PC for Church Service

[robhamblen]

I am the tech for a small church and run the sound and screens for the song service. We currently are running one computer, a Dell with intel 2.0 cpu and 512mb ram (I think made in 2003) to audio record services, play backup music CD and use a program to display words on the screen.

A lot of times we have 3 things running at once, the program (easy worship, which is a resource hog anyway) for the words on the screen, itunes for the music and audacity for recording. I have noticed some lag and sometimes programs stop responding lately. I have run virus scans and cleaned temp files, etc., done all that stuff to try and free up resources like shut down programs running in the background that we are not using.

I have looked at upgrading the computer but the thing is too old to change the CPU, so was thinking of just getting a new one and the church has put me in charge of doing so.

The church wants something that will last a while without replacement and be able to maybe record the services in video and possibly streaming services at some point.

So, im looking for a system that is able to take on the strain of using a camera attached and recording, plus playing any music from it, plus running the easy worship program.

Here is my biggest problem. I know I can build one probably that would smoke but I am sure the church wants a computer with a good warranty and service plan.

Any suggestions?

[glc]

With that criteria, I'd spec out a new Dell. I'd look at their small business site and compare the Precision Workstations - and I'd recommend a quad core. They still offer the XP downgrade if you have software issues with Win 7.