Turnkey computer suggestions

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John Power
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p.1 #1 · Turnkey computer suggestions

I am re-posting this here since I got posted in the B/S Forum by mistake. I did get 2 PMs there.

My custom built PC has given me problems and I am in the market for a new system. I do a lot of video and photo editing so I need a fairly high-end system. I do not play games. Does anyone have any input relating to any of the nationally known system builders? I have a few Sonys that never malfunction but they just do not have the power I need.

Thanks

Edited on Nov 13, 2007 at 02:11 PM

Nov 12, 2007 at 02:30 PM

Simon Kennedy
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p.1 #2 · Turnkey computer suggestions

Mac Pro...
Very good value workstation (or was last time I looked), if you need 8 cores etc. Just get the RAM elsewhere.

I ended up getting one built as the lack of options for upgrade annoyed me - consumer graphics cards (except ULTRA high end), no RAID (maybe I am wrong) and I wanted SAS 15k for a system disk.

Edited on Nov 13, 2007 at 02:11 PM

Nov 12, 2007 at 02:47 PM

John Power
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p.1 #3 · Turnkey computer suggestions

Windows

Edited on Nov 13, 2007 at 02:11 PM

Nov 12, 2007 at 03:35 PM

dan727
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p.1 #4 · Turnkey computer suggestions

I do nor care for Dell's for my personal use since I like to DIY... but you can spend anywhere frmo $499 (AMD X2 system) to $4999 (8 core system with gobs of RAM and workstation class video, RAID).

We have a dell contract at work... and even my laptop I have had has held up quite well. I do like thier cases also very easy to get in and out of.... and they are quiet.

Edited on Nov 13, 2007 at 02:11 PM

Nov 12, 2007 at 04:15 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #5 · Turnkey computer suggestions

Hi John,

Even if you want to only run the computer using windows the Mac Pro is still a good option and much closer to a turnkey solution in my opinion. Mac's new operating system has the ability to switch to Windows built right in. You would only have to set up windows once and then for all practical purposes it would be a windows machine. You can even use all windows peripherals. Just a thought.

Edited on Nov 13, 2007 at 02:11 PM

Nov 12, 2007 at 06:58 PM

dcains
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p.1 #6 · Turnkey computer suggestions

I'm a Mac user (of only 5 months), with both a MacBook and MacBook Pro, but buying a Mac JUST to run Windows seems a bit silly. Initially I installed XP on both, using Parallels 3.x, but after a few weeks never used XP again. IMO, it's one or the other, even though the capability to use both simultaneously is now very real. Also, I don't now that XP/Vista are any more stable when running on a Mac, and I think it might be an exaggeration to say "You can even use all windows peripherals".

Edited on Nov 13, 2007 at 02:11 PM

Nov 12, 2007 at 10:41 PM

ohenry
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p.1 #7 · Turnkey computer suggestions

John,

Personally, I would avoid all turnkey options and build your own. You can tailor your hardware to specifically meet your needs rather than "doing with" whatever Dell (or any other mass producer) offers.

You can buy MORE computer with less money than having one upgraded to your specs and have the system you want.

Edited on Nov 13, 2007 at 02:11 PM

Nov 13, 2007 at 12:35 AM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #8 · Turnkey computer suggestions

I'm not sure why buying a Mac Pro to just run Windows is silly. The Mac Pros are set up very nicely and they are very competitive in price to anything that is offered by other vendors. Inside they have all the same components. The experience of running Windows natively on it own hard drive or partiition and using Parallels is vastly different. I would say that XP/Vista aren't any more stable on a Mac, but they aren't any less stable either. Running Windows on a Mac from its own hard drive or patition is exactly the same as running it on another machine. It is running native on the same hardware that is used by Windows only manufacturers. Also, I wasn't as clear as I could have been. I didn't mean to claim that every single windows peripheral will work with the Mac Pro, what I meant to claim is that you can easily get every type of peripheral (e.g., keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, drawing tablet, etc.) that will work with a Mac Pro running windows. Basically if it connects with via USB or firewire and you can get the drivers (Windows drivers) you can use it on the Mac Pro while running Windows natively. Older interfaces like PS2 or serial won't work, but that would be equally true with other new computers from other vendors that do not have the ports. People haven't starting thinking about Macs this way, but it won't be long and they will start to. The new Leopard operating system that brought this capability out of beta has only been available for 2 weeks. Once people get used to the new operating system and its capabilities it will become obvious that you can buy a Mac to run windows.

Edited on Nov 13, 2007 at 02:11 PM

Nov 13, 2007 at 12:42 AM

dan727
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p.1 #9 · Turnkey computer suggestions

ohenry wrote:
John,

Personally, I would avoid all turnkey options and build your own. You can tailor your hardware to specifically meet your needs rather than "doing with" whatever Dell (or any other mass producer) offers.

You can buy MORE computer with less money than having one upgraded to your specs and have the system you want.

One thing to consider however... is whether you want to troubleshoot a malfunctioning piece of hardware... or call tech support. Tech support options are there to have a technician onsite within hours.

I am a DIY'er as well... but there are some times when the prebuilt machines and the warranty outweight the benefits of cost of a DIY system.

Nov 13, 2007 at 02:11 PM


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