d3sl91

if you go on amazon you can put in a budget of say $200 - $400 and see what comes up under 2 in 1 laptops

Unfortunately this is one of those features. Unless one can mount an offsite server as a local drive, you will need plex pass to use the cloud sync features. 
 
Apparently KODI has a gdrive plugin? Maybe try that. 

USB Mic > USB Cable > Computer  OR XLR Mic > Mixer > USB Cable > Computer
 
Both have USB in the mix for MOST people who use a microphone with a computer.  So, it's not USB itself.  What are they recommending instead of a USB interface? 
 
A mixer will provide some additional hardware controls (input level, headphone monitoring+level, multiple inputs). So if you need a versatile microphone that can be used with more than JUST a computer, then XLR is the way to go. OR, one with both USB and XLR (Yeti Pro, AT2005, ATR2100). 
 
If you just want something for your computer, USB mics are just fine. 
 
And for the record, I have an AT2020 USB, and it works really well. BUT, I do wish I had done the XLR - even with minor usage of the mic in general, I have had a few times I wish i had done XLR (If I had done XLR, There's a good chance I'd have purchased a different Mic as well, like an SM58).
 
 

Ya I guess your right
This is my first build so I probably am over thinking it lol

Thank you guys

Most consumers barely need 1Gbps - so I fear it will be awhile before consumer boards have 10Gbps. All I am finding are fullsize server/workstation boards. 
 
Will first see them in expensive niche market boards. 

What drives and configurations do you have in the drobo and mac mini?
 
50MBps = 400Mbps. Unless you have drives in both the Mini and Drobo that are capable of faster than that speed (SSDs in RAID0), you wont be able to get much faster than 50MBps. 

Yes. http://www.nvidia.com/object/compare-quadro-gpus.html
 
Whether or not the program you are trying to use can utilize it, is another story. 

Agreed. Even though (in many cases) the XLR and USB versions use the same mic capsule, USB inherently has limitations in quality. In most cases it's likely not noticeable - but it's still there.
 
At least with an XLR, you have a choice of a $40 mixer, or a several $k mixer. 
 
AT2020USB = $140
 
AT2020XLR + Xenyx 302USB Mixer + XLR Cable = $140

Reciever: http://amzn.com/B0141JVEHS
Center: http://amzn.com/B008NCD2EI
Front: http://amzn.com/B008NCD2S4
Surround: http://amzn.com/B008NCD2LG
Sub: http://amzn.com/B008NCD2PC
Wire: http://amzn.com/B006LW0W5Y
 
This is a REALLY good entry level setup with TONS of room for expansion.  You'll get great sound, matching components, with a sexy finish to them.  Not only that, with this setup you'll find your money is WELL spent.  Although I will admit it is over your budget.
 

One thing to consider is 24/7 operation and power usage. Using an Intel chip is more power efficient, in general. Then also not having a GPU using power is also more power-friendly. 
 
If you don't mind, or are not paying the bill - the AMD would work fine. 
 
Since you will be streaming primarily to your PS3, rip your videos in such a way that they do not need to be trans coded. Plex only trans codes if it needs to. 

Yes please, more of these!
 
Perfect playlist to have for friends building for the first time. And, per usual, very good production quality. Just because crappy McDonald's cheeseburgers exist (Aka, crappy videos), doesn't mean there is no reason for better burger places to exist (aka, good videos). 

@Midnitewarrior4 while that sucks for your grandparents, a competent repair shop will pretty much NEVER sell you a random motherboard off ebay, unless you provide the part yourself and sign a non-liability agreement that basically says you can't blame them if the repairs don't work, since the board might be DOA.
 
The reason why is because the parts they get from their suppliers come with warranties and RMA processes, in case of DOA equipment.
 
Also, the high cost of the motherboard replacement could be:
1. They replaced with the same model of OEM motherboards. I use to do repairs at Staples (EasyTech), and OUR price for them was often over $200 or more, before we even take our cut of profit. OEM motherboards are stupidly expensive if you buy them through official channels.
2. The cost of labor - remember, a skilled technician isn't cheap. While a motherboard swap on a desktop isn't terribly complicated (Nothing like a Laptop board swap), it's still time consuming enough that the labor can start to get a bit pricey.
 
Sure, your grandparents should have came to you, but meh, they probably just wanted to get it fixed asap.

Indeed - and even the margins on that high end ultrabook would be razer thin (heh). They make much more money off the labour/service charges for repairs.
 
Think of it this way, when your car breaks down, and you need maintenance, and the bill comes to $800, you might be ticked, but you pay it anyway, because you can't do it yourself. Even if the parts might have only cost $50. The rest of that is all labour charges, so the mechanic can rip apart your car and get to the part, etc.

If you have a cousin or whoever who is a mechanic, then they might do the job for free, and just have you buy the part needed. Saves you $750.
 
Is the mechanic ripping you off in this scenario? Hell no. You're not an expert. You can't do it yourself. So you pay a professional to do it for you. That professional demands a premium value for his/her services, because they can do something you cannot.
 
I cannot say for certain whether the OP's grandparents got ripped off or not, since I don't know what the exact issue was, how much time was spent repairing the computer, etc. All I can say is that, the grandparents cannot do it themselves, so they paid a professional to do it for them.

As someone who worked in a small computer shop, I can vouch for what others, like @dalekphalm have said above. 
 
