My new PC, laptop or desktop?

[Gremlin]

tl;dr

Dollar for dollar, a desktop is cheaper than a laptop, and has better cooling as the parts aren't crammed into a small space. Consequently components should last longer. You're also more able to upgrade some components easily should you wish, but this can turn into a money pit if you're not careful. Regular screen, keyboard and mouse can be plugged into a laptop, but they have less USB ports.

It depends if you want to be able to move the computer around, work here or there. If not, I'd get a desktop.

[Asher]

I have a HP pavilion dv6 and havent had any problems with it.
I got the RAM upgraded to 8gig when i brought it but i wouldnt mind a solid state hard drive too.
When you are looking at playing back HD video dont worry about how many pixels or the frame rate, the thing you have to look at it the bit rate.
My PC has no issues playing raw gopro movies (which are 15Mbit/sec) but it starts to struggle with movies from my DSLR (48Mbit/sec).

[sil3nt]

I have a HP pavilion dv6 and havent had any problems with it.
I got the RAM upgraded to 8gig when i brought it but i wouldnt mind a solid state hard drive too.
When you are looking at playing back HD video dont worry about how many pixels or the frame rate, the thing you have to look at it the bit rate.
My PC has no issues playing raw gopro movies (which are 15Mbit/sec) but it starts to struggle with movies from my DSLR (48Mbit/sec).

I think most computers would struggle with 48Mbit/sec

[Akzle]

given that the human eye doesn't perceive anything above about 60FPS, and most things are filmed at twice, thrice, ++ that, it's all a bit of tugging off...

the data rate throughput will be influenced by the codecs used and the way your PC handles it.
bear in mind it has to go from HDD (probably the slowest point) through the RAM, CPU, northbridge, VGA card and to your monitor...
for best performance download VLC media player. (delete delete delete anything windows)

...my laptop nearly shat just reading "48Mbit/s"

at least buy a good chip (quad) and decent mobo, everything else can be upgraded as needed.

[Asher]

given that the human eye doesn't perceive anything above about 60FPS, and most things are filmed at twice, thrice, ++ that, it's all a bit of tugging off...

the data rate throughput will be influenced by the codecs used and the way your PC handles it.
bear in mind it has to go from HDD (probably the slowest point) through the RAM, CPU, northbridge, VGA card and to your monitor...
for best performance download VLC media player. (delete delete delete anything windows)

...my laptop nearly shat just reading "48Mbit/s"

at least buy a good chip (quad) and decent mobo, everything else can be upgraded as needed.

Actually most things arent filmed higher than 30fps unless you plan on using slow mo for the shot.
With higher frame rates it means the camera has a faster shutter speed which makes the video sharper.
There is alot of criticism over the new hobbit movie that is shot at 48fps because it looses its cinematographic look.

[Winston001]

Excellent advice above. I'll simply add that I had a high-end tower built a few years ago and it was the shizz. Still, time moves on and these days it sits in the corner and my HP business level laptop is used 99% of the time.

As for laptops, avoid the toaster shop HPs and Acer. Ultimately quality comes down to money. The better the equipment the more it costs. Toshiba and Asus have a good rep.

[EJK]

As much it is important to buy from a reliable brand, it is (perhaps more) important to maintain the computer.

Hardware wise: Clean and dust.
Software wise: Uninstall useless programs that chew up RAM. Stay away from dodgy porn sites and download sites. If you really have to, open using Private Browsing.

[Usarka]

Aarrrhgghghghghyynesss - stop telling people to run linux when they ask questions about computers!!!! It shows that you're more interested in geekness than what the best solution is for that person.

The only people who should run linux are the people who know they want to run linux.

[SMOKEU]

the xp 2500... that's a single core innit? 64 bit? +1 for AMD shit.

Athlon XP is single core 32 bit.

Aarrrhgghghghghyynesss - stop telling people to run linux when they ask questions about computers!!!! It shows that you're more interested in geekness than what the best solution is for that person.

The only people who should run linux are the people who know they want to run linux.

What's wrong with Linux? It's fast, stable and easy to use. The majority of people don't even know how to use anti virus software with Windows, meaning they soon get filled with malware. Most people just use their computers for web browsing and possibly word processing. Some of the nice modern versions of Linux are extremely easy to use with the GUI, and come out stock with Firefox and Open Office or Libre Office.

I can browse the internet with Linux, watch Youtube videos, download and listen to MP3s, watch all the movies that I download, open MS Office documents etc. There's very little malware out there for Linux compared to Windows, and Linux supports all my hardware. I plugged in a printer to the USB port, and it automatically downloaded and installed the drivers, and it worked fine 30 seconds later. Same goes with my webcam. I could configure a VPN with Linux, and change all my router settings from the browser, just like Windows.

Linux is a more suitable OS for the average n00b than Windows is due to the ease of use and lack of malware. What's this whole obsession with Windows, anyway?

