The best iMac for photo editing. If you’re one of those people who prefer a desktop computer to a light and portable laptop, a 27-inch iMac with a 5K Retina display is your best bet for Mac photo editing. The new 2020 release equips the technological giant with a nano-texture glass, bringing the photo editing experience up to a new level. Hopefully, our selection of the best free programs for photo editing on Mac will help you choose the right app to suit all your creative needs. Luminar (7 days trial) Luminar is another full-featured photo editor that’s popular with both Mac and Windows users.

• Best Program For Photo Editing Machine
• Best Free Photo Editing Program For Mac
• Best Photo Editing Program For Mac

Creating photo slideshows is one of the best ways to have a vivid presentation with still images integrated into it. We know that many online applications and desktop programs available to make a slideshow on Windows. However, when it comes to presentation on the Mac OS X system, it is totally a different situation. We also know the Mac OS X is much more closed than the Windows platform. The choices of slideshow software for Mac are very limited. But never worry, as based on our careful testing and functional evaluation, we selected the top 5 slideshow programs you can use on Mac. Let’s check them.

5 Best Slideshow Software for Mac

LightMV

LightMV is a cloud-based slideshow maker which is compatible with Mac, Windows, iOS and Android. There are many web applications provide slideshow making services but we consider this one as the best free slideshow maker for Mac among others based on three factors – No signup and installation, ads free with a clean interface, completely free export without watermark. Currently, its easy mode offers 11 styles of templates. I guess it has an advanced mode which might be released in the near future. Under the easy mode, we can output a HD-quality slideshow in three steps.

Pros:

• A super easy user interface
• No limit on the use
• HD export of the video
• Works with different systems

Cons:

• More templates should be offered

iMovie

iMovie should be one of your considerations when it comes to creating a stunning slideshow. As the default video editing software developed by Apple Inc., iMovie can be found preinstalled on Mac and iOS devices. This tool can create a slideshow presentation with pictures, aside from editing their video footages. There are a lot of themes, transitions and effects which can be used to make the slideshow good looking. If you need a free slideshow maker for Mac, go ahead with iMovie.

Pros:

• Free of charge
• Lots of integrated effects, transitions and themes
• Official technical support from Apple

Cons:

• Not easy-to-use interface for beginners

JPEGDeux

JPEGDeux is another program that can be used effectively to make a desired slideshow on Mac. With the wide range of useful options for customization it provides, people are able to have more freedom to export the slideshow they prefer. Besides, as one of the best slideshow makers for Mac, it also has a very intuitive interface which first-time users can get hold of all its functions instantly.

Pros:

• Recursive directories help make slideshows very easily
• Outstanding customization options for slideshow making
• Stable and reliable to use

Cons:

• Limited editing functions
• No option for slideshow sharing

4K Slideshow Maker

4K Slideshow Maker provides users the highest 4K resolution when it comes to creating slideshows. The slideshow maker software for Mac allows uploading of images not only from Mac, but also directly from Instagram, which is a quite great feature for Instagram users that can come very handy. It has cool effects, filters, effects and transitions and even the face recognition tech. All these features will definitely give you a good experience.

Pros:

• Supports the loading of images from local folder or even from the Instagram platform
• Allows users to export slideshow in 4K quality
• Provides various format options for exporting a slideshow

Cons:

• Limited editing options are available in the tool
• Limited themes and styles available

FotoMagico 5

FotoMagico 5 is an additional tool among the best free slideshow makers for Mac which allows its users to create a slideshow with photos, videos, music and text integrated all at once. Like 4K Slideshow Maker, this software also provides ultra 4K resolution for creating a slideshow.

Pros:

• Very easy to handle user interface
• Supports the creation of slideshows with videos aside from photos
• Offers 4K resolution

Cons:

• The latest version is only available on Mac OS X 10.6.6 and later

Conclusion

Those are the best slideshow maker for Mac on the market, which you can use to make the most stunning slideshow on Mac. If you have better programs that we do not review in this post, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below.

