Try installing an H.265 codec and finding a player that actually supports it. Everyone’s been encoding in it lately because it’s way more advanced, but unfortunately, it isn't compatible with H.264, which is where the headaches start. I'm dealing with the exact same thing on my Apple. Or maybe check if there's a POV update for a newer version of iOS.
Of course you can. You can install whatever you want on there as long as you haven't started messing with the hardware. If they're trying to claim it's a macOS issue, they're just making excuses...
It's a losing battle. That thing is ancient—no ports and the resolution is garbage. You'll just end up fighting with it constantly only to realize you're still disappointed, especially if you actually have a decent TV.
If you want something that actually works and has everything you need, look at this:
Look, they're all pretty much in the same ballpark. We tend to get too caught up in the technical specs that 99% of users won't even notice. First things first: pick a monitor that actually fits your setup and purpose, and second—make sure you actually like how the picture looks. Honestly, if you're serious, just head down to a Best Buy or something, look at the floor models while they're powered on, and see which one catches your eye...
All three of these use IPS panels and they all have blue light filters. That ASUS eye care tech isn't some magic bullet; everyone has something similar. If you need features, the Dell is the most well-equipped. You can tilt and swivel it, it’s loaded with USB ports, and it has an anti-glare coating. The Samsung and HP models come with built-in speakers...
They all have the same resolution and all come with a 3-year warranty. The real difference between the cheapest one and the priciest one is $133... If you're watching every penny, grab the cheapest option. If you've got the cash to burn, go with the Dell. But if you can actually go see them in person, that's the smartest move.
Oh, sure, because they’re just going to suddenly drop a game—neither her nor her friends nor some distant relative... right? And I guess PlayStation will work perfectly on an HP, provided you shove your face directly into the screen.
HP becomes a 40-inch retina display while Dell is basically stuck at 28 inches from your eyes...
Asus. Honestly, HD resolution is more than enough for that processor and GPU combo. Plus, you get those Bang & Olufsen speakers built-in, so there's zero need for extra desktop speakers. That Dell setup has a resolution that’s way too high for the average user; it’s overkill and won't even let you run most games at native resolution anyway. Sure, the Dell looks better and feels higher-end, but for a budget build? It just doesn't make sense.
It all comes down to how much you're willing to shell out for security. Besides using the Cloud, setting up some RAID drives in your PC (or an external setup) is a solid move. You could also look into some pro-grade gear like this:
The company behind this has been doing heavy-duty solutions for ages; they were actually picked up by Seagate, so you're getting Seagate Pro Enterprise or IronWolf Pro drives inside. They offer top-tier protection against environmental damage, and most models come with a 2 or 3-year warranty plus their Rescue+ data recovery service baked right into the price.
If you’ve got the cash to burn, grab a RAID setup—which is basically insurance in itself—and tack on three years of data rescue just in case life happens. If that isn't enough for you, I don't know what is... 🤷
That card says "up to," which is just marketing speak for a theoretical speed that’s basically impossible to hit in the real world. Like the article above points out, it isn't just about the card itself; it's about the controller handling the data. If the gear you're using has a cheap or outdated controller, there's zero chance you'll see speeds anywhere near what they promised on the box. You've already seen how that goes.
Look, you’ve got two basic ways to handle this without any fancy optimizations—just the rawest versions possible. Either you work with a single one-dimensional array (basically just a list of numbers) or you use two arrays: one filled with your data and a second empty one where you move everything.
Using two arrays is definitely easier. Let's say you have an unnamed(n) array and a Sorted(n) array: First, you just assume the first number in the array is the minimum (Min). Then, you run a loop through that unnamed(n) array $n$ times. You look for the smallest value (or one equal to your current Min) and shove it into the Sorted array at the current loop index. Once that loop finishes, your list is sorted in ascending order, from smallest to largest.
If you need to sort in descending order instead, just assume the first number is the maximum and hunt for values that are smaller or equal.
The second method uses just one array, but you'll need nested loops.
The first loop runs from $i = 1$ to $n$. The second loop runs from $j = i$ to $n$. Again, you start by assuming the first value is the minimum (or maximum). Every time you find a smaller (or larger) value, you swap them. This way, the sorted numbers always end up at the "top" of the array, and in the next iteration, you're only checking the remaining unsorted part.
