Solve : Questions about my new laptop.?

1.	Solve : Questions about my new laptop.?
Answer» Hi, I recently lost my last laptop, but since I'm really lucky to get a new one and want to be informed enough I thought of posting my configuration here. I don't really know if this is the right board to ask this, so here it goes. I basically want to use this laptop for mainly audio synthesis and manipulation (Ableton, Wavelab, PureData, Fruity Loops etc.) Here's a link in Dutch about specifications. Here's the translation in English. Basically, it's a modified Clevo barebone (about which I've heard good things). I have it configured with the following: XXODD XNi860tu 15” * Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 (2,00Ghz, 1066Mhz, 6Mb) Inclusief Game-pack! * 4GB DDR3 1066MHz geheugen (2x 2GB) * 128GB SATA Solid State Drive (<<< Have to find out whether it's SLC or MLC) * DVD-CD +/- burner * No Intel Turbo Memory module (<<< I'm planning on using 64bit XP for compatibility purposes and 64bit Ubuntu/Xubuntu as main if I get compatibility going with my audio programs. Hence, I don't really see why I would get this.) * Intel 5300AGN 450Mbps WLAN (3 antennes) * No Flash Drive (<<< Can be installed in the ExpressCard slot, but I rather not go for extra storage. What other cool things can be placed there?) * No OS * No Office 2007 applicatiesoftware * No Windows Live OneCare 2.0 * 3 jaar pick up & return garantie * No extended pixelcontrole * QWERTY (US, internationaal) All that for € 1.995,00 (which is about 2,648.26 USD). ----- Other questions: 1. Now I'm convinced that the quadcore is superior to the dualcore for my purposes, but what does it really mean that it's clocked on 2,00GHz: Is every core on 2,00GHz or is the 2,00Ghz distributed over 4 cores? 2. 15" WSXGA+ resolution 1680x1050 > does this mean that it's 16:9 widescreen ratio and I can watch widescreen movies without getting used to those streched heads? 3. As I've come to understand, CPU+RAM+Mainboard are clocked on 1066Mhz, but didn't laptop mainboards had some kind of a bottleneck in bandwidth speed? Questions to ask 2 XXODD (you can of course recommend me more questions): - Which components can I replace/add without voiding my warranty? (< sending e-mail ) - Solid State Drives, MLC/SLC? Is it also POSSIBLE to get 64GB? (< MLC) - Does the laptop have a CardBus interface? PCMCIA interface? - IEEE1394 Firewire, 4pins / 8pins? (< IEEE1394a Firewire port, so that means 4pins) - Is it possible to return the laptop to a local dealer in case of malfunction? (< yes if they can help the problem, if not the laptop gets shipped to main distributor) - Is it possible to get the laptop with an enlarged Enter-button? ----- I thank you dearly in advance for answering my questions and vaporizing my doubts, as I'm not really savvy about these kinds of things. Well I'm off to bed, I have a demanding day of recording audio for a film schoolproject of a mate of mine which I hope will go without any delays (except as an effect on the audio track ;p) All the BEST, apusQuote from: improbabilitist on May 02, 2009, 04:24:29 PM Other questions: 1. Now I'm convinced that the quadcore is superior to the dualcore for my purposes, but what does it really mean that it's clocked on 2,00GHz: Is every core on 2,00GHz or is the 2,00Ghz distributed over 4 cores? 2. 15" WSXGA+ resolution 1680x1050 > does this mean that it's 16:9 widescreen ratio and I can watch widescreen movies without getting used to those streched heads? it is widescreen, yes 3. As I've come to understand, CPU+RAM+Mainboard are clocked on 1066Mhz, but didn't laptop mainboards had some kind of a bottleneck in bandwidth speed? What I'm going to ask XXODD helpdesk on MONDAY (you can of course recommend me more questions): - Which components can I replace/add without voiding my warranty? - Solid State Drives, MLC/SLC? Is it also possible to get 64GB? - Does the laptop have a CardBus interface? PCMCIA interface? - IEEE1394 Firewire, 4pins / 8pins? - Is it possible to return the laptop to a local dealer in case of malfunction? 