New Laptop for Hoster- Please help ASAP

[Stela]

I'm trying to buy a laptop for all Karaoke softwares I already bought from MTU and also I will buy Hoster but I'm trying to get a good price on a new laptop and please let me know that this one will work:
Product Features

• AMD Athlon™ X2 QL-60 dual-core processor*
  Features HyperTransport™ and AMD PowerNow!™ technologies and Enhanced Virus Protection.**
• AMD dual-core technology
  Enables you to work or play with multiple programs without impacting performance; 1MB L2 cache for efficient system processing.
• 2GB DDR2 memory
  For multitasking power, expandable to 3GB.
• Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
  Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media.
• 15.4" WXGA high-definition widescreen display
  With BrightView technology and 1280 x 800 resolution showcases your movies and games with stunning clarity.
• 160GB SATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
  Offers spacious storage options and fast read/write times.
• NVIDIA GeForce 8200M graphics
  With up to 895MB total available graphics memory. Built-in Altec Lansing speakers deliver rich sound.
• DVD Play controls
  Provide quick and easy access to your favorite DVD movies.
• 3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports
  For fast digital video, audio and data transfer.
• Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g)
  Wirelessly connects to the Internet.
• Built-in 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN
  With RJ-45 connector and high-speed 56 Kbps modem for flexible wired Web connectivity options.
• Weighs 6.4 lbs. and measures just 1.7" thin
  For portable power.
• Good battery life
  Of up to 2 hours, 15 minutes.
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition operating system with Service Pack 1 (SP1) preinstalled
  Software package included with Photosmart Essentials; 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher edition also included.

Processor Brand
AMD

Processor
AMD Athlon™ X2

Processor Speed
1.9GHz

Display Type
WXGA high-definition widescreen LCD with BrightView technology (1280 x 800)

Screen Size
15.4"

Cache Memory
1MB on die Level 2

System Memory (RAM)
2GB

System Memory (RAM) Expandable To
3GB

Type of Memory (RAM)
DDR2

Hard Drive Type
SATA (5400 rpm)

Hard Drive Size
160GB

Optical Drive
Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW

Optical Drive Speeds
Drive speeds not specified

Direct-Disc Labeling
No

Digital Media Reader or Slots
No

Diskette Drive
No

Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 8200M

Video Memory
Up to 895MB

Personal Video Recorder (PVR)
No

TV Tuner
No

MPEG
Yes

Built-in Webcam
No

Modem
56 Kbps*
*Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.

Networking
Built-in 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)

Wireless Networking
Wireless-B+G

Bluetooth-Enabled
No

Security Technology
None

S-Video Outputs
None

Speakers
Built-in Altec Lansing

PCMCIA Slots
None

USB 2.0 Ports
3

IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports
None

Parallel Ports
None

Serial Ports
None

Game Ports
None

Laptop Weight
Standard (more than 5.5 lbs.)

Battery Type
Lithium-ion

Pointing Device
Touchpad with dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1

Included Software
HP Photosmart Essentials, DVD Play; Microsoft Works; muvee autoProducer; Cyberlink DVD Suite; Adobe Acrobat Reader and more

ENERGY STAR Qualified
No

Thank you very much,
Stela

[hwheeler43]

It has no s-video port and is only expandable to 3gb of ram. With Vista you need at least 3gb. I would recommend that you check out www.dell.com as they are still selling laptops with Windows xp.

[Stela]

Thank you so much. I will check with dell.
Stela

[ddouglass]

ALso is using shared memory for video and that has been a major problem with Hoster of late.

[Stela]

What about this? Plese Help me decide?

Operating system	Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)	edit
Processor	AMD Sempron(TM) Processor for Notebook PCs SI-40 (2.0GHz)	edit
Display	15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)	edit
Memory	FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)	edit
Graphics card	NVIDIA GeForce 8200M G with 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader	edit
Hard drive	FREE Upgrade to 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive from 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive	edit
Personalization	Microphone	edit
Keyboard	HP Color Matching Keyboard	edit
Networking	802.11b/g WLAN	edit
Primary DVD/CD drive	SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support	edit
Primary battery	6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery	edit
Adapter	65W Adapter	edit

[Stela]

Dimensions

6 cell: 14.05" (L) x 10.07" (W) x 1.46" (min H) - 1.75" (max H)

Maximum memory expansion

3GB

PCI expansion

Expansion Port 3 Connector

Front-side bus (processor dependent)

Up to 4400 MT/s system bus running at AC/DC mode 35 watt

AC adapter

65W

Expansion slots

N/A

I/O ports

3 Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0), TV out (S-video), headphone out, RJ-11 (modem), RJ-45 (LAN), VGA

Speakers

Integrated Altec Lansing stereo speakers

Software - full versions

HP PhotoSmart Essentials, Muvee AutoProducer Basic Edition 6.x (with 20-day-trial full version), Adobe Reader 8.x, Microsoft Works 8.0 9.0, Microsoft Windows Media Player 11, HP Games Powered by Wild Tangent, Cyberlink DVD Suite, QuickPlay

Software - introductory versions

Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 (includes 60 days of complimentary live updates; subscription required to continue receiving updates)

