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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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 Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:00 am Post subject: Mobile/Backup computer |
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Well, it looks like my computer is giving me signs that it's going to crash sooner or later (error messages, shutting me down in the middle of work sometimes, noises coming from within my CPU)
So it's time to prepare a backup that I can put in service immediately when the inevitable happens and avoid being out of commission for a couple of days.
Is a laptop a good idea for this, since it can also serve as a mobile unit?
After searching the archives, it looks like the Dell Mini 9 gets fairly good marks.
Thanks for any and all input.
Currently running Windows XP on a desktop HP. Would go Mac but thinking that would probably involve having to re-purchase or replace software programs
(Adobe Audtion, ACT database, etc. |
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Bruce
Boardmeister
Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 7977
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 7:34 am Post subject: |
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As you know us Mac lovers do love our Macs, but your right about software, and Adobe Audition still doesn't make a Mac version, darn it.
B
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billelder
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| Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:05 am Post subject: |
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Rob, I understand your dilemma. When a tornado ran over our town and I was without power, I was able to take my Dell Latitude C600 to my sister's house and record VOs in a spare bedroom. A lifesaver.
Good call on your part!
If you have a USB or firewire audio interface, be sure it's compatible the laptop. Always get XP and not Vista if you have a choice. (I'm still running Windows 2000...98SE on my voiceover computer) 
Back up that hard drive of your main computer regularly now that it's showing signs of discomfort. Maybe a portable backup USB or Firewire drive is something to consider.
Interestingly enough, I'm considering Mac but can't decide between the laptop and the mini. I know what you mean about productivity. It's going to have to be a slow turnover because I have to keep working. Now that Mac will run Windows, I almost don't want to chance that. But, finding programs that will do what many of my Windows programs will do is getting difficult.
I admire your thinking ahead to be preventative. |
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:14 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Back up that hard drive of your main computer regularly now that it's showing signs of discomfort. Maybe a portable backup USB or Firewire drive is something to consider. |
Definitely.
I have a Maxtor external hard drive so we're covered there.
But even with that, I'm realizing that even with all my work and programs backed up, I would be shut down for a day or two just getting a new computer purchased up and running again.
Like you said Bill, preventative (or is it preventive?) maintenance so I'm not caught with my hard-drive down |
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georgethetech
The Gates of Troy
Joined: 18 Mar 2007
Posts: 1878
Location: Topanga, CA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:13 am Post subject: |
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Bill:
Post a list of said irreplaceable Windows a s and maybe I can point you in the right direction, having made the Windows-Mac transition 2 years ago.
Although there is a small learning curve, Logic Express for $200 is a pretty darn good replacement for Audition 3. Other fave Mac OS DAW as are TwistedWave and Amadeus Pro (both way under $100). You could also just keep using Audition under Virtual Machine a like Parallels.
I can say the one advantage of the Mini over a Macbook is the ability to locate the CPU far from your mic and still have the screen located where you need it. Also, you actually CAN upgrade the hard drive, procesor and RAM in the Mini yourself without major surgery (thanks to ifixit.com). However, you can't run Dual monitors with the Mini, so this could be a problem if you use a booth. You can use the same monitor, keyboard, and mouse as your PC (as long as they are USB).
Tuesday Apple might announce a new Macbook design, so stay tuned...
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If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
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louzucaro
The Gates of Troy
Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 1915
Location: Chicago area
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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Don't worry so much about XP / Vista...Vista runs Audition just fine. As I've posted in this forum on a number of occasions, if your audio hardware has Vista drivers, you shouldn't have any issues. Just make sure the laptop has at least 2GB RAM (which is a good idea anyway), and I wouldn't buy a computer with less than 4GB RAM as a general rule (RAM is cheap these days).
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Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com
"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!" |
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melissa eX
MMD
Joined: 20 Oct 2007
Posts: 2794
Location: Lower Manhattan, New Amsterdam, the original NYC
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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The Dell Mini9 has a solid state drive - 16g - with just 2g online storage, so you need to make sure that's enough for you.
My EEE pc901 has been giving me trouble. When I type all of a sudden the cursor will jump to a different spot - I end up typing in the middle of a sentence 2 paragraphs away. They tell me it's because I'm brushing up against the "oh so sensitive" track pad. They suggest I download a driver to disable it. More disturbing is when I record in Sound Forge sometimes a file records all glitchy. Lots of buzz. If I monitor while I record and drop regions as I go along it all sounds fine - however when I play it back I may find that one or two regions are bad.
I'm still under my 90 day Costco return policy so I'm going to return it rather than mess with trying to figure out what's wrong. Costco has the Dell Mini9 and the EEEpc 1000 which has a 160g HD. I think I'll order them and see which I like better. |
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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Okay, went to the Mac store today. Here are the factors to consider:
Laptop or desktop? The portability of a laptop has me leaning in that direction.
Will Garage Band (included) work for voiceover? I usually just record dry voice but occasionally need to throw in some music and SFX.
