OT: PC vs Laptop

[michaelb]

Hey guys,

I've got a nasty infection on my computer (Winspyware Protect, amongst others) which has basically rendered my computer almost unusable, which is why I haven't been posting as much this week. (I'm posting from work now).

Anyway, this has got me to thinking that I really need to upgrade my poor 5 + year old Dell PC.

The question is - should I just get another PC or should I get a good laptop instead? What do you guys think? Are the LCD's on laptops good enough for PP, etc?

[Rasidel Slika]

hey, before I say anything else, have you tried a scan using Superantispyware (http://superantispyware.com/) on your computer? I was in a similar position in the past, I thought I would have to reformat the computer etc but I ran this scan and it fixed it up! I was so happy, I really thought it was a gone case. The home version will work fine. I strongly recommend giving it a shot!

[michaelb]

Hey - thanks for the tip delobbo. I might try that one.

Apparently this Winspyware Protect is a real nasty one. My anti-Spyware progarm finds it, removes it, but when I restart its back. Its made my PC almost unusable and of course I don't dare do any online baking, Paypal, etc at this point.

I'm currently tyring to get help on geekstogo to remove it; for some people it has taken pages worth of fixes to get rid of it, like this.... :(

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/started-WinSpyware-there-t199653.html&hl=winspyware+protect

[drama]

michaelb

the biggest problem with the laptop would be the screen, very difficult to get decent colors on a laptop, even after calibration

[GaryS]

You could always get a laptop plus a screen, which gives you the best of both worlds....

[Rhys]

I've only ever had one computer that I couldn't fix. That had 3,000 viruses on it. The one I couldn't kill kept redirecting internet explorer to open porno webpages at random intervals.

What I found works...

Download AVG and put it on a memory stick (using a different computer).
Disconnect your computer from the internet. This is very important.
Install and run AVG.

After that, run AVG two more times or until it stops finding viruses.

Some viruses have downloaders that reinstall the virus from the internet as soon as a copy has been erased. Disconnecting from the internet solves this problem. Firewalls won't do it.

[FLiPMaRC]

It really depends on you. Laptops are nice, cool, and portable. PCs are "generally" faster and easily upgradeable. I say "generally" because there are laptops that are as fast or even faster than PCs, for two to three times more $$$. What's your budget?

[adam75south]

once they get too far gone, the best thing you can do is just reinstall windows. i can backup files, reinstall windows, reinstall the drivers for the computer, restore the file, and reinstall the programs a lot faster than it takes me to get rid of all the viruses, spyware, browser hijacks...and you're still left with corrupt files half the time.

buuuuuut, to answer your question, laptop all the way michael...personally. i have one of the baddest photo editing desktops of anyone i know.
2.4Ghz core 2 QUAD at 3.2Ghz
4GB 800Mhz RAM
3x500GB hard drives
1x22" dell LCD, 1x21" gateway LCD
and it's pretty much a super badass web browser.

i probably do 95% of my editing on my little external hard drive at work on my 1.66Ghz w/ 1GB ram laptop.

so personally, i'd get the laptop. just make sure you get a high quality screen. the new dells have the option for a LED backlit screen that's supposed to trump the macbook pro screens by a mile.

plus if you want you could be one of those douchebags at starbucks...but i'm pretty sure you need a macbook pro for that.

[michaelb]

Download AVG and put it on a memory stick (using a different computer).
Disconnect your computer from the internet. This is very important.
Install and run AVG.

After that, run AVG two more times or until it stops finding viruses.



Thanks Rhys. I dowloaded AVG, but the virus wouldn't allow AVG to install in normal mode, so I installed it in Safe mode, but then it deleted my registration code somehow and wouldn't run.....like I said, its a nasty one.

[michaelb]

You could always get a laptop plus a screen, which gives you the best of both worlds....

I never even considered that - is this easy to do?

....
2.4Ghz core 2 QUAD at 3.2Ghz
4GB 800Mhz RAM
3x500GB hard drives
1x22" dell LCD, 1x21" gateway LCD
and it's pretty much a super badass web browser.....

Damn Adam!!


