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01/31/2010 08:52:36 AM · #26 |
This is What I have just bought it is a laptop but a desktop replacement
Amilo Pi 3660 with Windows 7**
Intel Core 2 Duo processor P7450 (3MB L2 Cache, 2.13GHz, 1066MHz FSB)
Genuine Micosoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition
4GB DDR2 RAM, 800Mhz
500GB SATA Hard Disk space
18.4" TFT HD+ LED backlight BrilliantView Widescreen Display (1680 x 945 pixels resolution)
NVIDIA Geforce GT 240M (1GB dedicated GDDR3 800MHz graphics) and onboard graphics (up to 4606MB shared)
Blu-Ray (read) with Super Multi format DVD burner with double layer
Intel WiFi Link 5100 a,g,n Wireless LAN, 10/100 Mbps LAN
Webcam and digital array microphones for video conferencing/chat
Support of HD audio - S/PDIF with up to 7.1 channels, 2 built in speakers
Spillproof Keyboard, silentmode for quiet operation
3 x USB, 1 x HDMI, 1 x VGA, 1 x eSATA
1 x line-in, 1 x microphone in, 1 x ExpressCard slot
Integrated 5-in-1 Card reader
Li-Ion battery with 2.20 hours idle runtime depending on usuage
Weight 3.3Kg
i have an acer one netbook for travel.
edited to say i have two external hard drives 500 gig and one tb
Message edited by author 2010-01-31 08:53:45. |
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01/31/2010 09:15:05 AM · #27 |
From US$1,200 Plug and play, no headaches.
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01/31/2010 11:32:45 AM · #28 |
I just finished setting up a new computer. I bought a Velocity Micro thru Costco (longer warranty, 90-day return period).
WIN7 x64
CS4 x64
MSI X58 motherboard
i7 quadtcore 3.07 GHz processor
NVIDIA GEForce X260 graphics card
12GB DDR3 RAM
2 optical drives
card reader
1TB main HD
2TB internal 2nd drive (got it at good ol' B&H)
500GB internal 3rd drive (from my previous computer)
1TB external backup drive (autobackups using WIN7)
and
Samsung digital monitor
The digital monitor is very important because it makes such a huge difference in quality. The system you buy or build is a personal decision, depending on what you want to do with it. I have a 20 year old idea for a project I want to do with animated abstracts that finally I can afford the technology to do, and to display the finished DVD. The idea actually goes all the way back to Walt Disney's Fantasia. I am so excited to begin!
[eta]
I took it out of the shipping container, plugged it in, connected it to my home network, turned it on, jumped up & down with delight, & never looked back. It came with Vista so I upgraded online to win7 x64. Added McAfee. Downloaded CS4 x64. No problem-o. I used DBAN to format my old HD, set it up with WINXP, & donated it to a freshman college student.
Message edited by author 2010-01-31 11:42:47. |
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01/31/2010 12:39:20 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by GinaRothfels:
I was told that partitioning it would limit the damage if something went wrong. |
They are wrong. They are also trying to save the sale. If the hard drive physically fails you will lose everything. Having a single physical drive partitioned into two logical drives may help with a lesser problem, but if the drive fails completely (as mine did), then both logical drives are gone. |
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01/31/2010 02:51:08 PM · #30 |
the first configuration that you have mentioned
2 * 2048 DDR2 memory
Quad Core Q6600 CPU
1T hard drive
NVidea G Force 8800 GT
Optical drive
is pretty decent, my suggestion is too look for DDR 3, NVidia G Force 9500GT and maybe a blue ray drive. Don't worry about the processor the 3.0Ghz that the camera wants are just ridiculous and your camera will work like a charm on a processor with 4 cores. In whole my live (starting from the age of 10) never had hard disk failure and I have used 5 configurations up till now. Partitioning believe me is very useful, and the wisest thing to do is to have a minimal space where your operating system will be, and not to store anything else (except other programs like photoshop) on it. For example my hard drive is 160GB and on partition C: where my OS is, is only 30GB, and have other 4 logical drives.