The issue here in the States is that we rarely see Dell's models equipped with H-series or HQ processors and high-end GPUs like an Nvidia GTX. And honestly, those specs are the absolute baseline for the kind of work you're talking about.
You could settle for something cheaper, but if you’ve already set aside a $7,500 budget, then this Pavilion would be a killer choice. Ignore the "gaming" label—around here, people tend to slap that tag on any laptop with decent graphics and a fast CPU, mostly because gaming is actually one of the most resource-heavy things you can do.
This thing has everything. A lightning-fast i7, fast storage via both HDD and SSD, and a beastly GTX960m with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory... basically everything you need to make sure your target tasks run flawlessly.
I'd just suggest a quick RAM upgrade, which fits easily within your budget. You should pull out those 2x4GB sticks immediately and swap them for 2x8GB; once you do that, it's perfect. That's roughly $133 difference compared to what comes pre-installed.
If you don't want to wait for that one to arrive at the end of the month, go with this Asus.
Now, if you aren't obsessed with pinching every single penny, you can definitely handle those jobs with more affordable options:
ranging down to these:
And look, you can beef up any of these—some easier than others—by simply adding more memory or installing an SSD if you feel like it...
That Dell is a steal. Sure, the processor is technically a generation behind now, but honestly, who cares? It’s still a beast. The resolution is incredible, and if you plan on hooking up an external monitor, the workflow is going to be seamless.
It’s got everything you need—no complaints here, really, except maybe the GPU being a bit weak. But since the resolution is so high, there's a good chance it's packing GDDR5 memory. With a 128-bit bus, even an older card can hold its own. Look, don't expect to play heavy games at this resolution; usually, you'd need way more power for that, but for professional work, it'll be just fine. Plus, it has a decent 384 CUDA cores you can lean on for hardware acceleration when you need it...
It’s tough to find everything you need without completely blowing your budget. Those two options darkowl72 suggested are great, but the cheaper ones just don't have screens that stay readable in direct sunlight. Going for a better screen means paying more and carrying extra weight, which is annoying since most 15.6" laptops are already borderline heavy enough...
Anyway, those are solid choices, but if you're hunting for something close to perfect (since perfection doesn't actually exist 😬), you might want to check this one out:
Take a look at the attached review—it's pretty reliable. This thing is light (only 1.27kg), features one of the best matte screens out there with high brightness and contrast, has a magnesium/aluminum chassis, and the battery life is decent... it’s just a bit pricier. If you were planning on buying macOS anyway, the fact that it comes with the OS included might help offset the cost. 🤷
I’m getting tired of repeating myself about how pathetic the selection is in our local stores lately. New shipments just aren't hitting the shelves. Since we're already deep into November, something is clearly up, and honestly, who knows if anything useful will even arrive before the year ends.🤷
Anyway, here’s basically what’s available:
Looking at this, you can see there isn't a single candidate under $4k that actually meets your specs. The first possibility is the Dell model, though it definitely needs more RAM. It lacks a backlit keyboard, but it does have a touchscreen (which isn't HD). Based on professional reviews, even the HD version doesn't get much praise, so I wouldn't expect this non-HD screen to be any better—if anything, it'll be worse... The metal chassis and the 360-degree hinge are solid perks, but a 5-hour battery life is pretty weak...
To be honest, that Dell isn't even worth the money (but I had to mention it) compared to the Lenovo test , which offers way more for the price. You get an HD screen and a backlit keyboard, plus a faster processor, more memory, and a larger SSD... basically everything except the touchscreen...
And that’s pretty much it, because as you can see, everything else is significantly more expensive...
Yeah, those are the problems right there. No support means you're basically dead in the water. Try digging through that link above and see if anything sticks.
Maybe try a clean install of Windows 10 and then run that software in a virtual machine? Or find some way to "trick" it into thinking it's running on Windows 7. Are you trying to use this program with some specific hardware? If so, you’re going to need the drivers for Windows 10 too...
Right now, this is easily the best bang for your buck if you're looking at raw component power versus what you're actually paying. Everything else is just a matter of personal taste...