....
plus if you want you could be one of those douchebags at starbucks...but i'm pretty sure you need a macbook pro for that.

:D:D

[Nickcanada]

I'm the opposite of Adam I do all my editing at home. I'm too honest to be farting around on a computer all day at work....... ;)

PC for me.

[cdifoto]

I do my editing on the laptop because it's faster than my desktop. Its screen colors seem fine in color managed apps but it's not very bright. I deal though...because it allows me to be mobile. Culling wedding photos on the plane home from Mexico reminded me why I bought it and why I love it.

[Rasidel Slika]

I do my editing on the laptop because it's faster than my desktop. Its screen colors seem fine in color managed apps but it's not very bright. I deal though...because it allows me to be mobile. Culling wedding photos on the plane home from Mexico reminded me why I bought it and why I love it.
Ditto.. my laptop is my fastest machine atm and I have been doing all my pics on it for the past 2 years. Just calibrate the screen and you should be fine. Also get the best screen and video card available. I love my laptop screen, it's great and I have never felt any shortcoming while using it.

btw I have a Dell E1705 with Nvidia 7900GS 256MB and 1920x1200 glossy 17" screen (I do wish it was flat but no option for that, just have to be careful on ambient lighting). Laptop specs are C2D 2.0, 2GB ram, 100gb HD.

[Joe Fisher]

Yes, it's simple to do. Here's what I would do in your case. Buy a good laptop. Buy a good 19" or larger LCD screen. Use your old mouse and kb, hook them and the screen up to the laptop.
Then you sit the laptop on a table or chair by your big screen, use the mouse and kb.

I do this all the time. I have a laptop *and* a desktop. If my desktop fubars, I hook up my laptop. It takes all of <5 mins.
Not to mention, I then have a laptop that I can take with me on away shoots, very handy!

I never even considered that - is this easy to do?

[FLiPMaRC]

Yes, it's simple to do. Here's what I would do in your case. Buy a good laptop. Buy a good 19" or larger LCD screen. Use your old mouse and kb, hook them and the screen up to the laptop.
Then you sit the laptop on a table or chair by your big screen, use the mouse and kb.

I do this all the time. I have a laptop *and* a desktop. If my desktop fubars, I hook up my laptop. It takes all of <5 mins.
Not to mention, I then have a laptop that I can take with me on away shoots, very handy!

Yup, and you can also get a universal docking station. Something like this ...
http://laptoping.com/wp-content/Targus_ExpressCard_Notebook_Docking_Station_Digita l_Video_Audio.jpg

Everything will be hooked up to the docking station (monitor, printer, external HD, external DVD burner, etc). All you have to do is hook up your laptop to the docking station via USB and you're connected to everything instantly. Or if you buy a Dell for example, their laptops have have specific docking stations ;)
http://www.thecomputerwarehouse.net/DellCport2.gif
http://www.colindiponio.com/images_wp/d420dock.JPG

[adam75south]

Damn Adam!!



i know, it's such a waste. i'm also running Leopard on it...for now. I might go back to windows though since it's a pain in the ass to get updates. maybe i'll install windows on one of the hard drives and run some speed tests with Lightroom and photoshop. I would sell it but there's not really a huge market for bootleg macs and I'd get way less than what it's worth. I also have it in a completely silent case.

but yea you can do the laptop + monitor thing, but you'd really need to get one with a dedicated video card and not an onboard one. for one, they have their own memory and won't use your laptop memory..and two, you can use as large a monitor as you want. with a lot of onboard video cards you'll be limited on the size of monitor you can use.

[michaelb]

Thanks for all the input guys; its really been helpful.

One question though. Removing this virus is proving so difficult that I am thinking of just trashing my PC and getting a new one, but I have some photos that I would need to transfer to my Ext hard drive first.

Would trasferring photos and maybe some music files run a risk of infecting my new PC? Would the virus be present in such files?

