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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Author
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Topic: Mac User Needs Advice - Buying a Windows Computer
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-04-2010 09:06 PM
We're having issues getting my laptop to play nice with the booth equipment. It's a school-issued computer, primarily for my office work but they hoped it could multitask as a booth computer.
It's not working out so well.
The computer was set up by the university's executive IT department -- they are great, btw. The laptop came with Windows 7 on it and some other special security software plus all the applications I need like MS Office and Adobe CS. But it doesn't allow me to operate (normally) as an admin. And they would not install an older version of Windows on it (like XP). There's an established policy for executive computers.
So...the workaround is this -- they've agreed to install whatever flavor of Windows I need if we buy another laptop -- and, after so many failed experiences with USB/Serial adapters, I want a computer with a built-in RS232 (aka COMM) port.
Here's the catch -- it's coming out of my boss' budget, so I have to go bargain hunting on Ebay for it...and I'm a Mac user so I don't know where to begin!
I have to connect with Dolby CP650, DMA8PLUS, QSC DCP300, Strand dimmer rack and probably also our routers -- haven't memorized them all but the AES router is by Evertz. And I'll probably need to run DRAS at some point.
What would YOU recommend??????
Which Windows OS?
Which make/model? How fast?
Any other info?
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Scott Norwood
Film God
Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 11-05-2010 01:09 PM
There is nothing wrong with RS232.
Advantages over other options are as follows (among others):
- it is a standard, and is supported by everything from desktop PC hardware to mainframes
- requires no special hardware or software--just a generic terminal program (typically included with most operating systems) will suffice
- plenty of existing equipment to allow remote access of RS232 devices (ever hear of a USB terminal server? me neither...)
- cables and adapters are easy to make and can be run over long(-ish) distances (depends on speed and quality of cable)
- it is a real-time, direct connection, and not subject to the latency of IP networks
- it avoids the security issues that would arise on an IP network if a device were able to accept random commands without authentication from anywhere in the world, and also avoids the complexity of implementing a suitable authentication scystem
Yes, the baud rates are annoying. In the IT industry, most stuff is 9600/8/N/1, no flow control, and sometimes 19200/8/N/1. The connectors are annoying, but this can be mitigated by carrying a couple of DB9->DB25 adapters (in various configurations), an RJ45<->DB adapter, and an adapter to flip the TX/RX pins. Six adapters and a cable will solve most of your RS232 issues. (Note that full RS232 cannot be implemented with a DB9 connector, as more pins are required.)
The remote-access thing is a big deal, at least for the IT end of things. In an unattended data center, it is critical to have access to serial consoles of every server, switch, router, etc. for remote maintenance and configuration work, especially if some network-related issue arises and needs to be fixed. This is easily done with a terminal server (used in reverse), which allows remote console access via ssh (or similar). Not having to send someone out to the data center to fix things saves substantial money and time.
Agreed with Steve--someone should make a laptop specifically for people who need to work with this stuff and market it as such. It would probably sell quite well.
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Brad Miller
Administrator
Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-05-2010 02:12 PM
quote: Scott Norwood
There is nothing wrong with RS232.
Agreed, although Scott forgot to point out one other thing...it is SOLID. It just works and once you have the correct baud rate, it ALWAYS works. I greatly prefer to make my D-cinema projector connection via serial for precisely this reason. It is a no-bs solution that never fails. Ethernet is great and all, but if someone should connect an IP based item on the same network and assign it the same IP as in this example a projector, how well does it work then? What happens when someone creates a loop accidentally in the network while trying to troubleshoot something else? Bad news. Ethernet is easy so long as you know what you are doing, but serial never fails.
Manny, the Dell Optiplex line of laptops is ideal for this. I've had a D820, D830 and currently use an E6510. The D630 model is a no frills laptop that will do everything you need for tech work. Do note all of the new laptops, such as the E6510, no longer have a dedicated serial port, but Dell makes legacy extenders for their current models. It attaches to the laptop and you can leave it there all the time if you like, or it is easily removable if you want to leave it in your laptop bag.
Tip - if you are going to be doing B-chains, I would look for a high screen resolution so you can see your RTA and EQ controls side by side.
Buy from Dell's refurb site, not ebay. You get a full warranty.
D620
D630
D830 - I would recommend this model
(Always look for 7200RPM hard drive speed.)
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