Getting a laptop

[Robert]

Ok, I need to get a better computer, so I'm thinking why not a laptop. Probably will to the PC route in order to keep the costs down a bit (I know the Powerbooks are really good).

What about Dell? See this one - http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/upsell_1721_systems?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs

I am going to use it for recording my music and videos. No gaming.

Any tips or suggestions appreciated.

 

[just strum]

I'm not an expert on what is the best, but I have a Dell Latitude D820 and really enjoy it. It's wirerless which makes it great at home, office or anywhere I can pick up a signal.

I purchased a Dell Vestro 1500 laptop for my son and he has no complaints. When I purchased it, they only offered it to Small Businesses. I actually had to call and fight for the thing and demand to speak to one supervisor after another until they agreed to sell it.

So, I like Dell. I have heard that they aren't as good as they use to be, but I've had no problems with them and have owned 5 or 6, plus we have about 150 Dells at work.

Since you can build what you want, I would suggest going to their site and putting a couple of models together and see what you get.

 

[ted s]

For work we use Dell exclusively. I've had my notebook in dusty,hot and cold. Cold like on the roof of a college comissioning controls Dec.23 while it's snowing !
I just got my Mom an Inspiron 1721, she is very happy with it.

 

[Robert]

Toshiba is pretty good too? This one looks like a good deal -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3334088

 

[just strum]

Toshiba is pretty good too? This one looks like a good deal -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3334088

I've heard decent things about Toshiba, but when I was shopping for my son's laptop, I compared a number of makes side-by-side and Dell always came out the least expensive. I did look at Toshiba, but I don't remember the model, although it wouldn't matter since they change model numbers about every three months.

There are a number of good ones out there, so I guess I would stress to compare every feature side-by-side.

Another thing, I have yet to hear anything good about Windows Vista. Now they may have worked out the bugs, but when I purchased my last two computers from Dell, I insisted on XP. Just MHO.

 

[WackyT]

The good thing about Dell are their warranties. Just about all laptops available on the market nowadays are identical in build quality. After sale support is what makes the big difference.

 

[SuperSwede]

Robert,

I know that you said that you´d like to take the PC route once again, but I would really recommend that you check out Apple´s powerbook line. You are going to LOVE the operating system (all unix based). It comes with GB and iMovie which are two excellent applications that would suit your needs perfectly. You get MORE with a Mac

Sorry, please go on with the PC discussion... ancake

 

[Mark]

If your getting a laptop for recording/video work a couple of tips lots of ram 1-2 gigs preferred, 2 if its running Vista, fast processor and fast hard drive not one of those pokey 5400 rpm unit they like to put in laptops

 

[Robert]

I have a 500 gig external drive that is 7200 rpm. I use Firewire to record on it. Wouldn't going this route solve the problem with a typical laptop's 5400 rpm only internal hard drive?

I know the Mac's are great. They cost a lot more though...

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Robert,

I know that you said that you´d like to take the PC route once again, but I would really recommend that you check out Apple´s powerbook line. You are going to LOVE the operating system (all unix based). It comes with GB and iMovie which are two excellent applications that would suit your needs perfectly. You get MORE with a Mac

Sorry, please go on with the PC discussion... ancake

I'll just second that. I am not nearly as advanced as SS on recording with one, but I have run a law office for over 10 years on that platform. They do cost as you say, but if you compare the specs directly, they compare pretty well with similarly equipped PCs according to articles I have seen. Plus, the experience is just that much better. The law office I share space with regularly has a tech in working on their network, drivers, whatever. I never have. I have had on warranty repair done on a sound card. That's it in all those years. I know you are trying to limit the discussions to PCs, but I think you should at least go and check out the comparisons for yourself before making a decision.

 

[Robert]

Well, I am good at fixing PCs', I have worked as a repair guy and I used to be way into repairing and building PC's.

It's hard to decide! The Dell XPS look awesome! http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/xpsnb_notebook?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs

 

[Justaguyin_nc]

I will be watching on which one you end up with Robert..
I don't know if the brand name matters...

Duo core2 is a must...
2 gb memory..
and although your not into games.. I would suggest GeForce or ATI as the graphics..
the speed on which the screen updates will still rely on this...
the intergrated intel based graphic machines just don't do it for me..
I also like external drives.. so thats not an issue to me either..
Oh..you realize you probably will be using Vista after a new purchase?uke:

And if SS can talk you into it...go MAC... he will be happy..

