Notebook Computers In The Wild

Bring your digital darkroom with you on your next photo adventure

By Jon Sienkiewicz

Whether you call it a laptop or a notebook, having a computer that can travel along with you has changed the way digital photographers work. In the field, a laptop becomes a portable darkroom, a repository where images can be downloaded and stored and a place where the best shots can be soft-proofed long before returning to the studio. In other words, portable computers have become indispensable.

The perfect notebook would be lightweight and have a large display, unlimited battery life and as much raw power as the mightiest desktop. But in the real world, we must carefully decide on a compromise that delivers the features we need the most at a price we find comfortable. Traditionally, the trade-offs have been screen size vs. portability and power vs. battery life. But there are many other important factors as well. For some users, storage capacities are most critical. For others, wireless connectivity is the top requirement. Because there's such a rich product pool to draw from, everyone is assured of finding just the right unit—provided they know what to look for.

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4 Comments

Dennis makes this comment

Wednesday, 31 December 2008

Why doesn't the author address issues like battery charge? A photographer who takes a lap top into the field needs to know about the life of a battery, backup batteries, and recharge possibilities. This article belongs in a discussion group about the properties of laptops for anyone in a mainstream situation. It does not address issues related to photographic field experience.
gerry makes this comment

Wednesday, 14 October 2009

I haven't checked all your sites so far, but those five I managed to look through really impressed me! How long are you in this business? There's always field for improvement, sure thing, but this is what a good site should be!
Gary makes this comment

Wednesday, 04 November 2009

I am looking for an appropriate software to move digital shots in real time from camera (Nikon D300)to notebook for preview. Do you have suggestions for such software that would be appropriate for loacation shoots? Is it best to use wireless or hardwire devices for this type setup?
Foster makes this comment

Thursday, 04 February 2010

I thought this would be about notebooks in the field, what about issues like waterproofing and glare reduction. What about weight and size? FYI I swear by the Pelican Hardback cases when I take my notebook out, they keep the computer dry and help with impacts.

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