Trial Internet service

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Edition 60-day trial

Basic warranty

One year of hardware parts and labor coverage One year of award-winning, toll-free, 24 x 7 support 30-Days Free Software Support (Free 1 year Software Support with Product Registration) from date of purchase

Thank you,
Stela

[marklwood]

Stela, both systems have the same issue. The video shares memory with the CPU. Check out the list.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Compari...rds.130.0.html

You will see video cards listed by Classes. I would recommend no less than a Class 2 card and a Class 1 if you can afford it. If you venture into the Class 3 cards, at LEAST make sure that the card has dedicated memory on the card. The list provided is from fastest to slowest. Use this as a guide to get the most bang for your buck. If money is a primary concern, I would rather see you get a used computer with better specs than to get a new one that you won't be happy with. This is the biggest trade-off with using a notebook. They under-power everything to save battery and heat. You could get a nice shuttle case and computer for the same $$ and will be able to upgrade as your needs change.

[marklwood]

Just as an example of a nice shuttle

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Shuttle

I am not saying to buy this one. This is only for comparison. If you open yourself to the possibilities, you may find something that you will be happier with in the long run. I like to use local computer shops. You can spec out a machine and have them help you. The trick is to have them build it like it was a gaming machine. The operating system should be clear of any crapware, free trials, or other advertisements. You want a lean and mean computer to use for your business with only the bare essentials installed. All the other crap just steals system resources from you business. You wouldn't let anyone take one penny from your pay, why should you pay (in computer performance) for someone else to have their ads on your computer.

[Stela]

Thank you very much for the answers. I'll take a look on the sites you posted but would you please what should be "the bare essentials installed" if I am not ask to much. What can be considered the minimum and good configuration? I am not really in to computers and this will help me a lot!
Thank you all again.
Stela

[bobcox- with the Lord]

Dell 9300 with nvidia 6800go video card.
17" lcd windows xp
about $400.00 on ebay. Great Laptop. Bob

[MTUSUPPORT]

Stela, MTU's Laptop is your safest solution because we guarrantee Hoster and all our software to run on them.

As an example, the Laptops we are currently buying and reselling come with a DVD Burner that WILL NOT work with CDG format discs.

Won't import/read... won't write/duplicate. Thus, we found and bought the last batch of drives we could find anywhere that are slim-line to fit into the Laptops we have.

We will stop selling our LC (Low Cost) Laptops once our current stock is out. It's becoming too much of a hassle and expense. That's one reason our support has gotten behind n the recent weeks... we have to totally (I mean TOTALLY) disassemble the Laptops to replace the DVD drive. Never seen such poor designs in my 40 years in computers.

We currently have a 10% discount on our Laptops. I'd seriously consider one if I were you. As you are already researching and fearing... you can buy something that will NOT work.

We ALWAYS say, download our Hoster and Microstudio demos and run them on the "target" computer. If they don't work right, don't use or buy the computer. If you can't do that, then be sure you have IN WRITING that you can return it for MONEY BACK (not credit to get another non-usable computer) if you are NOT SATISFIED. No other conditions. Get it in writing. PERIOD!

Be careful....

David Cox

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by Stela

Thank you very much for the answers. I'll take a look on the sites you posted but would you please what should be "the bare essentials installed" if I am not ask to much. What can be considered the minimum and good configuration? I am not really in to computers and this will help me a lot!
Thank you all again.
Stela

What I mean by "bare essentials":
When you buy a system from a major vendor, they get kickbacks from software vendors to pre-install CRAP and I do mean CRAP on the system. This just uses up hard drive space and steals memory and clock cycles from your computer. In their defense, that is how they help maintain a profit margin on low end computers. Be prepared to pay extra, because it costs them to not have these subsidies on the system. The second thing is also a resource stealer. Windows itself. Things like UAC (user account control) Wifi, Aero, Sidebar,Remote Desktop Assistant, and other things that are not needed for your show but are loaded into memory when you boot up. These things are not necessary but are loaded when you boot unless you disable them. I have directed quite a few people to a web site called http://www.blackviper.com/ This is the single best resource I have ever found on the internet for getting an aging or underpowered computer to run smoother and faster. I refer to it every time I load an operating system.

As far as specs for a computer, MTU has a good one. They understand what is needed for their programs to run properly. If you decide to buy locally, I would look for at least a 2GHz for a laptop. In a desktop I would go for a dual core or better. More importantly is the video card and memory. Max out the memory, it doesn't cost that much and it will make a BIG difference. In video, look for a card with AT LEAST 128 mb of DEDICATED video memory on the card. Tell them what you are doing and why you need what you need. It is easier to spec a machine if you have them think of it as a gaming machine. The other thing is, I would strongly suggest you get it with XP on it. It is getting harder to find new systems with XP as an option but I would still insist on it. I prefer local only because it is easier and quicker to get service when things go wrong. It is much easier to ignore an email than it is to ignore someone standing in front of you. When I say local, I don't mean Geek Squad either. Mom and Pop operations that have been in business for a while usually are more knowledgeable and reliable. It will cost you a bit more money, but less in asprin

Lastly, think of this as your business. I don't use my show machine for anything but shows. It is only on the internet long enough to update windows and upgrade Hoster. I don't install any other programs on it. The risk is not worth the reward.