Apple Macbook...how does it holdup for togs?

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englandshottest2

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have never owned a Macbook, and was just wondering for those who do, if you use it for photography-based useage, how do you find it holds up? thinking of getting a higher-spec version than the base model, so something like 2.4ghz & 2gb ram. How do you find it operates whilst using software such as PS or Lightroom (or any large-scale software)?
Main useage of it would be for viewing & editing whilst on location, and save everything to my external hard drive (never save to the machine itself!).

any pro's / con's to Macbooks from toggers?
 
I have been using Macbook for the past year, after years with Windows. I have to say it is "OK" for my Lightroom use, but it does end up running a bit hot (I have a temperature monitor). It can get a bit slow, but my Lightroom library is a bit large (smallest one is over 20,000 pictures all in NEF).

Home server is a lot quicker, but that's a Mac Pro.

Am now waiting for release of the new MacBook Pro.; then I am sure to change from this and may be get the Aero for my travel and portable needs. The Macbook Pro would be my day to day use in and around the house.

If you are serious about Photoshop and Lightroom I would seriously suggest to by pass the Macbook and get the Macbook Pro instead .. you need the extra emph, the dedicated graphics, and the ability to go beyound 2GB RAM (which is what I have). Oh, and the bigger screen, and higher res., of the Macbook Pro is a real bonous.
 
I am a MacBook Pro user and can't recommend it highly enough for photography use. I agree completely with Wail that the Pro stands out alone with the power to deal with demanding photography editing etc.
 
thanks for the in-depth review! i had my doubts that just a macbook would do, but I do most of my work on the desktop (which is huge!) but do need a laptop as most work seems to be away from the office. but the downside is macbook pro is noted as weighing almost seven pounds! (yikes!), so that in the camera backback with all the heavy lenses should be a good workout if anything :D. but cant have something from nothing so to speak!- has to come from somewhere!
 
Actually, this may surprise you .. but there isn't much weight difference between the Macbook and Macbook Pro.; check Apple web site, if I am not mistaken the difference is may be something like a single lbs!!

If you want something for portable use, the Aero may be what you're looking for?! If you're using a desktop for your serious work, the Aero should suffice.
 
I use a MacBook 2.4 with 4 gig of ram and find it is plenty fast enough for Capture NX. I bought it for £699 from Apple Refurb plus the additional 2 gig of ram from Crucial. I would say that for tethered use and for editing on the move it is a very good choice compared to the over inflated MacBook Pro price. The only limitation I see is the screen size but you are going to have to compromise for portability. If you have loads of cash go for the Pro but if you want to spend wisely and have alternative editing gear at home ( I use a 24" iMac ) I can highly recommend a mid range MacBook maxed out to 4 gig ram.
 
Whichever one you choose, I'd say you can't go wrong with the Macs :p; of course I am a Mac fanboy now .. so it's obvious I'd say something like that.

However, do check this site before you make your purchase .... it is a good source of information on what may come along: -

http://www.macrumors.com/

I'd especially advise to check out their Buyer's Guide section: -

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
 
A normal macbook today will have the same specs as my iMac which I use all the time to edit photographs with both Lightroom and Aperture open, I'm not saying the pro wouldn't do all this teeny bit faster though

the macbook looks better!
 
Why would you need both Aperture and Lightroom? Don't they do the same thing?

I've got the 2.2GHz Macbook with 1Gb RAM and use it for Lightroom, I've not run Photoshop on it so can't comment on that aspect.

Lightroom 1.4 ran fine with fairly small libraries (less than 5k), although I've not tried with bigger. Lightroom 2 is a bit slow, but mainly on the Develop module, I've heard that this is common even with better specs though. The Library, whih it sounds like you will be mainly using is slower than Lightroom 1.4 but still usable. Hopefully Lightroom 2.1 will sort this out.

Sizewise it is good, fits in both of my camera bags without any trouble, the only real downside to it is the glossy screen, the matte screen available on the MBP is better (but then the keyboard on the normal Macbook I think is better). If I was buying now I'd probably go for the MBP (and a bigger camera bag), for the simple reason that it is my main machine and the extra screen size would be good. If you have the extra money and are getting it as a mainly mobile machine then I would probably go with the Macbook Air, much lighter and thinner, but still with the same screen size.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the Macbook line is meant to be getting refreshed in a few weeks, so it might be worth waiting as the specs usually go up, but the price doesn't, or of course you may be able to get a current model cheaper through the refurb store...
 
I've got a 2.4Ghz C2D Macbook with 2Gb ram and its great. I use Aperture and its fast. I plug in an external monitor when at home at my desk but when I'm out and about its fine.

I plan to upgrade to 4Gb soon.
 
Wail said:
Actually, this may surprise you .. but there isn't much weight difference between the Macbook and Macbook Pro.; check Apple web site, if I am not mistaken the difference is may be something like a single lbs!!
Click to expand...

Well aside from the extra real estate, one thing the MBP has over the MB is a dedicated graphics card, whereas the MB only has onboard. Not that I'm bashing the MB, I've used it in the past and loved it but eventually I traded it for a MBP for the extra grunt.

