LR for netbooks

[Newmarket2]

I need to take my laptop when I travel to Italy in order to offload/backup my shots and also to process them into LR.

Even though I own a relatively small machine, every ounce counts and thus, I'm interested in netbooks.

Has anyone gotten experience with using LR on a netbook on the road? And, could you make any recommendations as to what to look for.

Alternately, has anyone used a "lighter" application (?Elements? Picassa?) on a netbook even though you have to bring them into LR when you get home?

 

[Brad Snyder]

Here's a thread on flickr's Lightroom discussion group, discussing netbooks, etc with Lr.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/adobe_lightroom/discuss/72157611847319881/

 

[DaveQ]

I use both LR 2.4 and PSE7 on an Asus EeePC 9'4HD, with reasonable results. The screen is small (8") so it is not easy doing some adjustments, and takes a bit of getting used to. However, both applications run smoothly.

 

[Replytoken]

I have a Samsung NC1' that I use in addition to my main PC. I do not have LR installed on the NC1', but what I would recommend as a "travel package" is three or four things: ImageIngester (Pro); FastStone Image Viewer; a USB-powered hard drive; and, Adobe's DNG Converter (optional). This will allow you to quickily view your images as well as handle much of LR's front end work (file back up, renaming, DNG conversion if you like DNG, adding metadata, etc.) so when you get home, all you will need to do is import the files and then decide how you want to edit them. None of these programs should tax a netbook too much. YMMV.

Happy travels,

--Ken

 

[Newmarket2]

[quote author=Replytoken link=topic=769'.msg52976#msg52976 date=1252345212]
I have a Samsung NC1' .... "travel package" ... a USB-powered hard drive.... Adobe's DNG Converter (optional). .... YMMV.
--Ken
[/quote]
Ken,
GREAT IDEA! Sounds like the solution. I shouldn't be spending time there fiddling with my images....I should be shooting!
Several followup questions:
1. why the Samsung?
2. USB-powered hard drive - for backup? I use my iPod. Kills 2 birds. Any comments?
3. Sounds like you do convert to DNG. Care to share why you do that?
4. YMMV ???? Your mileage may vary?

Michael

 

[Replytoken]

[quote author=Newmarket2 link=topic=769'.msg53719#msg53719 date=1253281276]
Ken,
GREAT IDEA! Sounds like the solution. I shouldn't be spending time there fiddling with my images....I should be shooting!
Several followup questions:
1. why the Samsung?
2. USB-powered hard drive - for backup? I use my iPod. Kills 2 birds. Any comments?
3. Sounds like you do convert to DNG. Care to share why you do that?
4. YMMV ??? ? Your mileage may vary?

Michael
[/quote]

Michael,

I'll try and answer as best I can.

1. I bought the Samsung last November. At the time, it had the best screen, keyboard and battery life. I am still very happy with it, but there are many others that have come out since then that are also worth consideration. I would probably use similar criteria when choosing a netbook today, and would certaianly consider a Samsung again as their units generally seem to be well built.

2. I have not used an iPod as a storage device, but if it works without hassle, then it is a reasonable alternative to a USB HD. And, Killing two birds with one stone is always nice when you wish to travel light.

3. I convert to DNG because I like the concept of a single "wrapper" file with no sidecar files. There are good arguments for a work flow using sidecar files, but DNG seems to work best for my workflow in LR. I do, however, keep my RAW NEF files as a separate back up in case I need to go back and re-process an image with any Nikon software. You never know what new software may be released, and I do not want to limit any future options.

4. You are correct. This is a humorous disclaimer I often include as there always seems to be somebody who wants to take exception with a personal opinion. I am always open to alternate suggestions (whether I agree with them or not), but I find it challenging to deal with people who confuse an honest, personal opinion with "the truth" and feel the need to challenge or "correct" my opinions rather than discuss them with me. Hopefully the disclaimer gently reminds people that what I am posting is indeed my personal opinion.

One last item. If you really want to go really light, you might want to consider a smaller netbook with a 7, 8 or 9 inch screen. Their keyboards and screens are a pain for any serious work, but they are often smaller and a bit lighter than a 1'" unit. And if they have a SSD, you will have few moving parts to worry about breaking as you travel. ASUS and HP made a number of them, and they can often be found for less than $3''. You could buy it new, use it on your trip (although you should definitely put it through a test period before departing), and then sell it on Craigslist if you have no further use for it. Have fun it Italy! My wife and I were in northern Italy 1' years ago, and it was one of our most memorable trips. I would guess that you that you will probably shoot more than you think, so bring lots of memory cards.

Have a great trip,

--Ken

 

[Replytoken]

[quote author=Newmarket2 link=topic=769'.msg53719#msg53719 date=1253281276]
I shouldn't be spending time there fiddling with my images....I should be shooting!
[/quote]

Michael,

I forgot to mention that these are often good words to live by, especially when we are at a place or time where we may not be able to easily return or re-create our surroundings. Henri Cartier-Bresson was attributed with say that "he was a hunter, not a cook" when asked for his thoughts about printing his images. So, with those words in mind, I say hunt while in Italy, cook when you get back home!

--Ken

 

[Jeroen]

Hi,

I use(d) a Samsung N11' with Lightroom 2.4 during a 3 week travel in Thailand. I mainly used this 1'" laptop (with extra memory so the total was 2GB) as an image tank. It runs like most netbooks on XP and has an 15' GB Hardisk.

Of course the N11' is slow (compared to my desktop) but fast enough to make backup do a quick first selection and add the meta data (like location and description) so it saved me a huge amount of work at home.

During my trip I used my Canon 5D Mark II RAW only; (about 2' and 3' MB each). Downloading only the new images from a 16GB CF took some time; but no major problem. I managed to make less than 55' images a week. So I only had about 18'' pictures (My wife had a very small camera and made a some shots) In total less than 5'GB of data; The N11' was still usable.

I did not do any (serious) manipulation of the images (the screen is to small and not calibrated) But I discovered that when I describe my images within a few days it is a lot easier then at home; I also discovered sometimes I missed some subjects and mostly I was able to get them the next day.

So in general I’m a huge fan of using an Netbook for backup.

The reason I selected the Samsung was the excelled battery life (5 hours is really no problem; 6 hours possible) the really bright screen. I only use it on max when I was tagging photo’s outside at the pool... The price was comparable with other netbooks.

Jeroen / Amersfoort / the Netherlands