[drama]

michaelb

I recently helped a friend rid his laptop off the same

first download avira antivir & install/run in safe mode
also download spybot search & destroy & install/run
last get adaware & run that too

once all this is over update your antivirus / antispyware programs & run again

This helped him get his system back on line

[adam75south]

i say back up your pics, then reinstall windows. do you have the restore disks?

if you're really set on fixing it then you'll need a 2nd computer and do what rhys said. run the AV scan from the other computer on that hard drive...then adaware or spybot....i 2nd AVG free. been using it for years.
http://free.grisoft.com

[Mark_48]

Anyone know if AVG can be installed and run off a CD-R Boot Disk made on another PC?


Michael,

This site below got my wifes PC cleaned up from stuff McAfee couldn't find. The problem would be whether it will run under whatever you've got infecting the PC. It does an online scan and if it finds something you can then download a free trial to clean it up.
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

My vote goes for a drive format and reinstall of Windows also.

"Would trasferring photos and maybe some music files run a risk of infecting my new PC? Would the virus be present in such files?"

There may be an infection on your external drive. I would be rather careful what you hooked it up to without a thorough scan first. Also if you've written any media such as CD-R's recently something may have attached itself to those.

[drama]

michaelb

a anti virus program alone is not going to cut it
this is part virus part worm & part trojan

avira antivir has a free version for personal use, with free updates
the AVG free version is a bit crippled, it detects certain virii but does not remove it, rather frustrating

[Rasidel Slika]

Btw there are things superantispyware will catch that the other's wont.

[michaelb]

michaelb

a anti virus program alone is not going to cut it
this is part virus part worm & part trojan
...


Yea, I know. Its killing me.

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I'll work on it when I get home tonight.

[Rhys]

Personally, I'd use a Linux live CD to transfer your data to a portable hard drive. Then I'd reformat and reinstall on the PC. Or just install Ubuntu with Picassa. That way you get a reasonable photo editor and you can always use the Gimp if you need. Bonus - Linux is free. Downside - it's clunky but it's a million times better today than it was 10 years ago since people have started putting money into R&D.

[cdifoto]

Personally, I'd use a Linux live CD to transfer your data to a portable hard drive. Then I'd reformat and reinstall on the PC. Or just install Ubuntu with Picassa. That way you get a reasonable photo editor and you can always use the Gimp if you need. Bonus - Linux is free. Downside - it's clunky but it's a million times better today than it was 10 years ago since people have started putting money into R&D.
The fact that Linux isn't compatible with anything is enough reason for me to stay away from it.

[moxy81]

Hey Michael,
I'm going to play devils advocate here and suggest you go with desktop.
I just picked up a Intel Pentium Quad Core Acer with a 22" Samsung monitor for 900$ at Futureshop. It has an independent video card and 3 gig of ram. It's not a beast of a computer by any means but its a lot cheaper then a laptop would be with the same type of hardware.

[moxy81]

ohh and as far as spyware programs go i'd suggest Lavasoft Adaware. FREE!

[GaryS]

Actually, I'm with Moxy. I edit photos on a desktop and have no use for a laptop in this capacity.

Ok, I do have a laptop for work, and I have a Asus eeePC ultra-light for traveling.

[Rhys]

The fact that Linux isn't compatible with anything is enough reason for me to stay away from it.

What has been keeping me away from Linux is the lack of decent photo software. I gather all that has changed now. BlueMarine looks interesting. Open Office, Thunderbird, Sunbird, Firefox are all available for all platforms and I use them exclusively on XP and OSX. The only area where things differ is photography. On XP I use Photoshop Elements. On OSX I use Aperture. I would have to use Picassa and Gimp on Linux. If BlueMarine turns out to be decent then I see no reason not to use that and abandon Windows. Open Office and the Mozilla suite handle absolutely everything else I need. I don't waste my time with games so I have no need to worry about compatibility. As long as my databases, word processors, internet, business and photo applications are handled well then I'm happy. Bonus with OSX and Linux - virtually no viruses.

[thaKing]

be aware that formatting your drive and re-installing windows does not guarantee that it will remove all viruses...if you are going through the trouble of reformatting your HDD then i'd recommend trying something like drive scrubber (http://www.iolo.com/ds/3/)...good luck...

oh, and i vote for PC...easier and cheaper to upgrade in the long run...

