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Thread: Is this laptop good enough?

  1. #1
    Veteran Member heyho's Avatar
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    Default Is this laptop good enough?

    Hi guys! I'm brand new to the camming world (got kicked out last week when my parents found out my boyfriend was born a girl, now living at a friend's till I get enough money to stand on my own feet....long story). Anyway, I need a proper laptop that will handle all the livestreaming demands of camming. I have no idea what I should be looking for. If anyone can help out a clueless newbie, it'd be much appreciated!

    I found a used Dell Latitude E6220 for $400, and it looks pretty good I think. What do you reckon? Here are the specs:

    CPU: Intel i5-2520M 2.5Ghz
    -RAM: 4GB DDR3
    -HDD: 128GB SSD Hard Drive
    -Graphic card: Intel HD 3000
    -Screen: 12.5" HD WLED, ANTI-GLARE
    -Card Reader
    -10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet network interface adapter
    -802.11 a/b/g/n Wireless Card
    -Bluetooth Ready
    -Window 7
    -Dell Original 87Wh 9 Cell Long Life Battery

    User & System Security:
    Smart Card Reader


    High Quality Speakers
    Stereo headphone jack
    Microphone jack and integrated, noise reducing microphone array with speech enhancements


    Ports:
    USB 3.0 x 2
    USB/eSATA combo
    HDMI
    VGA Port
    Network connector (RJ-45)
    Docking Connector
    Headphone/speaker out
    SD card reader
    34 mm ExpressCard

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    Honestly I think it might work, but I'd get something better. It certainly won't be enough to run HD settings on the encoder. You want an i7 processor and more ram than that. 4GB of ram isn't much at all.

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    Veteran Member FreakyFranky's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    Yeah, I'd agree with her and say at least 8GB RAM and an i7 or comparable AMD processor. I have a laptop with a slightly weaker processor but more ram and I can cam just fine, but I am not able to use the HD Encoder, so I would say if you're gonna spend the money, go all out and get top of the line, it'll pay for itself.
    . . . !

    ~ a very badly behaved woman

  4. #4
    Veteran Member heyho's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    Wow, thanks so much for the quick responses! I've got a budget of around $1000 saved up from my job at the bar so I guess I could shop around for a better laptop, and I'm just worried that what if I blow it all on expensive camming equipment, and it turns out no one likes my cam shows? Aaaah.

    Based on your recommendations I delved a bit deeper into my laptop shopping, found lots of i7/8GB laptops and have a few more questions: Dualcore or quadcore or doesn't matter? What CPU speed to aim for (I found between 2.2GHz-3GHz)? Does cache or hard drive space matter? Windows 7 Professional (64bit) or Windows 10 Professional (x64)?

    Thank you SO much.

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    God/dess Issabelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    Quadcore over duo. Higher the CPU the better. Windows 7 plays nicer with cam software.

    A fancy laptop IS something to invest in, but you're right to be cautious. I used a cheap laptop ($300 tops) with a no-name processor. The poor thing lasted like a year for me, BUT I was still able to work my main site on the highest possible settings without issue. You won't be able to split multiple sites and it's not long term solution status, but you are NOT in the position to dump all your savings on a maybe. Buy a cheap but durable laptop, i5 if you can, a webcam, and make sure your lights look good. 85% of the way to perfect works fine for now.

    For the record, top ten model on SM. I run a mid tier i5 desktop with 8 GB of ram. It was economical and it makes me money. I dropped $1200 on the build (got way over charged by my shop; should've been $1000 or so). I run HD720 settings at maximum bitrate (2000+) no problem. Internet speed (upload of at least 4-5 mbps) is more of a factor in running an encoding program. I'm not pretending an i7 maxed out wouldn't be amazing to have, but I thrive with far less.

    Point is--you're right to start slow. Keep that cushion of money, work crazy hours, and upgrade when you're on your feet again. Financial stability is FAR more important than a top of the line camming computer at the moment.


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    Featured Member webcamcutie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    Bestbuy has some pretty decent laptops ASUS and such on their website that are i7 with 8gig of ram, etc and great for camming around that price. Just figured I'd let you know

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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    You can look on http://www.dealsofamerica.com/laptop-deals.php I always go there before I buy a laptop they just pull the best deals from other websites. If you're in the US I would just wait till black fiday or cyber monday.

  10. #8
    Veteran Member heyho's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    Thanks guys! Unfortunately I'm in NZ, where the price of everything is hiked for some reason. Buying a i7 laptop new would run me at least $1600-1800. So I'm trawling for secondhand/refurbished ones. Help me choose between these four?

