Not a technical presentation Generic information, not Apple vrs Windows or which make to buy

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2 Not a technical presentation Generic information, not Apple vrs Windows or which make to buy My background Involved with computer technology since the 1960 s I managed large scale microcomputer networks with 100 s of PC s and large scale network servers. Instructor for computer classes at Scottsdale Public Library

3 From operating large file servers learned the value of utilizing multiple processors and large amounts of memory. These systems were very expensive, noisy, and generated a lot of heat. Now this technology can be fitted into a laptop. Much of the info I ll be discussing for laptops also applies to desktops.

4 Advantages of a performance laptop Opportunity to process and edit your pictures while traveling. While the image is fresh and exciting in your mind may be a good time to evaluate and score your images To do editing while waiting on weather conditions and other periods of downtime.

5 Advantages of a performance laptop To serve as a backup computer system. As a supplement to your primary computer system

6 Advantages of a performance laptop The laptop can be your primary computer system. Laptops sales now exceed desktop sales.

7 Multiple Processors The latest microprocessors have multiple processing cores in one chip. The Intel i7 series have 4 processing cores, which is ideal for photo editing. Even when following good practices and Photoshop is the only application open, your computer is running multiple tasks. For best utilization of multiple processors you need to use the latest releases of Apple and Microsoft operating systems.

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9 Memory How much and how fast? 4 Gigabytes at minimum. 64 bit operating system is required to utilize more than 3 GB of memory. Memory types are DDR2 and DDR3 DDR3 have faster data transfers and requires less energy. DDR3 currently more expensive New production coming online Used in the new Macbook Pro

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11 Video The video processor and video memory will enhance the performance of a computer as it off loads creating images. And for photo editing look for a laptop with a large screen and high resolution. This laptop has an 18.4 screen and 1920 X 1080, which is the resolution of large flat screen HD TV s. And also Blu- Ray DVD s native resolution.

12 A new technology for displays is LED backlighting. My opinion is that LED s are very intense and tend to create hot spots. This laptop utilizes conventional fluorescent lamps, but 2 to give more even lighting. 2 common video processors are made by ATI and Nvidia. On this laptop is Nvidia video with a dedicated 1 GB of video memory.

13 This Nvidia has 12 dedicated video processors. That gives smoother refresh for video. And these video processors can be used by programs. Currently that is being used by a few video editing software packages when performing resizing.

14 Disk Storage This laptop has dual disks for more storage capacity rpm, 5400 is sometimes standard This also permits to balance the load with programs on one disk and data on the other disk. With current high performance disks this is much less critical than in the past. I recommend an external disk storage

15 DVD Device This laptop will read and write both conventional DVD s and the new Blu- Ray DVD s. DVD holds 4.7 GB data Blu-Ray holds 25 GB data

16 External Ports HDMI out port Transmits video & audio to an video display device; generally a hi-def TV Advantage is that it transmits both video & audio, including sound surrond Can replace up to 11 cables Less signal degradation VGA port for projectors Newer projectors may accept HDMI

17 External Ports continued Ethernet jack If you can t use WiFi or feel more secure using a wired network Firewire is phasing out May need if you have legacy equipment Express card is seldom used Card slots come in different sizes

18 Express card for audio This is a Sound Blaster high performance audio card This is a Sound Blaster

19 Side note as to audio If you are into high quality audio, you should consider an external audio device There is a lot of electrical noise within your computer (both laptops & desktops) So do the analog/digital conversion externally These devices also perform at higher bit rates than the generic installed devices These devices often support optical connectors These devices offer more audio channels

20 USB ports USB 2.0 is the current standard USB 3.0 has been finalized and products are starting to appear 3 GB/sec vrs USB 2.0 of less than.5 GB/sec Bi-directional Is a different cable connector Improvement for indexing of external images

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22 Flash memory slots Most laptops have SD Some laptops have multi-format slots including CompactFlash

23 Operating Systems To utilize the full performance of the newer laptops, whether Apple of Microsoft consider the latest versions The latest releases of operating systems better manage the multi-core processors Especially when exceeding dual core processors These operating systems will parse the workload among the processors

24 Operating Systems For performance use 64 bit operating systems Both the Apple or Windows 32 bit systems can only utilize 3 GB of memory 64 bit for computers with 4 GB or more 32 bit programs will operate within a 64 bit operating system

25 Windows 7 I have access to Microsoft beta s and starting using Windows last summer. I ve always considered XP the most stable Windows system Windows 7 seems as nearly as stable Never have had a program crash the complete system A program may become unresponsive Each program seems in operate in its own memory allocation

26 Windows 7 considerations Mine, not Microsoft s Multi-core processor 2 GB of memory 4 GB or more if serious computing Good performance video Device driver considerations Issue for older devices Older devices especially with 64 bit operating systems

27 Disadvantage of laptops As they are easily moved and transported; therefor subject to more physical abuse Limited modifications to your system once built Swapping in a different hard drive or video device is generally impossible.

28 Disadvantage of laptops Keyboard layout may be cramped or key arrangement different And unfortunately the danger of theft. This laptop has a fingerprint reader

29 Where/what to buy? Apple vrs Microsoft platform They both have their strengths and weaknesses As Apple designs and builds both the hardware & software, they generally have a more unified platform As numerous companies build the Microsoft systems, there is a broader away of configurations More pricing options

30 Where/What to buy Where to buy? If you buy a pre-packed system you will have less flexibility as to features and options But you may be able to take advantage of good pricing You may have opportunity to see and touch the laptop

31 Where/What to buy Internet buying As a general rule I would recommend buying directly from the manufacture Watch for promotional offers Discounts, free shipping, free upgrades Make a prior visit to a retail store to see and touch the model your are considering Or a similar model within that series

32 What/Where to buy A laptop has little upgrade path So do your homework Talk to friends/associates

33 Laptop

34 Clean desktop

35 Questions? This PowerPoint created with a beta of Office 2010