Looking for a Laptop

Hi ya'all,

I hope to buy a laptop by the beginning of the school year. I will be able to spend about 500 - 1000 dollars. I know you can't get a very nice laptop for this much, but I have no choice (that's all i'll have, especially if i buy finale.) i want to be able to compose music (obviously), convert videos, work with photography, etc. without to much trouble - I is hard enough to do stuff like that without annoying hardware...)

Any recommendations?

I would prefer PC - I like Mac, but PC has accidental damage coverage available and since I'm a kid and will carry it around a lot that's a good idea... and I couldn't find anything like that for Mac.

Here's one that I found:

Costco - HP dv3t T6500 2.1GHz Lightscribe SuperMulti 8x DVD

Well, to be honest, even though I'm a PC guy, I would recommend a Mac based on what you plan to do with it. Unfortunately Macs aren't as sturdy, so it can get damaged easily. But I bet I could find a better PC for you, but I would have to ask you several more questions.

Recommending a Mac is all well and good, but when the guy can find a similar spec'd PC for $200 cheaper, why? The basic Macbook has the SAME processor, LESS harddrive space, LESS RAM, SAME screen size...and while the front-side-bus (dunno what it is, but know it's important), and the wireless networking might be better, is it worth the extra cost?

:dunno:

This is the big question...one I wrestled with recently (Mac lost) and unless the user has specific Mac needs, or requires very high computing power, he can easily find something suitable for a student's word-processing/emailing/picture organizing/chat-having needs for $650-800. The basic Macbook at $1000 pushes the upper limit of Shalom's budget...for (in my opinion) not as much machine.

Check this out this is the best deal for a laptop you can find anywhere.

Satellite L305D-S5928 Refurbished

I have had some bad experiences with the quality of HP computers so I wouldn't recommend them.

The Toshiba laptop has about the same specs as yours except the Toshiba has a better graphics card (Intel media accelerator stinks). The Toshiba doesn't come with office, but even if you buy office it will still be cheaper than your original laptop. Plus you could download Open Office for free.

If you put tax into the equation you would be saving your self $400!!!

If it's really just to compose (I assume that means running a notation program), convert videos (just convert different video formats in other formats?), work with photos (will the freeware software out there suffice for your needs?), you'll be perfectly fine with most inexpensive computers out there. If you want to produce music with huge sample libraries, use Adobe CS, cut videos, play computer games, etc. and so on it's a bit a different question. So the main question is how far your needs go in the aspects you mentioned.

Here's a PC that I found which is cheaper yet way better than the laptop you were looking at previously

Customer Reviews Of Acer Aspire AS5739G-6132 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T6500(2.10GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 250GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M - Retail

Comparison:

pros

Has 4 GB of RAM where as the previous had only 3

Way better graphics card, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M

Cheaper by $30

cons

has a 250GB hard drive compared to a 320, but I doubt you would ever fill it with what you plan to use it for.

has 6cell batterie life but so does the other one, which lasts for about 2.5 hours, whereas a 9cell would last 3.5+ hours.

This is the big question...one I wrestled with recently (Mac lost) and unless the user has specific Mac needs, or requires very high computing power, he can easily find something suitable for a student's word-processing/emailing/picture organizing/chat-having needs for $650-800. The basic Macbook at $1000 pushes the upper limit of Shalom's budget...for (in my opinion) not as much machine.

Btw, I agree with you on the part that Macs are very over priced, thats why I spent the time to look for a PC that is equivalent to a $1000+ Mac. The only reason I said that is because Macs are made for that sort of thing and are required for graphic designers at college and most art related items.

The only reason I said that is because Macs are made for that sort of thing and are required for graphic designers at college and most art related items.

Well, that was the main reason I changed to Mac too (easy compatibility with other students/teachers, in my case particularly for computer music stuff), but as long as you aren't yet studying at such a college, I don't think you need to worry about that.

Off topic, so feel free to ignore me...

...Macs are made for that sort of thing and are required for graphic designers at college and most art related items.

Macs are REQUIRED ?? Really? You mean colleges and schools dictate what equipment you work on? That sounds to me like a music school telling students what brand instrument to play on. ...isn't it? Sounds weird to me....

Maybe I don't understand the engineering behind it, but how is a Mac MADE for that sort of thing? It's just a computer...no? There's not that much exclusively-Mac-compatible (Windows INcompatible) software out there...is there?

If you want to work with graphics, be wary about the MacBooks before getting one. Their LED screens are very bright, crisp, flashy, and reflective. I worked on one at school in one of my classes and the glare on the screens is rather atrocious, both on the MacBooks and the LED Cinema Display they advertise. Don't get me wrong - they have amazing picture quality, but the surface is just too glossy and it gets annoying if there's like... any light behind or above you. I find it annoying, maybe you won't, so play around with one before you go and buy one.

Macs are REQUIRED ?? Really? You mean colleges and schools dictate what equipment you work on? That sounds to me like a music school telling students what brand instrument to play on. ...isn't it? Sounds weird to me....

Maybe I don't understand the engineering behind it, but how is a Mac MADE for that sort of thing? It's just a computer...no? There's not that much exclusively-Mac-compatible (Windows INcompatible) software out there...is there?

