I've got to replace my now dead desktop computer. Would you recommend a laptop or desktop? I do a lot of graphics and audio recording/editing work. I've already got surround sound speakers, so that won't be an issue. I also want to spend as little money as possible. BTW, it should be a PC rather than Mac. If you can suggest a specific make and model, it would be appreciated.

Thanks

Right now is not a good time to be a buyer of computers. Windows 8 is still coming out with benchmark testing and we are still trying to figure out whether it's gonna come with more bugs than New York's underbelly like Vista or not. Apple is being driven into the ground by PC sales right now and thus far no announcements about how or whether Apple will combat this. Apple seems more focused on trying to outsell Android Phones than PCs right now. I'd HIGHLY suggest you buy something used or cheap for now... save your cash and wait till Gateway comes out with their next generation of FX series PCs... or Asus (who was bought by Gateway). Avoid Dell like the venerable venereal disease that has become that company... which honestly is heartbreaking since they bought Alienware. If all else fails or your money is burning a hole in your pocket... simply flip off the brand name isle and build your own. Some of the cases that have come out recently are insane looking and would make for a computer that is as much trophy worthy of being shown off as it is useful.

Audio and video recording seems like it would require a lot of primirary memory and fast front side bus to execute most effeciently. Things like a multi core processor ( consider a quad core over a dual ) will make the most noticable difference.

You might hear advice that is more accurate on technecality. But with complex programs that use multithreading and process a lot of data youll want at least 4-6 gigs of ram , a quad core , and a front side bus that operates @ 1000 mghz plus ( most likely find figures such 1333 mghz ).

Motherboards on laptops tend not to run as quickly ( especally per dollar ) so I would recomond a pc for.

Specific models , I would have to look for online. Personally I would piece the components together for best results.

AMDs can be less pricy for their version then the Intel version of a cpu. The FSB is determined by the frequency the processor operates at. Although the data path the FSB refers to is primarily on the mother board the figure is given on the cpu stat.. That means the higher the frequency of the cpu the faster the front side bus will be depending on other variables.

AMD A8 Systems


shop.amd.com/us/All/Search?NamedQuery=visiona8&SearchFacets=category:Desktop&promoid=vsa802


AMD A10 Systems

Acer AM3420-UR20P PC Desktop PC
with AMD A10-5700 Series
Processor,12GB DDR3 Memory,2TB
SATA Hard Drive, AMD Radeon HD7470
Graphic Card

AMD Phenom Systems


http://www.buycheapr.com/us/result.jsp?ga=us4s2&q=phenom+ii+x4+system

most of these systems have amd quad core processors that have very quick fsb's. Some of them have hex cores. If you wanted to add to the effeciency of executing these programs try memory that has ddr 3 tech for ram. Many or most of these systems do have this.

I always prefer desktops, I'm biased against laptops.

I always advocate custom built. I built mine in 2008 and would say it probably still rivals most as it is easy to upgrade every few years and far cheaper to do this. As for the guy that suggested over 4gigs of ram I have to disagree. It isn't really needed and unless your OS is 64 bit you Cant use it. 32 bit maxes on 4. I have only 4gigs and do heavy gaming and have a 3d monitor and this run beautifully. Some games even get 120fps. Memory is more about how fast it can access something. Though I have never had issues in this department at all with only 4g.

Figures get someone that gives u ill advice.
Intel has better technology period always has always will.

Fact Intel is better per each clock cycle- does more and has more power.I5 or I7 if u can get it cheaper. motherboard cpu combo, but watch what u get there also.
Intel isnt that much more expensive and in alot of cases cheaper.
IF you look at what Intel gives you more bang fro the buck it IS CHEAPER.

Video card -Nvidia- EVGA or PNY - Both are nvida chipsets just cheaper pricing
I would look for gddr5 or gdd6 with 1 or 2 gigs of ram for a video card
go for gddr 5 with 2gigs first if u cant get the other.

ASUS motherboard -INTEL also
Win 7
or PClinux os- its "32bit" but its proof its in the programming as its sees all my 16gigs and all my intel 8 core.
WD -seagate 1or 2 tera depends on the price - bang for the buck

As for 120fps Im a engineer you nor any pc=mac can get that. Look at the old movies with charlie chaplin that is true 55 fps see how fast they look.

a pc=mac maybe true 15fps.
Amiga can do with full screen with 64bit thats right true 64bit graphics 35fps. thats 64bits per each channel of superior r g b and e or what u would call 256bits plus the 8bit alpha then u would call that total 288bits.

Which is wrong as alpha is less bits depth which makes it alpha so all an all its 8bit or 8bitalpha.