1. This means 2.0GHz each core 2. yes it is a widescreen ratio 3. Not exactly. the CPU and RAM FSB are exactly the same,meaning there should be little, or no bottle neck. What I get the most is hard drive bottlenecking, as I run IDE drives still...sigh but yous should notice minimal bottleneck. You should add: - How many USB ports - What games are included in the 'Inclusief Game-pack!' other than that I think you have it covered By the way,....that's a mighty nice graphics card for a laptop i'm very jelous! Quote from: Kurtiskain on May 03, 2009, 04:52:53 AM 1. This means 2.0GHz each core 2. yes it is a widescreen ratio 3. Not exactly. the CPU and RAM FSB are exactly the same,meaning there should be little, or no bottle neck. What I get the most is hard drive bottlenecking, as I run IDE drives still...sigh but yous should notice minimal bottleneck. You should add: - How many USB ports (<<< They state on their specs 4x USB2.0 connector, and there are 2 located at the right and 2 at the back) - What games are included in the 'Inclusief Game-pack!' (<<< GRID Racedriver + Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. + goodies.) By the way,....that's a mighty nice graphics card for a laptop i'm very jelous! <<< I think you'll most likely be mad at me, since the first games I'm going to install on it are HL(2), diablo2 and Deus Ex. I've spoken to the support phoneline but they were dodgy about the question whether or not it was cool if I would replace the RAM or SSD storage without voiding my warranty. After asking through I found out that if in the case of (hardware) malfunction they narrow the problem down to my own piece of hardware, the maintenance would be performed on behalf of my expenses (which I find rather logical and fair, but still not fulfilling enough to be called a valid answer to my question). Oh well, I guess these kinds of questions are best asked if written, so I'll just go AHEAD and send them an e-mail. What can eventually be added to my list of questions2ask is: - Is it possible to get the laptop with an enlarged Enter-button? Also, not really related but, is it possible to get a USB or Firewire device which captures the coaxial signal coming from TV ? I have a Pinnacle Studio MovieBox PLUS 710 but I have to have bloaty Pinnacle software to capture anything Thanks for helping out!I'm wondering, if I get loose components with each their own warranty, and assemble the machine myself, I'll still be able to maintain at least some sort of support from the manufacturers but would have a greater control and a sense of ownership. At least, that's what concerns desktop computers, but is it also possible with laptops? Are there places where I can buy loose components and a barebone (in Europe) ?There's not many "loose" components you can add to a laptop without risking Voiding the warranty... What components did you have in mind ? ?Quote from: patio on May 04, 2009, 12:07:32 PM There's not many "loose" components you can add to a laptop without risking Voiding the warranty... What components did you have in mind ? ? Well actually pretty much everything, just like (with a desktop) you get an ATX case, mainboard and the needed components, only this time doing so with a laptop.Not sure what you mean here...Simply put: I just want to assemble my own laptop just like you would assemble a desktop (using VARIOUS components from various retailers). By doing that I won't have a collective warranty anymore, but instead a warranty on each component, which I think is more educational as well as more controllable.Sorry and i'm not trying to discourage you but assembling a laptop is not very easy to do as the components are hard to find and the advantages over just purchasing one are virtually nonexistent.I thought 2GHz Core 2 Quad meant the 2GHz was split up among the 4 cores.No that means it is 4 cores, running at 2GHz each so therefore it can process a lot more than a single or dual core at 3 GHz, as long as the program can utilize them.Quote from: patio on May 04, 2009, 03:56:49 PM Sorry and i'm not trying to discourage you but assembling a laptop is not very easy to do as the components are hard to find and the advantages over just purchasing one are virtually nonexistent. Interesting, isn't there a certain demand on that kind of concept? Well whatever the demand is: XXODD here I come! ;p Quote from: Kurtiskain on May 05, 2009, 12:48:09 AM No that means it is 4 cores, running at 2GHz each so therefore it can process a lot more than a single or dual core at 3 GHz, as long as the program can utilize them. Yes and programs like Ableton Live can utilize all 4 cores at full muhahaha Also there are not a lot of games which perform faster on a quadcore but there are some benchmarks. thanks all!

