Ultrabook (or 2-in-1) for web browsing / video watching / photo editing

[webzeb]

Hello,

I have a budget of about 1500€ and I am looking for an Ultrabook (or 2-in1) with the following specifications:

Main uses:

• 
  Web browsing,
  Video streaming (Netflix, Premium plan) and HD/UHD video files playing,
  Photo editing (Lightroom and Photoshop CC, with a Fujifilm X-T2 camera which produces pretty 'hefty' RAW files (50MB each)),
  Basic office work.

Must have:

• 
  Suitable for the tasks described above,
  Excellent display!
  (I am extremely 'picky' when it comes to display quality. High resolution is very welcome for photo editing, even if Windows 10 sometimes does not handle it very well. 'Wide' gamut is also welcome for photo editing (for prints) and I have all the necessary to generate a profile/3D-LUT so colors are correct in my main applications. Nevertheless, 'wide' gamut is not compulsory. Good uniformity and wide viewing angles are. When I am on the move I cannot, unfortunately, take my graphic arts monitor with me...)
  Lightweight, sturdy and 'elegant' construction.
  (I am often on the move. Lightweight AC adapter is also a plus.)
  Good battery life,
  Good keyboard and touchpad,
  256GB SSD or more.

Nice to have:

• 
  Pen compatibility, with pressure sensitivity (only if precise and reactive, otherwise it is completely useless),
  Silent during 'light' tasks like web browsing,
  SD card reader.

I consider the following:

• 
  HP Spectre X360 (13-4201nf) (i7-6560U, Iris 540, 8GB, 512GB SSD)...with OLED display!
  A French shop has an excellent offer running until tomorrow (1499.99€ - 100€ cashback - 140€ vouchers).
  OLED display is clearly the main appeal of this one!
  512GB SSD is also a plus.
  Dell XPS 13,
  Microsoft Surface Book (i5, GT 940 M, 8GB, 256GB SSD)
  Same shop has also a good offer (1656€ - 160€ voucher).

I really like the construction, the display seems very good (even if limited to sRGB) and its aspect ratio is interesting and pen experience seem much better than on the X360 (is it?).
Other options are very welcome!

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Fred

 

[GreyCatz]

Hello, Fred:

PhotoShop CC (2017) recommends 2GBs of dedicated VRAM, so that debars the HP Spectre. I don't have anything to go on with the Dell XPS, so we're left with the Surface Book. If you can get the Surface Book with a GTX 940M (I'm assuming 2GBs) and 256GBs of SSD storage for €1,656 (possibly less), then it seems that's the one to go for.

Those RAW files from your X-T2 camera are likely to require an external HDD solution pretty quickly. The Spectre did have 512GBs of storage, but only an Intel HD 540.

Where did you find these devices, fnac/Darty?

Cheers,
GreyCatz.

 

[webzeb]

Hello, Fred:

PhotoShop CC (2017) recommends 2GBs of dedicated VRAM, so that debars the HP Spectre. I don't have anything to go on with the Dell XPS, so we're left with the Surface Book. If you can get the Surface Book with a GTX 940M (I'm assuming 2GBs) and 256GBs of SSD storage for €1,656 (possibly less), then it seems that's the one to go for.

Those RAW files from your X-T2 camera are likely to require an external HDD solution pretty quickly. The Spectre did have 512GBs of storage, but only an Intel HD 540.

Where did you find these devices, fnac/Darty?

Cheers,
GreyCatz.

Hello GreyCatz,

I guess Adobe requirements are related to 'GPU accelerated mode' only.

I read mixed opinions about how 'GPU accelerated mode' performs with an entry level GPU like the 940M, so I am not sure it is a worth upgrade other an Iris solution.

Price are from FNAC which has decent offers somtimes. The offer on the spectre with OLED display is especially good.

Off course I will need extra storage. I have a desktop computer, plus 100GB of cloud storage, for that. However, 128GB quickly becomes à hassle from my expérience and having more space would be à real plus, especially when I am on the go.

 

[GreyCatz]

Salut, Fred:

I'm not a PhotoShop user myself - I just noticed the requirements some time ago - and if you're comfortable with Intel's HD 540, then the HP Spectre suddenly becomes a very attractive candidate again. But here's an ASUS to consider:
http/www.fnac.com/PC-Ultra-Portable-Asus-Zenbook-UX330UA-FB139R-13-3/a10015467/w-4

13.3" 4K display, dual-core Kaby Lake i7, HD 620 and 512GBs of storage at €1,235. Not as spectacular as the OLED Spectre, but you do get more storage and it easily outperforms the Surface Book.

Cheers,
GreyCatz.