NEW laptop computer suggestions...

Shane Presley

Shane Presley

Senior
Jan 12, 2011
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.bssproductions.com
Hi all - I had my laptop gave me the black screen of death requesting the windows boot disks, twenty mintues before my show the other day. SO I am off to purchase a new laptop, and I'm wondering if I should drink the apple "koolaid". I'm still not clear on the whole boot camp thing, and this laptop will be my main show computer running lightjockey, and possible studio manager, and eaw resolution at times... Can anyone make any suggestions ( stay with a pc), etc... and what version(s)... I also us it to do quotes mostly in excel....
thanks
SP
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

Bootcamp is great when you need a dedicated PC platform like I do at my day job for testing hardware cross platform. But for regular Windoze tasks in a Mac world, I run Parallels 5 and Win 7 64 bit. Mostly I just use Parallels for controlling my XTA and Xilica processors. So I'm with Bennett. If you go Mac, use a virtual machine for the Windows stuff unless you're absolutely doing something that it won't support. I do recommend going Mac in any case. The hardware is very well made and super elegant. The new i7 Macbook Pros are amazingly fast. I'm doing testing with Thunderbolt RAID storage and the benchmarks are insane.

Greg
 
You know what's more funny is its the sane hardware from MAC to pc anymore. So that said if you've got operating specific tasks stick to the computers designed to run that operating system.

Sent from my ADR6300
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

Well, since I'm the resident Mac hater in these parts, I'm required to urge you to NOT drink the Mac-aide. Go with a PC. I like my new Sony Vaio F- series that I bought back in March. It's got the same hardware specs as a Mac Pro, for about 60% the cost. The only thing that I use that is Macintosh OS dependent is QLab, and I only run that at work where we have a plethora of Mac Pro towers that got replaced by iMacs.

If you really feel like spending MacBook Pro money, check out the Lenovo Thinkpad W series and the Dell Precision workstation class laptops.
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

Jordan Lahr said:
You know what's more funny is its the sane hardware from MAC to pc anymore. So that said if you've got operating specific tasks stick to the computers designed to run that operating system.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ. Apple may use Intel processors and chipsets, but they use their own board design and EFI implementation. They do a spectacular job running Windows. This may not be true any longer but I suspect it still is, last year when I was running extensive DMA performance tests with Windows on Macbook Pros and top of the line HP & Dell workstation laptops, the Macs had better performance. And the MBPs were lighter and slicker. They were also less expensive then a fully decked out HP. I had ordered up the 17" HP quad core machine with the so-called "Dream Color" display which was awful compared to the standard display on the Macbook Pro. The Dell wasn't any better. And both the Dell and HP had a ton of extra bulk and buttons. Looks like they've slimed down some this year, but they're still not as thin. The build quality just wasn't comparable. So IMHO, even if you're exclusively running Windows, the Macbook Pro is better machine all around. Here at my day job, we have several office personal running Mac Minis, iMac, and Macbook Pros exclusively on Windows. Not a complaint and they're happy campers. Don't forget that Apple also has had the highest customer satisfaction rating with computers overall several years running now.

http://www.macrumors.com/2011/09/20...isfaction-survey-for-eighth-consecutive-time/
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

Resolution and Lightjockey are both Windows-only, so I'd stick with a Windows machine unless you really like the Apple UI. While Apple has some good hardware designers, there are quite a few non-Apple machines that are every bit as good.

Dell makes a solid mid-size and full size laptop in their business line (you want the Dell Precision or Latitude series - their consumer stuff is junk), and Lenovo has done a nice job continuing the Thinkpad tradition with the X and T series machines. In general, the cheap consumer machines are junk to be avoided.

Unless you are doing heavy computation, virtually any modern processor will be just fine (although I'd probably go with an i5 so that the machine doesn't go out of date as fast). Spend your money on the RAM (4Gig is a pretty typical amount these days) and an SSD if you don't need vast amounts of storage (the SSD is as much for durabiltiy as anything else).
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

One thing I will comment on is the unibody aluminum case that the Mac laptops have. My computer has been flung halfway across the street, dropped off amp racks, had drinks spilled on it and in two years it hasnt failed me yet. Now my computer is in Afghanistan, Constantly getting covered in dust and banged around in an assault pack. And its even fallen off of my bunk bed, twice. Im on the top bunk. its not too pretty to look at anymore, The corners are all bent, the CD receptacle is bent but still works. scratches and gouges in the body, but performance wise it still remains incredibly solid. In-fact when im done typing this Im gonna give it a good cleaning!
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

Andrew Broughton said:
Anyone been able to find a new high-end PC notebook with an ExpressCard slot?
Click to expand...

Not really high end but I just ordered a new Lenovo T420 (14") that has an Express34 slot and firewire. My 13" Vaio-Z also has Express34. It has gotten to where I need to do some maintenance on the Sony to restore performance and reliability and I think the Lenovo will probably be my new primary laptop.

