chris_tribble Posted November 2, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 2, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I need to replace my laptop (and I'm afraid I'm not in the market for an Apple as I've got too much invested in software under windows... ). Planning to go 64 bit Windows 7 Professional. My big question is whether to invest in LED backlit screen. I'm looking at Dell or Toshiba - and want a light weight 13" model with preference for built in DVD writer as I need this when in the field. This narrows down to Dell XPS - with Toshiba I'd have to get an external DVD writer... The issue is whether the LED backlit screen is usable / better for image editing. This will not be a primary machine - but I do find myself on shoots where I need to prepare images for immediate use by the client. I've lived with a Toshiba U200 for the last three years - and it's been good enough -- not perfect, but good enough. So my main reason for changing is not so much the screen, but to speed up image processing. Batching M9 and 5D2 images is just getting too slow... However - as I'm laying out, a question of £100 extra isn't so much of a deal if it's worthwhile. Grateful for any thoughts / experiences. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 Hi chris_tribble, Take a look here LED backlit laptop screens - worth the extra?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Shootist Posted November 2, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 2, 2009 Honestly Chris I don't think any notebook screen is really good for image editing, especially 13" screens. Never saw one with the LED backlighting so I don't have any suggestions on that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted November 2, 2009 Share #3 Posted November 2, 2009 I need to replace my laptop (and I'm afraid I'm not in the market for an Apple as I've got too much invested in software under windows... ). If all that's holding you back from making the switch to a Mac is Windows software, you may want to consider the option of running your Windows software in virtualization. Multi-core processing and advancements in virtual technology make the Windows experience on a Mac pretty good. I run 64-bit Vista Ultimate under VmWare Fusion 3, and it's quite responsive. Since all software needs to be upgraded eventually anyway, this would buy you some time (at a pretty inexpensive cost) to gradually convert over to Mac versions your apps. And if there aren't Mac versions of some of your apps, keep running them in Windows. Just a thought, as it seems that much of what you're interested in (LED displays, DVD-writable optical drive, lots of horsepower) is standard fare on a MacBook Pro. Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danyves Posted November 2, 2009 Share #4 Posted November 2, 2009 Chris, I would see with Toshiba rather. Tecra M10 Series - Toshiba Tecra R10 Series - Toshiba Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted November 2, 2009 Thank you gentlemen... Jeff - my son keeps on telling me that I should go for Mac - and price-wise this does look tempting: Apple MacBook Pro 13inch 2.53Ghz 4GB 250GB (MB991B/A) - Warehouse Express However, I've also got the problem of two Windows desktop systems + my wife's laptop and desktop. My current thinking is to try to bring this all together under Windows 7 64 bit - introducing the management of an Apple system into all this feels potentially a further headache... Have to keep on thinking. Dan - Interesting that you recommend the Tecra - because of anti-reflect? Otherwise they seem bigger and heavier than I need + they're not available with Windows 7 64 bit..... I've run Toshiba laptops for over 12 years, updating every 3 and it's been OK. The question is really whether LED backlit is worth the money... Ah, computers - it's such a drag we have to need them to be photographers! Thanks again for reflections... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bernd Banken Posted November 2, 2009 Share #6 Posted November 2, 2009 Chris, look at the new Imacs from apple. Today I could see a 27" model - ok the screen is in different size, but the LED technology seems to be better and (was) more expensive: Apple - iMac - All-in-one desktop design. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted November 2, 2009 Share #7 Posted November 2, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you gentlemen... Jeff - my son keeps on telling me that I should go for Mac - and price-wise this does look tempting: Apple MacBook Pro 13inch 2.53Ghz 4GB 250GB (MB991B/A) - Warehouse Express However, I've also got the problem of two Windows desktop systems + my wife's laptop and desktop. My current thinking is to try to bring this all together under Windows 7 64 bit - introducing the management of an Apple system into all this feels potentially a further headache... Have to keep on thinking. I won't try to sell you Chris. I'm a dedicated Apple user, but not an evangelist --- I recognize that people have different needs/priorities, and reasonable people can come to different decisions. 3-4 years ago I wouldn't even have suggested introducing an Apple into the environment you describe, but a lot has changed in the past few years. First, many/most networking standards have become platform-agnostic, and/or Apple has built in Windows-networking support. So Macs can play nice in a Windows setting. The second and probably most significant aspect is Apple's transition to Intel processors. Overnight this made virtualization a credible alternative --- the performance of VmWare (or Parallels, or Virtual Box) is several orders of magnitude better under multicore Intel processors than VirtualPC was under PowerPC processors. For all but the most demanding applications (where you need ever last bit of performance), it really can provide the best of both worlds. Best of luck in your decision, Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted November 2, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 2, 2009 Chris I don't see a reason to switch platforms. If the Windows PC's are do for you what you need and you have all the software for Windows why, as you put it, bring another system into play. Just more headaches IMHO. Not sure about Win 7. I have a copy and installed on another HDD, switch in or out, on my main desktop but I doubt I'll ever really use it. XP does for me everything I need a OS to do, at this time. Main reason for me not to even think about a Mac is all the software I use on a daily basis on all of the computers I own, desktops and notebooks. Trying to replace them with Mac versions, Mac compatible similar working, software would just be to big a nightmare for me. I synchronize most all my files and programs across all computers so if I'm at one or the other I have all the same settings and files. Can't do that with a Mac in the works. