new computer

[rifle6]

Hey all,
I am looking at a new desktop dedicated for photo editing.
looking to spend about 1500.

any ideas?
MAC
PC

led monitor?

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[Mulewings~]

Figure out what you want for a hard drive, graphics card, processor, and do some research into monitors and such.
Then start comparing PC's to MAC's.
A computer is a very individual thing to get.
[at least it is for me]


I do a lot of editing and photo work and decided that I could get what I needed in a laptop. My reasoning ?? I like to go places and can take my laptop with me.
For me it is all about mobility.
Plus in 3 yrs this laptop will be out of date and I'll be able to get an upgrade for a reasonable amount as I did with my old laptop. [I pass the older laptop to my hubby or to the grand kids]

What programs are you going to use for editing?

[Stone-Rogers]

The new iMacs are a great deal, (if you order from Amazon).
Push your budget and buy more than you really need.
Order from Amazon because:
Free Shipping.
Usually no sales tax, (that alone saves me 7%).
Amazon is usually 50-100 cheaper for the same machine than ordering from Apple.

Apple just came out with Aperture 3 and is a really good product for the money, (200 USD). Adobe Lightroom is also a great program for the money.

[ArtphotoasiA]

I personally use no Mac as it is easy get programs and software... beside that you need to edit photos so check a for a really GOOD graphic card with 1GB memory plus 4 GB in Ram plus 1 TB hard drive.
HP desktop is a good choice. I have HP laptop but soon will buy the HP desk.

A quad processor Intel will do.


About the screen go for a 24'' Samsung or a Sony .

Totally you should stay in your budget.

[algalkin]

I must disagree a bit. You don't need fancy videocard to do 2D pixel editing. I just don't see how 3D-oriented GPU will help you in this at all. Just get a decent one that supports HD graphics (thats all you need, since your screen resolution will not exceed 2megapixels anyway.

To have smooth 2D performance (especially in Lightroom, which tends to use scratch disk whenever you run out of memory) you need lots of fast RAM, so I'd suggest 8Gb of DDR3 memory and to look specifically for that in your workstation.

And the last - for fast HDD to RAM transactions, get SATA harddrive, size don't matter (hoho), I mean, get the biggest you can afford.

And now to the most important feature of photoediting workstation - the Monitor! Don't even think about getting crappy TN panel from the computer store or costco, it's the worst desision ever.
Get IPS panle monitor, and look specifically for that. Since your budget kinda limited, I'd recommend Dell like this one:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/product...&lid=627063

It's the low end IPS monitor but it beats the crap out of any consumer-oriented crappy TN panel.

[redmonster13]

I am a fan of building my own personally. You can generally get way more bang for your buck. I know there are a lot of Apple fans around here but I feel that they are way overpriced.

A decent motherboard, 4-8 GB of ram, Quad Core CPU, Reasonably Good Video Card, 1 TB HDD, and the best Monitor you can buy with what remains in your budget is the route I would take.

Take a look at newegg and you will find that 1500 will take you quite a ways.

As far as a monitor I would personally go this route. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16824002524