Answer»

Hi,

I recently lost my last laptop, but since I'm really lucky to get a new one and want to be informed enough I thought of posting my configuration here.
I don't really know if this is the right board to ask this, so here it goes.

I basically want to use this laptop for mainly audio synthesis and manipulation (Ableton, Wavelab, PureData, Fruity Loops etc.)

Here's a link in Dutch about specifications.
Here's the translation in English.
Basically, it's a modified Clevo barebone (about which I've heard good things).

I have it configured with the following:

XXODD XNi860tu 15”

* Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 (2,00Ghz, 1066Mhz, 6Mb) Inclusief Game-pack!
* 4GB DDR3 1066MHz geheugen (2x 2GB)
* 128GB SATA Solid State Drive (<<< Have to find out whether it's SLC or MLC)
* DVD-CD +/- burner
* No Intel Turbo Memory module (<<< I'm planning on using 64bit XP for compatibility purposes and 64bit Ubuntu/Xubuntu as main if I get compatibility going with my audio programs. Hence, I don't really see why I would get this.)
* Intel 5300AGN 450Mbps WLAN (3 antennes)
* No Flash Drive (<<< Can be installed in the ExpressCard slot, but I rather not go for extra storage. What other cool things can be placed there?)
* No OS
* No Office 2007 applicatiesoftware
* No Windows Live OneCare 2.0
* 3 jaar pick up & return garantie
* No extended pixelcontrole
* QWERTY (US, internationaal)

All that for € 1.995,00 (which is about 2,648.26 USD).

-----

Other questions:
1. Now I'm convinced that the quadcore is superior to the dualcore for my purposes, but what does it really mean that it's clocked on 2,00GHz: Is every core on 2,00GHz or is the 2,00Ghz distributed over 4 cores?
2. 15" WSXGA+ resolution 1680x1050 > does this mean that it's 16:9 widescreen ratio and I can watch widescreen movies without getting used to those streched heads?
3. As I've come to understand, CPU+RAM+Mainboard are clocked on 1066Mhz, but didn't laptop mainboards had some kind of a bottleneck in bandwidth speed?

Questions to ask 2 XXODD (you can of course recommend me more questions):
- Which components can I replace/add without voiding my warranty? (< sending e-mail )
- Solid State Drives, MLC/SLC? Is it also POSSIBLE to get 64GB? (< MLC)
- Does the laptop have a CardBus interface? PCMCIA interface?
- IEEE1394 Firewire, 4pins / 8pins? (< IEEE1394a Firewire port, so that means 4pins)
- Is it possible to return the laptop to a local dealer in case of malfunction? (< yes if they can help the problem, if not the laptop gets shipped to main distributor)
- Is it possible to get the laptop with an enlarged Enter-button?

-----

I thank you dearly in advance for answering my questions and vaporizing my doubts, as I'm not really savvy about these kinds of things.
Well I'm off to bed, I have a demanding day of recording audio for a film schoolproject of a mate of mine which I hope will go without any delays (except as an effect on the audio track ;p)

All the BEST,
apusQuote from: improbabilitist on May 02, 2009, 04:24:29 PM

Other questions:
1. Now I'm convinced that the quadcore is superior to the dualcore for my purposes, but what does it really mean that it's clocked on 2,00GHz: Is every core on 2,00GHz or is the 2,00Ghz distributed over 4 cores?

2. 15" WSXGA+ resolution 1680x1050 > does this mean that it's 16:9 widescreen ratio and I can watch widescreen movies without getting used to those streched heads? it is widescreen, yes

3. As I've come to understand, CPU+RAM+Mainboard are clocked on 1066Mhz, but didn't laptop mainboards had some kind of a bottleneck in bandwidth speed?

What I'm going to ask XXODD helpdesk on MONDAY (you can of course recommend me more questions):
- Which components can I replace/add without voiding my warranty?
- Solid State Drives, MLC/SLC? Is it also possible to get 64GB?
- Does the laptop have a CardBus interface? PCMCIA interface?
- IEEE1394 Firewire, 4pins / 8pins?
- Is it possible to return the laptop to a local dealer in case of malfunction?

