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02/03/2005 03:24:47 PM · #1 |
I am buying a new PC with my tax refund money in the next couple weeks. My primary reason for upgrading from what I have is that mine isn't powerful or fast enough to handle my new hobby, especially the editing. I never expected to be interested in a Sony pre-configured, but I am now pretty serious about this one. Will some of you who really know what it takes to do photography and editing decently, give me your opinion on these specs? THANK YOU in advance for any help at all.
200.0GB SATA hard drive (7200 rpm)
ATI RADEON X300 16X PCI graphics with 128MB video memory; TV-out, VGA-out and DVI-out; composite A/V and S-video inputs, both front and rear accessible
Giga Pocket personal video recorder to digitally record and play back your favorite TV programming right on your PC; MPEG-2 real-time encoder/decoder board with TV tuner; VHF/UHF coaxial input; IR remote and receiver
Multiformat media reader supports Memory Stick, CompactFlash Type I/II, Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, xD-Picture Card and IBM Microdrive
2 i.LINK (IEEE 1394) ports and 7 high-speed USB 2.0 ports, both front and rear accessible, for fast digital data transfer and easy peripheral connectivity
Built-in 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T Fast Ethernet networking interface; V.90 high-speed data/fax modem
Advanced cooling system with a unique liquid-flow heat pipe to draw heat away from the processor without a noisy CPU fan; air in-take from middle section to maximize air flow and minimize noise
Sony VAIO keyboard, PS/2 optical mouse and stereo speakers with subwoofer
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system preinstalled; software package included with Sony Click to DVD, SonicStage Mastering Studio, PictureGear Studio, DVgate Plus and more
Processor Brand Intel® Pentium® 4 with Hyper-Threading Technology
Processor Speed 3.2E GHz
System Bus 800MHz
Cache Memory 1MB on die Level 2
System Memory (RAM) 1.0GB
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 2.0GB
Type of Memory (RAM) PC3200 DDR
Hard Drive Type SATA
Hard Drive Size 200.0GB
Video Memory 128MB
Graphics ATI RADEON X300 (16X PCI Express)
MPEG Yes
Audio Intel® High-Definition 5.1-channel
Speakers External stereo speakers and subwoofer
Modem 56 Kbps* ITU V.90 *Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.
Network Card Built-in 10Base-T/ 100Base-TX/ 1000Base-T Ethernet
DVD-ROM Drive Yes
Maximum DVD-ROM Drive Speed 16x DVD-ROM; 40x CD-ROM
DVD-RW Drive Yes, double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW drive
DVD-RW Drive Speeds 2.4x max. DVD+R DL; 8x4x16 DVD-RW; 16x4x16 DVD+RW; 32x24x40 CD-RW
Diskette Drive Yes
Diskette Drive Type 3.5" 1.44MB
Total Expansion Bays External: 1 (3.5"); Internal: 3 (3.5"); Half-height: 2 (5.25")
Available Expansion Bays Internal: 1 (3.5")
Total Expansion Slots 3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x16, 1 PCI-E x1
Available Expansion Slots 1 PCI
USB Ports 7 USB 2.0 (3 front, 4 rear)
Parallel Ports None
IEEE 1394 Ports 2 (1 front, 1 rear)
Serial Ports None
Game Ports None
Keyboard Description Sony VAIO keyboard
Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.) PS/2 optical mouse
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Software Included Sony Click to DVD, SonicStage Mastering Studio, PictureGear Studio, DVgate Plus, SonicStage 2.1, VAIO Media; Adobe Premiere Standard, Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Photoshop Elements 2.0; Microsoft Works 8.0; Quicken 2005 New User Edition; more
Manuals Included Yes
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02/03/2005 03:35:16 PM · #2 |
You're missing 1 very important thing: A monitor. :-)
You also might want to consider a second hard drive, if only to backup the first.
Other than that, it looks fine to me--possibly even a bit more than necessary. (The video card is probably more expensive than you need),
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02/03/2005 03:38:53 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Zal:
You're missing 1 very important thing: A monitor. :-)
You also might want to consider a second hard drive, if only to backup the first.
Other than that, it looks fine to me--possibly even a bit more than necessary. (The video card is probably more expensive than you need), |
Thank you for taking a look! I am getting a 19" flat panel that I have drooled over for quite a while (I know many say CRT only, but I am a hobbyist and don't have the space.) I also have a Seagate external hardrive that I use to back up.
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02/03/2005 03:38:55 PM · #4 |
The Sony PCs are very nice bits of kit, but unfortunately you do pay a hefty premium for the brand name. Are you sure you wouldn't rather go for something cheaper?
I have to admit I bought a top of the range Sony Vaio laptop a couple of years ago, but that was because I've worked in IT support with lots of laptops, and Sony were the most reliable. And the Black Onyx screen is gorgeous. However, my Vaio is unfortunately dead right now with a bad hard drive, but I got a 2 year warranty!
I wouldn't pay extra for the Sony brand on a PC, as because PCs are so modular, it's not so important if something breaks down. It certainly sounds like you have money to burn, and I'd go cheaper and buy some more photo gear or software. Or a better monitor... did you mention what kind of monitor came with all this?
