Help From Computer Gurus Please

[MizzGrizz]

Hi there! I posted this question yesterday but realized that I probably posted in the wrong sub-forum so am re-posting here.

I am looking at getting a new laptop which will be used mainly for photo editing and digital scrapbooking. I am a beginner at both and don't expect that I'll ever be advanced at either one.......it's just for fun. I've done quite a bit of research already and think I know the necessities I should have in my new computer and now I have a couple of questions on what would be the best use of my money. I have found several that are nearly identical with one or two exceptions and they are exactly the same price. One has 500GB HD and the others have 320GB. The 500 is 2 x 250, is there any problem with this? Also I know at least one of the the 320s has a dedicated graphics card & memory, I'm not sure yet about the 500. Would I be better off to go with the smaller 320 with the dedicated graphics if I discover the 500 has a shared graphics card/memory? If I decide to get one I configure myself and I have to choose between a faster processor, more memory or a larger hard drive, which should I choose and why? I do plan on having external HDs to back up my photos and pages.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

[KrystalW]

Well, I am looking at getting a new laptop too. :yahoo: yay. I am going to get mine built.

So these are what I am looking at:
Processor- well I am using photoshop...so I want at least a core 2 duo by Intel.

Ram- again photoshop is a hog...so I am looking at 4gig

HD- as much as I can get. I only have 80gb on this little baby...so I need heaps more. Personally, I would like to get 2 internal HD's and an external. Reasoning behind the 2, is that if one fails...then you can still use the machine. You can store stuff you don't use that often on your 2nd, while keeping your main free...and you can make your 2nd your primary if need to as well. But either way, get an external so you can do that little thing that means so much...BACK UP!!!

Graphics- Dedicated...well, I am going to try for a dedicated graphics card...NVIDIA seems to be the brand that I have researched that kept getting rave reviews. many web sites ( and I have been to many, many in my research...lol) said to stay away from integrated graphics....but then again, I suppose integrated would be better than none.

They are the basic things...I mean you'd want a burner to burn those discs, look for how many USB ports it has...and if you want to attach your HD by firewire...then make sure it has a port for that too. Also, if you want to get on the net get one with wireless capability. ( I have a USB one, and it sticks out and I can't use the USB port next to it)

As for your last statement it depends what program you are using to an extent. 2gig RAM is probably more than enough for many of the programs so you'd be better at getting more HD space. If using PS, then I'd compromise between at least 3gig RAM, and more HD space.

HTH with your decision. I am going to speak to someone today...and I am so excited. :)
( how sad...lol)

[MizzGrizz]

Thanks for your input Krys and good luck with your own search! :-)

[Lauri]

I just have a couple of thoughts about your dilemma. I agree with Krys on the memory in any new computer - if you are running photoshop, you need lots! Keep in mind that Vista is a memory hog too, and they will have to share what you have. I don't think a dedicated graphics card is a huge issue, I read somewhere that PS renders graphics in RAM, rather than using a graphics card RAM. Processor type and speed is going to make more of a difference that the graphics card. On the HD issue, it is always nice to have a large HD, but external HDs are getting cheaper and more reliable. I only have an internal 120gb, and have two external HDs that hold my photos and scrapbook kits. My DH swears by having his internal HD in two partitions (which is what I think the 2x250 means, or it could be two 250gb drives) and he has Windows on his C drive and only puts programs and stuff on his D drive. I'm not sure who told him that was better (some guru at work probably!) but mine with one partition has been working fine for 5 years!!

[allsmilz61772]

sounds like you ladies have it pretty much covered, i am NOT a guru but have many friends who are when i shop for laptops i ask among them...use your EHD's and go smaller on a hardrive on a laptop. Bigger will start to heat you up and slow you down.

[debbers]

Here's the important part they don't tell you about a dedicated graphics card ...

It comes with its own RAM (Video Ram)

If you don't have one, the (on-board/built-in) graphics processor steals the video ram allocation from your computer's RAM. Right off the top. BAM, half a gig _gone_.

