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Need new computer…budget recommendations?

Started 4 months ago | Discussions
Autismo Regular Member • Posts: 304
Need new computer…budget recommendations?

My old computer is dead. Looking for best budget system…desktop or laptop to get up and running for basic editing - not batch or video. Currently 42 MP camera. Does not have to be latest and greatest or fastest.

Simon Garrett Veteran Member • Posts: 7,458
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?
2

Autismo wrote:

My old computer is dead. Looking for best budget system…desktop or laptop to get up and running for basic editing - not batch or video. Currently 42 MP camera. Does not have to be latest and greatest or fastest.

If you've space, desktop generally gives a bigger screen and it (IMHO) easier for looking at images.  Desktops used to be cheaper, but from a quick look at current systems I'd say the gap is narrowing (probably because the market for laptops is much larger).

What photo editing software do you plan to use?

For pretty much anything, I would suggest:

  • RAM: 16G minimum, 32G if budget permits
  • Storage: an SSD for the C drive of 512G or preferably 1T. Having an SSD (Solid State Drive) for the C drive makes a huge difference in speed.  Don't even think of a spinner drive for that.  Most come with an SSD, but sometimes it's only 128G or 256G, which may not be enough, and you can spend your time getting rid of stuff to keep space free.
  • You may well need more storage for images, then a 2nd drive, which might be a spinner depending on budget (could be an external drive if you get a laptop that takes only one drive).
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Carey Brown
Carey Brown Senior Member • Posts: 2,622
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

Autismo wrote:

My old computer is dead. Looking for best budget system…desktop or laptop to get up and running for basic editing - not batch or video. Currently 42 MP camera. Does not have to be latest and greatest or fastest.

This is a Dell. They have cheaper but those only come with Intel graphics which may limit some software.

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Austinian
MOD Austinian Forum Pro • Posts: 13,535
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

I agree with Simon's comments, and would add that a desktop (especially in a tower case) is generally easier to upgrade and/or repair if needed in the future, if you don't require easy portability.

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Tom_N Forum Pro • Posts: 21,056
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

Autismo wrote:

My old computer is dead. Looking for best budget system…desktop or laptop to get up and running for basic editing - not batch or video. Currently 42 MP camera. Does not have to be latest and greatest or fastest.

Do you have a monitor that you can use with the new system?  Or are you looking for one of those as well?

BobKnDP Senior Member • Posts: 3,115
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?
4

It's difficult to make a recommendation without a budget range. Or an idea as to what software you intend to use for image processing.

Most photo enthusiasts would recommend a PC (desktop or laptop) with a discrete graphics card for software that can use GPU acceleration (DXO Photolab, the Topaz products, etc.). You won't get that in a $400 PC.

foot Veteran Member • Posts: 4,791
some thoughts pro-laptop

laptop's have some advantages over desktops, desktops have some over laptops

pro laptops:

batteries included!! lol

running off of batteries can prevent data corruption if there are power issues, such as brownouts or blackouts

laptops use less power

laptops have a builtin display, however if you want you can use an external display

color gamut of the display is more important for some than others. If you need/want better color, you can get someething like a dell laptop and specify the higher-end display, or use an external monitor. My laptop could be upgraded by the user to a better display, but I don't need it so saved some money

if you go with a laptop, either get 32 gig ram, or get a laptop that can be upgraded to more memory. I did that with my laptop...I upgraded one of the 8 gig memory stick with a 32 gig one, giving me a total of 40 Gig ram

also some laptops allow for additional SSD. Mine did and I later on added a 2 TB M.2 SSD drive

the GPU won't be upgradabe. But many laptops have pretty good GPUs for a good price. Depends on your budget

also make sure to check what USB, USB-C ports the laptop comes with.

there never seems to be enough!! lol

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Craig Gillette Forum Pro • Posts: 12,965
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

I've been in the "buy/build it" process for a short while, I've noticed a couple of things.

Lots of Black Friday pricing going on right now.  A lot of attention on "gaming" and some are well suited to photo use, some have  CPUs without an integrated graphics processor, depending  on the discrete graphics card, and more powerful/less budget minded cards, than needed for general photo uses.

I've noticed some softening of prices on 12th or 11th generation processors. The box stores, selling pre-made may not reflect this as much as those selling parts for you to assemble or build to order sorts.

Availability is getting a bit tight on some items.  Some PCs I'd been casually watching at Costco, for example, aren't available now.  At one of the Pre-built/custom built sources I've been "shopping," some of the motherboard choices are off their selection lists, perhaps some of the power supplies.   And their build/delivery times are stretching out.

