Macbook advise

[cameragirl]

I am going into more professional photography and I need to upgrade my laptop. I am thinking of buying a Macbook (the new generation) or Macbook Pro (not the new one but this one came down in price and is similar as my Powerbook G4).
The differences are the screen and size. The Firewire is not an issue (this is missing on the new ones). Anyone in the same situation and can help me out which one I would need, is better. Thanks! BTW this is a great place for photographers

Don't buy the Macbook Air. Complete waste of time/money.

If you are going into this professionally as you claim, you'll want to get more than a laptop. You'll want a very powerful desktop with the biggest monitor your poor little eyes can flutter. I get the advantages of a laptop over a desktop, but if you are truly going 'professional', then desktop is the ONLY way to go.

$.02

~Eric

[skatingzooyork]

I agree w/ maxharvard. Plus for the same $ you would spend on a laptop you could get an insane desktop machine/monitor.

[KodiakStar]

One thing to keep in mind, if you do decide to go for a laptop, always wait until the second revision of it. The first revision often has quite a few bugs that they need to work out. (Apple that is).

[Sime]

I use a 17" MacBook Pro with good results.. I had a 15" and agree - too small for good, high res editing - but, you could use a 15" if you wanted.

Benefits of the laptop, for me, I'm on shoots that I need to get images into a paper / release very quickly - I can shoot, edit and upload / burn a disc on site.

[sk66]

I also use a 17" Macbook Pro
Processing power is not an issue (2.6ghz Core Duo/ 4gbDDR)
I have the glossy, high res, LED backlit screen and I LOVE it! It's as good as any LCD for photography.

Negatives...

• Portability...it really isn't THAT convenient to carry (but better than my previous 17" Dell). For portability I'd probably look to the 13" or 15"
• LCD Monitor...yes I love it, but LCD screens really aren't the best for image editing...even the newest LED Backlit ones.
• Cost

My ideal setup would probably be the 13" Pro with glossy LED/LCD AND a monster "desktop". I actually think you could get a good Mac desktop with similar specs + 13" Macbook for not a lot more than My 17"

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Don't buy the Macbook Air. Complete waste of time/money.

If you are going into this professionally as you claim, you'll want to get more than a laptop. You'll want a very powerful desktop with the biggest monitor your poor little eyes can flutter. I get the advantages of a laptop over a desktop, but if you are truly going 'professional', then desktop is the ONLY way to go.

$.02

~Eric

Gosh, now you guys got me thinking....Honestly I haven't thought about a desktop. Which one would you say is a good investment? Also, maybe I am big in that 'going professional' it is true that i want to take it to the next level. I am still amateur photographer but everyone is pushing me to go professional. No the macbook air never crossed my mind. But i might have a look and think seriously about a apple desktop computer. The one with a 20" monitor (imac intel core 2 duo 2.66, is that a good one?)
I am new here but thanks for all your quick replies!

Originally Posted by cameragirl

Gosh, now you guys got me thinking....Honestly I haven't thought about a desktop. Which one would you say is a good investment? Also, maybe I am big in that 'going professional' it is true that i want to take it to the next level. I am still amateur photographer but everyone is pushing me to go professional. No the macbook air never crossed my mind. But i might have a look and think seriously about a apple desktop computer. The one with a 20" monitor (imac intel core 2 duo 2.66, is that a good one?)
I am new here but thanks for all your quick replies!

Computer inherently aren't "investments", just keep that in mind

When it comes to computers the important things are CPU speed, RAM and video card. The IMac duo 2.66 will do just fine with what you want to do. I currently use a Dell 1.4 duo and can run Adobe Premiere Pro and CS3 just fine.

I would look at the bigger monitors. 20" is nice, but not ideal.

~Eric

[Cuchulainn]

I have a 17" Macbook Pro w/matte screen and high-res display. I also have a Mac Pro for desktop. Love them both. The rest of my family all have iMacs. That includes my sister, who is a professional photographer. She uses one of the 24" models. You really can't go wrong with any of them, but I would say you would not want to go with anything smaller than the 17" Macbook Pro for a laptop. I tried the 15" for size and weight and promptly traded it in for the 17".

[Eberbachl]

EDIT:

...is this going to be your only machine, or is your laptop only used whilst on the road?

For a great affordable desktop machine, I think the 24" iMac is great. Be sure to max out the RAM though