Advice on new system - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

PG44 · 2009-08-21, 12:44 PM

I think the time has come to update the old laptop, but I am looking for some direction on what will best meet my needs. We will basically use it for internet, photo editing, SD camcorder video editing and other light apps.

I am looking at the Toshiba P300 laptop as an option, because it has dedicated video memory and firewire (required for the camcorder input), but it only has a Core 2 Duo 7350(?) processor. I am also thinking of a desktop, and possibly getting a netbook for internet access upstairs. The Dell Studio XPS looks good, and will be roughly the same cost as the Toshiba with a monitor, but has a quad core processor. A local shop has quoted me about $1200 to put together a comparable system with Quad core Q8200 with Q45 chipset, DQ45CB mobo, 4gb DDR2 Ram and Asus Extreme EN9600GT 512mb video card.

My concerns are: how much processing power is required to edit SD video? If I go to HD video will I need the quad?
Are Dells upgradeable, say if I want to add a bluray drive in the future, or am I better off with a generic build for this purpose?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Bowenjau · 2009-08-21, 03:55 PM

Have you considered a Macbook Pro? Many professionals used it for photo and movie editing on the go. Plus the installed software (iLife:iMovie, iPhoto, iWeb, etc) is pretty decent out of the box.

Go check it out on Apple's Canada's website.

PG44 · 2009-08-21, 04:27 PM

I personally like Macs, but my wife is not a convert. The pricetag is also a little steep as we are trying to stay around the $1000 mark. Our media needs are nowhere near professional level, but I do want the capability to process and edit our home videos and photos. No gaming at all.

I researched the components the local shop quoted and they seem to be of good quality for an average system.

In Win microATX tower with 350 W PSU
WD 500gb @ 7200rpm SATA II HD
Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Samsung or LG 22" wide monitor

To keep costs down I could go with the e7400 C2Duo processor and use the onboard Intel 4500 graphics. Is that sufficient for what I am looking to do?

DJDiggler · 2009-08-25, 02:52 AM

PG44 you can get a much better system from dell for $1200... Configure this Inspiron 545 with these upgrades:

CPU = Q9400
OS = Vista home premium (free windows 7 upgrade when released)
Monitor = 20" widescreen HD
Memory = 6GB
Hard Drive = 500gb
Video card = Geforce GT 220
CD Drive = blueray reader/DVD writer combo

All this comes to right around $1200 after $100 off if you put in this coupon in your cart:B784C7S3J0X$40 (expires Sept 4 and only applies to certain systems). And don't forget it's free shipping!

That would give you everything you could need for any HD video.

nursedude · 2009-08-25, 08:11 AM

I would be tempted to go for 4GB more RAM and a bigger power supply. 350 W is not all that big if you plan on adding anything like another drive or upgrading the video card at any time. One thing to watch is that if you move to Vista 64 is that your hardware and applications may not all be compatable. I found this out the hard way with my D-Link USB wireless.

PG44 · 2009-08-25, 10:09 AM

My concern with Dell is their proprietary approach and problems upgrading components in the future. If buying Dell I would likely futureproof as much as possible with some of the upgrades you mentioned, but this can add up. I recall when I ordered a Dell Pentium 200 over 10 years ago, I spent $200 to upgrade fro 32mb to 64 mb of RAM! The Inspiron also lacks a firewire port, which is why I was looking at the Studio or XPS.

I am also wondering about the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit and what this is going to do to all the peripherals we have. Machines are routinely being sold with the 64-bit OS now, but will the routers, printers etc work properly? Is it a matter of driver updates, as will likely need to occur again with Windows 7? Is it better to wait a few more months until Windows 7 64-bit is the norm and everyone catches up?