1. This means 2.0GHz each core
2. yes it is a widescreen ratio
3. Not exactly. the CPU and RAM FSB are exactly the same,meaning there should be little, or no bottle neck. What I get the most is hard drive bottlenecking, as I run IDE drives still...*sigh* but yous should notice minimal bottleneck.

You should add:
- How many USB ports
- What games are included in the 'Inclusief Game-pack!'

other than that I think you have it covered

By the way,....that's a mighty nice graphics card for a laptop i'm very jelous!

Quote from: Kurtiskain on May 03, 2009, 04:52:53 AM

1. This means 2.0GHz each core
2. yes it is a widescreen ratio
3. Not exactly. the CPU and RAM FSB are exactly the same,meaning there should be little, or no bottle neck. What I get the most is hard drive bottlenecking, as I run IDE drives still...*sigh* but yous should notice minimal bottleneck.

You should add:
- How many USB ports (<<< They state on their specs 4x USB2.0 connector, and there are 2 located at the right and 2 at the back)
- What games are included in the 'Inclusief Game-pack!' (<<< GRID Racedriver + Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. + goodies.)

By the way,....that's a mighty nice graphics card for a laptop i'm very jelous!
<<< I think you'll most likely be mad at me, since the first games I'm going to install on it are HL(2), diablo2 and Deus Ex.

I've spoken to the support phoneline but they were dodgy about the question whether or not it was cool if I would replace the RAM or SSD storage without voiding my warranty. After asking through I found out that if in the case of (hardware) malfunction they narrow the problem down to my own piece of hardware, the maintenance would be performed on behalf of my expenses (which I find rather logical and fair, but still not fulfilling enough to be called a valid answer to my question).

Oh well, I guess these kinds of questions are best asked if written, so I'll just go AHEAD and send them an e-mail.
What can eventually be added to my list of questions2ask is:
- Is it possible to get the laptop with an enlarged Enter-button?

Also, not really related but, is it possible to get a USB or Firewire device which captures the coaxial signal coming from TV ?
I have a Pinnacle Studio MovieBox PLUS 710 but I have to have bloaty Pinnacle software to capture anything

Thanks for helping out!I'm wondering, if I get loose components with each their own warranty, and assemble the machine myself, I'll still be able to maintain at least some sort of support from the manufacturers but would have a greater control and a sense of ownership.

At least, that's what concerns desktop computers, but is it also possible with laptops? Are there places where I can buy loose components and a barebone (in Europe) ?There's not many "loose" components you can add to a laptop without risking Voiding the warranty...
What components did you have in mind ? ?Quote from: patio on May 04, 2009, 12:07:32 PM

There's not many "loose" components you can add to a laptop without risking Voiding the warranty...
What components did you have in mind ? ?

Well actually pretty much everything, just like (with a desktop) you get an ATX case, mainboard and the needed components, only this time doing so with a laptop.Not sure what you mean here...Simply put: I just want to assemble my own laptop just like you would assemble a desktop (using VARIOUS components from various retailers).

By doing that I won't have a collective warranty anymore, but instead a warranty on each component, which I think is more educational as well as more controllable.Sorry and i'm not trying to discourage you but assembling a laptop is not very easy to do as the components are hard to find and the advantages over just purchasing one are virtually nonexistent.I thought 2GHz Core 2 Quad meant the 2GHz was split up among the 4 cores.No that means it is 4 cores, running at 2GHz each

so therefore it can process a lot more than a single or dual core at 3 GHz, as long as the program can utilize them.Quote from: patio on May 04, 2009, 03:56:49 PM

Sorry and i'm not trying to discourage you but assembling a laptop is not very easy to do as the components are hard to find and the advantages over just purchasing one are virtually nonexistent.

Interesting, isn't there a certain demand on that kind of concept?
Well whatever the demand is: XXODD here I come! ;p

Quote from: Kurtiskain on May 05, 2009, 12:48:09 AM

No that means it is 4 cores, running at 2GHz each

so therefore it can process a lot more than a single or dual core at 3 GHz, as long as the program can utilize them.

Yes and programs like Ableton Live can utilize all 4 cores at full muhahaha
Also there are not a lot of games which perform faster on a quadcore but there are some benchmarks.

thanks all!

Solve : Questions about my new laptop.?

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