Laptop recommendations

[SQ]

Ok. Sorry for blowing up on you Knowname.
I guess that's sort of a trigger and I've been really stressed lately. I apologize.
After taking some time away from everything and sleeping on this, I feel a little more levelheaded.

I cannot get a desktop right now because of the lack of physical space I have. I can't store a desktop, and I travel a lot, so I can't feasibly travel with all the accessories either (keyboard, monitors, etc).
If I had the ability to be using a desktop right now, I wouldn't even bother upgrading, I think. I'd just have my old desktop mailed to me, as it was good enough.
What I was editing on before, is this:
2.2GHz AMD Athlon 4200+ 64 x2 dual core processor, an asus m2npv-vm motherboard with onboard nvidia GeForce 6150 + nForce 430, secondary vid card nVidia GeForce FX 5200, integrated ADI ad 1986a HD Audio 5.1 channel audio, 1.03TB of HDD space and 2gb of DDR2 RAM on a dual monitor setup with Windows XP Pro SP2.
(copied from my amv profile)
I was using the CS3 suite. I'll be sticking with CS3 until CS5 comes out. I might upgrade then. But I'm not positive yet.

So really I'm only looking for these specs or slightly better. Though I dislike the AMD processor (this was my first project), I could still deal with another.
Also, my last computer did have a 'portable' tower. I flew with it across state lines multiple times. But it was a huge hassle to deal with when I was doing maintenance on it or upgrading or even switching out a harddrive. I like doing those things. So when I get a desktop, which I should eventually (unless this laptop is oh so awesome) I'll have those privileges.

So this laptop is just on the interim, really. It's not a permanent solution. I'll be getting a "real" desktop eventually. I just don't know when. Maybe in a few years. I don't have a smartphone. I have a computer for that shit. xD

@Kionon
I don't want to edit on the Mac OS, and my laptop has much lower specs than my previous work station, so installing Windows on it and trying to use the Adobe suite would be pretty horrible. (Or just using Adobe on the mac at all. I've tried. Too slow for me).

I've worked with FCP Studio and while I like all the programs in it, FCP itself to me is useful for projects where the footage is captured and the timelines are long. You know, "normal" editing shit. But for AMVs FCP is pretty much useless and a hassle and I'd just rather not edit with it.

I do like this Mac, and I'm not going to throw this one away for the new laptop. The new laptop is going to be just for work, I'll probably set it somewhere and forget about it for a length of time. The mac will be for everyday use.

I don't know if other commands are like this one, but I plan to live in barracks for most of my Navy time. And the rules here are that we need to have our valuable shit locked up. And I don't know about you, but I find it a chore to lock away just the laptop every time I go to work. I really can't deal with taking down and re-setting up an actual desktop configuration every day, some times more than once.
I mean, I've practically killed my ps2 gaming because I'm that lazy.

That aside, even if the valuable shit doesn't need to be locked away at the other commands, I'd like to do it anyway because I fear thieves.
EDIT:
And don't even get me started on deployment.
I really, really, REALLY want to be deployed as much as possible.
So bringing a desktop into THAT situation would be suicide.

[Knowname]

no apology necessary SQ :3 lol I did get a little too blunt there and as I said your a girl I should (KEY WORD lol) try not to be so blunt with girls. I find it like turns off their brains (like 89% of them anyway).

oh ok. well I did make a studio15 for 1000 dollars (w/ military discount) even if you only want a slight 'upgrade', if your looking to spend 900 bucks anyway you have GOT to go with an i5, I made it processor upgraded all the way, kept the same old screen, same ram size (though keep an upgrade in mind), video/ sound upgraded all the way, backlit kb (trust me it's useful), $25 on-site program thingy (optional). I don't know up to you just saying the intel macs ARE based on the old Core technology so if you don't go i5 (or 3) you may be looking at a similar setup.

I'll stop there as I feel like I might be trying to get you to spend more than you really want to right now but glad we verified your need for a laptop not a desktop!

Also if one of Kio's suggestion is a ram upgrade than I highly suggest that. Ram can speed up your render time hand over fist! But if your mac is single core there's really not much that will make it not 'chug' when simply moving a around on the timeline. You might consider getting a mouse or at least a trackball (you could use it in tight quarters) and a carrying case for easy portability, I've never edited on a laptop but I'd imagine using a touchpad would not only be annoying but be part of the cause to your grief. I use a trackball 24x7 and it's great in fact I think it helps keep my fingers from stressing out as well. Whenever I use a mouse now they get a cold stingy sensation.... but maybe it's just cold...

