I need to replace my laptop and seem to be faced with a million possible configurations.
So, I would like some advice from mobile Lightroom users on how I should prioritize the specifications in terms of what should I invest in first in order to maximize performance in Lightroom V2.0 in terms of speed and function. I don’t need specific make/model recommendations as technology moves forward so fast.
This laptop is not my primary machine for Lightroom/CS3 and is used for on-the-road storage, backup to external drive, selection edit, slideshow and limited development work so I don’t want to spend a fortune getting everything (and having it weigh 10lbs). I don't intend printing from this machine.
My starting position is 4Gb of ram and 320Gb HD and a 15.4” screen to fit in my camera bag. I’m currently seeing 2.0Ghz/667Mhz and 2Mb L2 Cache as the baseline. Moving on from there, my “investment” choices seem to be:
Performance
Processor Speed
Bus Speed
Cache
Which of these is most important to Lightroom performance. Newer chips can have a slightly slower clock speed but faster/bigger bus speed and caches.
Screen Resolution – Most seem to be 1280 * 800 but I could spring for 1440 or 1600 or 1920. Functional improvement?
Screen size – Would a move to 17” pay dividends despite the need to buy yet another camera bag (and have two laptop/camera bags become purely camera bags)
Hard disk – most seem to be 5,400rpm but should I go for 7,200rpm. Is LR hard disk intensive.
Video ram – Does an increase from 256Mb dedicated to 384Mb+ buy me anything?
Firewire – not all machines come with Firewire (although I could add an Expresscard) – considering I’m backing up CF/SD cards, does Firewire offer tangible benefits
Memory – A need to move to 8Gb?
64 bit v 32 bit – the standard seems to be 64 bit – any concerns with regard to drivers?
Colour Management – any particular concerns with any of the standard pc screens from Dell/HP, etc. that I should consider
I’m sure there are other factors that I haven’t thought about but would be interested in your thoughts of which options are worth spending some additional money on.
Thanks