Edit: I just looked up the reviews on Dell site.. looks like one user agrees..

quote:
Pros
Very good design and features. After searching and looking at many different laptops and comparing styles and features, I think this is probably the best deal in price/performance/design. It is very portable, thin and fast. LED screen is a nice addition. Highly recommned.
Make sure you get 2GB memory with Vista if you get anything else.
Cons
So so graphics performance.
end quote:

He probably got the stock graphics chip..

 

[SuperSwede]

I know the Mac's are great. They cost a lot more though...

2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
120GB hard drive
Double-layer SuperDrive
Ships: 1-2 business days
Free Shipping
$1,449.00 Canada Dollars.

That would be a SWEET recording/video station, no viruses, no funky windows problems. Just a SMOOTH user experience... Swooshh..

- "Mr. Malmsteen, take us into Orbit..."

 

[just strum]

I know absolutely nothing about MAC, but I do know I never heard an owner complain and that has to be a major selling point.



Swooshh???

 

[Justaguyin_nc]

2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
120GB hard drive
Double-layer SuperDrive
Ships: 1-2 business days
Free Shipping
$1,449.00 Canada Dollars.

That would be a SWEET recording/video station, no viruses, no funky windows problems. Just a SMOOTH user experience... Swooshh..

- "Mr. Malmsteen, take us into Orbit..."

it's a 13" monitor and no firewire...
change it to 17 inch with firewire and your at $2000.00

Price has always stopped me when it comes to MACS.. I don't have that kinda money.. sigh.. as for the system..they always seem good..
You probably don't hear many people complain about them for two reasons..
1) not as many people use them.. but: http://tonyvirtual.blogspot.com/2007/10/blue-screen-apples-leopard-has-it-too.html
2)who really cares? :rotflmao:

Im kidding...Im kidding!!!!

 

[SuperSwede]

it's a 13" monitor and no firewire...
change it to 17 inch with firewire and your at $2000.00

Price has always stopped me when it comes to MACS.. I don't have that kinda money.. sigh.. as for the system..they always seem good..
You probably don't hear many people complain about them for two reasons..
1) not as many people use them.. but: http://tonyvirtual.blogspot.com/2007/10/blue-screen-apples-leopard-has-it-too.html
2)who really cares? :rotflmao:

Im kidding...Im kidding!!!!

Grrrr *my best Leopard-style roar*

Thats 13 point THREE inches of lovely glossy top-of-the-line display mind you, and:

Slot-loading optical drive
Built-in AirPort Extreme
FireWire 400 and two USB 2.0 ports
Gigabit Ethernet
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR

I´m sorry Justa.. I just HAD to post this ... friends? :whatever: :beer:

 

[just strum]

Well Robert, it looks like you have a lot of info but no defined answer.

Look, I've known you for what must be going on two weeks, have I ever steered you wrong?

Seriously, I would write down everything I want the system to do and then take the time to look at the suggestions, write down or print off comparison sheets and then make your decision. Don't pay extra for bells and whistles you will never use.

Once you've gathered all the info, you know enough about computers that you will make the right decision.:AOK:

 

[marnold]

I can't really help because I've never owned a laptop. I know that my next computer purchase will be one though. I'm getting one of the Linux-equipped Dells, the cheapest I can get. Gaming will now take place on a PS3, whenever we get that. I want to get a Dell to support their efforts to offer Linux.

I'd have to read up on some of the sites to see what would be needed for recording, although I've been able to do it with Audacity on my Athlon XP 1800+. Just about anything for sale today would be faster than that.

 

[luvmyshiner]

Hey Robert, I was forced to replace my laptop last February when my old one crashed. It's my primary computer for work so I didn't have much of a choice. I went with a Toshiba, and have no complaints, although I could have saved $500 on the darn thing had I purchased it at an office supply store (where I later saw the price) instead of going to Best Buy. Live and learn.

I will ditto what Strum says. It has Windows Vista and I hate it. If you have to, wipe the hard drive and install XP before using it.

 

[Justaguyin_nc]

I can't really help because I've never owned a laptop. I know that my next computer purchase will be one though. I'm getting one of the Linux-equipped Dells, the cheapest I can get. Gaming will now take place on a PS3, whenever we get that. I want to get a Dell to support their efforts to offer Linux.

