Photography laptop

=adrian=

DisplayCAL is calibration software. It works with most hardware calibrators like X-rite, Spyder, etc. I have been using default Spyder software for years and this is only the first time I used D-CAL, so it is still a little bit confusing, but it seems like a little bit more in-depth.

=adrian=

When it comes to the GPU, I'll post it here for people who are interested. It seems like this is normal that the laptop defaults to interated GPU instead of dedicated GPU. From what I read so far dedicated GPU is there just to aid the integrated card, not a standalone like in desktop PCs. Plenty of people complain that even though they have a dedicated GPU in their laptop, they cannot play some games because they only detect the integrated card. I'm not sure if this is all laptops or just Dell, but that's what I read while doing my research today.

roll1later

My recently bought HP did exactly this as well I think, makes no sense!

=adrian=

From what I've read yesterday. Most laptops with a "dedicated" GPU are "hybrids", so the second GPU is only there to give a little boost to the integrated GPU. Everythings still has to go through integrated GPU, so in a way this is just marketing to say such and such laptop has "dedicated" GPU. Only the high end gaming laptops have really dedicated GPUs. The rest are just hybrids with a software switch between the two.

I'm not too bothered (yet), because I don't plan to do gaming on it, but I can totally understand while people are not happy with this.

I said "yet" because I have not installed Photoshop on it yet. If the performance is terrible, then I might change my mind.

=adrian=

I know you all are at the edge of your seats waiting for an update in regards to my bag decisions. So, here it is I've decided not to take any shoots on and just concentrate on editing. Therefore I have went for a backpack which will hold my laptop plus wacom tablet plus all the acessories. Just been delivered today and everything fits in nicely. Quite happy with it. I have also bought additional sleeve for the laptop (remember when I said I like to look after my gear?). So both laptop and tablet have their own sleeves and both fit into the backpack in their sleeves. Lovely jobly

=adrian=

OK, so the cooling is rubbish on this laptop. I have hit 100C during my first test retouch on it. Any ideas?

                                                                                                                                       

snerkler

=adrian=

Is Mac better in that regard? Have you tested temps with heavy photoshoping? Not looking to compare, just curious.

snerkler

Yep, the CPU's do get very hot, but up to about 80 degrees off the top of my head. The heat just gets dissipated into the case instead and you end up with burnt legs if you're using a laptop The iMac's and much better at getting rid of heat, as you'd expect.

=adrian=

Yes, my desktop never get above 50 degrees when photoshopping.

I have lifted the back end of the laptop yesterday and rested it on a couple of magazines, so that it doesn't lay flat on the desk and it only hit 92C max, but it is still way too hot. Granted, it is summer, it is quite stuffy in my studio, window was shut, but I plan to be taking it abroad with me, and often it will be even warmer outside and I can't really be focusing on heat management while I need to get some work done. I will be doing some more testing today, once I finish with the podcast, but other than opening the window and lifting the laptop off the desk, I have no ideas really on how to improve things.

There are plenty of aftermarket cooler pads, but I cannot be lugging that with me abroad. They are bigger than the laptop itself. I already have the laptop (which is quite heavy) and my wacom tablet in my backpack, plus all the accessories plus additional stuff. Besides, it will look quite strange if I unload all of my hardware onto a cafe table when on holiday and start working... with a bunch of fans whirring like a jet engine There are also fans on the market that suck the hot air out of the laptop, they are smaller in size, but they require side vents, while I only have vents on the bottom and back. I'm kind of stuck