Saving Moola on a Computer Purchase
I haven't written to this blog in a while, so it is time for an update. Also, I have made a major purchase, and saved some money using my own methods, so they still work.
I have been using the same computer for the last 7 years, and it was time for a change. The reasons were many. Last year we switched from 12-bit, 10.2-megapixel cameras to 14-bit, 12.3-megapixel cameras. The resulting compressed raw file size went up another 50% with this change from around 10 megabytes to around 15 megabytes. That means that every two images we shoot now are as big as three images from our old cameras, and that two images take as long to process in my raw editor, Nikon Capture NX2 and also Photoshop, as did 3 images from the old cameras. Pair that with the fact that my version of Windows XP Home Edition could not use more than 3-gigabytes of ram, and you have a recipe for slow running and the "Sorry, but there is not enough memory to save the image" message coming up quite frequently on the screen. That means a 4-minute reboot to clear the memory.
My clients are almost invariably telling me that I should take my time working on their images, but in a parallel universe from two weeks ago, as they not only needed it yesterday, they needed it before yesterday! Many times we have come back from a shoot and have to process 300 or more images over the weekend to be uploaded on Monday. Admittedly, there are duplicate images, but I have to open all the images in case one is better than another. I have one client who needs all the images to be completely finished (including retouching) before they peruse them - all images are to be vertical and in black and white. This means that each and every image is processed twice: first in color to get a great color image (sometimes for later use for stock) and then in Photoshop in black and white and some retouching and tweaking.
I have to buy a new camera, software, or computer equipment prior to the time I need it as there is setup time, familiarization time, and testing to be done before I feel comfortable with the equipment, and can make it work efficiently.
And so, with mild trepidation, my partner and I decided it was time to bite the bullet and buy a new computer. Now, what to buy? I haven't bought a new computer in 7 years. I bought one of the most powerful computers I could find back around 2003, because it has to not be considered obsolete for at least 3 - 4 years. Programs and operating systems get bigger and fatter and do more with every new iteration. The system has to be powerful enough to last that long to justify what is paid for it. I want to be the slowest part of my system, instead of waiting interminable times to open, edit, render, and save those big image files. I need something of a powerful gaming computer to do what I think it should do.
And so, I came to read a lot online about the most powerful processors, system busses, available memory, and so forth. Now, I have a 3.06 GHZ Pentium 4 processor in my current computer with a total of 4-gigs of memory (of which XP only sees 3 gigs). I need something way faster as this unit ain't cuttin' it. I settle on the Intel i7-950 processor and 12 gigs of ram, with two 1-terrabyte hard drives. I look around and price several units, both from name-brand suppliers and boutique outfits. I look at HP, and they pretty much have what I am looking for. They are priced around $2K without a monitor. I then go to Dell's site (where I bought my last 4 computers), and they start at a lower base price. The base processor in this class is the Intel i7-920. Dell doesn't offer the the i7-950 at all. They only offer two i7 processors: the 920, and the 975 Extreme. But on the website, it says that if you want the 975, add $1,035 to the base price. With HP, who also starts with the 920, for $300 more you can get the 950 and for $300 additional, you can get the 975! They only have a $600 spread between the least expensive and the most expensive at HP. Also, further pricing on Dell's unit adds about $500 to bring it in parity with the HP unit.
Boutique outfits are no better and, in some instances, way more expensive than Dell. Admittedly, these are generally considered gamer's units, and can have overclocked processors, lights in the chassis with a clear window to see the inner workings, and great looking cases. I just need something fast, quiet, and powerful that can process images quickly, and will be reliable for the long haul. Flashiness isn't needed here. I don't play games with my computer.
I called my local computer boutique. I hoped they could build me a box that would be comparable to the HP unit and not cost as much. I called them several times on a Saturday. I got voicemail messages that sales wasn't there, and I should leave a message. I knew they were open on Saturday. If anyone should be there it should be the sales people, or how would they make any money? After many tries, someone finally answered the phone. He was in sales. He asked me to wait while he went to his computer to figure out a price. He didn't pick up after that. I called back, doing the voicemail game again. Finally, I hit the button for tech support, and got a real live human being. He said he could get me a price. I gave him the parameters from the HP printout. He took my number and a little later he got back to me. I had told him what I would get from HP and how much it cost. He said they were prepared to match the price of HP, but only if I would take the i7-920 processor instead of the 950. He said there wasn't much difference. Well, there is a $300 difference at HP and it isn't the fastest processor they make. I was not convinced. I told him I didn't want them to vary from the specs I gave him. He went to talk to his manager. Now, HP offered 3-year in-home repair for $112.00 on this unit, a great price, and also free 2-day shipping. He got back to me. He was $25.00 less than HP, but I had to bring the computer in for repairs, and I would be picking it up as they are 5 miles away from me. With HP, I get a 21-day, no questions asked return for full refund policy, plus a guarantee of partial refund should they price this same unit cheaper in the next 21 days. I still felt the HP deal was better, and my partner concurred. I called HP and asked them if they could lower the price further, and they said there was a coupon they could use, and lowered the price a further $50.00! I purchased the unit from HP.
One other note: The local boutique did not answer the phone due to a poor phone system, and not enough personnel on hand to handle sales. How easy do you think it will be to get someone on the phone, let alone a warranty repair done after the buying part is over? HP had a human answer the phone each time I called (twice). The local boutique made me wait through a message each time that they had changed locations - something that happened months ago.
