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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
I purchased an HP P7-125 about a month ago. This accelerated APU just came out in JUNE. Has one dvi and one SVGA outputs. This new model of CPU, now named APU has ATI graphics and other parts all built into the "APU" Benchmark about 6000 on MY pc itself. Very happy with graphics quality. Ya gotta keep in mind the newer "factory builts" have different slots in them. Side note the "BEATS AUDIO" onboard sound is outstanding for onboard. The P7-1240 is a tad faster for about 50 bucks more. http://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-Pavilion-P7...or-Not/20977049Some of these Deals places might beat the price. I've been extremely happy with Uncle wally on their warranties thru the years. As it now stands I do not any more "Extras". Main negative for you is no HDMI. I did add a switch and watch streaming on my TV beside the bed. Excellent picture thru the SVGA port. If you a gamer these two above are excellent(for the money), with the 1240 having faster graphics. BTW, I have not connections with HP or WALLY, just a fan. Also with WALLY you always have the return to store within 90 days, even for online purchases. Good luck, tough decisions, and am happy with my 1235 unit. BIAB rendering is very fast. I spend about 6 months shopping, reviewing etc, and for the price great unit.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 901 |
Carkins,
I'm a big fan of Asus. I built my own desktop with components several years ago and it was reliable. I wanted something more compact on my computer desk now because I have it in my piano room with my new Yamaha grand and wanted to streamline everything in there.
This Asus All in One is wonderful. I have called the Asus Tech support and gotten better service than any other support call I have made in the last several years. You get a person on line quickly that is knowledgable and works with you. They walked me through my problem. I just was unluckly with the first installation and didn't have a back up soon enough in the setup.
My system is now working beautifully. Go Asus!!!
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492 |
Well, yes:
1. Create an Excel table with all the specs you want/need.
2. Go to the internet, search for some dealers
3. Configure several desktop computers according to your dreams.
4. Don't buy cheap or bargain computers, they're (mostly) cheap.
Hint, at first with an i7-2x00 (or i5-2x00) processor and the appropriate mainboard you don't need
a graphics card nor a sound card. That saves money in the first place. You still may add the components later. These processors (code name: Sandy Bridge) are already less expensive than their successor with the code name Ivy Bridge.
Working with photoshop requires lots of RAM. This should be a factor in selcting the mainboard. The ix-2500/2600 processors are sufficiently fast for your tasks (4x 3.3/3.4 GHz) even for a longer period of time.
As I wrote in another post: at least Win7 Professional, the limits of RAM are 192 GB. You probably won't get a mainboard capable of hosting that much RAM in your price range, but any other mainboard with a capacity of more than 16 GB should be a choice.
I have an i7-2600k processor (estimate $300) on an ASUS P8Z68-V PRO mainboard (estimate $220).
An last point: Select the right power supply unit. The extreme cheap ones usually may end as an incendiary composition.
Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349 |
Thanks for the good advice.
I ordered a Lenovo last week before reading the suggestions here and when it arrived I realized there was only one video plug and I need at least 2 for my dual monitor/hd tv setup.
So it's headed back to Amazon today.
Guess I assumed all new computers had at least 2 since that's what my 9 yr old Dell has.
Once again "assuming" bit me in the you know what.
Definitely need to do my homework more carefully and do very much appreciate all suggestions.
Lots to juggle when it comes to wants, needs, my budget and of course the weight of the various reviews and suggestions.
Easy to get corn fused.
One more question:
How important is the type of graphics/video card when it comes to watching online movies and videos?
Do I definitely need a separate graphics card?
I'm not into online or offline gaming but may get a 3D 1080 TV sometime down the road to use as an additional monitor if that matters.
Is there a minimum requirement?
Thanks again for all the input.
Have a great one,
Carkins
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
The HP machine I mentioned above does not need a special graphics card.
DVI and SVGA are standard in the unit. On my system the quality of picture
was better than the NVIDIA PNY 9600GT had in other PC.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
Frank, Quote:
The HP machine I mentioned above does not need a special graphics card.
Built in graphics on the MOBO doesn't necessarily mean you don't need a graphics card. It depends on what you're doing with the PC.
The same as having built in sound doesn't mean you don't need an interior or exterior sound card.
If you just want to surf the web, make office documents and watch YouTube, most of what you can get at WalMart will work.
If you want to do anything more than that, you need to do a little, (or a lot), of research.
"Off the shelf" computers will only satisfy the casual user.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
Carkins, Here’s the only recommendations I’ll make for now. Start a new thread with a list of ALL of your requirements and what you want at the present. Since you’ve already had to send one back because: Quote:
I realized there was only one video plug and I need at least 2 for my dual monitor/hd tv setup.
… that means that almost ALL off the shelf computers aren’t going to work for you. That also means that you probably need a dedicated video card.
Also make a list of everything you THINK you might want to use it for in the next 5 years.
Ordering a “custom built” PC doesn’t mean you’ll pay through the nose. It just means you’ll pay for the components you select from a list.
Look at the MOBO in particular and also the video card since you have needs in that area. Forget about most of the "name brands" you see at Best Buy, WalMart, Amazon or any other "store".
In almost all cases, forget about local custom shops. They'll try to push whatever they're trying to get rid of today.
Order it online from a company that builds them to spec.
If video is your most important need, pick a gaming company.
If audio is your most important need, choose accordingly based on playback or recording.
That's the end of my recomendations for now. 
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349 |
Will take Bob's suggestion and start a new thread with my specific requirements to see what others have to say.
These forums are a wealth of much appreciated knowledge.
Thanks for sharing.
Carkins
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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!
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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:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
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-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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