Would you like to edit the photos you took while traveling? Then choosing the right laptop is crucial. Photo editing programs, and especially software such as Adobe Lightroom, are programs that require a powerful laptop to run smoothly. If you don’t have that laptop, your photos will load slowly and the program may even freeze. In this blog I therefore share a number of important tips to pay attention to when looking for a suitable laptop for photo editing.
Laptop specifications for photo editing
First of all about the specifications of the laptop. This is important when it comes to memory, storage and the power of a processor so that you can run demanding software programs without your laptop or the program being slow or even crashing.
Processor (CPU)
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer. It performs calculations and processes instructions needed to run programs and tasks. The speed of a CPU is measured in gigahertz (GHz), which indicates how many instructions the CPU can execute per second. Modern CPUs also have multiple cores, so you can continue to work quickly if you use multiple programs at the same time. So you need a powerful processor for photo editing. At the time of writing, it is best to choose at least Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 (or higher).
Memory (RAM)
RAM (Random Access Memory) is temporary memory used by the CPU to quickly read and write data without having to wait for slower storage such as a hard drive or SSD. While you edit photos, the CPU continuously retrieves data from RAM to perform tasks. This allows programs to respond quickly and run smoothly. In the case of photo editing, the RAM is for loading images, saving changes, and displaying edits in real time. RAM capacity is usually stated in gigabytes (GB). For photo editing it is best to use at least 16 GB of RAM.
Storage area
SSDs (Solid State Drives) are the total storage on your laptop. This determines how many programs, files and photos you can store on your laptop without having to use external storage, such as a separate SSD drive. Do you work with RAW files? Then make sure you choose sufficient storage. Personally, I would take at least 512 GB, but if you take a lot of photos and/or don’t like tidying up, 1 TB is ideal.
Screen for photo editing
When choosing a laptop for photo editing, often only the internal specifications are considered. As a result, the screen is sometimes forgotten, but that is just as important.
Screen resolution
A high screen resolution is necessary for detailed photo editing. Preferably you choose a 4K screen (3840 x 2160 pixels), but with a smaller budget or a small laptop screen, QHD (Quad HD) is also sufficient.
Color reproduction
For photo editing, the display must have wide color coverage. Therefore, look for screens that cover at least 100% of the sRGB color gamut. Do you have more budget? Then you can also opt for even better displays that also support Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts.
Screen type
IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels are best because of their wide viewing angle and accurate color reproduction. This means you see the same sharp images from almost every viewing angle.
Other laptop tips suitable for photo editing
There are also a number of other tips that are worthwhile when choosing a laptop suitable for photo editing.
Calibration
For accurate color reproduction, it is good to calibrate your screen periodically. Use a hardware calibrator to optimize color reproduction again.
Cooling laptop
Photo editing programs are heavy tasks that require your laptop to work hard. This causes the laptop to become warm and may even overheat. Therefore, look for a laptop with an efficient cooling system and place your laptop on a laptop stand so that it can ventilate sufficiently and lose heat.
Battery life
Are you also working on photos while traveling? Then you may not always have the option to connect the laptop to a charger. Therefore, look for a laptop with a battery life of at least 8 hours for basic use. Do you often find yourself in situations where you cannot charge your laptop? Then look for a laptop with a longer battery life. This reduces the chance that you regularly drain the battery of your laptop, which has a negative effect on the lifespan of the battery.
Ports and connectivity
As a photographer, you would at least want a laptop with an SD card reader so that you can insert the SD card from your camera directly into the laptop. You can also consider USB ports to connect something to. Thunderbolt 3/4 ports are a plus because of their high speed.