Laptop users: what laptop you are using to run MediaLab and DirectRT (case 27138)

[dvader]

Hi. I'm new here. I posted this in another forum, but I think it's more appropriate here.

I'm looking to purchase MediaLab and DirectRT in order to run some subliminal priming studies. I plan to purchase a button box for precision recording, but I also need to purchase a computer.

I work at a small college so I plan to run everything on my computer, preferably a laptop. I would prefer a Macbook, but I'm not convinced, after reading and trying to understand all the comments people had to say about it here, that that is the best choice.

I am leaning toward the Lenovo laptops, but not sure which one to get. I believe a high refresh rate is something that it's important for subliminal priming studies (~5ms presentation times), but most of the websites I go to (i.e. Apple, IBM) don't seem to post refresh rate information.

Just curious to know what everyone else is using and if you can share any interesting, useful setup.

TIA

[cloudylyt]

Hi. I'm new here. I posted this in another forum, but I think it's more appropriate here.

I'm looking to purchase MediaLab and DirectRT in order to run some subliminal priming studies. I plan to purchase a button box for precision recording, but I also need to purchase a computer.

I work at a small college so I plan to run everything on my computer, preferably a laptop. I would prefer a Macbook, but I'm not convinced, after reading and trying to understand all the comments people had to say about it here, that that is the best choice.

I am leaning toward the Lenovo laptops, but not sure which one to get. I believe a high refresh rate is something that it's important for subliminal priming studies (~5ms presentation times), but most of the websites I go to (i.e. Apple, IBM) don't seem to post refresh rate information.

Just curious to know what everyone else is using and if you can share any interesting, useful setup.

TIA

I am looking also for the same thing. yoroshiku onegai shimasu

[jason_reed]

You should be fine with any business-class laptop. If you'd like to test the software on any potential new machine, we'd be happy to provide a free trial good for 21 days to try the software. Just download and install the software you want to test from here on the Empirisoft website:

http://www.empirisoft.com/Download.aspx?index=4

[jason_reed]

You should be fine with any business-class laptop. If you'd like to test the software on any potential new machine, we'd be happy to provide a free trial good for 21 days to try the software. Just download and install the software you want to test from here on the Empirisoft website:

http://www.empirisoft.com/Download.aspx?index=4

[dvader]

Will a Lenovo Thinkpad X1 work fine even though their website says there isn't a dedicated graphics card? Also, will there be any added benefit to getting one with an higher resolution?

[jason_reed]

I am not aware of anyone who has used either DirectRT or MediaLab specifically with a Lenovo Thinkpad X1, so I don't know exactly what would happen when using either program. However, it would generally be better to get a computer with a dedicated graphics card.

As far as higher resolution, what exactly did you want to do with DirectRT or MediaLab that would relate specifically to the resolution?

[dvader]

I'm trying to design some subliminal priming studies. I'm just not sure how a high resolution is good enough?

Thanks for the recommendation regarding graphics card. Is it absolutely necessary though? Your response said that "generally it would be better...", but what if I already have a computer without one? Should I get a new computer just for this?

Edit: I am looking into other laptops with dedicated graphics cards, but I also wanted to know those newer modern laptops that flip 360 degrees are fine to use for MediaLab and DirectRT? Has there been any known issues regarding the use of those latops? I'm specifically referring to the Microsoft Surfaces and the Yoga laptops.

Thanks.

[jason_reed]

If you already have the computer, you should try DirectRT on it. We are happy to provide free trials that are good for 21 days of use.

Just download and install DirectRT from here on the Empirisoft website:

http://www.empirisoft.com/Download.aspx?index=4

Once installed, send the ID code that begins with D to service@empirisoft.com and ask for trial license code.

[dvader]

If you already have the computer, you should try DirectRT on it. We are happy to provide free trials that are good for 21 days of use.

Just download and install DirectRT from here on the Empirisoft website:

http://www.empirisoft.com/Download.aspx?index=4

Once installed, send the ID code that begins with D to service@empirisoft.com and ask for trial license code.

