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I'm in Bridge and I can't get it apply a rating with either the keyboard or the Label menu). I'm in the Essentials pane and I press the spacebar to see the photo full screen. I press Command+5 (or whatever number) and nothing happens. The star ratings don't respond. I used bridge a few months ago and it all worked just fine. All Adobe apps are up to date (I have Adobe cloud subscription). The computer is up to date. There's plenty of free space. I've tried purging the cache and resetting the preferences in Bridge. Also, possibly related (?), I can open a file from Bridge to ACR, but when I hit Close I get the message "unable to save the RAW conversion settings. The file could not be created." Damien helped me pinpoint that I am able to use star ratings with files that have always been on my internal hard drive, so I think the external hd is the issue. I did recently replace it and am wondering if the formatting of the drive could be the issue? Thanks for any help you can offer!

Oh, the reason that I didn't start with the cheap Mac Mini, is due to only having a $200 difference. If you add a 1TB HD to the $599 Mac Mini, it costs $999. For $200 more, you get 24GB of RAM. Currently, when it comes to Apple's products...they are glorified iPads. Meaning, there is no upgrading ANYTHING after the fact. Want to add more RAM and a bigger internal HD? You are buying a new computer.

Yeah, 256GB is microscopic by today's standards, IF you are doing any type of photo-editing. In reality, you will need three things: At least 32GB of RAM (Preferably 64GB if you have a high MP Camera.) 1TB for the Main HD. (2TB is optional.) This is THE most important part: A NVIDIA RTX 5070 or 5080 with at least 8GB of dedicated Video Memory, preferably 12GB+. Sure, you can go with a RTX 4070, but since they are discontinued, they are getting tough to find. If that Geekom doesn't talk about the video card, or it just says, Intel Integrated Graphics, you WILL have headaches and Photoshop Bitching the whole time you are using it. So save yourself the stress. Just worrying about a PC that has enough RAM, & HD Space, along with a "Okay-ish" CPU...that worked 15+ years ago. The modern versions of Photoshop have become really bloated with all sorts of AI and Fancy Tools; that Windows computer for $999 is not going to cut it for Photoshop headed into 2026. If you think you are saving money, think again...you are just wasting it; in reality, you need to have a realistic budget around $2500 or so because in addition to the computer, you will need a IPS-Based Display. In case you are wondering, I'd rather have you get a Intel i7 CPU (Don't bother with a i5 in 2026 when it comes to PS,) and take those savings to pay for the Dedicated Video Card. Adobe's products favor NVIDIA's video cards, and there are even video drivers that are meant for Photoshop to give things a performance boost. In addition to your Windows Computer, plan on purchasing a new / un-touched External HD, preferably something large, like 8TB or so, and software that will act as a translator to go from the Macintosh File System to the Windows File System called NTFS. Apple makes is really easy to switch from Windows, and you will have a few hurdles switching back to Windows. Some folks will recommend using something called exFAT, I am one of those people who advises against it. If you did go the Mac Mini route, to get the "Macintosh Experience" that you are used to, you unfortunately will have to fork out the $1600 for the Apple Studio Display. As far as the Mac Mini, believe it or not, the model that's a little more bare-bones will work just fine with Photoshop, for the moment. My "Tricked Out" configurations are meant to last someone around 7-8 years or so. IF you get a fancy Apple Studio Display, and a Mac Mini that's a little more tame price-wise, you can always replace it in about 18 months or so and use the same display. I just configured the more expensive Mac Mini with 24GB or RAM and upgraded the HD to 1TB. 1TB is all you need. External Hard Drives are cheaper, larger and can be used for your storage needs. At this point, ANY computer will be better than what you are dealing with currently. That Mac Mini is $1199. Plus you will need a Keyboard / Mouse and the Apple Studio Display.

That's great. Could you go ahead and do the raw processing on the photo, then post it here again for me so we can discuss the robe?

