Is this the computer I should get?

[Lusit]

No no no, I suggest building your own computer (desktop)

You can get a much better deal and get a really good computer for like 800. Go on newegg and look at parts, see what you can build for around 800.

[Ziggy]

The best part about NewEgg is their "Preferred Account" would can get you 6 or 12 months with no interest. Over a year ago, I needed a new computer, so I applied for the preferred account. I was accepted and set my budget for about $1200 (figuring $1200 divided by 12 months = $100/month, not too hard to afford).

That budget got me a Core i7 920, 6GB DDR3, GeForce 9800GT, 1TB hard drive, a really expensive Enermax PSU, etc, etc. My point, that was over a year ago so the prices have come down a LOT on these things. So my point is that this same build would cost a lot less now, or a $1200 budget would get you a lot more.

NewEgg is my favorite place to build a computer from. If you shop around, you'll always find awesome deals. I think there were 3 things I bought for that build that had mail-in rebates. Also, the video card came with a free copy of COD: World at War (which was a fairly new game at the time).

[CDink]

Well now I'm even more loss...do you honestly thing desktop is the best way to go? I mean this is a lot of money I want to do the right thing here....and mac vs. pc.....whats all that about?....and on top of that i'm looking at like $2000 amateur cameras(anyone know anything about that) so i think i'll need hdmi ports for that.

Also keep in mind this will be my only computer for atleast 4-5 years....so..


By the way i posted this a couple places i post...and this is the only place i've gotten anything beyond links.....so thanks and i hope we can figure this out together.

[Jungell]

Well now I'm even more loss...do you honestly thing desktop is the best way to go? I mean this is a lot of money I want to do the right thing here....and mac vs. pc.....whats all that about?....and on top of that i'm looking at like $2000 amateur cameras(anyone know anything about that) so i think i'll need hdmi ports for that.

I think most cameras have firewire.

On the desktop/laptop and Mac/pc stuff, I'll give you my view on it;
If you're only going to be working from home, get a desktop. But if you know that you'll need the computer as a tool when you're "on the go" get a laptop. You will get more juice for the buck with the desktop but if you need that juice someplace else, you ain't getting any. I've got both myself, the desktop (iMac) for music composing and working in Blender and my MacBook Pro for other stuff (mostly surfing in bed or on the couch), but it's great to have the ability to work anywhere. So to trim it down; desktop = more power for the buck, laptop = less power but you can take it with you.

Mac/PC:
The PC is usually cheaper. But "you get what you pay for" is very much in play here. The typical PC is made out of plastic and doesn't always have the best battery or the best displays. There's nothing wrong with a PC and it will last if you treat it right but the Mac is better built by default. You also wont need any antivirus software on the Mac wich is preferable on a laptop since they need a bit of juice. You just don't need to work on it to keep it fresh.
You could find enough pros and cons for both to make you choose the other, it all comes down to what you prefer. But I prefer the Mac. It seems a lot easier and not as fragile. And as previously stated, you can run windows on it if you only want the computer itself.
So; PC = cheap, Mac = better build quality and awesome battery.

[Ziggy]

Well now I'm even more loss...do you honestly thing desktop is the best way to go? I mean this is a lot of money I want to do the right thing here....and mac vs. pc.....whats all that about?.... By the way i posted this a couple places i post...and this is the only place i've gotten anything beyond links.....so thanks and i hope we can figure this out together.

Lol, well sorry to confuse you with all this.

A desktop is the better way to go. A laptop is really only advisable if portability is a MUST. If a hardcore computer is a must, the desktop is the better way to go. As others have suggested, I would rather have a super desktop and a crap laptop to bring to school for notes and other light stuff.

I think most cameras have firewire.

It's worth noting that you might want to future proof yourself with USB 3.0, or hold off (if you can) until it's more available (I'm not sure how available USB 3.0 is on cameras and other devices). USB 3.0 is 4.8Gbps, and that's gonna blow anything else away (until the next best thing comes out).

The PC is usually cheaper. But "you get what you pay for" is very much in play here.

Well, that's not always true. Most branded PCs are complete shit. But if you know what you're doing, you can build a PC that is as good as (if not better than) any Mac.

So; PC = cheap, Mac = better build quality and awesome battery.

Well, you were mainly talking about laptops there. Desktops PCs aren't usually made out of cheap plastic. As far as the battery life goes, most of the time you can buy an extended life battery for PC laptops.

