How to select a device

Actually, I originally had something different in mind, but the choice of my camera system also changed the demands in terms of hardware and software. I've had an HTPC built specifically for photo and video editing for over two years now, but the device runs Linux because I hate Windows. So now the question arose: what do I actually do while I travel? After all, I need something that fully meets my requirements for mobility and functionality in the hotel room. My decision to purchase a laptop was additionally influenced by the camera manufacturer. So, like so many before me, I ended up using Apple and the MacOS operating system.

I need something that is extremely powerful, but not too big or too heavy and also fits in my camera bag. Therefore, my choice quickly fell on the MacBook Pro, which is equipped with a 14" Liquid Retina display, M3 Pro chip, 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, 16-core neural engine, 36 GiB RAM and 4 TiB SSD storage. It's not exactly cheap, but less wouldn't make sense to me. With this and the right software, I can do pretty much anything my heart desires without any restrictions. For years I've avoided buying a laptop, but now it's just become necessary.

After buying back in 2018 the most expensive up to date MacBook Pro ever built (i9, top SSD, top RAM, etc), with the same idea as you on mind, I decided not to expend such amount anymore. In scarcely two years the orange screen issue appeared, so it turned out unusable for imagery purposes. Apple didn`t gave me any other option that to pay an expensive repair (screen replacement at european prices), and worst, without a warranty that the new screen were free of issues... many users related to have it again in the same short period.
It was in the third year of use, so I refused to spend more on it and bought a real pro screen instead.
The laptop was extremely powerful, to use with a 45Mp Nikon but... .
Well, this are nice computers, and a laptop is all I use since then (I had an iMac, too). Expensive, actually. But they broke like any other one.

seichenur said:

After buying back in 2018 the most expensive up to date MacBook Pro ever built (i9, top SSD, top RAM, etc), with the same idea as you on mind, I decided not to expend such amount anymore. In scarcely two years the orange screen issue appeared, so it turned out unusable for imagery purposes. Apple didn`t gave me any other option that to pay an expensive repair (screen replacement at european prices), and worst, without a warranty that the new screen were free of issues... many users related to have it again in the same short period.
It was in the third year of use, so I refused to spend more on it and bought a real pro screen instead.
The laptop was extremely powerful, to use with a 45Mp Nikon but... .
Well, this are nice computers, and a laptop is all I use since then (I had an iMac, too). Expensive, actually. But they broke like any other one.

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Welcome to Photrio

My first computer was a 1984 Max 512. Eventually I added a daughter board with a 68030 and a math coprocessor. It worked well but got confused when it received files in color. Later I repurposed it as a data server for my other computers. Yes it was slow but it did that job until I retired it in 2005. Do not do that at home with a circa 1984 PC.

I replace may Macs with a new one every 12 to 15 years and this Mac [mid 2012] is getting close to that. I will not run one of the two Nikon digital camera files for cataloging and mild manipulation and adjustment and today Apple could not longer remotely see the screen. After I pay the credit card bill for the Nikon Z7II, I will start shopping for a new Mac Pro Tower.

Sirius Glass said:

Welcome to Photrio

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Thank you Sirius!
I have just realised that I´m new here... I was registered in Apug but not in Photrio until recently.
Great forum! Hope to be here more often. I`m a long time traditional photographer, the older I got the more I love film.

seichenur said:

Thank you Sirius!
I have just realised that I´m new here... I was registered in Apug but not in Photrio until recently.
Great forum! Hope to be here more often. I`m a long time traditional photographer, the older I got the more I love film.

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Now you need to shoot more film.

seichenur said:

Apple didn`t gave me any other option that to pay an expensive repair (screen replacement at European prices), and worst, without a warranty that the new screen were free of issues ... many users related to have it again in the same short period.

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This is not regulated the same in all countries, but the rules according to the Consumer Protection Act apply. Guarantee and warranty are not the same, but the warranty has been extended from six months to a full year since January 1, 2022 and this applies throughout Europe (EU). The consumer can therefore claim any defect within this year without having to prove anything; only after this does the reversal of evidence apply. This of course only applies to damage that wasn't caused by the consumer himself.

I'm certainly not an Apple fanboy, but suitable solutions, like AppleCare+, are offered for every consumer that don't turn technical problems into financial disasters after a short time.

LightCycle said:

This is not regulated the same in all countries, but the rules according to the Consumer Protection Act apply. Guarantee and warranty are not the same, but the warranty has been extended from six months to a full year since January 1, 2022 and this applies throughout Europe (EU). The consumer can therefore claim any defect within this year without having to prove anything; only after this does the reversal of evidence apply. This of course only applies to damage that wasn't caused by the consumer himself.

I'm certainly not an Apple fanboy, but suitable solutions, like AppleCare+, are offered for every consumer that don't turn technical problems into financial disasters after a short time.

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While I have not purchased AppleCare+, I have called into Apple for support with my mid 2012 Mac Pro Tower and after being told that my machine is obsolete, the Apple technical support person proceeds to help me. The other day the Apple technical support person could not remotely see my screen because of the last system upgrade so he had me use my iPhone as a work around and quickly resolved my problem. Do not try that with any mid 2012 PC at home.

That said, when I get finished with my series of purchases related to my new Nikon Z7II camera and equipment I will be replacing my Mac computer which is something I do every 12 to 15 years whether on not I need to. Do not try waiting that long with PC equipment at home.

Sirius Glass said:

While I have not purchased AppleCare+, I have called into Apple for support with my mid 2012 Mac Pro Tower and after being told that my machine is obsolete, the Apple technical support person proceeds to help me. The other day the Apple technical support person could not remotely see my screen because of the last system upgrade so he had me use my iPhone as a work around and quickly resolved my problem.

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This is a nice success story that at least worked in your particular case. Things would have been different for me because I don't generally use a cell phone. So I don't own an iPhone or an iPad, but I always have a satellite phone with me for emergencies. What I would do when travelling if the worst came to the worst is a completely different story, depending on where I am at the moment.

Sirius Glass said:

That said, when I get finished with my series of purchases related to my new Nikon Z7II camera and equipment I will be replacing my Mac computer which is something I do every 12 to 15 years whether or not I need to.

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A planned replacement is usually always better than an unplanned one that comes as a complete surprise. This is usually associated with data loss, as everything is not always backed up immediately. But if your system is mobile, then there is at least an emergency solution in this regard, i.e. the images end up on a mass storage device, such as an external SSD, and the software is on a USB stick. So if there is no service point nearby, I just continue to fill my memory cards with photos as long as I have some in reserve and have the device repaired at a later date.