{"id":55045,"date":"2019-01-14T09:00:07","date_gmt":"2019-01-14T14:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=55045"},"modified":"2022-10-21T14:11:03","modified_gmt":"2022-10-21T18:11:03","slug":"whats-the-best-desktop-computer-for-photo-editing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/whats-the-best-desktop-computer-for-photo-editing\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s the Best Desktop Computer for Photo Editing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re a professional photographer or serious hobbyist, you\u2019ll be spending a lot of your time editing on a computer aside from taking snaps with your camera. Many photographers choose to use laptops for editing their digital photography<\/a>. But if you don\u2019t always have to be on the go, you\u2019ll have a much more pleasant editing experience with a desktop computer. This article will help you find the best desktop computer for photo editing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editing photos in Photoshop and Lightroom<\/a> demands a lot of disk space and processing power \u2014 aside from a large monitor where you won\u2019t need to struggle when editing small, intricate details. This is where desktop computers come in, as they are generally built to provide more multitasking power without any visible lag time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But don’t just choose any desktop computer. There are certain desktop computer features and specifications for editing photos that ensure a faster and more efficient workflow, including a large high-resolution screen, fast processor (CPU), mid-range or higher graphics card (GPU), at least 8GB of memory (RAM), and at least 1TB worth of storage space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help narrow down your search, here\u2019s our list to help you find the best desktop computer for photo editing on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Features to look for in a computer for photo editing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to get the most performance out of your computer, specifically for photo editing, you\u2019ll want to consider the following specifications:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-resolution screen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Photo editing heavily relies on our ability to perceive the intricate details of an image. In doing so, a monitor or display with high resolution and excellent color and contrast is paramount. Full HD 1920 x 1080 is considered the minimum for editing photos these days, with 4K and above being even better. Another key spec to look for in a monitor is whether it uses in-plane switching (IPS) to reproduce images, which creates deep and rich colors that are great for photo work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast processor (CPU)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Popular photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop<\/a> and Lightroom<\/a> makes liberal use of the computer\u2019s processor. The best computer for photo editing should have, at minimum, a 2GHz processor and at least four cores. Cores help distribute complex tasks for smoother operation. At the moment, having more than eight cores for Adobe\u2019s software results in only a minimal increase in performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GPU<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While having a good GPU is helpful, it isn\u2019t the most important feature of the best computer for photo editing. Adobe recommends having at least 1.5GB of GPU memory on tap, with 4GB being even better. Realistically, the CPU is more important than the GPU in this case. However, some machines do make use of native GPU acceleration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RAM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The amount of memory you need depends on the size and quantity of photos you\u2019re editing. At least 8GB gets your foot in the door of good Photoshop performance, though going for 16GB or more will ensure you have plenty of power on deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Photos can take up a ton of space. Multiply them by the hundreds or thousands, and you\u2019ll see your hard drive space being eaten up quickly. It\u2019s recommended to have at least 1TB available so you won\u2019t see yourself running out of storage right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Best Desktop Computer for Photo Editing?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Image via Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Before you buy a desktop, it\u2019s crucial that you understand its features and specs. From there, you can start determining whether or not it can meet your photo editing needs \u2014 and your budget. This list will help you find the best desktop computer for photo editing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Desktop Computer Towers for Photo Editing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple Mac Studio Desktop Computer, M1 Max<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
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The latest Mac Studio is the supercharged version of the Mac Mini. It\u2019s more than capable of being a photo-editing powerhouse with the M1 Max chip. Over the standard M1, the M1 Max boasts up to 2.5x faster CPU and 3.4x faster GPU. Take advantage of a total of 12 different ports for connecting cameras, SD cards, and hi-res displays, and the Mac Studio is the ideal centerpiece for any photographer. It\u2019s also one of the best computers for photo editing overall \u2014 especially at this price and configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Specifications:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n