Computers

"Slant6" (slant-6) 04/29/2015 at 20:23 • Filed to: None

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There is really no organization of thoughts here. Just rant style what I’m considering for a computer.

I turned 18 in February. My parents said they’d get me a nice new computer as a birthday/ high school graduation present. Right now I use a 2011 Mac Mini with 4gb of ram as well as a Lenovo Thinkpad twist with 4gb of ram. I bought both of these myself, the Mini my freshman year of high school and the Thinkpad my sophomore year after getting my first job. Both have i5s (very similar i5s if I’m correct) and both choke on most of the stuff I do. I use 3ds Max, Adobe Suite (Flash, Photoshop and Illustrator), Game Maker (will be using less of this in College), Unreal engine, and AutoCAD.

I’m going to college for Industrial Design and most of the people there use Macbook pros. I kinda want one but they’re expensive. I know I could build or get a higher end PC laptop for much less than that but I’m not crazy about windows 8 and most higher end PC laptops are kinda bulky.

Another option is upgrading my 4gb of memory in the Mini to 16gb but as the thing is 4 years old already the rest of the hardware only has about 2 more years left. Maybe ram upgrade for now.

I really like the Macbook Pro. I’d get a 13 inch with the ram upgraded, which is discounted with the education pricing. I’d also buy a copy of windows 7 and run it from boot camp and eventually have it as my main machine. I plan on keeping both my current computers. Using the mini with it’s 1.25 tb of HD for photos and music while I have my lightweight ThinkPad for classes. And the Macbook pro for rendering/ content creation. A Macbook pro with my specs (figure i can go for the 128gb since I have the mini for storage) is about $1400, which I’d have to pay half of.

1111111111111111111111 > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 20:26

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You could build a very solid pc with Quattro cards for that. Then just rdp into it while out and about....

TheHondaBro > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 20:29

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Don’t get a MacBook Pro. I have the 15” Retina, and it’s hideously unreliable.

DON’T. GET. ONE.

Slant6 > TheHondaBro 04/29/2015 at 20:30

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My Mini has been solid. What problems do you have?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 20:32

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A few things to consider,

Does the Mini support 16 GB? I know motherboards have limits on how much RAM can be installed, but I am unsure if it applies to the Mini.

You could make a Hackintosh laptop too, similar processor/graphics to the MBP, and you can run windows no problem on another partition. some companies allow you to custom-build laptops, there is one local to me that does, and they ship worldwide.

Windows 10 is coming out soon as well, so keep that in mind. it’s being touted as being the ‘best of windows 7 and 8’ in one package.

Slant6 > 1111111111111111111111 04/29/2015 at 20:33

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Last time I played with RDP was like 2010 and it was horribly slow. Does it actually work? The thing with building is that I’d have to buy monitors (the two I have are early panels, one’s a medical imaging one so it’s pretty good but they’re both square). I also have to convince my parents that I’m capable of building a computer. It’s hard enough telling them I can bleed my own brakes.

TheHondaBro > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 20:38

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Name anything that can go wrong, and it has.

Also, Yosemite is a toy. Windows is far superior.

Slant6 > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 04/29/2015 at 20:39

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I looked it up and officially the Mini won’t take 16 (as in it never shipped with 16) but forums have people running it no issue.

Is Hackintosh easier than it used to be? I’ve spent countless hours trying to get it to work on atom based netbooks (probably my problem) but I remember it being a headache.

I also just bought a serial graphics tablet and it only works with a 3rd party OSX driver, I can’t get the last supported Windows 7 driver to work on Window’s 8. I really should just buy a new tablet though. But that’s more money.

I’ll probably end up finding a way to funnel the money towards my truck and it’s head gasket issue that “doesn’t exist” according to my dad. And just living with my ultrabook and Mini.

