So, I finally pulled the trigger on a new workstation. After a lot of thought and procrastination, I decided on a Puget Systems Obsidian Model and a Dell U3014 30" display. I can't say enough about how impressed I am with the level and quality of service I have received from Puget Systems. Many emails were passed back and forth and they were always very generous with information, time, and speedy responses to my inquiries. Also, I had a budget, and they worked with me to get me the best machine I could get for my needs, and work within that budget. Well, very close anyway
The computer arrived quickly, and in beautiful condition. Not so much as a scratch on the outer box. The packaging was excellent. I was blown away by the beauty and visual quality of the machine when I unpacked it. Set up was easy, and the speed is really a nice thing to experience.
Puget Systems goes out of their way to go above and beyond in my opinion so far. The machine comes with a 3year warranty on parts, and lifetime on labor.
While I have not been up and running long, I am very pleased with the results so far. I don't know how I managed on my laptop all these years!
The monitor. it is huge, and beautiful as well. Again, packaging was impressive. I have read some outstanding reviews about this monitor. I have also read some horror stories about it as well. So far at least, I don't see any of the described issues. The color, brightness, and evenness of the display are excellent. Oh, and the real estate ain't too bad either.
I'll keep posting updates as time goes by and I put them through the paces, and break myself in the the new OS, Windows 8.1
Since it's my birthday this month, I'd say it's been a good one!
I'm happy to hear your experience with Puget Systems was so positive, especially since I recommended them.
My Obsidian will be three years old this May, and I have not had a single issue with it. When you get a chance, pull off the side panel on the case and check out the job they did with the build--you'll find it to be clean and neat--almost artful.
One tip I will offer: check the case dust filters every now and then for dust buildup and keep them clean. I've not had any overheating issues at all, but it's a good idea to check those filters. The better the air flow for cooling, the longer the computer will last.
Hey Chris! Wow, it's good to see your name pop up again. I hope the new workstation will mean lots of images to be posted soon. It's also good to hear another good review of Puget Systems. I've yet to hear anything bad about them, only really good stuff.
Preston, yeah artistic was what I thought too! Attention to detail and the "little" things go a long way.
Bill, thanks! I have been around, just have not been able to get out and shoot much at all for about a year now. Not that the interest or passion has left, just opportunity. I believe that beyond a skilled visionary person behind the lens, it is dynamic conditions that make compelling images. And for me at least, conditions and opportunity have not lined up. Not to mention the seriously dry and snowless winter we have had on the West Coast. So, I got some new toys, and set up my framing room to be more of sanctuary to do my work, but also to display some of it as well. no more folding 8' table to bend over while cutting matting and assembling the framed pieces. No more piles of images stacked up against the wall. I built a stand up cutting and framing table so I can work vertically to save my back, and some space. I'll also be putting two rows of mantle rails along the main wall to display some work on. And I finally have a work station for editing and such. I always worked on my laptop before. So, yeah, I hope to get back in the groove here sometime soon.
Chris, your new computer sounds great, that 30inch monitor sounds amazing. And your studio sounds like a dream come true. A real blessing. Website soon???
Motherboard - Asus P9D WS
CPU - Intel Xeon E3-1245 V3 3.4GHz Quad Core 8MB 84W
Ram - 2x Kingston DDR3 - 1600 8GB ECC
Video Card - EVGA Geforce GTX 650 1GB
Onboard Sound
Networking - Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth 802. 11a/b/g/n/ac PCE-E Adapter
Hard Drive - Intel 335 180GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5inch SSD
Secondary Hard Drive - Western Digital Black 1TB SATA 6Gb/s
CD/DVD - Asus 24x DVD RW SATA (Black)
Case - Fractal Design Define R4 Titanium Grey
CPU Cooling - Cooler Master Hyper TX3 CPU Cooler
OS - Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64 - bit OEM
Warranty - Lifetime Labor and tech support, 3 years parts w/ Obsidian Advanced Replacement
You'll really appreciate the Xeon CPU, RAM speed, and the speed of the Intel SSD.