Mac Tips

Mac TipsUpdated: September 04, 2020 | 13 min read

Before we start

Regardless of the device you choose, you need to keep it in perfect condition to help it cope with any large and resource-intensive apps, such as photo editing.

MacKeeper allows you to optimize your Mac’s performance—it will remove any junk and ensure you experience the best use of your Mac.
Try MacKeeper for yourself today!

You might think that photo editing doesn’t require any special hardware. However, if you’re an experienced photographer, you know that not all computers can pull off the necessary software such as Adobe Photoshop.

But what about Macs? As with any other brand, some Apple computers are more fit for the purpose than others. In this article, we look at the best Macs for photographers, compare their characteristics, and discuss the most popular photo editing software.

Here’s a short list of the best MacBooks for photography:

• Ultimate best:MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) or 13-inch (2020)
• Best budget: MacBook Air (2020)
• Best desktop:27-inch iMac with 5K Retina Display (2020)

Why use a Mac for photo editing?

Apple products are well-known for their powerful hardware, loved by many creators—from photographers and filmmakers to app developers.

All of the high-end components of a MacBook are packed into a light-weight body, making it portable and easy to carry around at all times. Not to mention the exceptionally long battery life that provides the opportunity to work away from a charging port for an entire day. As for iMacs, photographers can take advantage of the large screen size, superb resolution, and powerful multi-core i7 processors of these phenomenal computers.

Recommended system requirements

We’ve prepared a list of key things you need to look out for when buying your best Mac for photo editing.

For the best photo editing experience, it is essential that you pick the best available display. Ideally, you need a large, high definition Retina screen. IPS technology, which is incorporated in all MacBook and iMac models post-2012, makes images brighter and bolder and guarantees accurate color reproduction. A Retina display with a substantial pixel density is what you’re looking for—regardless of the size of the project you’re working on.

Photo editing software is rather demanding—especially if you deal with high-resolution raw files and work with advanced effects in Photoshop or Lightroom. It’s crucial that you invest in a powerful discrete graphics card—make sure your Mac has at least Intel UHD Graphics 617.

Don’t forget about RAM and storage space—you’ll need a lot of those. We recommend at least 8GB of RAM and 500GB of internal SSD storage minimum. The more RAM you have, the faster and smoother your editing experience will be.

As a photographer, you know that you have to connect cameras, SD cards, and other peripherals to your Mac on a regular basis. Therefore, the number and type of ports on a computer is an important aspect when making a choice. Think about the camera input and the type of cable you use for your camera when selecting a Mac, and don’t forget about the SD cards.

Finally, consider the portability of your device. Whether photography is an occupation or a hobby for you, it’s a dynamic activity—you’ll need to move around a lot even if you have your own studio. A laptop is in advantage over a desktop computer due to its low weight combined with impressive components. Mac laptops have pixel-perfect screens with excellent color support. Additionally, the wide contrast of the Retina displays will keep highlights and shadow detail consistently visible.

You’ll probably need to free up some space to install a photo editing app—they’re usually pretty big.

To clean junk and useless apps from your Mac, just follow these 3 easy steps—install MacKeeper, scan your device, and delete rubbish!
Let’s start right away.

The best MacBooks for photographers in 2020

We talked to professional photographers to our team, analyzed all the specs and evaluated reviews to compile a list of the most preferred choices for photo editing. Here’s what we’ve got:

MacBook Pro for photo editing

The new 13-inch MacBook Pro 2020 is one of the best Apple creations yet, featuring the Magic Keyboard, a Touch Bar, and Touch ID for utmost efficiency and productivity. With the Touch Bar innovation that came in 2018, it got easier to work in Photoshop as there are a number of useful shortcuts you won't find on any other laptop. These include a selection of your favorite photos, quick addition to albums, and editing straight in the Photos app, among other handy functions.

The baseline dual-core laptop can be equipped with a 4.5GHz 10th generation quad-core i7 processor and 32GB of RAM, which is twice the usual amount for a 13-inch MacBook Pro. This makes editing in Photoshop a seamless process with up to 50% speed improvement. The Iris Plus graphics card delivers 80% faster processing of threaded filters.