My MBP is from the previous line (without multi touch) and even with 2GB RAM it holds its own very well. It's not may main editing machine though... I have a workstation at home which I use. But when I am abroad it's been nothing short of stellar :)

As with Apple products and line refreshes.... if you need it urgently then by all means buy whatever's available now since you'll still be using a great machine. But if it's not urgent then wait for the next update and then put the hammer down.
 
oh dear lol. now its a toss-up! as if i went for the MB then I could get a nice new prime lens ontop, and it would be portable (i could put it in my Tamrac backpack thingy)....but the MBP would be the wiser choice. rrrrrrrrr never easy!
 
thought-... how does one manage carrying a larger-scale laptop (i.e. MBP) if on location and already wearing a camera backpack full of stuff!?.... im going to guess over the shoulder...ouch! :eek:
 
Apple should be releasing new portables soon. Present reseller pricing on Apple portables is falling which indicates a product refresh.

Yep, I'm a fanboy. I have 15 years of Apple systems administration experience. Presently working on upgrading my 10.4 certification to 10.5.

DeanR
Apple Solutions Expert - Digital Asset Management
 
englandshottest2 said:
thought-... how does one manage carrying a larger-scale laptop (i.e. MBP) if on location and already wearing a camera backpack full of stuff!?.... im going to guess over the shoulder...ouch! :eek:
Click to expand...


Some camera bags have compartment for a laptop. My Lowepro Vertex can take a laptop up to with upto 17" in real estate.
 
englandshottest2 said:
oh dear lol. now its a toss-up! as if i went for the MB then I could get a nice new prime lens ontop, and it would be portable (i could put it in my Tamrac backpack thingy)....but the MBP would be the wiser choice. rrrrrrrrr never easy!
Click to expand...


There are many differences between the Macbook Pro (MBP) over the Macbook (MB)....

- Firewire 800 vs. Friewire 400
- Dedicated graphics card with dedicated memory vs. on CPU graphics with shared memory
- Expansion slot vs. no expansion slot
- Bigger (15" or 17") screen vs. 13" screen
- Backlit keyboard vs. none
- Higher resolution screen

These are just the top of my head, but I am sure there are more features in the MBP over the MB.

If you are really out for one, I'd strongly suggest the 15" MBP and buy a refurbished one (if you're in a need for one now) which you could resell once the new ones are released (which should be very soon).
 
The big two difference between the Macbook, and Macbook pro are:

- The option of a non glossy screen on the macbook pro (quite important for colour critical work).

- Descrete graphics card, which will be important as Photoshop CS4 will be able to run a bit faster.

I run a 2.2 (santa rosa) Macbook pro with 4gb of ram. Lighroom 2.0 runs quite fast.
 
thanks for the replies, good to hear from users :)! the bigscreen thing wasnt really a plus side, as it just means 'akward' for traveling, but i know it'll be much better for editing, etc.
 
Hey, you're in London .... drop down to Apple store in Regent St., or Selfridges, or Albion Computers (in the city) and have a look at the different models, weight, size.
 
lol am in London, but not until three weeks again :(! I live between the two for a few weeks at a time.
 
I think you really need to consider how you will be using it, if it is only going to be to back up images and so that the model can see them bigger than on your camera screen the Macbook would be fine. Even if you are going to want to do some basic editing the Macbook will be fine. In your situation the only reason I'd condsider the Macbook Pro is if you are going to be doing all the editing for shoots on that laptop and sending them straight to the client (and then I'd still probably go for the Macbook), if you are going to be doing the final edit back home on your desk top the Macbook Pro will be overkill.

I'm not saying this because I have a Macbook, personally I wish I'd got a Macbook Pro, but then I don't have a separate computer at home for editing with. If portability and price are important I would go for the Macbook anyday. (Or wait and see what the new ones are like)

FranchiseJuan said:
The big two difference between the Macbook, and Macbook pro are:

- The option of a non glossy screen on the macbook pro (quite important for colour critical work).

- Descrete graphics card, which will be important as Photoshop CS4 will be able to run a bit faster.

I run a 2.2 (santa rosa) Macbook pro with 4gb of ram. Lighroom 2.0 runs quite fast.
Click to expand...
That is good to know, that is the Macbook I have and have been toying with the idea of upping the RAM to 4Gb, maybe I should do it sooner rather than later!
 
I have a MacBook, and am 100% happy with it. I run CS3, LR2, FireFox usually all at the same time as Mail and FireFox... of and MSWord often running at the same time too! I also have iTunes on in the daytime.

Oh... I also run dual monitors - all the time, well... except when I am sat in the lounge.

I also run Cubase Studio 4 - sometimes at the same time as the other stuff... it depends if I can be bothered to shut the other stuff down.

Oh yes... I also run 6 desktops, with each app running in its own 'space'. Never get BSoD's, never have to 'reset everything', it just works.

I have Parallels running XP (as I need MS Project) and I often test out how things look on IE running on Windows.

My MAcBook flies... apart from LR2 in which there is a software issue that many have reported to Adobe and that LR2.1 is reported to fix.

MacBook = more than happy, and I am sure you will be too.
 
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