I'm looking at 2 Dell 17R models and I wonder if anyone has tried Sonar X2 on them:


DELL Inspiron 17R (i17RM-2581sLV) Intel Core i5 3337U(1.80GHz) 17.3" 8GB DDR3 1600 1TB HDD Intel HD Graphics 4000
 
DELL Inspiron 17R (i17RM-2742sLV) Intel Core i7 3537U(2.00GHz) 17.3" 8GB DDR3 1600 1TB HDD AMD Radeon HD 8730M


I have an older Inspiron that works fine with Sonar but these have different video and audio chips.   They both list Waves MaxxAudio for audio but I'm thinking that's software.  Also I have no experience with AMD Radeon graphics.  My current Inspiron has Intel graphics and IDT audio.  Any advice appreciated!

I don't know much about these dells but I will say I have had great luck with the AMD's.
built a 6 core chip(the phenom black edition 2) with 8 gigs of ram on a gigabyte mobo.
I was never an AMD person always thought of them as Intel's little brother.
after a lot of testing I was blown away.
I have yet run in to any issues and anything where I would think my cpu could be better.

I do realize the i7's are great and a little better.im just sold on amd, it out perform's my second generation i5 using sonar.

I wish I could be more help with these specific models, im sorry.

are you going with a laptop because you need portability?
desktops are just so much easier to work on, because a good computer will last you years but sooner or later samething will need to be replaced.

best of luck on this, again wish I could help you more.

If you're using computer mostly for audio go with someone who builds computers especially for audio, someone like ADK, or a company who has experience with audio.  I recommend an Intel I7 processor with as much ram as you can afford.  You can go to  http://www.adkproaudio.com/, and check them out, I have a computer built by ADK, and I have not had any problems that many have using "off the shelf" computers.

chuckebaby


I don't know much about these dells but I will say I have had great luck with the AMD's.
built a 6 core chip(the phenom black edition 2) with 8 gigs of ram on a gigabyte mobo.
I was never an AMD person always thought of them as Intel's little brother.
after a lot of testing I was blown away.
I have yet run in to any issues and anything where I would think my cpu could be better.

I do realize the i7's are great and a little better.im just sold on amd, it out perform's my second generation i5 using sonar.

I wish I could be more help with these specific models, im sorry.

are you going with a laptop because you need portability?
desktops are just so much easier to work on, because a good computer will last you years but sooner or later samething will need to be replaced.

best of luck on this, again wish I could help you more.

I have a powerful desktop as my main audio system.  This is for light audio (and everything else).  I've had great luck with my current Dell I'm just worried about the odd incompatibility as Newegg has a 25% restocking fee.  Sometimes you see weird issues with various video cards.  My current one had Intel graphics and no issues.  In don't know anything about the AMD Radeon graphics card.

bz2838


If you're using computer mostly for audio go with someone who builds computers especially for audio, someone like ADK, or a company who has experience with audio.  I recommend an Intel I7 processor with as much ram as you can afford.  You can go to  http://www.adkproaudio.com/, and check them out, I have a computer built by ADK, and I have not had any problems that many have using "off the shelf" computers.

I have a powerful desktop as my main studio PC and my budget for this one is well below what a custom audio laptop would cost.  I've had great luck with audio on Dell but I'm just doing my homework because, as you stated, there can be problems with off the shelf laptops.

Cake's recommendation on laptops..

http://www.cakewalk.com/PCResource/buy.aspx?Type=Laptop

Would the Dell Precision range more suitable ?

I'd skip the graphics card upgrade if you don't need it for something other than Sonar.

Onboard Intel graphics are fine.

The laptop will run cooler and the battery will last longer.

Paul P


I'd skip the graphics card upgrade if you don't need it for something other than Sonar.

Onboard Intel graphics are fine.

The laptop will run cooler and the battery will last longer.

The Radeon was just part of the deal.  I don't really need it. 

tomixornot


Cake's recommendation on laptops..

http://www.cakewalk.com/PCResource/buy.aspx?Type=Laptop

Would the Dell Precision range more suitable ?

Awesome resource!  That Precision is from 2010, I don't think they still make it but there are other great possibilities here.  I didn't know this existed.  Thanks!

VintageVibe - not all of us are IT professionals. For those that aren't and would prefer to spend more time on the music than solving laptop problems, I can give my solid endorsement for my experience with Rain Computers. 

Mine works like a charm and if I ever need assistance the team at Rain is able to pinpoint what to do since this is what they do.