[StephenC]

I'm not really qualified to comment, I'm on a Mac so haven't had a virus to deal with:D

Forgetting that argument for now... I'd recommend a new computer regardless, 5 years is a lifetime for a computer and you will notice such a difference with your photo processing if you update. Personally I'd say a laptop as you can then use it as a laptop and as a desktop. There is nothing to stop you plugging in your existing monitor, if you are happy with its colour rendition, rather than buying a new one.

[Rhys]

Macs are great. I'm using my Macbook right now.

It just seems to me that Windows machines are horribly slow after using a Mac.

[Mark_48]

be aware that formatting your drive and re-installing windows does not guarantee that it will remove all viruses...if you are going through the trouble of reformatting your HDD then i'd recommend trying something like drive scrubber (http://www.iolo.com/ds/3/)...good luck...

oh, and i vote for PC...easier and cheaper to upgrade in the long run...

Maybe not a bad time to upgrade and put in a new HDD with a higher capacity which fairly easy to do and shouldn't cost too much. The stumbling block maybe reinstalling the operating system if the manufacturer had put it in a hidden drive partition on the original drive which is common. If there are original installation CD's, shouldn't be too much problem.

I have both a home built desktop and an Acer laptop both networked on wireless. The desktop gets the most use and has most all peripherals tied to it. The laptop is relatively basic for portable use and if I don't feel like sitting where my desktop is at, I can use the laptop as an alternative. Having the wireless network allows me to sit in my living room with the laptop and shoot a print job through my desktop to a printer if I want. Having the laptop is kind of like having a backup camera sort of.

[michaelb]

Thanks again for all of the help guys. I ended up using an antivirus program called Avast, which seems to have cleaned things up...
http://www.avast.com/

I still haven't decided on the desktop vs laptop though. ;)

[Mark_48]

If you haven't yet, it may not be a bad idea to perform a scan with whatever else you have for virus or spyware detection. Some miss what others will catch. And also give a scan your external drives too.

[adam75south]

I'm not really qualified to comment, I'm on a Mac so haven't had a virus to deal with:D

as macs become more popular you'll begin to see viruses on them.

btw, i don't think i've ever had a virus on any of my pc's.

[shrike]

I vote for the laptop unless you have a dedicated office space to set up the desktop. My laptop can be put away so that my 1 and 4 year old cannot get to any part of it. About 2 months ago I got an HP HDX 20.1" laptop. It is a beast but the display it lit by 2 lamps and it 1900 x 1200 and is absolutely awe-inspiring. As long as you buy a bit of an upgraded cpu (mine is the Penryn 9300) it will chew through PS. I work with up to 1Gb files for my vehicle wraps and it only takes about a minute and a half to resave the layered tiff. It weighs 15lbs and it only goes between work and home. The HDX is a mature product and is the cheapest giant laptop out there. It really is drool-worthy.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Display+diagonal&v1=20.1&series_name=HDX_series&a1=Display+diagonal&v1=20.1

[FLiPMaRC]

I vote for the laptop unless you have a dedicated office space to set up the desktop. My laptop can be put away so that my 1 and 4 year old cannot get to any part of it. About 2 months ago I got an HP HDX 20.1" laptop. It is a beast but the display it lit by 2 lamps and it 1900 x 1200 and is absolutely awe-inspiring. As long as you buy a bit of an upgraded cpu (mine is the Penryn 9300) it will chew through PS. I work with up to 1Gb files for my vehicle wraps and it only takes about a minute and a half to resave the layered tiff. It weighs 15lbs and it only goes between work and home. The HDX is a mature product and is the cheapest giant laptop out there. It really is drool-worthy.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Display+diagonal&v1=20.1&series_name=HDX_series&a1=Display+diagonal&v1=20.1
:eek::eek::eek: Wow!!! LOL :cool:
20.1" true HD 1080p high-definition resolution

[Rasidel Slika]

I vote for the laptop unless you have a dedicated office space to set up the desktop. My laptop can be put away so that my 1 and 4 year old cannot get to any part of it. About 2 months ago I got an HP HDX 20.1" laptop. It is a beast but the display it lit by 2 lamps and it 1900 x 1200 and is absolutely awe-inspiring. As long as you buy a bit of an upgraded cpu (mine is the Penryn 9300) it will chew through PS. I work with up to 1Gb files for my vehicle wraps and it only takes about a minute and a half to resave the layered tiff. It weighs 15lbs and it only goes between work and home. The HDX is a mature product and is the cheapest giant laptop out there. It really is drool-worthy.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Display+diagonal&v1=20.1&series_name=HDX_series&a1=Display+diagonal&v1=20.1
hey what OS are you running? What's the HD size?

