Good computer for camming?
Hey everyone, I’m looking for some advice on a good computer to get for webcamming. I used the search function but didn’t really see any threads on this. Anyway, my laptop is basically in the process of crapping out on me, it overheats so badly that it is completely useless for camming (makes the image freeze, etc.). I’ve been borrowing someone else’s computer for a few months now and it’s time I bought my own, I just want to make sure I get a good one.
I’d prefer something under $600, and I’d prefer a laptop as opposed to a desktop since I’ll be moving soon. What laptops do you guys use for camming? What qualities should I look for in a computer? Anything I should avoid? One thing I’m curious about- how big does a computer’s screen have to be to cam with it comfortably? Does anyone cam from a netbook? One of the laptops I’m considering has a 13 inch screen, would that be an issue?
Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
Re: Good computer for camming?
Hey everyone, I’m looking for some advice on a good computer to get for webcamming. I used the search function but didn’t really see any threads on this.
Most of the threads are about buying a webcam or video camera, Do you have one already?
Anyway, my laptop is basically in the process of crapping out on me, it overheats so badly that it is completely useless for camming (makes the image freeze, etc.).
Well there is a chance you might be able to save your laptop, by cleaning out the power supply fan and seeing if a technican can save it and upgrade it. it might be crapping out but there is a chance it can be saved. Find out first before you go and spend money on a new system.
I’ve been borrowing someone else’s computer for a few months now and it’s time I bought my own, I just want to make sure I get a good one.
I’d prefer something under $600, and I’d prefer a laptop as opposed to a desktop since I’ll be moving soon. What laptops do you guys use for camming?
I currently use a Dell 1525 it's a bit annoying but it gets the job done. $600 you can get a decent laptop in that price, but you might not get a good one with a decent amount of RAM in it. RAM is the power of the speed of your computer. which you will need a high one for running webcaming, so when you go into the store you will be asking for something you can stream live video on (which is pretty much anything above 2 gig of RAM)
What qualities should I look for in a computer? Anything I should avoid? One thing I’m curious about- how big does a computer’s screen have to be to cam with it comfortably? Does anyone cam from a netbook?
Netbooks do not have enough power to run webcammning for full speed. and thier screen are about 9 inches, which will end up hurting your eyes and your hands.
You will want something more then 13 inches, maybe about 15 or higher. but the bigger the screen the heavier the laptop is .
One of the laptops I’m considering has a 13 inch screen, would that be an issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
So your looking for something with a decent memory card and sound card. lots of RAM and depending on if you will be using it for other things like downloading videos and photos and video editting you going to want alot of space in it anything above 40gig harddrive would be nice.
Re: Good computer for camming?
Thanks so much Minnie, that was super helpful and exactly what I was looking for. I do have a webcam, I’ve been using the Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000. I figured that a netbook would be too tiny to cam on, but I didn’t know that they didn’t have enough power to run webcamming for full speed. That’s good to know; I was thinking about getting a netbook for now and then getting a desktop when I move in a month or two so I’d have both (I thought it‘d be fun to have something more portable and then just use the desktop to cam), but I’ll probably skip that now because I want to get something I can use right now. Thanks again :)
Re: Good computer for camming?
i have a sony vaio laptop, a few years old, but it works just fine. sometimes computer stores will refurbish laptops and you can get really good deals on a great computer. i've bought a ton of electronics refurbished and not a single problem with any of them :)
look on ebay or craigslist for refurbished, computergeeks.com also offers deals
Re: Good computer for camming?
I have an Acer Apsire One netbook that I purchased in January of 2009. In June of 2009 I began camming with it, using the built in webcam that comes with it. I'm still using the netbook although a few weeks ago I upgraded the cam to a Sony Handycam. The netbook screen IS super super tiny, but I find the streaming capability to be just fine, along with the capacity to hold all my pictures and videos that I edit myself using Windows Media Maker that came with the computer. The cam quality on the built-in isn't the best, but since you already have a Logitech, when you hook that up it'll be just fine.
I paid around $250 for my netbook at Walmart. I'd say it was a wise investment, as it has paid for itself several times over and still works like brand new. Knowing what I do now being somewhat more experienced, if I had the opportunity to start all over again from the beginning and choose a computer for camming, I'd still pick this one. I've been able to take it with me literally everywhere, earning money even while on vacation, at boyfriend's house, etc... it weighs like 2lbs and fits in my purse. I'm considering purchasing a desktop in the near future just because a larger screen would be more comfortable, but if I never did I'd still be satisfied. So yeah... if you want affordable and sufficient, a netbook is a good move, imo.
Re: Good computer for camming?
Usually Netbooks don't have enough bandwith in the usb ports to run the webcams and stream video. I know for me working on the small screen on a network for 3 hours a time would drive me nuts. so I need a screen for webcamming that is above 14 inches.
Re: Good computer for camming?
i bought a Dell netbook last year cuz my hubby and i both go to school and both need a computer, so i got one mainly to be able to cam on if he wanted to use the laptop for schoolwork..
I have a hard time camming on it because the screen is so small and to navigate around is kinda a pain but the video was super choppy. Even if we try to stream youtube videos or tv shows online the video is awful.
Re: Good computer for camming?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
minniesoporno
Usually Netbooks don't have enough bandwith in the usb ports to run the webcams and stream video. I know for me working on the small screen on a network for 3 hours a time would drive me nuts. so I need a screen for webcamming that is above 14 inches.
Minnie is right. There may be a few exceptions with the higher-end ones but for most, your video feed and quality may suffer.
Re: Good computer for camming?
Thanks everyone for the info on netbooks, I'm glad I got some opinions on that before buying.
ryleeNsd- Thanks for the advice about refurbished computers, I hadn't really thought about them before because I thought there may be problems but it's good to hear you haven't had any.
Re: Good computer for camming?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TallulahHart
Thanks everyone for the info on netbooks, I'm glad I got some opinions on that before buying.
ryleeNsd- Thanks for the advice about refurbished computers, I hadn't really thought about them before because I thought there may be problems but it's good to hear you haven't had any.
refurbished does not mean broken