I need a new computer, can you tell me if what I am looking at will be enough?

[Gemma Schaefer]

Hi Brian,

My laptop is on it's way out and I need to replace. The tech guy in my networking group suggested two options but I honestly don't know if they have everything I need. And also if the graphics card is good enough for the latest version of photoshop.

Would you be able to offer any advice on if either of these are good for me?

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/dell-inspiron-15-fhd-15-6-touchscreen-laptopintel-i7-1355u32gb-ram2tb-ssdintel-uhd-graphicswindows-11-black/J3K4L94VSW

 

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/dell-15-6-fhd-touchscreen-laptopintel-i7-1355u32gb-ram2tb-ssdbacklit-keyboardfingerprintwin-11-black/J3K4L9W8HP

 

Thank you

[Brian]

No to either of those! 

I’m sure money is tight, but a $1000 laptop isn’t going to cut it for today’s modern Photoshop. What is a dead give-away is the “Intel UHD Graphics.” That video card is meant for general computing, wasting time on FB, watching YouTube, Netflix, doing taxes, answering e-mails…everything else BUT Photoshop!

Adobe’s products are using the GPU and dedicated Video Memory in order to support all the new AI Slop, fancy tools, and for a performance boost. Hell, even things like ACR use the GPU these days! (Graphics Processing Unit) Photoshop with the Intel UHD Integrated Graphics, will do nothing but complain and give you error after error message, and the lag…the lag will be unbearable. This isn’t CS6, where you could get away with a low-end card; PS has become a REAL Bloated Beast in 2026. 

Now for the fun part. Since AI is all the rage and companies are jumping on the bandwagon, things like RAM and Storage are going to be priced at a premium since manufactures are catering to them and ignoring the consumer market. Even my beloved Crucial RAM is no more, Micron has shut that part of the business down in order to sell to AI Data-centers. . So expect to pay $3000-$4000 for a Windows Laptop that’s “Good for Photo Editing” in 2026. 

[Brian]

No to either of those! 

I’m sure money is tight, but a $1000 laptop isn’t going to cut it for today’s modern Photoshop. What is a dead give-away is the “Intel UHD Graphics.” That video card is meant for general computing, wasting time on FB, watching YouTube, Netflix, doing taxes, answering e-mails…everything else BUT Photoshop!

Adobe’s products are using the GPU and dedicated Video Memory in order to support all the new AI Slop, fancy tools, and for a performance boost. Hell, even things like ACR use the GPU these days! (Graphics Processing Unit) Photoshop with the Intel UHD Integrated Graphics, will do nothing but complain and give you error after error message, and the lag…the lag will be unbearable. This isn’t CS6, where you could get away with a low-end card; PS has become a REAL Bloated Beast in 2026. 

Now for the fun part. Since AI is all the rage and companies are jumping on the bandwagon, things like RAM and Storage are going to be priced at a premium since manufactures are catering to them and ignoring the consumer market. Even my beloved Crucial RAM is no more, Micron has shut that part of the business down in order to sell to AI Data-centers. . So expect to pay $3000-$4000 for a Windows Laptop that’s “Good for Photo Editing” in 2026. 

This is a laptop that you should be looking at for Photoshop in 2026:

Lenovo Laptop for Photoshop

Now before you ask, no…there really isn’t a cheaper alternative. Everything costs so much in 2026, because things are “Made in China.” So you have Tariffs messing with things. But keep this in mind, Rent is between $1800-$2000 a month, houses that should be $300,000 or less are being sold for $500,000+. A Big Mac Meal used to be $5, now it’s around $14. EVERYTHING IS MORE EXPENSIVE!!! Now with RAM shortages, it’s only going to get worse. 

[Gemma Schaefer]

Than you so much for your quick and thorough response. I really appreciate it. I am happy to spend the money on a 'real' computer if it means it will actually do what I need. Mine is coming up on 10 years old so well over due for a new one and doesn't have half the stuff I should have I am sure.

The one you sent the link for is saying that it is not available at the moment. As long as I look for something that has those stats I should be good to go I assume?

[Gemma Schaefer]

Otherwise, do you happen to have any other links to laptops that are comparable?