Hi Jason,

Thank you for the reply, but I do not have the computer already else I would have tried that approach first. I received a small grant that will allow me to purchase one, but I am trying my best not to buy something that won't work. I read the system requirements from the website, but I have also read many threads that seem to suggest that laptops without graphic cards work well with ML and DirectRT. I've read in some threads that Macs don't work, but then read that they do. These kinds of threads have confused the me and I'm looking for answers.

I have used the software before, but it was many years ago. I've emailed some of the main people at Empirisoft, but none have replied back to me. I'm just trying to get some information, but it has been difficult.

Apologies.

[dvader]

If you already have the computer, you should try DirectRT on it. We are happy to provide free trials that are good for 21 days of use.

Just download and install DirectRT from here on the Empirisoft website:

http://www.empirisoft.com/Download.aspx?index=4

Once installed, send the ID code that begins with D to service@empirisoft.com and ask for trial license code.

Hi Jason,

I do not have the laptop else I would have tried it long ago. I am asking all these questions because I do not want to make a mistake and purchase something that won't work with ML or DirectRT. I have contacted the main people at Empirisoft, but for whatever reason, I have not received a reply back.

It has been difficult getting answers in general, but I would appreciate the help as I prepare for the upcoming year.

Apologies for all the questions, but I have no one else to turn to.

[dvader]

Hi Jason,

I do not have the laptop else I would have tried it long ago. I am asking all these questions because I do not want to make a mistake and purchase something that won't work with ML or DirectRT. I have contacted the main people at Empirisoft, but for whatever reason, I have not received a reply back.

It has been difficult getting answers in general, but I would appreciate the help as I prepare for the upcoming year.

Apologies for all the questions, but I seriously have no one else to turn to except for this community.

[jason_reed]

I can't say how MediaLab or DirectRT work specifically with the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 because we do not have any direct experience with it. We try to speak to what we have experience with, thus the earlier statement about computers with dedicated graphics cards. While a dedicated graphics card is not an absolute necessity to run DirectRT, computers that have them generally tend to work with DirectRT. More generally, any laptop that is not a basic entry level model or light on hardware (i.e., Chromebooks) should be likely to work well for most tasks run in MediaLab or DirectRT.

I took a look at the specs of the ThinkPad Lenovo X1 and I don't see anything obvious that would suggest a problem in working with DirectRT or MediaLab. Thinkpads in general are a good line in working with MediaLab and DirectRT; I use one myself. The best direct advice I can give about the ThinkPad Lenovo X1 is that I am not aware of any issues with the computer nor do I see any obvious lack of hardware features that would suggest it as a poor choice to use with MediaLab or DirectRT.

[dvader]

I can't say how MediaLab or DirectRT work specifically with the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 because we do not have any direct experience with it. We try to speak to what we have experience with, thus the earlier statement about computers with dedicated graphics cards. While a dedicated graphics card is not an absolute necessity to run DirectRT, computers that have them generally tend to work with DirectRT. More generally, any laptop that is not a basic entry level model or light on hardware (i.e., Chromebooks) should be likely to work well for most tasks run in MediaLab or DirectRT.

I took a look at the specs of the ThinkPad Lenovo X1 and I don't see anything obvious that would suggest a problem in working with DirectRT or MediaLab. Thinkpads in general are a good line in working with MediaLab and DirectRT; I use one myself. The best direct advice I can give about the ThinkPad Lenovo X1 is that I am not aware of any issues with the computer nor do I see any obvious lack of hardware features that would suggest it as a poor choice to use with MediaLab or DirectRT.

Thank you. I did want to get the Thinkpad X1 Carbon, but the graphics card is an integrated Intel HD Graphics 620, which as far as I know not a dedicated graphics card. I think that's my only hangup. I'll heed your advice and I thank you for helping me out.

[jason_reed]

You're quite welcome. We'd love to hear a follow-up about what computer you purchase and how it works with DirectRT and MediaLab.