Processors are broadly a case of paying more for more performance. The processor is often referred to as the brain of your computer.

These components apply both to laptops and to desktops, although my specific product recommendations below are generally for desktops. Throughout the rest of the guide, I’ll dive into the exact computer components – processor, RAM, GPU, and storage – that matter the most as a photographer. Of course, this is all a generalization, and you can find laptops that are exceptions to some of these points, but that’s the general situation of laptops vs desktops. There is more room to customize a desktop and tailor it to your needs as they change over time. For this reason, desktops can be more future-proof than a laptop.īeyond that, desktops are generally less expensive (for a given amount of performance), and often more powerful than an equivalent laptop. Meanwhile, on a typical desktop computer, there is no shortage of upgrades you can make in the future. Even Windows laptops that are easier to upgrade are often limited just to RAM or storage. That said, the MacBook Pro is also an example of the drawbacks of a laptop for photographers: They’re usually much harder to upgrade. I particularly like the MacBook Pro ( see my guide to buying the right one as a photographer) as the most recent model offers great performance, tons of battery life, and a high-quality screen. They also already include a monitor, keyboard, and trackpad. Laptops in general offer far more portability than a desktop, and they’re usually “ready-built,” at least to a greater degree than a typical desktop. There are a number of great laptops to choose from as a photographer.

The first choice you need to make when you’re getting a new photo editing setup is the type of computer itself: a laptop, or a desktop.

Impact of Machine Learning for Photo Editing.

Does RAM Speed Matter for Photo Editing?.

How Much RAM Do I Need for Photo Editing?.

My Processor Recommendations for Photo Editing.

Best laptop for photo and video editing