[kwlug-disc] Hardware Horsepower, zoneminder 1IP+2USB - new / refurb?

[Charles M]

A couple of comments on any used equipment:

Warranties are usually much shorter, be prepared to lose your $250. I've
heard stories in the past of people buying used notebooks from
refurbishers, getting a 30 day warranty and ending up with a doorstop
around the 40 day mark. It wasn't Ecotech (nor The Working Centre). I
usually factor in the manufacturer's warranty on any notebook purchase.

If you can, check the screen in light and dark by displaying a completely
white and completely black screen.

BTW, sometimes those extended warranties in larger stores aren't worth the
paper they're printed on. We had one person come in who had just bought a
ultra-thin notebook from a big box store, complete with 3 year extended
warranty. When the screen failed less than a week later he went back to the
big box store and they refused to service/replace the notebook because they
said he broke the screen. There was no visible damage to the screen
whatsoever. Normally drops show some sign of cracking. We suggested he go
back and talk with the box store again. They reiterated that he wasn't
eligible for service or replacement despite the extra warranty because he'd
broke the screen. As he pushed them they indicated that ultra-thin
notebooks shouldn't be held near the edges as this cracks the screen (in
other words they knew this was a problem and continued to sell the line of
notebooks). Eventually the person came back and indicated that he found a
place that replaced his screen for $50 (sorry I don't recall where he said
he got it done, but that's a heck of a deal for a screen+labour).

Hope this helps someone.

Charles


On Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 5:57 PM, unsolicited <unsolicited at swiz.ca> wrote:

> We are considering firing up zoneminder (1 IP cam, possibly 2 USB cams) as
> an all but dedicated laptop. (Things have to be put away when the program
> is not running.)
>
> - bear in mind there will be an occasional need to extract / process
> images (which is in essence video editing) during this time. e.g. Have
> zoneminder make an .avi of a few consecutive events, then open up that .avi
> and trim it, etc. Then dump off to disc (CD or DVD) to give to the police.
>
> Seems to me I've seen that a reasonable minimum hardware requirement for
> that sort of thing is an i5. Anything less gets too poky to be reasonably
> usable in production.
>
> Any time in the last few years I've looked at new vs. refurb / used, the
> prices haven't been that different, and at least new gives you a warranty.
>
> I've also come across http://www.eco-techrecycling.**com/refurbs.php<http://www.eco-techrecycling.com/refurbs.php>,
> and the 'value laptop system' prices ($250-$300) for the core 2 duo 2.00
> GHz systems seem attractive (but what do I know), and sufficiently powerful.
>
> Anyone have any comments on the pricing / power of these units?
>
>
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-- 
Charles McColm, Author: Instant XBMC,
Columnist: Full Circle Magazine,
Project Manager: The Working Centre Computer Recycling Project
Web: http://www.theworkingcentre.org/cr/
Blog: http://www.charlesmccolm.com/
Twitter/Identica/Google+: @chaslinux
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