Recommended Computers for Photo Editing

Adobe Photoshop CS6
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ – Improve's Review:
We love photoshop! The full version allows you to do more than Photoshop Elements and integrates nicely with other Adobe programs, specifically Adobe Lightroom. Use Photoshop for the intense “pixel surgery” on your photos. For Adobe Photoshop Elements, Click here. It is the simplified version.

Adobe Lightroom 4

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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ – Improve's Review:
I would HIGHLY recommend choosing Lightroom as your first post-processing software option. Eventually, you’ll want to pare Lightroom with Photoshop so you can do more in-depth edits. You can remove blemishes, soften skin, adjust color, exposure, straighten the horizon, crop, add filters.

Adobe Creative Cloud
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Improve's Review:
The latest versions of Adobe will only be available through the Creative Cloud service. Lightroom is also included in the Creative Cloud if you have the Complete subscription. This is the service we use and we like it because we will have access to the latest software as it is released.

Nik Collection by Google
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ – Improve's Review:
Dustin loves Nik Software! There are a lot of features in the different programs but is probably the best for finishing effects on your photos. It will take some practice -trail and error- to get the hang of it. Try the 15-day trial and give it a shot. You just might like it as much as Dustin!

Photomatix Pro

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♥ ♥ ♥ Improve's Review:
Photomatix is one of the best HDR programs out there as far as its accuracy in merging your photos into HDR. The tone-mapping presets are too intense for our taste. Photomatix is a great way to get your photos merged with some tone-mapping, but use Photoshop to finish the effect off nicely.

MacBook Pro 15″ Retina
$2,500
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ – Improve's Review:
The Mac is an amazing machine with incredible reliability! With the Retina display you will be seeing your photos better than ever. We suggest at least: 2.4Ghz i7, 8GB Ram, and 512GB SSD. Check out refurbished models as well to save some money. Also get external storage for backup.

iMac 27″
$2,600
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This gorgeous 27″ display really makes it easy to spread out and work on your photos comfortably. With enough power to process practically anything you throw at it. We suggest at least: 3.2GHz Intel i5, 16GB Ram, and 3TB Fusion Drive.

Apple Display 27″
$999
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♥ ♥ ♥ Improve's Review:
Before you jump on this band wagon – you should be aware that there should be a new Apple Display to be released shortly. Don't buy unless you're desperate for this one and won't get upset when Apple releases something new.

Dell Inspirion 15″ Touch
$999
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ – Improve's Review:
The touch screen just might be enough to push anyone over and buy this one. But this has comparable speed and power to the MacBook Pro. Although, you'll want to wipe off those finger prints before you start editing photos.

Dell XPS 8700 Desktop
$1,400
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Improve's Review:
We have one of these in our office here and it has been quiet the trooper as we put it through it's paces. For a Windows PC, we've been impressed at the consistent performance of this machine. We suggest at least: 3.9GHz i7, 12GB Ram, 2GB HD, and the 27″ monitor.

Monprice 27″ Slim Monitor
$390
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♥ ♥ ♥ Improve's Review:
The screen in this monitor is made by LG. The same people who make the Apple Display. This is worth looking into – except, it will not work on a Mac. But it's still great for you PC users out there…

HP Envy Touchsmart
$989
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ – Improve's Review:
As far as specifications are concerned, this is probably the closest to the MacBook Pro. However, it does have a touchscreen instead of a Retina Display. This laptop comes with Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements.

HP Envy Phoenix
$1,500
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Improve's Review:
This Desktop PC packs a punch with all the specifications it comes with. You'll have no problem editing your photos or doing other creative work on this. All you'll need is a nice monitor to complement the entire setup.

Carbonite Online Storage
15-day FREE Trial
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ – Improve's Review:
This is a very affordable and a great solution for practically most people. There is an array of plans and options to choose from. For single users, the basic plan will probably be enough for you. You will have to manage it and make sure that all your photos and other data is being synced to the online service.

4TB WD External Drive
$197
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ – Improve's Review:
There are a lot of Hard Drive brands out there to know what will do the best for you. We have used a lot of Western Digital products and have seen the greatest lifespan in external drives. External Drives will last longer if they are accessed more often. Idle drives become stagnet and will corrupt sooner.

ReadyNAS
$197
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ – Improve's Review:
We have the larger version of this ReadyNAS in our office and it works great! It's expandable to add more drives in for extra space. You can access it online like you would dropbox, or treat it like a normal server on the network. Setting this up to work for you might require more techical knowledge.