Karaoke Forums

A few of the Vostro models that appear to be sufficient for home DAW purposes have come down in price.  Question I have currently about hardware is AMD vs Intel.. I don't know what Duo-Core processor means, nor do I know whether or not this is advantageous for such apps. I haven't kept up with newer technological changes in the hardware market.

Has AMD made significant improvements in the last 6 years ?  Or is Intel still the preference,  I currently have a Celeron notebook system and can't stand it.  SLOW.

_________________
Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I would still go with Intel. A repair tech I know says that he still sees too many "fried" AMD processors that tend to run too hot. Intel's Celeron processors do not handle multitasking very well at all (poor cache). This was a processor for low budget computers.  If you do get a new Dell, order it with Windows XP instead of Vista. From what I hear Vista is still having problems.

Amd and Intel cycle as to who has the "best" processors, ususally on a period of a few months. Intel seems to have the better ones more often lately, but that may change. For the low priced computers,  and laptops it is hard to tell which one will be faster.

In genearal most computers have more than enough power to run the karaoke we want to do, but the operating systems have grown more complex much faster than the increase in computing power. That increase in processing power from the OS seems to erase the gains of the hardware. In general go with as old an OS as you can get away with.

I have had excellent luck with AMD processors, myself. I own dozens of them.

And thanks to the OP for creating the topic -- I didn't realize that Dell was still selling XP machines. I jumped on that -- I was putting off my purchase because I didn't want Vista. So I ordered a "sea-green" notebook with matching mouse for my karaoke machine. Now to order CompuHost!

I just ordered a new Dell Vostro 1500 with an Intel Core2 Duo T7100 with what I think is the most important, the 965 chipset, it's the perfect fit for any duo core cpu...  

I had an AMD Athlon XP 2600+ in my desktop and recently build myself a new Intel E6600 Core2 Duo with 2 gig ram, I tell you, day & night!  AMD hates multitasks and yes, they run hot... So many problems I had in the past thinking Windows were the reason of my problems but in reality, it was AMD!  Your question is VERY easy, INTEL Core 2 Duo with the 965 chipset!  Do a search on googles on that chipset, it's their best ever!

My only problem now is how to use my Audigy 2 ZS in that new laptop??? All the new laptop now uses an Express Card, so I'll need to order a Duel adapter to make it work!
And yes, Dell still offers XP and a 7200rpm hard drive

Yes, Micky is right.  The 965 chipset is very important with that Intel processor as well as a 7200 RPM hard drive -- and XP instead of Vista. I also saw that Vostro and thought it was the best "bang for the buck".

Good to hear people recommending going with Dell.  After talking to a few folks, I'd decided on Dell but hadn't asked any KJ's.  I was going to go for the lowest priced Notebook with the 2 gig harddrive but no one seems to be mentioning it.
Of course, then I ran out of money and since no credit=bad credit, I can't just make payments.  Ugh ugh.

It's killing me to have to the temporary disc route. Murphy's Law, I finally opened my
new Numark dual disc machine and one of the decks won't read.  Looks like a common problem from what I see on their message board.  Good thing my karaoke night doesn't start in less than 2 weeks (oops).

Toocoolforkaraoke,  here's the latest on a 2gig Ram system..
I just got off the phone with Dell all prepared to buy this system..

As a home music system for my studio..
Dell is changing "deals" daily (I also snoozed and lost on the AMD less expensive
                                                 systems)

Dell advertised this, but they currently won't acknowledge it because "today" the price isn't $549.  I wouldn't budge,  nor would they, so I'll keep looking..
(this was advertised the 19th, it's not sold out, coupon code- not needed no exp)

To me this looked like a dynamite price for a good system, but I won't pay more
just because they decide not to acknowledge an advertised "black friday" sale the wednesday before black friday...So keep looking at these Dell systems, they are going to change like lightening, I was on the phone with both consumer (inspirons) and Business (Vostro, Latitude) notebooks;  Reps at least were pleasant when they refused to acknowledge the sale I saw... (Told them I'm getting a Toshiba Satellite system out've frustration, but they didn't bite ). I don't like "bait and switch" antics..  (business division needs to up their year end sales volume so keep this
in mind too)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vostro 1500 15.4-inch Widescreen Notebook with Core 2 Duo CPU, 2GB, 160GB and 8x CD/DVD Burner
$549 with Free Shipping
Featured at $549 after $410 instant savings. Free shipping.
System Specs:
1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Windows XP Home
Select > 15.4-inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife [+ $0]
2GB DDR2 Memory
160GB SATA Hard Drive
8x CD/DVD Burner
Dell Wireless 1390 wifi card
Expires: Unknown

_________________
Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Steven,

Did you have the option of the 120g 7200rpm?  I got an $18.00 credit for that drive instead of the 160g 5400 rpm! for studio recording, you'll need a 7200 rpm... Mind you, you can always upgrade later, but it will cost you more!

