I am looking to get myself a new desktop/tower computer to use primarily for business and my photos. What I want is something that has the resources to run VERY quick and not bog down like all my laptops do when working with pictures. I do not care too much whether PC or Mac, but would have to run Parallels if a Mac to run some of my work software. Mainly will be using Quickbooks which Intuit claims I cannot switch to Mac without rebuilding the company file from scratch. I am not going that.

I built a Mac on Apple's website. Came to $3400. Way way way over budget. I was hoping to keep it around $1000. Something that has 3 or 4 TB's would be nice, and as much memory as I can fit within the budget. SSD would be nice as well. I am not going to build one for anyone that suggests it. I do not have time to deal with it and just need something that comes in a box and I can just put my software on and be done with it. Any suggestions?

 

Man that's tough. The only prebuilt computer I'd buy are Macs. If I needed a PC I'd be building one.

I've seen great and horrible things from all companies. For an average OTB unit I'd probably buy an HP.

 

sub'd for info.

i'm also in the process of doing this, leaning towards macbook pro or something similar. need something that i can edit photos/movies quickly and with appropriate available software.

 

I decided to go with a desktop this time around. Something that is upgradeable would be nice, which may limit the Macs. I have three laptops already. One PC based running XP that I use for programming systems, one PC based running Win7 that I run the business off of, and an old Macbook for personal. None of them can handle the photo editing as none have the resources needed. The business laptop is actually the newest of the bunch, but runs the crappiest. Everytime I use Quickbooks it freezes. It has been wiped clean and a fresh install of Win7 has gone on it 3 times. It has had the memory upgraded and it just is not cutting it. I figured time to just kill two birds with one stone and get a machine that will handle everything within the business plus handle my photo editing.

 

^^ Dell.com and configure away. I don't think you are going to be able to go into brick and mortar story and get what you are looking for without installing some of that hardware yourself as most/if not all PC's don't come with 2 hard drives (which is what you are looking for).

Send me the $1000 and I'll build it for you. With that said, you could build what you are looking for for about half your budget.

 

^ If I had to jump it'd be Dell (remember Zeos from the old days). Laptops and PCs are gone within the next 3 to 4 years.

I'd buy a loaded Goggle tab and loaded iPad and Bluetooth everything needed with a Windows Phone.

 

You better check with Quicken about going from an older version to a newer version (Windows to Windows), Ive had issues myself. Otherwise, just get whatever is on sale at Best Buy.

 

My brother spec'd out a machine on Dell.com for $1000, I told him about the deal I got on a laptop at Sam's and suggested he look there. He went and for about $700 he got a better, faster machine, with more ram and memory, also a Dell. I had the same experience with my laptop, newegg and amazon had the same laptop, with less ram and hd for more money. You may want to check Sam's or Costco before Best Buy

 

I process humongous images (panoramas). I've built a power house for $2K. RAM type and amount is important. GPU is important. Processor speed, yup imported. SSD would not hurt either. You can configure a system for $1K; it would be a decent work horse system. Dell is your best best for price for a prebuilt - check out their XPS 8500 systems. Stick to Intel 3rd gen i5 or i7.
edit: forget dell, jeebus they've raised their prices like crazy!

A system for your budget? i7, 16gb RAM, ssd and an hd, and a new GPU with at least 1GB of VRAM.

Check out cyberpowerpc.com... They only build power systems and sometimes have great deals.

PS Quickbooks online maybe your answer - that's what I use.

 

^Yea but 3 or 4 TB without breaking the warranty is the kicker. He's probably either got to custom order one or build one himself.

 

Quicken for Mac sucks, stick with the Windows version.

Specs and why do you think you need that horse power?

 

http://tinyurl.com/baemqmk

Still only 12 GB and 2TB for $1200....

Do you want to RAID those HDDs in any way? Or just looking to rock 2x2TB drives?

 

I stated that I do not wish to build because I simply do not have time. If I spend a few hundred more in the end, that is fine. I am practically working round the clock lately, so I just want something easy. I will not buy from Dell though. I had an experience 10 years ago bad enough that I swore never to touch another Dell and I will stick to that. I will spend more to go with a competitor if necessary. I do not HAVE to have over 2 TB in the machine. It would be nice, but I can manage. I have 6 TB of network storage in the house now.

I am to far invested into the local version of Quickbooks to switch to online. I have no desire to run it on a Mac unless under Parallels. My main reason for going with something that has the processing power is the time it takes to process pictures currently is PAINFUL. I also have issues with Quickbooks and a couple other software packages taking forever to load on the current machines I have. I would like to just go all mac daddy on the next machine.

Also, someone suggested to just use tablets. I have an iPad and that is all the tablet I want. I cannot imagine using one to process images or run a business 100% off one. I also will have to use the machine to test out new equipment in my office before rollout, and that rules out any tablets as the programming softwares will not run on any of them.

