Laptop for photography

T

terry-

New Member
Hello,

I'm in the process of purchasing a new laptop and have done lots of looking around and am now about ready to pull the trigger on one. I'm wondering though if I'm making a decent choice. I pretty much decided on a Toshiba from the beginning because of their decent reliability. I also wanted an LED backlit screen (for some reason) and I ended up choosing one with a 17.3 inch display.

So what I'd appreciate is some reassurance or advice on the choice that I've made. I had to customize it so that I could get the faster processor and added a little more hard drive. It's not going to be my full time pc but something that I'll use while on vacations and something i can use while watching tv with the wife so that she won't feel like a photography widow.
Is this going to be ok for image editing with photoshop cs3 and lightroom....maybe while surfing the internet?

I didn't have the option to change the graphics card (can that be changed later like in a desktop?)

Not enough? Overkill? Just right? Are there better options at a similar or cheaper price?

Toshiba Satellite L550-ST2744
Intel® Core™ i5-520M Processor 2.40 GHz (2.93 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology),
3MB L3 Cache, 1066MHz DDR3,
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit,
4GB DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM (2048MBx2),
400GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial ATA),
DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) drive,
Lithium-Ion Battery (6-cell, 4400 mAH),
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD with dynamically allocated
shared graphics memory
$990 after all is said and done

Thank you in advance......

2:30 AM!!!!
 
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^ good laptop except for the intel graphics. I'd get any other laptop because of the intel graphics.
 
daisymtc said:
Is 17.3" necessary for you?

This 16" Toshiba have better spec.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114803
Click to expand...

A 17.3" isn't necessarily necessary but I would really like to have the LED backlit display and there are only a few models that have it. The L550 series, I think, are the only models that have it AND have a screen that is larger than 14"....which IS neccessary.

I wish it gave me the option to upgrade the graphics card.
 
I know you like Toshiba but there is other brands that are just as good and better. Working at a computer shop I see very little ASUS, and Toshiba come through the door. Although in the 3+ years I have been there I have only so 2 Lenovo laptops come in. They are very good laptops one of the best brand of laptops IMO.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146613 This is the one I would go with it has everything even the LED backlight screen.
 
You ever think of using a Mac? iPhoto, with it's new tagging and photo maintence features would allow you to massive organize and edit and tag photos smoothly. Plus the Mac will have a higher quality, IPS screen which allows you to more robustly view photos and their color ranges.

I know Mac isn't for everyone, but I would at least recommend you look at one.
 
tlarkin said:
You ever think of using a Mac? iPhoto, with it's new tagging and photo maintence features would allow you to massive organize and edit and tag photos smoothly. Plus the Mac will have a higher quality, IPS screen which allows you to more robustly view photos and their color ranges.

I know Mac isn't for everyone, but I would at least recommend you look at one.
Click to expand...

Eh, I can't justify spending more money for Mac versions of Lightroom and Photoshop. If I were actually making more than the $20 here and there with my photos then I would.

Fatback said:
I know you like Toshiba but there is other brands that are just as good and better. Working at a computer shop I see very little ASUS, and Toshiba come through the door. Although in the 3+ years I have been there I have only so 2 Lenovo laptops come in. They are very good laptops one of the best brand of laptops IMO.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146613 This is the one I would go with it has everything even the LED backlight screen.
Click to expand...

I actually did look at Asus a little but the unfamiliar name made me go towards the Toshibas. For some reason the Lenovos I thought as a high end, expensive laptop......I'll look into them again. Thanks!
 
terry- said:
Eh, I can't justify spending more money for Mac versions of Lightroom and Photoshop. If I were actually making more than the $20 here and there with my photos then I would.
Click to expand...

Well, if you look at total cost of ownership, the Mac is more cost effective in the long run, and they keep their resell value. That PC laptop will be worthless in 2 years, but the Mac will be most likely worth at least half if not a bit more than half of what you paid for it in two years.
 
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