Blu-ray now?

[cherryd]

Just a question on timing. Am wondering when to get a new computer with Blu-ray capability? Is now as good a time as any? or should I wait a while for any new technologies to arrive and then buy. Is Blu-ray going to change much in the future?

[bogo5]

Blu on PC is sick bro...

I got a 30" LCD & Blu Looks so frekin sexy on it. Sitting up so close is Mad.
Plus I got 7.1 SS setup to send eath quakes through the house... Its nuts...

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by cherryd

Just a question on timing. Am wondering when to get a new computer with Blu-ray capability? Is now as good a time as any? or should I wait a while for any new technologies to arrive and then buy. Is Blu-ray going to change much in the future?

Faster drives maybe.
All DRM/protection is handled in the playback software so it's as easy as checking for updates like any other software.

Anything that will read Blu-ray at 2x or higher and has a video card that offloads will be fine.
I'm REALLY liking my VAIO laptops!

[vamsilak]

Originally Posted by cherryd

Just a question on timing. Am wondering when to get a new computer with Blu-ray capability? Is now as good a time as any? or should I wait a while for any new technologies to arrive and then buy. Is Blu-ray going to change much in the future?

hey man go for it are u looking for desktop or laptops
there are lots of desktops under $600.00
bd-ready
all u need to add bd-rom or burner

[Bobby Henderson]

Currently it is not a good time to buy a new computer. I would only recommend someone do so if they're in a bind and being forced to do so immediately.

Windows Vista is on its way out. Those Windows XP Pro "down grade" options are disappearing from various computer vendors like Dell too. Windows 7 is in public beta testing right now. The finished version of Windows 7 could shipping in new computer systems by the end of the year.

Already Windows 7 is showing itself to be a substantial improvement over Vista. It's reminiscent of the WindowsMe fiasco, which was overcome with Win2000 and WinXP.

64-bit operation is another problem. Vendors are slowly recompiling their applications from 32-bit to 64-bit operation. By the time Windows 7 is released the situation with 64-bit computing should be significantly better. Still, users will probably have to do some software upgrading to take care of issues. I know Adobe CS3 applications have some problems running in 64-bit. Many of those problems have been addressed with the CS4 upgrade, including the release of a 64-bit native version of Photoshop.

I think some of the current hardware offerings, especially for notebooks, are a bit lacking. That may be better in a few months. Not very many notebooks or desktops have connection support for HDMI, eSATA and Display Port. Those three technologies will become increasingly important when it comes to showing and storing high definition video material.

Finally, BD-R/DVD-RW combo drives are more commonly featured in more notebook and desktop systems -and at increasingly affordable prices. However, full blown BD-RW burners are still rare and high priced items. BD-RW drives may fall closer to mainstream pricing by year's end, and be better supported in Windows 7.

Also, who knows? Maybe Apple might finally start selling some freaking computer systems with Blu-ray drives by then as well. I'm not going to hold my breath though.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

Currently it is not a good time to buy a new computer. I would only recommend someone do so if they're in a bind and being forced to do so immediately.

Windows Vista is on its way out. Those Windows XP Pro "down grade" options are disappearing from various computer vendors like Dell too. Windows 7 is in public beta testing right now. The finished version of Windows 7 could shipping in new computer systems by the end of the year.

I agree with this sentiment. Intel is also planning to push out its new chips next year in all product lines which has been a change from their typical introduction of new chips in higher-end servers.

[cherryd]

Thanks guys for all your answers, I've definitely learnt a bit. I think I'll postpone buying a new computer for now. Will see how things are rolling towards the end of the year...

[mmunro2003]

Wait for Windows 7, I downloaded the public beta and its alot less resource intensive than Vista. I have never had an issue with Vista but Windows 7 will hopefully surpass Vista in quality.

[cherryd]

Thanks,
Wait for Windows 7 eh? Sounds reasonable...