Photo/Video Editing Laptop for ~ $1500

JohnnyO on 13/12/2023 - 21:22
Last edited 07/10/2024 - 14:22 by 1 other user

Hi OzBargainers, I'm looking to get a laptop that has a decent screen and other associated specs for photo editing for my father in law for Christmas.

Budget is around the $1500 mark and ideally want a big screen (16inch or larger). Preferably windows as that's the platform they have existing program licences for.

Might all be a pipedream and I've been out of the game too long to understand what is practically good in terms of specs these days.

Any direction you can point me in would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

JohnnyO

Clarification - will be 90% used for photo editing as opposed to video which will be infrequent.

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  spackbace on 13/12/2023 - 21:28

  +1

  What's he using now?

  Could he realistically use a PC, as he'll get better bang for buck and upgradability

  • 

    JohnnyO on 13/12/2023 - 21:42

    Wants the portability as does a fair bit of camping and travelling. Doesn't need to be super light or anything like that.

    Not sure of his current specs but would suggest it is underpowered based off feedback on rendering times etc.

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  CrispyChrispy on 13/12/2023 - 22:18

  Most 16" in this price range are most likely going to be gaming laptops which won't have the best screens for photo/video work. Can he settle for something with a smaller screen than just buy a nice AliExpress portable monitor to pair with the laptop?

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  jv on 13/12/2023 - 22:37

  for photo editing for my father in law for Christmas.

  Why are you doing his photo editing?

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  sumyungguy on 13/12/2023 - 23:03

  +2

  You should budget $300 for an external 4K display, then consider a 13-inch MacBook Air M2 if portability is important. I use DaVinci Resolve (free) and Pixelmator Pro ($40). Yes, I know you prefer Windows but for your use case Mac OS with Apple Silicon is pretty compelling.

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    CrispyChrispy on 13/12/2023 - 23:32

    You should budget $300 for an external 4K display, then consider a 13-inch MacBook Air M2 if portability is important.

    +1 for the external monitor recommendation, but not sure if OP's going to stay under that $1,500 budget with a M2 Air

    OP did mention

    Doesn't need to be super light or anything like that.

    • 

      sumyungguy on 13/12/2023 - 23:39

      +1

      OK, a slight stretch to $1,529 for the MacBook via Apple's refurb store. But just spitballing as I'm rating OP's FIL an unlikely switcher.

      • 

        JohnnyO on 14/12/2023 - 08:40

        Correct unlikely switcher! I know the logical choice is an M2 air but I can't see the move away.

        From what I understand the order of need goes good screen, 16GB or more of ram, decent processing chops, GPU then the rest.

        Would something like an Acer Swift Go 16 be adequate rather than outstanding?

        • 

          sumyungguy on 14/12/2023 - 10:35

          @JohnnyO: Just as a matter of interest… is he Android or iOS?

          • 

            JohnnyO on 14/12/2023 - 10:52

            @sumyungguy: ios with a work phone but everything else is android or windows.

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              sumyungguy on 14/12/2023 - 11:13

              @JohnnyO: Reason I asked: if iPhone users could see Continuity, AirDrop and iCloud Keychain in action they may even consider Mac OS & iPad OS

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  dust on 14/12/2023 - 10:31

  Photo and video editing can have significantly different specification requirements. Is he mainly photo editing and occasional video editing? Or will he be doing a lot of video editing too?

  • 

    JohnnyO on 14/12/2023 - 10:51

    Sorry dust I should have been less vague, 90% will be photo editing with a small amount of video editing from time to time.

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  AustriaBargain on 14/12/2023 - 11:52

  existing program licences for.

  You aren't using Adobe CC?

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  JJtoTheRadio on 15/12/2023 - 12:31

  m1 macbook is perfect, use the remaining 400ish dollars to buy a nice monitor, although maybe won't find a high refresh rate one