New MacBook Pro 15" and Ultrafine 5k with Lightroom ?

[bipi]

Hello,

I'm planning to buy the new MacBook Pro 15", mainly to use for photo editing in Lightroom and Photoshop.
I'd like to use it with the LG Ultrafine 5k because of the big 27" retina display.

By the way I still have a few hesitations about it. Maybe you could help me!

- Do you think I have to order the best config with 2.9 Ghz CPU and Radon 460 ? Or could the 2.7 Ghz CPU be enough ?
- Do you think the image will be smooth in Lightroom and Photoshop ?
- Do I have to anticipate fan noise with this config ?

If someone is using the same config with Lightroom, I'd be happy to read some review.

Thanks everyone.

 

[ZapNZs]

• Do you think down the road you would want to ever use two 5k displays?
• How heavily do you use Lightroom/Photoshop? (the workflow will be streamlined, but how you use it will probably be the biggest determining factors of fan noise - with that said, the 2016 does a very good job dissipating heat)
• Do you plan to use the MBP as a secondary display to the LG for a dual display (non-mirrored) setup, or in clamshell mode with the LG as the only display? (further, would you ever want to use a 3-display setup, with two 5k displays and the built-in display on the MacBook? - I use a 3-display system myself and love it.)

 

[bipi]

I don't plan to use two 5k displays in the future.
I wish I could use the MBP and the LG in dual mode, so as I can work on Lightroom on the LG while using the MBP for surf or chat. But if performances are better with the LG as the only display, that would be OK for me.

I use Lightroom for RAW processing (my camera is a Nikon D750) and Photoshop for my work as I'm a web designer and sometimes for more complex photo editing (photos merge, details correction). I rarely use the 2 applications at the same time.

 

[Brookzy]

I don't plan to use two 5k displays in the future.
I wish I could use the MBP and the LG in dual mode, so as I can work on Lightroom on the LG while using the MBP for surf or chat. But if performances are better with the LG as the only display, that would be OK for me.

I use Lightroom for RAW processing (my camera is a Nikon D750) and Photoshop for my work as I'm a web designer and sometimes for more complex photo editing (photos merge, details correction). I rarely use the 2 applications at the same time.

You can certainly keep the Pro's screen open while using the 5K and Lightroom. It will be absolutely fine. Contrary to popular belief, these 15" MacBook Pros are seriously powerful (cue the haters)

I would certainly recommend getting the upgrade to 460 graphics because it gives almost double the performance of the base 450 graphics for a very reasonable price when compared to the CPU.

The CPU upgrade is less important in my opinion.

 

[ZapNZs]

I don't plan to use two 5k displays in the future.
I wish I could use the MBP and the LG in dual mode, so as I can work on Lightroom on the LG while using the MBP for surf or chat. But if performances are better with the LG as the only display, that would be OK for me.

I use Lightroom for RAW processing (my camera is a Nikon D750) and Photoshop for my work as I'm a web designer and sometimes for more complex photo editing (photos merge, details correction). I rarely use the 2 applications at the same time.

As Brookzy noted, you can use one external and the built-in display for a dual setup. Based on what I have read about Users with the 455, it will be plenty capable for what you do (however, if you can afford it, going for the flagship 460 might not be a bad idea should over the next 5+ years you begin doing work that is more graphic intensive...plus you are getting twice the graphics memory for only $100 more, which is a pretty small sum relative to the full investment price of the machine!!!)

All you have to do is connect the external display while leaving the MacBook open - it will by default go into a mirror mode where you see the same thing on each screen. Then, open Settings, click Displays, click Arrangement, and uncheck "Mirror Displays" - then you can customize the arrangement itself by clicking and dragging the monitor icons so that they match the way you have the monitors physically laid out, so that your mouse slides from one screen to the other as if it was continuous.

 

[Sanpete]

I would certainly recommend getting the upgrade to 460 graphics because it gives almost double the performance of the base 450 graphics for a very reasonable price when compared to the CPU.

For what kind of performance does the 460 provide almost double that of the 450?

 

[Brookzy]

For what kind of performance does the 460 provide almost double that of the 450?

Since I don't own one, I can't give a specific example. But in terms of raw computing power, the 460 is at just under 1.9 teraflops, compared with the 450 at 1 teraflop, as has been discussed to death in many other threads. (Though I have a feeling I'm preaching to the choir...)

 

[bipi]

Thanks Brookzy and ZapNZs for your comments.
Radeon 460 seems more relevant due to the small price difference, you're right about it. And Lightroom is known for using a lot of graphic ressources. But I just hope it will be fine with 5k, without making the fan always noisy. I like working in a quiet place

 

[Sanpete]

Since I don't own one, I can't give a specific example. But in terms of raw computing power, the 460 is at just under 1.9 teraflops, compared with the 450 at 1 teraflop, as has been discussed to death in many other threads. (Though I have a feeling I'm preaching to the choir...)

In practice it seems based on benchmarks and other reports here that the 460 provides about 25% more performance. The tf are higher, but there are other parts affecting performance that are the same. Still, 25% is a good deal for those who use it.

Thanks Brookzy and ZapNZs for your comments.
Radeon 460 seems more relevant due to the small price difference, you're right about it. And Lightroom is known for using a lot of graphic ressources. But I just hope it will be fine with 5k, without making the fan always noisy. I like working in a quiet place

Unless they've changed lately, I don't think Lightroom does much with the dGPU. Adobe photo software in general only uses the dGPU for a very few things. But if you're going to keep the computer for a while, that could change.

 

[SoloXis]

Photographer here. I went with the 2.9GHz/460 model cos I want my MBP to last at least 5 years. I reckon that 2.7GHz is enough for your needs. I do H.264 video editing as well, that's why I maxed out my processor.

Lightroom, unfortunately, is still not optimised so you'll still see lag when editing your photos even when your GPU and storage speeds are more than adequate for the task. I'm using mine in clamshell mode with LG 4K display and so far I haven't encountered any problems. No problems with Photoshop. Smooth as butter.

My fans haven't been spinning up that much. The only time I notice fan noise is when I'm exporting large number of photos/videos.

You do, however, need to calibrate your monitor. As much as they love to say that the monitor has wide gamut and perfect for editing, mine came with a slightly warm tint on both the MBP and the LG monitor. Prepare to get a X-rite or Spyder.