[adam75south]

holy shizzzz 20" notebook

[shrike]

hey what OS are you running? What's the HD size?

When I bought it in March I went with Vista Home prem 32bit (didn't offer XP) due to concerns over driver compatibility, in hindsight should have gone 64bit as PS CS4 (on the PC) will utilize it much more fully. Here is what I got. It is even cheaper now. It is an absolute behemoth but I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is that stunning. It has an eSATA port so more storage is no issue.

- HP Pavilion HDX Entertainment Series CTO
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
- 20.1" diagonal WUXGA High-Definition HP Ultra Brightview Widescreen (1920x1200)-"True HD" 1080p res
- 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS
- 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)
- LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support

$2434.99
Summary of discounts for order:

Instant discounts you received:
$500.00 Coupon NB1567

[Rasidel Slika]

pretty awesome man.. OS is no biggie, can always reinstall with 64-bit :D

[Gintaras]

Michael, if this would be me I would pick Macbook for portable solution or a good fast PC for station solution. I believe Macs are making tremendous progress and their laptops are best of best one can have, plus easy to use and software friendly. Plus Macs are very light. I myself thinking about switching completely to Macs in future. Still I use my PC station for many things and it runs not slower than a modern Duo Intel based PC because when I assembled that I took best parts available and also put a corporate edition of XP plus Acronis to back up my systems. I run two systems on one PC and since a day ago one of systems went dead so I am now using another system sitting on another HDD, but tomorrow or later I plan reinstall old clone of the system to failed drive so that I can switch between them when I want. I keep differently configured systems on both drives. This was the only reason why I did not switch to Mac completely since two years ago.

For simple stuff I can always borrow Sony laptop of my daughter or use iMac but honestly speaking Sony laptop screen and speed do not suit me. So if portable go Mac.

[Gintaras]

btw, how you guys find Vista, i am feeling conservative about switching from XP pro... am i a corny @ss?

[michaelb]

btw, how you guys find Vista, i am feeling conservative about switching from XP pro... am i a corny @ss?

I was just about to ask the same thing as I imagine that anything new that I purchase will come loaded with Vista. For PP I'm using DPP and an older version of Paint Shop Pro :o.

Gintaras - thanks for the input about the Macbook. Years ago I had an iMac, but I got tired of wanting to use programs that wouldn't run on a Mac. I know its much better now, but I have reservations about running on two platforms. I do love my iPod though :D.

[cdifoto]

I still use XP. It's been good to me so far so I see no reason to upgrade, despite having a CD here somewhere from my laptop purchase.

[Mark_48]

Something else to consider if jumping to Vista is what you have for peripherals and availability of updated Vista drivers. I had bought a not so cheap HP printer in the later years of Win98. Shortly after that I built two PC's that I installed XP on. The drivers for the HP printer would not install under XP (would error on the executable) and no updates from HP. I ended up using generic drivers of XP and lost alot of the printer functionality. There may be something in Vista as a workaround, but I'm not going take the chance for a while.

Anyone know if parts can be bought somewhere to build a desktop Mac? I looked at Newegg for Mac/Apple motherboards and none to be found. Maybe the components are proprietary?

[Rhys]

Unfortunately Macs are proprietary. The mainboard is not the same as a PC mainboard. Aside from that all the components are although Apple supplies drivers only for a limited number of components.

You can buy Macs quite cheaply. The best Mac for your situation would be the Mini Mac. That way you can use your keyboard, mouse, screen etc.

If you tell me the printer model, I can check to see if it's supported.