 

Over 10 years ago. I've had three Dell desktops and two of their laptops, in the last 15 years, no problems. But I could understand your defiance.

The only other big name would be HP for desktops, or find a small local company that would build one for you with what you want.


I suggest a laptop and just use external drives.

 

Although I had issues with the computer I had back then, it is not those issues that have caused me to take my stance. It was the dealings with the company and the fact I realized just how they are. Never again.

Lets just say they refused to fix an in warranty issue (was within the first year and original warranty plus had a 4 year extended warranty). They refused to fix the issue because the tech stated the computer was working within spec because of the way it SOUNDED over the phone. Seriously. I had to go through the State AG to get any resolution at all. They then refused to give a full refund and only offered a rediculous partial refund on a machine THEY refused to fix. I will never deal with Dell ever again and I explain the issues I had to anyone who asks me for any advice on a computer purchase.

 

iMac (SSD) + Parallels + NAS

 

I'm with you.. He said that he didn't want to do anything himself. You can't walk into Sam's or Costco and buy a computer with an SSD and 3-4TB of hard drive space (at least not for $1000).

I understand your issue with Dell.. My office laptop is a Dell. About 2 weeks ago, I cracked the screen.. My IT guy contacted Dell, they had me do a couple diagnoses with it over the phone. The support guy was out the next day with the new screen and replaced it on the spot. I didn't even have to leave my desk chair.. So, I'm sure that you had issues back in the day and I do know that everyone will have one horror story or another for every company across the board, but I wouldn't completely count them out. I too used to be against Dell, but being forced to use one at work, my tune has changed a little bit.

If you don't want to do all that. I would suggest finding a PC at Sam's or Costco and throwing an extra hard drive in it. That doesn't take long and is pretty simple.. Should only take you about 5-10 minutes. Probably won't have an SSD, but you could also buy one and throw it in there and reload windows on the computer before you even start using it.

 

I would say get a NAS to store your work, images, files, etc. and built a decent PC online, you have Dell, HP, etc.
It all depends on the type of work you will be doing, if you want something to run fast then get a better processor, for example i7. Not only are they quad cores, they also support hyper-threading (taks). Thus, a total of eight threads can run on them at the same time.

 

Know any IT directors that can order one through their company? Lots of money to be saved that way


EDIT: Preferably a company that buys lots of stuff from HP or whoever.

 

If you need that much space a NAS is definitely the best option. But a good NAS of that size + a new PC with those specs will be hard to find for $1000.

I'd consider bumping your budget up, say to $1500, and set yourself up proper now so you don't have to later. ~$500 on the NAS, $1000 on the PC. It will be much easier to find a PC with an SSD that's lacking 4TB of space this way.

 

He can turn his old computer to NAS =] Just add hard drives and you'll have a functional server, not a crappy bottlenecking NAS. (for the $$$ he wants to spend)

It's hard to save money yet enjoy speed and efficiency. It's just like looking for Lambo at Audi prices.

Purchase a computer that you need. Don't worry about HD space. It's usually cheaper to add the HDs later, whether internal or external. The focus should be on power to last and handle your everyday tasks like you want them to be handled.

 

He didn't want to do any work.

 

Thanks for the suggestions about storage, but as I already stated, I have about 6 TB of network storage in the house already, so no need to add more at this time.

 

You have 6TB of network storage yet want 4TB in your desktop?

 

Yes. I want as much as I can get. BUT I stated that 2TB would suffice in the computer. When I shoot, I often take 500-600 pictures at roughly 20MB a picture. I don't always process right away, and sometimes months later. I don't want to keep too much on the machine unless I have a lot of space. Working with the RAW files off the NAS is much, much slower than local so I prefer as much local space so I am not unloading pics to the NAS as often.

 

^Indeed. So we can assume you have a nice monitor already. Which negates part of the reason to get an iMac...

I'd say a slightly custom HP is the best option then... :/

HP Envy H9-1300t - http://tinyurl.com/am4wwva

Win 8, i5, 8GB, 2TB. Custom order-able but damn, I can't imagine paying $250 for 8 more gigs of ram... Lol

 

People don't read, I was going to point this out yesterday, but felt it to be futile

 

Those same people are helping, looking up products, and making suggestions.

No offense but if the man has 6TB, is so into photography, I find it incredibly frustrating he can't figure this out himself. Yet alone that someone such as that would spend money on some crap hardware from Dell or HP when in an hour could piece together a much better machine himself.

And let's not even get into read and writes speeds on a properly setup NAS/RAID and not some prebuilt crap.

 

Not, nice. Experienced illiterate people are only trying to help. Hooked on phonics did not work for me.

(6TB is wonderful, are they in mirror raid? Or just simple storage?)