Something to think about... (Laptop vs. PSD)

I was in Fry's today. They have one of thier GQ notebook computers on sale for $399.

128mb with 40 gig hard drive. Also has cd-rom. Processor is 1.2mh. Has 15 inch screen.
Not too impressive for a laptop, but miles ahead of ANY psd, especially at $399.

I know a lot of people want the protability of a psd, but it's a bitter pill to pay more for one than a notebook computer.
--
-Kurt Horsley
Olympus C2100
Panasonic DMC-FZ20
Transcend Digital Album

Like you said its portability issue.

Think about this scenario. You're taking photo in a crowded market in Cambodia and your CF card is full. Would you feel comfortable whipping out your notebook, it may not be the most expensive item among your gear but definitely the mose attention grabbing one. OK lets say you're comfortable, its a bit hassle taking out the laptop, connecting the reader, "drag-n-drop" the file etc.

OTOH with PSD I can turn on the PSD, insert card, press the button. All within 10 seconds and without taking the PSD out of the bag. 10 seconds than I can continue shooting again.

Of course not everyone bump into this scenario. For some people they need to transfer just everynight in the hotel room. The laptop then definitely give more bang for your bucks.

--
http://www.ricardojamin.net/

I'm convinced you need both, each has merits.

--
Lost in the Colorado Mountains!!!

Even at 8 mpx raw I always carry enough CF cards for a days shooting.

The advantages of the laptop (presumably with CD burner):

you can actually make a backup (ie a second copy) on CD.

you can do a preliminary cull or round of processing in the field - verify is easy (but tough with a limited power laptop).

Disadvantages - weight/bulk if air travel is an issue.

The advantages of a DVD style PSD:

you can actually make a backup (ie a second copy) on DVD.
light
could verify via video out if tv available

disadvantages - time to burn, sometimes tough to verify.

Right now I'm using a 20 gig hd PSD, but it's not big enough, so I'm still sorting out between a larger hd PSD or DVD style....

I agree... both are good to have. However Those who spend nearly $500 on a device like the Epson P-2000 are kinda foolish in my opion. I think a better aproach would be to buy a really fast PSD that does nothing but store data that is copied from flash memory cards, act like a external drive, and does both of those functions VERY well... then buy and/or use a laptop for viewing and/or making duplicates of the data you put on the PSD.

Think of this a $400 laptop, and a $200 PSD that doubles as a external drive for the laptop... In my humble opion this aproach would be much better then a $500 PSD that does viewing and is really slow at data transfer.

21st Hermit said:

I'm convinced you need both, each has merits.

--
Lost in the Colorado Mountains!!!

Click to expand...

I have had a laptop longer than a digital camera. We have a cabin up north and my wife likes it along when traveling so she can stay caught up with her e-mail and her electronic solitaire. She also likes the DVD movies it plays.

To me, the laptop is my portable darkroom. Besides storing the images from my SD & CF cards, I have Photoshop Elements 2.0 and other programs installed. I can edit, rename files and burn a backup CD. I have a small external HD to further backup the new photos. I can email copies to friends, too. Many hotels here in the USA now offer free hi-speed internet in the rooms.

We've learned to take care of the laptop when traveling, securing it in motel rooms and it has become part of our travel experience. I have enough memory cards for a day's shoot, but when traveling by car, I can also download cards in the car if I shoot too much.

So we can't justify buying a PSD. We'll just stick with the laptop and enjoy the image viewing and a lot more than a PSD can do.

Don

--Depends where you live and where you travel. A friend was here in Israel for a few months and when wanting to return to England, the port authorities took her laptop and sent it to her 10 days later to her home address in England. Makes one stop and think about where one travels, what is acceptable.
fredyr

I like the idea of both and am about to order the PD70X.
I have a laptop, but do you have a link to this one?

Thanks.

Kurt Horsley said:

I was in Fry's today. They have one of thier GQ notebook computers
on sale for $399.
128mb with 40 gig hard drive. Also has cd-rom. Processor is 1.2mh.
Has 15 inch screen.
Not too impressive for a laptop, but miles ahead of ANY psd,
especially at $399.
I know a lot of people want the protability of a psd, but it's a
bitter pill to pay more for one than a notebook computer.
--
-Kurt Horsley
Olympus C2100
Panasonic DMC-FZ20
Transcend Digital Album

Click to expand...

