Desktops for Video, Music

Multimedia desktop computers

Mainstream multimedia computers have moved into the budget price range. If you want to watch movies, do basic image editing or connect a computer to a home theater system, you don't need a high-end computer. Models with video cards at the higher end of the budget range will be sufficient. However, if you want to edit moving video, record and edit audio, design in multiple dimensions or perform other intensive media tasks, a modified gaming computer is your best bet. A single video card with 256MB of RAM should be fine for all but the most demanding tasks. Consider 2GB of RAM as minimal; 4GB is better.

A Puget Silent Gaming Computer (starting at *est. $2,295) is an excellent choice for musicians. The Antec P182 case is heavily damped and Seagate hard drives are relatively quiet. If you can afford it, a quad-core CPU is a big advantage for working with video. Hard-drive size is not important for gamers, but it is a big deal for multimedia. Photographs and audio and video files can be huge. The fastest hard drives don't come in large sizes, but a fast hard drive for Windows and applications and a second, larger hard drive for work and files is a good option.

Multimedia has historically been a strength of Macintosh computers. Your choice of platform will be based on the specialty software you plan to use. ProTools, for example, is generally used on Macintosh computers by audio professionals. Adobe Photoshop currently runs better under Windows, but one review says the new Macintosh version closes the gap. Macworld editors caution, however, that many pro-level applications are not yet optimized for Intel-based Macintosh computers.

The Apple Mac Pro (starting at *Est. $2,500 without monitor) is marketed as a professional computer. It is the only mini-tower in Apple's line. Thus, unlike the iMac (see below), it is easily upgradeable. It is outfitted with two Intel dual-core (quad-core total) or two Intel quad-core (eight-core total) processors, 1GB of RAM, a 250GB 7200RPM hard drive and an NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT video card with 256MB of RAM. Doubling the RAM and hard-drive size and adding a 20-inch Apple Cinema Display (the minimum bundled option) adds $1,300 to the price. Apple only includes 90 days of free tech support and a one-year limited warranty for parts and labor. Upgrading both to three years costs $250.

The Mac Pro desktop computer can run Windows XP or Vista along with Mac OS X. Apple doesn't offer Windows as a preinstalled option, but resellers might. To run XP or Vista on a Macintosh computer, you'll need to buy a full edition. To run Windows, you need to download Boot Camp from Apple (free) or purchase Parallels Desktop (*Est. $65). Experts say Parallels is the more elegant option, and it's necessary for Vista.

Macworld has the first review we've seen of the dual quad-core (eight-core) Mac Pro. James Galbraith says that those who regularly do heavy-duty multimedia work, such as compressing video or rendering 3D scenes, might benefit. However, he adds that testing reveals that "most people would be served just as well by a less-expensive quad-core Mac Pro." In most tests using identically configured computers, the eight-core option yielded only a 4% improvement in overall performance. However, noticeable performance improvement was seen in a specially designed "torture test" that timed the Photoshop suite while simultaneously running three professional program tests.

Macworld rates the four-core Mac Pro slightly higher overall, and CNet.com also gives that version a very favorable review. However, CNet.com's editors give higher ratings to half a dozen Windows-based PCs. Still, reviews say the Mac Pro is the best Apple desktop. While most CNet.com readers are happy with their Mac Pros, we found some negative comments regarding tech support and customer service.

As the reviews and prices indicate, the Mac Pro is a unique product. For demanding graphics and desktop publishing software that runs better on a Macintosh, it is the only choice. Otherwise, it is a very good, but very expensive computer. Apple has the highest profit margins in the industry, and retailers also make more profit on Macintosh computers than on any other brand. Still, the uniqueness of the Macintosh operating system makes its value hard to quantify.