[Kionon]

O
@Kionon
I don't want to edit on the Mac OS, and my laptop has much lower specs than my previous work station, so installing Windows on it and trying to use the Adobe suite would be pretty horrible. (Or just using Adobe on the mac at all. I've tried. Too slow for me).

I've address why your Mac is slow and how you can make it significantly faster. I've also addressed why Tiger sucks (Snow Leo runs faster).

I've worked with FCP Studio and while I like all the programs in it, FCP itself to me is useful for projects where the footage is captured and the timelines are long. You know, "normal" editing shit. But for AMVs FCP is pretty much useless and a hassle and I'd just rather not edit with it.

I use Premiere CS3.

I do like this Mac, and I'm not going to throw this one away for the new laptop. The new laptop is going to be just for work, I'll probably set it somewhere and forget about it for a length of time. The mac will be for everyday use.

I would debate the usefulness of two laptops. You would probably stop using the MacBook for the new laptop pretty quickly, unless you have it rendering complex stuff all the time... And also, you couldn't take them both on deployment...

I don't know if other commands are like this one, but I plan to live in barracks for most of my Navy time. And the rules here are that we need to have our valuable shit locked up. And I don't know about you, but I find it a chore to lock away just the laptop every time I go to work. I really can't deal with taking down and re-setting up an actual desktop configuration every day, some times more than once. I mean, I've practically killed my ps2 gaming because I'm that lazy.

You're just very junior. Eventually you will get enough BAH or OHA to move off base. And you will want to. Given that you're junior enlisted, you will probably be in a roommate situation. Officers don't stay in barracks, so except when my Midshipman Battalion went to the Drill Meet in New Orelans, I had never, and never have again, stayed in barracks. Even Mids and OCs just have roommates. Just make sure you have a lock on your room in your apartment, or maybe a lockbox, locked closet. All depends on if your roommates are shipmates or shipmates. If you catch my drift there.

And don't even get me started on deployment.
I really, really, REALLY want to be deployed as much as possible.
So bringing a desktop into THAT situation would be suicide.

It won't fit under your bunk if you're on a ship. You won't just need a laptop, you will ned a LOW PROFILE laptop. Even officers are discouraged from bringing too much shit into their staterooms. Just not enough room (and everyone, junior officers and junior enlisted NEED TO WORK ON PQS!!!!). I'm not too familiar with the aviation side, but if I was your DIVO (and I wouldn't be, your DIVO would probably be a brown shoe) and I saw you bring either a desktop aboard, or even one of those huge desktop replacement laptops, I would pull you aside, and say AN SQ, you need to ship that shit home ASAP. And I would expect you to. Berthing is crammed enough as it is. And if your ship has an overflow of ensigns, guess where WE end up? And if we can't have huge shiny toys, neither can you. Tis the way of the world, etc.

[SQ]

I've address why your Mac is slow and how you can make it significantly faster. I've also addressed why Tiger sucks (Snow Leo runs faster).

Okay, this is probably me being a jackass, but I'm not willing to pay for a mac OS upgrade.

I would debate the usefulness of two laptops. You would probably stop using the MacBook for the new laptop pretty quickly, unless you have it rendering complex stuff all the time... And also, you couldn't take them both on deployment...

Being as I've never been on deployment I obviously can't say for sure, but I'd probably take the 'better' one there, since I'd have more use for it. But as it stands right now, I'm not editing very often (obviously) and I'm in a working party now where.... Actually, you know, this argument is pointless. You're totally right. (I'm being serious)

You're just very junior. Eventually you will get enough BAH or OHA to move off base. And you will want to. Given that you're junior enlisted, you will probably be in a roommate situation. Officers don't stay in barracks, so except when my Midshipman Battalion went to the Drill Meet in New Orelans, I had never, and never have again, stayed in barracks. Even Mids and OCs just have roommates. Just make sure you have a lock on your room in your apartment, or maybe a lockbox, locked closet. All depends on if your roommates are shipmates or shipmates. If you catch my drift there.

