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HP Laptops for Photo Editing Under C$2,000

Here's a great selection of hp laptops for photo editing under C$2,000.

Second only to IBM worldwide in technology hardware and services, Hewlett Packard has come a long way from their humble beginnings in that Palo Alto garage. Though still headquartered in Silicon Valley, they now dominate the global laptop market. As you might expect, HP boasts an impressive and diverse range of laptops to cover every possible requirement for the discerning user. HP has had a resurgence in the last couple of years, especially with its fantastic, highly-rated products that are both beautifully designed and are very functional for everyday use. Another big plus for potential buyers is the quality and reliability of HP’s after-sales support.

Most run of the mill blogs and articles opining about “the best laptop for photo editing” give a cursory introduction to photo editing requirements and usually break these down by laptop specification.

At Choosist, whilst we love our products, what we’re about is you. What follows is an explanation of what you’ll need from your investment of time as well as money.

(If this all still seems daunting, you can take the stress and time away and still find the most suitable device via our laptop AI laptop finder service. You’ll get a specific recommendation, an explanation as to why it's the best option for you, where you can find it at the best price and best of all its totally free!)

1. Visual accuracy and clarity

At the risk of stating the obvious, these are paramount as you’ll be making fine detail judgements, often down to a pixel. If the rendering and colours are off, so will your hours of hard work be!

Therefore, look out for the following key items in a laptop screen.

Firstly the screen technology. Commonly the options are TN (twisted nematic) VA (vertically aligned), IPS (in-plane switching) and OLED. The latter two are the best, the OLED proving greater contrasts too, but the VA and TN (often not stated) are getting better and better. IPS and OLED offer the best colour accuracy and viewing angles. If you can afford the premium then go for it.

Resolution. Generally speaking the higher the better as it provides more detail in the same space. But bear in mind that the smaller the screen, the less difference that extra resolution can make, as the eye can only perceive so much at the same scale.

Similarly, size, arguably, also works on the “more is better” principle. The greater the screen ‘real estate’ the more you can see at any one time. This also means space to accommodate the image alongside the tools and palettes without a cramped and cluttered screen. But size comes at several costs - price, portability by dimension and weight but also requirement. The bigger the screen, the higher the resolution screen you’ll need to view at the same level of detail.

2. The ability to run demanding software

Whether you’re a photoshop fanatic or a GIMP user, working with image files, especially in RAW format, a laptop for photo editing requires some grunt under the hood. The following areas will need your attention

The processor sometimes referred to as the CPU, has to perform some serious computations to convert your thoughts and ideas into visual reality.

Whether you buy AMD or Intel, you’ll want to get 4 cores (a core is a processing unit) and above, the latest generation of processor. For example, an Intel i7 - 8550 which is 8th gen will be better than intel i7 - 7500 which is 7th gen. Thereafter its the speed, usually written as GHz, that you’ll want to maximize.

Don't forget to look out for the suffix. Processors that end in Y should be avoided, whilst U will indicate a lower powered version, although top end varieties of U processors will manage. Those ending in H or K will be high performers but will usually be bigger and bulkier affairs.

RAM is equally critical to ensuring a smooth uninterrupted experience when editing your prize-winning portraits or awesome action shots.

Your processor computes batches of data (image details, commands to alter the image etc) and the size it can work on at any one time is determined in large part by the RAM which is the space in which the work can be done. To do this RAM is very fast memory but this makes it expensive hence there's less of it than in your hard drive.

8GB will handle it, but if you want to ensure avoiding lag 16GB or above will be better.

Hard drive choice is not just about storage space. With excellent cloud storage and cheap external devices, long-term storage is cheap.

Graphics cards have hitherto been the first go to spec when searching for the best laptop for photographers. Graphics cards ensure that whatever the processor makes happen to the image is delivered quickly and accurately to the screen.

As such discrete or separate graphics cards, usually by NVIDIA or AMD, have been insisted upon, but modern integrated cards are catching up fast and can save you some serious pennies.

If you want a laptop for photo editing, the laptop’s operating system will need to be compatible with the software package you’re after.

We’ve mentioned photoshop, GIMP and Sketch but there are other software that may be important. From Affinity Photo to the oddly named Alien Skin Exposure, from Lightroom to Luminar 3, most are available on both Windows and Mac.

However, Apple’s more than basic ‘Photos’ is exclusively macOS and Microsoft’s Photo Editor 10 is Windows only.

And let’s not forget ChromeOS. Whilst these tend to be lighter weight laptops, we’re starting to see beefier models hit the market. Whilst these will not compare with MacBook Pros or Lenovo Thinkpad workstations, they can be great for lightweight work on the move. But, they won’t be running full Adobe Photo without laggy and complicated streaming / remote desktop set-ups. Can a Chromebook ever be the best laptop for photographers? One day maybe, but for now, if you’re serious and you can afford it, probably not.

3. Compatibility with your other devices

Nowadays there are wireless options available for nearly every type of peripheral. Wacom style tablets, multifunction mice as well as 3D mice are all available as wire-free. So the best laptop for photo editing on the market no longer needs to be the laptop with the most ports on it!

Where wireless options do not exist hubs and adapters abound aplenty which may be fine if your laptop will be parked permanently on your desk. However, if you might be using it more than one location or if you do not want to use an external hub, the number and speed of ports may be an issue. This is even more important as the number of ports on laptops seem to be reducing, with one of them often doubling as the power input.

So, to put it simply, when you’re looking for the best laptop for photo editing for ‘you’, you’ll need to establish your connectivity needs in advance.