--

• markE

http://www.wingsoflight.com

'Good wildlife photography is a controlled accident,
a vision of preparation and surrender materialized.'

A laptop won't fit in your shirt pocket... PSD is a great space saver when you don't want to lug around a laptop... having both really are the ideal solution in my opion.

Don Hosmer said:

I have had a laptop longer than a digital camera. We have a cabin
up north and my wife likes it along when traveling so she can stay
caught up with her e-mail and her electronic solitaire. She also
likes the DVD movies it plays.

To me, the laptop is my portable darkroom. Besides storing the
images from my SD & CF cards, I have Photoshop Elements 2.0 and
other programs installed. I can edit, rename files and burn a
backup CD. I have a small external HD to further backup the new
photos. I can email copies to friends, too. Many hotels here in
the USA now offer free hi-speed internet in the rooms.

We've learned to take care of the laptop when traveling, securing
it in motel rooms and it has become part of our travel experience.
I have enough memory cards for a day's shoot, but when traveling by
car, I can also download cards in the car if I shoot too much.

So we can't justify buying a PSD. We'll just stick with the laptop
and enjoy the image viewing and a lot more than a PSD can do.

Don

Click to expand...

Well there is no doubt that given the same price, a laptop is more functionally versatile than a PSD. The issue is portability, security and convenience. A PSD you can put in your pocket or in your photo pack. You can discretely download pictures to it while on the move in most cases. There is little or no bootup time associated with a PSD.

=-eos-=

Kurt Horsley said:

I was in Fry's today. They have one of thier GQ notebook computers
on sale for $399.
128mb with 40 gig hard drive. Also has cd-rom. Processor is 1.2mh.
Has 15 inch screen.
Not too impressive for a laptop, but miles ahead of ANY psd,
especially at $399.
I know a lot of people want the protability of a psd, but it's a
bitter pill to pay more for one than a notebook computer.
--

Click to expand...

There will always be a market for PSDs. Unless they can make laptops as small as PSDs, boot up fast, you can back up immediately and on the move, without any other card reader, etc.

This has been discussed before (about 2 or more years ago), but that's ok. Nice to re-state things again.

As a wedding photographer, I cannot imagine lugging, even a tiny notebook with me. With a PSD, I can shoot, back up and still be able to shoot (using the 2nd CF) and move to change positions. If I had a notebook, I had to get it out of the bag, boot it up (even on hibernate it will still take time), and I won't have the freedom of movement as a PSD. I can change positions with my PSD on my belt while it is backing up. Even if I can move with my notebook, remember, I am carrying 2 other camera bodies with lenses, I will definitely bang or drop the notebook or lose the ability to shoot more pictures because of the laptop.

What PSDs can do that notebooks can't.

1. boot up fast and turn off automatically
2. back up fast (the newer PSDs are fast)
3. back up on the move.
4. be unobtrosive/inconspicuous (to you and others)
5. be light
6. smaller (less bulk and easier to carry)
7. very simple operations.

Of course, PSDs have their disadvantages, so having both is good, but if one is to have one, it's a PSD, especailly for a wedding photographer constantly on the move. A PC or a notebook may be all purpose, but remember, you use a PSD to backup, not to edit, or for other things.

Kurt Horsley said:

I was in Fry's today. They have one of thier GQ notebook computers
on sale for $399.
128mb with 40 gig hard drive. Also has cd-rom. Processor is 1.2mh.
Has 15 inch screen.
Not too impressive for a laptop, but miles ahead of ANY psd,
especially at $399.
I know a lot of people want the protability of a psd, but it's a
bitter pill to pay more for one than a notebook computer.
--

Click to expand...

Kurt, that could be a good buy to support your PSD. 128mb is a bit thin with win-xp though. And oh, make sure you still batteries for those laptops. Nothing worse than a notebook that conks out afte 1 hour of use.

--
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• Caterpillar

'Always in the process of changing, growing, and transforming.'