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Micro Center is a regional computer retailer with a store close to me. I'm typically in there every week or two looking at toys.  They have competitive pricing, but I do business with them because of their good service. I've had my eye on this eMachines® eMD620-5102 at $359.99 for some time. Today I got a mailer saying it's on sale at $299.99. Yeah, it has a low-end CPU, benchmarked at midway between my five-year old AMD Athlon XP 2200 and a Pentium IV 2.8 GHz. But it's a full-size machine with 2 Gb RAM, a 14" screen and a DVD writer. They also have this Refurbished Presario CQ50-215NR with a 1.9 GHz AMD® Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor QL-60 and 2 Gb RAM, a DVD writer and 15" screen for $399.99. I'm not big on Compaq after the power-connector issue turned my R3230US desktop replacement into $1500 worth of junk, but presumably this one was built after that was resolved. It has a 90-day warranty. (I'm interested in comments on issues with 64-bit processing.) Neither is ideal for full-tilt music production, but if you need mobile computing that would also serve as a music 'sketchpad', these are definitely worth considering. R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Hi Rys, I just bought an HP G60-249WM laptop, which looks to be nearly the same as the Compaq. My HP probably is a step up, but not by much. The other thing is that I can't find any current information on the 2650e processor for the eMachines, which leads me to believe that it's a discontinued product. The QL60 is current 64 bit processor and will run just fine. I have the QL-62 running in mine. I have 3 gigs of RAM, versus 2 I have a 250GB hard drive, versus 160 I have a 15.4" or slightly bigger, running at 1366x768 resolution. I have the same 8200M graphics set, although I haven't tried any real graphics intensive apps or games with it yet. As to the power connector, on my HP, it's on the side, which is probably where it is on that Compaq. CNet TV did a review on that computer, and I'd like to put my two cents in. At this price point, the Compaq and HP are the same computers. That looks nearly identical to mine. I *do* have a web cam in mine, but I don't have a CardSlot. The only thing that I would use a card slot for is for audio, and I've already decided that I'm going to go with a Roland/Edirol USB interface, which will give me better performance than my old Creative Audigy 2NX laptop card, as well as better connections and more options for less money. http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/hp-compaq-cq50-215nr/4505-3121_7-33309966.htmlHere's the review. My computer is a 2GHz versus the 1.9GHz of the Compaq. The biggest thing is that I paid $499 for my laptop at WalMart. For you to get a REFURBISHED Compaq for $400, I think it's a great deal. I haven't started using mine for music yet, but I will eventually. I don't think it's going to be that much of an issue. Finally, I recommend two things when you get the computer. First, immediately, before anything else, get 3 DVDs and perform a system back up and then put those DVDs somewhere safe. The included OS is a 32 bit version of Vista Basic. That's ridiculous for a 64 bit processor, but it's what they did. You CAN NOT upgrade to a 64 bit version of Vista or Windows 7 without wiping the hard drive. If you don't care about anything that's on the hard drive, i.e., Works, or the Trial edition of Office (download a new trial) or anything else that they've installed, download the .iso of Windows 7 64 bit and install that. EVERYTHING gets wiped out, but you'll find the computer is faster, and runs much nicer. If you wish to keep the software you have, download the .iso of Windows 7 32 bit, and install that. That will be a simple upgrade of Vista Basic to Windows 7 Ultimate. With an .iso, you'll need to burn an .iso DVD to install, look for a free program called Deep Burner. Secondly, Windows 7 is a Release Candidate, and is for testing. It may be buggy (but I'm running it perfectly well on my HP Laptop). Come March of next year, the computer will start shutting down every two hours, but by then the real version of Windows 7 will be out. Reinstall the original Vista Basic, by the upgrade to Windows 7 version of your choice, and reload it. You will, in any case, have to reload from scratch, a new version of WIndows 7 when it comes out if you have the Release Candidate on the computer. If you put Vista Basic back on, and you want to go to 64 bit, I do not think you can 'upgrade', you'll need to check. Get the Compaq, you should be okay with that. Gary Oh, I wanted to add this. I bought my Toshiba laptop from MicroCenter before I moved west, and I had also bought the extended warranty plan. My Toshiba was in the shop three times for bad power connector, fried motherboard, and such, all of which was handled here on the west coast by an authorized Toshiba dealer. That was four years ago, and I haven't had a problem since. The ONLY reason I've replaced the Toshiba was that the graphics subsystem in it was not compatible with Vista or Windows 7, there being no support for the graphics drivers. Other than that, I've been pleaseed with it, even though it's a brute for power consumption, being a Desktop Replacement. Micro Center has always treated me well, and I wish they were in the Seattle area.
Last edited by Gary Curran; 05/25/09 01:46 PM.
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Cheap laptops launched a new direction for anyone looking to lead a move to modern technology, I am currently a student, I bought myself a laptop to support learning, I have hesitated in the choice of brands, but all does not matter because the machine quality is very good and prices are also suitable. ___________________ Laptop gia reLaptop acer | Lapop dell | Laptop asus
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Citaat:
I'm not big on Compaq after the power-connector issue turned my R3230US desktop replacement into $1500 worth of junk, but presumably this one was built after that was resolved. It has a 90-day warranty. (I'm interested in comments on issues with 64-bit processing.)
Just recently the power-connector on my Acer Aspire 3000 finally gave up and decided to stop functioning. Fortunately I found a store that sells computer and laptop spare-parts. For a couple of Euros I got a new connector. OK, I had to take the laptop apart beyond all recognition to be able to solder in the new part, but hey, my old laptop was saved (and so was a lot of money  )
Last year my wife managed to break (literally) the display of her (brand new) laptop. I found a replacement display for about 100 Euro. Spent less than 10 minutes replacing the thing.
Just to say: if your laptop is total-loss as it is, it might be worth your while to try and find replacement parts and repair the thing yourself. Be careful not to overheat the mainboard of your laptop: use a low wattage soldering iron (15W-60W). Also get an ESD wristband to prevent ESD while working on the laptop. If you ask the store about it, you might even get a disposable ESD wristband for free. (Some parts come with a disposable wristband, so they may have a couple laying around.)
Last edited by Mike sings; 05/19/10 11:14 AM.
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Thanks for the thought.
I tried that, was not able to get the old connector off the motherboard, and broke an internal connector while I was at it. I'm an experienced PC tech, but I should have known better than to fool with a lappie. It's a basket case. A service center could fix it, but I've kind of lost motivation.
I found out about the class-action settlement the week it closed and was unable to take advantage of it. Had I known, I would have sent it to them and they would have fixed it at their expense. I am seriously unhappy with HP/CPQ.
R.
P.S. A couple of weeks later I bought a refurbished Toshiba Satellite L305-S5937 for medical transcription school. Intel T3400, 4GB/320GB/15.4", 802.11n, $450.
Last edited by Ryszard; 05/19/10 08:39 AM.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Staples just had a Compaq on sale, $349 after rebates. Has an Athlon II 64 bit CPU, 3GB of RAM, 250GB hard drive, 15"+ display, and looks and feels exactly like my HP (which is should, they're probably made side by side). I'm very happy with the HP, and I think the Compaq is going to be just fine at work, too.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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run dpc latency checker before buying any lappie. checking for red spikes. my wife just lucked out on a used one for work.. no red spikes, and 40 us reported by dplt. that is very good. http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml(read my tips in the tips n triks section if you have time. )
retired puter engr....powertracks on amd......NICE !
"what is the black art of audio engineering ?"
my silly songs...motagator.com/bmanning
see my tips in the tips section.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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