And really, when it comes to working in any image editing program, you want all the ram you can find. And as fast a processor as you can afford. And a decently responsive LCD screen and video card.

deb

[CipPrike]

My first one was a WD external drive - it was weird from the get-go, so I just returned it and traded it in for a LaCie, and also got an HP external that fits in the bay in the front of my computer. So far, -touch wood- havent had any problems with either of them.

[volvoguy]

I'll weight-in on this subject with a little experience. DW bought a Dell Studio 17 about 6 weeks ago. We went with a 2.5Ghz processor and a dedicated video card. 4gig of ram and a 250Gb drive running at 7200rpm. The internal drive size is less important, when as someone else mentioned, the EHDs are relatively cheap. Our main concern was high processor speed and a fast hard drive. The laptop came with Vista and DW uses PSE 6 for photo editing and scrapping.

Remember, inexpensive laptops have cheap parts.

[Barbara Greene]

I need some help, probably lots of help. My computer went down a couple of months ago. Still trying to save some of my LO's, etc.( kept old computer and its repaired some) Bought new computer but it has vista which works so different than XP. I haven't been able to unzip, etc. Only made a couple of scrapbook pages since. I also have to have cataract surgery on Oct. 5th. Guess you can tell I'm frustrated. Have to pick up DH from dialysis so I'll check back later.

[allsmilz61772]

i went with mac specifically to avoid vista, so i cant help much, but did find this
http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-vista/compress-and-uncompress-a-folder-or-file-in-windows-vista/

[Penny M]

Barbara, all I do in Vista is to right click on the zipped file folder and select extract all. I download and unzip to the same folder, then move my new unzipped scrap folder to its permanent location on my EHD.

[Kathleen]

Barbara, on my Vista machine I installed a free unzip program called 7-Zip (http://www.7-zip.org/). Whatever my base Vista load was (an HP laptop), it didn't have an unzip utility either. 7-Zip works like a charm!

Are there other problems you are having that you need help with?

[Penny M]

Kathleen, does this un-zip several files at a time? Or does it only work on one file at a time?

[Kathleen]

It does several at a time ... I use the option that unzips them to a folder based on the file name. So, for example if you have three zip files:

123 Kit.zip
456 Kit.zip
789 Kit.zip

You select all three files, right click select, go to 7-Zip, then extract to "*\" it will create new folders called"

123 Kit
456 Kit
789 Kit

And put the appropriate files in each folder.

[Penny M]

Ah ha! Just what I have been looking for. Thanks, Miss Kathleen!

edited: It works awesome!

[Kathleen]

Give it a go Penny. I can't remember if I had to do something special to get it added to the right click menu once it was installed, so let me know if it doesn't show up and I will try to rack my brain. I think I am really remembering trying to figure out why the unzip didn't work like in XP before I found and installed 7-Zip, but now I am not sure. But it does work perfectly now.

[volvoguy]

I guess the presence of the extract option when you right click on a zipped file is different between various versions of Vista. DW has Vista home premium on her relatively new laptop and it works the same as XP.

[Barbara Greene]

THANK YOU , kathleen. DOES EVERYONE HAVE TO LOG IN NOW when they want to reply to anything? I'm off to try what you suggested.

[Penny M]

Give it a go Penny. I can't remember if I had to do something special to get it added to the right click menu once it was installed, so let me know if it doesn't show up and I will try to rack my brain. I think I am really remembering trying to figure out why the unzip didn't work like in XP before I found and installed 7-Zip, but now I am not sure. But it does work perfectly now.

It installed perfectly and shows up on the right click. When I have a marathon buying spree in the store, this is going to be great!

[Kathleen]

I guess the presence of the extract option when you right click on a zipped file is different between various versions of Vista. DW has Vista home premium on her relatively new laptop and it works the same as XP.

My laptop is Vista 64-bit, and I seem to recall that was the issue with what I was used to being "standard" functionality.

THANK YOU , kathleen. DOES EVERYONE HAVE TO LOG IN NOW when they want to reply to anything? I'm off to try what you suggested.

Barbara, let me know if you have questions. You shouldn't have to log in every time if it is a persistent problem (and a change in behavior), you might have a look at this post: Cant stay logged in (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39860)

It installed perfectly and shows up on the right click. When I have a marathon buying spree in the store, this is going to be great! Yep, that is when I love it too!