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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349 |
I'm starting a new thread, continuing a partial I began on Joan's, looking for suggestions from all you computer savvy musicians to help me find a new desktop computer.
I already have a laptop and need the large dual monitor support provided by a desktop.
I'm replacing a 9 yr old Dell Dimension 8400 with 3.25 (4)GB RAM, Sound Blaster Audigy 2THX sound card and ATI Radeon X300 video card with (DVI/VGA/TV out)
Need one with the following requirements:
Must be a desktop.
I already have a laptop and need the large dual monitor support provided by a desktop.
Good sound output for BIAB/ Realband use.
I currently have a Toneport UX1 with Yamaha Midi keyboard, You Rock Guitar/Midi COntroller, Yamaha and Ovation guitars and mics running through it.
Good support for Photoshop use.
I do a lot of illustration work in Photoshop which is RAM intensive.
Dual monitor and 1080 HD TV outputs,support.
I currently use my 42" HD LED TV as a second monitor and may get a 3D version someday.
Also watch streaming videos but do not play video games.
Good reliability.
Now here's the hard part.
My budget is only in the $600-$1000 range, the closer to the lower end the better.
Looking for the most bang for the buck.
Any suggestions to this "you must be dreamin !" computer will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Carkins
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
Carkins, I already HAD 2 Acer 22" monitors. And as mentioned on another thread have HP P7-1235 for bout 6 weeks. Neither of these have HDMI outputs. But the resolution is 1680 x 1050, what I'm running. The HP P7-1235, or P7-1240 are the best for the bucks in my opinion. http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/Tec...rodTypeId=12454http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/Tec...rodTypeId=12454Links are in great detail. As your shopping keep in mind almost all of the "Factory" PC's have gone to newer slot system. New cards are available, but extra $$$ I still have and use on occasion about a 12 year old HP XP system. Not connected with these folks, just an avid fan!
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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All you needed at the start was a dual head video card. ATI, nVidia.... don't use the onboard. $150 would fix you up. I have a dual head ATI in my Dell that was $139 and I drive two 22 inch monitors.
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349 |
Thanks to all for your input here and from the other thread.
As always you have been a great help.
Lot's to consider.
Have learned a lot, which is why I love this place.
Have a great one,
Carkins
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
It is too bad that the mac and windoze versions are not at parity.
After 'giving' in and getting an iMac, it wins on all accounts except the Band in a Box part.
That said, 'if you have the cash.'
I'm only around for a short time and anything that looks this good is very very cool.
It's only crashed two times in 3 months, it always seems that windows manages that 'often'.
Band in a Box is not the culprit in that, it is the other junk on the windows machine that seems to do it. And you have to reboot the windows machine once every few days, if it hasn't restarted overnight because Bill G. sends the command to do so.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349 |
Yes John, I'd probably go with a Mac but I have so much invested in Windows software like Photoshop that it just wouldn't be affordable.
Used a Mac when I worked for a company about 17 yrs ago but switched to PC when I went freelance because my main client used the CorelDraw program which was only PC at the time.
Usually once you are in a program, except for a few different key strokes or names (Command vs Control key), it's all the same whether it's Mac or Win based.
I know Mac's can emulate Windows with the Boot Camp program but can't imagine emulation could be as fast as the real thing plus the Macs usually cost more for the same specs.
Also the BIAB Mac version isn't as full featured.
Maybe will hear from others who have used Macs PC emulation mode and how good or bad it is?
Carkins
P.S. Allows enjoy your humor even when it goes "where no man has gone before" !:)
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 904
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 904 |
Hi,
If you want your monitor to handle photoshop stuff you need a MVA, AMVA orS-IPS, or at leat an IPS panel. Don`t get the regular TN panels. Their colors look different depending on where you`re looking at the scrren (colors fade and shapes get blurred at the edge).
I have made good experiences with View Sonic Monitors with MVA panels. Of course if your a rich guy, get an EIZO (they all have S-IPS panels)
For the rest of your mashine: get as much RAM as you can afford, it`s the best investment (And RAM is cheap).
CPU should be fast, but doesn`t have to be superfast. There`s a huge difference in price between brandnew models and 6-12 months old models, while you don`t really gain much power. Double the price is not worth the negligible speed you gain.
Sandra
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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