[thaKing]

i have a dual-boot xp pro and vista ultimate pc...if you want some oohhs and aahhs...give vista ultimate a go...if you want speed and performance (who doens't) stick with xp...the difference in my machine when running xp pro vs vista is amazing...vista is a HUGE resource hog...and as mentioned before, if your peripherals are older, may need to check to see if they're compatible...

if you're buying a new machine, you will not be able to get xp...if you already have xp, i don't see a need to upgrade - there are minor security benefits (is that an oxymoron, microsoft and security benefits in the same sentence?) but overall not worth it, IMO...

if there were Mac alternatives to ALL my software (free, cause i've spent alot of money on PC software) i'd switch, but it seems i'm too invested in a PC...

[Gintaras]

With Macs compatibility may be an issue but since new Macs are Intel based you have an option to install Windows on Mac and the applications you need, it is just a window in Mac where MS OS lives. Further, normally Mac gives you more software by default and major programs like Adobe would run on it. The only problem is that normally there is no cracked software for Mac, hence you must spend.

thaKing, thanks, intersting to hear.

[Gintaras]

thaKing, for me it remains a secret why on earth MS makes new buggy software that makes people want keep the older one? When XP came front I did not notice any dramatic difference to Win2000 and now I hear a lot of bad about Vista. If that continues I am afraid I will turning all Mac and trash my PC and notebook on some second hand buyer.

[Rhys]

thaKing, for me it remains a secret why on earth MS makes new buggy software that makes people want keep the older one? When XP came front I did not notice any dramatic difference to Win2000 and now I hear a lot of bad about Vista. If that continues I am afraid I will turning all Mac and trash my PC and notebook on some second hand buyer.

Vista is Windows 98 all over again.

I opted out of Windows and went Mac. I have not looked back.

Certainly I still use some PC systems. Today's purchase will be Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac. I have tried the stuff that came with my Canon disks on the Mac but to be honest, I tried the photo editor - Arcsoft Photo somethingorother I just tried it today and found it would not save a JPEG file at 100% without introducing artifacts. That is utterly useless.

On My Mac screen I can see a smudge on the header image on my website. I cannot see that on a PC screen. I shall remove that smudge with my new Mac software in a trice!

I have Aperture which is very good although I have not worked out how to do some of the stuff I want. I think it should parner well with Photoshop Elements 6.

[thaKing]

With Macs compatibility may be an issue but since new Macs are Intel based you have an option to install Windows on Mac and the applications you need, it is just a window in Mac where MS OS lives. Further, normally Mac gives you more software by default and major programs like Adobe would run on it. The only problem is that normally there is no cracked software for Mac, hence you must spend.

thaKing, thanks, intersting to hear.
that's true, you can run windows on a mac and still use the PC software...but then the end result is still using a windows based machine. :(
i really, really want to convert fully to mac, just haven't jumped ship yet...
Vista is Windows 98 all over again.
you can say that again...

[adam75south]

The only problem is that normally there is no cracked software for Mac, hence you must spend.

i usually don't chime in on this stuff because it's a little too controversial for this site...but that's not true, just like windows, you can EASILY get any quasi-popular mac program you want.

[adam75south]

that's true, you can run windows on a mac and still use the PC software...but then the end result is still using a windows based machine. :(
i really, really want to convert fully to mac, just haven't jumped ship yet...


i built a bootleg mac. it's supported by various homemade drivers and patches for the updates, but it's a good trial version for me anyway. to be honest i still don't know which one i'd rather have...windows or osx. you can google osx86 and read all about it. it was a fun project for me, but definitely nothing permanent.

[Rhys]

i usually don't chime in on this stuff because it's a little too controversial for this site...but that's not true, just like windows, you can EASILY get any quasi-popular mac program you want.

My FTP program was free. There's just as much free software for Mac as there is for Windows - the difference - it works better.

[michaelb]

My FTP program was free. There's just as much free software for Mac as there is for Windows - the difference - it works better.

I sense an ugly Mac vs Windows war looming. ;)

[Rhys]

I sense an ugly Mac vs Windows war looming. ;)

I used to be a Windows programmer. The problem with Windows is it's all so closed-source that it's hard to get programs to integrate fully. There are many programming tools out there for Windows - most of which don't quite mesh. Microsoft's tools work but they produce very bloated software that doesn't perform as fast as less bloated software.