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted November 2, 2009 Share #9 Posted November 2, 2009 If all that's holding you back from making the switch to a Mac is Windows software, you may want to consider the option of running your Windows software in virtualization. Multi-core processing and advancements in virtual technology make the Windows experience on a Mac pretty good. I run 64-bit Vista Ultimate under VmWare Fusion 3, and it's quite responsive. Since all software needs to be upgraded eventually anyway, this would buy you some time (at a pretty inexpensive cost) to gradually convert over to Mac versions your apps. And if there aren't Mac versions of some of your apps, keep running them in Windows. Just a thought, as it seems that much of what you're interested in (LED displays, DVD-writable optical drive, lots of horsepower) is standard fare on a MacBook Pro. Jeff. I quite agree Jeff - we have a business developing software for Windows, and we don't have a PC in the place! - all virtualisation under VMware fusion. At the very least it's something to look into. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted November 2, 2009 Share #10 Posted November 2, 2009 On my 27" iMac, which has an LED-backlit screen, the LED lighting is very - emphasize "very" - faintly visible as brighter corners when the screen is totally black (as in Photoshop full-screen mode) and my ambient work area is dark. On the 27", that is not an issue, since the actual image I'm working on can still be huge and yet not get anywhere near the corners. But on a smaller screen (i.e. laptop) it might be an issue for some, if the corner "glow" makes it hard to judge deep shadows evenly across the screen. Just something to check out in person before buying. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted November 2, 2009 Gentlemen - many thanks. I feel better informed! As I live 5 minutes from Tottenham Court Road (London's Akihabar) the obvious next step is to go and look at some machines (taking some image files with me to see how they display...) Very grateful for the thoughtful responses from all of you. Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted November 2, 2009 Share #12 Posted November 2, 2009 Gentlemen - many thanks. I feel better informed! As I live 5 minutes from Tottenham Court Road (London's Akihabar) the obvious next step is to go and look at some machines (taking some image files with me to see how they display...) Very grateful for the thoughtful responses from all of you. Best Go the Regent Street Mac store and get talked down to. Go to John Lewis and play with the machines and no-one bothers you (plus longer product guarantees there). The larger the screen the better: I cannot tell you how much more pleasurable it was to go to 24in with CS3 or C1. Of course desktop Macs are far better value than their laptops and I was assured that in terms of body posture welfare they are equally to be preferred. Ah: I just remember, JL don't like you to slot things into their machines, but their display models store the same ranges of high-res images for comparative purposes. There is also the very helpful Apple retail store nr. Jessops/Jacobs in New Oxford Street with knowledgable staff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share #13 Posted November 2, 2009 The larger the screen the better: I cannot tell you how much more pleasurable it was to go to 24in with CS3 or C1. Thanks for advice - but don't forget this is a SECONDARY machine for a range of uses (including basic office apps)... What I need is something that can run a 64 bit OS and gives a good enough means for editing images for editorial / documentary when I'm with the client. I do the final cut at home on a reasonably powered workstation with Lacie monitor. Really important for me to keep down weight and bulk. It needs to fit into the back of a Lowepro Trekker and be carriable along with a 2x5D2 + L series 2.8 28-70/ 16-35 + 85 1.2 (and sometimes a 300 2.8) lens set AND a 2 M9 / 7 lens kit (this is if I'm doing a major piece of work for theatre / music... Oh and then there's the monopod / tripod - and I don't have an assistant to carry all this! Light's important!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danyves Posted November 2, 2009 Share #14 Posted November 2, 2009 Gilles Vidal did work on PC with Window, when it crashed he switch to MacPro Book. I saw him preparing his Benoit XVI Panoramic for Liberation on it, using Photoshop. g i l l e s v i d a l - i n f o g r a p h i s t e Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 2, 2009 Share #15 Posted November 2, 2009 For heavens sake, Chris is an intelligent chap. If he wanted a Mac he'd buy one. This isn't just directed at the previous message by the way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted November 3, 2009 Share #16 Posted November 3, 2009 For heavens sake, Chris is an intelligent chap. If he wanted a Mac he'd buy one. This isn't just directed at the previous message by the way. Sorry you've taken umbrage Steve. For my part, had Chris stated in his first post "I love Windows..." (or the equivalent), I wouldn't have said a thing about the Mac. Instead, by his use of the frowny face and statement about legacy software, I got the impression that he was reluctantly ruling Macs out as an option. And in case he didn't know about virtualization (many people don't, even if you do), I thought it was appropriate to mention that ownership of Windows software doesn't have to be a barrier or a significant extra expense. Can't speak for others, but my intention was to be informative, not persuasive. If I fell short, mea culpa. Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danyves Posted November 3, 2009 Share #17 Posted November 3, 2009 My intentions were also informatives, and I did suggest Toshiba. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted November 3, 2009 Gentlemen - all advice has been gratefully received - and no one's patronised me or offered comments which were completely beside the point... And I'm delighted Steve thinks I'm intelligent! Best ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share #19 Posted November 5, 2009 FWIW some of you might be interested to know that I've just got hold of this: VGN-SR41M/W (VGNSR41M/W) : Technical Specifications : VAIO Computing : Sony It's not the latest model but is eligible for a free upgraded (well - £20 for media/packing/transport) Windows 7 64 bit upgrade package... Good news from where I stand is that it's a non-reflect, backlit LED LCD screen, 2 GHz dual core processor, decent dedicated graphics card, 4 GB Ram / 320 GB HDD and it only weighs 1.9 kg. For the money - GBP 800 - there's nothing I've been able to find to beat this spec. Sorry in some ways that it's not a MacBook pro - but that was heavier and more expensive than this - and not so great spec wise... and the screen on the Sony compares favourably... Anyway - thanks again for advice and comments. For anyone making the same decision - I'd say that the LED backlit LCD screen is a real must for photo-editing/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted November 5, 2009 Share #20 Posted November 5, 2009 I'd say that the LED backlit LCD screen is a real must for photo-editing/ So we Mac users must now ditch our desktops for the latest incarnation 27in with LED backlit displays.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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