Computer help

[Jeff81]

Well, I'm not sure if this question really belongs here but I didn't know where else to put it so here it goes...

My 6 month old daughter just fried my laptop and so I am in search of another one. I'm thinking possibly a mac. Anyway, the computer will be primarily used at home for personal use. I wanted to try and configure it so that it would be optimal for my photography needs. I use photoshop and shoot raw, which means large file sizes. Any suggestions on how much memory, HD space, etc. would be good. I know this obviously depends somewhat on budget, but what would be a minimum?

[rklepper]

If it were me I would get a minimal 4 GB RAM and a 500 GB hard drive. And the fastest processor you can afford.

[basroil]

Well, I'm not sure if this question really belongs here but I didn't know where else to put it so here it goes...

My 6 month old daughter just fried my laptop and so I am in search of another one. I'm thinking possibly a mac. Anyway, the computer will be primarily used at home for personal use. I wanted to try and configure it so that it would be optimal for my photography needs. I use photoshop and shoot raw, which means large file sizes. Any suggestions on how much memory, HD space, etc. would be good. I know this obviously depends somewhat on budget, but what would be a minimum?

Macs aren't immune to spills and other things small children do to computers. If you need to protect your investment from an unsupervised child, you need a panasonic toughbook.


If not, here are some specs you might want:
Laptop:
15"+ screen, 1600px wide min
2.4gh core 2 duo or faster, though best to wait for core i5 based laptops
4gb+ ddr2 800 or faster ram
7200RPM hdd
e-sata port or at least an expresscard slot
ati or nvidia graphics card
dvi, hdmi, or vga out

If you don't really need a powerful laptop, you can save a lot of money and get a desktop
Specs:
Core 2 Quad core, i5, or i7 based, 2.33gh min, 2.6gh or faster recommended
6gb + for i7 900 series, 8gb+ for others
dual disks, one for boot, programs, cache, other for data
ati 4350 or better, nvidia 9400 or better (9800 or low 200 series recommended)
20" or larger monitor, 1600x1050 minimum resolution, dell 2209WA highly suggested
cheap netbook for portability

[MaxxuM]

I vote for Mac...

Minimum really isn't what you need if you go with a laptop. You almost always want to get the best you can afford so it will remain viable for as long as possible.

I would say 2.6GHz CPU would be minimum, especially if you want to get a 15+MP camera in the future. 4GB RAM is fine - less wouldn't be advisable and I would get a 7200RPM drive - bigger is better but anything above 300GB is adequate. I wouldn't use a laptop as a primary storage location for photos not being currently worked on - just ship them over to an external after the project is complete. You could make multiple Aperture or Lightroom libraries to make sure you're still indexing them.

As far as the PC vs Mac debate, get what you're comfortable with. I tend to think of it as speed vs comfort or hot-rod vs luxury vehicles. PCs have the speed, multitude of interchangeable parts and numbers. Apple's have the simplicity of design, stability yet has the power of UNIX under the hood. And if you live by an Apple store all the better.

As far as liquid in the computer, like basroil said, get a Panasonic. It's fun throwing the older ones across the room :)

[basroil]

As far as liquid in the computer, like basroil said, get a Panasonic. It's fun throwing the older ones across the room :)

Almost as fun as army spec laptops.

Vote against Mac. If you have small children, you'll either have to never let them use it, or be overly paranoid. Get your kid a netbook, get yourself a laptop. Hell, if you go with a dell xps 16 (or equivalent) and get a 2.8gh processor, 8gb ram, 250gb 7200rpm drive, nvidia 9500m, you'll save enough for a netbook and a half over the MBP 15" (and dell has accidental damage protection plans, so even if the kid does screw up your computer, just pull the hdd out and have them repair it for you, free of extra charge)

[beeng]

Almost as fun as army spec laptops.

