New computer. Plz help me decide!

[jewelbellydance]

Help! My computer is dying and I think it's time for a new one. As I've added programs over time my desktop has slowed down until now I have to meditate between clicks to stop myself throwing it through the window. So, I"ve had a look at new computers, and I am so confused. They have changed sooo much in the few years since I last looked.

I need to get an idea of what specs I should shop for. Any and all suggestions would be very appreciated - brand, tech specs, anything! I already have a great flatscreen and keyboard and am thinking I'll get a laptop to plug into them, as the price diff with a desktop seems to have narrowed, plus I can bring it to class and play dvds. Am thinking I'll over-capitalise with the RAM this time so it doesn't date as quickly (every new software package seems to require more and more RAM).

What I run:
Windows XP (Mac users groan now)
itunes
Olympus digital camera software
MYOB (accounting package)
Outlook
Hopefully photoshop if I ever learn to use it

What I need:
DVD/CD burner; DVD player
Fast processing, using multiple programs at a time
Lots of memory for storing photos and music files
Reliability as I have no clue when it comes to fixing computer glitches
Wireless internet access if I go for a laptop

Thanks!

[Nat242]

Hi!

You should get what I am buying on Wednesday (yay!). A Macbook laptop, middle of the range. It fits all your specs...

$1899 (in Australia - unless you're a teacher or a student, then you get a discount)
13.3" screen - beautiful screens, I use my partner's and have no eye troubles even when I'm Bhuzzing for ages!
2.16GHz speed, which is really fast.
1GB ram. This is adequate but for an extra $200 or so I'm getting a ram upgrade to 2GB. Believe me, it makes an enormous difference, and I don't think you'll need any more.
120GB hard drive. This is pretty big, but of course you can buy an external hard drive later on if you fill it up or if you want extra protection (back up!)
And it has a built-in superdrive (DVD/CD Burner and player)

You can use multiple programs at any one time - it's hard to crash a mac.
A Mac is reliable, and virtually impenetrable to viruses.

You can run XP on your Mac. There are several programs available that will allow you to do this - the one my partner uses is Bootcamp; Parallels is another one. To use, all you do is go into the control panel and select the alternative operating system, which will then allow you to use XP programs and open XP files.

Frankly, XP runs so much more smoothly on my partners' MacBook than it does on my desktop PC!

The MacBooks are really compact - much more compact than a non-Mac of similar specs - which makes it easier for you to take to class. They don't weigh much at all. Accessing the internet wirelessly is no problem at all; the MacBooks also come with bluetooth.

There are a couple of other MacBook models you could check out depending on your budget, but the one I'm getting (middle of the MacBook line range) seems to meet all of your specs.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions let me know, I might be able to help you out. I've been doing the research!

Also, where are you in Australia? If you're in Brisbane, I can give you the name of a store where the sales staff are really helpful and friendly.

Happy hunting!

Natalie

[zorba]

Mac. You don't need XP, you certainly don't need outlook, unless there's something really unusual about it you don't need the digicam software. Your accounting package may be the only real sticking point, you might have to switch to something else.

In today's world, there's no need to run Micro$oft!

[heinakuu]

My recommendations ( I work for supercomputing center)

First, check what can be done to your old computer. Ask someone to
backup your videos and music and reorganize the disk. It may be that
this solves the slowness problem.

But if this does not help:

You need a lot of disk space - it is so cheap now that buy as much as you can get. They count this is in GB's so check that the number is big.Tell the salesman that you have to have your huge dance videos, picture and songs there. It is not necessary a same device than your computer,
ask for external hard drive.

Definitely buy a laptop with wireless internet, you can lay in your bed and bhuz or you can take it to your studio and run a choreography on a screen to learn it, and it is not so much more expensive.

Ask them to include to the package a configuration between you mobile and outlook. Then you can add things to your calendar on-site using your phone
and you always up to date on your meetings.

[Nat242]

Hear, hear, Zorba!
Micro$oft, I love it!

[jewelbellydance]

Thanks for all the advice so far. It's very useful. I must admit, I'm not familiar with an external hard drive. Do you get one of those to add to the storage capacity of your internal hard drive (as opposed to replacing it)?

I'm reluctant to commit to Mac software because I feel too old to learn how to use unfamiliar software. Scary! If I get a Macbook, is the Bootcamp program freeware?

PS - Natalie - I'm in Melbourne. Fortunately, right next to two huge electrical stores that like to price-match and throw in extras! Just gotta know what I want before I can do a good deal.

[Nat242]

An external hard drive is just a small box that you plug in to your computer via USB. You still have your built-in hard drive - external hard drives are for back up and for storing music and other data that you might not need to access every day or don't want to always carry around with you. Cost varies depending on how large you get it - I just bought a 400GB drive for about $200. I bought that off the internet and got a much better deal than retail.

As to getting used to Mac software, it's really quite intuitive. The user interface is really simple - spend a couple of hours playing around and you'll feel right at home. The only thing that has taken me some time to get used to is the absence of a right-click function, but there is a keyboard button you use instead. Really, it won't be an issue. You can even get the Microsoft Office Suite for Macs, which will be really familiar and it's easy to use, and some of the functions improve on the XP Office Suite.

Bootcamp is freeware. My partner has just informed me that the new Mac operating system will come out in October (don't worry, it'll just be slight improvements, nothing catastrophic like Vista), so depending on your timeline, if you wait until then Bootcamp will be preinstalled on your laptop.