Every once in a while I briefly entertain the idea of trying out a Mac, but then I think of how irritating iTunes can be and I get over it.
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

Shane Presley said:
Hi all - I had my laptop gave me the black screen of death requesting the windows boot disks, twenty mintues before my show the other day. SO I am off to purchase a new laptop, and I'm wondering if I should drink the apple "koolaid". I'm still not clear on the whole boot camp thing, and this laptop will be my main show computer running lightjockey, and possible studio manager, and eaw resolution at times... Can anyone make any suggestions ( stay with a pc), etc... and what version(s)... I also us it to do quotes mostly in excel....
thanks
SP
Click to expand...

I do think that Apple builds quality hardware. That said, I am Windows guy and probably always will be. I've used a MPB with OS X extensively and I don't think the OS is "better." Especially not when compared to Windows 7. I was pretty fed up with Microsoft back in the Windows 2000/ME days but at that time XP redeemed them. Vista was a flop, but Windows 7 (with mostly just tweaking) became a mature OS and I think it's their best yet.

People often compare the Apple vs. Microsoft argument to Chevy vs. Ford. However, the difference with Chevy vs. Ford is that neither company beats the other substantially at any price point. At every level of performance and machine class, Windows machines win on cost. Now, lowest bidder does not always mean best, but IMO there is nothing that OS X does substantially better than Windows 7 does, excepting maybe some software that might just not be available on Windows.

As for Windows laptop recommendations... Check out the Dell XPS 15z, the HP Envy 14 or 17, or a Lenovo ThinkPad. I like some of the Asus machines as well. Though they are a relatively new player to the laptop/desktop world, they've been making PC motherboards for years. Actually I just got an Asus Transformer Android tablet, and I absolutely love it.

The last thing I'll say is, when you get a new Windows PC, make install disks for any and all software you want to keep... then format the hard drive and re-install Windows. One of the problems with the PC manufacturers is they get paid by 3rd parties to load all sorts of trial software on there and most of the time it's useless. Ditch any version of Anti-virus software they've installed and go download Microsoft Security Essentials. It's free, seamless, and it just works.

Another option is go check out Microsoft's store of "signature" PCs. These are PCs configured by Microsoft to have a minimal of bloatware (crappy software) installed and tuned for performance for a modest price premium.

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/list/parentCategoryID.44066900/categoryID.50787200

They offer two levels of "customization." The first one is included free. The "premium" option adds a year of VIP support and anti-theft technologies... Never bought it, YMMV.
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

I too have had my old white plastic Macbook fall off many things and be abused. It still worked great when I sold it to move up to the aluminum Macbook pro. I'd highly suggest a Macbook pro with parallels or VM Fusion. One awesome thing about Mac and Apple products are that a lot of people have them. I remember many times using someone elses iPhone or Macbook charger to grab some juice real quick when mine wasn't with me. If you want something that works everytime you turn it on, go Mac.
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

My "road" laptop is a $330 walmart compaq I actually bought one night when I was doing a week long theater gig out of town. It runs plenty of freeware audio and document processing software with no problems. A $60 Lexicon interface and the built in CD burner works just fine for basic board recordings. I'm usually a proponent of fixing things when they break, but all of the computers I have owned have been such a pain in the ass to repair I opted to get something disposable for when it gets rained on or run over by a forklift.

That being said, as worn out and beat to he'll as it was, my previous laptop, a used panasonic toughbook CF28 was absolutely indestructible. If I had the need or disposable income, I would get a new one of those. My iPhone handles so much of my computing needs anymore, the laptop has become secondary.
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

Tom Manchester said:
That being said, as worn out and beat to he'll as it was, my previous laptop, a used panasonic toughbook CF28 was absolutely indestructible. If I had the need or disposable income, I would get a new one of those. My iPhone handles so much of my computing needs anymore, the laptop has become secondary.
Click to expand...

Ahhh autocorrect, the only thing that sometimes drives me nuts about my iphone! :lol:
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

Ryan Lantzy said:
Another option is go check out Microsoft's store of "signature" PCs. These are PCs configured by Microsoft to have a minimal of bloatware (crappy software) installed and tuned for performance for a modest price premium.

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/list/parentCategoryID.44066900/categoryID.50787200
Click to expand...

Some good PCs here. They even have the same Sony Vaio that I got in March for several hundred less than what I paid. It doesn't list it on this page, but it does come with an ExpressCard Slot.
 
Re: NEW laptop computer suggestions...

Tom Manchester said:
My "road" laptop is a $330 walmart compaq I actually bought one night when I was doing a week long theater gig out of town. It runs plenty of freeware audio and document processing software with no problems. A $60 Lexicon interface and the built in CD burner works just fine for basic board recordings. I'm usually a proponent of fixing things when they break, but all of the computers I have owned have been such a pain in the ass to repair I opted to get something disposable for when it gets rained on or run over by a forklift.

That being said, as worn out and beat to he'll as it was, my previous laptop, a used panasonic toughbook CF28 was absolutely indestructible. If I had the need or disposable income, I would get a new one of those. My iPhone handles so much of my computing needs anymore, the laptop has become secondary.
Click to expand...

I am still looking to replace my laptop which died at the beginning of the summer. That machine was a pretty big chunk of change when I was working on my doctorate. I no longer need to be on the forward edge of processing. I have basically retreated to using the laptop for running my DSP, running smaart, and basic word processing and minor surfing.

I am thinking a couple of small netbooks would cover my needs and still be half the cost of replacing the other machine.
 
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