Notebook/ PC for Photoshop Lightroom ($800-$1,000 range) - please help me decide

Tigi on 26/04/2014 - 13:46

Hi all, I need some advice please. My computer just broke down so need a replacement. I use electronics until they are dead so would be looking into a long lasting one within my budget.

My requirements are:
- Notebook or PC (if PC must be all in one)
- Use: internet, office + (amateur) Photoshop Lightroom, don't really play games
- Budget for notebook/PC: around $800-$1,000
- I'm not into tech so I won't even look into building a computer myself

These are the options I have (surprisingly no one at the shops suggested PC):

Option A - recommended by JB HiFi
HP notebook
Intel i7 1.8 Ghz
8 GB RAM
750 GB HDD
Price $831 (after 15% off at JB)

Option B - recommended by our good friends at HN :)
HP notebook
AMD A10 2.3 Ghz
8 GB RAM
1 TB HDD
Price $1,099 (a bit high on the budget but willing to spend if justified)

Option C
HP notebook
Intel i5 2.6 Ghz
16 GB RAM
750 GB HDD
Price $999

Option D
Toshiba notebook
Intel i7 2.4-3.4 Ghz
8 GB RAM
1 TB HDD
$1,008 (after 15% off at JB)

Would appreciate your feedback on these choices and the reason for it. Is it better to get the latest, but slower processing core? Should I choose intel or AMD? Please feel free to suggest anything else which is not in my list.

Thanking you in advance.

Computing

Comments

  • mrmarkau67 on 26/04/2014 - 14:22

    You don't need more than 4GB or an i5. If you are doing a lot of work on Lightroom, focus on how nice the screen is. Try to get 15" Full HD.

    Also, these days by far the most important factor for speed and responsiveness of your laptop is an SSD. I just wouldn't buy a laptop without an SSD, or plan to upgrade right away.

    Intel is generally better. But you can occasionally see great clearance deals on AMD laptops.

    The latest Intel processors (Haswell) usually offer MUCH better battery life. If you care about battery life, watch for a processor part number starting with 4 (as in i7-4xxx) and check for 6+ hours on the spec sheet.

    If you want something long lasting, get a lower-spec "business class" laptop. The "versatile" or "multimedia" models tend to be plasticy piles of crap, even when they have good processors.

  • CyberMurning on 26/04/2014 - 14:25

    also i think for image processing you want to have separate graphic cards, so also check for this.

    • gmatht on 26/04/2014 - 16:05

      The integrated GPUs on modern CPUs are pretty decent. It is not like Lightroom needs 120fps. The official guide suggests that an integrated GPU should be fine provided it supports your monitor resolution. Apparently the most important thing is that you have 4GB or more of RAM (8GB is better) and a fast (7200rpm) harddisk.

  • mr-anderson on 26/04/2014 - 17:26

    Based on the limited information you've given, I'd go for Option D. The specs sound reasonable for the price. However, as MrMarkau said, Full HD screen is essential in my opinion for any graphic work.

  • mr-anderson on 26/04/2014 - 17:31

    I know this is $149 more than your budget at $1149 but at MSY, the HP Touchsmart Envy15-J017TX has the same CPU as Option D, a 2GB nvidia GT740M and a 15.6" FHD screen. Might be worth your consideration.

    • Tigi on 26/04/2014 - 18:47

      Thanks for the feedback, will definitely check it out. I've never dealt with MSY before, are they a good because the price is competitive? Can we browse instore or is it pay and pick up?

  • mr-anderson on 27/04/2014 - 07:30

    MSY is more like your "here's my money, here's your stuff, bye" store. They are competitive with their prices though although if you can find the same model in a JB Hifi, DSE, Harvey Norman, TGG or even Myers, you could try and price-match.

  • Geewhizz on 27/04/2014 - 08:37

    surprisingly no one at the shops suggested PC

    They all seem to be trying to push laptops I've noticed. I guess it's because people are wanting more and more compact. The beauty of having the community here that you can ask for recommendations is that they're not trying to sell you something, so you'll probably get more unbiased info than from a salesperson.

    Hubby recently paid around $400 for Lennovo V590 from MSY and has found it runs with Lightroom very well. It's not the latest and greatest, but it does the job quite adequately.

    If you do a lot of picture editing you might want to consider hanging onto your monitor if you do end up with a laptop. 15 or 16" might sometimes be a bit small.

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