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crazy teacher
Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:30 am Post subject: Mac user going PC -please help a wee lost and confused soul! |
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Hi you PC gurus!
OK so I have always owned macs but I have an old one and it is driving me insane. I need to get a new computer and I am pretty sure I am going to get a PC notebook. (Mac lovers I am not abandoning macs forever it is just that in Korea it does not seem cost effective or easy to be using a mac and some freeware and websites just don�t seem to like my mac)
The thing is I am not very computer literate and certainly not PC literate and could really do with some help on what I should be getting. I don�t want to buy a new laptop if it does not fit my needs or will become obsolete too quickly (I don�t plan on buying another for as long as possible) but I don�t want to overspend on things I don�t need or use.
So if anyone can help me I would really appreciate it. Also what should I be spending on it?
How I want to use my computer:
On 24 hours a day
Running skype 24 hours a day
Multiple bit torrent downloads often running (usually am downloading tv shows, films or music)
Want to be able to watch DVDs/my downloads and have the option of linking it to my TV.
Burn files to disc including some of the downloads and be able to burn to DVD.
Msn/yahoo messenger often running
Adobe photo shop occasionally used but often with large image files.
Adobe Acrobat Proffessional (I am an editor and would like to be able to work with designed files and edit them at home. These PDFs can get pretty large with a lot of images in them.
I use the normal office programs, word, excel etc
I have A LOT of digital photos and often want to view a number at a time.
I have an ipod that I have been using with itunes on my mac I want to continue using it but I am not sure if that could link to a pc?
It will pretty much sit on my desk in my apartment but it will get the occasional jaunt abroad when I go away on work so would want a decent battery for that but because it is rare weight is less of an issue
I have a 200GB external hard drive at the moment so I would probably continue using that to store my downloads/photos/large PDF files
What I was thinking of getting:
(this has been collated with the help of a couple of websites so it could be totally wrong�)
1GB RAM
128MB Dedicated video RAM
Supplemental battery( with modular bay to hold it � this part loses me a little)
DVD RW Drive
60GB hard drive
Min 1 firewire prot
Min 1 USB port
Built in wireless
No idea about what type of processor I should be looking for read something about Pentium M Processors giving good speed and maintaining battery power, this true? What MHz?
Does this sound reasonable? Anything I have forgotten or should change? Any brands to aim for/avoid? Should I get XP or Vista or will this not be an option?
Thanks very much (in advance) for your help!! 
If there is anything i can do to return the favour let me know!  |
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the_beaver
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:13 am Post subject: |
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| If it's going to be on 24 hours a day you don't want a laptop. |
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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:20 am Post subject: |
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| the_beaver wrote: |
| If it's going to be on 24 hours a day you don't want a laptop. |
unless you buy one of those external coolers, but with the money you spend on a laptop and external cooler you'd get a much better desktop instead of a desktop wannabe. |
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OiGirl
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: Hoke-y-gun
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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| We will pray that you turn back to The True Way. |
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AbbeFaria
Joined: 17 May 2005
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry I can't help with the PC side, but I've been using my Mac in Korea for the last 14 months and have had hardly a problem. It's really not that bad. But it's your decision. Best o'luck to you.
-S- |
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rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: Mac user going PC -please help a wee lost and confused s |
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| crazy teacher wrote: |
Hi you PC gurus!
The thing is I am not very computer literate and certainly not PC literate and could really do with some help on what I should be getting. I don�t want to buy a new laptop if it does not fit my needs or will become obsolete too quickly (I don�t plan on buying another for as long as possible) but I don�t want to overspend on things I don�t need or use.
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Vista is going to have the easier user experience over XP, but XP has more current software available.
| Quote: |
How I want to use my computer:
On 24 hours a day
Running skype 24 hours a day
Multiple bit torrent downloads often running (usually am downloading tv shows, films or music)
Want to be able to watch DVDs/my downloads and have the option of linking it to my TV.
Burn files to disc including some of the downloads and be able to burn to DVD.
Msn/yahoo messenger often running
1GB RAM
128MB Dedicated video RAM
Supplemental battery( with modular bay to hold it � this part loses me a little)
DVD RW Drive
60GB hard drive
Min 1 firewire prot
Min 1 USB port
Built in wireless
No idea about what type of processor I should be looking for read something about Pentium M Processors giving good speed and maintaining battery power, this true? What MHz?
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My current notebook is almost 3 years old, a Pentium Centrino 1.4Ghz with 1GB of RAM, it serves most of my needs (and I used to be a power user). I don't play as much games as I used so I didn't really need the best CPU available. I'm doing all that you are proposing to do with your new computer. Given today's computer specs, you will have no problem running all that on a Duo 2 Core CPU system. I find that if you aren't a gaming, getting the cheapest Duo Core configuration available is enough with some exception :
- increase the RAM to 2GB at least if you work with large images and media files
- get a bigger hard drive even if you think you don't need the extra space now (blame Bittorrents!!!!)
- get a DVDRW drive, don't ever settle for a CDRW
- not sure about firewire as I've never used devices that needs it but there is usually one on every PC
- you'll have a minimum of 2 USB ports, some will have 4
- most notebooks have VGA output and probably an S-Video output port to add a second screen for movies or just to extend the desktop, mine is connected to my LCD TV and its all good!
Maybe upgrade your resolution to something higher. I upgraded my screen to 1650x1050 because I work with photoshop and some 3D
software.
Mhz stands for megahertz, and it is a mean to calculate the computer's running speed. Most computers are running over 1000Mhz (1.0 GigaHz), you should not get anything lower than that. Just note that the higher your run, the more power it consumes.
The supplementary battery is probably something that you add to the notebook for added power.
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I have an ipod that I have been using with itunes on my mac I want to continue using it but I am not sure if that could link to a pc?
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There is iTunes for the PC. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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| You've taken your first step into a much larger world. |
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