svizzerams wrote:For audio and video I'd go with a MacBook or MacBook Pro.
I have to respectably disagree with swiz on the MacBook recommendation, you can do exactly the same things on a PC that you can with a Mac and its 1/4 the price (it even has the same guts). I know guys that have used MacBooks in harsh environments, they didn’t always stan up to the abuse – MacBooks can’t take constant hard vibrations for months straight at a time, it has something to do with the way MacBooks mount their hard drives (I guess). I actually just spoke to a guy last week who’s MacBook just died on him in Iraq (the hard drive pooped out). The US Military does use allot of Mac products (oddly, Mac is a huge military industrial complex contractor) – but they rarely use them in hard use environments.
And if you are planning to do any international travel in 3rd world or developing countries then you should not use a MacBook because finding an IT shop that can repair it, actually has spare parts and won’t charge you a fortune will be difficult if not impossible. Every IT shop in the world can work on PC’s, Mac’s are a specialty.
Also if you put a big ass gash down the side of your 1K Acer laptop you won’t be that upset – if you put a big ass gash down the side of your 3K MacBook Pro you will probably cry.
For software I would suggest that you use Adobe products because they all work/operate somewhat similar to each other – that will cut down on your learning curve. So if you already know how to use Photoshop then transitioning over to Audition for audio editing won’t be a monumental task because they both have the same look and feel.
Don’t forget to buy an external hard drive for backups
Working with technology in harsh international environments and technology/IT itself is actually one of my professional specialties so I am a bit of an expert on this stuff.
seeker wrote:JamesITW - i loved your sites recommendation for the WiFi finder too - that looks a mighty helpful gadget...
Glad you liked it, more technology articles coming soon…
seeker wrote: I do understand that most laptops etc. come with good soundcards, basic photo d/l software, etc. - but I will also need a good range of inputs - or inputs that can deal with converters - ie: from RCA to XLR and so on...
AS well as software that can easily convert things like cell phone vid (ie 3GP to the more flexible and editable formats)
Take a look at this site for recommendations:
http://www.dv.com/
DV is my favorite tech mag and website for everything video and audio related. They have reviews, advice and great articles for professionals DP’s to Independent filmmakers.
For a Camera…
I asked a friend of mine that is a pro photographer and he said to “buy the best and finance it – skimp on everything but your camera”
~JITW