New Computer Question

[HookemCards]

I need some help from someone that uses lots of different computers. My parents have decided that their 10 yr old computer is too slow and decided to buy a new one. My dad is an amateur photographer and wants to be able to do lots of video editing (mostly photo's, but would like the option of editing home movies, etc.). They are trying to decide between a EMac/IMac or a Dell PC, but can't decide which would be better for there needs. Can anyone here give me a side by side comparison of the two systems, and possibly price breakdown, I really don't know anything about Mac's other than they look cool. Thx in advance for your help.

 

[Chaz]

I need some help from someone that uses lots of different computers. My parents have decided that their 10 yr old computer is too slow and decided to buy a new one. My dad is an amateur photographer and wants to be able to do lots of video editing (mostly photo's, but would like the option of editing home movies, etc.). They are trying to decide between a EMac/IMac or a Dell PC, but can't decide which would be better for there needs. Can anyone here give me a side by side comparison of the two systems, and possibly price breakdown, I really don't know anything about Mac's other than they look cool. Thx in advance for your help.

OK since nobody else has touched this I'll chime in.

It is really a matter of preference. I have not used a mac but I understand they are very good at the things you want to do. The drawback is it is harder and more expensive to upgrade a mac and the software choices are usually more limited (and more expensive).

Dell (Windows/Intel clones) will work fine for what you want to do as well but the problem is when the computer gets mucked up with conflicting hardware or software and some troubleshooting is necessary. The best is to just put on the software you want to use and don't add much else to prevent possible software issues.

To sum up the Mac is probably more reliable and more expensive while the Windows/Intel machine is more configurable but potentially less stable.

 

[thirty-two]

I'm waiting for Sweet D to come in and say NO to Dell's.

 

[Ryanwb]

The only reason I prefer Dell and recommend them to people is because of their prices and their customer service. They stuff doesn't break down any more than any other manufacturer and their price is relatively low because they produce in such mass quanities.

Also their customer service is pretty darn good. I had my CD-RW break down, they sent a tech out the next day and replaced it free of charge. I have to have a special service contract with HP/Compaq for them to do that, otherwise they just ship you the part they think is broken and you have to fix it yourself

 

[Chaz]

I'm waiting for Sweet D to come in and say NO to Dell's.

I was waiting for Stronso to come in and start pimping for Macs.

 

[HookemCards]

Thx for the replies guys (and gal). I'm thinking that he would be better off with a Dell because of cost and familiarity. Plus he's not a professional photographer or graphic artist, so the slight superiority that Mac's may have with video editing he will probably never really see. Basically he just wants to go through 20 yrs of photos, and put the best ones on CD, and then edit some home movies and put them on CD.

 

[Chaz]

The high end programs for Mac are usually optimized for Macs. They can do this because the Mac is a closed hardware system. (the only hardware in the machine comes from Apple). These high end programs are great for professionals but they are probably a little pricey for average users.

With a Dell (Wintel) machine there are a lot more software options from several hundered dollar high end professional programs to $30 shareware or even freeware ones.


Good luck, remember more memory or a faster hard drive is more valuable than a couple ticks faster processor.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Good luck, remember more memory or a faster hard drive is more valuable than a couple ticks faster processor.

Unless your comparing a standard processor or a hyper theaded one. I just went from a 2.4 pent 4 with 1 gig of ram to a over clocked 3.08 hyperthreaded pent 4 with 512 ram and the hyper threaded blows it away man. not even close.

I can now run Dreamweaver, SQL Server 2000, Oracle, CF Server, AOLIM, Word, Powerpoint and play Unreal tournament all at the same time lol. Of course the geforce 5 doesnt hurt

I say go hyperthreaded. greatest thing in the world. With plenty of front side bus.

 

[jf-08]

.

 

[Mulli]

Can someone give me the minimum specs I should look to get in a new desktop computer for the house? I know this has probably been gone over on this site somewhere, but I would appreciate the help

 

[Ryanwb]

Can someone give me the minimum specs I should look to get in a new desktop computer for the house? I know this has probably been gone over on this site somewhere, but I would appreciate the help

It depends on how you will use it....

Are you going to be using it to play high end games? Run specific software? Multitask? Primarily for internet browsing??

 

[Mulli]

It depends on how you will use it....

Are you going to be using it to play high end games? Run specific software? Multitask? Primarily for internet browsing??

More than likely browsing, word processing, nothing hugely technical.

 

[Ryanwb]

More than likely browsing, word processing, nothing hugely technical.

If that is all, I would get a system that would still be on par in about 4 or 5 years....

Atleast a 2.6 GHZ processor....
Minimum 512 MB RAM
80 GB Hard Drive
Atleast a 64 MB Video card (can be an embedded card since you won't be a gammer, as oppposed to an AGP Card)

Avoid the Celeron processor.....

 

[Mulli]

Thanks