Can my ACT contact info be exported into Mac's Address Book (included)
(If so, and Garage Band is a reasonable stand-in for Adobe Audition, then conceiveably no additional software would need to be purchased in order to make the Mac transition)
Will the Firewire card be compatible with my MOTU Ultralite interface?
Just wondering what people's experience has been in general regarding the above and anything else that came up when changing over from Windows to Mac. |
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 7:53 am Post subject: |
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BTW if you're considering a Mac check out this site:
http://www.macmall.com/ |
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voiceofmichael
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| Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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Bill:
Macs are great machines. My wife's had hers for around 6 years and it's required no maintenance whatsoever.
When we were dating, we were doing the long distance thing, she was in Indy and I was in Nashville. I brought my mic with me to do some VO stuff while she was in school. I set up my portable booth and used Garage band. It was cool and worked quite well for voice over work, I was off and running in under 10 minutes. ILife 08 which is loaded on the new macs is even better than the version I was using back then, so Garageband is definitely awesome, not pro, but a good piece of easy to use software that will be adequate for most work.
Most of MOTU's stuff looks like it's compatible with MAC, so you should be good to go there. Check their website to be sure.
I sell Mac at my part time job at Best Buy and I would say that 90% of people that switch from PC to Mac don't go back. No viruses, no spyware, next to no crashes, freezes, or problems at all.
If you're willing to spend the extra money on it, I would say go for it.
Soon I'm moving completely from PC to Mac (I say completely because I use my wife's ALL THE TIME), but I'm going with Logic. Soundgun is right, it's an awesome program and well worth the money and learning curve.
Good luck in your decision! |
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billelder
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| Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 1:02 am Post subject: |
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Michael, Thanks! Interesting that MacMall includes Intego antivirus. There's a rumor going round that iMac will include the same touch screen technology as the iPhone and iTouch. Thanks, YouTube! I love that idea. Don't know how well that would work with audio editing. <g>
The iMac seems to be the most for the money. The mini is just cool. But, you can get great deals on the older versions of Mac Book Pro that have firewire, since the new Mac Books do not.
My first priority now is to get a decent firewire audio interface compatible with both. |
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louzucaro
The Gates of Troy
Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 1915
Location: Chicago area
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| Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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| voiceofmichael wrote: | | No viruses, no spyware, next to no crashes, freezes, or problems at all. |
Although the last part of that is subjective  the rest is simply not true. Yes, there are fewer viruses and spyware, but they do exist. And crashes definitely happen as one of my clients was in tears about today as a matter of fact.
The best reason to choose a Win machine or a Mac is personal preference. Most other stuff is pretty equal these days.
Also, just to note, Macbooks don't have firewire. Just make sure you consider that depending on your other hardware of choice.
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Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com
"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!" |
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davidmonteath
Lucky 700
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 755
Location: Buckinghamshire, UK
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:39 am Post subject: |
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| louzucaro wrote: | [
The best reason to choose a Win machine or a Mac is personal preference. Most other stuff is pretty equal these days.
Also, just to note, Macbooks don't have firewire. Just make sure you consider that depending on your other hardware of choice. |
Quite right, absolutely personal preference.
Just to make a point, I have noticed that several people have commented on the lack of a firewire port on the new Mac Books, I have used PowerBooks or an MBP for years as my mobile rig and I have never, ever needed to use firewire for recording. I have either used a USB mic or an MBox, even USB 1 was good enough. Personally I would never anticipate having to use firewire unless I were running the signal through a mixer, or perhaps a preamp, but frankly that sort of defeats the purpose of the mobility of my travelling gear and the ever-reducing size of what I have to carry.
Sometimes less really is more.
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voiceofmichael
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:21 am Post subject: |
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| louzucaro wrote: | | voiceofmichael wrote: | | No viruses, no spyware, next to no crashes, freezes, or problems at all. |
Although the last part of that is subjective the rest is simply not true. Yes, there are fewer viruses and spyware, but they do exist. And crashes definitely happen as one of my clients was in tears about today as a matter of fact. |
Lou,
Macs are based on unix, so the only way possible to get a virus is for you to let it in, like through a download of a suspicious file. There are less viruses for macs because hackers have tried for a very long time to make viruses for macs, they're so much more secure and harder to make malware for. It's not due to the fact that there are less macs, that's a misconception. Spyware can't affect MACS because the whole basis of Spyware is the fact that it runs without permission; it can't on a mac. With viruses, as long as you don't download and install a virus you won't have any issues with malware, unlike a PC which will be heavily infected with malware within a hours of logging onto the internet and just browsing.
Crashes do happen, yes, but a lot less frequently than they do on a PC.
It does come down to personal preference, everything does. The point about firewire is a good one. The new macbook pros do come with firewire 800 though, so do the IMacs (which are staying the same for a while). Of course, you're looking for a low price replacement, that doesn't describe a macbook pro or an imac unfortunately. |
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bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 9883
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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I have no standing of any kind on this board, except as a happy member. We're treading perilously close to one of Momma DB's cardinal rules here: No Mac vs. PC wars. I'm just saying, is all.
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Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express |
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