Imagine you have some kind system failure and your computer starts to scan the whole 1000GB to find it and fix it if you have only one logical drive, that just annoying.
Other specifications that I have
NVidia G Force 8400GT 512MB
Intel Dual Core 2.8Ghz
1GB DDR1 RAM
and believe me I haven't got any problems using Photoshop and Premiere, not to mention playing most recent PC games till January 2010.
So imagine what you can do with your configuration :) |
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02/01/2010 03:04:36 PM · #31 |
The latest I have seen is this one - specifications as per shop's website:
PACKARD BELL IXTREME X8211
⢠Intel(R) Core 2 Quad Q8300 processor 2.5GHz
⢠4096MB RAM
⢠1TB HDD
⢠DVDRW dual layer drive and separate DVD drive Integrated 10/100 LAN and memory card reader
⢠8 USB 2.0 ports
⢠nVidia GT230 graphics with 1536MB dedicated video RAM, Video 230W
⢠MS Works 9
⢠MS Windows 7 Home Premium
⢠23â screen size with integrated speakers
⢠1 year collect, repair and return warranty
Information I noted in store:
DVD = super multidrive
DVD ROM drive
PS2 optical mouse
PS2 keyboard
RAM = DDR2
HD = ?? shop said 7200 RPM â Packard Bell website says 5400 RPM
Windows version & included software as per box:
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Photoshop Elements 7
Nero 9 Essentials
Office 2007 â 60 day trial
Norton Internet Security 2009
Possibly more information here:
//support.packardbell.com/uk/item/index.php?pn=PV.U2402.006&g=1400
I don't think I can get two hard-drives, and I don't know if the hard-drive can even be partitioned, but this is by far the most affordable machine I've seen yet, with the possible exception of the one at the top of the thread, and I'm really not sure what some of the components in that one are. But there's probably not much difference in price and the earlier one doesn't have a monitor or any software.
I don't need a monitor, but it is included and is a big upgrade on the one I am using, and PS Elements 7 would be an upgrade too as I am still using Elements 3. I was considering buying Elements 8, but if Elements 7 looks okay, I would be saving that money. I don't really need Norton as I still have over a year paid for on AVG anti-virus. |
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02/01/2010 03:10:07 PM · #32 |
| You can always add another drive later on if you want it. It sounded originally as if you were able to custom spec the computer, and in that case the extra drive would have been well spent. |
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02/01/2010 03:10:58 PM · #33 |
| I'm far too lazy to read the whole thread so this may have been touched on, but i am never a fan of slapping a 1tb hd inside the pc. If it were me i would put a decent size hd in the pc and add a 1 tb external for deep storage. But of course, opinions are like butt holes.....everyone has one and they usually stink |
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02/01/2010 03:14:48 PM · #34 |
Originally posted by smardaz:
I'm far too lazy to read the whole thread so this may have been touched on, but i am never a fan of slapping a 1tb hd inside the pc. If it were me i would put a decent size hd in the pc and add a 1 tb external for deep storage. But of course, opinions are like butt holes.....everyone has one and they usually stink |
And by typing everything in bold, your opinion will never be ignored ever again.