1111111111111111111111 > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 20:41

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Since XP rdp is way better in 7+ it will run udp and that makes it super fast, no wino wing or handshakes, just a stream. You need a good connection, something that would do voip reasonably. I work in Microstation, from home my traffic goes to Seattle and back to get to my work computer im in eugene. I’m usually 20ms. It takes a few to get used to the lag, but it’s just like doing cad on a citrix farm. You wouldn’t nessasarally need monitors. just rdp to it at home as well. My home server is a Dell 5500 and has been Reliable for years, it hosts 9 computers at the moment and we just use a thin client or a chrome book to attacH to the desktops. Advanced setup, but cheap :)

Slant6 > TheHondaBro 04/29/2015 at 20:43

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I agree. iOS has made it’s way too far into OSX. I’m sticking with Mavericks for now.

My Mini has given me no problems what so ever. Sure I can’t run PPC games but nothing can these days. My uncle is also an architect and he swears by them (he keeps making fun of my Galaxy s4). I’ll take your problems into consideration though. Many people have PC problems too but I’ve never really had computer problems except them getting to old, me asking too much of them, or no support for old hardware/ software.

TheHondaBro > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 20:46

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All computers have problems. The problem with the Retina MBP is that YOU CAN’T CHANGE ANYTHING!! Everything, even the RAM, is soldered directly to the motherboard. With a PC, you can at least replace what goes wrong.

Slant6 > TheHondaBro 04/29/2015 at 20:51

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I knew you couldn’t replace anything but I didn’t think about what to do if something went wrong. Good point. An option I’m also looking at is buying a pre-retina (I think some early retinas could be changed too) and upgrading the ram and to a SSD. Comes out cheaper.

TheHondaBro > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 20:52

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I just wouldn’t get a Mac. They’re way too expensive for what they’ve become. Build a PC for half a Retina MBP or get a PC laptop.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 20:57

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Running Hackintosh on an Atom is pretty much asking for trouble. I have an atom that barely copes with Win7. My brother is considering making a Hackintosh PC, due to the lack of the type of PC he wants.

Tohru > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 21:03

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For $1400 you could build a beast of a PC for rendering and content creation.

Check this badboy out, via PCPartPicker:

http://pcpartpicker.com/guide/FDqqqs/u…

Just add Windows 7, a monitor of your choice, mouse, and keyboard.

Description of the build sounds a lot like your expected use:

Fitted with the best LGA1150 CPU on the market, the compact mini-ITX has enough grunt for heavy 3D rendering and CAD simulation, and coupled with a Quadro K2000 makes it the ultimate portable machine.

It is a shame though the maximum amount of RAM supported is only 16GB. But this machine will chew through smaller projects and won’t slow down when it comes to bigger ones.

I wanted to build it mainly because I travel a lot for university, and coupled with a mini duffle bag this computer easily fits over my shoulders, so I don’t have to sacrifice any power at all. Laptops are just not powerful enough for 3D rendering and CAD. With the Wacom Cintiq Companion 2 it makes the perfect combination of portability, all I need is two power cables and I have a mobile studio wherever I go.

Tohru > 1111111111111111111111 04/29/2015 at 21:04

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*Quadro :P

Slant6 > Tohru 04/29/2015 at 21:07

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I like this. I’d probably pick and choose parts for myself but I like the idea of a small form factor powerhouse. Thanks.

ttyymmnn > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 21:10

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If I had the money to get a new MacBook, I’d get an old one. I’d look for a good condition MBP that is the last one that was still upgradeable (not sure of the particular version). It will be a solid machine, dual boot, and you can change the innards. Apple’s trend towards gluing everything in is a disaster for anybody other than a casual user. If I were looking for a desktop, I’d do a similar search for the last upgradeable iMac. I’ve got a early-2009 24” iMac that I love. I find the 24” screen to be perfect; the new ones are either too small or too big.

And if you’ve got any time invested in Mac, I’d stay there. All this talk about Windows being superior is fine, but ask the Windows people to boot into OSX. You can have the best of both worlds with a dual-boot machine, which I do. It works great.