I'd have to read up on some of the sites to see what would be needed for recording, although I've been able to do it with Audacity on my Athlon XP 1800+. Just about anything for sale today would be faster than that.

Well, I really hate to admit this, but..
I did pickup a cheap laptop to mess with...
with everything I said it should not have..
with the idea of putting linux on it..
(having trouble still figuring out the wifi with linux. Sees network. just does not connect yet..user error I am sure!)

Acer 3690.. 1.6 chip.. 512 mem.. intergrated graphics card, but it was so darn cheap!
I gave a guy $250.00 for it..like new
these still sell for 500-600 new and to be honest, for dirt cheap it works so far...but it's not something I would suggest to buy this day and age..
it also has the Vista system running on it..

Ofcourse this is not what your looking for Robert..
No Firewire..Slower processor..although it does have lots of USB..
Even DVD burner..on this one..

I got to get use to slow loads..
but the Wifi hooks to the net here at the house pretty quickly..
and works fine using Vista Basic so far.. with only 512 ram.
I am thinking Linux on it might just be the ticket..
with a bit more ram added and figuring out the wifi.
(hardwired the net connects fine on both OS)

 

[Robert]

The other reason a PC with Windows on it is better for me is that we use the Adobe Creative Suite at work, and the license lets me use a it at home too. That means I get Photoshop, Adobe Audition and other great software to no cost! One thing I can not live without is Photoshop. I also (think I?) need Cubase, which I have a PC license for.

 

[SuperSwede]

The other reason a PC with Windows on it is better for me is that we use the Adobe Creative Suite at work, and the license lets me use a it at home too. That means I get Photoshop, Adobe Audition and other great software to no cost! One thing I can not live without is Photoshop. I also (think I?) need Cubase, which I have a PC license for.

I can understand that, but doesnt the Adobe license allow cross platform installations?

 

[Justaguyin_nc]

Speaking of cross platform..
Well, maybe staying with the cheaper PC and running OSX86 will give you MAC OS and then SLAX will give you Linux type OS..

And you still have windoz to play with..

MAC:
http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showforum=85

LINUX:
http://www.slax.org/

Hmmm.. the main thing.. just get one to mess with.. they all basicly do the same thing huh..

 

[SuperSwede]

Thats pretty cool Justa... I wonder how pro-apps would work on a non-apple computer, probably just fine if you use a external usb/fw audio card.

 

[Justaguyin_nc]

Thats pretty cool Justa... I wonder how pro-apps would work on a non-apple computer, probably just fine if you use a external usb/fw audio card.

I have yet to try the OSX86, but at this moment I am booted from a USB stick running SLAX..Kill bill version and it detected everything!! Wifi and all.. on this cheap lil Acer 3690..

I seen some threads saying Garageband runs on slow systems fine... well slowly up to 6 tracks with OSX86.. If I find garageband at a fea market etc.. I will just have to give it a try!

We live in a wonderful time.. with all the options available.

:beer:

 

[SuperSwede]

I have yet to try the OSX86, but at this moment I am booted from a USB stick running SLAX..Kill bill version and it detected everything!! Wifi and all.. on this cheap lil Acer 3690..

I seen some threads saying Garageband runs on slow systems fine... well slowly up to 6 tracks with OSX86.. If I find garageband at a fea market etc.. I will just have to give it a try!

We live in a wonderful time.. with all the options available.

:beer:

Garageband comes with the iLife software suite, which I am sure that you will be able to find _somewhere_ since you already found a copy of OS X.

:beer:

 

[Robert]

SS, we don't have a Mac version of the software (PC only), so we would likely have to buy a whole new license.

 

[SuperSwede]

SS, we don't have a Mac version of the software (PC only), so we would likely have to buy a whole new license.

However some of your friends might have that...

 

[Justaguyin_nc]

Garageband comes with the iLife software suite, which I am sure that you will be able to find _somewhere_ since you already found a copy of OS X.
:beer:

Have yet to try OS X.. don't have any of it..

 

[Justaguyin_nc]

Ran across this article.. pretty well done..
Might be worth the few minutes to read and get a few more ideas on the model ya want Robert.. although, I think you already made your mind up.
This is a year old article..which means you might find some deals..
Ignore the place it's at.. but read the article..

https://wwws.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Archives/CA_Show_Article/0,2322,1801,00.html