What Computer Should I buy for Photography/Editing? (updated for 2024)

Written By darrell miller

I’ve spent the last 20 yrs in the technology world for a day job.... i've done it all in terms of IT work.. These days My specialty is digital forensics and data recovery. I don’t know it all.. but i know enough to make some pretty good suggestions on computers and hardware. I spend my nights and weekends doing photography.. it started out as a hobby.. but i make money at this point.. so i guess i'm a semi-pro?

The Basics:

For you TLDR (too long, didn't read) folks:

  • Minimum specs for a Desktop:

    • Intel i7 or i9 processor or AMD Ryzen processor

    • 16gb of ram

    • 1TB SSD/NVMe/M.2 drive

    • Desktop Brands: Dell, HP, MainGear, DigitalStorm, CyberPower, iBuyPower or a local PC shop that has been around for a long time.

  • Minimum specs for a Laptop:

    • Intel i7 or i9 processor

    • 16gb of ram

    • 1TB SSD/NVMe/M.2 drive

    • Laptop Brands: HP, Dell, ASUS, MSI, Lenovo, Razr

Longer More Detailed/Nerdy Answer:

There is a lot of approaches and ways to edit digital photos. There is no perfect answer or solution. I’m going to do my best to outline my views and opinions on things. A few tips hold true no matter what you approach you take.

  • Remember a computer is just a tool, its not going to make you a better photographer, but it might help you with the process and give you a safe reliable place to edit and store your photos.

  • Windows/Mac really doesn’t matter. More than likely you’ll be using the Adobe Creative Suite or Capture One in some capacity. The both are exactly the same on both Windows or Mac.

  • “Lightroom is slow” : I shoot music festivals and stage performances.. i come home from some festivals with 10,000 photos to cull and edit. The computer you use makes a difference, but so does your workflow and how you work. I’ll talk about both in blog posts.

  • “my Windows computer crashes and freezes” : What are you using this computer for? Your photography? Kids school? Kids web browsing? Husbands gaming? Husbands web browsing? … well thats your problem.. If photography is your job.. or a very important hobby.. Get a computer thats set up correctly.. then use it for photography.. you can pay some bills on it.. go to amazon.com.. but once you start venturing out to your kids game sites.. and your husband starts tweaking the computer to play his games faster.. thats when things get unstable.. and crashing..

  • ALL computers fail.. ALL drives fail.. if you dont have some way to organize your photos and a backup, an automatic backup you WILL lose data. Its just a matter of time.

Windows or Mac:

Windows PC:

Windows PC’s in general:

  • Pros:

    • Cheaper than Apple/Macs

    • Wide variety of options, designs, and capabilities

    • Wide variety of vendors

  • Cons:

    • Malware/Viruses

    • Technical Support a little harder to come by. Brands like Dell and HP use contractors to come in and fix or you have to mail your computer in. Could take days or weeks to get back. Custom PC’s are harder to diagnose, unique custom equipment doesn’t always play well together.

Major PC Brand vs Custom Built PC:

With Windows PC’s you can choose to buy parts and build it yourself, get someone else to build it for you, or buy from a major brand like Dell or HP.

Custom Windows PC: Pro’s/Cons:

  • Pro: you get exactly what you want.. and not what you don’t want

  • Cons: support.. if you just buy the parts and put it together or have a friend do it.. and something breaks.. you first have to figure out what broke.. then what? who do you call? might take days/weeks to get replacement part..

Major Brand Windows PC:

  • Pro: Fast support, dell, hp.. typically can have things fixed in a day or two

  • Con: less flexibility when it comes to options.

Apple/Mac:

  • Pros:

    • Apple makes the hardware and software, it will work together, its designed to work together

    • Limited Options (can be a good thing) Limited options makes choosing fast and easy, standard choices.

    • Very small chance of getting a virus or malware (if you don’t use pirated software), systems typically don’t slow down over time like windows computers

    • Very good support, a store you can walk into, they know what is in their machines, and have standard practices to fix them.

    • Typically last 2-3 yrs longer than a Windows PC.

  • Cons:

    • More expensive

    • Limited build/equipment choices

    • Limited ability to upgrade

    • Limited repair on your own

Desktop vs Laptop:

For the most part, this is a choice of how you want to work. Do you want to work behind a desk or from the couch? I sit behind a big computer at a desk all day for my day job. When i get home i don’t want to sit behind another. I do my best photography editing from my front porch.. or in bed with a 17pd cat at my feet. In terms of color accuracy I’ve never had a problem with a laptop screen. The biggest issue i’ve found with working from a laptop is storage. You wont be able to have all your photos with you. You’ll have to take a project based approach to photo management. (discussed in a later post)

Desktops you get more power, more storage… You get more computer for the money, and the ability to upgrade later.

So… what should I buy?

  • You don’t need the biggest baddest computer out there.. especially these days.. each new generation of computers released is more powerful than the last.. but cameras and editing are progressing at a slower rate.

  • Don’t go into debt over it.. You can do a lot with a little.

  • You’ll get more for your money with a desktop and they typically last a little longer. They are also more upgradable. (you can add stuff later)

  • Minimum I’d recommend:

    • Intel i7 or i9 Processor or AMD Ryzen

    • 16gb of ram

    • 1tb SSD/NVMe/M.2 Drive

  • Other Factors to think about:

    • How much storage are you using?

    • Storage is cheap but unreliable. Make you sure you have a backup.

    • Cheap storage (~40.00 USB HDD’s) will fail quickly.. especially if you throw them in a bag and carry them with you. If you need something to carry with you, get an SSD. Get a major brand: Crucial and Samsung are the leaders in this market.

    • You need a real workflow.. and. a way to stay organized… if you arent organized.. you don’t know where your important files (stuff) is.. and you cant back it up..

    • You need a backup.. an automated backup.. if you have to do it yourself you will forget and lose data.

Real Suggestions:
Prices and models change way too fast for me to say “Buy this computer, heres the link”.. but here is what i can recommend:
Laptops:
Dell XPS: good thin workhorse laptops from Dell.
HP Omen: good thin workhorse laptops from HP
Apple Macbook Pro: expensive powerful, reliable laptops from Apple

Desktop:
Dell XPS: good workhorse desktops from dell
Main Gear: good custom PC maker
OriginPC: good custom PC maker
Apple: expensive powerful, reliable desktops from Apple

darrell miller
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Lets Talk About Storage and Drives (Updated 2024)