danielv2000 Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Need some advice. Should I get a laptop or a desktop? Also, what brand? My HP desktop just died on me after 8 years of reliable service. I also had a 2 yr old HP laptop that died on me recently so I'm sort of on the fence about what I need. Nothing too demanding. I don't do gaming. It's basically browsing, some (not much) photoshop, (not much) video editing, etc... Much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Go with a tablet if you just browse and socialize. Check Lenovo's web site, they're having some nice sale going on with their notebooks and tablets. If Lenovo is not your brand, shop at Amazon, they cover all brands! My recommendation: Android Tablet (for speed and beautiful screen): Samsung Note 10.1 2014 (own both this and last year's) Get a refurb at Amazon of last years model if you don't care about the latest and the greatest and also to save some about a $100. Apple IPAD Air is also stunning if you're into IPADs. I just bought and tested one to gift to the kids for Xmas. Android Phone: Samsung S4 for Speed and Screen, but now superceded by Nexus 5 with KitKat (own both) Windows 8.1 - I got both the Dell Pro and the Microsoft Surface RT. If you want to run Windows standard software, go with th Pro, otherwise go with RT. Lenovo has a good sale on their Convertible RT right now for $299. Windos 8.1 is a lot better than 8. Hope that helps, Hike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielv2000 Posted November 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Go with a tablet if you just browse and socialize. Check Lenovo's web site, they're having some nice sale going on with their notebooks and tablets. If Lenovo is not your brand, shop at Amazon, they cover all brands! My recommendation: Android Tablet (for speed and beautiful screen): Samsung Note 10.1 2014 (own both this and last year's) Get a refurb at Amazon of last years model if you don't care about the latest and the greatest and also to save some about a $100. Apple IPAD Air is also stunning if you're into IPADs. I just bought and tested one to gift to the kids for Xmas. Android Phone: Samsung S4 for Speed and Screen, but now superceded by Nexus 5 with KitKat (own both) Windows 8.1 - I got both the Dell Pro and the Microsoft Surface RT. If you want to run Windows standard software, go with th Pro, otherwise go with RT. Lenovo has a good sale on their Convertible RT right now for $299. Windos 8.1 is a lot better than 8. Hope that helps, Hike Hike, thanks. I already have a tablet for everyday usage. The only reason I need a PC is for the photoshop stuff. That's my other hobby besides watches. I guess with Christmas around the corner, I'll keep my eye out for some deals. My 8 year old desk-top was actually refurbished and it still kicked some ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I use a Quad Processor 2 year old Dell Desktop with 16 Gigs of RAM that still kick ass. I installed a Samsung EVO 520GIG SSD 2 months ago and now it boots up in 30 secs flat. Photoshop CS6 loads in under a minute. I'm running WIN7 Ultimate. All Apps are loaded on the SSD and all data are somewhere else. It's kinda my MultiMedia system. Like you, I have CS6 full package and I transfer all my DVD movies to my UPnP server and stream it to all the TVs and BlueRay players in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cromag Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I just bought a Lenovo Yoga 2 i7 laptop for $1399 OTD at bestbuy.It's the newest freshy fresh. Nothing like it out there. Top of the line.It's a laptop with an amazing 3600x1600 resolution touchscreen with Win 8.1It's worth a look to see if it fits your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dommysam Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 If you will use it mainly for photo editing get a second hand MacBook Pro. You'll realise why 90%+ of the design world is on Mac! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrononna Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 If you will use it mainly for photo editing get a second hand MacBook Pro. You'll realise why 90%+ of the design world is on Mac! and also the Mac OS X mountain lion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netniet Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I would go for a Macbook Pro if you are using it for photo editing, and they are well build. I never had any issues with one of my Macs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belgiumwatch Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Like already said is a Mac what you need for editing photos. They may look less fast than a similar PC ( less ram, slower processor,..) but in reality you will see that most of the time they are faster. Macbook air Retina would be perfect for you, but there are quiet expensive. If you are more fan of a PC: check this site http://www.statisticbrain.com/laptop-malfunction-rates/ . