specs

What Computer Should I Get – My opinion on specs

[text]All the way in 2006, I posted about computer specs and my recommendations (read it here). 9 years later, those specs are comical by today’s standards. Of the 20+ computers here, not one is in line with those dated specifications – none are that wimpy.[/text]

laptop

[text]Here is an updated list of specs I look for in new design computers. Note: This is all about Windows computers, Macs are a separate conversation. One thing remains the same since 2006, “Get the biggest, fastest, and most powerful.”[/text]

[text]I need to also highlight that the computer specs are only 1 part of the solution, and they are the easy part. The other part of having a full graphics computer is setup and software. We invest hours into setting up every computer and even more time into the almost continuous process of configuring new updates, drivers, software and settings.[/text]

  • Intel i7 CPU or 2.2 GHz (i5 is perfect, but the i7 configurations generally include everything else on the list, where the i5 is often the budget configuration and lacks other needed specs)
  • 16-32 GB of RAM
  • 1-4 GB of Video RAM (There is a vast in performance between in shared vs. dedicated memory GPUs. Dedicated memory and separate processing are mandatory, which is NVidia or ATI GPUs)
  • 1920×1080 local monitor resolution (minimum)
  • USB 3.0 (+ data thunderbolt is a great option)
  • DVI or mini-display port (Thunderbolt) are my preference. HDMI is lower on my preferences; but that is due to interfacing with showsite equipment, which most will not have to worry about
  • 1 GB Ethernet port (adaptors are not what you want to deal with on a work station setup
  • SSD hard drive

[text]Will this be my recommendations next year, or in 5 years? Doubtful. I am already holding off purchasing additional computers while waiting for USB-C, wider (Windows) adoption of Thunderbolt data, new generation of CPUs and more.[/text]
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– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-10T09:02:20-07:00July 28th, 2015|Resource/Misc|

Oops – says the “designer”

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a TLC project, just something left on the door of my residence.

Oops, guess the designer did not think the restaurant name would be missed when the door hanger die the printer spec’d was used.

This is printed really well: good stock, ink coverage, aqueous coating, trim and die. But the design obviously did not account for the die that put a hole where the company name was. Looking closer, other design questions come up: what is the capitalization standard? What is the punctuation standard? Were 7 font styles too many?

I hear it very often, about how someone’s nephew is great with the computer and designed the company brochure – the guy in the end cubicle on the 4th floor has Photoshop on his computer and can create the event banner – the IT department is setting up the webpage (the registration backend page) and has been asked to also create the PowerPoint template.

These people are great and often creative. The downside is when the general person does not know, or understand, the technical needs of the design, the company branding, or just good design principles the results are not ideal. A company’s image suffers, users with improperly setup files suffer, or money is just wasted….

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-10T10:06:47-07:00November 22nd, 2013|Personal, Resource/Misc|

The ABC’s of Monitor Sizing

I have recently been on a computer buying spree again. There are more HD shows than I have computers (hey, it is a legitimate reason – although Lori thinks it’s another excuse). When looking at the specs for laptops you need to know what the screen resolution is by its reference code – so here they are:

XGA = 1024 x 768
WXGA = 1280 x 800
WXGA+ = 1440 x 900
SXGA = 1280 x 1024
SXGA+ = 1400 x 1050
WSXGA = 1280 x 854
WSXGA+ = 1680 x 1050
UXGA = 1600 x 1200
WUXGA = 1920 x 1200

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T13:22:46-07:00March 3rd, 2008|Resource/Misc|

Minimum Laptop Specs – My opinion

Earlier in the week I posted a reply on the PPT Newsgroup (A resource everyone using PowerPoint should take advantage of) on a fairly common question – “What should I buy for PowerPoint Presentations?” Of course my answer is ‘the biggest, fastest and most powerful’ but I realise that is not the most budget appropriate answer… So here is my recommendation on the minimum specs for a new computer:

  • A lot really depends on your PowerPoint use, if using animation and video playback, and if you will be running more than one application at a time. Here would be my minimum requirements for a laptop today:
  • – Intel DuoCore, P4 or Centrino CPU (eg. not a celeron), I do not use AMD but the equivalents.
  • – 1 GB of RAM
  • – 64 MB of Video RAM (and that is the minimum, with 128-256 MB being highly preferable)
  • – On video ram there is a big difference in shared vs. dedicated memory. For PowerPoint to playback animation, flash files, movies and even audio the computer really needs to have dedicated memory (this allows the use of the ‘Hardware Acceleration’ feature). It should be by ATI or Nvidia.
  • – Everything else is just a matter of what is offered. I prefer a wide screen for a laptop. Having a physical on/off switch for the wireless is
    desirable and you cannot have enough USB ports.

 

Hope that is helpful.
– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T13:56:37-07:00May 12th, 2006|PowerPoint, Resource/Misc|

Which Projector Should I Buy?

This is a common question I get a lot. And because PowerPoint and Projectors are almost synonymous, I thought it might be good to give my standard answer here. I recently posted the below to the ‘What projector should I buy’ question in the PowerPoint Newsgroup.
——————————————–

With your budget ($4,000.00) and general description I am going to make a few guesses:
– Small audience viewing (25-100 people)
– Front projection (projector in front of screen, out by audience)
– Connecting computer direct to projector (ie. no switcher, scaler, etc.)

With those assumptions, at your budget there are not many systems that outshine the other. In other words, you will do good with just about any reputable companies projector. But here are a few key items to make sure are on the projector and to consider:
1. Bulb life (what is the life of the bulb – in hours)
2. Bulb replacement cost (this can be $75 to $700 – check before purchasing so you know what to expect)
3. It should be at least 1024×768, but better would be 1280×1024
4. Size; consider your travel and placement needs (things do not have to be large any more)
5. Noise; listen to the units operating noise level (because it will be out by the audience, check if the fans are to loud)
6. Quiet Mode; this is good if projector is used in a small setting, as it limits the output power, but also runs near silent.
7. Contrast; this is a tricky number and hard to use in side-by-side comparisons (different companies measure differently), but in general more is better
8. Lumens; at your budget go for 2,000+, the closer to 5k the better
9. Lens Shift is better than keystoning (this is the ability for the projector to move the image up or down without needing to adjust the front legs, which creates a distorted projection)
10. Warranty, carrying case, etc.

In addtion, do a google search for the unit(s) you are considering and read some reviews, as well as look for anything in ‘groups.’

Troy @ TLC

By |2016-09-16T11:31:11-07:00March 13th, 2006|Resource/Misc|
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