HEADPHONES!!! Something to live by...

HEADPHONES we all love music, but how TRUE do we really hear our music. Now as a commuting student of 4 years I lived by my headphones, I traveled/slept/worked with the many headphones I've owned.   I've owned everything from $8 - $500 headphones, there can be a huge difference between the good and bad which is typically reflected in the price tag. You can always find headphones for a better bang for your buck.

Everyone wants and envy's those MONSTER BEATS whether it be Studio/Solo/Pro/etc. To be realistic they aren't the best bang for your buck. Your paying a huge price tag for a fad, just so people will notice your conformity in this world. 

Okay back to the point we all have different pref. when it comes to over the head headphones or ear bud's... 

now for long term use and comfort Over the head is the most comfortable. Ear bud's tend to hurt over long periods of listening time. 

On a Budget:

Top 5 Headphone Suggestions

Yes all these are over $100 but they will last you and they are amazing quality for how you may use them. Headphones are always a good investment when you live by them.

Sol Republic Tracks HD - 129.99

Audio-Technica M50's - 179.99

Koss Porta - Pro KTC - 49.99 - 79.99

AKG K 240 MKII - 154.99

Grado SR80i - 139.99

Top 5 Earbuds

KLIPISCH S4i/S4 - 99.00 - 129.99  ** realistically this is the top choice don't look at anything else really... everything else is a waste of money.

If you want the monster quality sound and that are just as good as the Monster Studio's check out the Sol Republics they are built nicer with inter-changeable headbands and cables. For less then half the price. 

Tips to point out a bad sales person

Okay well lets just put it like this its hard to find an honest and trust worthy sales person anymore.
Most places these days don't pay good money to keep good sales people around.

Tips to point out a bad sales person
- if he instantly leads off with oh don't worry its good, I know what you need
- if he doesn't ask more 3 questions he prob. has no clue what you need or what you want
- if he just tries to sell you what ever is not on sale
- if he only gives you one option and keeps on saying "TRUST ME"
- if he doesn't seem to be interested or care about what you need

DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING..
DON'T JUST WALK INTO A STORE AND BUY BLINDLY..

Feel free to comment and ask questions on any of my posts...

Stupidity that is Students..

ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS .... god you people buy computers blind....
Disclaimer.... I am not responsible for the laptops/desktops you buy...
this is just a friendly suggestion from a past Architecture student that has worked 4 years in Computer sales and repaired more computers in the 4 years of arch school then I had done projects....

Okay we'll do this in steps....

STEP ONE...
Whats your budget?  MORE money means better laptop
Less money well don't worry there is def. a lot out there for you to choose from just have to shop around, sometimes last years model is better then this years model...

STEP TWO
Desktop or Laptop?

Laptop Good for those commuting students that are always on the move and never want to stay in studio.
  - Generally good for all students because you always want to have a computer with you everywhere you go
  - Laptops will never perform the same as desktop, they tend to over heat and slow down over time...

Desktops GREAT WORK TOOLS FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN STUDIO
  - OKAY OKAY I know its an investment but DESKTOPS SAVED ME in my final year
  - If you invest in a desktop it will last you 4+ years and they can be UPGRADED!!!  LAPTOPS CANNOT BE UPGRADED...
  - Desktops are great work horses as long as you buy the right one. Or build the right one.

SINCE MOST OF YOU ARE GOING TO BUY A LAPTOP I'LL FOCUS ON LAPTOPS FIRST AND DESKTOPS I'LL POST IN ANOTHER BLOG..

STEP THREE
So you want a laptop... now I bet your all going oh I'm a designer and I want to look like a fancy pants in class with a nice new Macbook Pro .... let me say this yes mac's are nice they look nice but your a dumb ass if you think that's the best performing and best laptop out there for you..

Yes you do see all these fancy pants architects and stuff doing work on macbooks but you know what its not the most efficient machine when you run Autocad/rhino/3dsmax

Okay so back on topic you want a laptop...
Buy a laptop with a Good Processor and a lot of RAM...
Yes its nice to have a laptop with a nice graphics card but its not necessary UNLESS you are doing 3D Walk Through Renderings... no software that you use right now in class will ever your intensive Graphical memory calculations.

