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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 12:46 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 10:14 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 07:39 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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
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Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
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We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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