bit of a challenge

BazEP

BazEP

Messages
590
Name
Chris
Edit My Images
Yes
A challenge for your computer whizz types.

I want to be able to sit in my downstairs living room to edit my pics while my missus watches utter crap like x-factor etc (gives me something useful to do while she tells me how bad everyone is).

I have the following upstairs in my office:
desktop PC running XP on which I run Capture NX, Gimp (+UFRAW) and use for browsing and email - not used for anything else (probably in need of a memory upgrade though as it runs a bit slow on gimp)
work Laptop
Bt Voyager wireless router

I also have a BT Homehub which doesn't really get used in the living room.

What would be the best and really the cheapest way to be able to do my editing downstairs.

I am thinking the most straightforward way would be to try and get a new lappy and try to network the PC and some form of network storage to hold all the files centrally. Any other ideas? and any ideas of cost?

Cheers all

PS - my wife connects to whichever wireless connection is available with her work lappy too, if that makes a difference.
 
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Quickest way might just be to enable remote desktop on the PC and then just use the laptop as if you were working directly on the upstairs PC. Would save you having to install any software on the laptop. Means you can leave all the files on the upstairs PC too.
 
Thanks Conor... yes, with 1 n... (crikey - what were your parents thinking ;) )

would there be any issues with speed for processing etc? WHat else would I need for that and any idea what spec of lappy I might need?

cheers
 
Well, there shouldn't really be any processing speed issues. The only slight speed difference will be that you're working over a network rather than directly on your hard drive. But this would be barely noticeable. The main thing to consider really is that you are connecting to the main PC with full colour settings etc so that you're seeing exactly the same thing.

Laptop spec wise, wouldn't matter so much if you're just going to be using it to remote desktop across to the main PC. Using remote desktop means it's still your PC that's doing all the brunt work, you're just seeing a visual of what's happening. The only thing you'll need to consider really is the size of screen that you need or reckon you'll get away with. For example, a notebook might be pushing it (think they are an 11" screen?). I reckon something 15" and higher would be more suitable, you'd possibly get away with 13" but maybe someone else that has experience with that size could lend you a hand there.

Spec wise generally most of the lower range to mid range laptops should be adequate. Unless you have other things in mind you'll be using it for. But even saying that, on those laptops you should be able to install most of what you have and work straight off it as well. You could use your desktop PC as your "network store" by just sharing the photo drive on it.

What else would you need for that? A network connection. And you mentioned your wife already connects to the network via wifi so you should be fine there. There might be some kind of network set up you'll have to do to get the remote desktop stuff working. I'd have to think about that... but I reckon you should just be able to log into the PC using your normal user details (that you log in with upstairs) and bobs your uncle.

Cost wise? Well... suppose you could pick up a new laptop for anywhere from 300 to 600 so that's about it really :lol:.

And yeah, what on earth were my parents thinking!!
 
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Thanks for that

Sounds like I might be worthwhile just getting a new lappy and newtroking the lot together then.

Cheers for your help.
 
wouldnt really use remote desktop for editing, over wireless certainly it will be laggy and remote desktop colours arent always bob on in my experience.

i would be inclined to share the folder on your computer where the files are stored then edit on your laptop accessing the remote folder. much simpler.
 
thanks Neil
That was pretty much where I was heading to to be honest. Might need some sort of home network storage as well as the lappy.
 
I was having a think about this and, although I'd argue that any colour issues with remote desktop could be fixed with setting changes, life would probably be easier just installing the lot on the laptop. The apps you've listed aren't really too intensive anyway, so the power of current low to midrange laptops would be more than sufficient. And the install would be a one off compared to using remote desktop every time you want to edit. Not that it's that big of a deal, but probably worth the hassle of doing the once off installs!
 
Oh, and you can pick up 200GB external hard drives for about £50 that work via the USB ports. Use it as both a form of back up and a means of transporting images between the laptop and PC and bobs yer uncle.
 
Actually, I take that back. If you got the networking sorted I'd just use 1 of the existing PCs as your "network store". I'd still recommend picking up an external hard drive for backup purposes though! Something I've only got around to recently, but just in time. One of my laptops packed in and it had a shed load of images on it I had backed up just a few days before :eek:
 
You could try a KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch.
You would need to run a cat5 cable between the 2 rooms and buy a keyboard, mouse and monitor. KVM's start at about £25 but check for USB ports so you can use usb keyboard and mouse as opposed to PS2.
 
Mark3110 said:
You could try a KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch.
You would need to run a cat5 cable between the 2 rooms and buy a keyboard, mouse and monitor. KVM's start at about £25 but check for USB ports so you can use usb keyboard and mouse as opposed to PS2.
Click to expand...

we've got a £1k LAN capable KVM at work and its laaaaaaaggy.. wouldnt recommend KVM for this job.
 
cheers folks
was thinking about maybe something more substantial on the external HD but thanks
cat5e cable through my house in to a KVM? think I'll just get a lappy.

cheers again
 
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