Maybe switching to MacBook-----

[cwgrizz]

Ok, I know there are Mac users on this forum. I have never used a Mac, but I think I am going to switch from a Windoze box. My laptop died. It is a long story, but it has been giving me fits for quite a long time and Dell can't seem to fix it. I am looking at possibly getting a 16" MacBook Pro M2 Pro, 12 Core CPU, 19 Core GPU, 16 GB ram, 512GB SSD 2023 models. Does this sound like a good choice even though it is not this year's model? Photo processing is of course a priority along with word processing, etc. (No Games). Any opinions will be appreciated.
Another option is a16" M1.

Thanks, Walt

 

[cwgrizz]

I had the wrong possible specs so I edited my post above

 

[hark]

I don't have a MacBook - I have an iMac and really prefer it over Windows. My first two PC's were Dell desktops. Neither one held up well at all although an Asus laptop running Windows 7 was excellent.

When I purchased this iMac, it came with 16GB Ram. I expected to be able to add Ram on my own, but nope. This particular model has the Ram soldered in place so no adjustment can be made. 16GB is really the minimum. If it's possible to add more Ram or to get a different model with more Ram, it will really be helpful. Topaz takes quite a while to render when using Denoise.

 

[hark]

However, I don't have the M1 or M2 options as mine is an earlier version. So not sure how the M1 or M2 handle photo editing. Hopefully someone here who has one can offer insight.

 

[cwgrizz]

However, I don't have the M1 or M2 options as mine is an earlier version. So not sure how the M1 or M2 handle photo editing. Hopefully someone here who has one can offer insight.

Thanks Cindy, I read some reviews about the M1 & M2 processors and they claimed they were much better than the older versions. They even stated that it was not necessary to go to M3 unless you were doing a lot of different processes (different programs at once). The deal I am looking at is a Certified Preowned laptop and so the memory and SSD cannot be upgraded.

 

[blackstar]

I use Mac mini M2 Pro with 32GB and 512GB SSD 2023 (double external monitors). Everything is smooth and fast (no issue with opening/running multiple photo editing programs at once). I believe for us 32GB is a must for photo editing. I also use external high-speed SSDs for photo storage/processing. Good luck with your switching. (M1, M2, M3... are Apple silicon chips which replace the old Intel chips. M chips are much more powerful and speedy.)

 

[cwgrizz]

I use Mac mini M2 Pro with 32GB and 512GB SSD 2023 (double external monitors). Everything is smooth and fast (no issue with opening/running multiple photo editing programs at once). I believe for us 32GB is a must for photo editing. I also use external high-speed SSDs for photo storage/processing. Good luck with your switching. (M1, M2, M3... are Apple silicon chips which replace the old Intel chips. M chips are much more powerful and speedy.)

Thanks, From the source I have to purchase at my price (~ $1600), the only option is 16GB Ram. The 512GB SSD didn't bother me as I figured I could do like you and use external drives. It is a MacBook Pro 16" M2 Pro 12 Core CPU 19 Core GPU. I read an old article in Photography Life comparing and they said that 16GB should be ok unless doing a lot of video editing, however they were sketchy on that point. Ha! Thanks again

 

[kevy73]

I have been windows, then went to mac and now back to windows...

To be honest, they are just tools and whether you go with Windows or Mac - my learnings from it was that when my Mac needed more memory or the hard drive crashed, or the video card died - which all did - at different times, the cost to repair the Mac was CRAZY compared to my Windows Machine. I had a 2010 Mac - loved it, but yeah, costs of replacing Mac parts compared to windows, took me back to Windows. Just another POV for consideration.

 

[cwgrizz]

I have been windows, then went to mac and now back to windows...

To be honest, they are just tools and whether you go with Windows or Mac - my learnings from it was that when my Mac needed more memory or the hard drive crashed, or the video card died - which all did - at different times, the cost to repair the Mac was CRAZY compared to my Windows Machine. I had a 2010 Mac - loved it, but yeah, costs of replacing Mac parts compared to windows, took me back to Windows. Just another POV for consideration.

