NMH

You're the best! Thank you so much. This is exactly what I needed to help me make this decision. ❤️

Alright, Brian...I know, it's taken me a long time to save up but I'm going to make this purchase in the next couple weeks! It's happening! With these 16GB video card options, I'm wavering on the RTX 4070 Ti vs splurging on the 4080. Do you think the 4080 is worth the extra $$$? Also, any recommendation on a "good enough" 30ish inch monitor to go with it? I'll be calibrating it to use for photo editing, and then hopefully investing in an upgrade in a year or so. Truly appreciate your advice!!

Hahaha...fair enough. I'll be more cautious and attempt not to tempt The Universe. Thanks for the info!

Oh man, this is SO helpful!!!! Truly, such a relief to get sound, THOROUGH advice. I think I knew the truth about the budget in my gut, so not a huge surprise. I *may* need to attempt to get through this fall season and build up the extra cash, but I'll keep a constant eye online for any great sales. The parameters you spelled out and the info on the video card help a lot. The video editing is not a deal breaker, but if I'm going for a new computer, might as well be set up properly. Printing this out and taping it on the wall next to me! I'll let you know when I make the switch...oh, that being said do you think there will be any complications changing over from mac to windows? I have all my files on an external drive attached to my mac for now (and I'm pretty sure I read in some post somewhere that you said I need to have the files I'm editing on my computer's hard drive...like, how many ways could one person go wrong?)...can I just plug the external into the new windows computer and use them that easily?

Hi Brian, I'm getting ready to start editing a higher volume of photos than I'm used to (relatively small scale school photography). I also do some interior photography and headshots/portraits. I'm on a MacBook and HATE it (slow, small, hopeless). If I had found this group sooner, I would have known better. Budget is an issue but so is my sanity, and frankly my ability to complete a job. I read your posts about buying in 2023 and the new Photoshop, but as I'm scrolling through options it looks like those video cards are already updated to newer versions. Obviously, I'm here because I'm not tech savvy. I know you said *sometimes* newer isn't better, but I wouldn't know. I'd be so grateful for your specific guidance. I'd like a Windows desktop that I can use primarily for Lightroom/Photoshop/Imagen...maybe some basic video editing in Capcut. Something that will hopefully last a while. And probably a 32ish inch monitor. I have a Calibrite device. I use a Canon R6 MII most of the time. Is there a world where I can do this under $1500? Or am I going to regret not spending a little more now to have something that will last longer with all these software developments? If I have to keep clicking and waiting forever, it'll just be so disappointing. I do have a 27 inch Dell monitor that I can get by with for a minute if I need to wait on that. I usually like to buy things at Costco if I can...if they have something acceptable? Partly because of the return policy and extended warranty, but also because the limited options help me narrow things down. I'm open to going elsewhere, I just get overwhelmed. The person to talked me into the mac just gave awful advice. I would really really appreciate your help.