Macbook advise

[Jim Poor]

The problem with a laptop (any laptop) for professional photography is the difficulty in properly calibrating the monitor. A laptop can be used for a quick culling of images, but any serious processing needs to be done on a desktop with a properly calibrated monitor.

[Eberbachl]

Excuse the question Jim, but why can't you calibrate a laptop screen?

[Sime]

Oh, and my best mate uses his 17" MBP with the 24" external display (calibrated) works like a dream. Buy a macbook / pro and get a display for when you're working at home - that's where i'm headed, I think.

[Jim Poor]

You can calibrate a laptop, just not very effectively.

There are two main factors really. One is all technical and, but has to do with technical limitations of the screens themselves. The other is fairly simple. The way a laptop display looks is dependent on the angle you look at it from. Even a small change in viewing angle will affect the way colors look to you. Just look at your laptop screen from the side or top to see the difference. Your screen won't always be open at the same angle every time and thus what you see will different at different times. That pretty much defeats the purpose of calibration.

An external monitor attached to a laptop will calibrate just fine.

Originally Posted by Eberbachl

Excuse the question Jim, but why can't you calibrate a laptop screen?

[hobbang819]

Not to mention that a laptop is subject to different lighting conditions vs a desktop that usually sits in the same spot.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by hobbang819

Not to mention that a laptop is subject to different lighting conditions vs a desktop that usually sits in the same spot.

True too, unless you are using it as a desktop, but then, what's the point?

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

You can calibrate a laptop, just not very effectively.

There are two main factors really. One is all technical and, but has to do with technical limitations of the screens themselves. The other is fairly simple. The way a laptop display looks is dependent on the angle you look at it from. Even a small change in viewing angle will affect the way colors look to you. Just look at your laptop screen from the side or top to see the difference. Your screen won't always be open at the same angle every time and thus what you see will different at different times. That pretty much defeats the purpose of calibration.

An external monitor attached to a laptop will calibrate just fine.

yes AND no.
A LED backlit LCD (available on the macbooks) is MUCH less prone to viewing angle. Lacie is even making them specifically for photo editing.
An average LCD will have issues regardless if it's part of a laptop or on a pedestal stand.

[Jim Poor]

Owning one each of the latest generation MacBook Pro models, I would disagree. Then again, much less prone to viewing angle problems is relative. Much less prone, is still TOO prone to be any good at a professional level.

[Eberbachl]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

You can calibrate a laptop, just not very effectively.

There are two main factors really. One is all technical and, but has to do with technical limitations of the screens themselves. The other is fairly simple. The way a laptop display looks is dependent on the angle you look at it from. Even a small change in viewing angle will affect the way colors look to you. Just look at your laptop screen from the side or top to see the difference. Your screen won't always be open at the same angle every time and thus what you see will different at different times. That pretty much defeats the purpose of calibration.

An external monitor attached to a laptop will calibrate just fine.

Thanks Jim,

I realise the issue regarding angle of view with laptops, but wouldn't that be true for any LCD screen, laptop, or desktop?

The factor regarding different lighting issues as mentioned above is correct though - but even having said that - unless you're very careful, even desktop machines would be subject to different lighting throughout different periods of the day - less so than a laptop of course, but affected nonetheless.

[NotYourAvgJoe]

You may want to go to your local MAC Group and get ideas from those guys.

I did and Im happy!

I used PC computers for over 20 years and had the itch earlier this year to switch to MAC. I was going for a full blown 17" MacBook Pro.

What I ended up with (after listening to advice) was a 24" iMac with 4gb Ram and a 1-TB Hard drive. I saved a bundle of $$ from the laptop which I promptly spent on a DROBO backup drive with 4TB of space.

Im happy I did all this.

NOW that Im a commited Mac user, Im waiting for the next generation of 17" MacBook Pros to come out (they only updated the 15")

The bottom line is that I was not sure I would be happy with the PC to MAC Transition. But after using this machine, I will NEVER go back to PC again!

IM SOLD ON MAC

Unless you MUST bring the laptop on location, try the iMac. I think you will be very pleased!

One other thought. My friend is a PRO and he takes his 24" iMac to Weddings and does slideshow right on the iMac. when he does CROWDS GATHER!