The display of the MacBook uses True Tone technology with 500 nits brightness and as much as 25% more colours than sRGB, which is ideal for accurate image representation. You can incorporate up to 4TB of SSD storage—an incredible space to store your photographs. Finally, four Thunderbolt 3 ports are available to connect your peripherals. All of these components are packed in just 1.4 kilos.

In addition to the 13-inch model, photographers must consider the 16-inch MacBook that came out in 2019 and is due to be updated soon. It’s a larger, more powerful and more expensive device that will fit those hungry for better components and a larger screen, still packed in a relatively small frame.

Best Program For Photo Editing Machine

MacBook Air for photo editing

MacBook Air is the cheapest among all Apple laptops with Retina display. It can become your favorite photo editing assistant. Being the most portable Mac laptop with the longest battery life, MacBook Air is a great option for photographers who are always on the run.

The base model costs as little as $999, although the specs of such a laptop won’t satisfy the needs for bigger projects. The processor is 10th Gen Core i3—we recommend at least i5. RAM of 8GB is substantial with 256GB of SSD storage on top of it. Finally, the laptop is equipped with Intel Iris Plus Graphics. All of this is packed in just 1.27 kilos.

The computer can have several upgrades. The first would increase the cost to $1,299, but the specs are much better: 1.1GHz quad-core i5 CPU and 512GB of SSD storage among the ones that are different. The most customized MacBook Air would come at $2,249 with a 10th Gen core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM and 2TB SSD. One would argue that it’s easier to just buy a MacBook Pro.

The slim laptop doesn’t allow a lot of room for ports—you’ll only find two Thunderbolt 3 ports as opposed to four in a 13-inch MacBook Pro. Thus, if you want to connect more than just a camera and a pair of headphones, you might need to invest in a USB hub.

The display of an Air is quite rewarding. The 13.3-inch 2560x2600 panel does create size limitations, but it reaches 113% of the sRGB gamut and outstands the nit average, having an impressive 382 nits.

The best iMac for photo editing

Best Free Photo Editing Program For Mac

If you’re one of those people who prefer a desktop computer to a light and portable laptop, a 27-inch iMac with a 5K Retina display is your best bet for Mac photo editing. The new 2020 release equips the technological giant with a nano-texture glass, bringing the photo editing experience up to a new level.

The powerful Coffee Lake processor of up to 10 cores can handle pretty much anything you throw its way. You’re also presented with up to 126GB of on-board RAM and terabytes of SSD storage space.

How to Optimize your Mac for Photo Editing?

Photo editing is an intricate art and it's also one of the most resource-consuming tasks you can do on a Mac. Lack of free space, plenty of duplicated photos scattered all over the folders may hamper your photo editing process.

Whenever you get the beach ball icon on your screen, it's high time to clean up your RAM memory. The Memory Cleaner feature in MacKeeper will easily do that for you. Simply run this tool when working on your photos to enhance the performance of your photo-editing software. And speaking about such software, Update Tracker will keep your photo editing apps updated at all times.

As a photographer you do need a lot of storage space to store images after photoshoots. Not to spend extra money on additional gigabytes, you can get rid of photo duplicates. Use Duplicates Finder to scan for copies and check how much space can be reclaimed! Besides duplicates, such files as caches, logs, apps leftovers, and items sent to Trash but still not deleted from there can be the reason for lack of space. Delete these items with one simple feature—that is Safe Cleanup!

Conclusion

Macs have become exceedingly popular among photographers. Most of all it is because they are powerful machines with outstanding color accuracy. Their portability and long battery life are distinguished among all creatives. But let’s not forget about the exceptionally aesthetically pleasing design of every Apple device—any photographer is strongly receptive of beauty and will definitely find them exceptionally attractive.

If you’re still unsure about the device you should choose—download MacKeeper and contact our tech experts.

They’d love to help you choose the best Mac to suit you. In addition, they can share their top tips on how to keep your Mac clean and optimized.

Read more:

Best Photo Editing Program For Mac