I have a Dell XPS, and now I wish to buy a new laptop, which I use mostly for photo or video editing for my personal use.
At first I had my mindset to wait for the apple MacPro M5 which is still not available in my country, But then I realised that Apple are very difficult to add software especially the cracked version. Re Photoshop as its getting very difficult to install cracked I will buy it monthly accordingly if I am using it or not.
Any suggestions on what to buy please, shall I stick to Mac or buy Windows? Budget about 2k
Pepper et all
Here's something to consider. For the work you are looking at performing, I would think you should consider something other than a laptop. It seems as soon as you invest a pant load of cash in a high end laptop, it becomes quickly dated. I know I should bite my tongue, but MacBooks are usually at the pinnacle of tech development at the time. Due to their lack of competitors, once a model is introduced the software supporting it only needs major updates until a newer model is introduced.
My reasoning about the mini vs. laptop is the ability to upgrade individual components as technology is under constant change.
In your case, I encounter the same problems. In the video work I do laptops regardless of Apple vs. IBM clone (remember that term?
) Video/stills programs increasingly rely on GPU cycles to perform AI functions. Unfortunately as we all know with a laptop WYSIWYG with no possibility of replenishing the hardware, not to mention the power graphic cards consume or the heat they generate. I would also contend that laptop displays aren't the finest and due to the nature of the beast, their performance drifts the more the machine is transported and the environmental extremes they are subjected to.
2 grand is a lot of money to invest for technology that begins depreciate the moment the start button is pressed for the first time. I look more as laptops as a portable workhorse. Although I may be partial to a couple of brands/product lines, I concluded this after decades of repairs and refurbishment of literally thousands of makes and models in my years as a tech/engineer. So #1 in my book are Dell Latitudes and #2 are Lenovo Thinkpads. I wouldn't consider any other brand of Windows laptops.
Latitudes are tough enough but don't sacrifice that for usability. Over the years of ownership of more than 15 models, I have yet to encounter anything I would call a weakness. Other than #2, I could list a litany of problems I had to repair over and over and that's the buzzword, over and over. Dell's driver support is excellent as well. In the commercial lines, Dell vets manufacturer released drivers, many times subtlety optimizing the driver for their own unique configuration.
#2 Lenovo Thinkpads. I have always had a relatively new Thinkpad starting with the "T" series IBM branded models. Once you own one, you will appreciate it. Tough, sleek, and good (not always great) performance. There is something about the entire package. Indisputably the finest keyboards in the business. For some reason they have had problems with the cooling fans in some models, an easy fix. Support is always top-shelf. Lenovo is a funny (weird, not laughable. Wait maybe they are) company. If you have encountered their support, it's bizzarro. It's almost like there are two companies. Thinkpad and then all the others. I bought an early "smart clock" from Lenovo. Clearly the fluorescent display was/is faulty but only showed up after short warranty expired. The problem either arises from the display fails or the support IC, Lenovo never admitted to either other than to imply they manufactured either one and I was SOL. Undeterred, I bought their "smart clock 2". It is a really great piece, how ironic. Still the lack of any responsibility of the problem, regardless of how many owners sending pictures of defective displays. I currently own that decent at the time a P7 Lenovo gaming laptop. At best it was so-so when practically new. I still have it, albeit running Linux Mint. Not a Thinkpad, no way, no how.
I gave the GF a Dell XPS, although is capable, still haven't done the Win 11 upgrade. I can't wait until she starts complaining. Startallback is going to be her best friend. Non-nerdy users get locked into clicking memories, like muscle memories. Oh well, thanks Microsoft. The XPS does have a glitzy look and a clear bright display. I guess it has decent performance, haven't heard any complaints. Her world revolves around her latest release iPad. I stay out of it and I get last gen iPad handed down to me.
SO
To conclude, I would definitely make a pros vs. cons sheet of the laptop you want and it's cost of purchase and possible needed repairs and hopefully no accidents. Most important you are tying up ~$2,000 that is going to immediately go down in value. If you buy a mini (that has expansion slots) and display that system will ultimately have a longer lifespan than the laptop. If you go the Apple route these points are moot with the exception you should expect to pay a premium price for comparably performing Windows hardware.
Not an easy decision. Unfortunately you are the only one who can accurately answer these questions.