It's hard for me to say, for in my field of study for it's recommended to have a PC, and I've always been a PC user. There are features that Macs have that most PCs don't have that are specially made for art and publishing, but often there is PC software available that is equivalent if not better than Macs. It would be best for a Mac user to answer this question for I am using knowledge some friends told me long ago.

You might want to check out "2ndturn" on ebay, they sell used, refurbished laptops for a decent price. You just need to have the os software and you have to install the drivers yourself

I recommend a Mac for a few reasons --

1) Plug and play. Especially with the newer computers, you rarely have to search for drivers, etc. On the other hand, some lower-end stuff doesn't work right. I have a scanner/printer/copier/fax/god knows what else (that I dumpster-dove, to be fair) that doesn't work with Mac.

2) Build quality. I'm interested in people who have had bad experiences with macs. I've abused the crap outta this thing, and rarely do I ever have a problem. Only now, after about 2 years of doing 0 maintenance, am I having consistent problems. Even in the "dark days" of mac, that stuff was resilient compared to (some) computers.

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Enig -- you're really against that screen? Shoot... that's the best part about those computers.

The real issues with Mac are: expense. Certainly, there's the build quality and proprietary stuff to think about, but stuff like Apple-brand RAM is grossly expensive (course, just buy compatible ram, and you don't have this problem). But service is obscene. Just stuff to think about.

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Mac being required at schools: CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL. It does happen, and it's more of a compatibility issue. The Architecture school at Tulane (where I went) required PCs so they could put AutoCAD on it, which isn't Mac Compatible. In the same way, there are some programs that just work better on Macs (Adobe used to be this way, as was Aldus before it... Don't know anymore past CS1.)

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However, you can cut the cost of any computer by simply not picking up things like Office, and using open-source (and COMPATIBLE!) alternatives. I wish I knew about it when I was buying this thing.

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I second the vote against HPs... They're about as bad as Toshibas. I'd really really suggest finding a long-term (ie more expensive) solution for a new computer, so that you're not 18 months out and unable to upgrade. Then again, mommy and daddy financed my computer, so maybe I'm just not being practical.

Sadly, I only know companies to avoid (Dell is weak now, too), and even that's not across the board.

I love the screens on them, Ferk, some of the best I've seen, but I've heard people complain about the glare because the screens are glossy and it can bother me as well, so I thought I'd point it out only in case it might be a concern.

About operation system I vote for windows ...

The finale alike software doesn't need very much resourses unless you're talking about libraries too (GPO, EWQL etc ...) then this matter changes ....

let's concider you will use one of those libraries ....

The Video converting is a totally different process so you need a versatile laptop (Desktops are better in every way but if you need to be "mobile" ...ok... Laptop)

Many people pay attention in the RAM memory amount but not so in the processor clock speed (very big mistake)

There are 3 main componets in the computer, that's the processor, memory and hard disk...

The one who really "do the things" is the processor, not the RAM, The RAM memory is only the size of the "working table" where the processor is going to work ...(the hard disk is just your storage room)

A big table is good to "open" very much things at the same time or a very big one, (the case of a full sound library) but that's doesn't make the process "faster"..

Converting Video (rendering frames) is a "lot of job" for the processor, if you don't want to wait 10 minutes converting a 5 min. video you need a fast processor, (4 or 6 GB of ram won't do the job faster)

Processor Cache memory size is very important for Video tasks (2MB for Core would be good) the model you link in costco says 2MB Cache but I think is 1MB by core.

Cores are just several workers on the "table" not "1 doubled-speed worker"

Get a processor as fast as you can, not under 2GHZ (RAM can be easily increased and DDR2 is not expensive at all)

(your model is just a bit above 2.0ghz only 100MHZ which is nearly nothing) I couldn't find info about the T6500 each core speed, very probably 1 core is 2.1Ghz and the other is a bit slower)

Processor is not easy to change, not as easy as DIMMs (RAM) ...

The Video tasks won't satisfy you with that Processor Model, the Sound library alike tasks will satisfy you with those 3MB of RAM ....

The rest of hardware is important too, (motherboard for instance) .. DON'T BUY SONY...

Foxconn componets usually comes in HP (gateway, Dell also) laptops, Foxconn is a brand I do recommend, so HP could be a good choice, just find a little faster processor .... like 2.6GHz, 2.8GHz (if not possible, maybe 2.4, 2.5,)

things like "1394 firewire" "HDMI" etc make only the lap more expensive, buy it only if you need it.

This one looks good but is $1299 :D

2.4Ghz with 3MB cache

I could help you more if you decide what do you want to give more priority ?... Finale Playback or Video Conversions ?

Sadly, I only know companies to avoid (Dell is weak now, too), and even that's not across the board.

I disagree, Dell is rather good. I got my laptop from them, the studio 15 and I can play anything I want to. I got it for $1000 after working all summer. Best investment I've ever purchased. Also I purchased when it was on a sale and got $200 off the normal price.

My general specs are:

4GB of RAM

2.4GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3MB cache

320GB Hard Drive

512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570

9 cell battery - best thing ever

It's true, Dell is not so bad, the only really bad is the Sony Vaio,

even Acer can be good if you choose well.