I'll Make this easy for people!!!
BUY an ASUS its just easy... I'm not sponsored or paid buy ASUS but they just make things easy local warranty free 2 way shipping and they can fix your laptop in a week pretty much... ** Edit just because you buy an ASUS doesn't mean they all work flawlessly yes you may buy a lemon and it may not work.. and you may have some bad experiences with it. Nothings perfect in this world. ** but no other brand will give you what asus offers you at the same price with the same warranty.

DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT  BUY a HP/LG/(cheap)Samsung/(cheap)Toshiba/netbook/ultra book
Hoping it will do all the architecture work you want..

Okay this is getting longer then I wanted but I'll link a few models that one can consider for future purchase for architecture school...

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_577_369&item_id=048622
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_577_369&item_id=048614

Remember shop around there are always good deal and new things come out all the time I'll post another blog about specific parts and specifications that will be important in a laptop... Remember kids Sales people aren't always there to help you but to SELL you something they make the most money on...

THESE are just my opinions that have developed from over 4 years of Sales experience and personal use... experiences may vary but over the 4 years I've worked for a computer retailer EVERY BRAND YOU BUY WILL HAVE LEMONS...

this blog is dedicated to my Friend Ulysses

GOOD AND BAD BRANDS... (LAPTOPS)

There is a world of difference between good and bad Brands for Laptops ...

***DISCLAIMER this is a personal opinion ... I HAVE AN EXTREME BIAS based on what I have experienced first hand fixing laptops and computers..... ***

GOOD BRANDS 

ASUS .....AMAZING WARRANTY can't be BEAT...

LENOVO (THINKPADS)

FUJISTU .... THEY JUST DON'T DIE.... 

TOSHIBA ... SELECTIVELY

LIMBO ..... HIT OR MISS ... 

Dell 

Alienware

MSI

BAD BRANDS

ACER

Gateway

E-machines

HP (AVOID AT ALL COSTS) It doesn't matter if its cheap if you have to replace it in a year.... 

LG

SAMSUNG.... SELECTIVE MODELS some can actually be good... 

What I define as a good brand is ....

-Doesn't over heat

-Good Warranty 

-Feels Solid

-People buy it not just for the price

Bad Brand

-First thing the salesman points out is the PRICE

-Overheats (cough cough HP.... BRICK)

-Makes funny noises after a week of use

-Cheap Crappy warranty 

-Base there sales on the design of the laptop rather then the specifications

When buying a laptop please just be aware of what your buying and shop around feel the laptop, if you can try it.. some laptops come with a lot of bloat which slows it down. Don't judge a laptop based on your friends recommendation actually read reviews ... Remember your spending $$$600 + buy something that will last invest in the next 4-6 years of use....  

Computer Lingo 101

Okay people lets get this Sh*t straight... Too many people approach me and say some pretty dumb stuff..
COMPUTER TERMS 101

1) GB = GIGABYTE = 1024 MEGABYTES = 1 000 000 000 BYTES
Its Pronounced Giga - Byte .... NOT JIGGA BYTE OR G. B.'s

2) TB = 1000GB's which mean YES ITS MORE STORAGE AND MORE MONEY ...
and its NOT TETRA BYTE its TERABYTE ...

3) USB = Universal Serial Bus
Yes there is a difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0
YES USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0
YES USB 3 IS FASTER WHY ELSE WOULD THEY MAKE IT ... AND YES ITS ONLY FASTER WITH USB 3 PORTS WOW!!!

4)VGA = Video Graphics Array
Its the blue thing that plugs into the back of your monitor for old school stuff. IT can be a different colour too and yes its that weird shaped thing that has 15 pins in 3 rows...

5) DVI = Digital Visual Interface
Typically white or black that plugs into the back of most modern Monitors. THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF THIS PLUG IF YOU NEED A CABLE AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR TAKE A PICTURE AND SHOW YOUR KNOWLEDGEABLE SALESMAN.

6) SATA = Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
Little black bar that connects your hard drive or Dvd drive to your mother board ... Easy thing just take a picture of the inside of your computer and show it to your sales man to make sure you get the right thing ...

7) IDE = Integrated Drive Electronics = PATA = Parallel ATA
Ribbon old school drives used to use...

Okay so 7 common terms you should know when going into a Computer store ... if you want visuals just google them... Its always going to be easier to just take a picture of the inside of your computer or bring in your computer for the salesman to help you.