If you’re a professional photographer or serious hobbyist, you’ll be spending a lot of your time editing on a computer aside from taking snaps with your camera. Many photographers choose to use laptops for their photography, but if you don’t always have to be on the go, you’ll have a much more pleasant editing experience with a desktop computer.
Jul 17, 2017 Photographer Manny Ortiz uses both Windows and Mac computers to edit his photos and video work, so when it came time to choose his next laptop he had a choice: 15-inch MacBook Pro or spec-ed out Dell XPS 15. He chose the PC, and in this video he offers the top 5 reasons why he made that choice. Most Mac vs PC opinions are put out there by people who are heavily invested on one side.
Photo editing on Photoshop and Lightroom demands a lot of disk space and processing power — aside from a large monitor where you won’t need to struggle when editing small, intricate details. This is where desktop computers come in, as they are generally built to provide more multitasking power without any visible lag time.
But don’t just choose any desktop PC. There are certain desktop computer features and specifications that photo editing requires in order to ensure a faster and more efficient workflow, including a large high-resolution screen, fast processor (CPU), mid-range or higher graphics card (GPU), at least 8GB of memory (RAM), and at least 1TB worth of storage space.
To help narrow down your search, here’s our list of the best desktops for photography that the market — and Adorama — currently offers.
Best Desktop Computers for Photography
- PC is an age-old debate. Some people prefer Macs, others prefer PCs, while yet another group likes them all. It’s generally understood that either system is good for regular computer work, depending on your preferences. But what about video editing? “This post may contain affiliate links.
- Jan 15, 2017 Or build a really great PC with a 12 core Xeon or a 6950X and add two Titan XPs in SLI or something crazy like that. What will it be better for me. Are there any advantages on Mac OS for Premiere, Media Composer or any editing software (except final cut pro cause obviously it's only for mac), in.
- This is a very important factor you should consider when purchasing a PC for video editing. For an example, if you find video decoding and encoding to be slow, if you have a mac you cannot swap out a CPU, but on a PC you have more freedom to do so. There far more windows systems than mac.
- PC VS MAC - Which is the best for editing? - Duration: 6:44. Sheldon Evans 169,768 views. $1350 PC vs $5000 iMac PRO for Video Editing 😲 Premiere & Resolve - Duration: 13:45.
Before you buy a desktop, it’s crucial that you understand its features and specs. From there, you can start determining whether or not it can meet your photo editing needs — and your budget.
Apple Mac Mini (Late 2018) ()
The new Mac mini was definitely worth the wait. While it comes in the same small and stylish body that’s familiar to Apple loyalists, it’s packed with brilliant new components — including the latest Intel 6-core processor, support for up to 64GB RAM, and up to 2TB of storage. These make it especially powerful for photo editing, spacious for storing thousands of images, and portable for on-the-go use with other Mac computer components.
Key Specifications:
- Intel Core i3 – i7 Processor
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- 8GB – 64GB RAM / 512GB – 2TB SSD
- 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Ports
- Supports 5K+4K or Three 4K Video Display Setups
- macOS Mojave Operating System
Microsoft Surface Studio 2 ()
Microsoft’s line of Surface computer systems has gained massive popularity for its spectacular features, both on their laptop and desktop offerings. In fact, it’s considered to be the direct competitor of Apple products. So if you’re looking for an incredibly powerful and stylish all-in-one PC that’s a little more affordable, the Surface Studio is for you.
The newly released 2nd generation Surface Studio offers more than enough of the required specs for photo editing but its biggest edge is its 28-inch PixelSense Multi-Touch Display, which can be folded flat so that you can easily use the Surface Pen on it for a more intuitive touch navigation and editing experience.
Key Specifications:
- Intel Core™ i7-7820HQ Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060-1070 6GB GDDR5
- 28” (4500×3000) PixelSense Multi-Touch Display
- 16GB – 32GB RAM / 1TB – 2TB SSD
- SDXC Memory Card Reader
- 4x USB 3.0, 1x USB-C Ports
- Windows 10 Pro Operating System
Apple iMac Pro ()
The iMac Pro is considered to be the most powerful Apple computer, thanks to its excellent design and extraordinarily powerful all-in-one hardware system. Released in December 2017, the iMac Pro features advanced computer technologies, offers a selection of powerful Intel Xeon W processors, lots of graphical power, and massive RAM and storage space.
