Everybody will have their own experience with their own laptop. Laptops may vary (see the small print). I've probably dealt with 100's of laptops, there comes a point where most just die, and they certainly die a lot quicker than desktop PCs (as a generalisation). Glad you got a warranty smart move. Cheers Alex.

Laptop arrived & dual screens is working a treat using the internal HD4000 Intel chipset.

There is a R7670M as backup if needed, but as the res is only 1366x768 the i5 & HD4000 cope fine with 2 displays.
I was content when I could drag the browser off to the left or right side, but when I realised I could drag it down below the monitor & have it appear on the laptop, which sits below the monitor, it was happy days :)


Now, as for using the laptop as a 2nd display along with my pc I tried the MaxiVista demo. This  works over a network & is ok if a little sluggish. Ideal for the PRV display but probably not for using the console.

The only other app I've come across is Air Display, which claims to be faster but there isn't a demo. Does anyone here use it ?

I've had a few laptops over the years and to be honest only problems they've developed after time have been 1) reduced battery performance, 2) problems with the lid hinge or cracks appearing on the lid, and 3) problems with the screen, usually related to problems with the lid hinge. 

The first problem can be solved by getting a new battery, and the other two are pretty much dependent on the build quality of the laptop. If they're made with flimsy materials then opening the lid from the top with one hand usually results in a cracked lid and/or screen problems over time. You get more life out of them if you open them with two thumbs on the lower half of the lid. 

i think laptops do make great daw's been when you slice it apart and look at it from the inside youll always comeback to the desk top.
just save up and put money aside.

a laptop gets hot in there and lets face it,weather or not you want to believe it,that second monitor is stealing valuable resources from your computers memory.

for under 500 bucks you can build your own DAW that will perform(IMO) well above what you have now.

ive wrote a book and ten video to walk you through every step of building one,even my buddy who is computer stupid built his own..he asked a few questions,but still built his own.
id even be willing to give you a free copy of my book if you message me.
the only thing you'll be paying for is computer parts...lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFZ7ZrsTl3g
 
here's some reviews on the book
http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.ashx?m=2778255

Charlie Roy

Hey...ummm, Charlie....any chance I could get in on that book deal? Pretty please?? I'm getting pretty close to a build, as my Dell XPS 410 is probably on her last leg in the next year...lol

Frostysnake


Hey...ummm, Charlie....any chance I could get in on that book deal? Pretty please?? I'm getting pretty close to a build, as my Dell XPS 410 is probably on her last leg in the next year...lol

sent you a private message with a download link to my book.
it also comes in kindle format if you want that as well.
 
enjoy,
 
Charlie

MoodyB


Now, as for using the laptop as a 2nd display along with my pc I tried the MaxiVista demo. This  works over a network & is ok if a little sluggish. Ideal for the PRV display but probably not for using the console. 

The only other app I've come across is Air Display, which claims to be faster but there isn't a demo. Does anyone here use it ?

Turns out there is an Air Display demo. You're given 1 hour to test it out.


Compared to MaxiVista, the screen refresh on Air Display over a WIFI connection is slightly slower. That's using their accelerated beta drivers too. Didn't try it using a network cable, so you could get better performance with that.


It's still more than useable though, and when you consider it's 1/3 of the cost of MaxiVista it's not a bad compromise really.