My gut told me that HP was a better deal. I still think so.
I have been using the same computer for the last 7 years, and it was time for a change. The reasons were many. Last year we switched from 12-bit, 10.2-megapixel cameras to 14-bit, 12.3-megapixel cameras. The resulting compressed raw file size went up another 50% with this change from around 10 megabytes to around 15 megabytes. That means that every two images we shoot now are as big as three images from our old cameras, and that two images take as long to process in my raw editor, Nikon Capture NX2 and also Photoshop, as did 3 images from the old cameras. Pair that with the fact that my version of Windows XP Home Edition could not use more than 3-gigabytes of ram, and you have a recipe for slow running and the "Sorry, but there is not enough memory to save the image" message coming up quite frequently on the screen. That means a 4-minute reboot to clear the memory.
My clients are almost invariably telling me that I should take my time working on their images, but in a parallel universe from two weeks ago, as they not only needed it yesterday, they needed it before yesterday! Many times we have come back from a shoot and have to process 300 or more images over the weekend to be uploaded on Monday. Admittedly, there are duplicate images, but I have to open all the images in case one is better than another. I have one client who needs all the images to be completely finished (including retouching) before they peruse them - all images are to be vertical and in black and white. This means that each and every image is processed twice: first in color to get a great color image (sometimes for later use for stock) and then in Photoshop in black and white and some retouching and tweaking.
I have to buy a new camera, software, or computer equipment prior to the time I need it as there is setup time, familiarization time, and testing to be done before I feel comfortable with the equipment, and can make it work efficiently.
And so, with mild trepidation, my partner and I decided it was time to bite the bullet and buy a new computer. Now, what to buy? I haven't bought a new computer in 7 years. I bought one of the most powerful computers I could find back around 2003, because it has to not be considered obsolete for at least 3 - 4 years. Programs and operating systems get bigger and fatter and do more with every new iteration. The system has to be powerful enough to last that long to justify what is paid for it. I want to be the slowest part of my system, instead of waiting interminable times to open, edit, render, and save those big image files. I need something of a powerful gaming computer to do what I think it should do.
And so, I came to read a lot online about the most powerful processors, system busses, available memory, and so forth. Now, I have a 3.06 GHZ Pentium 4 processor in my current computer with a total of 4-gigs of memory (of which XP only sees 3 gigs). I need something way faster as this unit ain't cuttin' it. I settle on the Intel i7-950 processor and 12 gigs of ram, with two 1-terrabyte hard drives. I look around and price several units, both from name-brand suppliers and boutique outfits. I look at HP, and they pretty much have what I am looking for. They are priced around $2K without a monitor. I then go to Dell's site (where I bought my last 4 computers), and they start at a lower base price. The base processor in this class is the Intel i7-920. Dell doesn't offer the the i7-950 at all. They only offer two i7 processors: the 920, and the 975 Extreme. But on the website, it says that if you want the 975, add $1,035 to the base price. With HP, who also starts with the 920, for $300 more you can get the 950 and for $300 additional, you can get the 975! They only have a $600 spread between the least expensive and the most expensive at HP. Also, further pricing on Dell's unit adds about $500 to bring it in parity with the HP unit.
Boutique outfits are no better and, in some instances, way more expensive than Dell. Admittedly, these are generally considered gamer's units, and can have overclocked processors, lights in the chassis with a clear window to see the inner workings, and great looking cases. I just need something fast, quiet, and powerful that can process images quickly, and will be reliable for the long haul. Flashiness isn't needed here. I don't play games with my computer.
I called my local computer boutique. I hoped they could build me a box that would be comparable to the HP unit and not cost as much. I called them several times on a Saturday. I got voicemail messages that sales wasn't there, and I should leave a message. I knew they were open on Saturday. If anyone should be there it should be the sales people, or how would they make any money? After many tries, someone finally answered the phone. He was in sales. He asked me to wait while he went to his computer to figure out a price. He didn't pick up after that. I called back, doing the voicemail game again. Finally, I hit the button for tech support, and got a real live human being. He said he could get me a price. I gave him the parameters from the HP printout. He took my number and a little later he got back to me. I had told him what I would get from HP and how much it cost. He said they were prepared to match the price of HP, but only if I would take the i7-920 processor instead of the 950. He said there wasn't much difference. Well, there is a $300 difference at HP and it isn't the fastest processor they make. I was not convinced. I told him I didn't want them to vary from the specs I gave him. He went to talk to his manager. Now, HP offered 3-year in-home repair for $112.00 on this unit, a great price, and also free 2-day shipping. He got back to me. He was $25.00 less than HP, but I had to bring the computer in for repairs, and I would be picking it up as they are 5 miles away from me. With HP, I get a 21-day, no questions asked return for full refund policy, plus a guarantee of partial refund should they price this same unit cheaper in the next 21 days. I still felt the HP deal was better, and my partner concurred. I called HP and asked them if they could lower the price further, and they said there was a coupon they could use, and lowered the price a further $50.00! I purchased the unit from HP.
One other note: The local boutique did not answer the phone due to a poor phone system, and not enough personnel on hand to handle sales. How easy do you think it will be to get someone on the phone, let alone a warranty repair done after the buying part is over? HP had a human answer the phone each time I called (twice). The local boutique made me wait through a message each time that they had changed locations - something that happened months ago.
My gut told me that HP was a better deal. I still think so.
Labels: Buying a new computer. . .
posted by archphoto at
10:53 AM
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