The need to actually make money is sometimes a burden for small businesses. Unfortunately for us, we are not HP and Dell who can survive off of making 20-50 on each computer they build. Same goes for services. Installing windows? $100. Doing a small data backup of files to a thumb drive, $50+. Doing a simple tune-up, $100. Doing ANY diagnostics, $50 up front. That's not a rip off, that's barely enough to pay the guy doing the work and still get a profit. It's also covering the cost of when they come back and have a problem (aka, warranty work). 
 
1. We would OFTEN quote outrageous (but accurate) prices to fix old computers. Getting a NEW oem board for your OEM computer is often VERY expensive, time consuming, and a BAD purchase for the customer. Its a waste of money and we want them to realise how bad of a decision that would be. We would never recommend use some used board from ebay. $300 CAD ($226 USD) is not crazy at all, and remember - in order to actually make money, they are likely charging to make 10-20% profit. 
 
2. Computer is dead... that is a data recovery. It's pulling out an old failing hard drive from a crashing and now dead computer, and manually recovering files. Potentially hours of work. Maybe not, but, often times there are set prices to account for potential problems. $200 ($150 USD) for data recovery is not outrageous. 
 
3. $1000 CAD for a computer - I think thats about $700 in USD. But, it's not outrageous. Likely they are charging $150-200 on top of the parts cost in order to actually make some money, which results in a ~$500 USD computer. That's not very ridiculous, depending on what they are putting in it. 
 
 
So, without seeing the exact details, I think they made off pretty well. 
 
 

As someone who worked in a small computer shop, I can vouch for what others, like @dalekphalm have said above. 
 
The need to actually make money is sometimes a burden for small businesses. Unfortunately for us, we are not HP and Dell who can survive off of making 20-50 on each computer they build. Same goes for services. Installing windows? $100. Doing a small data backup of files to a thumb drive, $50+. Doing a simple tune-up, $100. Doing ANY diagnostics, $50 up front. That's not a rip off, that's barely enough to pay the guy doing the work and still get a profit. It's also covering the cost of when they come back and have a problem (aka, warranty work). 
 
1. We would OFTEN quote outrageous (but accurate) prices to fix old computers. Getting a NEW oem board for your OEM computer is often VERY expensive, time consuming, and a BAD purchase for the customer. Its a waste of money and we want them to realise how bad of a decision that would be. We would never recommend use some used board from ebay. $300 CAD ($226 USD) is not crazy at all, and remember - in order to actually make money, they are likely charging to make 10-20% profit. 
 
2. Computer is dead... that is a data recovery. It's pulling out an old failing hard drive from a crashing and now dead computer, and manually recovering files. Potentially hours of work. Maybe not, but, often times there are set prices to account for potential problems. $200 ($150 USD) for data recovery is not outrageous. 
 
3. $1000 CAD for a computer - I think thats about $700 in USD. But, it's not outrageous. Likely they are charging $150-200 on top of the parts cost in order to actually make some money, which results in a ~$500 USD computer. That's not very ridiculous, depending on what they are putting in it. 
 
 
So, without seeing the exact details, I think they made off pretty well. 
 
 

Seriously, put in the effort. It will pay off in the end. Your chances of scoring are greatly increased when they see a guy that puts in the effort and get stuff done.

7/10 I like the colors and am quite a sucker for industrial stuff. However, not sure about the context or what it is. So, a little uninteresting from a "telling a story" point of view. 
 
Seen From a New Angle 1 by Ethan Gollehon, on Flickr
 
I just moved to the north of this mountain, when I had previously lived west of it. It's a very different beast from this side, and I honestly think I'm going to like early morning hikes to get some sunrise.

That's an OLDER AT power supply where the line in from the wall was actually switched at the front of the case; the power button literally cuts power to the machine. They had to change to ATX and use the green wire to allow the motherboard to stay powered to enable proper sleep/hibernate states where the motherboard could boot more quickly by keeping ram active-- and that only works if it's still powered on.  see old: 

You need to ditch that entire old click-on-click-off latching switch with a more modern momentary contact switch and find a way to jam that behind the original button -- then wire that to the motherboard header for 'power' 
see new: 
 

3200 without a doubt. Better camera overall in pretty much every area, due to age difference (it's 3 ish years newer). 
 
1080p recording (vs the 5k's 720p), Better dynamic range and better high ISO performance. Not to mention double the Megapixels (not that that is always a determining factor). 

Yes the minimum focal length is comparable.  The D3300 I think has a 1.5x sensor modifier so at 18mm it is equivalent to 27mm on a full frame cam.

The differences between two digital cameras would be sensor size, megapixel count, how different brands have different algorithms for handling noise produced at high ISO, the RAW format they use, the lens mounts...
 
NONE of which are essentially important for a beginner.  Even pros don't really care about them as much as people might think.  What matters most are:
Do you know how to use your camera and get the most out of it? Do you know its limitations and what it is capable of doing? Are you a good photographer and know various photography techniques? In the end, the camera is just a tool.  What matters most is your vision in creating a photographic piece of art.

Conclusion i drew:
Canon and Nikon flamewars will persist. It's fine to go with either.

I just googled it and your correct this dude gonna need a receiver like mine or something

your amp does not support surround
you need an AV receciver with optical or HDMI input