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martijnp Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I would go for a Macbook Pro if you are using it for photo editing, and they are well build. I never had any issues with one of my Macs. I second that. I'm a Mac user for a couple of years. But a MacbookPro is more expensive, if you have a monitor why don't you look for a Mac Mini? Decent price and they will do the job Otherwise a Macbook or iMac would be my choice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netniet Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I second that. I'm a Mac user for a couple of years. But a MacbookPro is more expensive, if you have a monitor why don't you look for a Mac Mini? Decent price and they will do the job Otherwise a Macbook or iMac would be my choice! That's true, they are expensive in Holland. I bought a new Macbook Pro in the US with a return flight ticket to the US for less what I should pay in Holland for a new Macbook Pro. The difference between US and NL was about 600 Euro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielv2000 Posted November 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Thanks for the input. I've been thinking about a Mac but my only concern was compatability with my office computer where I do on occassion have to use excel and word from home. These can now be loaded on a Mac, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belgiumwatch Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 You can indeed buy Office for mac. Works perfect for me. (but I can read Word documents also in Pages, a Mac program which came free with my mac. If I edit the file in Pages and want to read it again in Word there might be little problems with the compatibility. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martijnp Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 That's true, they are expensive in Holland. I bought a new Macbook Pro in the US with a return flight ticket to the US for less what I should pay in Holland for a new Macbook Pro. The difference between US and NL was about 600 Euro wow that's a big difference mate! Why are they so much more expensive in Holland Thanks for the input. I've been thinking about a Mac but my only concern was compatability with my office computer where I do on occassion have to use excel and word from home. These can now be loaded on a Mac, right? I've got the office bundle for Mac, works perfect. Also in combination with my Windows PC at work and Mac at home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraggle42 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Pity you're not in the UK Daniel, I've got a 2006 iMac that I never use and am getting rid of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chronoluvvv Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 i got myself a factory refurb Chromebook for $150 shipped, despite it's weak processor it works as well as my old dual core notebook that I once paid $700 for and the screen is 100x better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielv2000 Posted November 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 i got myself a factory refurb Chromebook for $150 shipped, despite it's weak processor it works as well as my old dual core notebook that I once paid $700 for and the screen is 100x better wow! That's cheap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seriph Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I used a lappie for Photoshop for years. Regretted its incapacity for upgrade in the RAM department. Added a 24 inch hp graphics screen and that helped a lot! But, using photoshop autocad and having browsers open etc. really turned it into a slug. Can't beat the flexibility of a nice windows8 machine capable of 16GB of RAM and just chugging along regardless of what I throw at it. An additional 30inch graphics screen and there's no turning back Desktop all the way is my vote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sputim Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I just acquired the new haswell MBP retina. It is on the expensive side but well worth it if you are working graphically or stuff like this..otherwise the macbook air is great alternative aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 if you do not go Mac, as stated by another member the Lenova Yoga machines are excellent. Get a powerful and light laptop but also a tablet. I have a 13" for business travel and really like it. It processes fast, is very quiet with a solid state drive and does not get hot. I have had at least a dozen laptops over the last few years and like this one the best by far. Keyboard is excellent for a laptop and is lighted for working late. Cool for traveling; use the windows 8 for apps and playing and basically in desktop mode its windows 7 for working. I run a RDP to my office and home computers so can access either of my desktops as well. Tried several of the new laptops before settling on this one and a year later very happy with that decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911flyer Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Oh lord. Laptop, MacBook Pro please join the apple. :-) come on... A used one is as good as new you know.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nlnlnlnene Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Mac is the way to go. I have MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Pro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swdivad Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 if you want a great laptop, I'd recommend Dell Precision M series... had my M6300 for about 7 years and it's still super fast... the newer ones can get up to 32GB ram and have amazing specs. Mine's great for photoshop and still even really good for high end 3D engineering apps (Catia, SolidWorks) If you don't/arent used to a Mac, I couldn't recommend it... I tried and it just felt funny to me (ok macaddicts... go ahead and flame away LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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