Vote against Mac. If you have small children, you'll either have to never let them use it, or be overly paranoid. Get your kid a netbook, get yourself a laptop. Hell, if you go with a dell xps 16 (or equivalent) and get a 2.8gh processor, 8gb ram, 250gb 7200rpm drive, nvidia 9500m, you'll save enough for a netbook and a half over the MBP 15" (and dell has accidental damage protection plans, so even if the kid does screw up your computer, just pull the hdd out and have them repair it for you, free of extra charge)
+1

I have an XPS studio 16. A lot cheaper than an equivalently specced macbook (I was considering a mac). The best part is, I can load OS X onto this no problem :P (although I went back to windows when the windows 7 beta came out. All my fancy games didn't work in OS X).

[Jeff81]

Since my daughter is 6 months and the only child I have right now, I won't need to be getting her a netbook. I just need to be more careful in the future. I'm considering a mac because that's what I used growing up, though I'm comfortable using PC's as well. My old laptop was a dell but the protection coverage ran out and I didn't renew. Right now I'm vacillating between an Dell XPS and Macbook pro. Mostly I just need to decide which platform I really want. Thanks for the suggestions!

[basroil]

Since my daughter is 6 months and the only child I have right now, I won't need to be getting her a netbook. I just need to be more careful in the future. I'm considering a mac because that's what I used growing up, though I'm comfortable using PC's as well. My old laptop was a dell but the protection coverage ran out and I didn't renew. Right now I'm vacillating between an Dell XPS and Macbook pro. Mostly I just need to decide which platform I really want. Thanks for the suggestions!

I grew up with a powerpc using OS7, and if you had the same, then don't even consider that when you look for a new computer. OSX is far more different to the old mac os than the old mac OS was to windows.

[Jeff81]

I grew up with a powerpc using OS7, and if you had the same, then don't even consider that when you look for a new computer. OSX is far more different to the old mac os than the old mac OS was to windows.

Hmm....good to know. I think I'm going to go down to best buy and screw around for a little bit. I think that might help.

[MaxxuM]

Hmm....good to know. I think I'm going to go down to best buy and screw around for a little bit. I think that might help.

FYI, the Apple Refurbished Store has some really great deals from time to time. Here's a $1,600 MacBook Pro that is pretty nice (example (http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC026LL/A?mco=Nzk3MDMwNQ)). Otherwise, Dell is OK, but the biggest gripe I have with them (and most others) is the junk they put on them. HP is worse though. Delete all their preloaded garbage and on next boot it will recover it and then turn on the nag-ware. Business class machines from Dell and HP are better though - far less junk loaded up but HP still has more than 25 things loading up in the background.

[basroil]

FYI, the Apple Refurbished Store has some really great deals from time to time. Here's a $1,600 MacBook Pro that is pretty nice (example (http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC026LL/A?mco=Nzk3MDMwNQ)). Otherwise, Dell is OK, but the biggest gripe I have with them (and most others) is the junk they put on them. HP is worse though. Delete all their preloaded garbage and on next boot it will recover it and then turn on the nag-ware. Business class machines from Dell and HP are better though - far less junk loaded up but HP still has more than 25 things loading up in the background.

As I've said before, the XPS line only has the dock by default (and remote desktop if you ordered it), and getting rid of it is very simple. Dell's been a bit better in the random useless garbage trade, not as good as back when they made P2 towers, but better than most. Apple's no saint either (by the same standards as dell), iPhoto is horrible when you don't turn it off, starting up every time you connect a camera or memory card.

Regradless of what company you go with (apple, dell, hp, sony, etc), you should reformat anyway, should only take an hour or two

[Jeff81]

Thanks to both MaxxuM and basroil for all the info. Well, after my trip to best buy I definitely liked the Macbook pro over the dell. Though they are more expensive, I think I'm ready to switch back to mac. However, while I was there I remembered/realized that my CS4 is for windows. I don't really want to have to buy the mac version. How well do the virtualization programs work and would it be a major hassle using my windows version of CS4 on the mac?

[basroil]

Thanks to both MaxxuM and basroil for all the info. Well, after my trip to best buy I definitely liked the Macbook pro over the dell. Though they are more expensive, I think I'm ready to switch back to mac. However, while I was there I remembered/realized that my CS4 is for windows. I don't really want to have to buy the mac version. How well do the virtualization programs work and would it be a major hassle using my windows version of CS4 on the mac?

You can change licenses by just following the instructions on the adobe website. basically the only cost is to replace the disks with new ones for mac.

