrated using Spyder 3. I use Lightroom and CS5 for post processing.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the details. So it does seem that the current top-line software will run on a 'low' spec machine and, I presume, it totally usable. I'm not surprised given that I can run Lightroom on my 6 year old laptop. However my new machine is faster and I don't think I want to go back.

On the other hand I could have bought a new lens instead. Or a new body. Damn the eternal dilemma of the photographer.

Alex

[Michael8nuts]

I have both iMAC & PC. Well look where i am located & you see why I have a PC! However just in unproductive time spent the Mac is streets ahead. The constant angst of updates, virus protection etc etc means more time spent 'housekeeping' on a PC than a Mac but for Office is still better on a PC. You may not know but Office 11 on a MAC has features not on the PC version but I stll prefer the PC version. Photo work? nothing comes close to a Mac.

Ah, yes .. good point.

[Bronny]

Wow, thankyou so much for all your input everyone. Lots of food for thought.
It would be my main computer, I'm not into gaming so it would be for photo editing, browsing the internet, facebook, google+ etc. I use to have a desktop until about two years ago (it was about 10 years old, so was fairly slow and had it and one of those big square block screens ekkkk). We had a laptop so I just used it, now its not enough now that I'm starting to get in to my photography more and wanting to have a play in elements , as this laptop isn't young either, so thought I'd start thinking now .
I've compared the computers in the shops and love the facts that alot of them are all in one without towers (although this may not be a good thing if something happens to your screen). The good thing about these would be the lack of cords (they do just drive me nuts sometimes).
I don't know much about computers and the thought of building my own would really scare me LOL. I also live a long way from town so if something goes wrong I can't just pop into the shop, although I will still have the laptop as back up , and for when I go somewhere to download photos too if need be and I will also get another external. Again, thankyou for all your help

[malc1]

I use Elements v9 on an imac and a win7 laptop. Displaying thumbnails in Organiser is much faster on the laptop. More than four columns of thumbnails don't ever display on Mac, four take time. I can display as many columns on the laptop as I want. I think PC version of elements is better than Mac version.

[Colin Southern]

Interesting post Colin as I have to replace my 19" NEC monitor and have also been looking at Apple. I want a bigger monitor (images and palletes get in each others way less) and my wife hates the spagetti like jumble of the present set up. I was thinking of a 24 inch but discovered Apple go from 21 to 27 inch. The 27 looks like overkill but having tried it in the Apple store I have to say the screen is very impressive and a rough calculation indicated that a good 27 inch monitor plus a new computer (probably needed in the the next year or so) might not be all that much short of 1400 for the equivalent Apple. So roughly comparing like with like there may not be all that much difference in cost. But why not get a good 24 inch monitor now and replce the PC as and when necessary? Well, domestic bliss is part of the equation and the neatness of the Apple is a real attraction to the CEO and she is prepared to release funds.

Hi John,

I just run 2 monitors off my main PP system - a 24" for the images, and a 17" for the toolbars etc

[Colin Southern]

I went from a Dell 19-inch to an NEC 23-inch Multisync monitor. I like the Multisync but, am very-very disappointed that I went "the cheaper route" and didn't get a 27-inch. A 23 inch wide screen monitor gives me approximately the same top to bottom measurement as the 19-inch non-wide screen provided; so there is no great advantage except in width. I have tried to remedy my problems by using the Dell monitor alongside the NEC with the monitor in the portrait position. I can get a far larger view of a vertical picture on the 19" Dell in the vertical position than on my 23-Inch multisync in the standard horizontal setup.

I installed one the other day ... attached solely to a 50 inch high-definition plasma TV

[Colin Southern]

COLIN: Canon vs Nikon .... they are just tools. Yes, BUT some tools are easier to use than others. Again, MAC's are easier.

I should clarify "easier to use":

Opening and using programs is universal. However, when you need to to "get into" the nuts&bolts of the Windows O.S. ..... like adding printer; setting up internet; wifi, adding programs/plug-in's, etc, can be VERY "challenging".

Hi Michael,

There was a time when the GUI of a Mac made some of these tasks easier, but I think those days are long gone. Case in point - joining a Windows 7 machine to a WiFi network is as easy as clicking on the networks symbol - clicking on the network you want - clicking on Connect - and putting in the password. Joining a cabled network is as easy as connecting the cable. Adding a printer is (best case) as easy as plugging it in (plug and play kicks in), or (worst case) putting the install CD in the drive and clicking "install". Adding programs is trival also.

[Colin Southern]

The constant angst of updates, virus protection etc etc means more time spent 'housekeeping' on a PC

Hi Tom,

I'm curious as to why it's such an "angst"? Updates to OS and AV have been happening automatically for years - about the only "downside" is that an occasional reboot is required (which it also - in the absence of any instruction to the contrary - also does automatically in the wee small hours of the morning).

[pabloisme]

Asking photographers what they recommend mmmmm the answer is only what they use, with a slightly closed mind?

