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July, 2025

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Laptops for Photography

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BIG_E.Z.
Posts: 102 - Karma: 16
Next year I will be a Freshman photography major, I got a scholarship and the foundation is buying me a laptop for school. I'm currently in a pickle between the 13 inch 2.7 GHz and the 15 inch 2.0 GHz. Thoughts on what would be better for likely the majority of my college career. Thanks.
14 years ago
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,841
Id go 13 inch. It's more portable which would be awesome in college, and you can always buy a real monitor for your desk when you are really going to be editing photos or doing work.
14 years ago
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BIG_E.Z.
Posts: 102 - Karma: 16
Okay thanks, that's what I was leaning more towards anyways.
14 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
You're a PHOTO major.... granted, a lot of the stuff you will be doing will be film processes (hopefully), but for doing art on a computer, you want the largest screen you can get. If you get the 13 inch, invest in a good monitor you can plug into it, and get it calibrated so you are getting accurate prints. It's a necessity if you're seriously doing digital imaging.

14 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
smaller, more powerful computer and an extra monitor for your dorm room could be the best option, but if you aren't able to get an extra screen (you can get a good one for a couple hundo) then I would suggest a larger screen. I went to school for graphic design, and my 17inch screen was too small most of the time.
14 years ago
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
im a big fan of the extra monitor.

plus for the sake of digital photography, its great for having folders, photoshop tools, etc open on your smaller screen, leaving you the larger monitor with just the image you are working with.
14 years ago
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
13 inch and a good monitor, as stated above. Macbook screens are pretty bad. 13 inch plus monitor gives you good portability when you need it plus a good screen to work from at home.
14 years ago
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Shredability
Posts: 2757 - Karma: 503
23'' screen will run you about 200 bucks, just get one of those and hook it up to your 13''
14 years ago
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
13 inch and a monitor. Seriously though, don't skimp on the monitor.
14 years ago
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
This. Don't buy a $200 monitor. Do some research. When I got mine 4 years ago S-IPS was the way to go but opinions may have changed now. Then an EyeOne or similar calibration tool.
14 years ago
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Keyjibbs
Posts: 1542 - Karma: 96
Although the 13in. model is better for portability and you will need an external monitor, the 15in. is a better deal performance wise. You'll get getting a quad-core processor and a dedicated graphics card on the 15in. which you won't get on the cheaper 13in. model. I'd say go with the 15in. it's really not that big of a deal to carry it around and it will be easier to work with when you're not able to use the second monitor.
14 years ago
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
They all have shitty screens, that's why you need an external monitor, it's not to do with size. If you have money to burn then sure get a 15 inch and monitor, otherwise 13 inch and monitor.
14 years ago
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