M6400 or E6500 for Professional Audio?

Hi,

Would either of these models be ok for mobile recording? It would most likely be audio and some VST instruments (BFD for example).

I currently use Nuendo with a Pcmcia interface (RME Multiface). These Dells are the last laptops I've found that still offer Pcmcia. Pcmcia interfaces still seem to offer better latency than firewire interfaces.

I also have a large external drive I'd like to connect via esata.

The price difference is pretty substantial between the M6400 and E6500. Stability and good performance are naturally most important. I'd like to have a 17 inch screen (M6400) but can compromise with a 15inch screen (E6500).

Please let me know what you think!

 

I highly suggest the M6400 not because i have one myself, but the screen real estate (17") itself should be a selling point for anyone that has a heavy audio background (myself included). Everything is just so much better on the bigger lcd. With the 15.4 everything is way too crowded.

With the M6400, you also have an option for a second hard drive bay. This way, you can transfer everything you have from external hard drive onto the second hard drive. Less equipment crowding up the desk plus better access time...I think.

 

Good point regarding the screen real estate! I have a 15.4 inch screen now and I typically have to squint alittle to see everything especially from a distance. It kind of forces me to be close to the computer at all times.

I assume that if I get two hard drives (in a non-RAID configuration) I can put all of my applications (Nuendo, plugins etc) on one drive and use the other just for recording audio? That should increase overall system efficiency.

Any other thoughts?

 

The m6400 would be perfect. I'm using the m4400 for the same reason, i need the pcmcia interface for my e-mu 1616m.

 

When you configure your system - the M6400 i hope, make sure you get at the very least a 2.5ghz CPU. Your system will run much much quicker because audio/video editing is a huge load. Everything is just that much snappier with a faster CPU. DONT SKIMP ON IT!! Trust me.

I have two hard drives, one is 80gb (stock from DELL), and the other is WD320gb that contains strictly MP3 and edited audio files. Its so much better having everything in a single unit. Its Non RAID. The second hard drive is just extra space.

 

Btw, some Dell guy told me that if you don't order 2 hard disks at once, you only get one hd-frame and the corresponding cable for that. If you want to use the second slot you have to buy the other stuff yourself - and he meant it's not that cheap.

 

Wow, thanks for all the great responses!

LPTP-LVR:

Can I assume there are no issues with the Pcmcia cardbus? Are you getting really low latency for recording?

Bunta:

When I configure, I'll definitely shoot for at least the T9600 (2.8). I'm kicking around the idea of going for the X9100 too.

 

I dont really have an info on getting low latencies with recording via pcmcia. I record from within ScratchLive software and i have had no problems whatsoever.

As for the CPU .... Good for you! the higher the better. I wish i could have gotten the 2.8.

But either way, im glad you are starting to settle for the M6400. Youll love it. I do at least. I love the 2nd hard drive. Go to newegg, and search for WD3200BEKT. Its a 320gb 7200rpm notebook drive. Its the best there is right now. its runs for 99.00 w/ free shipping.

 

Yeah i can set it all the way down to 2ms without any pos/glitches or whatever....it doesn't work that well in Vista however so i'm running dual boot xp for audio....solved my problem of having lots of VST's which won't run in Vista at the same time, i couldn't part with them

I might be getting XP64 soon to make use of the extra RAM (m4400 can be upgraded to 8gb ram) after hearing good results from other audio users and all drivers etc are available and stable by now. Also a reason to get the m6400 is the expandabilty options in the feature when prices go down. As i understand you can put 4x 2gb dimm's in now to get 8gb and replace them with 4gb dimm's later on....with audio the more ram the better....AND CPU power!! get the quad if you can!!