    1) http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=982951443
    2) http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=985351358
    3) http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=986246422
    4) http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=985177256

    1) $600: Dell E6520 - High Spec Quad Core i7 Laptop

    Features:
    * Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM Processor (6M Cache, 2.2Ghz, Turbo up to 3.30 GHz)
    * Memory: 8.0GB DDR3 - Upgrade to 16GB (add $160)
    * Graphics: NVIDIA® NVS™ 4200M with 512MB GDDR3
    * Hard Drive: 500GB SATA - (See Upgrade Options Below)
    * Optical Drive: CD/DVD Writer
    * Display: 15.6" Anti-Glare LED Widescreen
    * Audio: IDT High Definition
    * Networking: Intel 82579LM Gigabit
    * Wireless: Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205
    * SD & Smart Card Reader
    * Ports: 4 x USB2, eSata, VGA, HDMI
    * Genuine Dell 90 AC Adapter
    * Built in Webcam!!
    * Long-Life Battery (Great Condition) 2 - 6 hours depending on use.
    * 90 Days Hardware Warranty (RTB)

    2) $700: Toshiba L850

    CPU Intel® Core™ i7 processor 3610QM (Quad Core, 2.3GHz - 3.3GHz, 1600MHz FSB, 6MB L2 Cache)
    Operating System Windows® 7 Professional 32 bit (OEM) and Windows® 7 Professional 64 bit (OEM)
    Screen Size 15.6" Widescreen XGA TFT Active Matrix 200NIT CSV Display (1366 x 76
    Memory 8GB DDR3 (4GB + 4GB) (1600Mhz)
    Storage 750GB (5400rpm) SATA, can upgrade to SSD
    Graphics AMD Radeon HD 7610M LE-M2 1GB (DDR3/1GBIT)
    Optical Disc Drive DVD-SuperMulti Drive
    Audio Intel® High Definition Audio Sound
    Sound Stereo speakers
    Webcam Integrated 1.0M FF High Definition Web Camera USB with Microphone
    - also comes with internet security NOD32 for a year
    - also comes with open office installed
    - good for school/home/office/small business
    - 1 year warranty(battery not included)

    3) $800: New Lenovo G50-45 A6

    HDMI Yes
    Number of USB 2.0 Ports 2
    Number of USB 3.0 Ports 1
    VGA Yes
    Headphone/Microphone Combo Port Yes
    Screen Size 15.60 "
    Graphics Controller Manufacturer AMD
    Graphics Controller Model Radeon R4 Graphics
    Graphics Memory Technology DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Memory Accessibility Shared
    Storage
    Storage Size 1 TB
    Hard Drive RPM 5400
    Optical Drive Type DVD-Writer
    Product Series G50-45
    Memory
    Memory Card Supported Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC)
    Standard Memory 8 GB
    Memory Technology DDR3 SDRAM
    Memory Card Reader Yes
    Miscellaneous
    Network & Communication
    Wireless LAN Yes
    Wireless LAN Standard IEEE 802.11b/g/n
    Bluetooth Yes
    Bluetooth Standard Bluetooth 4.0
    Physical Characteristics
    Weight (Approximate) 73.6 oz
    Color Black
    Built-in Devices
    Webcam Yes
    Microphone Yes
    Speakers Yes
    Processor & Chipset
    Processor Manufacturer AMD
    Processor Type A-Series
    Processor Model A6-6310
    Processor Speed 2.40 GHz
    Processor Core Quad-core (4 Core)
    Cache 2 MB

    Input Devices
    Pointing Device Type TouchPad
    TouchPad Features Multi-touch Gesture

    4) $700: Acer V5-552G

    AMD Quad Core Processor A10-5757M 2.5Ghz with Turbo Boost Up to 3.5Ghz
    - Featured as 3.5Ghz x 4 Max, 4MB Level 2 Cache Memory

    * Windows 8 64-bit Pre-installed

    * Factory 8GB Memory DDR3 1600MHz (upgraded by JUST LAPTOPS)
    - upgrade to 16GB ram for extra $129

    * Factory 1TB Hard Disk Drive
    * Integrated AMD APU HD8650G

    * Acer Crystal Eye HD Webcam 720P
    * NO CD/DVD drive
    - External dvd drive at extra $69

    * Wireless 802.11 b/g/n,
    * Bluetooth 4.0

    2 x USB 2.0
    1 x USB 3.0
    1 x Mini DP (Mini DP to VGA adaptor enclosed)
    1 x HDMI
    1 x Headphone and mic combo
    1 x RJ45
    1 x multi card reader

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    Featured Member webcamcutie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    If it were me? #2 hands down, quad core i7 and 1gig video card would be the selling feature for me, that and I'm not a HUGE dell fan but sadly use an Alienware. Uff.

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    God/dess Issabelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    Yeah, I'm leaning towards either 1 or 2. #2 has better specs though. Do you already own a webcam? If not, include a c910 or c920 in your shopping list (whichever you can get cheaper on Amazon). The built in camera will NOT make you good money. I dropped $75 on a decent webcam and went from $15-20/hour to making $30-$50/hour as a newbie with no other change. That shit pays for itself in a day...


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  14. #11
    Veteran Member heyho's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    Thanks you two! Love how warm and helpful this site is. I don't have a webcam, and looking up the ones you recommended, whoof, they're like $140 here. I'll definitely invest in one if my first couple of cam sessions prove promising. Thanks again for the input, guys. Sending all the good camming cash vibes your way.

  15. #12
    Veteran Member CharlieTen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is this laptop good enough?

    I bought a HP Stream 13" laptop because it was the cheapest one in the store. Fared me well for my last 6 months of camming, still going strong, mainly using the built in webcam which is surprisingly good.
    It doesn't have much memory but I don't care about being HD or whatever.
    Waiting for privates like...

    http://profiles.myfreecams.com/CharlieTen
    http://www.adultwork.com/ViewProfile...%2Easp&NoHit=1
    https://twitter.com/CharlieTenModel


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