Laptop Spec

[DavyDevil]

Hi Folks,

Just got a spec from Dell for a laptop to run with Pro Tools LE 7.1 with Mbox 2 Mini.
I've checked the compatibility page and all seems ok, but if any of the more experienced posters could double check for me, it'd be super!!!

Thanks!!

Dell Inspiron 6400 Duo Processor T2250 (1.73 GHz, 533 MHz FSB 2 MB L2 cache)
Memory Dual-Channel 1024MB (2x512) 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Graphics Card ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256MB with TV and S-Video Output PCI-Express x16
English - Genuine Windows XP Home SP2
Firewire connection
Hard Drive 80GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM)

Cheers again for any help or advice!

Davy

[Panoramical]

The hard drive is not quick enough (or big enough!)...you'll need 7200rpm rather than 5400rpm.

[DavyDevil]

surely speed makes no difference if i'm not recording to the system drive?

[TheHenchman]

surely speed makes no difference if i'm not recording to the system drive?

it certainly makes a difference for playback.
Again, don't expect any firewire audio devices to work properly, as the Dell laptops have firewire issues.

[DavyDevil]

Again, don't expect any firewire audio devices to work properly, as the Dell laptops have firewire issues.

Any more info on this?
Do USB 2 external drives work?

[Obsidian Dragon]

There have been may people reporting issues with Dell notebooks related to the firewire implementation. Some have it working while other are pulling their hair out over it. USB 2.0 is not recommended by Digidesign for audio drives but some also have this working. Firewire has a higher sustained throughput than USB 2.0. Look at the top of this forum for a sticky thread about which notebooks are certified with Protools (both are HP's).

[DavyDevil]

thanks dragon


hows about buying a decent PCMCIA firewire card? Do the trick?

[TheHenchman]

thanks dragon


hows about buying a decent PCMCIA firewire card? Do the trick?

Get an HP Core 2 Duo laptop.