Windows 8? And laptop issues
I need to buy a new laptop asap but it looks like most of the new computers, at least the ones with the i7 processors have windows 8 :/
I don't like the look of windows 8...have any of you bought a new computer recently and downgraded to windows 7 (and if you did stick with 8, did it work for camming?) and what was your experience with it?
My computer actually runs great, it's over 3 years old, but I'm pretty sure all the usb ports are loosened up or something. Both of my c910 webcams keep freezing and/or disconnecting and acting weird and I'm pretty sure it's at least partially because they're physically disconnecting. I've been taping them down and it helps a little but it's just getting worse. I've hardly been able to work today because of it.
So I'd like to get a computer today or tomorrow at the latest, and I'm trying to get a feel for how difficult it might be to instal windows 7 if it already has 8. Looks like it would cost another $100-200 for the program. A legitimate copy anyway.
It would be easier to get a computer that already has 7, but I'm not finding a lot of i7 options. Maybe I should forgo the i7 idea?
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
Windows 7 has been officially discontinued by Microsoft for public sale. Obviously, everyone will still have more than enough stock available to keep Windows 7 in stock on sites like Amazon for a while. You can downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7 BUT you will still have to pay the full Windows 7 cost.
IMO just suck it up and deal with 8. It isn't as bad as everyone has made it out to be =P.
And get the i7 (unless you're deciding between a low end i7 vs a very high end i5)
For help understanding computer specs: http://www.stripperweb.com/forum/sho...puter+shopping
PS: I'm going to look up some computer sales for you, but shopping on a deadline means you likely won't get the best deal. Also what is your budget range?
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
Best sale on the nicest all around laptop for camming at this time(dedicated graphics, i7 processor, 6gb ram, 750gb hd) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834310628
It's on promo for a limited time at $659.99 (normally $829.99). I would recommend this laptop to any camgirl.
Other laptop options:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+ENV...&skuId=6901417
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+...&skuId=5622152
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834215662 (cheaper end, but still upgradeable w/ dedicated graphics and ability to support more ram. i5 though)
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
Thanks so much twisted, you're a lifesaver. Trying to get as much info as I can before I go out tomorrow and buy it. Yeah, I've decided just to deal with the Windows 8 because it's gonna be too cumbersome to try to find anything else at this point. Upon reflection it might not be quite as terrible as I thought :p
I'm kind of curious to see if anyone else has had issues with their cam disconnecting. It seems like there's some kind of problem between the cam and the usb port...with both cams...though I haven't really had issues with other things plugged in other then it seems slightly loose. I'm almost tempted to see if a third webcam would do it (though both the c910's I have are relatively new...one is a little over a year, the other maybe 6 or 7 months) but I should probably just suck it up and upgrade right now anyway...the disconnecting mostly happens when I'm moving the cam around (even though it still looks perfectly plugged in) though recently it's been freezing up more even when I'm not moving it. Today moving it helped it unfreeze.
I dunno, it's really weird...it's probably my computer if it happens with both webcams, right? Either something weird with the USB port or my processor not keeping up or both. My browser has been getting a bit freezy with camming and gold shows too despite keeping my computer clean.
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
Webcams require a constant feed to not freeze, thus they have a high drain on usb ports and any breaks are clearly noticeable. I would say it is a problem with the hardware port and NOT two completely different cams. You definitely need a new computer.
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
Quote:
Originally Posted by
twistedprincess
Ohhh I just got that Lenovo.... Not on sale lol and I definitely recommend it too :)
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
Quote:
Originally Posted by
twistedprincess
Webcams require a constant feed to not freeze, thus they have a high drain on usb ports and any breaks are clearly noticeable. I would say it is a problem with the hardware port and NOT two completely different cams. You definitely need a new computer.
Thanks...I definitely needed to hear that.
Seriously considering this one if I go the 17" route: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+1...&skuId=6904672 2TB hard drive space, 8 gb ram and 3rd gen i7 processor. I don't know anything about that graphics card though.
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
That is a dedicated graphics card, so you can always upgrade it later. I wasn't sure of your budget, so I tried to look towards cheaper computers for you.
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
Got a windows 8 for xmas, it takes some getting used to but works fine for me. Camwise and in terms of general use.
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
I just got a new i7 laptop with windows 8. Although it works like a dream for camming, the whole setup of windows 8 with the tiles had me all frustrated. I found that you can Install a start menu replacement program called Start8. It'll give you back a start menu plus it lets you bypass the start screen at boot and go directly to the desktop like you're used to. I'm using the 30 day free trial, after that it's like $5
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
Hope this helps :)
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
I just got a new i7 laptop with windows 8. Although it works like a dream for camming, the whole setup of windows 8 with the tiles had me all frustrated. I found that you can Install a start menu replacement program called Start8. It'll give you back a start menu plus it lets you bypass the start screen at boot and go directly to the desktop like you're used to. I'm using the 30 day free trial, after that it's like $5
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
Hope this helps :)
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
I posted this in another thread about Windows 8, but I'll post it again here so other people can see it
You can downgrade to Windows 7 for free
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/lice...id=vxFtGYUk2_5
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
Thanks ladies...so here's the deal. I bought a new laptop (similar to the one I posted but better, and I totally love it), but apparently it WAS an issue with my webcams. It's weird, my theory is that I may have been slightly too rough with the cords on the older one, causing the wires to be sensitive and go wonky with the connection, and as for the other one I don't know, maybe same deal or just a crappy cam.
In any case, I got a new webcam and it's a non-issue now. It's the c920 because they didn't have the c910 in store and the quality is less which sucks, but it does for now.
And for those of you wondering about windows 8, I really haven't had any issues with it so far...yeah, the start screen is different but if you go to your desktop it's pretty much the same as windows 7. I haven't had reason to spend any time in the "start" portion of the program which is basically what I thought of when I thought of windows 8. Granted, that portion is slightly confusing and weird but basically can be avoided if you handle everything from your regular desktop, in my experience so far. Everything specific I've needed to access I can do from my control panel or documents folders which you can just pin to your desktop or your tabs or whatever. I just recommend making a "local account" (which you can change it too after you initially sign up with an email) instead of an email account so that they don't try to link everything. Unless you want everything to be linked. Because this is my camming computer I initially logged in with a newly made up email account because I'm paranoid.
In other words, windows 8 shouldn't be an issue especially if you stick with the desktop and can at least do some basic navigation.
Oh, and you can only downgrade it if you have windows 8 PRO. None of the computers I looked at had pro on them but I'm sure some do. But honestly it shouldn't be a big deal either way.
If you're still feeling intimidated this is a really good windows 8 tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BSmmSU-UZU it should give you a feel for what navigating windows 8 is like. I haven't watched the whole thing yet because I mostly use the desktop anyway, but he breaks everything down nicely.
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cumslut4u
I just got a new i7 laptop with windows 8. Although it works like a dream for camming, the whole setup of windows 8 with the tiles had me all frustrated. I found that you can Install a start menu replacement program called Start8. It'll give you back a start menu plus it lets you bypass the start screen at boot and go directly to the desktop like you're used to. I'm using the 30 day free trial, after that it's like $5
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
Hope this helps :)
A FREE alternative to get things a little more normal is Classic Shell, it's what I use.
Re: Windows 8? And laptop issues
i absolutely HATED windows 8 at first,but really,its not nearly as bad as I made it out to be.Its slowly but steadily starting to grow on me!