With OSX, the software development suite comes free on the OSX disk. No need to buy off-brand suites. Also, the system is more compatible while still being closed source and the software produced with OSX tools does not appear to be bloated.

In short, it's easier to write software that works on OSX.

[Rasidel Slika]

I tried using a Mac 2 nights ago for some very basic picture copying (from camera) and some modification using iCrap - sorry I mean iPhoto - and uploading to photobucket etc. I near wanted to kill myself. Fukin POS.

[Mark_48]

Hey Michael,

If you do decide to upgrade or something, don't forget the sales tax free weekend in August if you should happen to buy locally.

[Nickcanada]

Hey Michael,

If you do decide to upgrade or something, don't forget the sales tax free weekend in August if you should happen to buy locally.

When is this?? I've been thinking about making a personal visit to B&H soon.

[Mark_48]

When is this?? I've been thinking about making a personal visit to B&H soon.

Oops, I should have said it's a Massachusetts thing. :o

[Nickcanada]

Oops, I should have said it's a Massachusetts thing. :o

Any good camera stores in Massachusetts?

[Mark_48]

Any good camera stores in Massachusetts?

Coming for a visit? That's the only way to take advantage of the sales tax break.

Most of the larger ones are in the Boston area which is a good ways away. The nearest one that I visit occasionally is http://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/index.cfm in Hadley, MA. Pretty good supply of just about everything, including film processing chemicals. I think one of the reasons they stock what they do is the nearby colleges and photography school ( http://hallmark.edu/ )

[Nickcanada]

Coming for a visit? That's the only way to take advantage of the sales tax break.

Most of the larger ones are in the Boston area which is a good ways away. The nearest one that I visit occasionally is http://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/index.cfm in Hadley, MA. Pretty good supply of just about everything, including film processing chemicals. I think one of the reasons they stock what they do is the nearby colleges and photography school ( http://hallmark.edu/ )


Ya, I've been thinking of driving down to buy some equipment on the cheep and also do some sight seeing. Boston would be fun. So when is this tax free week?

[Mark_48]

"August 16 and 17 is the tax free weekend this year for Massachusetts. 5% tax will be removed. Does not include meals, gas, utilities,car/boat purchases, tel com services. Source: Salem News"

[thaKing]

I used to be a Windows programmer. The problem with Windows is it's all so closed-source that it's hard to get programs to integrate fully. There are many programming tools out there for Windows - most of which don't quite mesh. Microsoft's tools work but they produce very bloated software that doesn't perform as fast as less bloated software.

With OSX, the software development suite comes free on the OSX disk. No need to buy off-brand suites. Also, the system is more compatible while still being closed source and the software produced with OSX tools does not appear to be bloated.

In short, it's easier to write software that works on OSX.
didn't know that...i'm a C#/.Net programmer and you're right, bloated code...i might be willing to check out a Mac just for the suite...well that, and my wife wants a macbook :D

[Rhys]

didn't know that...i'm a C#/.Net programmer and you're right, bloated code...i might be willing to check out a Mac just for the suite...well that, and my wife wants a macbook :D

You'll have to code in C++ or C. Cant remember which. It's a shame I really liked using Delphi but Delphi doesn't exist for Mac. I started as a C++ programmer anyway.

[michaelb]

Just a quick update.

So I got a new Dell desktop a couple of months ago and its one of the best tech decisions I ever made. PP is so much more enjoyable, as is everythig else. Its incredible how much faster everything runs, apps as well as the web!!!

I bought a refurb off the Dell site and got a nice deal.

I also just got my first laptop :D, also off of their refurb site. They have some good deals there and they come with a warranty, etc.

I've only had the laptop for a few days and I just set up the wireless router - no more harrasement from the wife when she wants on the computer - now that's priceless! :D

[forno]

You could always get a laptop plus a screen, which gives you the best of both worlds....

:cool: AGREE

DAMN! I should have noted the original post date:o

[michaelb]

....DAMN! I should have noted the original post date:o

Sorry about that - I do that all the time myself! ;)