When it comes to photo editing, many people use a tablet or a laptop. However, professionals evaluate the technical aspects first before choosing between the two options. Both tablets and laptops give you the performance you need to edit photos.
If you are looking for basic effects such as changing colors or cropping, a tablet is a good choice. But if you want more than basic editing like using layers, etc., a laptop with high specs can work wonders.
Still, choosing between tablets and laptops for photo editing depends on several factors. These might include your specific needs. Additionally, the hardware and software you are using for editing will be equally important. Both tablets and laptops are great options for photo editing, but they have advantages and limitations.
Are tablets better for photo editing than laptops? Well, it depends on certain factors. Let’s discuss them in detail in this post.
What Makes People Choose Tablets for Photo Editing?
There are several reasons why people prefer tablet photo editing.
Tablets come with touch screens
Tablets provide you with a more immersive and intuitive experience needed for photo editing. You can use your fingers to create amazing digital artwork. Or, you can use a stylus to achieve precise adjustments while drawing.
The young business man using a Tablet PC
Tablets give you portability
Photo editing tablets mean portability. Typically, tablets are lightweight and more portable than laptops. This is what makes them convenient for photo editing even on the go.
Pen input for added precision
Many tablets include pressure-sensitive stylus pens. These pens give you greater control and precision when it comes to editing photos. Stylus pens are perfect for tasks such as retouching and drawing.
Tablets offer great display quality
Certain tablets that come with high-end features offer great display quality. You will get high resolution visuals along with excellent color accuracy. They have support for a wide-color gamut as well. These features are important for accurate photo editing.
Tablets have good battery life
In general, tablets have longer battery life compared to laptops. As a result, you can work on different types of photo editing projects without the need to charge your tablet frequently.
What Makes People Choose Laptops for Photo Editing?
There are several reasons why people prefer laptop photo editing.
Laptops give you the performance you need
Laptops come with plenty of options for users of all types. However, certain laptops are specifically designed for editing. These laptops have more powerful processors and dedicated GPUs. As such, they can handle resource-intensive photo editing software with ease. Whether you are working in Lightroom or Photoshop, the performance of the device will impress you.
Software compatibility is not an issue when using a laptop
Most professional photo editing software you find around is designed for desktops and laptops. Besides, software for laptops comes with more advanced features than tablets. Even if you are using the same software for your laptop and tablet, you will find differences in their features and capabilities.
Laptops have big screen size
Laptops come with larger screen sizes. Although the lowest screen size in a laptop is 14 inches, it is still bigger than the screen size of a tablet. A bigger screen helps you in detailed photo editing.
Laptops have keyboards and touchpads for better stability during editing
Laptops have physical keyboards and more precise touchpads. That’s why users find it more comfortable to use laptops for extended editing sessions. Tasks that need precise control when working on intensive photo editing benefit from laptops' keyboards and touchpads.
Photo by Onur Binay on Unsplash
Laptops are great options for multitasking
Typically, laptops have more processing power compared to tablets. That way, laptops are great options if you want to do several tasks at one time. If you intend to work with multiple applications and editing tools running simultaneously, laptops are your best choice. Check out our post on how to choose the best graphic design laptop.
Verdict
If you are looking for casual photo editing, tablets can be good options. Tablets offer portability and have touchscreen capabilities alongside stylus support. However, for advanced-level photo editing, a laptop is a better option.
Laptops come with a powerful CPU, a larger display with high color accuracy, and a dedicated GPU. Sometimes professionals even use a combination of laptops and tablets. They use a tablet for initial edits. And, use a powerful laptop for advanced adjustments.
The choice between tablets and laptops for photo editing will depend on your specific needs and the complexity of the project.
Pros and cons of using tablets for photo editing?
Using a tablet for photo editing has its advantages and disadvantages. It will depend on your specific requirements. Check out the pros and cons of using tablets for photo editing.
Pros of Using Tablets for Photo Editing:
Touch Screen Capability – Tablets come with a touch screen interface that allows for precise photo editing. The best part is that you can use your fingers or a stylus to conduct editing tasks. It makes photo editing more interesting.
Portability – Tablets are lightweight and portable. You can conveniently use them for photo editing even on the go. In short, you can work on your photographs from almost anywhere, anytime.
Support for Stylus – Some tablets come with stylus pens. These pressure-sensitive pens allow you to make precise adjustments. You can create new or retouch photos with perfect control and accuracy.
Long Battery Life – Typically, tablets have longer battery life than laptops. This allows for extended editing sessions without worrying about frequent recharging the device.
Touch Gestures – When it comes to zooming, panning, and rotating images, touch gestures are handy features. Tablets offer responsive touch gestures while improving the overall editing experience.
Provides an Immersive Experience – For people with artistic inclinations, a tablet can provide a more natural platform for drawing and painting. You can work directly on the screen. It’s a great device for digital art.
Image by Freepik
Cons of Using Tablets for Photo Editing:
Limited Performance – Tablets that don’t have high-end specs, have limited processing power and memory compared to laptops. You will get slow performance, especially when working with large photo files.
Limited Software Capabilities – Several photo editing apps designed for tablets may lack advanced features and capabilities that you find in laptops or desktops. For example, software such as Photoshop or Lightroom has more features than the versions available for tablets. Therefore, it limits your ability to perform complex editing tasks.
Small Screen Size – Tablets have smaller screens than laptops. You will find it challenging to edit images that need precision. Detailed editing gets difficult when using a tablet.
Mediocre Color Accuracy – High-end tablets come with excellent display quality. But the average ones may not offer the same color accuracy. Also, they may not support wide-color gamut options like professional-grade tablets.
Limited Storage – Tablets are equipped with limited storage capacity. So, you have to rely on external or cloud storage solutions to store or manage your photo files.
