Need to buy laptop or desktop

P

Passerelle

Member
I just contacted Dell for an estimate (editing system for Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium). The salesman at Dell suggested the XPS 720 H2C Desktop http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/prod...=dhs&cs=cadhs1

It looks like you can't upgrade that system very easily??? What would you suggest. We are now working on Corporate videos and shortly we will sub contract for interviews and filming images that will support the interviews. We plan on doing documentaries in a few years (traveling Europe etc...)

Don't want to rely on a salesman to make my decision. Want the system to be good for at least 3-4 years. Maybe I should go for the laptop right away? How much more for a comparable laptop?

Thank you very much for your input.
 
My Opinion

My Opinion

I would say that the salesman is not speaking from the bottom of his heart.

If you're looking for a computer to handle only those programs, than sure the computer would do it, but as barry and I pointed out you can get the same things for half the price. Or get something twice that good for the same price.

Buy the pieces in parts, ask a local-niceguy that has good knowledge of computers to put it togheter and you'll save tons of money.

A compareable laptop should go for about the same price as the expensive dell did.
 
thats a ripoff. a majority of that $$$ is paying for the brand name seems like.

i'm running that same adobe suite with not even half that power.
 
Would you trust Dell to put the laptop together if I give them the specifications ? I know someone who probably could put it together, but I would need the specifications. I will do some research and post it here for your advice. If you have any suggestions please don't hesitate.

Thank you very much for your input!! Greatly appreciated!
 
You have to remember though, the dell guy knows nothing about your industry. he probably just hears "video editing? You need a monster computer for that!" You'll strech your dollar by figuring out how fast you want things to be (might not be as fast as that dell, but might do more then enough) and then find a system that fits your needs.

If someone thinks you need the most powerful system, that's what they'll sell you. Figure out your min system reqs for what you want to do smoothly, then shoot a bit higher and go from there.

I'm building myself a system based on the Q6600 that's more than good enough for everything I'm gonna throw at it and I'm clocking in at 800-850. Granted I'm building it myself, but still.
 
FYI: The laptop is going to cost a lot more, and not be extendable as a desktop computer with the same specifications.

The same chips as in PCs are sometimes used, but produce a lot of heat that is hard to dissipate. Or special versions are used, and are slower and cost more.

If something is broken in a laptop, your local-niceguy won't be able to help you.

Thats what you get for the portability of a laptop, beside the known other stuff (display propably enough resolution for high definition 1080p, keyboard and mouse not as good, may not have video output for previewing on a high definition TV, sound not as good).
 
You might want to check this site out: http://www.techbargains.com/
You can find some really good deals there.

As far as technology in general goes... the longer you can wait the better...anything you buy will be outdated in 6-8 months. It's like the music business, "Here today, gone later today!"

Happy hunting.
 
Passerelle;[COLOR=Red said:
[/COLOR]
We are now working on Corporate videos and shortly we will sub contract for interviews and filming images that will support the interviews. We plan on doing documentaries in a few years (traveling Europe etc...)
Want the system to be good for at least 3-4 years. Maybe I should go for the laptop right away? How much more for a comparable laptop?
Thank you very much for your input.
Click to expand...

Hi Passerelle,
If your making Corporate / Doco's it's no brainer, buy a box that "will do the job", if your unsure then get advice/pricing from some "Pro" video suppliers, and also get advice from someone near you who is in the same video business.
Don't ever expect to have your gear last or be current for more than 18 months, and if you can't make the gear pay for it's self over a 12 month period, Don't buy it.
This is what many of us in the media world have learned the hard way over many years.
Don't build it yourself if your not 100% computer literate, Buy a "turnkey system".

cheers
TomK
olinevideo.com.au
 
I've been editing DVCPRO HD on a 1.67GHz G4 Mac laptop that I bought used for $800.

Do yourself a favor - Get a clean used (or refurbished) Mac and Final Cut Studio 2. You won't be sorry.

.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top