To be honest, IMO a PC half the price of this one would still fly through all the PS tasks I carry out... as long as there was plenty of RAM (which is cheap) and a good video card.
I am jealous of the dual layer DVD-RW though. |
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02/03/2005 03:40:13 PM · #5 |
Ah, I see you beat me to it with monitor details.
Make sure you test drive the monitor before you buy with a LOT of images you know very well. |
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02/03/2005 03:42:42 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
The Sony PCs are very nice bits of kit, but unfortunately you do pay a hefty premium for the brand name. Are you sure you wouldn't rather go for something cheaper?
I have to admit I bought a top of the range Sony Vaio laptop a couple of years ago, but that was because I've worked in IT support with lots of laptops, and Sony were the most reliable. And the Black Onyx screen is gorgeous. However, my Vaio is unfortunately dead right now with a bad hard drive, but I got a 2 year warranty!
I wouldn't pay extra for the Sony brand on a PC, as because PCs are so modular, it's not so important if something breaks down. It certainly sounds like you have money to burn, and I'd go cheaper and buy some more photo gear or software. Or a better monitor... did you mention what kind of monitor came with all this?
To be honest, IMO a PC half the price of this one would still fly through all the PS tasks I carry out... as long as there was plenty of RAM (which is cheap) and a good video card.
I am jealous of the dual layer DVD-RW though. |
Thanks Bob! You know how much I have always respected your opinion. Honestly, I don't have money to burn, but I am also sick of upgrading PC's without ever getting a really good one that can keep up with my needs. The Sony's have gotten rave reviews, and the Dells have really come down a notch. I am certainly PC-literate, but not enough to judge the indiviual componentts myself - escpecially the video card and such. I know I am going for a bit of over-kill, but can't find anything less that seems enough.
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02/03/2005 03:42:45 PM · #7 |
Hi Kylie,
That seems a good bit of kit, but I bet it is not cheap.
Bobster is right, you can get same spec but not named brand cheaper.
The external hard drive is a sensible idea...is it USB 2.0? |
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02/03/2005 03:44:11 PM · #8 |
| That 200Gb SATA drive will make your eyes pop out, they are damn fast! |
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02/03/2005 03:44:54 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Formerlee:
Hi Kylie,
That seems a good bit of kit, but I bet it is not cheap.
Bobster is right, you can get same spec but not named brand cheaper.
The external hard drive is a sensible idea...is it USB 2.0? |
Yes, it is. It is one of the best purchases I ever made!!
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02/03/2005 04:01:08 PM · #10 |
Since you are going full-bore, I'd max out the RAM while you are at it.
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02/03/2005 04:03:13 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by joebok:
Since you are going full-bore, I'd max out the RAM while you are at it. |
That's one of my questions. To me, a gig of RAM is more than I have ever had, but is it enought for PS, etc.??? What would be your opinion of Maxxing out"?
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02/03/2005 04:05:00 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Kylie:
Originally posted by joebok:
Since you are going full-bore, I'd max out the RAM while you are at it. |
That's one of my questions. To me, a gig of RAM is more than I have ever had, but is it enought for PS, etc.??? What would be your opinion of Maxxing out"? |
1Gb is more than enough! |
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02/03/2005 04:07:57 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Kylie:
Originally posted by joebok:
Since you are going full-bore, I'd max out the RAM while you are at it. |
That's one of my questions. To me, a gig of RAM is more than I have ever had, but is it enought for PS, etc.??? What would be your opinion of Maxxing out"? |
I thought I read the system max was 2GB. 1 GB is good - more than I currently have - but no matter how much you have, you will always want more. You'll be able to manipulate more pictures and more levels at the same time and if you do any video editing then it will be a great boon.
If I were going to spend the kind of dough you are on this system, I'd upgrade the RAM (and if possible dump the TV stuff as I would not use it).
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02/03/2005 04:09:31 PM · #14 |
1gb is NOT enough. I just went from 1gb to 1.5 it made a big dif and I really need/want more. With PScs lately, I have averaged anywhere from 400 to 850mb files (layered PS editing) and at some points even gone up to 1.5 GB images before saving.
Get the 2 gig now. You won't regret it or even know why it's so good, but later if you decide to move up, you'll kick yourself hard for not doing it earlier.
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02/03/2005 04:10:24 PM · #15 |
| Is there a reason you're not looking at apples? You can get a pretty awesome apple iMac G5 w/ 20" lcd display and dvd burner for about $2000 that will be a great photo editting system. |
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02/03/2005 04:10:36 PM · #16 |
I have a Sony Vaio laptop, but from what I've heard their customer support is not very good. Sounds like a very nice machine though. I have 1gb of RDRAM in my computer, but I wish I had more. There are quite a few times that I run out of memory with a lot of photos open. Or when I'm creating panoramas from several photos. Good luck with the new computer...I have 3, but the latest is a 2+ year old 1.8 gigahertz P4.