No Micky,  and that's an excellent point.  The harddrives on these systems were 5400RPM.  I believe I had the option of a smaller HD (80gig 7200 RPM) for around $599 with 1gig Ram on board (as opposed to 2gig). I passed on that however.  I will hold off for the faster HD.  Even 4 years back when I purchased my Dell Systems I went for 7200 RPM HD.   These are things that I have forgotten about over time, however such things become evident after purchase so I do appreciate the reminder !

This appears to be their current base config on the Vostro $599 systems. If you were able to do better you are REAL good !

120GB 5400RPM Hard Drive [Included in Price]
120GB 7200RPM Hard Drive [add $37]
160GB 5400RPM Hard Drive [add $75]
200GB 7200RPM Hard Drive [add $130]

Assuming you wish to compromise none of the following features:


(I was even wondering if the 1.4GHz Proc. Speed is too slow)

.

_________________
Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Better yet,  I'll go for a good price on the basic system config since most are offered with 5400 RPM HD, and at the end after getting a solid price I'll Upgrade to the 7200 RPM Harddrive.  It seems Dell IS trying to push out their 5400 RPM HD's and is willing to haggle around such config'd systems

_________________
Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

If you're not going to do some gaming on this machine, I would select the 120g 7200 over the geforce 8400?  I think the onboard video is ok and you have 2 gig to share so the drive would become a priority in my opinion!  Keep in mind that a core 2 duo 1.4 is faster than a P4 3.0 mhz, so the priority for studio recording is speed and a 5400rpm drive will give you a hard time when doing a recording using some plugins...

Thank You.   No gaming,  I just want a music system.   Btw..  Should I consider anything regarding soundcard upgrading ?  True,  I don't need extensive graphic capabilities

_________________
Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

The generic soundcard that Dell includes with their laptops isn't all that great for any serious audio applications.  Matt and Charmin have used this USB Creative Labs unit with their laptops.  It's the cheapest option out there:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Creative-Labs-Sound ... dZViewItem

I've used this guy with success:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Creative-Sound-Blas ... dZViewItem

Mickey mentioned using the popular Audigy 2 ZS, but he said an adaptor is needed for it to work in the newest laptop models.
http://us.creative.com/products/product ... duct=10769

For more money you can get into the pro audio range of equipment for higher quality results with brands like M-Audio. They offer good USB 2.0 and Firewire external units. For example:
http://stores.ebay.com/Retro-Music-Gear ... idZ2QQtZkm

Some say Firewire connections are essential to get latency free, simultaneous input and output.  USB 2.0 vs. Firewire vs. PCI is kind of a big can of worms. Opinions vary.

And for Pro Audio, let's not forget the Creative Pro:

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp ... duct=15186

The only reason I wish to use the Audigy line on my laptop is the EAX Console which has the best key changer on the market, I tried installing the software on my desktop, but it won't work with the E-MU 1212m!  I don't recommend the new X-Fi laptop express card simply cause it uses all the resources of the cpu contrary to the other SB card which has a chip on the card.

So my final decision will be to use my Audigy2 ZS with the Duel adapter ($119,00)

Have fun!

Whoa, thanks for all the info.  I'm easily confused by computerspeak but I'm not confused by having no money so I'm gonna have to wait.  Once I catch up, I'll be revisiting this thread!!.....and then all of these deals will have expired....sigh

Steven, are you planning on doing the majority of your serious audio projects on your desktop computer or your laptop?

Nothing "serious".   Just for my own playing around.  I want to have a notebook system in the studio area..   Seriousness with this stuff is behind me.

_________________
Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I WOULD STEER WAY CLEAR OF DELL LAPTOP PRODUCTS!  I OWN TWO DELL LAPTOPS AND HAVE HAD BOTH HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH.  ONE IS A LATITUDE 520- AND THE OTHER IS AN INSPIRON SOMTHING OR OTHER.  I LIVE WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF THE PLANTS WHERE THEY ASSEMBLE THE DELLS AND I THOUGHT I'D GIVE THE LOCAL BUSINESS A TRY, BUT NEVER AGAIN.  IF YOU WANT DETAILS FEEL FREE TO PM ME.  I HAVE SINCE MOVED ON TO GATEWAY LAPTOPS BECAUSE I HAVE TO USE  PCs FOR MY "REAL" BUSINESS DUE TO SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS, BUT IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS I'D GO WITH A MAC!  THE REASON I DISTINGUISH LAPTOPS FROM DESK UNITS IS BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE TWO DELL DESK UNITS THAT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH.[highlight=red][/highlight]

_________________
All work and no play make Homer something something

I've had DEll laptop before and never had any issues! The problem with other brands is that we are limited, can't choose the drive, often stuck with a 5400 rpm and sometimes a 4200rpm, can't choose the cpu, no XP available...

I just received my new Vostro and I'm very pleased, got a Fujitsu 120g, 7200rpm drive which offers the perpendicular recording, that's a real bonus! got a dvd-rw that reads cdg, love the keyboard (the best of all brands), it's build solid... Maybe I wouldn't buy any other model than the new Vostro but I STRONGLY recommend this new line.  BTW, as we speak, the Vostro is THE most popular laptop on the market and the critique are excellent!