So, if you are in a "need it now" situation, there can be some deals but that's shrinking.  OTOH, if you can wait, there could be some deals to be had.

So, as others have asked, what's your budget sensitivity/point?  Can you wait some?  If not, maybe local sources might have something on hand that's a good opportunity but maybe not the best.

The Point and Shoot Pro
The Point and Shoot Pro Veteran Member • Posts: 3,019
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

I recommend the Dell XPS systems. They are a great price when you can find a deal, they are upgradable and are really good price to performance. I have mine upgraded with a bunch of stuff and it's super fast and efficient.

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OP Autismo Regular Member • Posts: 304
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

I do have a decent monitor. Budget is up to $2000, but less would be nice. I guess I prefer laptop, but in reality the majority of time will be using in the home studio. Photoshop and the various plug ins and related software.

cnyphotoguy Contributing Member • Posts: 810
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

Autismo wrote:

I do have a decent monitor. Budget is up to $2000, but less would be nice. I guess I prefer laptop, but in reality the majority of time will be using in the home studio. Photoshop and the various plug ins and related software.

Lenovo has some nice 16" gaming notebooks, good mobile screen resolution, AMD processors available for good cost to core count/speed and discrete GPU.  Main negative of such a system is the power block is large and no USB charging capability.

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XiaoDeer Regular Member • Posts: 179
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

Autismo wrote:

I do have a decent monitor. Budget is up to $2000, but less would be nice. I guess I prefer laptop, but in reality the majority of time will be using in the home studio. Photoshop and the various plug ins and related software.

If portability is not a central requirement, a desktop will be faster, cheaper and offer more flexibility with regard to addons and upgrades. The only advantage of a laptop is portability and that can be a biggie in some circumstances.

Personally, I do all of my serious work on a desktop. But I do have a laptop for when I travel. My laptop is 13 years old and runs Photoshop quite well!

Jim B (MSP) Forum Pro • Posts: 11,926
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?
2

Autismo wrote:

I do have a decent monitor. Budget is up to $2000, but less would be nice. I guess I prefer laptop, but in reality the majority of time will be using in the home studio. Photoshop and the various plug ins and related software.

Here is a good deal for 1/2 your budget.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-XPS-8950-Desktop-Computer/dp/B09VR7ZJL1/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3A2MOYN8N56VW&keywords=desktop%2Bcomputer&psr=EY17&qid=1669571684&s=cyber-monday&sprefix=desktop%2Bcomputer%2Ccyber-monday%2C115&sr=1-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQ1lVSURXTDNKMDI4JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjYxMzk2SlJUVTU2OFVLS085JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNDk0MzIzUTNVODNIQzJRR0ZRJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

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OP Autismo Regular Member • Posts: 304
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

That does look good

Carey Brown
Carey Brown Senior Member • Posts: 2,622
That one does not come with video card

Jim B (MSP) wrote:

Autismo wrote:

I do have a decent monitor. Budget is up to $2000, but less would be nice. I guess I prefer laptop, but in reality the majority of time will be using in the home studio. Photoshop and the various plug ins and related software.

Here is a good deal for 1/2 your budget.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-XPS-8950-Desktop-Computer/dp/B09VR7ZJL1/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3A2MOYN8N56VW&keywords=desktop%2Bcomputer&psr=EY17&qid=1669571684&s=cyber-monday&sprefix=desktop%2Bcomputer%2Ccyber-monday%2C115&sr=1-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQ1lVSURXTDNKMDI4JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjYxMzk2SlJUVTU2OFVLS085JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNDk0MzIzUTNVODNIQzJRR0ZRJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

They have options for video cards but the price  jumps.

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BobKnDP Senior Member • Posts: 3,115
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

No discrete graphics card, though.

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cnyphotoguy Contributing Member • Posts: 810
Re: That one does not come with video card

Integrated graphics is fine for Photoshop.

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cnyphotoguy Contributing Member • Posts: 810
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

BobKnDP wrote:

No discrete graphics card, though.

Integrated graphics is fine for Photoshop.

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MOD Austinian Forum Pro • Posts: 13,535
Re: Need new computer…budget recommendations?

BobKnDP wrote:

No discrete graphics card, though.

In that case, I would want to make sure that the PC's power supply is large enough that the PC could provide the additional power if a discrete GPU was desired in the future.

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