If you don't have it already, download and install the correct version of the Intel Toolbox for your SSD. It's an optimization utility for the SSD. Be sure to read the help file before you do any of the operations in the 'Toolbox'.
Discussion
7 repliesThe computer arrived quickly, and in beautiful condition. Not so much as a scratch on the outer box. The packaging was excellent. I was blown away by the beauty and visual quality of the machine when I unpacked it. Set up was easy, and the speed is really a nice thing to experience.
Puget Systems goes out of their way to go above and beyond in my opinion so far. The machine comes with a 3year warranty on parts, and lifetime on labor.
While I have not been up and running long, I am very pleased with the results so far. I don't know how I managed on my laptop all these years!
The monitor. it is huge, and beautiful as well. Again, packaging was impressive. I have read some outstanding reviews about this monitor. I have also read some horror stories about it as well. So far at least, I don't see any of the described issues. The color, brightness, and evenness of the display are excellent. Oh, and the real estate ain't too bad either.
I'll keep posting updates as time goes by and I put them through the paces, and break myself in the the new OS, Windows 8.1
Since it's my birthday this month, I'd say it's been a good one!
Getting new toys is fun!
Chris
I'm happy to hear your experience with Puget Systems was so positive, especially since I recommended them.
My Obsidian will be three years old this May, and I have not had a single issue with it. When you get a chance, pull off the side panel on the case and check out the job they did with the build--you'll find it to be clean and neat--almost artful.
One tip I will offer: check the case dust filters every now and then for dust buildup and keep them clean. I've not had any overheating issues at all, but it's a good idea to check those filters. The better the air flow for cooling, the longer the computer will last.
Have fun with your new gear!
--P
Preston, yeah artistic was what I thought too! Attention to detail and the "little" things go a long way.
Bill, thanks! I have been around, just have not been able to get out and shoot much at all for about a year now. Not that the interest or passion has left, just opportunity. I believe that beyond a skilled visionary person behind the lens, it is dynamic conditions that make compelling images. And for me at least, conditions and opportunity have not lined up. Not to mention the seriously dry and snowless winter we have had on the West Coast. So, I got some new toys, and set up my framing room to be more of sanctuary to do my work, but also to display some of it as well. no more folding 8' table to bend over while cutting matting and assembling the framed pieces. No more piles of images stacked up against the wall. I built a stand up cutting and framing table so I can work vertically to save my back, and some space. I'll also be putting two rows of mantle rails along the main wall to display some work on. And I finally have a work station for editing and such. I always worked on my laptop before. So, yeah, I hope to get back in the groove here sometime soon.
Thanks Again,
Chris
Say, if you don't mind, would you please post the specs for your Obsidian? I would be interested in seeing them, and others may, as well.
--P
Motherboard - Asus P9D WS
CPU - Intel Xeon E3-1245 V3 3.4GHz Quad Core 8MB 84W
Ram - 2x Kingston DDR3 - 1600 8GB ECC
Video Card - EVGA Geforce GTX 650 1GB
Onboard Sound
Networking - Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth 802. 11a/b/g/n/ac PCE-E Adapter
Hard Drive - Intel 335 180GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5inch SSD
Secondary Hard Drive - Western Digital Black 1TB SATA 6Gb/s
CD/DVD - Asus 24x DVD RW SATA (Black)
Case - Fractal Design Define R4 Titanium Grey
CPU Cooling - Cooler Master Hyper TX3 CPU Cooler
OS - Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64 - bit OEM
Warranty - Lifetime Labor and tech support, 3 years parts w/ Obsidian Advanced Replacement
Chris
You'll really appreciate the Xeon CPU, RAM speed, and the speed of the Intel SSD.
If you don't have it already, download and install the correct version of the Intel Toolbox for your SSD. It's an optimization utility for the SSD. Be sure to read the help file before you do any of the operations in the 'Toolbox'.
--P