Yes, they are all in raw this if the worse one.. and will not buy used, but if I can fix this one then the rest will be easy as long as I know how to do it ]

I am currently using a MacBook Air, 16GB ram and 256GB memory and it getting difficult to edit due to the memory and scratch disc issues. I’ve looked at getting the Mac mini but to spec it up it’s expensive. An alternative at the moment is a windows mini pc with 32GB ram and 2TB memory. I’ve looked at the Geekom. Can I have an opinion and info on what else I should be looking for. Thanks

It's too damn insane! I updated from Lr 14 to 15.0.1 and as soon as Avast goes off there is a difference in performance. So... we're still alive at least for now. Let's hope Win 12 (or whatever is next) is the good one of the sequence...

I don't know, sorry.

I'm going to take pictures at a Dog Walk later this month. My problem is that the humans' legs and other dogs get in the way of a good picture. I could try to get a clean (no people) picture of the area before the walk starts, but it would have to be at THE EXACT ANGLE as the pictures I end up taking, right? How do I get a clean picture of just the dogs I'm focusing on? I saw a picture of a co-photographer at a dog walk many years ago. His beautiful picture of dogs has haunted me. Mine had human legs and knees in it. lol

What cable are you using on that older G-Drive? Is it a true Thunderbolt Cable? The USB-C port (without the Thunderbolt) is just that...a USB-C Port. If you want the faster transfer speeds that Thunderbolt offers, you need to use the one with the Lightening Bolt. Both a USB-C Cable and a Thunderbolt Cable use a USB-C style connector, so it can be confusing. The next step is to check your box of cables and make sure you are using an actual Thunderbolt Cable (They usually have a Lightening Bolt on the connectors) before connecting the EHD. If you aren't sure, you can purchase one such as this or just fork out the money and buy a genuine Apple Thunderbolt 5 Cable. You could use that Thunderbolt 5 Cable from the Mac to the Sandisk, then use the Sandisk's Cable from the Sandisk to the older G-Drive. How old is your Mac? I'm also wondering if there is some sort of power issue if your Mac has some years on it; but I'm leaning towards a cable problem at the moment.

The new Scan Disk works great using the Thunderbolt. But now for some reason the Gforce (older one) will not work with the thunderbolt to thunderbolt socket on the external. It will work in the port without the "lightening streak" but in neither of the two with. I get the message "Cannot use the thunderbolt accessary. Connect accessory to a thunderbolt port on this Mac". The new scan disk works using the same port on MAC with the "lightening bolt" port on external. Any ideas if a setting could be causing this? I rebooted is about the only thing I know to try.

Are they raw files?

Yes please, I am usually standing where you see the family with the cell phones -but that was family and I was unable to .. so I had to be above them.. NOT the spot to be but it was my only choice. I have about 20 to fix .. I don't think the robe she had on was weighted at the bottom so was floating way too much.

To cover the leg, do you mean?

Hi how do I extend the robe?I have tried everything with my limited knowledge. I have about 20 to fix up.

You don’t need Anti-Virus software. It’s not the 1990’s. Believe it or not, Windows Defender is fine for what it is. Just make sure you keep it updated by running Windows updates But Avast getting in the way does make sense. McAfee, Norton / Symantec, etc have been draining resources and getting in the way for years. Thanks for the reminder.

So... after doing some digging in the internet, I came across a suggestion to turn off my graphics processor and also disable Avast; and guess what? Seems to be working now. I don't even know if laugh or cry at this point of Windows. They need to come up with whatever it is after 11 pronto!

Thank you again so very much. Will do.

Yes. Ventura is very stable and a mature OS at this point. I found no problems with PS CC 2023 and my 2017 Intel 27" iMac. If you are running CleanMyMac X, make sure you update it to the latest version before running it. Utility programs such as those need to stay current with the OS.

Thank you soooo much Brian! This indeed helps. So far it is just the mail on my computer that isn't working (I am doing a run around by going to gmail directly). I am definitely behind on PS as I am running 2023 but for my work, it is ok for now. I will hold out then until April/May as I would like to get as long as possible from my computer. This one is 2017 but it is running Big Sur. Do you think I should try updating to Ventura like you have?