Lacks Ergonomics – When you use a tablet for extended hours, you may find it uncomfortable. When editing photos for long periods, using tablets is not as ergonomic as using laptops. Tablets do not have a proper keyboard and mouse.
Compatibility Issues – Professional photo editing software is designed for desktop or laptop use. The compatibility of these applications is limited to tablet versions.
Verdict
Tablets are convenient for photo editing, particularly for on-the-go editing tasks. You get to enjoy the benefits of using a touchscreen interface along with stylus support. Still, tablets may not offer the same level of performance in terms of software capabilities.
If your projects involve complex tasks that need advanced-level photo editing, tablets won’t get you the desired results. The choice between tablets and laptops depends on your specific workflow.
Pros and cons of using laptops for photo editing
Most photographers and graphic designers prefer to use laptops for photo editing. Laptops have certain advantages and disadvantages when it comes to editing photos. Keep in mind the following pros and cons of using laptops for photo editing.
Pros of Using Laptops for Photo Editing:
Sheer Performance – Many laptops for drawing that include dedicated GPUs provide excellent performance for photo editing. They can handle heavy-duty software such as Photoshop, Lightroom, etc. efficiently. We have a separate post on the laptop for drawing that will help you make an informed decision before buying one.
Software Compatibility – Most professional-level photo editing software is designed for desktop or laptop use. They provide advanced features and capabilities that are absent in tablets.
Excellent Color Accuracy – Some laptops come with high-quality displays that offer excellent color accuracy. They have great support for a wide color gamut as well. These are important for precise photo editing.
Large Screen Size – Laptops have larger screens than tablets. It provides the necessary area required for detailed image editing and multitasking.
Large Storage – Laptops come with larger storage options than tablets. Having a large storage can help you to store and manage larger photo files.
Perfect for Multitasking – Laptops have sufficient processing power and memory to handle multitasking efficiently. You can use several applications and editing tools at the same time.
Supports Input Devices – Laptops come with physical keyboards and supports other types of input devices such as trackpad or external mouse. These features are preferred by many users because they find it more comfortable and efficient for longer editing sessions.
Great Ergonomics – You can set up a laptop as a comfortable workstation. All you have to do is add an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It will make extended editing sessions convenient while promoting better ergonomics.
Photo by Theme Photos on Unsplash
Cons of Using Laptops for Photo Editing:
Limited Portability – In general, laptops are heavier than tablets. So, it is a less convenient option for on-the-go photo editing.
Battery Life – Most laptops have limited battery life. When you run photo editing software that uses more resources, low battery life could be a serious problem. Moreover, a laptop with a poor battery life brings trouble if you need to work in remote locations with fewer power outlets.
Generates Much Heat – Intensive photo editing tasks generate a lot of heat in laptops. It may result in reduced performance if the cooling system is not adequate.
Mediocre Screen Quality – Not every laptop comes with high-quality displays. Some budget laptops even have screens with low resolution, limited color accuracy, and narrow viewing angles. It will have an impact on the overall quality of your photo editing.
Expensive – A laptop with high-performing hardware and excellent display can be costly. You have to spend more if you need a laptop with top-notch specifications.
Verdict
Laptops are preferred by most people for photo editing due to their performance. Software compatibility is not an issue and you will get a large screen size. But they are not portable like tablets.
Furthermore, some laptops have limitations in terms of poor battery life, heat management, and display quality. Again, the choice between laptops and tablets depends on your workflow, mobility needs, and budget.
Photo editing software that works on both tablets and laptops
Many photo editing software can work on both tablets and laptops. Below are some popular photo editing software available for both tablets and laptops.
Adobe Photoshop – Adobe Photoshop has different versions for desktops and tablets. The desktop version of Photoshop is available for laptops running on Windows and macOS. Photoshop for iPad provides a refined version of the software. It allows you to edit and retouch photos on your tablet. It includes some of the key features available on the desktop version.
Adobe Lightroom – Adobe Lightroom is available for both tablets and laptops. You can use Lightroom on your Android tablet or iPad. It will sync the photo edits that you did on the desktop version. Lightroom supports both Windows and macOS.
Affinity Photo – It is another powerful photo editing software available for both Windows and macOS laptops. Affinity Photo is available for iPad, too. This versatile software offers professional-grade editing capabilities on all platforms.
Snapseed – Snapseed is a free photo editing app available for tablets running on both iOS and Android. Developed by Google, it provides a wide range of photo editing tools.
Pixlr – Pixlr is a web-based photo editing tool. You can access it via your web browser on your laptop. It comes as a mobile app version for both iOS and Android-powered tablets.
Polarr – Polarr is an excellent, user-friendly photo editing app. You can use it as a web app for laptops and as a mobile app for tablets running on Android and iOS.
VSCO – VSCO offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, including tablets and smartphones. VSCO is popular for being one of the best intuitive editing tools. It has creative filters that will bring your picture to life. You can use VSCO on the web.
Canva – Canva is an essential graphic design and photo editing tool for content creators. It is available online and you can use it on your laptop. However, the mobile app can run smoothly on tablets running on Android or iOS. The instructions are easy to follow and great for creating graphics for social media.
Photo by Timothy Exodus on Unsplash
Wrapping Up
So, which one is better for photo editing: tablets or laptops? Well, there is no straight answer to it. Some people prefer to use tablets for photo editing whereas others love using their laptops to create impressive photos.
Both tablets and laptops have advantages and disadvantages when it comes to editing photos. Hence, you have to decide which device to choose. Whatever your choice, keep in mind that the device should make photo editing comfortable for you.
Hopefully,
the post helped you understand every aspect of using a tablet or a laptop for
editing photos. Now, the decision to choose the right device lies with you.
Share your thoughts on how this post helped you in the comments below.