I do want to live off-base but unless I get stationed overseas or my barracks is absolutely atrocious I'm not going to, because the whole point of the military (for me) is an opportunity to cut expenses and just save for other shit. I probably won't legitimately start thinking about off-base housing until I'm a 2nd class. Which could be awhile since my rate is overmanned. =/
I have no roommate right now and live in basically a hotel room. My room here is about the same (maybe a little smaller) than an ensign's over at the pilot school. I live in a special barracks since I've been here so long and am proven well-behaved or something. But anyway, we get like.. Random room inspections and a sort of 'demerit' entry in our SDR here if we leave high valuables out. While I know that shit probably won't happen on an actual base (the rules here are ridiculous), I'd still lock it away anyway, due to theft as said previously.

It won't fit under your bunk if you're on a ship. You won't just need a laptop, you will ned a LOW PROFILE laptop. Even officers are discouraged from bringing too much shit into their staterooms. Just not enough room (and everyone, junior officers and junior enlisted NEED TO WORK ON PQS!!!!). I'm not too familiar with the aviation side, but if I was your DIVO (and I wouldn't be, your DIVO would probably be a brown shoe) and I saw you bring either a desktop aboard, or even one of those huge desktop replacement laptops, I would pull you aside, and say AN SQ, you need to ship that shit home ASAP. And I would expect you to. Berthing is crammed enough as it is. And if your ship has an overflow of ensigns, guess where WE end up? And if we can't have huge shiny toys, neither can you. Tis the way of the world, etc.

Hence why I want a laptop under 1k with a screen around 15" and not huge. xD
I have a hard time believing a laptop wouldn't fit under the bunk. I'll put it under my clothes or something. I'm not sure if you guys go to the same boot camp as enlisted (probably not if you went in as officer?) but our rack lockers there were only slightly larger than the bunks on a ship. Besides, even if it were like a 20" laptop, it's still thin. Less thick than some folded clothes, anyway.
Slightly unrelated: Have you ever been deployed?

As an Aside:

.... So if I installed boot camp (or whatever) and then Windows 7 or XP or something, would the laptop still run quickly? Or would I need to upgrade OS X first and then install the other shit?

[Kionon]

Okay, this is probably me being a jackass, but I'm not willing to pay for a mac OS upgrade.

Given that it's a mere $29? Yeah. You're being a jackass. That being said, it can be acquired elsewhere, obviously. But that is such a tiny price for an OS, that I'm just like lolwut that anyone would think it was unmanageable.

I have no roommate right now and live in basically a hotel room. My room here is about the same (maybe a little smaller) than an ensign's over at the pilot school. I live in a special barracks since I've been here so long and am proven well-behaved or something. But anyway, we get like.. Random room inspections and a sort of 'demerit' entry in our SDR here if we leave high valuables out. While I know that shit probably won't happen on an actual base (the rules here are ridiculous), I'd still lock it away anyway, due to theft as said previously.

OH! You're not in traditional barracks (barracks are what you had in Boot Camp, and involve lots of bunks with same-sexed individuals in the same room). You're in BEQ, Bachelor Enlisted Quarters. That's quite a bit different. And if the Ensigns are in API then they would have smaller quarters than if they were in the BOQ, which is quite nice (and usually where I stay when I have to work on my package on base), and more like a one bedroom apartment or a hotel suite. Now I don't feel so bad for you.

I have a hard time believing a laptop wouldn't fit under the bunk. I'll put it under my clothes or something. I'm not sure if you guys go to the same boot camp as enlisted (probably not if you went in as officer?) but our rack lockers there were only slightly larger than the bunks on a ship. Besides, even if it were like a 20" laptop, it's still thin. Less thick than some folded clothes, anyway.

No. Midshipman and OCs go to the Academy or NROTC. Further, OCs can also go to OCS. I was in NROTC. I would have to go to OCS to finish out my commission, which is the plan.

Slightly unrelated: Have you ever been deployed?

Not exactly. Midshipmen go on Cruise, which is pretty much a training deployment. You can even earn quals if you're dilligent enough. I have also spent time on ships here in Japan, although I was just visiting buddies. I know what officer staterooms look like aboard Cruisers, Destroyers, and Aircraft Carriers, and I also know what berthing looks like.

