Video/Photography Laptop - MacBook Pro 2016/Dell XPS 15/Razer Blade/Surface Book

impoze on 01/11/2016 - 13:14
Last edited 01/11/2016 - 13:36

As with everyone else, i'm a bit disappointed with the latest Macbook Pro release.

I've been a mac user for a while so quite hesitant to jump over to Windows but seems like it's my only option to get higher performance

What I use

  • Photoshop
  • Premiere Pro
  • Lightroom
  • Chrome with multiple tabs

Requirements

  • lightweight/thin/strong body
  • minimum 16GB ram
  • dedicated graphics
  • no budget

So far i've seen that the main alternatives for a high end laptop are the XPS 15 & Razer Blade but I am concerned about their short battery life compared to the MBP. Had a quick look at Metabox options but they seemed quite thick

Also considering Surface Book as the stylus input seems handy as I usually use a wacom tablet.

Computing

Comments

  • spackbace on 01/11/2016 - 13:18

    Can I ask, why do you photo edit on the laptop and not a PC? Higher res screen, bigger screen, cheaper, proper mouse, etc

    • impoze on 01/11/2016 - 13:19
      +1

      I can only have one computer and need to be mobile as I work remotely.

      I'll most likely get an external monitor external monitor when at home with the new type-c hubs etc

  • ITzMattrix on 01/11/2016 - 13:46
    +1

    I have the Dell XPS 15 and use for Lightroom & Photoshop with firefox with about 80 tabs open. Couldn't really fault it (that said it doesn't seem to like youtube and lightroom at the same time). I also use a dell external monitor when at home and have no complaints with it. If I was deciding today between the laptops you have stated it would be between the Surface Book and the XPS. I can pretty easily get 6 hours battery from the dell but being honest with you never really tested it on the battery doing too much more than lightroom on the couch. The touch/styles aspect of the Surface Book is really intriguing to me and I will be seriously considering one in the next couple of years when I upgrade next. Hope this helps!

    • impoze on 01/11/2016 - 13:48

      Thanks, can I ask what specs you have on your XPS 15, also which screen?

      • ITzMattrix on 01/11/2016 - 13:51

        It's the i7, 512Gb SSD, with the graphics card, I think the 960m?? (not sure). 16Gb ram

  • impoze on 01/11/2016 - 13:54

    is kaby lake on the XPS 15 due out soon?

    • klaw81 on 22/12/2016 - 14:48

      It was leaked yesterday - comes with 4GB GTX 1050 GPU, which is about double the performance of the MBP's top card.

  • Hello17 on 01/11/2016 - 14:54

    Why are you disappointed with the new MacBook Pro? I ask am I am looking to go from Windows to Mac for photo editing (Lightroom and Photoshop) and video editing (going to try final cut).

    • impoze on 01/11/2016 - 15:00

      few reasons

      the model i'd be looking at is $4500 (top spec 15", 4gb graphics, dongles)
      max 16gb ram
      AMD graphics so no CUDA
      I tried the macbook keyboard in store and not sure if I could get used to it

  • Singu1arity on 01/11/2016 - 15:25
    +1

    I've got the new XPS 15 9550 (i7, 32gb RAM, 1TB SSD) and it's a beast. I use Photoshop and Lightroom regularly myself, as well as Autodesk Inventor and also games occasionally. The actual size of it is great, and I really like the thin bezel around the LCD (it really adds to the overall quality IMO, especially compared to competing models).

    Keep an eye out on the Dell Outlet, as I've seen them go for around the $1800 for similarly specced model (maybe 16gb RAM and 512gb SSD), for a "refurbished" unit and you still get the same Dell warranty and customer support as a brand new one. My previous XPS15 was a refurbished model and lasted until this year when it was killed in a power surge (hence my upgrade).

    • impoze on 02/11/2016 - 01:16

      Does it utilise the full 32gb ram?

      Just asking because of the articles about why MBP 2016 maxes out at 16gb and this XPS is also running skyline.

      • Singu1arity on 02/11/2016 - 14:47

        You mean that Apple have limited the MBP to 16gb due to battery performance? Sounds like bullshit to me…

        To be honest though, I've never benchmarked the XPS15's ram utilisation, but have seen usage under the Windows Task Manager jump much higher than 16gb… so it's using it at least.

        Honestly, it is a great machine, and I looked around at similar models to those you're considering because I couldn't find any other device that was as good all-round.

        • impoze on 02/11/2016 - 14:48

          yeah I think i've decided on the XPS now

          Thanks for your help

        • Singu1arity on 02/11/2016 - 14:51

          "because I couldn't" = "but I couldn't"

        • Singu1arity on 02/11/2016 - 14:52
          +1

          @impoze: no problem. Hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. The fact that it is a 15" device at (almost) the size of a 14" device is great too in my opinion.

        • impoze on 02/11/2016 - 14:57

          @ASeawright: are you using an external monitor?

          I probably have to pick up a 27"

        • Singu1arity on 02/11/2016 - 19:09

          @impoze: I have, but not usually. I like to keep things simple, however my wife has the Dell U2415 monitor that's really nice. I've been thinking about getting one and a dock to go with it…

    • klaw81 on 03/11/2016 - 09:45
      +1

      There's an XPS 15 currently in the Dell Outlet for $1899 - it's the i7-6700HQ model, 960M GPU, 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM. That's a spectacular buy for such a high-spec machine.

      • Singu1arity on 03/11/2016 - 23:28

        Yeap that's the model I've seen a few times. I have the 1TB SSD, 32GB version, but only because it was an insurance replacement… I'd happily take that model at that price.

  • jerjergege on 22/12/2016 - 10:38

    2016 New Razer Blade Pro

    http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-blade-pro?src=…

    Sexc, 98% RGB 4k touchscreen (Will need to be calibrated yourself), what more could you ask for (cheaper?), best specs to boot.

    Only probably costs like 6k AUD since it costs 4.5k USD?

    Keyboard supposedly is crappy, LinusTechTips did a review.

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