Laptop for Photo Editing

Lucie

New member
I’m a serious hobbyist photographer looking for a 17” laptop. Ideally wanted the quality of MacBook Pro but I have desktop pc.

Require a stunning display to rival MacBook Pro . Colour accuracy is crucial. Looking for heavy duty performance - will be running several apps: Lightroom, Photoshop, Color Efex, On1, etc. So I don’t want anything too slow. Also have large number of files although plan to work with external HD to transfer stuff between desktop and laptop.
Also want several USB ports.

Looking for something reliable. Had checked out Dell XPS 17” high end but Dell doesn’t get good reviews and people seem to have issues. If I’m paying a good price I want reliability.

Budget up to c £2500 max.

Would appreciate recommendations and other pro photographer experiences. I’m not very techy (just a gal that likes to focus on her photography and struggles with techy side) so please explain things simply.

Thanks!
 

barlew

Godlike
Require a stunning display to rival MacBook Pro . Colour accuracy is crucial. Looking for heavy duty performance - will be running several apps: Lightroom,

Whilst the laptop displays that PCS laptops have are great there is no way they come near the quality of the MacBook Pro screens so if this is a deal breaker you are best looking elsewhere.
 
Last edited:

Tron1982

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Hello, as @barlew said, the screen will not be as good as the one apple offer

But, to offer you pcs alternatives, this two laptop could fit your need, except for the screen


Defiance 17" : the screen resolution is smaller, but is pantone validated

Chassis & Display
Defiance Series: 17.3" Matte, Full HD, 144Hz, Pantone Validated 72% NTSC, LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Eight Core Processor 11800H (2.3GHz, 4.6GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair 2933MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3070 Max-Q - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
AC Adaptor
1 x 180W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Defiance Series Integrated 3 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (73WH)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x THUNDERBOLT 4 PORT + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard Language
17" DEFIANCE SERIES UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Chassis
Clevo PC70HR (8GB RTX-3070 Max-Q, i7-11800H, 144Hz N7 PANTONE, Blank KB)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £2,034.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/defianceIX-17/SKehfTUV26/

Ionico 17 : the screen resolution is better, but not pantone validated

Chassis & Display
Ionico Series: 17.3" Matte QHD 165Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560x1440)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen™ 9 Eight Core Processor 5900HX (3.3GHz, 4.6GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair 3200MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3070 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Ionico Series Integrated 91WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.2 PORT (Type C) + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard Language
IONICO 17 SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Chassis
TongFang GM7ZN7P (8GB RTX-3070, R9-5900HX, 165Hz QHD, Blank KB)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £2,162.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/ionico-II-17/gYEPbBMzCC/





Edit : you may want to do an other combo, buying a "smaller" powerfull laptop without worrying about the screen and buy a "cintiq" (or a pen display) from huion or wacom. with your budget it look like doable ^^
here is a good choice to pair with a 15" laptop (i'm thinking about the destian for example), as on my sys that do 2d animation and photo edition have one of those model (the 22") from this brand and she's really happy with the brand


edit 2 : my sis has this one, because it was on sale when we bough it ^^
 
Last edited:

Lucie

New member
Hello, as @barlew said, the screen will not be as good as the one apple offer

But, to offer you pcs alternatives, this two laptop could fit your need, except for the screen


Defiance 17" : the screen resolution is smaller, but is pantone validated

Chassis & Display
Defiance Series: 17.3" Matte, Full HD, 144Hz, Pantone Validated 72% NTSC, LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Eight Core Processor 11800H (2.3GHz, 4.6GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair 2933MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3070 Max-Q - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
AC Adaptor
1 x 180W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Defiance Series Integrated 3 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (73WH)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x THUNDERBOLT 4 PORT + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard Language
17" DEFIANCE SERIES UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Chassis
Clevo PC70HR (8GB RTX-3070 Max-Q, i7-11800H, 144Hz N7 PANTONE, Blank KB)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £2,034.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/defianceIX-17/SKehfTUV26/

Ionico 17 : the screen resolution is better, but not pantone validated

Chassis & Display
Ionico Series: 17.3" Matte QHD 165Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560x1440)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen™ 9 Eight Core Processor 5900HX (3.3GHz, 4.6GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair 3200MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3070 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Ionico Series Integrated 91WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.2 PORT (Type C) + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard Language
IONICO 17 SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Chassis
TongFang GM7ZN7P (8GB RTX-3070, R9-5900HX, 165Hz QHD, Blank KB)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £2,162.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/ionico-II-17/gYEPbBMzCC/





Edit : you may want to do an other combo, buying a "smaller" powerfull laptop without worrying about the screen and buy a "cintiq" (or a pen display) from huion or wacom. with your budget it look like doable ^^
here is a good choice to pair with a 15" laptop (i'm thinking about the destian for example), as on my sys that do 2d animation and photo edition have one of those model (the 22") from this brand and she's really happy with the brand


edit 2 : my sis has this one, because it was on sale when we bough it ^^
Thanks! Your reply is. I have appreciated. I’m now wondering if I should go for the Dell XPS 17. The reviews are mixed, plus I am not keen on all the usually rubbish that are bundled with laptops. A custom build might avoid this. Will keep researchimg.
 

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
Thanks! Your reply is. I have appreciated. I’m now wondering if I should go for the Dell XPS 17. The reviews are mixed, plus I am not keen on all the usually rubbish that are bundled with laptops. A custom build might avoid this. Will keep researchimg.
On any laptop you can just clean install and have a totally clean windows. It's a basic necessity on any manufacturer laptop.
 

KriSta

Silver Level Poster
The most important part for a photo and video editing laptop is a screen rated for close or at 100 % AdobeRGB as it´s colorspace is much wider than sRGB , also I`d say add a fast SSD and plenty of RAM to it as some apps can chew RAM like mad while editing the videos and photos. If Thunderbolt usage is important you only have the choice to use Intel as no AMD based laptop will have it . Also considering that both Intel and AMD is about to release their new CPU platforms , Alder Lake 12th Gen for Intel and Ryzen 6000 ( Zen 3+ ) for AMD , I´d possibly wait a moment , as these laptops will have DDR5 SODIMM and faster PCIe 4.0 storage and overall better performance .
 

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
The most important part for a photo and video editing laptop is a screen rated for close or at 100 % AdobeRGB as it´s colorspace is much wider than sRGB , also I`d say add a fast SSD and plenty of RAM to it as some apps can chew RAM like mad while editing the videos and photos. If Thunderbolt usage is important you only have the choice to use Intel as no AMD based laptop will have it . Also considering that both Intel and AMD is about to release their new CPU platforms , Alder Lake 12th Gen for Intel and Ryzen 6000 ( Zen 3+ ) for AMD , I´d possibly wait a moment , as these laptops will have DDR5 SODIMM and faster PCIe 4.0 storage and overall better performance .
Strongly agree with this.

Just additionally, the new Ryzen 6000 mobile chassis include USB 4 which is a one in all port that includes Thunderbolt 3.

1641596084161.png


I really believe these new Ryzens are going to be very impressive for mobile, not just in performance but also battery life and screen performance which has always been somewhat behind on AMD chipsets.
 
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