So, Kevin, I am guessing that you didn't see much to be gained over the MAC platform that windows didn't also do with video and speed, etc. Maybe that should be my next step in the decision-making process is to set up a poll of who uses or has used both operating systems. I will appreciate any more comments from anyone praising or poopooing either operating system.
Thanks,

 

[Clovishound]

I'm thinking about upgrading the RAM in my PC. I can upgrade to 32GB for about $100 including labor to have it done. My understanding is that the newer Macbook Pro's don't allow you to upgrade the RAM. The RAM is permanently attached to the motherboard.

 

[cwgrizz]

I'm thinking about upgrading the RAM in my PC. I can upgrade to 32GB for about $100 including labor to have it done. My understanding is that the newer Macbook Pro's don't allow you to upgrade the RAM. The RAM is permanently attached to the motherboard.

Thanks for your insight and yes you are right on the memory upgrades. That is why I have put a pause on the MacBook Pro I am looking at. It only has 16GB unified RAM. The processor is good and the 512GB SSD can be augmented with external SSD drives, but there is no way to beat that ram limit.

I was a Dell man until this last laptop. It has been at Dell in the last 2 or so years longer than I have had it.. Now I see good reviews on the Dells that are newer models, however I am gun shy. I am looking for something to replace the 15" laptop that has power for photo processing and other office type chores.

Recommendations ??

 

[Needa]

Recommendations ??

I don't do recommendations, best way to ruin a good restaurant.

Just some observations. Wife just picked up a Dell Inspiron 15 model 3530 believe it is an older basic model. First negatives you notice the fan running at times (check reviews), doesn't seem to have any indicator lights (HDD,numbers lock, etc) and only one usb port. It is an I5 with 16GB and has a SSD. Should serve her proposes but she doesn't do photo editing. Construction seems good. Let you know if it was any good in about 10 years.

One thing I don't see mentioned in the above posts is graphic card IMO may be as important as memory for photo editing. I use an older I7 4770 X 8 with the 32GB but the on board graphic card holds it back, as it is not a laptop I could upgrade.

 

[Clovishound]

Well, my experience over the last 15 years, including computers for myself, my daughter and my wife, has been Asus, Lenovo and HP. Most have lasted 5 years or more. Only two have actually outright failed. I really can't recommend a brand or model as I'm not really into computers, and tend to go for mid to lower mid end. I'm looking to upgrade RAM, because I only have 16 GB and am having some mildly annoying slowdowns in LR. I talked with a LR guru this week and he recommended 24 to 32 GB. Unfortunately, I will have to replace both sticks of RAM for optimum performance. Fortunately, 32 Gigs is only about $60. I could do it myself, but am nervous about breaking those plastic tabs that hold things together and at $40, I'll let them do it. Some of the higher end machines have more expensive RAM, but not by a bunch.

At the price point I've been buying at, all my laptops have had integrated graphics. Needa is probably right, that a machine that has a good graphics card may be worth looking at.

 

[Eduard]

I upgraded my 2015 16" MBP reluctantly last Black Friday to a M1 16" MBP. Reluctantly because though the hardware was 9 years old, I needed to run the latest version of the OS for the latest version of Creative Cloud. The 2015 MBP didn't support the latest macOS. (Apple guarantees 7 years of support so I can't complain.) FWIW my brother is now using the 2015 and it is still working great.

The reason I stated the ages is even though Apple is always bashed because of price, it is my experience that the hardware is extremely reliable. I'm looking to upgrade my 2012 Mac mini probably this Black Friday for similar reasons. My wife is still using my even older 2012 MBA for occasional minimal browser and MS office tasks.

I opted for a fully loaded M1 instead of the at the tine newly released M3 MBP because I was able to get 4 TB of storage and 64 GB of RAM. LR and PS are amazingly quick. This M1 config was about the same price using the military discount as a base model M3. I expect this machine to last as long as my old 2015 which was another reason for maxing the storage and memory.