As for virtualization, all depends on what you want to run. If you want to run office or things like that, works fine. If you want to play games, forget it.

And you can run OSX on a dell, just takes a bit of proding (and things not suitable for this forum), and you can run full windows on a mac as well.

[mattyb240]

As basroil said, you can get all that swapped. I have a MBP but any gaming you want to do, do it in windows via bootcamp. I also use Vmware Fusion for some of my 3D apps and it works great in truth, but again better if you do it in full windows.

As for babying it, it is just a tool at the end of the day (a very pretty one) so enjoy which ever decision you make. I personally baby anything I've spent money on as it means something to me be it a computer, phone, anything.

I hope you enjoy whichever purchase you make!

[Jeff81]

Could someone direct me to the place on adobe's website where it addresses changing the license? I can't seem to find it. Thanks. Also, will I be able to change it with the educational version?

[beeng]

Could someone direct me to the place on adobe's website where it addresses changing the license? I can't seem to find it. Thanks. Also, will I be able to change it with the educational version?
I don't know if that can be done if you bought retail :(

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/332157;jsessionid=F92C5B9BA7F43239764C3B73D185DAB1 .node0?tstart=0

[MaxxuM]

As I've said before, the XPS line only has the dock by default (and remote desktop if you ordered it), and getting rid of it is very simple. Dell's been a bit better in the random useless garbage trade, not as good as back when they made P2 towers, but better than most. Apple's no saint either (by the same standards as dell), iPhoto is horrible when you don't turn it off, starting up every time you connect a camera or memory card.

Regradless of what company you go with (apple, dell, hp, sony, etc), you should reformat anyway, should only take an hour or two

I haven't looked at an XPS lately, but I'm sure they, at the very least, come with the Google Toolbar, Google Desktop, Dell updating services, Defender, Anti-virus software, compatibility modules (every Vista does by default), DVD runtimes, Burning (Roxio/Sonic) runtimes, if it has an Nvidia card then the NV Media Center & desktop access drivers, if it has an ATI then it will have CCC or if it's Intel then their proprietary graphics program. Then there will be hidden services (everyone uses them) for recovery and registry backup/checking, a host of SVCHost applications (updaters mostly) and who can forget all the little helpers like Quicktime and the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Oh, let us not forget the wireless services if you got a laptop (ontop of those already mentioned). Then, let us not forget just about every software maker wants to load their little helpers too (for advertising mostly); Real and Logitech to name two.

No, Apple comes no where near having that kind of luggage to load. The example you give is simply a preference that can be changed or turned off. When I hook up my camera only Aperture comes up.

[basroil]

I haven't looked at an XPS lately, but I'm sure they, at the very least, come with the Google Toolbar, Google Desktop, Dell updating services, Defender, Anti-virus software, compatibility modules (every Vista does by default), DVD runtimes, Burning (Roxio/Sonic) runtimes, if it has an Nvidia card then the NV Media Center & desktop access drivers, if it has an ATI then it will have CCC or if it's Intel then their proprietary graphics program. Then there will be hidden services (everyone uses them) for recovery and registry backup/checking, a host of SVCHost applications (updaters mostly) and who can forget all the little helpers like Quicktime and the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Oh, let us not forget the wireless services if you got a laptop (ontop of those already mentioned). Then, let us not forget just about every software maker wants to load their little helpers too (for advertising mostly); Real and Logitech to name two.

No, Apple comes no where near having that kind of luggage to load. The example you give is simply a preference that can be changed or turned off. When I hook up my camera only Aperture comes up.

Not sure what alternate reality you live in, but google tools and desktop and dell updater have never been a part of the XPS line (at least not longer lived than a week or two), and quicktime and acrobat reader aren't installed by default. And while the "services" aren't in OSX, OSX has it's own nasty habits and background programs, so it's irrelevant. Lets not get into another OSX vs Windows thread there.

OP wanted hardware specs, we should stick to that, and OS is not part of the hardware spec. Price, components, and accessories are part of the hardware spec though, and in all those there are better options than Apple, but Apple is also a valid candidate.