I think the line is what do you want to spend?

a PC is far cheaper, it was designed upgradeable hence all the (limiting?) backwardly compatable specs,

so I can still run all my old software on my win7 box.

I can get better deals on software pricing (apple charge like a wounded bull!)

I can see few advantages in an apple (before you "i-photograpers" shoot me down", my first business computer was a mac! as was my first and quickly up and running web server, BUT cost more than twice as much! as a windows box, oh my web servers are almost all linux now!)

NOTE: as i remember it, 32-bit processor can address only 4GB of memory, so any more is wasted

& here in the UK a (no operating system) PC with 4Gb RAM and a Tb+ hard drive is under £200 +VAT my last one was £179+ and I run both a win7 and the no problems XP (as back up) when I spend more time on them than needed, I bin them! and get a new one.... simples?

ps, a laptop battery is the real pain as it is, in under 2 years useless, so you are re-tethered to the wall plug again, so no real advantage... UNLESS you need to take it out

enjoy your photography!

[Glenn NK]

A guy at a different F----- S--- told me that HP is VERY difficult to deal with - even for them.

Maybe this was your only mistake. (F----- S---).

I'm looking at a new desktop, but am dealing with a bona fide computer shop where all they deal in is computers. It will cost more, but if things don't work, they'll rectify it.

One other comment that was alluded to by someone else - not much point in buying a large expensive monitor unless one also acquires the calibration software.

Glenn

[Bronny]

Asking photographers what they recommend mmmmm the answer is only what they use, with a slightly closed mind?

I think the line is what do you want to spend?

a PC is far cheaper, it was designed upgradeable hence all the (limiting?) backwardly compatable specs,

so I can still run all my old software on my win7 box.

I can get better deals on software pricing (apple charge like a wounded bull!)

I can see few advantages in an apple (before you "i-photograpers" shoot me down", my first business computer was a mac! as was my first and quickly up and running web server, BUT cost more than twice as much! as a windows box, oh my web servers are almost all linux now!)

NOTE: as i remember it, 32-bit processor can address only 4GB of memory, so any more is wasted

& here in the UK a (no operating system) PC with 4Gb RAM and a Tb+ hard drive is under £200 +VAT my last one was £179+ and I run both a win7 and the no problems XP (as back up) when I spend more time on them than needed, I bin them! and get a new one.... simples?

ps, a laptop battery is the real pain as it is, in under 2 years useless, so you are re-tethered to the wall plug again, so no real advantage... UNLESS you need to take it out

enjoy your photography!

Thankyou for that. I'm definately not going laptop way (I currently have a laptop, so can use it if I need a portable device).

At the moment I think I will stay away from Mac. Here we are lucky or unlucky as it may be, in the fact we don't have specialised apple stores so the shops that have pc also have apples so I'm able to compare with them side by side when the time comes. I want as much bang for my buck (as does everyone). Will let you know how I go when the time comes

[Colin Southern]

a laptop battery is the real pain as it is, in under 2 years useless

The "trick" is to either ...

1. Remove it if you're going to stay plugged into the mains all the time, or

2. Keep running it down

It's the constant trickle charging that stuffs them.

[Mark von Kanel]

The "trick" is to either ...

1. Remove it if you're going to stay plugged into the mains all the time, or

2. Keep running it down

It's the constant trickle charging that stuffs them.

not always the case im afraid

with older batteries this was true to a point but with newer types the best way to prolong battery life is to keep it plugged in to the wall, with the proviso that you totally discharge it once a month. Each battery is worth a set amount of charge recycles say about 2000 so if you charge it up and then discharge it once a day it will last 2000 days. if you discharge it once a month..... 2000 months!

it should also be noted that a half charge only counts as a half charge!

unfortunately with the new apple macbook pros you cant remove the battery at all and on the old ones running the machine without the battery would reduce its performance as the charger doesnt have the grunt to power the machine at full use.

im not certain but i also think that some HP & tosh models wont run without a battery either.

all the info on battery life and charging can be found on the apple web site.

[Colin Southern]

not always the case im afraid

with older batteries this was true to a point but with newer types the best way to prolong battery life is to keep it plugged in to the wall, with the proviso that you totally discharge it once a month.

Well all I can say is that - when folks leave their laptops plugged in constantly - the battery is toast within 6 months. I've always continuously run batteries down before recharging, and never had a problem. Can't speak for Apple laptops, but I do the same with my iPhones, and they're doing OK too.

[Viana]

I’ve kept out of this discussion, since it is subjective and people tend to get testy.

That said, you will find few graphics-photography professionals who do not use Macs. They are the industry standard in creative endeavors.

I would not purchase a PC on my dime. The claim that everything is more expensive for Macs is erroneous, because, Macs are plug and play. PCs always need something else to be purchased for whatever. Software is the same price regardless and anything worth using is available on a Mac.

I would recommend a MacBook Pro. Haven’t used a desktop in years. Just get a large screen and you are good on both ends: At home and travel. The Mac laptops have dual processors so you can use your PC software.