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02/01/2010 03:16:35 PM · #35 |
Originally posted by doctornick:
From US$1,200 Plug and play, no headaches. |
unless you consider a flickering display a headache. :) sorry, can never help stirring the pot with apple devotee's |
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02/01/2010 03:17:42 PM · #36 |
Originally posted by JH:
And by typing everything in bold, your opinion will never be ignored ever again. |
HOW ABOUT BOLD CAPS? DOES THAT VAULT ME TO SUPREME AUTHORITY STATUS? |
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02/01/2010 03:19:35 PM · #37 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
You can always add another drive later on if you want it. It sounded originally as if you were able to custom spec the computer, and in that case the extra drive would have been well spent. |
You're right. The original computer would have been to custom spec, but I'm not really that sure what I'd be getting there when he just wrote down a 1TB hard-drive and an optical drive with no specifications at all. Also it was a make that was unknown to me, so I'm not sure that was a good idea. I thought it might be better to get a ready computer in a better known make, which is why I've been looking elsewhere, but I'm still not sure. For a similar price, I think this latest one sounds like the best value. But as I don't understand all the specifications, especially not how the graphics cards compare, I was hoping people here would say which configuration sounds better taking all the extras into account. |
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02/01/2010 03:28:51 PM · #38 |
| Graphics cards are one area that I am not well versed with. However, I do feel that unless you do a lot of gaming or video editing, almost any modern video card will provide plenty of horsepower to keep Windows running snappily. I've always been more partial to ATI, for no real reason in particular. |
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02/01/2010 03:29:53 PM · #39 |
Originally posted by smardaz:
HOW ABOUT BOLD CAPS? DOES THAT VAULT ME TO SUPREME AUTHORITY STATUS? |
IT MEANS WE WILL IGNORE YOU EVEN HARDER. |
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02/01/2010 03:32:08 PM · #40 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by smardaz:
HOW ABOUT BOLD CAPS? DOES THAT VAULT ME TO SUPREME AUTHORITY STATUS? |
IT MEANS WE WILL IGNORE YOU EVEN HARDER. |
after all that bonding we did in the portrait side challenge?
that hurts dog...........that hurts deep........ |
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02/01/2010 04:39:52 PM · #41 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Graphics cards are one area that I am not well versed with. However, I do feel that unless you do a lot of gaming or video editing, almost any modern video card will provide plenty of horsepower to keep Windows running snappily. I've always been more partial to ATI, for no real reason in particular. |
I don't do any gaming, but video editing is something I MAY try in the future. |
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02/01/2010 04:47:37 PM · #42 |
Originally posted by GinaRothfels:
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Graphics cards are one area that I am not well versed with. However, I do feel that unless you do a lot of gaming or video editing, almost any modern video card will provide plenty of horsepower to keep Windows running snappily. I've always been more partial to ATI, for no real reason in particular. |
I don't do any gaming, but video editing is something I MAY try in the future. |
Video editing is extremely CPU intensive, and little else. If you are planning on doing that get as much CPU power as possible, or give yourself the capacity to add more later on, e.g. if you get a system with a quad core CPU, see if there's a slot available to add a second quad core later on.
Don't worry too much about the HD. The simplest solution is, whatever you get internally, get the same externally and use it for backup. I always prefer external backups to two internal drives as I've actually seen a few cases where a system power supply goes bad and kills all the components within the system. External drives are slower, which is a bit of a down point, but for backup it doesn't really matter and you also have the choice of keeping it offsite (at your workplace or a friends for instance) and then bringing back once a week to do backups. |
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02/01/2010 05:18:20 PM · #43 |
| I do use an external hard-drive for backup, though recently it has become my only storage as my current computer only has an 80GB hard-drive, no DVD writer, and a CD writer that no longer works. I think the single internal hard-drive is going to have to do. I'm not sure whether the computer I am looking at will offer the opportunity of adding a second processor later, and I don't know that the sales staff will be able to answer that question. Wherever I go some of the information I get seems to be wrong. |
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02/01/2010 05:52:57 PM · #44 |
I think you have a problem now, you are getting bogged down in tech info and gradually losing your original aim, to get a new PC. With so much conflicting info flying about, you will just sit there with everything whirling around and never make that move to new machine.
Go back to the orginal supplier and get details of what items he will use with brand names if possible. Haggle and fight for what you want and settle for the best option.
Then you can think about adding internal drives, or going the route of extenals. Get the best memory possible and get good high end graphics. The HD can be adjusted during the build. Name brand builds don't use top end products, they will cut corners wherever possible, whether they be Dell, HP or any other brand. A Custom build is best as you can specify what you want in the box. |
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02/01/2010 06:28:29 PM · #45 |
| Yes, I am getting bogged down with the tech info, and its a real problem because I can't live with the machine I'm using much longer. But I really like the look of what the Packard Bell has to offer, and I'm not sure if I go for the custom built machine that I'll make the right component choices anyway. |
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02/02/2010 01:41:16 PM · #46 |
I know that I'm starting to make a nuisance of myself here, but I'm still wondering whether one processor is better than the other - that's between the Quad Core Q6600 CPU and the Intel(R) Core 2 Quad Q8300 processor 2.5GHz. The only difference I'm aware of is a slight difference in speed, but I'm pretty ignorant about what goes on inside a computer.