[Jeff81]

Well, I went with a macbook pro. It should arrive in a couple days. I just wanted to thank everyone again for the helpful information. I'll be contacting adobe about whether I can transfer the CS4 educational license from PC to Mac. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky. Unfortunately, I'm not a student anymore and can't get CS4 for mac cheap.

[basroil]

Well, I went with a macbook pro. It should arrive in a couple days. I just wanted to thank everyone again for the helpful information. I'll be contacting adobe about whether I can transfer the CS4 educational license from PC to Mac. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky. Unfortunately, I'm not a student anymore and can't get CS4 for mac cheap.

If I am right, you cannot switch educational licenses. Perhaps Adobe changed their stance on it though.

[MaxxuM]

Well, I went with a macbook pro. It should arrive in a couple days. I just wanted to thank everyone again for the helpful information. I'll be contacting adobe about whether I can transfer the CS4 educational license from PC to Mac. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky. Unfortunately, I'm not a student anymore and can't get CS4 for mac cheap.

Once you have recieved the license from Adobe CS4 is like any other license. I questioned Adobe after purchasing CS4 if it could be upgraded to CS5 when it comes out and they said yes, it could. So, I would guess that it is possible.

And I think you'll really like the MBP. Have fun :)

[mattyb240]

Have fun and enjoy it! Thank god this didn't turn into a Windows vs Mac debate! Hope you get to sort out adobe OP.

[Jeff81]

Thanks. Turns out the MBP may be going back. Got home after being out of town this weekend and after drying out my laptop it seems to be functioning normally. As much as I would like to keep the new laptop, its not the best time to be spending extra money unless I HAVE to. Maybe I could drop a pitcher of water on it when the wife isn't looking? ;)

[mattyb240]

Psshhh thats what house insurance is for :)

[basroil]

Psshhh thats what house insurance is for :)

Until your rates double and you're shelling out enough cash for a new laptop.... every month:rolleyes:

Thanks. Turns out the MBP may be going back. Got home after being out of town this weekend and after drying out my laptop it seems to be functioning normally. As much as I would like to keep the new laptop, its not the best time to be spending extra money unless I HAVE to. Maybe I could drop a pitcher of water on it when the wife isn't looking?

I guess you never even bothered with spill safety practices... After a water spill, just unplug ALL power and let the computer sit for a few days, if something other than water, unplug all power, take out the hdd and dvd drives, memory, etc (anything easy to take out), then careful rinse in distilled water, then let it sit for a few days. Letting things dry without power is a great thing, solved my friend's err99 on his mkiii after leaving it in the rain too long.

[mattyb240]

Until your rates double and you're shelling out enough cash for a new laptop.... every month:rolleyes:

All meant in a joking term and you know it! :)

[STdc1]

If I am right, you cannot switch educational licenses. Perhaps Adobe changed their stance on it though.

Cross-platform license changes for Creative Suite 4 (i.e. going from PC to Mac or Mac to PC) aren't detailed out online because the process can be different depending on the country that you live in. So you'll want to call the N. America Adobe c/s line and they'll walk you through it over the phone:

800-833-6687
5am-7pm (Pacific time)

Also btw, Maxxum you're right about Adobe's Student Editions--they are upgradeable, as they spell that out in the Student Editions FAQ (http://studenteditions.adobe.com/#/learnMore/faq).

[Jeff81]

Until your rates double and you're shelling out enough cash for a new laptop.... every month:rolleyes:



I guess you never even bothered with spill safety practices... After a water spill, just unplug ALL power and let the computer sit for a few days, if something other than water, unplug all power, take out the hdd and dvd drives, memory, etc (anything easy to take out), then careful rinse in distilled water, then let it sit for a few days. Letting things dry without power is a great thing, solved my friend's err99 on his mkiii after leaving it in the rain too long.

Oh I did all of that, I just wasn't expecting it to work. There was A LOT of water. Glad it did though.

[MaxxuM]

Oh I did all of that, I just wasn't expecting it to work. There was A LOT of water. Glad it did though.

f it was anything but water, I would pull it apart and start cleaning. You can do a search on Google, but here's a link to at least on entertaining article. Make sure you watch the video :) LINK. (http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/what-to-do-if-you-spill-liquid-on-your-laptop/)