High-resolution sensors available today in digital cameras call upon the need to have high-end computers for the post-processing of RAW images. Gone were the years when mid-range laptops were appropriate for editing images and rendering videos.
Most professional tools meant for photographers or photo editors tend to be heavy; hence demand more memory, higher storage, faster processor, high-end GPU, and more. So, whether you are building your own computer or looking to buy one, a few things will help you get the right specifications within your budget.
Before you decide on your computer, budget is the primary thing that you need to take note of. Deciding your budget will help you pick the hardware components that you can easily afford without wasting any time.
In this article, we will discuss the ways to build a powerful computer so that it can handle every task that you throw on it. Learning about various hardware specifications and operating systems will help you make an informed decision.
Laptop or Desktop
The selection depends on your work requirements and other factors. If you travel a lot, you will need to have a more portable device such as a laptop. If you are working from the comfort of your home and have a dedicated workspace, you can buy a desktop computer.
The good thing about laptops is that you can take them to client meetings which helps present your sample work to get more projects. Laptops are hard to handle when it comes to troubleshooting several errors; plus, they are delicate, so you need to hold them carefully.
Desktop computers, on the other hand, are robust, and you can simply fix many hardware issues. Another major advantage is that you can easily upgrade your desktop by adding more storage and RAM, or installing a graphics processing unit, in case the demand arises in the future.
Operating System
Once you decide on whether you want to buy a laptop or a desktop, another important aspect is the operating system. You can either decide on your operating system before making your decision on the setup you want to go with -laptop or desktop.
Deciding the operating system will boil down your research to the kind of device you are planning to buy. If you go with macOS, there are comparatively fewer options than Windows computers. Plus, Mac computers come with limited or no upgrade options. However, it’s much easier to organize Mac desktop for better file management, and you can expect fewer technical issues, such as sound not working on Mac all of a sudden.
On the other hand, you will get a wider range of laptops and desktops if you decide to go with a Windows computer. Another benefit is that the market is flourishing with image editing apps and tools for Windows, while you get a few yet more proficient options for Mac operating systems.
Monitor Display
In many cases, photographers overlook the need to have a good, professional-level monitor, but that’s a mandatory requirement. If budget is not the constraint, go for an IPS panel. If you are working on a screen with a minimum color range, the images will look way too bright.
You tend to disappoint yourself after seeing the prints. When it comes to resolution, having a 4K screen will make a difference, but the cost may go higher. As a photographer, we want to achieve the best image quality we can get, so a good computer with correct color output can help.
If you are using a laptop, you may not require an additional display, but selecting a computer is a prerequisite for desktop users. You can connect the external display with your laptop to get more screen estate to work on in-depth insight into the image.
Processor
When you want to discuss Intel vs. AMD processors with other photographers, you will see yourself slipping into a never-ending debate. Most photographers will go with Intel as their preferred architecture, and so do I because it seems to be a more trusted option to me.
AMD’s new lineup proves to be tough competition in the CPU market, and you can get AMD Ryzen 7 2700X for faster performance when processing RAW files. Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7 can be an ideal pick for your photography computer.
You can buy a quad-core or a six-core processor for seamless performance. A quad-core processor can give you a good output with a balanced performance-to-price ratio, and you can even get a six-core chip to scale with future requirements. The more cores, the better will be the output in terms of image processing.
Conclusion
All in all, the information in this article ought to give you a much better understanding of what you should look for in your next computer as a photographer.
Given how many different options there are in the market, you might feel a bit overwhelmed choosing a computer. However, since you are going to depend on this device a lot for your work, take all the time you need to make the right decision.