He got a new computer this morning, so he'll be playing with that all weekend. I'm glad not only because he's happy, but also because his old one sometimes sounds like a group of boy racers having fun in our basement, particularly around 1AM on Saturdays.One of the first things he'll install is a double guitar lesson package he downloaded from Rock Stars Recipes. Like almost all boys, Ben used to be in a band in high school, but has played his guitars maybe a total of three times since we've been married (19-yrs-minus-24-days) , so I'm looking forward to some serenading outside my wool stash room. Finally!!
It's so this-century we needed to download programs to try to get him off the computer a bit.
Call me old fashioned... but his new one doesn't have a floppy disk drive...
ReplyDeleteCompared to the last two lots Ben built from scratch, Dell is clean and tidy. No tiny screws I can step on. So far. I approve.
ReplyDeleteI empathize with you Meg! It must be the time for computer replacement, my partner is currently sourcing parts to build a new one from scratch. No floppy disc going to be in his either - gave me a sense of insecurity until I realised I had not needed or used one in years. Lesley Expat Kiwi.
ReplyDeleteThis is good machine especially with 20% off from Dell. I want to add few more bits but that will cost me less than $70.00.
ReplyDeleteI have now in process of upgrading OS from Vista Home Premium to Ultimate. It was some issue but there was an answer in google search. So far so good.
I stop thinking build from scratch (which I did for past two machine) because it cost me too much. It is certainly a fun but I opted to buy pre-build and may be replace the unit more often. End of the day, spending same money gets newer machine on hand. My previous model cost me about $6000+ and last for about 8 years. If I can buy full set for under $1700 (my new one). It is definitely more economical because this will last for 3~4 years easily.
I think I made reasonable and good move.
PS.
The machine is not for gaming, by the way so it is not the state of art machine which will cost me more than $7000.
Oh, if you really need a floppy drive. Buy one of those cheap USB/floppy drive. I have one ( well, not mine exactly) fro laptop. But USB memory stick will be a better option.
ReplyDeleteI still use it for one purpose, Lesley, and that is to transfer weaving drafts from my (ex-Ben's) laptop to my loom computer, so though not often, it's a VERY important slot for me!
ReplyDeleteGood thinking Guys! A USB/floppy drive is just what my partner told me was the alternative - I just use the computer to read the world's newspapers, send emails, and as a giant Library. With an inhouse computer expert(?) I sort of have my own personal IT maintenance. Meg - Good to hear you are still able to use the floppy without Ben's big computer. Ben, what CPU did you get, and how much RAM are you going to use? Much progress in computer electronics in the last 8 years. Always fun. Lesley Expat Kiwi
ReplyDeleteIntel dual core 2.8GHz, 8GB RAM, 640GB HDD, 512MB dedicated Video memory, integrated (USB) memory card slot, 23" flat panel.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the top notch but you can see it on Dell's web site (Studio Desktop). The Quad Code CPU was not in the selection for the discount deal, but only 2.8 or 2.93 variation. Include speakers , keyboard, mouse (upgraded to laser mouse) for less than NZ$1700 after I add second DVD writer from other vendor. The first optical drive is also DVD writer (not the BD.) It's not bad deal at all.
Great deal, Ben (says Michael), or in his actual words, not a bad deal at all! Your screen is 1" smaller than his - he bought it back from a trip home to the USA a couple years ago. It is like an IMAX screen compared to my Sony Vaio TX VGN-TX27GP/T Laptop which is old now. You should be able to play your guitar without a problem on that baby. With that much RAM will your fingers go faster? Michael says the BD drive is not ready for prime and too darn expensive.
ReplyDeleteThis screen is capable of 1920x1080 so it io close to the 24" model. It may be same or very close size in width but lust shorter in height.
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy with this apart from now my scanner officially out of business, unless I purchase a 3rd party S/W (which I tried but didn't quite like it). That will be a next one since I wanted to upgrade film scanning part. The old one does only 1 frame at time.