 

[blackstar]

The chipset of my Mac Mini, M2 Pro, is the GPU. (I think it works both CPU and GPU functions)

Before 2009, I used 2, 3 PC Windows machines and remembered it was always a pain to OS upgrading and virus attacks... So I plunged and switched to a Mac Mini early-09 model. Since then, I have experienced several excitements about OSX upgrading and enjoyed the simple and smooth operation. Until early 2023, the ineligibble-upgrade OSX finally stopped most of apps from upgrading. So I had no other way to continue my primary work with the machine -- photo editing, instead of upgrading the system. That's how/why I got my new M2 Pro machine after 12 years. I do hope it will be another 12 years before it ceases serving my work or I am gone.

 

[Needa]

Walt, Don't know what version of Windoze you were using but so far I am on impressed with 11. It seems they want you connected to do anything and am currently fighting it to get it to resemble something my wife is familiar with. Currently wrestling with the 365 apps an one drive for control probably end up just uninstalling them. If you want more info just send me a PM.

Glad I run Linux.

 

[Clovishound]

Just for info, I upgraded my RAM to 32 GB today. Initial tests show it helps with the slowdowns in LR. It's not instantaneous, but it is definitely much faster, and I no longer get the couple seconds of a white stripe at the top saying LR is not responding.

I have a slowdown issue with Photo viewer I assumed was RAM related, that didn't change, and I tracked it down to a hard drive issue. I've been loading all my photos to an external SSD drive. For most everything it works just fine. Photo viewer chokes on reading the large TIF subfolder. This wasn't an issue until I got my new Z7ii with it's much higher resolution sensor. It brings up the photo I double click on very quickly, but I have to wait quite a while to be able to scroll to the next photo. Moving this subfolder to the internal SSD drive solved that problem. Now I have to work out a new workflow plan, but at least I know what the problem is. If I have to, I can install a larger internal SSD, and move my edited TIF files from internal SSD to backup storage periodically. I can do that now, as long as I don't fill my internal drive too quickly. FYI, my internal drive is 512 GB, and right now I've got about 200 GB total on my internal, and that includes about 40 GB of edited images from the last couple months. Looks like I could probably move them over about once a year without issue.

Hope this gives you another little piece of info for your computer decision.

 

[cwgrizz]

I am leaning toward a 16" MacBook Pro M3Pro processor, 36GB Ram, and 1TB storage. It is way more than I had planned to spend, but if it will last 12 years, I probably won't need another one as I will probably be dead. Ha! I think I will pull the trigger in a few days after I get the funds switched around. Ha! That will also give me time to think some more on it too.

My old laptop was a Dell 15" XPS Inspiron and running Win10 when it died. I have an HP that is 13" basic machine which I updated to Win11 and run it only for my ham radio operations. I just upgraded my wife's Dell to Win11 yesterday because she accidently hit upgrade a while back and it was nagging her every time she used it o correct her harddrive space (a partitioned hard drive) to load it.

I run ON1 2024.5 Raw for my photo processing and it worked pretty well on my old Win10 box before it died. I will be running Office 2021 for Mac and the other odd email, social media, etc. too.

Thanks again for all of your input.

 

[cwgrizz]

Here goes with another question as you already know, Mac is new to me. Can you transfer files that were saved by Windoze machines to Mac without much finessing? I have files backed up on an external drive and am wondering it I can copy them to the Mac. Also is there any problem with networking Windoze machine with Mac for file transfers/sharing?

 

[blackstar]

Here goes with another question as you already know, Mac is new to me. Can you transfer files that were saved by Windoze machines to Mac without much finessing? I have files backed up on an external drive and am wondering it I can copy them to the Mac. Also is there any problem with networking Windoze machine with Mac for file transfers/sharing?

Definitely, You can do all these -- When you receive (or even before) your new toy, just call Apple Tech support to guide you through the whole process including setting up the first time. You deserve this for buying a new Apple product. GL