Laptop computer advice needed!
- Thread starter Bill16
- Start date
I wish I could afford it. But as it is it will take some time just to save up for a cheaper windows laptop. A Mac PowerBook would likely take years for me to save up for. I doubt I could find anyone willing to donate one to me, and so that leaves long term saving up while using my Motorola Xoom tablet.lol 
Due to pain issues a laptop would be better, because setting at a desk is painful. But if I get desperate a desktop may be my only choice.
I have an old Toshiba Sattlelite laptop with a 17 inch monitor.
It has Linux mint on it and Darktable is installed.
It is not the fastest thing around with 2 gigs of Ram but I can edit Raw files just fine on it.
If you are willing to learn a new operating system, (it's pretty easy) and learn Darktable, (almost like Lightroom) I will give it to you for the price of shipping. Probably around 20 bucks. PM me your adress, and I'll send it off.
You may have to wait a week since I might have to work this weekend and wont have time to get to the post office Saturday.
It has Linux mint on it and Darktable is installed.
It is not the fastest thing around with 2 gigs of Ram but I can edit Raw files just fine on it.
If you are willing to learn a new operating system, (it's pretty easy) and learn Darktable, (almost like Lightroom) I will give it to you for the price of shipping. Probably around 20 bucks. PM me your adress, and I'll send it off.
You may have to wait a week since I might have to work this weekend and wont have time to get to the post office Saturday.
Blacktop, that is very cool what you're doing for Bill. Believe me, I know he could certainly use it.
Bill... I bought a Lenovo T61 lap top about 3 years ago for $150. It had Windows XP on it, so I reformatted the 500 GB hard drive and installed Windows 7 Pro for $125. It has 2 GB of RAM, and I run everything on it! Works like a champ! I might even upgrade the RAM to 4 GB soon, though...just for the hell of it.
Bill... I bought a Lenovo T61 lap top about 3 years ago for $150. It had Windows XP on it, so I reformatted the 500 GB hard drive and installed Windows 7 Pro for $125. It has 2 GB of RAM, and I run everything on it! Works like a champ! I might even upgrade the RAM to 4 GB soon, though...just for the hell of it.
nononadanope
Senior Member
I personally would go for a MAC. The apple store online offers refurbished Macs here
Refurbished Mac Computers - Refurbished Notebooks & Desktop Computers - Apple Store (U.S.) These are refurbished from Apple and have a lower price compared to new versions. If you purchase one with lets say 4GB of RAM, you can always upgrade the RAM to 8 or 16 GB (Depending on how much RAM the machine will allow)
If you want something lightweight, I'd go for the 13" Macbook Air.
I have a Macbook Pro 15" with Retina Display and a 11" Macbook Air (I use the 15" more for photo editing due to it's larger screen) It's best to get one with 8-16GB of RAM and a Mininum of 500GB HDD or if you go with a Flash Drive, go with the 256GB but I should warn you that if you go with a Flash Drive; you can't upgrade it later unlike a HDD (You can always get an external drive if you need more space). The one big upside with Macs is the screen is brighter compared to Window Computers and I like the back lite keyboard. If you do opt for a Windows PC instead, I'd go for one with Windows 7 (I have a Windows 8 and I really don't like it) if you can find one and don't go for Dell or Toshiba (I've had trouble with them in the past but that's just my preference and they could be better built these days)
If you want something lightweight, I'd go for the 13" Macbook Air.
I have a Macbook Pro 15" with Retina Display and a 11" Macbook Air (I use the 15" more for photo editing due to it's larger screen) It's best to get one with 8-16GB of RAM and a Mininum of 500GB HDD or if you go with a Flash Drive, go with the 256GB but I should warn you that if you go with a Flash Drive; you can't upgrade it later unlike a HDD (You can always get an external drive if you need more space). The one big upside with Macs is the screen is brighter compared to Window Computers and I like the back lite keyboard. If you do opt for a Windows PC instead, I'd go for one with Windows 7 (I have a Windows 8 and I really don't like it) if you can find one and don't go for Dell or Toshiba (I've had trouble with them in the past but that's just my preference and they could be better built these days)
Last edited:
Tony Woods
New member
Just a thought but nobody has mentioned the superb backup that the Apple Stores have to offer. The other point is that the Apple machine arrive with a good selection of programs included but if you buy a PC the price of the PC is only the start as they then have you by the short and curlies.
If you can manage to buy the Apple machine you will always be grateful also they have always been known as the best for photo use.
Just my thoughts as I have two iMacs 27" so perhaps I am slightly biased.
Good Luck.
Tony
UK
If you can manage to buy the Apple machine you will always be grateful also they have always been known as the best for photo use.
Just my thoughts as I have two iMacs 27" so perhaps I am slightly biased.
Good Luck.
Tony
UK
Yes your right bud, that thanks to my buddy Blacktop I can do just that! It was soooo cool of him, and when it gets here I can even try post processing raw photos! I couldn't shoot raw before since my tablet won't recognize raw files! So I'm excited to see what I can do with it!
I was going to throw in buying a refurb for $200 and then after using it figure out what you wanted as you save dollars for more, better, bigger, faster (but probably less fruity).
But looks like the @Blacktop Laptop Store had a better idea first.
Last edited:
ABN Panzer
Senior Member
If you are not going Mac you can get good deals far less than $800. Just watch the Sunday adds from places like Best Buy.
My last Laptop ran just abit higher than $450. Toshiba L855: I7, 16GB Ram, 2GB HD Video, 500MBHD (I really should have upgraded to the 1 or 1TB Drive I think it would have ran another 20-30 at the time.)
My last Laptop ran just abit higher than $450. Toshiba L855: I7, 16GB Ram, 2GB HD Video, 500MBHD (I really should have upgraded to the 1 or 1TB Drive I think it would have ran another 20-30 at the time.)
For laptops, I prefer either Toshiba or ASUS. Bill, if you have problems with pain, you can still consider a desktop computer. When I used mine, the tower was on the floor, but the monitor was on a rolling cart (which wasn't too expensive). I also used a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse so I could sit in a comfy chair and pull up the rolling cart with the monitor on it. The keyboard was on my lap. The monitor was 20" so the size was nice to see detail. Just letting you know some options. Besides, you might get more features in a desktop for less cost than a laptop.
Besides, you might get more features in a desktop for less cost than a laptop.Thanks buddy, I'll keep that in mind while I'm saving up!
For laptops, I prefer either Toshiba or ASUS. Bill, if you have problems with pain, you can still consider a desktop computer. When I used mine, the tower was on the floor, but the monitor was on a rolling cart (which wasn't too expensive). I also used a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse so I could sit in a comfy chair and pull up the rolling cart with the monitor on it. The keyboard was on my lap. The monitor was 20" so the size was nice to see detail. Just letting you know some options.
john*thomas
Senior Member
Thanks buddy, I'll keep that in mind while I'm saving up!
I use an older Toshiba as my laptop. (older being relevant I suppose, as it's around 3 years now I guess). I've found all sorts of free software to convert my raw files at that.
This was super cool of Blacktop and I think you'll find you will have plenty of time to save up as for someone just converting personal photo's at home the performance will be just fine.
Yeah, I have to wait a couple moments for a particular program to open but I have the 5-6 seconds to spare.