I'm really not into video editing and whatnot (I'm more of a PC hardware guy) so I can't comment much. But I always hear that Macs are better for video/audio editing. Seems like a Mac would be a better choice for you (CDink) but they're also more expensive.

[Jungell]

Well now I'm even more loss...do you honestly thing desktop is the best way to go? I mean this is a lot of money I want to do the right thing here....and mac vs. pc.....whats all that about?.... By the way i posted this a couple places i post...and this is the only place i've gotten anything beyond links.....so thanks and i hope we can figure this out together.

Lol, well sorry to confuse you with all this.

A desktop is the better way to go. A laptop is really only advisable if portability is a MUST. If a hardcore computer is a must, the desktop is the better way to go. As others have suggested, I would rather have a super desktop and a crap laptop to bring to school for notes and other light stuff.

I think most cameras have firewire.

It's worth noting that you might want to future proof yourself with USB 3.0, or hold off (if you can) until it's more available (I'm not sure how available USB 3.0 is on cameras and other devices). USB 3.0 is 4.8Gbps, and that's gonna blow anything else away (until the next best thing comes out).

The PC is usually cheaper. But "you get what you pay for" is very much in play here.

Well, that's not always true. Most branded PCs are complete shit. But if you know what you're doing, you can build a PC that is as good as (if not better than) any Mac.

So; PC = cheap, Mac = better build quality and awesome battery.

Well, you were mainly talking about laptops there. Desktops PCs aren't usually made out of cheap plastic. As far as the battery life goes, most of the time you can buy an extended life battery for PC laptops.

I'm really not into video editing and whatnot (I'm more of a PC hardware guy) so I can't comment much. But I always hear that Macs are better for video/audio editing. Seems like a Mac would be a better choice for you (CDink) but they're also more expensive.

Yes, my comment was mainly about laptops. When it comes to desktop computers it doesn't really matter what your computer is made of as long as it holds the parts in place and keeps them cool.
If you're buying a PC desktop you can get a more powerful machine for the money than if you were buying a Mac, all true. But you get Mac Os X on the Mac, and then you can run Final Cut which is pretty much standard in the field. Adobe premier was actually modelled after Final Cut. Both Premier and Final Cut are excellent.

When it comes to creative work, the Mac is the default choice. You can do it on PC as well, no doubt about it but the professionals always seem to go with the Mac so there must be something else to it. As I said, I don't use my Macs for video editing but for creating music, which I previously did on the PC and the Mac just seems to fit that kind of work better, I guess.

The best thing you can do is to make a list;
Where will you be using your computer? What is the primary task for it? What quality do you want? etc. etc. and then try to find the computer that fit those criteria the best. Get back to us if you need. But remember, the computer is a tool and you have to choose by need. If you choose a computer that you want more than you need, you're very likely to be disappointed.

[CDink]

Well, lets try this..

Needs:
Video/ audio editing
Importing video from my amateur camera(which i'm also having a rough time picking)
other director/producer-ish stuff
basically i want to write,shoot, and direct my films.

Wants:
Gaming(light...nothing crazy here...crpgs..Bioware stuff.)
watching movies from time to time
surfing the web


hope that helps....and dad doesnt really want me to get a desktop...and our budget is around $800

[jeffro11]

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplo ... _Notebook/

[CDink]

Well now i'm thinking mac might be best......but there out of my price range and final cut pro itself costs more than some pc's....should I settle or save up and try to get a mac?

[Jungell]

Well now i'm thinking mac might be best......but there out of my price range and final cut pro itself costs more than some pc's....should I settle or save up and try to get a mac?

I think you'll do just fine with Final Cut Express. Final Cut Pro is some serious stuff and 90% of the applications included will only be needed on a truly professional level. You've got tools for importing and keeping track of real imported film (not video) and that kind of stuff.
So if you're doing this on an amature level you're not going to need all that power. It's like taking a truck and trailer to go grocery shopping! I actually think that the main application 'Final Cut' is the same in both versions. Logic Express is the same 'Logic' as in Logic Studio, but with less digital instruments. You also get a discount on all of that if you're a student. 10% off.

With the Mac you also get Garageband, wich is great if you only want a simple bit of music for your movies. Placeholder music and stuff like that. In worst case scenario you also could use iMovie as a start, if you can't afford a Macbook Pro and Final cut express at the same time.
I would not recommend the regular Macbook for this, it has the be the pro model.

You also have Steam on the Mac, for games. Most of the really big titles makes their way to the Mac but there's not nearly as many games as on the PC.