It does come with a premium price tag (more so for the higher end models), but if you have the budget for it, you’re sure to have all the power you need for heavy, high-resolution photo editing.
Key Specifications:
- Intel Xeon W Processor
- AMD Radeon Pro Vega 56 – 64 Graphics Card
- 32GB – 128GB RAM / 1TB – 4TB SSD
- 27” 5K (5120 x 2880) Retina Display
- SD/SDHC/SDXC Media Card Slots
- 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C), 4x USB 3.0 Type-A Ports
- 4x Mini DisplayPort via Type-C
- macOS High Sierra Operating System
Apple iMac (2017) ()
For a more modest version of the iMac Pro, the latest Apple iMac is definitely worth considering. The 2017 release boats a gorgeous 21.5-inch Retina display with a maximum resolution of 4096 x 2304 for a truly immersive visual experience. Even more important for many photographers and editors is that it uses Apple’s P3 wide color gamut display to provide more accurate displays of your photos.
Paired with great graphics, a fast processor, lots of RAM and storage space (with hard disk drive support), most would still agree that it’s worth the investment.
Key Specifications:
- Intel i5 – i7 Processor
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 – AMP Radeon Pro 560
- 8GB – 32GB RAM / Up to 1TB HDD, 1TB SSD
- 21.5” (Diagonal) Retina 4K P3 Display
- SDXC Media Card Slot
- 4x USB 3.0, 2x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Ports
- macOS Sierra Operating System
Dell XPS Tower 8930 ()
The Dell XPS 8930 is a tower desktop computer component that excludes a display, yet it makes nearly every list of the best desktop computers for photographers. Those with a particular need for speed will love its Intel Core i7-8700 six-core processor, which has a maximum clock speed of 3.20 but can overclock at 4.60 GHz.
Aside from offering up to 64GB DDR4 SDRAM, the XPS 8930 can provide up to 1TB of hard drive (7200 rpm SATA) to match its powerful graphics. It’s also preloaded with Windows 10, so you can start installing your preferred editing software instantly.
Key Specifications:
- 8th Gen Intel i7-8700 6-Core Processor
- Intel UHD Graphics 630 – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
- 8GB – 64GB DDR4 SDRAM
- Up to 1TB SATA HHD + 16GB Intel Optane
- 2x USB 2.0, 7x USB 3.1, 1x USB Type-C Ports
- Windows 10 Pro (64-Bit) Operating System
Intel NUC 8 VR Mini PC Kit ()
The Intel NUC 8 VR Mini PC is also referred to as a Barebones system, which works well for advanced users who want a more customized approach to building a rig that can meet their demands for photo editing and other>)
The CyberPowerPC Gamer Ultra may not be marketed as a computer for professional imaging use, but its very “gaming” specs are what make it perfect for heavy editing workflows. Its AMD multi-core processor, excellent graphics card, and 1TB storage capacity make it a breeze to use several editing applications at the same time.
Mac Vs Pc For Video Editing Free
With its moderate price tag, preinstalled Windows 10 Home, included keyboard and mouse, and support for multiple monitors, this powerful gaming PC is an excellent choice for photographers who need stunning graphics and visuals for high-resolution editing.
Key Specifications:
- AMD FX-6300 6-Core Processor
- Radeon R7 240 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card
- 8GB DDR3 RAM / 1TB 7200rpm SATA III HDD
- 4x USB 2.0, 4x USB 3.0, 1x HDMI Ports
- Windows 10 Home (64-Bit) Operating System
Dell Alienware Aurora R7 ()
Like the XPS 8930, the Alienware Aurora R7 is another popular Dell tower desktop that promises high-speed operations, extraordinary graphics, and massive memory to boot. This feature-packed hardware, with its many connectivity options, make it a great system for any photographer or photo editor who’s looking to work professionally and produce multiple high-resolution photos on a regular basis.
Key Specifications:
Mac Or Pc For Video Editing 2019
- Intel Core i7-8700 Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5
- 16GB RAM / Up to 2TB HDD + 256GB SSD
- 3x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.0 Type-C Front Ports
- 6x USB 2.0 (Type-A), 2x USB 3.1 (Type A), 1x USB 3.1 (Type-C), 3x USB 3.0 (Type-A) Rear Ports
- Windows 10 Home (64-Bit) Operating System