I need some advice. My 6 year old computer (WinXP) just crashed and I need a new one. It was getting slow anyway. I'd consider a Mac, but all my software is PC and I have never even used a Mac (they also seem very expensive). I have a limited budget (like to keep it under $2000 if possible. I have monitors and external USB hard drives for backup). I don't need a ';state of the art screamer'; but I do need a faster, more powerful machine to comfortably process 21 MB RAW 5DmkII files and one that works well with my Canon 6100 printer. I figure 200-300 MB files will be a routine thing in Photoshop (currenty using PSCS2 and LR2.3) Color management MUST work properly.
I've never used Vista and am a bit gun shy. I have heard there are problems with its ability to retain monitor calibration data, etc, and that color management may be an issue. I have also read about problems getting the Canon drivers and plugins working. A new machine will have some flavor of Vista, but which one? And is XP compatibility mode part of the standard Vista system? Does Vista require any new software or can I use my old Windows XP software?
Suggestions on computer make, deals, CPU, amount and type of RAM, hard drive size and type, video card, etc, would be appreciated. I'd like the video card to have two connections and two video lookup tables for my two Samsung monitors. Any other advice would be appreciated. I'm way out of touch on what to buy and don't want to make a big mistake.
Thank You,New computer advice please?
Currently best buy has a dell Dual core for $450.. , if not try toshiba l305.. that will do what you want.. Also if your old machine is simply that Windows Crashed and not the hardware. you can easily get stuff off it with http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-v鈥?/a>
I would avoid the Mac,
PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support
Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..
Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think..
Don't believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.
A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en%26amp;q=os+鈥?/a> as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,
If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.
Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?
I say: NO... for the following reasons...
ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :
Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.
1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows.
2) Supports devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).
3) More business software/games
4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.
5) Used by businesses.
ADVANTAGES LINUX :
1) FREE (most versions are)
2) Install software by eitjher 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)
2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk鈥?/a>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDf鈥?/a> (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)
3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_鈥?/a>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2鈥?/a>
4) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet
5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)
Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-v鈥?/a>
Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windo鈥?/a>
SECURITY
Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.
Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.
Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/so鈥?/a>
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/2鈥?/a>
http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/1鈥?/a>
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft鈥?/a>
VIRUSES
Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think ';they are safe';.
http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005
http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives鈥?/a>
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/ar鈥?/a>
QUALITY/PROBLEMS
Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to ';lower the price'; and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.
Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-100202鈥?/a>
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-qu鈥?/a>
http://www.appledefects.com/
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-op鈥?/a>
Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.
With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.
IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.
PRICE
A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)
**(LAPTOP)
Dell Inspiron Laptop $849 dropped to $799
15'; Screen
CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) - WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks
Macbook $1349 just dropped to $1224
13'; Screen (SMALLER)
CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME)
Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM)
Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE)
Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) - (Writes CDs, DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE AND 1/2 SPEED)
http://www.dell.com/content/products/res鈥?/a>
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB40鈥?/a>
**(DESKTOP)
PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you really want an all-in one the Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you matching specs. Personally I don't think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.
PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple's low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac ';look different';, if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.
Dell: (At The Moment) Specs Below costs $809
CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: 3GB Ram
HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer
GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB
The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal... The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.
IMac ($1400)
CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM)
HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)
GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB
http://www.dell.com/content/products/res鈥?/a>
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB32鈥?/a>
Equivalents to ILife
http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20鈥?/a>
http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t鈥?/a>
LINUX INFO:
http://distrowatch.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
http://www.desktoplinux.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
http://www.ubuntu.com/
http://www.kubuntu.org/
http://www.freespire.org/
http://www.pclinuxos.com/
http://xwinman.org/gnome.php
http://xwinman.org/kde.php
http://www.linuxalt.com/
http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Switch鈥?/a>
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Switch鈥?/a>
http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPr鈥?/a>New computer advice please?
If you are close to an Apple store, you have to take a look at the iMac. A great computer that will blow you away. I think you would be making an enormous error in staying with Windows.
You can buy all the Adobe programs and Microsoft programs for the Mac and the documents that you already have will work just fine.
ibuypower.com
you can customize it with the stuff yuo want....
but i would reccomend a
core i7
any motherboard will do it doesnt matter....
6gb of 1333 ram(or 12 will be best)
2tb of hardrive space
and a gtx 285
this will last you for a long time
.
Get a MAC.....
Not much, but I have a dell, DO NOT GET A DELL
vista basically samehtign as xp mroe toys and better looks
i would reocmend a laptop since thats whats really popular these days and their jsut as powerful and good as desktop.
go to best buy or future shop, they have excellant service to help you find EXACTLY what u want.
if ur going for pc, i reocmend HP, they have nice designs and great service and at affordable prices
macs do run under 2 grand so if u want to try somethign new, go for a mac ormacbook cause they are very reliable and a good choice if u want to try something new. u can expeirence it at best buy they have setup displays for u to see.
like i said, go to best buy and they will HELP YOU
gl
1- there's nothing wrong with vista, it's a perfectly usable OS
2- if you're feeling a bit adventurous, or you have some experience with computers/ DIY, I would recommend building your own computer from scratch, it would cost you a lot less for a much better machine
^email/IM me for help if you choose to build your own
other than that, you can get a powerful pre-built computer for under 2k, and probably under 1k.
a decent at best computer could even cost you as low as $300
*almost forgot, you should stick with vista home premium, basic is terrible, and ultimate is unnecessarily overpriced
Start here first... http://computers.toptenreviews.com/home/
This should give you a general idea of the latest %26amp; greatest.
In my opinion, it would be in your best interest to remain w/ XP. If you purchase a new PC w/ Vista, it is highly recommended to pay for the downgrade back to XP. Reason being, most of the software you're referring to as well as the hardware may not work passed XP, same is to be said with the MAC's...it all boils down to compatibility. Vista has been notorious for compatibility issues with both hardware and software. It sounds as though you have an extensive array of both that you built around XP. XP was and continues to be a very stable OS with the ability to handle the majority of all software and hardware produced. As far as building a PC and the different hardware peripherals that you specifically need for design and/or imaging, it will pretty much breakdown to software and/or hardware requirements, always go bigger than what the requirements suggest for best performance obviously. As far as suggesting specifics, the categories are quite broad as the selection of hardware is immense and manufacturers are plenty. I suggest visiting a few Tech Review websites, which after reading a few reviews will propel you back into the loop so to speak.
Good Luck!
I have a 7 year old windows XP computer and it still works good. The thing is, if you want fast but cheap go laptop. Laptops will get you pretty close to your budget. For about 900-1200 a Dell XPS laptop looks good Just go to www.dell.com and search XPS. If you REALLY want a Mac, you can put windows xp on it, dont know much about that, i would google it or use youtube, or use yahoo answers. as far as RAM and that stuff ift depends on your computer needs. Gaming, Media, etc. The xps model comes in gaming and media center edition. So I would go with a Dell Laptop (Doesn't really need to be xps) If you NEED a desktop get an XPS Desktop and you can google for dell cupons.
for your budget you can easily get a computer that meets your demands
i would recommend a Dell, HP, Asus, Fujitsu Siemens or Mesh
Vista had its issues but 99.9% of these issues have been ironed out with service packs and updates as needed so compatibility etc shouldn't be an issue
all you need to worry about s dual monitor support and for this you will a computer that has a graphics card that supports this
hope this helps
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