Adding Macbook Air to PC workflow

[freitz]

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I was not able to find what I was looking for with search.

 

Main System - PC 6 cores SB-E, 16GB Ram, gTX titan, SSD's Backs up to a Synology NAS and than a backup harddrive.

 

Travel System - Macbook pro 11" 2011

 

Editing Software - Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC

 

I have a very nice home PC - 6 core system. This is my main editing device. I recently started traveling more for work and find I would like to edit a few photos on the road. I have a 2011 Macbook Air. It isn't a beast of a machine but it allows me to edit a few photos when I need to.

 

Here is the question. How can I edit on the Air and than add the edits to my main machine. I have Auto save to Xmp enabled. Is there a way to save the Dng file with the edits and move into my lightroom catalog with the edits. My main concern right now is one the macbook air screen is questionable in terms of accuracy and clarity (will adjust with Xi Profile when I have a chance).

 

I hope some of you can shed some light on this.

 

Thanks for the help.

[jaapv]

I use the same one this way and am quite impressed.

The main problem is limited memory which I solve by saving my files on a small 500 Gb harddisk. Also useful for transporting your work to your main system.

The screen is surprisingly good, not an Eizo obviously, but good enough to get good results of routine shots.

Capture One Pro, Lightroom5 and Photoshop Elements 11 run without problem.

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[LocalHero1953]

I travelled with a MBA last summer. It was my wife's so although I loaded LR5 on it, I didn't want to get my photos mixed up with hers. I created a new catalogue on the MBA, then transferred it to run from a 120GB memory stick, and stored all my shots on that stick catalogue while travelling (backed up to a second identical memory stick). Back home, I imported all my photos from the catalogue on the stick to the main catalogue on my desktop PC using LR's "Import from another catalogue" command. It worked well - imported the DNGs with all the edits.

[freitz]

I travelled with a MBA last summer. It was my wife's so although I loaded LR5 on it, I didn't want to get my photos mixed up with hers. I created a new catalogue on the MBA, then transferred it to run from a 120GB memory stick, and stored all my shots on that stick catalogue while travelling (backed up to a second identical memory stick). Back home, I imported all my photos from the catalogue on the stick to the main catalogue on my desktop PC using LR's "Import from another catalogue" command. It worked well - imported the DNGs with all the edits.

 

All of your edits stuck through the transfer?

[LocalHero1953]

Yes: though I didn't do much editing on the move, what I did imported correctly.

More recently |I have acquired a Surface Pro 3 and simply copied some edited images from my main PC to the Surface, and THEN imported them, as a test. In my main LR setup on the PC I store edits with the original files rather than in the catalogue itself. They imported fine, complete with edits.

[freitz]

Yes: though I didn't do much editing on the move, what I did imported correctly.

More recently |I have acquired a Surface Pro 3 and simply copied some edited images from my main PC to the Surface, and THEN imported them, as a test. In my main LR setup on the PC I store edits with the original files rather than in the catalogue itself. They imported fine, complete with edits.

 

Interesting that you say that. This 2011 Macbook is showing its age, I was considering grabbing a Surface Pro 3 or waiting for the new Macbook Air with Retina display. There is no rush this is a secondary laptop. How do you like your Surface?

[LocalHero1953]

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I've only had it about a week, but I'm impressed so far. It is lightyears ahead of an ipad in functionality for travel, because it uses normal computer programs, not cut down versions of LR and PS, and because it is easy to get data on and off it. The keyboard and kickstand are very practical (I'm typing this on my lap), and the screen is excellent (I believe it can be calibrated, though I haven't tried that yet). Without the keyboard it works well as a tablet, and I have passed my ipad on to another family member without a qualm.

 

It is more relevant to compare it with the MBA. For me, the preference for Windows over iOS was a key issue, but you also get the touchscreen and an accurate stylus: the latter should make photo processing/editing easy, though I haven't tried it yet beyond a bit of LR editing.

 

The steepest learning curve has been with Windows 8, coming from Windows 7. It has its issues, but as an interface Metro makes sense for a combined touchscreen and traditional laptop, and is much more versatile than iOS.

 

Edit: I should have added that a minus point of the Surface Pro 3 is that it only has a microSD card reader built in, so my first accessory was a USB3 SD card reader. Irritating, but not a show stopper.

Edited January 9, 2015 by LocalHero1953

[freitz]

I've only had it about a week, but I'm impressed so far. It is lightyears ahead of an ipad in functionality for travel, because it uses normal computer programs, not cut down versions of LR and PS, and because it is easy to get data on and off it. The keyboard and kickstand are very practical (I'm typing this on my lap), and the screen is excellent (I believe it can be calibrated, though I haven't tried that yet). Without the keyboard it works well as a tablet, and I have passed my ipad on to another family member without a qualm.

 

It is more relevant to compare it with the MBA. For me, the preference for Windows over iOS was a key issue, but you also get the touchscreen and an accurate stylus: the latter should make photo processing/editing easy, though I haven't tried it yet beyond a bit of LR editing.

 

The steepest learning curve has been with Windows 8, coming from Windows 7. It has its issues, but as an interface Metro makes sense for a combined touchscreen and traditional laptop, and is much more versatile than iOS.

 

Edit: I should have added that a minus point of the Surface Pro 3 is that it only has a microSD card reader built in, so my first accessory was a USB3 SD card reader. Irritating, but not a show stopper.

 

I should have mentioned I have a monster PC at home. So very familiar with windows 8, its not an issue. I had the original surface pro an was disappointed. My 11" macbook air should suit me fine until the Macbook Air Retina comes out.

 

Only flaw is 2GB of ram - sucks for editing or loading catalog; also the screen is crap coming from a 1440p IPS 27" leaves a lot to be desired.