That's great about living close to price-matching stores! I'm from Melbourne, originally, where I was taught by Victoria Mead. Do you know her? She's a beautiful dancer. I do miss the belly dance supplies stores in Melbourne; Brisbane doesn't really have any!!!

[SummerSahar]

Originally Posted by Nat242

An external hard drive is just a small box that you plug in to your computer via USB. You still have your built-in hard drive - external hard drives are for back up and for storing music and other data that you might not need to access every day or don't want to always carry around with you. Cost varies depending on how large you get it - I just bought a 400GB drive for about $200. I bought that off the internet and got a much better deal than retail.

As to getting used to Mac software, it's really quite intuitive. The user interface is really simple - spend a couple of hours playing around and you'll feel right at home. The only thing that has taken me some time to get used to is the absence of a right-click function, but there is a keyboard button you use instead. Really, it won't be an issue. You can even get the Microsoft Office Suite for Macs, which will be really familiar and it's easy to use, and some of the functions improve on the XP Office Suite.

Bootcamp is freeware. My partner has just informed me that the new Mac operating system will come out in October (don't worry, it'll just be slight improvements, nothing catastrophic like Vista), so depending on your timeline, if you wait until then Bootcamp will be preinstalled on your laptop.

That's great about living close to price-matching stores! I'm from Melbourne, originally, where I was taught by Victoria Mead. Do you know her? She's a beautiful dancer. I do miss the belly dance supplies stores in Melbourne; Brisbane doesn't really have any!!!

Hey Nat! I'm with you! I was a PC user for ages and I just bought my first Mac laptop last month. I LOVE it. It IS intuitive. But where is this button you speak of on the keyboard that supposedly replaces the right click button? I MUST have that back.
:-)

[*Shira*]

I definitely recommend going with a laptop instead of a desktop because of the flexibility it offers in being able to easily take your computer with you if you find you want to.

In the laptop world, these are some of the buzzwords you may encounter describing different types of machines:

• Ultra-Portable. Really small. Long battery life. Light weight. (Mine weighs 2.7 pounds.) Tend to be much more expensive than other laptops. Disadvantage: less hard disk space than other categories of laptops, fewer USB ports, slower processor power.
• Portable. Bigger and heavier than ultra-portables. Although they weigh a little more than ultra-portables, have a little shorter battery life, and are a little bigger, they're still better on these metrics than the other categories of laptops.
• Desktop Replacement. Bigger, heavier, and bulkier than the above categories, but probably lower price tag, more hard disk space, and faster processor. If you plan to do a lot of video editing work in the future, look for a dual-processor model for extra speed.
• Gaming Machine. Whizzy video features, graphics accelerator, lots of memory and hard disk. These are the features you need if you plan to play video games, but may be overkill if you don't. Bulky size.

From what you described of your needs, I'd suggest a desktop replacement category of machine. If you go to a web site such as zdnet.com and search for reviews on notebook computers / desktop replacements, you should be able to find some product reviews to help you evaluate your choices.

I agree with those who suggested that regardless of what computer you buy, you use an external hard disk to store those photos and audio files that you don't use every day instead of keeping them inside your computer. I've had good reliability from the Seagate 200 gigabyte firewire/usb drive. I've had POOR reliability from the SimpleTech 500 gigabyte firewire/usb drive - I bought 3 of them, and 2 months later one has quit working, making me unable to access any of the data on it. So I advise against SimpleTech for that reason. An external hard disk generally works just like an internal one - you can see it in "My computer", and use Explorer to move files to/from it as desired.

Big warning: if you buy a new Windows computer, I urge you to also purchase Windows XP disks, and use them to replace the Vista operating system that comes on all new windows machines now. Vista is horrid, absolutely horrid. Stick with XP for as long as possible!!!!

[jewelbellydance]

Thanks again everyone! See, Bhuzzers know everything. This is so helpful. And perhaps, if I can learn how to layer a shimmy over a figure 8, I could learn how to use Mac if I decided to go down that route.

Nat - I know Vicki (not personally, but by sight) and yes, she is a beautiful dancer. I hope you're enjoying the Brissie climate. It's frosty outside right now in Melbourne and probably less than 10 degrees. Ugh!

[Nat242]

Summer: It's next to the spacebar!
Jewel: I don't miss that! I'm sitting by the window in the sun; it's warm, clear and beautiful!

[elljay]

I love my Mac, had 'em for years.

I just got rid of my iMac and have a new Mac Mini. I'm not a fan of laptops, and the new Macs are uber expensive. I find the mini portable (I can easily carry it to and from work) but really, I have never needed a laptop. I'm not a fan.

The wonderful thing about Macs is that you really don't have to "learn" much of anything. It does everything for you! The mini meets all your requirements and then some. The music and video editors are fabulous and SO easy to use.

(note - I'm just a fan, I don't work for Mac or anything.)

[petgecko]

the key combo on a mac for "right-click" is "ctrl", so if you want to "right-click", hold down the ctrl button while clicking.
Or, recently, after a bajillion years of using the mac 1-button mouse, I have bought a "mighty mouse", and OMG, it's a dream! I use the mouse with my laptop, as I do alot of image editing and whatnot, and a trackpad is darn' near impossible ;)
With the mighty mouse, you can set the button operation in System Preferences. OH, it's got a little scrolly button too.. Love that!