2009-08-21, 12:44 PM	#1
PG44 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Guelph, Ontario Posts: 246	Advice on new system I think the time has come to update the old laptop, but I am looking for some direction on what will best meet my needs. We will basically use it for internet, photo editing, SD camcorder video editing and other light apps. I am looking at the Toshiba P300 laptop as an option, because it has dedicated video memory and firewire (required for the camcorder input), but it only has a Core 2 Duo 7350(?) processor. I am also thinking of a desktop, and possibly getting a netbook for internet access upstairs. The Dell Studio XPS looks good, and will be roughly the same cost as the Toshiba with a monitor, but has a quad core processor. A local shop has quoted me about $1200 to put together a comparable system with Quad core Q8200 with Q45 chipset, DQ45CB mobo, 4gb DDR2 Ram and Asus Extreme EN9600GT 512mb video card. My concerns are: how much processing power is required to edit SD video? If I go to HD video will I need the quad? Are Dells upgradeable, say if I want to add a bluray drive in the future, or am I better off with a generic build for this purpose? Thanks for any suggestions.

2009-08-25, 02:52 AM	#4
DJDiggler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Leduc, AB Posts: 1,102	PG44 you can get a much better system from dell for $1200... Configure this Inspiron 545 with these upgrades: CPU = Q9400 OS = Vista home premium (free windows 7 upgrade when released) Monitor = 20" widescreen HD Memory = 6GB Hard Drive = 500gb Video card = Geforce GT 220 CD Drive = blueray reader/DVD writer combo All this comes to right around $1200 after $100 off if you put in this coupon in your cart:B784C7S3J0X$40 (expires Sept 4 and only applies to certain systems). And don't forget it's free shipping! That would give you everything you could need for any HD video. __________________ Epson EX71, Tosh HD-A2, Denon AVR590, Athena P4100, Infinity P362,C250,P162. RCA L42WD22, Pio VSX1016, Athena LS50

2009-08-25, 08:11 AM	#5
nursedude Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 216	You can never be to thin, rich or have enough RAM I would be tempted to go for 4GB more RAM and a bigger power supply. 350 W is not all that big if you plan on adding anything like another drive or upgrading the video card at any time. One thing to watch is that if you move to Vista 64 is that your hardware and applications may not all be compatable. I found this out the hard way with my D-Link USB wireless.

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2009-08-21, 03:55 PM	#2
Bowenjau Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Rogers Posts: 42	Have you considered a Macbook Pro? Many professionals used it for photo and movie editing on the go. Plus the installed software (iLife:iMovie, iPhoto, iWeb, etc) is pretty decent out of the box. Go check it out on Apple's Canada's website.

2009-08-21, 04:27 PM	#3
PG44 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Guelph, Ontario Posts: 246	I personally like Macs, but my wife is not a convert. The pricetag is also a little steep as we are trying to stay around the $1000 mark. Our media needs are nowhere near professional level, but I do want the capability to process and edit our home videos and photos. No gaming at all. I researched the components the local shop quoted and they seem to be of good quality for an average system. In Win microATX tower with 350 W PSU WD 500gb @ 7200rpm SATA II HD Vista Home Premium 64-bit Samsung or LG 22" wide monitor To keep costs down I could go with the e7400 C2Duo processor and use the onboard Intel 4500 graphics. Is that sufficient for what I am looking to do?

2009-08-25, 10:09 AM	#6
PG44 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Guelph, Ontario Posts: 246	My concern with Dell is their proprietary approach and problems upgrading components in the future. If buying Dell I would likely futureproof as much as possible with some of the upgrades you mentioned, but this can add up. I recall when I ordered a Dell Pentium 200 over 10 years ago, I spent $200 to upgrade fro 32mb to 64 mb of RAM! The Inspiron also lacks a firewire port, which is why I was looking at the Studio or XPS. I am also wondering about the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit and what this is going to do to all the peripherals we have. Machines are routinely being sold with the 64-bit OS now, but will the routers, printers etc work properly? Is it a matter of driver updates, as will likely need to occur again with Windows 7? Is it better to wait a few more months until Windows 7 64-bit is the norm and everyone catches up?