Edit:

9 cell battery - best thing ever

Oh my, the battery yes, I forgot that.

Toshiba comes with 1 hour or less batteries,(i think Acer too)

HP, Dell, Gateway are better in that,

thank you for your time everyone!

what do you think is the best PC company (gateway, hp, dell, etc.) and why?

i'm looking at a couple refurbished gateways that look really nice...

Well, I've made only good experiences with IBM/Lenovo, but of course, similar to Apple, you will pay quite some extra in comparison to other brands. But they can last quite a while without breaking, so it can pay off.

I'd also recommend Dell. Granted, I saved up over a while and got a $2000 behemoth, but some friends of mine also have Dell laptops and they've worked wonderfully for them.

To run the things you need, you could definitely get one for around $600-$700. I'd also recommend trying to save up over the long-term to purchase a more reliable, more feature-rich laptop, but for your current needs you shouldn't have to spend too much.

what do you think is the best PC company (gateway, hp, dell, etc.) and why?

In one word, experience,

I worked repairing computesr for over 2 years, in that period of time I had HP, Compaq, Gateway, Dell, Acer, Lenovo, Toshiba, Sony, (maybe others)

Most of the cases were system problems (which always have a solution, drastic sometimes but solution)

Others were hardware probems and those may not have a solution or a "very expensive" solution ... something like changing the motherboard or the screen

The software problems depends most of the times from the "owner usage" .... you know, people press click in everywhere, install every thingy they see ...

Hardware problems are sometimes due to user obvious mistakes like dropping the lap to the floor, smash it into a hard surface, dropping a bottle of water ...:facepalm:

but many other hardware cases were "it just stopped working" "I turned off last night and now doesn't make a thing"

overheating may be a problem with internal components when the motherboard have low quality parts, (people use the lap in the bed, ... very bad..) :headwall:

The Processor and the 2 main chips (north bridge & south bridge) have temperature sensors but NOT the rest of the components, .. a very single tiny part that gets burned (not visible burned) is enough to damage all the motherboard (the whole lap stops working) ...

I've seen those kind of problems mainly in Sony Vaio, also on some cheap Compaq, :thumbsdown:

HP, Gateway and Dell were only due to hard shocks (and by using a non original AC power supply like those Targus that provides non perfect voltage and voltage is like the blood in our bodies)

If you don't shock your lap, keep it out of the sun light, extreme heat and water ............ HP, Gateway and Dell won't give you "non solution" problems. :thumbsup:

Very complex models are very complex to repair, (like a Laptop with rotary screen and touch sense, all the inputs and outputs you imagine, Fingerprint, Webcam, etc etc .....)

To have a bullet-proof system you will have to customize the system, there's no other way to guarantee 0% of software problems (in any brand)

Gateway can be the one, (Hp and Dell too)

I don't trust the refurbishing, better to invest a little more.

Y'know, these are all better questions for your library's copy of Consumer Reports... There are huge swaths of long-term testing that has been continuously done. Don't forget that reviews in magazines are often short-term testing and likely will not give a totally complete picture.

Heck, I didn't know that Gateway still existed... Does stuff come in cow-boxes still?

Does stuff come in cow-boxes still?

hehe, I remember those...

OSX directly derives from nextstep, which was... sometime in the 90s, and all that derives from unix, which is 80s. Vista was a huge overhaul...

As of right now (OS10.5 and Vista), vista is the superior system, with is individualizing efficiency and wicked stuff like that. 10.6 might (probably will) best it, though I'm hoping for a similar-sized overhaul for Macs...

I do love the drag-and-drop interface...

I hear people saying Vista is superior... I here people saying Vista sucks for this and that... I hear people telling me to stick to XP for doing music/media/finale/samples/ect., and I hear people saying that nobody has any excuse to be getting a new PC with XP on it at this point since if you get a PC with Vista you're Windows 7 ready. So really... what's the final word here supposed to be?

OSX directly derives from nextstep, which was... sometime in the 90s, and all that derives from unix, which is 80s. Vista was a huge overhaul...

Vista derives from XP, which derives from NT, which derives from 98, which derives from DOS...etc. It would be highly unusual for any company to write a new OS completely from scratch, since the cost of doing so would prove quite prohibitive.

I think a lot of the problems with Vista stemmed from its over-eagerness to cache data in memory. In my experience at least, it seemed to take the view that empty RAM was wasted RAM, that a good use of resources was storing data from inactive apps, prefetching data used for apps it thought the user was soon to use, and so on. That is reasonable, but only if you have plenty of memory to play with. Vista did improve some low-level stuff having to do with audio, which should affect us music-inclined people - however, it also ate up RAM, which ostensibly made it less suited to hosting software samplers.

I tried out Windows 7 the other month and it did seem a lot faster than Vista. The UI is still a tad bloated in my opinion. Fundamentally, I think 7 is what Vista should have been.

As for upgrading to Windows 7, I don't think it should really matter what OS you started off with. Just wipe the drive and start again, with a fresh copy of 7. That'll give you the best performance.