If you do not have the money for a new Mac, get a used or refurbished one.

Well all I can say is that - when folks leave their laptops plugged in constantly - the battery is toast within 6 months. I've always continuously run batteries down before recharging, and never had a problem. Can't speak for Apple laptops, but I do the same with my iPhones, and they're doing OK too.

Yet another reason to get a Mac, Colin.

I have about half a dozen Macs including 4 laptops. They are plugged in most of the time. Everyone is running perfectly. Some are years old. The battery on a MacBook Pro, my workhorse, lasts up to 7 hours on one charge, depending on how intense the graphics are. I believe that MPB have one battery vs. 3 on average for other laptops.

[Ronny]

So many emails and so many answers. Nearly 2 years ago I was due for a new computer. Two IT friends told me both never buy a cheap pc from a known brand like hp or dell because of the quality in the box. Buy the more expensive ones. I went one step further and found a company Puget systems, who build custom computers from the top best tested parts. They made me an i5 with 8 gb memory, a 512 mb video card and windows 7 professionals that let me run 64 bit as well as 32 bit. It has one 500 gb inside hd and 2 outside for backup. Keyboard and mouse are wireless and I use two monitors, both Samsung 22 inch, of which one is also a 1080p tv connected to a cable tv system. I saw the benefit of having 2 monitors with good resolutions from the old days when I did cadd 3d design.
The speakers are also the better ones from Creative. Just a small detail on my pc. It has build in 4 cooling fans, one in the front and 3 on the back. On top of one of the monitors is also a webcam connected to a skype program. The system is 100% quiet. When working on my website or pictures I may have many files open and notice no slowing down of the system.
The usb connections are all usb 3.0, which is also a lot faster than the old 2.0 It is the best system I ever had.
In my Real Estate office I have a Dell system with xp and 2gb of memory and is slow as a turtle.
The point I want to make, ask yourself what do you want to do with that computer. Working with windows office files like word and exel and lot of emailing or also with large files like heavy duty pictures and drawings.

[Colin Southern]

That said, you will find few graphics-photography professionals who do not use Macs. They are the industry standard in creative endeavors.

Not true I'm afraid. As a manufacturer you'll probably find that they have a higher percentage in the industry than any other manufacturer (eg Dell or HP), but that's not a valid comparison; you need to compare them on a Macs -v- Windows basis, where they're still outnumbered.

I would not purchase a PC on my dime. The claim that everything is more expensive for Macs is erroneous, because, Macs are plug and play.

Macs come with Photoshop CS5 included in the price now?

Yet another reason to get a Mac, Colin.

Nothing against them - it just makes me smile when people try to have me believe that the same program works better "because it's a Mac"

[Viana]

Not true I'm afraid. As a manufacturer you'll probably find that they have a higher percentage in the industry than any other manufacturer (eg Dell or HP), but that's not a valid comparison; you need to compare them on a Macs -v- Windows basis, where they're still outnumbered.

Certainly it is a valid comparison since the OP is looking for a computer with which to do photos and other sorts of creative endeavors.

Macs come with Photoshop CS5 included in the price now?

LOL, no they do not. However, they do come with EVERYTHING that one needs to get working including some very nice office/photo/art/music software. Plug and play is a Mac, as opposed to pay and pay and pay for a PC with Windows.

Nothing against them - it just makes me smile when people try to have me believe that the same program works better "because it's a Mac"

No one ever said anything of the sort.

Colin, it is all about the OS.

I have worked on and owned PCs and owned Macs. For my money I will take a Mac any day because, they come fully equipped, the OS is intuitive and fun (that is why Microsoft copies it) and one does not see the blue screen of death on a regular basis as is the case with Windows. I like machines that work—“forever.”

To each his own.

[Colin Southern]

Certainly it is a valid comparison since the OP is looking for a computer with which to do photos and other sorts of creative endeavors.

The point is, you laid down the gauntlet by saying "That said, you will find few graphics-photography professionals who do not use Macs." when the reality is that this is incorrect. If you count up those using macs, and those using other platforms, you'll find more use windows platforms.

LOL, no they do not. However, they do come with EVERYTHING that one needs to get working including some very nice office/photo/art/music software. Plug and play is a Mac, as opposed to pay and pay and pay for a PC with Windows.

As do most PCs these days, including Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements.

Colin, it is all about the OS. They don’t call it Windoze for nothing.

I'd happily put my Windows box up against a Mac in the performance department any day. I can load CS5 from a cold start in under 2 seconds -- nothing slow about that.

one does not see the blue screen of death on a regular basis as is the case with Windows.

And if one chooses to run windows on reliable hardware they won't see the blue screen of death either.

To each his own.

Absolutely. And as I say - I have nothing against Apple products (I happen to own quite a few). My experience with them (albeit mostly iPhone / iPad / Apple TV / iPod) is that they're great - but far from faultless. At the end of the day they're just a tool, not a religious experience.

[Colin Southern]

And on that note ...