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HP HDX "Dragon"
About Truespace Archives
These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
HP HDX "Dragon" // Roundtable
Post by 2much4U // Apr 1, 2008, 1:12pm
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2much4U
Total Posts: 430
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I'm planning on getting a new laptop soon, and I've already decided which one I want: The HP Pavilian HDX. (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Category&v1=Entertainment+powerhouse&series_name=HDX_series)
Right now, the base price is still beyond my budget. I'm hoping to wait until I can get the following specs within $2000.00 (tax included):
Windows Vista (32-bit)
2.4 GHz intel processor with dual core or higher
3 Gigs of RAM
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS
320 GB storage or more
As much of the other features as I can afford
How long do you think I will need to wait before this becomes a possibility? Over a year? Less? Also, is 64-bit better supported now? I may want to go with that option along with 4 gigs of RAM, but I won't unless I can run my favorite apps flawlessly (including trueSpace, Photoshop, and Sony Vegas). |
Post by Jack Edwards // Apr 1, 2008, 1:28pm
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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Vegas and Truespace run fine under 64-bit and even though they are limited to 2GB because they are 32-bit, on a 64bit system that's 2GB each. ;) Also Roman has said that there will be a 64-bit version of TS8.0.
As far as your budget, $2000 is plenty. You can likely get EXACTLY the parts you want for less if you build it yourself. Check out Newegg for generally best prices in the market:
www.newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com)
With Ram prices the way they are right now, I'd go for 8GB. Make sure the motherboard has adjustable ram voltages though because a lot of motherboards don't put out enough juice to power all the ram slots, so you'll likely need to up the voltages slightly to accommodate 8GB.
I have an ASUS P5N-E motherboard and I'm running 6 GB of ram using all four slots, so you can definitely do it with the Asus motherboards. I recommend GSkill brand for you ram. They are well priced and work great in a wide variety of motherboards.
You should seriously consider getting a good sized powersupply 600-750 Watts, add custom air cooling heat sinks and overclock the CPU. Intel chips overclock insanely well and you're throwing your money away if you pay more for a higher rated one instead of overclocking one of the cheap ones. Though admittedly some of the higher rated ones sometimes overclock higher. ;)
Edit: Doh, didn't realize it was a laptop. I've got a solution for that too. :D
The cheap route:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834210013
The I want a custom kickass machine route:
http://www.istnc.com/ProductCart/pc/configurePrd.asp?idproduct=723
I had these guys build on of these for my sister and the thing rocks. If you call them up, you may even be able to get better pricing.
Edit2:
You could also check out these guys:
http://www.pctorque.com/
http://www.btotech.com/
There's also a place in Canada that has great prices on custom laptops but I can't remember the name of it right now.
Anyway here's a great website with lots of reviews on both custom and consumer type laptops:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/index.php
Their Asus forum is particularly helpful.
Good luck! |
Post by TigreStripe // Apr 1, 2008, 8:23pm
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TigreStripe
Total Posts: 75
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I'm planning on getting a new laptop soon, and I've already decided which one I want: The HP Pavilian HDX. (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Category&v1=Entertainment+powerhouse&series_name=HDX_series)
Right now, the base price is still beyond my budget. I'm hoping to wait until I can get the following specs within $2000.00 (tax included):
Windows Vista (32-bit)
2.4 GHz intel processor with dual core or higher
3 Gigs of RAM
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS
320 GB storage or more
As much of the other features as I can afford
How long do you think I will need to wait before this becomes a possibility? Over a year? Less? Also, is 64-bit better supported now? I may want to go with that option along with 4 gigs of RAM, but I won't unless I can run my favorite apps flawlessly (including trueSpace, Photoshop, and Sony Vegas).
I've run TS on my laptop, A Acer 5920G with...
a T7300 dual core (2.0ghz)
2Gb ram
200mb hard drive (4800 rpm)
8600MGTS 768mb onboard (plus it can ramp up a bit more)
Windows Vista Home Prem. 32bit.
Ran great with just a view problems with the display which was probably older video card drivers. Vegas, like a dream. The only problem is the speed of the drive, which sucks but didn't seem to affect playback much. |
Post by Liger ZERO // Apr 2, 2008, 5:59am
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Liger ZERO
Total Posts: 124
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I work at Best Buy and I have seen a good model over there.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8651167&productCategoryId=abcat0502003&type=product&tab=2&id=1195599780039#productdetail
It has 3gigs and the 8800GTS processor is a little slow (1.67). It's base price is $1349.99 but it has gone on sale for as low as $1000. |
Post by 2much4U // Apr 2, 2008, 8:59am
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2much4U
Total Posts: 430
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I'm not a fan of gateway. It's not like they have bad PC's, it's just that they have bad PC's. ;) Honestly, when it comes to good prices, good specs, and good service, the two PC manufacturers that I automatically think of are Dell and HP.
I think that I would like to have a 20 inch screen as well, though it would be nice if they made a carrying case that is capable of holding the monster.:p
So far, the HDX has really stood out for me, but I've also had a good look at the Dell XPS M2010. (http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m2010?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19) |
Post by 2much4U // Apr 19, 2008, 4:00pm
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2much4U
Total Posts: 430
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I've reconsidered my budget, and 20" laptops just don't cut it. They're expensive, heavy, and just TOO BIG!!!;)
Here is another option that I've come up with:
Price: $1,797.98
OS: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
Memory: FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
Graphics Card: 50% OFF 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS!!
