Well I can honestly say it's felt like an eternity since I've been here, when in reality it's only been about a year. A couple of you guys may remember me from waaaaaaaay back during the MR9800 modding days with the Inspiron 9100 and OG XPS systems. While my 9100 was great, I'm getting ready to go to college and I need something more.
Sooo, I can get a fully loaded (2.16GHz proc, 2GB RAM @667MHz, WUXGA screen, 7900GS, 120GB HD, 3yr complete care warranty...the works) E1705 for just under $2000 with the current 35% off and 12% EPP savings. Plus I can no interest finance it through my school and only put a down payment of 750. Needless to say, I'm excited. My only concern is the sound. While this machine will be able to handle all the games and animation/illustration work I can throw at it, I'm also majoring in music production, and the Expresscard slot kinda worries me. Ideally I'd just be able slap in my Audigy 2 ZS and do some basic recording/editing work, but I'm not so sure with the basic sound card.
Now recording isn't so much of an issue because I planned on getting a dedicated box for that anyway, but some of the programs I was getting ready to purchase really only work efficiently with a dedicated sound card. Has anyone heard anything about sound cards being developed for the new slot, or possibly an adaptor being made? Everything I've searched found has come up with nothing. From what I've seen USB sound cards aren't too hot, and everything else on the market is either PCI or PCMCIA based. At this rate it's looking like I may have to keep the 9100 around, even if it's just to some editing work.
Thanks for any info you guys might have, and I must say, it's nice to be back.
Sooo, I can get a fully loaded (2.16GHz proc, 2GB RAM @667MHz, WUXGA screen, 7900GS, 120GB HD, 3yr complete care warranty...the works) E1705 for just under $2000 with the current 35% off and 12% EPP savings. Plus I can no interest finance it through my school and only put a down payment of 750. Needless to say, I'm excited. My only concern is the sound. While this machine will be able to handle all the games and animation/illustration work I can throw at it, I'm also majoring in music production, and the Expresscard slot kinda worries me. Ideally I'd just be able slap in my Audigy 2 ZS and do some basic recording/editing work, but I'm not so sure with the basic sound card.
Now recording isn't so much of an issue because I planned on getting a dedicated box for that anyway, but some of the programs I was getting ready to purchase really only work efficiently with a dedicated sound card. Has anyone heard anything about sound cards being developed for the new slot, or possibly an adaptor being made? Everything I've searched found has come up with nothing. From what I've seen USB sound cards aren't too hot, and everything else on the market is either PCI or PCMCIA based. At this rate it's looking like I may have to keep the 9100 around, even if it's just to some editing work.
Thanks for any info you guys might have, and I must say, it's nice to be back.
