Best Desktop Computer for Photography Editing
The best desktop computer for photography editing is the Apple iMac 27″ with 5k Retina Display. Apple’s 27″ iMac continues to be the best desktop computer for photography editing thanks to its amazing mix of quality and value, as well as its ability to upgrade the RAM by yourself.
If you’d prefer to stay away from Apple products, the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is nearly equal in every way to the iMac 27″. The biggest differences are the Surface Studio 2’s ability to be used as a digital drawing board and its higher price point.
If you’re not sure which is the best desktop computer for photography editing for you, or you’re looking for some value options, then read on for reviews and recommendations.
Table of Contents
Best Desktop Computer for Photography Editing
Best Overall
Apple iMac 27"
The Apple iMac 27″ with 5k Retina Display continues to rein supreme in the photo editing world.
Graphics. Processing power. Overall capabilities. This iMac has everything you need in one beautiful computer/monitor combo.
The feature that puts this iMac above the rest is the ability to upgrade the RAM, unlike other Apple computers. This will be extremely helpful if you edit large files like most commercial photographers.
I personally use this computer, highly recommend it, and have no problem calling it the best desktop computer for photography editing in 2022.
Pros:
- Excellent graphics
- Upgradable RAM from 16GB to 128GB
- Most powerful Apple computer
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
Microsoft Surface Studio 2
The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is the biggest competitor to Apple’s iMac 27″ and for good reason. It’s an absolute dream for photo editing.
The ability to use the monitor as a drawing board is a game changer for some types of photo editing. You’ll just need to decide if the extra cost is worth it.
Pros:
- Ability to use as a drawing board
- Great graphics
- Strong processing power
- 16GB – 32GB of RAM
Cons:
- Most expensive on list
Apple iMac M1
Apple’s newest iMac with their newly introduced M1 chip. Much like the iMac 27″, this iMac M1 is great for photo editing for all the same reasons. The new M1 chip is lighting fast and a definite upgrade.
The only feature that holds it back is its inability to upgrade RAM. You can order it with extra RAM, but it will cost you.
Pros:
- Excellent graphics
- New M1 chip
- Great processing power
- 16GB RAM available
Cons:
- Factory upgrades are expensive
Best Budget Options
Apple Mac Mini M1
Apple’s Mac Mini M1 is a great option for those that want to use Apple products, but don’t have the budget for an iMac.
You get the extremely fast and powerful M1 chip, excellent graphics, and a great value in terms of computing abilities and cost. All you need is a monitor.
Pros:
- Small and compact
- Apple M1 chip
- Affordable
- 16GB RAM available
Cons:
- Lacking enough plug-in ports
Acer Aspire TC
The Acer Aspire TC is a good budget options for those that either know they won’t need to edit large photos, or for those that are looking for an entry level type computer before upgrading.
It has nice graphics and comes in at a very attractive price point. If you plan to make this your workhorse photo editing computer though, it might be best to spend a bit more money.
Pros:
- Very inexpensive
- Compact design
- Solid graphics
Cons:
- Only 8GB of RAM
- Not great for editing large files
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop
This HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop is a great choice because of it’s stellar graphics. It’s also highly customizable, although the price can really grow quickly if you make a lot of upgrades from the base model.
The best upgrade you can make will be changing the RAM from 8GB to 16 GB. That will give you the power needed to handle larger files.
Pros:
- Excellent graphics
- Sleek design
- Affordable base model
- Up to 32GB RAM with upgrades
Cons:
- Can be expensive with upgrades
Recommendations
If you’re an Apple user, or at least open to using Apple products, then the iMac 27″ with 5K Retina Display is the best desktop computer for photography editing overall. It has the whole package in one computer/monitor combo and comes in at a great price point.
If you’re not interested in Apple products and cost isn’t a barrier, the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is really an amazing piece of technology. You’ll be more than happy with it’s photo editing abilities and you’ll feel like a true artist using it.
If you’re on a budget and the iMac 27″ is out of reach, the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop is a nice choice. You’ll need to upgrade the RAM to at least 16GB, but as long as you don’t go too wild on the upgrades, it’ll be an excellent affordable option.
Just remember, the best desktop computer for photography editing will have both great graphics and at least 16GB of RAM.
8GB of RAM is the absolute minimum needed, but if we’re going to call a computer the best desktop computer for photography editing, it’s going to need to grow with you and your business, and that really means 16GB of RAM is ideal.
Finally, check out our Gear page which has tons of articles featuring today’s best Real Estate Photography gear. Then check out our Beginners Guide for helpful articles and tips to ensure you’re taking the best real estate photos possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of computer is best for photo editing?
Generally speaking, a computer with a great graphics card and a minimum of 16GB RAM should be good for photo editing.
Are Dell computers good for photo editing?
Dell computers can be good for photo editing, provided that they have the graphics and RAM capabilities necessary.
Is a gaming desktop good for photo editing?
Gaming desktops can be very good for photo editing since they both require the same features. A good graphics card, a large amount of RAM, and solid processing power are usually found in gaming desktops.
What computer do most photographers use?
Many photographers choose to use the Apple iMac 27″ with 5K Retina Display due to its amazing capabilities and excellent value.