New PC/laptop - spec suggestions?

ShoeQueen

ShoeQueen

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Lynn
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My 5 yo old trusty Acer is just running a bit slow and tends to get in a huff if I ask it to do too much so I've decided its probably wisest to upgrade before it stops working completely...

Suggestions on spec required? I'm going to be running LR3 and possibly CS5 (if I can get the student/teacher edition). Budget wise I don't want to spend too much, but I'd rather spend a bit more now than need to upgrade again in a year or two so am prepared to get a decent spec.

Suggestions also on a monitor - I currently use a laptop in my office with seperate monitor - I've not completely ruled out getting a desktop - but I'd like to think about what spec I need first then see what is available in desktop/laptop options.
 
i5-2xxx or i7-2xxx processor (the 4 digits after the dash starting with a 2 indicate that it's a second gen intel processor). As much memory as you can get (4GB min, 8GB preferred). Win 7 64bit.

Monitor: one of the Dell Ultrasharp series (u2xxx).

If I were getting a laptop, I'd be looking at a high res (1920x1080 screen). Dell do a good package in their XPS line, but not cheap.
 
Thanks - that gives me some basic spec to start looking. (I've been out laptop shopping with a friend recently and while that was looking at what he needed, I know there is such a range of options available - so thought it was a good idea to check spec for photoediting). I was thinking i5 or i7 but didn't know that about the 2nd generation.

I'll look at Dell too.
 
What sort of budget you looking at?

Also, buying off the shelf or self built?

Reason I say that is because self build could get a high spec and also save you a few quid (if you have built one before)

I've build one last week that was I5 3.3 ghz quad core, 16gb ram, 1gb graphics etc for just over £600 that didn;t include monitors however as they were already in place
 
Not a fixed budget as such, I'll see what is available - but I'm expecting I'll probably have to pay over £500 to get something decent.

Looking for off the shelf - I wouldn't have the first clue with a self build I'm afraid, I don't even know what I need to be looking for in an off the shelf one!

Re graphics card - is there a certain type of card I should be looking for if I'm wanting to use it for photoediting?
 
ShoeQueen said:
Re graphics card - is there a certain type of card I should be looking for if I'm wanting to use it for photoediting?
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No. Any will do. The lower the number (in a particular manufacturers range) the less powerful & cheaper it will be.
 
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