Similarly, is there any significant difference for my purposes between the graphics cards - NVidea G Force 8800 GT and nVidia GT230 graphics with 1536MB dedicated video RAM, Video 230W?
I really do feel more comfortable with the ready made Packard Bell than having to go back and try to tweak what the guy with the custom-made computer suggested. |
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02/02/2010 01:50:20 PM · #47 |
Doesn't anyone use laptops for their photo work? Can get some nice packges with 4gig Ram, 500 gig hard drive, etc. for less than $700 -and it is portable. If necessary, one can use a stand alone monitor if the graphics on the laptop are not where they need to be. (I have used a laptop for 2-3 years now for all my photo work).
Thoughts?
Drake |
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02/02/2010 02:33:16 PM · #48 |
| I feel that I will get better value with a desktop, and it gives more opportunity for upgrading parts rather than the whole machine. Maybe I should look at what's available, but I'm not really keen to spend more than the price of the machines I've already mentioned, and I'm sure I'd have to if I went for a laptop. I assure you that when you convert our prices into dollars, I can't get anything half-way decent for $700-. |
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02/03/2010 01:12:18 PM · #49 |
Originally posted by GinaRothfels:
I know that I'm starting to make a nuisance of myself here, but I'm still wondering whether one processor is better than the other - that's between the Quad Core Q6600 CPU and the Intel(R) Core 2 Quad Q8300 processor 2.5GHz. The only difference I'm aware of is a slight difference in speed, but I'm pretty ignorant about what goes on inside a computer.
Similarly, is there any significant difference for my purposes between the graphics cards - NVidea G Force 8800 GT and nVidia GT230 graphics with 1536MB dedicated video RAM, Video 230W?
I really do feel more comfortable with the ready made Packard Bell than having to go back and try to tweak what the guy with the custom-made computer suggested. |
see //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_2_microprocessors#.22Kentsfield.22_.2865_nm.29
The Q8300 is a later generation and has SSE 4.1, a slightly faster processor clock speed, and a faster FSB.
The Q6600 has virtualization technology.
so the 8300 may be faster, but doesn't seem to have Virtualization.
Couldn't find the GT230, but the 8800GT specs a lot better than the GT220, except that the 8800 has 512MB and the GT220 had 1GB DDR3 and the 8800 suports DirectX10, the 220/240 support 10.1 The GT240 is close to the 8800GT, there's not much difference there. You're basically comparing the top end of a 2 generation old product with the entry level of the current generation (generations are 8xxx, 9xxx, 2xx)
Unless you need to run an XP program in windows 7 you don't need virtualization. And many XP programs run just fine in Win7 without virtualization.
As far as speed and capability, most people won't notice the difference between all the components you listed. However, PS and other editing tools are starting to use GPUs, so it may be safer to go with the newer GT2xx series boards.
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02/03/2010 01:18:27 PM · #50 |
Originally posted by Drake:
Doesn't anyone use laptops for their photo work? Can get some nice packges with 4gig Ram, 500 gig hard drive, etc. for less than $700 -and it is portable. If necessary, one can use a stand alone monitor if the graphics on the laptop are not where they need to be. (I have used a laptop for 2-3 years now for all my photo work).
Thoughts?
Drake |
I need (or want) multiple hard drives (windows swap, system, PS temp, working disk) -- this helps to speed things up by requiring less disk head movement.
My workstation can handle 192GB DDR3, haven't seen a laptop that comes close. It also has two Xeon processors.
Some Intel Nehalem processors (i7, i5, i3, some Xeon) have a built-in ability to overclock, but will only do so if the temperature allows. Some laptop processors reduce processor clock speed when they get too hot. Heat dissipation is much better on a desktop than a laptop.
You get a lot more bang for the buck with a desktop, and the top-end desktops are much more powerful than the best laptop. |
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