iMac or 15 inch rMBP for Lightroom?

[AppleHater]

i have a 4 year old iMac and 2 year old 13 inch rMBP. When I use Lightroom, I tend to prefer to use my MBP but the gpu isn't quite up for the job and I can use a faster cpu, although I like the portability of notebooks.

Should I get a new iMac with upgraded hardware or a 15 inch MBP with faster gpu? I know I can get a better performance for cheaper with iMac but also like the portability of MBP. I want to hear how others deal with this question.

 

[Apple fanboy]

15" screen would be too small IMO.
If your going to get an external monitor you'll need to factor that into the price.
At the end of the day, only you know what will work for you. I don't use a laptop these days at all.
I use my iMac connected to an NEC Spectraview 241. I prefer the wider colour gamut and uniformity over the iMac screen.

 

[MCAsan]

Our 15" rMBP screens are fine for culling and editing in the field. But for serious editing you want a large, calibrated, large IPS screen....ideally at least in the 27" range. For most folks sRBG gamut is enough. For those sending images to serious publishers (magazines, books,...etc.) you may need the wider AdobeRGB gamut on the monitor.

 

[Badrottie]

at least 22" or bigger screen size is great for photo editing that is why I have a 22" LCD monitor along with Wacom Intous 6 x 8 tablet.

 

[AlexH]

It sounds like portability is important to you. What about a MBP + external display? Leverage the MBP's portability and an external display's real estate for editing.

I do most of my editing on a MBP 15", but I don't shoot professionally. I also have a 23" IPS display specifically for editing, just in case I want more space.

 

[maflynn]

Why not get a rMBP with an external monitor? That's what I use, when the computer is at home, its connected to the monitor.

 

[Ray2]

I moved from an iMac to a 3.0 rMBP along with a 25" display. For the last 2 weeks I've been on the road and using Lightroom on it extensively. Its basically a horrible experience. I can't imagine a 15" will improve matters much.

Lightroom is simply not laid out for a small display. You will be constantly opening and closing panels (a 2 handed operation as the shortcuts are function keys). I'm using a resolution one step removed from "more space". Anything smaller is tough on my eyes. I'm also using C1: better. Used to use Aperture on a 13" Air, good.

 

[thedeske]

Lightroom on a large display - Yes!! I have a 13 for the moment, and Lightroom is not fun.
Yes, I can talk myself into thinking it's OK, but it's not even in the same universe as working
with a current 27 inch iMac or something in that ballpark.

i also don't watch movies on my iPhone - I could, but .. No!

Silly Questions here I think