New Laptop

[HVACman]

I'm in the market for a new laptop. I'd like to stay in the sub $500 range and am looking for the best display for viewing photos. If you've got a more expensive computer with a great display, tell me about it. I don't really care how much memory or storage it comes with as that can be added later.

So who's happy with what you have?

[Murtasma]

I wouldn't expect anything remarkable in a 500 dollar laptop. Honestly with laptops the screens they stick in those machines are usually TN panels which are pretty bad when you want accurate contrast brightness and color. I have a MacBook Pro with one of those hilarious Glossy Screens, even after calibrating the screen with a colormunki the color is still wrong, very over saturated and the darks are just too dark. They put these overly saturated screens in laptops because people think they look good and they work great if your just playing games or surfing the web. If you want accuracy just purchase a second monitor and calibrate it when you have the extra cash.

If you actually have a real use for a laptop (you absolutely must have portability) purchase the fastest laptop with the most amount of RAM you can afford. Since you're only spending 500$ for a laptop you're probably going to end up with garbage. If you don't really need to have something portable you will get much more for your money with a desktop.

[jerome.oneil]

I agree with Murtsama. Buying a cheap laptop will get you no where, and most cheap laptops really can't be upgraded too much. Many only come with 2 RAM slots and a slow processor.

Originally Posted by jerome.oneil

I agree with Murtsama. Buying a cheap laptop will get you no where, and most cheap laptops really can't be upgraded too much. Many only come with 2 RAM slots and a slow processor.

I've done all my photo work on a "slow processor" and 2gigs of RAM.

15" laptop from dell that's 4 years old... still gets me covers of magazines.

~Eric