With TV Out and a DVD burner, you'll be able to create DVD slideshows of your photos to music as well as display slideshows on your TV directly from your computer.
Message edited by author 2005-02-03 16:12:40.
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02/03/2005 04:10:38 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by joebok:
Originally posted by Kylie:
Originally posted by joebok:
Since you are going full-bore, I'd max out the RAM while you are at it. |
That's one of my questions. To me, a gig of RAM is more than I have ever had, but is it enought for PS, etc.??? What would be your opinion of Maxxing out"? |
I thought I read the system max was 2GB. 1 GB is good - more than I currently have - but no matter how much you have, you will always want more. You'll be able to manipulate more pictures and more levels at the same time and if you do any video editing then it will be a great boon.
If I were going to spend the kind of dough you are on this system, I'd upgrade the RAM (and if possible dump the TV stuff as I would not use it). |
The TV stuff is useless for me, too. I think I would have to buy the memory afterwards. That's about the only upgrading I do on my own. I am always worried I don't know enough about compatibility.
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02/03/2005 04:12:15 PM · #18 |
Compatability with what? Kylie.
It's a PC running XP, if that is what you run now, then it is compatible.
Memory may be different...generic memory may not work. Sony may use a compliant memory of their own branding.
Message edited by author 2005-02-03 16:13:47. |
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02/03/2005 04:12:30 PM · #19 |
Kyle,
Do you know the model # you are buying? I would check Maximum PC to see if they have reviewed it. They are honest and not afraid to tell it like it is.
A PC is more than the sum of it's components. You have to trust the vendor to match things well, and not to overspend on one thing while bottlenecking another. The cooling system sounds nice, but does it also cool the video card? And if it also has fans, how much noise does the system make? How easy is it to open, etc.
A year ago I would have recommended a Dell Precision Workstation with dual processors. I'm on my second one, but I think Dell's gone downhill a lot. But I do like dual processors, and although you don't get double the speed, you do get some extra speed from it.
So what I'm saying is the best thing is to look for specific tests of the particular machine and configuration you are choosing. It looks like you have a nice complete list of components. How well they play together is the key.
Something else to research. How good are the drivers, and who supports the upgrades? Personally, I've had bad experiences with ATI and avoid them when I can, but it's getting harder to do so. No matter how fast a system is, if it's not reliable, you wont enjoy it. The ATI Fire card that came in my latest Dell is a piece of junk. I finally have it working relatively well, but first sign of trouble again and I am ditching it for a Matrox (my usual brand). ATI OEMs the card I have to Dell, and neither really supports it well.
Anyway, I'm rambling. Why not post the model # you are buying if its a standard config, and perhaps someone will have access to an honest review, or check maximum PC, but they don't publish all their data on the web. |
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02/03/2005 04:12:42 PM · #20 |
| Well if you really want to upgrade, then go for a mac :) |
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02/03/2005 04:13:22 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by grawk:
Is there a reason you're not looking at apples? You can get a pretty awesome apple iMac G5 w/ 20" lcd display and dvd burner for about $2000 that will be a great photo editting system. |
I am afraid I am too entrenched in Windows. I have to be able to coordinate with work and my family's PC's easily, also. But I have always heard how great Mac's are for graphics and photos.
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02/03/2005 04:16:16 PM · #22 |
I wouldn't worry about the graphics card. The ATI Radeon cards are great and they are supported by frequent updates to the Catalyst drivers.
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02/03/2005 04:16:25 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Anyway, I'm rambling. Why not post the model # you are buying if its a standard config, and perhaps someone will have access to an honest review, or check maximum PC, but they don't publish all their data on the web. |
Thanks! It is Model (VAIO 540) VGC - RA820G. The monitor is SDM - HS94 P/S (silver) or P/B (black).
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02/03/2005 04:17:39 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by Formerlee:
Compatability with what? Kylie.
It's a PC running XP, if that is what you run now, then it is compatible.
Memory may be different...generic memory may not work. Sony may use a compliant memory of their own branding. |
I know that you can create an imbalanced system if you don't know what you are doing, and I don't in that kind of detail.
Edited my usual typo ;o)
Message edited by author 2005-02-03 16:19:23.
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02/03/2005 04:36:15 PM · #25 |
You mention Windows XP Media edition which is Windows XP watered down and tailored for home theatre/DVR digital video recording (TIVO), surround sound the whole gamit.
The unit that you mention here is one of those designed to sit in your living room and plug into your giant screen TV and 6 channel surround home theatre AV control.
Windows XP Media Center edition is a bit different to navigate as it is gear towards the Media Player interface. Have you actually got to try this version of Windows XP.
My next homebrew computer will be one like you mention here but will set in the Audio rack and be controlled from the couch by remote and/or wireless keyboard/mouse.
If you are looking to get a Photo Editing machine that will take you quite a few years down the road the monies that they are charging for the TV/Video card and High End Audio could be used somewhere else in the unit like more memory.
The box you describe is an excellent unit but may be more in the wrong area than you need.
Just my 2 cents. |
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