Yes, BD is not the mainstream and 10x expensive = not worth purchase at this stage.
A 8GB of memory does not make me faster but certainly it makes less frustration for handling a large image file with Photoshop/Lightroom.
Have fun building one! I know it is a hurge fun!
you need to clean your desk and organize stuff there to make it easy for you to do multiple things and catchy for others!
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest a bluetooth (Mouse and keyboard) :)
As the Finance Minister of this household, Ben's not allowed to spend any more $ until the kitchen/fire place renovation is finished and the quotes all in! (Particularly since as of today, the TV and the Pajero are in dire-er need of repair!!)
ReplyDeleteBen, your study is in good shape. You should see Michael's study - now, there is a true IT techo mess. Does not even have the side on his PC case and the cables and wires make a bowl of spagetti look tidy. He calls it his rat's nest. Let your imagination do the talking. Thanks for the great chat on computer building! I am with Meg too, household stuff needs attention and what can you do without wheels! Lesley Expat Kiwi
ReplyDeleteI have a system that tied-up cables go through the channel under the table top.
ReplyDeleteI actually don't like wireless keyboard, but those fancy backlit key pad is great in the dark. A set-up shown here is still temporary and cable is not organised yet. I will cut down my PC to 2 set + laptop (I had 2 other in one stage and those were all tower case). This new monitor has 2 line of input so I will remove KVM and many cables to storage or up to sell.
The CRT on the picture is 19" and it will stay as a second monitor. Without spending money for monitor calibration tool, the matching colour on LCD and CRT may be a difficult job. But good side is that I can confirm how other people (on LCD and CRT) may look at their end.
Is anyone noticed the calendar on the wall? Those of who has photoblog should do the similar. I buy a calendar with no picture. I pint one of my photo from last month and stick there. It's a good project and motivation for taking good photo. Well, it was Meg's idea for several year's ago. This is my 4th year.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Pete. Of course, I will enjoy the big RAM. It's not fly like jet but certainly help working with multiple large photo files.
ReplyDelete*Blah blah blah* hard drive, *blah blah blah* RAM, *blah blah blah* megs... Who me? *Blah blah blah* gigs. Oh, you must mean Kath...
ReplyDeleteFunny! I've seen similar caption on one of those funny greeting card with dog in front of owner. I think his name was John.
ReplyDeleteI hope I am interrupting something? Your calender, Ben, is a great (Meg's)idea. Japan has these cute litle desk calenders where you can insert your own photo, one for each month. My daughter used to compile one each year with a selection of family photos and give them with the Christmas gift. Not to RAM a point, but you will be in Hog Heaven with the extra memory for your photography! I have just about crashed my computer totally with all my photos alone. Lesley Expat Kiwi and poor IT housekeeper.
ReplyDeleteOooops should be "not interrupting something? Lesley Expat Kiwi
ReplyDeleteIt comes as various form like wall hang (small and large), desktop, and do on. I prefer picking a shot for next month as time goes. Only a fresh photos and not from archive, so I have to keep shooting. "Keep shooting", that is the whole point. It's basically by me and for me.
ReplyDeleteBen, glad to see you have a Dell. I have had them since 1994 and nothing but good service from them. Think Meg has a picture of my three monitors. Glad to see you are using at least two. It sure does speed up editing and other chores. Also this was one of the funniest exchanges I have read in a long time. Maybe you and Meg should do a Burns and Allen routine sometime. LOL
ReplyDeleteBill
That's funny! Yes, I think Meg show me your three monitors.
ReplyDeleteI choose Dell this time because they had a very good discount deal for short time. No one was (still is) selling 8GB machine for that price range. I'm in process of consolidation so those other machines should go in one way or another. I still have family file server with mirrored disk array installed. But it only have 80G+40G. So, it may be due to replace with something in the future as well. Mean time, disassemble my old one and selling a parts, if I can. A little money may be able to help me buying something useful.