For Photo Editing - to use Present Screens - on Future PC with Windows 10

[Pica]

Hello Everyone,
I have a background within IT, however need advice concerning photo editing equipment compatibility.

Today when I perform my photo editing after a photo session, I have a PC laptop which I run at two different locations. At each location I have a similar PC screen (IBM Thinkvision).

I have now come to the conclusion that I need more power, when editing my photographs, and will buy a new PC equipped with Windows 10.

Question: How does it work, can I count on that my two similar PC screens, will work with the future PC equipped with Windows 10? (The PC screens work today well with Windows XP and 7.) Or are there something I need to find out first (like if the right driver is available for Window 10 at the PC manufacturers, etc)?

At would for several reasons be nice (not least concerning the investment cost) to be able to focus on the PC HW, tower, laptop for now. And later see if I will buy two new screens for photo editing.


Thank you in advance for your co-operation!

[Shadowman]

Hi Pica,

It's been quite awhile since I've worked with PCs but as I remember graphic card compatibility should be the major concern with both editing software and monitor functionality. Your software should have system requirements listed. My older version software lists compatible operating systems (only listed up to Windows 7) and when I upgraded to Win 10 the transition was flawless.

[Manfred M]

If you have two identical screens, that have been set up identically (brightness, contrast, etc). I can't see an issue. Windows will recognize the two screens as being the same screen (only screen type is what the OS looks for). That way the laptop screen and the second screen will both display correctly I.

The main issue that I see is that if the two screens do not run identically, there is no way for the OS to distinguish between the two so any LUT data would be applied the same way, even if this is not appropriate. Having different models of screens would ensure that this does not happen.

[Rob Ekins]

Pica,
You need to also think about connectivity to your existing panels. What video inputs ports do they have, VGA, HDMI, DVI Mini Display Port?
Your new machine will likely have a couple of options but VGA is less common now, adaptors to convert the signal can be bought quite cheaply.
If the new machine does have more than one video output the screens will be easily recognised as different units if they are on separate outputs.

[Pica]

Hello Everone,
Thank your inputs to support me and the family on our quest so far!

A major concern of mine, is if the future new PC equipped Windows 10 will directly (without a driver) recognize my present PC screen at home and at the other location - as well as today with Windows XP and 7? And if it does not I cannot find a driver to solve this. Especially as we have to two similar PC screen (and I like to at this time focus the family investment on a good laptop or tower for photo editing).

I know a lot about IT, have identified this - however I do not know if this is a non-issue, or if it is likely that I will need a driver and then it is upto if the monitor supplier has made a fully functional driver or not.

What are the experiences here at CinC concerning this?


Thank you for your support on this quest of mine!

[Rob Ekins]

Pica,
I will confidently say that this a non issue and your new OS will detect your monitor. Even if the correct driver is not available it will replace it with a generic driver. If for some reason it all goes bad you will be fine, with your BG in IT you won't have a problem sourcing and installing a driver right?

I do strongly suggest though that if you are keen on image editing some of your budget should go towards a new monitor.

[tao2]

Pica,
I will confidently say that this a non issue and your new OS will detect your monitor. Even if the correct driver is not available it will replace it with a generic driver. If for some reason it all goes bad you will be fine, with your BG in IT you won't have a problem sourcing and installing a driver right?

I do strongly suggest though that if you are keen on image editing some of your budget should go towards a new monitor.

+1 for Rob's input. If all else fails there is still "Compatibility Mode"....

[Pica]

Hello Rob, Everyone,

You wrote:

Pica,
I will confidently say that this a non issue and your new OS will detect your monitor. Even if the correct driver is not available it will replace it with a generic driver.

- So if I understand you right, most likely the new PC HW and OS will accept the monitors. And if a driver anyway is needed - for the new PC tower, laptop, mini, etc equipped with Windows 10 – there is no problem even if the monitor developer IBM, Lenovo does not supply the driver. Because there are generic drivers available that will run my two ThinkVision monitors? Is this correct understood by me?

As I subscribe to the to me fine words of William Arthur Ward “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – I will convey that you in Australia have made me and the family happy here in Scandinavia.

Looking forward to your reply!

Kind Regards Pica

P.S.
I follow your train of thought when you write:

Pica,
I do strongly suggest though that if you are keen on image editing some of your budget should go towards a new monitor.

Yes, I'm keen on image editing, and have actually won Price for Best Photography.
My train of thought is this:
(A) Don’t want to throw away two fully functional PC monitors, which works well for Windows XP and 7 just because I buy or build a new PC with Win 10. I still have a need for them. And if I understand you right I will not have to.
(B) The plan is to make this quest of new PC, into a two-step-rocket-launch. First PC processing power. Then a new good screen for photo editing.
D.S.