1111111111111111111111 > Tohru 04/29/2015 at 21:14

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:) my phone’s dictionary is so sick.

deekster_caddy > TheHondaBro 04/29/2015 at 21:37

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Interesting. My 2011 MBP has been a rock.

deekster_caddy > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 21:39

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Replace the HD in the Mini with an SSD and it will be like a new toy again! Seriously, SSDs are the bomb. No matter what machine you end up choosing or upgrading, make SSD part of the equation.

AM > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 21:57

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I have a 15” MBP Retina and it’s an absolute workhorse. I had mine custom ordered though, it has 16GB 1600MHz memory, 1TB flash-drive and 2.8GHz i7 processor.

My one regret is upgrading from Mavericks to Yosemite but it’s still miles better than my Dell desktop which infuriates me.

JGrabowMSt > Slant6 04/29/2015 at 22:01

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Get a brandy new laptop, buy Windows 7 and install that. Ever need to upgrade to 8? Youll already have it.

I use a 2011 15” MacBook Pro (the last real MacBook Pro), and as much as I enjoy it as a whole package, I simply will not replace it with another Apple product. I never had an iPod, I never had an iPhone, I dont care for them, so Im finished. I have an i7 with 16gb of RAM and a 750gb drive. I run several virtual machines as I work in a computer-centric industry and need to do firmware updates and all sorts of other things on a regular basis that require windows, so I cant even pretend to say Im invested into Apple much. Ive had two other Apple laptops, but this is the end for me. I initially got a powerbook and then the original MacBook Pro because I worked in a computer repair shop and needed to have more experience. In that regard, its grea to have one and know youre way around it. For what youre doing however, Apple isnt a necessity, its a luxury.

If you can swing it, get a desktop. You can build stupid powerful ones for about $3000 (ask me how I know), or you can build decently quick budget machines for $1500. If you need a laptop, stick to Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Samsung or Lenovo. Avoid Dell and HP like the plague, and dont be afraid to buy a “lower range” model and upgrade with an SSD and more RAM yourself. An i5 could be plenty for you, especially most new ones. An i7 would be great, but if you get a really thin ultrabook, it will not be as fast as a bulkier laptop with hefty cooling for the higher speeds. Pain to lug around, but much, much faster.

Also, maybe if you just need to scratch the itch for an Apple, at least buy a used one. Either Apple refurbished or ebay/craigslist. They go for pretty cheap and many are in remarkably good shape (Ive bought and sold many, craigslist sometimes sounds sketchy but can have gems like other things).

For what youre doing though, aim for a 15” if you can get it. The hi-res matte finish displays are amazing, and worth it. Buying new isnt problem free, nor does buying used mean there will be a problem.

Slant6 > JGrabowMSt 04/29/2015 at 22:14

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I did some more research into my program’s requirements. i7, 15 inch and 16gb of ram.

My university bookstore is Dell and Apple so if I get a Dell I have support on campus. My family has been a Thinkpad family since my dad got out of trucking so I found this: http://www.amazon.com/ThinkPad-Works…

which looks pretty sweet. Also the university sells these pre configured Dells but I was able to get the price to like $1200 over their $1500 when I configured it myself (cheapest i7, no webcam). I need to know if it’s upgradeable though because then I’ll save $60 and upgrade the RAM myself or spend a few dollars more and get 32gb.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Slant6 04/30/2015 at 00:28

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Keep the Lenovo and/or Mac for portable needs, and build a respectable rig for 3dsMax and Photoshop. For that kind of stuff, the more cores and ram, the merrier, and you’ll save a load by doing it yourself.

boxrocket > Slant6 04/30/2015 at 02:46

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Wait until late July.

#Windows10.

Slant6 > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU 04/30/2015 at 07:11

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I won’t be using Max much after high school. And the university perfers laptops.

Slant6 > boxrocket 04/30/2015 at 07:12

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That and there are good back to school deals.