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Imagine a gaming laptop that can fully immerse you into your fantasy worlds, with astounding graphics and power that are simply unbeatable. Head into battle with the exciting NVIDIA graphics providing your gameplay with a new dimension that you will fall in love with. With 1920 x 1080 pixels, it is impossible not to be impressed with the incredible clarity of this display, seeing your games in a whole new technicolor. With 1000 GB of storage, you will never run out of room to store your favorite games and enjoy the benefits of having all your favorite games accessible in the same place, ready to play when you want to. No gaming laptop would be victorious without a powerful processor, and the HP Pavilion has a thrilling 8th generation core which will never disappoint, supporting you in all your gaming feats throughout the day and night. Game in ultimate style.

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If you long for your workdays to go faster, the HP Pavilion is installed with a Quad-core Intel Core i5 processor to ensure that you are free before you know it. This enables you to run multiple software applications at the same time so that you can juggle the tasks that are important to you. In addition to this, the combined HDD and SSD also mean that the HP Pavilion balances both speed and extra storage, ensuring all your professional needs are met. If you want to stay in touch with your colleagues at all times, even from the most remote locations, then this laptop is equipped with the latest Bluetooth and Ethernet connections, meaning that you can share documents quickly and easily between different devices. However, nothing says professional more than a crystal-clear display, and the AMD Radeon RX-560X discrete graphics give you a smooth and consistent visual performance. The Full HD and backlit screen not only has excellent clarity however, but its decent size and includes IPS also makes visual tasks easier on the eye.

Just Right
for your needs

Bring your laptop into battle with you. The HP Omen is the only sure-fire way of heading to victory battle after battle. Its stand-out design is sleek, mysterious and legendary. Sultry black and a deep, flaming red for the Omen emblem makes this one gorgeous laptop. However, this design encases an awe-inspiringly powerful piece of machinery, with its NVIDIA graphics card ensuring that you can have the thrill of seeing your favorite games in HD, immersing yourself within the adventures that your laptop can take you on. Not only this, but the i7 processor ensures that your laptop works consistently to produce the most spectacular images, streaming, and speed available, which can help you to play your games as if you are really battling dragons and raising armies. If your gaming sessions often go far into the night, the backlit keyboard will ensure that you never have to go to sleep again, finding the keys naturally even in the darkness.

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If your laptop is a gateway into different worlds, the HP Omen is as sleek as gaming laptops get. Whether you want to whittle away long train journeys or bash those keys in the comfort of your own home, the Omen is easy to stuff into a backpack along with your snacks. If you've always wanted to see each strand of your character's hair or each leaf fluttering in the wind, its top-of-the-range graphics keep you fully immersed within your fantasy world. The Omen also suits those who love to demand the most out of their games and take no prisoners, as the HP Omen can support even the most demanding games. Play your games from morning until night with the HP Omen's backlit keyboard, allowing you to secure victory at all times of the day, giving you the accuracy that you need to succeed. Not only this, but the Omen's anti-glare means that you can also play your favorite games without hindrance during those irritating days of sunshine.

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HP

Budget all-rounder HP Laptops

The HP Stream series is the latest, ultra-cheap laptops from its popular budget range. Coming in a variety of bright colours including blue and purple, these laptops are certainly eye-catching and it is the cheapest 14-inch screen laptop on the market. The dual-core Celeron processor together with 4GB of Ram is fine for surfing and document work. For the money, it's a snip!

If you're looking for a bigger screen and enough power for work and play, the HP Pavilion range is a good place to start. The range of Pavilion models covers the spectrum of HP laptops, from low to premium price. The HP Pavilion range offers the best HP laptop for anyone on a budget. It's a great example of a laptop range that strikes the perfect balance between price and performance, making it one of the best laptops range for college students needing to make presentations and take extensive notes.

HP Chromebooks

Bear in mind that Chromebooks from all manufacturers run off Google's Chrome operating system rather than Windows or Mac OS. They're primarily designed to do whatever your web browser can. They can't run Word, but you can create documents via Google Docs. The hard disk is very small, as Chromebooks are primarily meant to be used online, where you can use cloud storage.

With HP’s Chromebook range you get a wide selection of models, from budget to mid-price. HP targets students with Chromebooks with a smaller screen size starting from 11”. It has an affordable price and a tiny frame. If all you're after is a budget laptop for checking your emails, browsing your favourite websites and taking notes, it’s perfect. One big selling point is the long battery life. HP has innovated in the Chromebook world with this fantastic, detachable laptop.

Slightly further up the product ladder is the EliteBook range. This model is a professional hybrid with a touchscreen option that has crossover appeal for anyone looking for useful features and a great design.

Mid and premium-range HP laptops

The HP Zbook and lite book range concentrate on power and looks. Targeted primarily at business users, these models are known for reliability and elegant design. Many reviewers have commented that they emulate the best parts of Apple's MacBook, but with better value and more options.

The luxurious HP Spectre range really stands out from the competition in the premium market segment. This top-of-the-line range includes beautiful laptops which are also a powerful 2-in-1. These beautiful, high-performing machines run on the latest Intel Core CPUs.

HP Gaming Laptops

When it comes to gaming, the HP Omen range provides a great combination of price, screen size, and performance.

The Omen range is more desirable than ever. This gaming notebook has been redesigned with an attention-grabbing chassis. Put this together with a bright and lively display and some suitable loudspeakers, and you have a gaming notebook that you can fall in love with.

At Choosist, we do our best to find you an HP laptop which meets your specific needs. If you are looking for an HP laptop, you’ll find a comprehensive range here, whether it’s for heavy-duty professional work, light use, studies or gaming. Just use our tools to filter your requirements and we’ll display the best available option. It really is that simple! Whatever your needs and whatever your budget, let Choosist source the perfect HP machine for you and yours.