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laptop for audio production / close to a macbook pro?

post #1 of 5
7/14/06 at 4:39pm
Thread Starter 
Alright i was thinking of getting the m1210 or e1405 from dell since the macbooks seem to be having problems. I have a 700m now. If i get them with integrated graphics will they run alot faster, or is it still worth it to get a graphics card if i am only gonna play games once in a while or maybe not at all? Also how flimsy is the camera on the m1210 and is it well built so it will last. I bring my laptop everywhere. I am hoping to run protools and most audio apps on it. I am worried about the screen size but the m1210 looks so tempting. Also is dell coming out with new laptops anytime soon like say a 13 incher? or xps with a 14 inch? I am just going to get lowestr ram and hard drive and buy my own from new egg. thanks in advance for your help.
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post #2 of 5
7/14/06 at 5:10pm
i have a 9300 right now and I just purchased a m1210 for audio purposes as well.

if you are doing audio via USB or FIREWIRE...or even PCMCIA, you will want to use an integrated graphics chipset (my mistake on the 9300). the reason is because the dedicated chipset takes up a lot more resources (read battery and bus priority). there is no way you can tell your computer to prioritize your soundcard when you have a dedicated video card. it will always be the computers first priority.

as always, get as much ram and the fastest disk you can afford.
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post #3 of 5
7/16/06 at 12:44am
Thread Starter 
u 100 percent sure about the graphics. I was mad th e700m didnt have great graphics but i mean i got over it. When it comes to upgrading to the new Windows, i still will be able to right? Are there anyplaces that sell 2gb sticks now? Also what about this compared to a macbook and do you think the screen is 2 small to do audio editing? I mean i have a 20 widescreen i could hook up if i had alot of tracks but id like to be able to use pro tools on the road?
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post #4 of 5
7/16/06 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by djdeuce2001
u 100 percent sure about the graphics. I was mad th e700m didnt have great graphics but i mean i got over it. When it comes to upgrading to the new Windows, i still will be able to right? Are there anyplaces that sell 2gb sticks now? Also what about this compared to a macbook and do you think the screen is 2 small to do audio editing? I mean i have a 20 widescreen i could hook up if i had alot of tracks but id like to be able to use pro tools on the road?

the only thing you need a good graphics card for Vista is this thing called Aero. as producers, we always turn off all that extra stuff that we don't need. we want to be sure our computer is running as fast as possible. Aero is just graphic enhancements to make your "experience" better.

i personally wouldn't touch an apple product.

as far as the screen, it is smaller than optimal to audio production, but i'm willing to live with that for the portability. you will probably want to connect your external LCD if youre just sitting at your desk.
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post #5 of 5
7/16/06 at 6:03pm
Illwafer, you are wrong on a number of counts. About your only point that's correct is that a dedicated graphics card will use more power and hence your battery will last less time. Any recent dell with a PCI Express-based dedicated graphics card is not going to have any higher priority in bus negotiations than an integrated GMA 950.

Anyhow, yes upgrading from a Dell 700m will be a noticable performance increase. Core Duo processors rock. The GMA 950 is probably adequate for your needs, but the 7400 on the M1210 is actually a really nice graphics card for such a small notebook.
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