Looking for a fast computer for editing?

Geaux · Feb 22, 2011

AmberNikol said:
Don't dis the MAC! haha

Read further down, I'm a Mac owner .....

Comments like that make me lol b/c the Mac haters are worse than Apple Fanboys (neither of which I am, since I own both). Not sure why anyone cares what type of computer or phone another person has, that's why you have personal options when it comes to what YOU want. Mac/PC or iPhone/Android arguements always come about when someone asks which you prefer, why fight over something when it's a PERSONAL CHOICE?

mikehaugen · Feb 22, 2011

back to the original issue.... does anyone else find it strange that a computer advertised for video and photo editing doesn't have a ieee1394 (firewire) port? Maybe things have changed in the last few years, but firewire used to be the best video transfer format around. I have always liked it way more that usbii. I could be wrong though.

AmberNikol · Feb 22, 2011

No, I know u were a mac owner...As am I. I was referring to the comment u commented on.. probably didn't quote that right. haha I totally agree with you on the whole what kind of computer you have, i truly think it's personal preference and what you need to use your computer for.

lyonsroar · Feb 22, 2011

Before I got my new machine I was editing on a laptop with a 15.4" screen, 60 GB HD, and 1.5 GB DDR2 RAM.

New machine: 23" monitor, 1 TB HD, 4 GB DDR3 RAM --- Talk about an upgrade!

I literally cannot back get more than two things in my LR export que at once, it's that fast. I can run CS5, LR, and iTunes at once with no problems. Plus, surround sound!
Whole setup cost ~$600. Not bad at all!

Picture:
(pop can for scale)

MichiganFarts · Feb 22, 2011

Nice lyons, curious on your complete system specs for that price. I'm looking to upgrade my computer soon...my awesome 2.8ghz single core , with 2 gigs of ddr ram are great and all...I don't need a monitor, so that saves some cash dolla's too.

lyonsroar · Feb 22, 2011

MichiganFarts said:
Nice lyons, curious on your complete system specs for that price. I'm looking to upgrade my computer soon...my awesome 2.8ghz single core , with 2 gigs of ddr ram are great and all...I don't need a monitor, so that saves some cash dolla's too.

This unit:
Newegg.com - lenovo IdeaCentre H215(0893-1FU) Athlon II X2 250(3.0GHz) 4GB DDR3 1TB HDD Capacity ATI Radeon 3000 IGP Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

This monitor (I think)
Newegg.com - Acer G235HAbd 23'' 5ms 1920x1080 WideScreen LCD monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1

= ~$589

AmberNikol · Feb 22, 2011

You don't have crashes with the PC? I always found that PC when you run a ton of things at the same time(as you were saying you did) tend to end up crashing more...have you seen a big difference in that?

lyonsroar · Feb 22, 2011

AmberNikol said:
You don't have crashes with the PC? I always found that PC when you run a ton of things at the same time(as you were saying you did) tend to end up crashing more...have you seen a big difference in that?

Has not crashed yet. Last night I had LR, CS5, iTunes, and Chrome running at the same time. No noticeable drop in performance. No crashes. Nothing.
I'm very happy with my setup! I'm honestly surprised with Window's 7. I'd been running XP pretty much since I've been using computers and it worked so why upgrade right? Well 7 seems very streamlined and honestly it was easy to get used to. I was surprised to say the least, considering the flak they got from the abortion that was Vista...

AmberNikol · Feb 22, 2011

That's good. I'm a MAC user and I LOVE my mac but thinking maybe down the road in getting a desktop to be able to edit my photos and what not, but I'm really unsure about going back to the PC world. I love MAC but the prices are just so high for what I need.

GooniesNeverSayDie11 · Feb 22, 2011

I dont care either way, my Mac comment was more of a joke. I should have known it would start a huge debate. Hey Lyon, I have a Lenovo as well. Mine has the tool-less upgrade case that lets you add hard drives with just pushing a few clips and moving a tray. Thats the one part I will miss when I upgrade.

My 4 gigs of RAM runs CS5 alright, but HDR pro in CS5 and all plug in load/run slow as crap as well as Adobe Bridge. That is mainly why I would upgrade. Less hang ups during my workflow.I can definately get by with what I have, but when I do upgrade I think the computer I showed will be my next comp.

sanderso · Feb 22, 2011

mikehaugen said:
back to the original issue.... does anyone else find it strange that a computer advertised for video and photo editing doesn't have a ieee1394 (firewire) port? ....

I find the big box stores offer a great price....if the machine exactly fits your needs. Otherwise, too bad. Sounds like Costco got a deal from the manufacturer on machines w/o firewire or wireless. Oh well....

sanderso · Feb 22, 2011

MichiganFarts said:
All that for that price. Looks like it's time to build my next computer...which is another reason to love window's over mac.

I've looked at the build/buy issue several times over the years. I've yet to see that it's cheaper to build....w/o taking shortcuts. After all, upgrading the motherboard...means u.g. of the disk...mean u.g. of the RAM...means u.g. of the graphics card....etc. Next thing ya know, it's just cheaper to buy it. Less satifying...but cheaper and quicker. (Besides, the new one might even come w a warranty!) And, yes, these options don't exist in the MAC world. My $0.02.

GooniesNeverSayDie11 · Feb 22, 2011

you can get a firewire PCI card cheap as crap. I am disappointed though that it does not have USB 3.0 which is faster than firewire I hear.

sanderso · Feb 22, 2011

GooniesNeverSayDie11 said:
you can get a firewire PCI card cheap as crap. I am disappointed though that it does not have USB 3.0 which is faster than firewire I hear.

Agreed re USB 3.0. I was shopping for a portable drive which supports v3.0 a few months ago. (Didn't have any luck.) But the speed seemed pretty quick.

SupNY · Feb 22, 2011

AmberNikol said:
That's good. I'm a MAC user and I LOVE my mac but thinking maybe down the road in getting a desktop to be able to edit my photos and what not, but I'm really unsure about going back to the PC world. I love MAC but the prices are just so high for what I need.

The things is from my experience of buying computers, my Mac's have held their value much better than all the other mindless land-fill infesting the shelves at the computer stores, and I like to upgrade quite frequently so for me Mac's are the cheaper alternative as I only lose a slight bit of my original outlay.