Here is an interesting read that agrees with my thinking: M4 vs. M5 Chip Buyer's Guide: How Much Better Really Is M5? Give it a read. I still think the M4 Mac Studio still has some life left in it. Maybe not a full 8-10+ years, but you should get at least 5-7 years out of the thing.

This is a real tough question at this point. While the M5 Macs have been released for the 14" MacBook Pro, the Desktops are rumored to be updates in April - May of 2026. Which is typical for Apple's product cycles. The tough part from my POV, is that the current M4 products and my recommendations from earlier this year are still viable, and with M5 Macs coming next year, I want to stress that the next generation is upon us. If you can hold out until then it might be worth waiting. Unfortunately, it always seems to happen at this time of year that people just can't wait any longer and NEED SOMETHING NOW!! When I configure my computer configurations, I'm building for the Photoshop and programs for years down the line. Yes, they tend to be more expensive, but I have had users get 8-10+ years out of models that I picked for them. Some folks are still running on Macs from around 2013!! That said, those folks are less these days, for obvious reasons. The good news is, Apple's pricing remains consistent from each newer model year, it's just an overall performance boost. So what to do? It really depends on your budget as there are two paths you can go as far as the Desktops are concerned: Buy a Mac Studio, especially "Brian's This Goes to 11" Configuration." Buy a Mac Mini. Save a little cash, but not as much as one would think. In either configuration, you are purchasing the 27" Apple Studio Display for $1600. Plus a new Calibrator if yours has a few years on it. The bottom line is this: Practically ALL computers today are fine for the current version of Adobe Photoshop. The issue is...how long does that computer last for the Photoshop versions a few years from now? Personally, I like 7-8 year cycles for my stuff, but if you go with a lower-end model, or last year's technology...you might be in the market sooner, rather than later. That said, if you and I had this same discussion say...4-6 months ago, I'd tell you to buy a Mac M4 Studio without second thought. For the average day-to-day stuff, there isn't THAT much difference between a M4 and a M5. The difference is, ALL OF THE AI CRAP...that will run better on a M5 in the future vs a M4. Adobe keeps adding AI Crap, so it might become an issue in about 5-6 years from now IF you went with the M4 Macs. Of course, that's if you ever use the Fancy Tools and other AI Crap. For some, 5-6 years is still decent. You will never-ever-ever win the "Catch Up Game." There will always be something bigger, better, faster, more. To paraphrase Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time technology that is given us we purchase..." Scroll down to the "Mac Studio - This Goes to 11 Version" section. That's what I would buy. There's your problem. If you let your macOS get too far out of date and you buy a new fancy iPhone, with the latest iOS...you are gonna have problems. I have had the exact same issues with my 2017 iMac and when I update my iPhone 13 Pro to the latest iOS. Specifically, it's not the iPhone per se, but your iCloud Account getting in the way. How old is your Mac? I'm currently running and stuck on macOS Ventura with my 2017 Intel iMac. The next OS above this one needs a 2019 iMac. The only real way to fix this is to upgrade your macOS to the latest version that you can. Or just buy a new Mac if you want a long term solution.

Hi Brian. I have 2 questions. 1. I will need a new iMac soon (within the month) and wondering if you have any update to your recommendations from early 2025. 2. Yesterday, I had to get a new iPhone Now my email on my desktop won't download new messages. It says I need to put in password in Internet Accounts. I try to do this and all I get is the spinning rods. I can access this gmail from gmail, just not on my Mac email. Does this make sense?? Has my new phone interacted and caused an issue? Help! I am operating Big Sur, 11.7.10. I shut my computer off each night. Last run Clean My Mac 3 weeks ago. Thank you so much for your help.

Laptops are ergonomic nightmares. Make sure your next computer is a desktop.

Ok. Thank you!