Personalization: FREE Upgrade to HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
Networking: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
Storage: 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive: Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
Primary Battery: High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
HP extended service plans: 1-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with Pick Up and Return
Is this a good deal? Will the graphics card hold up? |
Post by 3dfrog // Apr 19, 2008, 4:27pm
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3dfrog
Total Posts: 1225
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That sounds decent. What is the processor? you have the os listed there twice. I find dell often has better deals though. I would configure the same system there. Try their small business models for great deals then up all the specs for performance and it usually still comes cheaper than the home models. You can also usually still get xp with the small business models if you like xp. |
Post by Jack Edwards // Apr 19, 2008, 6:07pm
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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Whatever you do, don't get less than 3GB Ram with Vista installed. The OS uses 2GB by itself.
If you can get a laptop with Vista x64 and 4 GB (or 8GB) that would definitely be better, but make sure the system builder has tested that configuration with that particular laptop before you order it. Some Laptop boards will only support 3 GB of Ram.
Also since you do music, make sure your Audio Interface has Vista drivers (64-bit drivers for Vista x64, some audio companies still don't have working 64-bit drivers!). Same for you music software.
Cakewalk Sonar for example works works great with both Vista x86 and x64. Roland/Edirol products also have strong support for both flavors of Vista.
On the video side of things, Vegas 8 works great with both flavors of Vista.
As to the particular Laptop, specs aren't everything. The model makes a huge difference. The Asus laptops for example are built for performance. Where as some of the more usual name brands have all the specs, but because of design decisions on the motherboard end up performing as total crap. Heat can be another consideration as well. Sticking that powerful a video card in your laptop = zero battery life and lots of heat. So you definitely want to budge for laptop cooler, or if you're looking into re-purposing baking equipment, then aluminum cookie cooling racks can work great. ;) |
Post by jamesmc // Apr 19, 2008, 6:20pm
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jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
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Most laptops I've seen that are designed for power users to use in audio and video with lots of ram/great graphics and vista 64 start about $4000. |
Post by Jack Edwards // Apr 19, 2008, 8:18pm
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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Here you go:
http://btotech.com/config.asp?config_id=c90s-custom
:)
System Configuration
Asus C90S Barebones
$1672.00
4/19/2008 11:17:06 PM http://btotech.com/sys_img/c90s-custom_1.jpg
Asus C90S Barebone
Intel (Conroe) Core 2 Duo E6600(2.4GHZ) 4mb cache 1066FSB (e6600)C.P.U.
Memory: (major brand Micron or Infineon Life Time Warranty)3072mb (2gb+1gb) DDR2 800mhz (3072mb-800mhz)
Hard Drive: 200gb 7200.2rpm SATA2 16mb 3gb/s Cache (200gb_7200rpm)
Video Card: nVidia NV-8600-GT 512mb ddr2 (400mhz) MXMII Modular GPU (c90_8600_ddr2)
Wireless Card: Integrated Intel 3945ABG 802.11a/b/g wireless card (3945abf-wifi)
Optical Drive: DVD/RW Dual Layer Super Multi Burner (Asus_VBI_DVD/RW)
Windows: Vista home premium 64-bit with media, installed and tuned (vista_hp64)
Warranty: 1yr Standard dealer warranty for built on asus notebooks + round trip shipping cover (1yr_dealer)
Dead/Sub pixel guarantee (d.p.g.) (d.p.g.)
Also:
~$1500.00
http://www.btotech.com/_e/15_4_Laptops/product/g1sn%2Da1/Asus_G1SN_A1.htm
(add $500 and you get Blue Ray too)
And:
~$2200
http://www.btotech.com/_e/17_Laptops/product/g2sg%2Da1/Asus_G2SG_A1.htm |
Post by 2much4U // Apr 20, 2008, 4:53am
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2much4U
Total Posts: 430
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That sounds decent. What is the processor? you have the os listed there twice. I find dell often has better deals though. I would configure the same system there. Try their small business models for great deals then up all the specs for performance and it usually still comes cheaper than the home models. You can also usually still get xp with the small business models if you like xp.
My bad! :rolleyes: I changed the post to show the processor, but to save you the time and effort, here it is:
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
I'm actually a fan of Vista (32-bit). Honestly, as long as I keep my software and drivers upgraded to the latest version, I don't run into any problems. For example, I used to use Zipgenius as my archiving tool, but switched to IZarc when I learned that it was Vista compatible. Haven't run into any problems since. XP was good, but it just doesn't fit my likes.
Never looked at Dell's business models...I'll give it a look. Thus far, HP seems to offer more 'bang for the buck.' |
Post by 2much4U // Apr 23, 2008, 1:18pm
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2much4U
Total Posts: 430
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Here's another one:
Dell Inspiron 1720
color: Black
Processor: 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
OS: Vista (64-bit)
Display: 17" (1920 x 1200)
Video Card: 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Memory: 4 GB DDR2 RAM
Storage: 320 GB HDD
Optical Drive: CD/DVD +/- RW
Wireless: Intel Wireless N and Bluetooth
Web Cam: Yes
Power: 85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery
Sound Card: Xtreme Audio X-Fi Audio Card
Warranty: 1 yr support
Includes 1 yr datasafe online backup (3GB) |
Post by Jack Edwards // Apr 23, 2008, 3:57pm
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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Do not get a Creative sound card. They have SERIOUS driver issues with Vista. Auzentech cards built on the X-fi chipset may be ok though.
Besides the fact that they suck at recording. You'd be better off going with onboard HD audio for DVD playback and games, and adding a "pro" Audio interface if you need low-latency recording.
Eridol would probably be your best choice if you need to get a USB interface, since they've had working Vista drivers forever. But there are serious issues with USB interfaces and ASIO with Vista, so you'll want to go to each companies forums and see what the current situation is. Supposedly SP1 fixes some of the latency issues and many of the companies are just now getting started on Vista drivers that actually work. |
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