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(((stereofect)))
Joined: 09/02/01
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1333
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Well... I finally did it.....
Monday, April 16, 2007 at 6:53 AM
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I ordered a new (yes new) computer over the past weekend.
I ordered a laptop with the following setup:
- Intel Core Duo processor @ 1.6Ghz w/1GB of DDR2-RAM
- DVD-RW Super MultiDrive
- 80GB Sata-Hard Drive
- 4 USB ports, S-Video out, 15" Active-Matrix TFT screen
- 3 year parts & labour warranty
-upgradable as need arrises
-not sure who the sound-card manufacturer is yet, but I'll find out soon enough. Standard factory stuff I'm sure. Dude at the shop thinks they're made by Yamaha. 
It'll be the first new computer I've had since I bought my first system (Atari 1040st) back in 1989. I've only had used systems (most 3-4 years old) up 'til now. My current system is a P3 w/256 Ram and 10GB hard drive. My laptop(s) are either P2's or less. Just not good enough by today's standards. Good enough for pure MIDI stuff, but not good for much else.
It's gonna cost me a small fortune (24 x $40 plus deposit) but right now I have no debts (other than mortgage and car) and I felt the timing was right. I really need a system that can do what I need it to as so many apps (especially music stuff) are just not runnable on older systems anymore.
I know I could've spent more and got better but, heh, I'm sure this'll be good enough for me.
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.” Albert Einstein
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Sonic Wallpaper
Joined: 05/22/01
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1266
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RE: Well... I finally did it.....
Monday, April 16, 2007 at 7:39 AM
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WOOT! 
Now you'll be able to run all kinds of virtual instruments and effects without having to pre-render or mute tracks as you work.
80gb hd seems a bit small for a new system though. Are drives expensive there? I'd pick up a 2nd drive just for your music - usually the normal SATAs work fine for audio. Otherwise, you'll have to keep backing up your old audio files to DVD. External USB/firewire should work fine too.
Congratulations! 
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(((stereofect)))
Joined: 09/02/01
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1333
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RE: Well... I finally did it.....
Monday, April 16, 2007 at 8:07 AM
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Thanks, Gideon!!
Yeah... I'm using a lot of VSTi's these days.
I settled for the 80GB 'cause it was a cheaper way to start out. And I've never had a drive even remotely close to that size before. And I'm really, really used to doing (actually I'm quite anal about it) backups. That's where the DVD-RW will be super dooper handy I'm hoping. But... yeah.. I can upgrade at will and might even go to something like a 250GB external drive. It's supposed to be the latest USB speed thing (2.X??) So that's an option at this point too.
Hmmm... firewire... damn... I didn't think about that option.
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.” Albert Einstein
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Brillman
Joined: 10/08/02
Location: Norway
Posts: 136
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RE: Well... I finally did it.....
Monday, April 16, 2007 at 10:32 AM
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Sonic Wallpaper wrote:...I'd pick up a 2nd drive just for your music - usually the normal SATAs work fine for audio. Otherwise, you'll have to keep backing up your old audio files to DVD. External USB/firewire should work fine too.
Yeah, i agree, i´ve read quite a few music magazines through the years and usually they recommend that you separate the audio from the operating system and also that you don´t have an internet connection!! If anything happens to your system files just plug out the harddrive and reboot. 
I recently bought a usb 2.0 Lacie (designed by Porsche) 250gb hardrive and it is just plug ´n play believe me, great for WAV. backup
Unless you are planning on recording to 24 bits with 96 khz that should last you a while, 80 gb is "small" but you just pick up an extra backup hardrive when needed, preferably Firewire. I would have got one myself but they were sold out when i finally went to buy one.
Congratulations on your new system btw, i´m sure you will really notice the difference with 1 gb RAM, i´m still using 256 mb RAM!! 
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Kylo
Joined: 02/16/05
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 787
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RE: Well... I finally did it.....
Monday, April 16, 2007 at 10:51 AM
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Kewel! Yeah- 80 gigs is okay! you could always go the external hard-drive route too; that's what I've got set up. I've got a Sea Disk 80 gig storage drive and I still haven't managed to fill it all the way yet.
I want to- but that's just me wanting to know the limits... I don't want it to actually- eh. 
Enjoy that puppy!
laptop's next up my list too-- I've got that great telescope that kind of requires one. (dammit)
"Energizer bunny arrested- charged with battery."
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(((stereofect)))
Joined: 09/02/01
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1333
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RE: Well... I finally did it.....
Monday, April 16, 2007 at 6:42 PM
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Brillman wrote:Yeah, i agree, i´ve read quite a few music magazines through the years and usually they recommend that you separate the audio from the operating system and also that you don´t have an internet connection!! If anything happens to your system files just plug out the harddrive and reboot.
Would partitioning the drive work?
I won't be using this for any internet stuff, 'cept to get updates to apps, drivers, OS, etc. The ol' desktop will be the exclusive machine for the internet thang. Everyone else can use the desktop... the laptop is mine!!. 
Hey, Kylo: You know you can pick up really cheap laptops off Craigslist for like $100 and sometimes less. I've been doing that route for a few years now. Never had a issue.
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.” Albert Einstein
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(((stereofect)))
Joined: 09/02/01
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1333
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RE: Well... I finally did it.....
Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 6:02 AM
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Alrighty, then....
I've had this baby since Friday last week and it's kickass!!!
Think of it like going from driving a Kia to driving a Ferrari....
No shit, man...this thing rocks!!!!
Of course it came pre-loaded with Windows Vista, but that shite lasted about six hours and then I blew that away. Vista is shite... plain and simple. Bloatware if you prefer....
Running Vista is like trying to canoe through mud.
Plus... several of the apps I'm used to running, and wish to continue running, wouldn't run on it and any new apps I've been using recently would only work properly, maybe, if I payed to upgrade them. 
And what's with that Defender program!?! I thought "pop-ups" in IE were bad enough... 
Needless to say, Vista is history, never to see the light of day on any machine I own.
Plus... as an added bonus... they put a 120GB drive in this thing instead of the 80GB one.
slash me is very happy....
:
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.” Albert Einstein
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