I am not a DIVO, I am not commissioned. I need to finish my package, go to OCS to finish (more like restart ) my commission, and then I would deploy as a brand new ensign. I had the opportunity to commission in 2006 and I basically turned it down. Water under the bridge at this point, and unlikely to seriously hurt me now. I have the probable next CNO endorsing me. And I wasn't kicked out or asked to leave.

I spend an awful lot of time with my NROTC buddies in Japan, and I spend a lot of time on the Surface Warfare Officer forums where I am known and accepted as a "will-be JO." I also scored very highly on my aviation test, and could go Pilot if I wanted to (but I don't). I simply have to wait until October until I get orders...

tl;dr

Not like you will be deployed, but we might be deployed at the same time.

So if I installed boot camp (or whatever) and then Windows 7 or XP or something, would the laptop still run quickly? Or would I need to upgrade OS X first and then install the other shit?

Dunno, I'll find out. If you can get up to date bootcamp drivers without going up to Leo or Snow Leo, the answer would be a definite yes. Without knowing about that, though... I will have to get back to you.

[SQ]

Kio, the thing about the update is that I don't have a system disc or any type of serial number or anything. I bought this as a 'damaged' refurb heavily discounted (the damage is negligible screen nicks). The laptop didn't even come with normal included programs/suits like iLife.

I didn't know the upgrade was only $29, but I was under the impression that we needed.... Well, whatever.
I've been proven an ignorant fool once again. Not hard to accept. I'll look into an upgrade, I guess.

Thank you for the help.
Also why do you not PM me back?

[Kionon]

Kio, the thing about the update is that I don't have a system disc or any type of serial number or anything. I bought this as a 'damaged' refurb heavily discounted (the damage is negligible screen nicks). The laptop didn't even come with normal included programs/suits like iLife.

I didn't know the upgrade was only $29, but I was under the impression that we needed.... Well, whatever.
I've been proven an ignorant fool once again. Not hard to accept. I'll look into an upgrade, I guess.

Thank you for the help.
Also why do you not PM me back?

MacOS X has no copy protection and no serials. You are running a Tiger era MacBook with Tiger. All you need is to tell Apple you have it. You may need to give them the serial number of the MacBook itself, BUT you have that. Since, well, it's on the MacBook (and probably available via the About This Mac screen). Every Intel Mac is eligible for the $29 upgrade. I got a copy of the WWDC preview, and it just auto-took the combo updates. Which was quite nice.

ILife, depending on the version of OS X, did not necessarily come with every Mac. I myself did not get iLife complete when I bought mine brand new.

I didn't answer the PM because I've answered your questions in public, sorta. Nothing has significantly changed in the last two years, aside from my OCS package gaining more support. But my daily life is the same as it was two years ago.

[SQ]

Maybe I wanted a private conversation.
But all right, I see how it is. Px

[SQ]

Okay I'm back and I THINK I'm at the end of this search.

I asked some more people about OS X and Boot Camp. I found that the $30 upgrade doesn't apply to a tiger upgrade. It is against Apple's TOS to use the $30 snow leopard disc to upgrade from 10.4. They want you to buy the whole $130 thing. I know the discs are exactly the same and Apple can't tell the difference, but honestly this angered me and I just really don't like Apple as a company. Since I really wanted a new laptop anyway, the upgrade thing just kind of sealed the deal for me, low specs and working through Boot camp aside.
So sorry, Kio.
(By the way, I also found that it would be beneficial to upgrade to SL before installing Boot Camp. But that's neither here nor there at this point).

@Knowname
Instead of going with Dell, I decided to try HP since it was also listed on the Military4life site with discounts.
It fared much better!
This laptops are around $750 and both have i5s.
I'm leaning toward the second laptop right now but I'd like your opinion:


Basically, the only differences are the processor speed and screen size.
The d4vi (first one) has a 14.1" widescreen monitor and an i5-520M processor at ~$757.
The dv6t (second one) has a 15.6" widescreen monitor and an i5-430M at ~$747.

I'm not sure the performance increase in the d4vi is worth the smaller screen size.
But I'm up for opinions.

Sorry for being so hard to deal with.

[Kionon]

Can't fault you for having standards. Perhaps standards I disagree with, but that's irrelevant. I personally don't think Apple as a company always does things I like. Often times they don't. I just know their computers work for me.