Lightroom 4 Beta

[Hill Country Hack]

Originally Posted by ceremus

Expecting a current version of PS to run on XP is approximately equivalent to expecting Photoshop CS (circa 2003) to run on Windows 3.1

XP is ancient.

Crap, I'm still using XP...can any of you computer geeks provide me with some input into the difficulty and cost to change to Vista or Win 7 (if LR4 runs on Win 7). I'm googling around now, but much of the jargon is just over my head.

[ceremus]

Originally Posted by Hill Country Hack

Crap, I'm still using XP...can any of you computer geeks provide me with some input into the difficulty and cost to change to Vista or Win 7 (if LR4 runs on Win 7). I'm googling around now, but much of the jargon is just over my head.

Yup, what are the specs of your current system? Make/model of the PC, processor and RAM specs if you know them.

Depending on the age of the system you may be better served by getting a new system with Win7 preloaded. For desktops especially, you can get a decently spec'd system for around $500 or so depending on your needs. Laptops will be more expensive, expect to spend around a grand for a system that will properly handle multimedia apps like Photoshop/Lightroom.

[dakwegmo]

Originally Posted by Hill Country Hack

Crap, I'm still using XP...can any of you computer geeks provide me with some input into the difficulty and cost to change to Vista or Win 7 (if LR4 runs on Win 7). I'm googling around now, but much of the jargon is just over my head.

My desktop system is about six years old, and it actually seems to run better with Windows 7 than it did with XP. I have no benchmarks for comparison, but it runs just fine on old equipment.

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by Hill Country Hack

Crap, I'm still using XP...can any of you computer geeks provide me with some input into the difficulty and cost to change to Vista or Win 7

One of the difficulty-costs is that when you move from XP to Vista or Win7, it's a total system wipe. You'll need to back up all of your data, and after you've got Vista or Win7 installed, you'll need to re-install and re-configure all of your software (you do know what all you've got installed and where your license keys are, yeah?). Oh, and then reload your backed-up data.

If you're the type of person who buys a new computer when you make an upgrade, you'd have to do all this anyway so it's no matter to you. But for other folks, it's a big hurdle. The company where I work mandates WinXP for their desktops because they can't afford to do the physical upgrading of Windows on thousands of computers.

Another consideration with Win7 is 32-bit vs. 64-bit. If you're running a 32-bit system and buy the 32-bit version of Win7, you'll need a new 64-bit Win7 when you upgrade (almost all new systems are 64-bit). Of course, if you upgrade by buying a new computer, it'll probably come with 64-bit Win7 already installed, but will you have gotten your money's worth out of the 32-bit Win7?

For those reasons, there's much to be said for making the Win7 transition by buying a new 64-bit Win7 computer. (Or building one, which is what I do.) That'll also leave your old computer if you need to go back and try to figure out how some software was installed or configured.

[ceremus]

Originally Posted by Doug Pardee

...

Another consideration with Win7 is 32-bit vs. 64-bit. If you're running a 32-bit system and buy the 32-bit version of Win7, you'll need a new 64-bit Win7 when you upgrade (almost all new systems are 64-bit). Of course, if you upgrade by buying a new computer, it'll probably come with 64-bit Win7 already installed, but will you have gotten your money's worth out of the 32-bit Win7?
.

Well, if this is a do-it-yourself and you're going to be buying a copy of Win7, the retail version comes with both 32 and 64 bit versions of the OS. The newer PC's will be able to run either version, but really there's almost no reason not to go with the 64bit version if your processor is compatible. The x64 version can run all of the 32bit code from any XP program, and the x64 version isn't limited to a total 4GB RAM capacity like the 32 bit version (true of all 32 bit OS's, actually). The only reason to use the 32 bit version is if you have an older piece of hardware and the manufacturer hasn't provided a 64-bit compatible device driver.

[Hill Country Hack]

Thanks to all who replied. I'm sure there are others out there in the same boat as I. I have a call in to my tech guy who does work for me on the cheap. I does look like I'll need a system wipe and reinstall. I better start looking for product keys. I think there is a site that can find those for you KeyFinder | Magical Jelly Bean.

[ErikUngerPhotography]

For those that are trying out the beta, would you be interested in a thread about any new tips or tricks you have found in the new version? The Develop module, while still ultimately the same feel, has me looking at new ways to organize my worlflow within that module. For startes, I have found that I either need to adjust the tone curve from the beginning or not even use it all with the more advanced exposure controls.

[gturner]

is it my imagination or are the brushes in LR4 much more accurate, especially when it comes to low contrast edges like pale skin on a light background?