Try using a modern version of Linux such as Mint (I'd avoid the KDE version as I've had a few issues with it). Linux is no longer a very difficult OS to use which is only suitable for geeks, as it has been in the past. These days the "average user" doesn't even need to use the CLI at all.

[Akzle]

What's wrong with Linux? It's fast, stable and easy to use. The majority of people don't even know how to use anti virus software with Windows, meaning they soon get filled with malware. Most people just use their computers for web browsing and possibly word processing. Some of the nice modern versions of Linux are extremely easy to use with the GUI, and come out stock with Firefox and Open Office or Libre Office.

I can browse the internet with Linux, watch Youtube videos, download and listen to MP3s, watch all the movies that I download, open MS Office documents etc. There's very little malware out there for Linux compared to Windows, and Linux supports all my hardware. I plugged in a printer to the USB port, and it automatically downloaded and installed the drivers, and it worked fine 30 seconds later. Same goes with my webcam. I could configure a VPN with Linux, and change all my router settings from the browser, just like Windows.

Linux is a more suitable OS for the average n00b than Windows is due to the ease of use and lack of malware. What's this whole obsession with Windows, anyway?

Try using a modern version of Linux such as Mint (I'd avoid the KDE version as I've had a few issues with it). Linux is no longer a very difficult OS to use which is only suitable for geeks, as it has been in the past. These days the "average user" doesn't even need to use the CLI at all.

oh +10 for you. (but you should learn to use the CL anyway)

ubuntu and fedora are the easiest for windows users to find their way around. you can download one and burn it to CD, boot with the CD in and see how you like it, don't even need to install to the hard disk. did i mention it was free? like you don't need to buy bill a new car every few years to fix all the old bugs (and replace them with new ones)
and you have a 24/7 worldwide tech support (mostly the guys that hack windows) to sort your shit out. (this is also free)
unless you're uber-L33t, linux will rule all over your face. and your mates' windows-faces. generally if you can do it in windows you can do it faster, easier, with better functionality and more reliably in linux. and it's free. and you don't need to pay for it. or software for it. that's free too, and there's like 10, 000 programs for it.. so you can do whatever you want, from CAD to DV processing, ssh networking, NEC design, etc etc. (all for free)

you don't even need a whole CD.. you can get linux distros that would boot off 3.5" floppies back in the day.... now they do em for flash drives and memory cards...

the only people who should run linux is everyone, then microsoft would be forced to start writing code that isn't shit, and bring their prices to a more sensible level, and probably jump onto some open source shit. and then hardware manufacturers would have to start giving up their code for top end graphics cards etc. they're all in league against you, the consumer, to make more money off you. it's just good business.

i've never paid for a windows installation. and i may or may not be able to provide cracked versions of every version of windows since 3.1. (incl 7 ultimate 64, which doesn't suck quite so hard)

[whowhatwhere]

We have a Dell all in one and it's an absolute piece of shit. Build your own!

[SMOKEU]

Ubuntu and Mint even come with a built in "software manager" where you just search and click on the software that you want, and it installs it automatically. It's even easier to install software with this than it is with Windows 7, as you don't need to even to know about the installation directory or anything which may be overwhelming for a n00b. It's just like installing software on Android with the Google Play Store. Oh, and ANDROID IS LINUX. Many of you haters are carrying a Linux computer in your pocket without even knowing it. Well, now you know. Mint is by far my favourite distro. It's based on Ubuntu, but I prefer the Mint GUI. Check it out here http://linuxmint.com/

See the nice, pretty GUI? Stop hating! If someone such as myself who struggles to even accomplish basic tasks on a computer can use it, then what's your excuse?

[sil3nt]

yeah these linux posts are way off track and not what awa355 needs. Even my suggestion of MAC was pushing it!

[Akzle]

yeah these linux posts are way off track and not what awa355 needs. Even my suggestion of MAC was pushing it!

you can fix your mac....




with linux!

yeah that's another good thing about linux, it will read file systems from anything you plug into it.

android is not linux? android is open source and linux is open source. android is owned by google (see "the umbrella corporation" per resident evil) linux is owned by everyone. linux uses the linux kernel, andorid does not (i think?)

anyone remember that large hadron collider they were working on? guess which OS?
know why? cos you don't want a blue screen (BSOD) when you're trying not to make black holes...

my first post stands, but i seriously encourage you to try linux (f*ck paying for another M$ install!)

[awa355]

We have a Dell all in one and it's an absolute piece of shit. Build your own!

I hadn't realised there were desktops like the all in one. Thats why I was curious about how they compared with the conventional desktops.

I do like the idea of a decent sized screen. Had a look at 21" monitors today. $150-200. I think if I bought one and ran it off the laptop, I'll still only have my current laptop performance .

I'm going through to Hamilton tomorrow and have a good look around.