Last Updated on 06/25/2019 by Mark Beckenbach
If your current PC huffs and puffs through post-processing, it may be time for a radical upgrade.
These days, computers are definitely something we take for granted, and we seem to think that the one we have is ‘good enough’ to get the job done when it comes to editing images or creating other forms of content, but my how times have changed. These days you need a pretty beefy PC just to even meet the requirements set forth by both Adobe and Capture One, and to get the absolute best performance possible you need a speed demon of a PC. If you’re finding that your current system sounds like a jet engine at full power when you’re editing images, it’s probably time for a new computer. Here we will take a quick look at some of the best PC’s (desktops and laptops) for post-processing and content creation.
The top of the line PC’s we are showing here are more than capable of blowing through any project you have on your schedule. In fact, these computers won’t even break a sweat when it comes to editing large batches of images and editing 4K (and even 8K) video. With RAW file sizes creeping higher and higher, and pixel shift images hitting 190MB a file, RAW processing power is what’s needed, and these computers have that in abundance. Let’s take a quick look at six blazing fast PC’s that will make your post-processing headache a thing of the past.
Corsair One Desktop PC: The Everything PC
The Corsair One is a seriously powerful Desktop PC. Not only will this computer rip through batches of photos with ease, but it will also tackle demanding 4K, and even 8K, video editing effortlessly. The Corsair One is incredibly small too, so the rig won’t take up much space in your workspace. The base model comes equipped with an Intel i7-7700K processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a GTX 1080 Ti GPU, a 480GB M.2 SSD, a 2TB hard drive, and this beast is water cooled. The base model blows the minimum requirements for both Lightroom and Capture One out of the water, but if you want to go all in you can get a model with the latest i9-9920x, a GTX 2080 Ti, 32GB of DDR 4 RAM, and a 960GB M.2 SSD. Check out a full review of the Corsair One over at TechRadar.
Prices start at $2,300:Â Amazon
HP Z8 Workstation Desktop: All the Ports
Another powerful Windows 10 based desktop, the HP Z8 workstations are packed with outstanding components that will make mincemeat out of any post-processing task or video editing project you have. Powered by Intel Xeon processors, the Z8 workstations are designed for creators whose work is incredibly demanding. The base model comes with 16GB of RAM, a 256GB M.2 SSD, and a whopping 10 USB 3.0 ports. The final specs of each machine are customizable, with a fully maxed out HP Z8 workstation featuring up to 3TB of RAM, two Intel Xeon processors, up to three 16GB NVIDIA Quadro GP100 Graphics Card, and up to 48TB of storage. These are serious machines for the most serious content creators.
Prices start at $2,581.03: Amazon
Pro Tip: Some top of the line monitors on the market come calibrated out of the box, but a lot of them don’t and this can become a real issue for photographers. Making sure your colors are accurate and true is vital, especially if you print your images. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to calibrate any monitor you have. The Datacolor Spyder X Elite, is a sensor you simply place on your monitor, and then you run intuitive software that will help make sure the colors displayed are totally accurate. The Spyder X Elite is easy to use and affordable too.
Microsoft Surface Studio 2: An Arrow Aimed at Apple
The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 may just be the most innovative, all-in-one PC on the market. Designed with content creators in mind, Surface Studio 2 will save you incredible amounts of time and introduce new ways for you to interact with your work. The base model Microsoft Surface Studio 2 comes with an Intel i7, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, an NVIDIA GTX 1060 GPU, and an incredible 28″ display with a resolution of 4000 x 3500 which tilts to 20 degrees. This allows you to use the screen as a massive canvas with the Surface pen and makes post-processing a piece of cake. The top of the line model bumps up the specs to an i7 with 32GB of RAM, 2TB of storage, and a GTX 1070 8GB GPU. Check out a full review of the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 over at PC Mag.
Prices start at $3,499: Amazon
Gigabyte Aero 15 Laptop: A Small Powerhouse
If laptops are more of your thing, Gigabyte Aero 15 is an excellent place to start looking. This 15.6″ laptop has an ultra-thin bezel, 8.5 hours of battery life, and the Samsung 3840 x 2160 AMOLED display is certified to be perfectly calibrated via X-Rite Pantone. The base model packs a punch with an Intel i7-9750h, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with 6GB of GDDR6 RAM, there’s 8GB of DDR4 2666MHz RAM and an M.2 NVMe PCIe 256GB SSD, a backlit keyboard, and a UHS-II card reader. It also comes pre-loaded with Windows 10 Home. This laptop is more than powerful enough to just about any image processing job you have and will run Lightroom and Capture One 12 with ease. If you want to beef things up, the fully loaded model has an i9-9980 processor, an RTX 2080 GPU, 64GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage space. Check out a full review over at PC Mag.
Prices start at $1,699: Amazon
Pro Tip: Not all displays are compatible with pens and styluses that make editing and post-processing easy. There are ways that you can add functionality like this to any desktop or laptop PC though. Tablets like the Wacom Intuos Pro simply attach to a spare USB port on your computer, and you can then use the tablet and pen to draw or brush directly on to the image that you’re working on. Setups like this make editing even the smallest of details during post-processing easy.
HP ZBook X2: Versatility
A detachable laptop that’s billed as having the world’s most advanced detachable display, the HP ZBook X2 delivers desktop performance in a laptop package. The 4K UHD touch display is a 100% Adobe RGB calibrated screen that is capable of displaying 1 billion colors on its 10-bit panel. The Wacom EMR pen never needs charging, has 4,096 pressure sensitive levels, and has zero latency, which means editing small details will be easy. Powered by an Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, and a Quadro M620 GPU, this laptop will get the job done in a hurry. You’ll also find 2 Thunderbolt 3.0 ports, an HDMI 1.4 port, a USB 3.0 port, and an integrated card reader. If you like the idea of a laptop with a detachable Bluetooth keyboard that can be used as a tablet, check out the HP Zbook X2. There is a full review at Laptop MagÂ
Prices start at $2,667.82: Amazon
Microsoft Surface Book 2: For Less Heavy Work
The Microsoft Surface set the standard for touchscreen devices when it first came out, and the Surface line continues to push technological boundaries with the new Surface Book 2. The entry-level model of this portable powerhouse comes with a 13.5″ detachable display with a resolution of 3000 x 2000, an Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, integrated graphics, and 256GB of storage. Perfect for the photographer who doesn’t need to process large batches of images. If you need the extra power for more complex editing and video work, you can buy a model with an i7, 16GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GTX 1060 GPU, and 1TB of storage. You can also bump up the screen size to a 15″ model too. Check out a review of the Surface Book 2 at TechRadar.
Prices start at $1,125: Amazon
