Dude, You’re Getting a Dell - (Oh No)!
Here’s another message that I have recieved asking some good questions, from Steve Bradle - Rhapsody Entertainment:
SirWolfy,
My name is Steve (aka Steve-O) and I am the owner Rhapsody Entertainment. Aside from getting ready to buy your book, I was wondering if you could make some laptop suggestions for me.I currently have a DELL Inspiron 5160 running Windows XP. I don’t really know what some of the other specs are, but I can tell you that the laptop is now running on 4 years old and it has turned into the biggest piece of garbage possible (I have read several of the reviews of this computer and they all read the same and people have had the same exact problem that I have now.)
Anyways, since it looks like you are a person with a ton of knowledge on the subject, I was wondering if you may be able to get me started in some sort of direction. I am trying to keep my budget somewhere around $1500.
Here is what I am running right now: PCDJ VJ and the Denon HC4500 controller. I really like the controller and I may eventually switch over to VDJ. I am looking to run music and video.
I will also in the future be looking to run a computer based DMX program for my lighting rig, most likely on a different computer.
Sorry if I didn’t give you enough information, but hopefully you will be able to get me moving in the right direction. I am looking to make a purchase very soon as I have alot of jobs coming up this summer and I don’t know how much longer the DELL will hold on.
Hey Steve, thanks for the comments and I hope that you enjoy reading my book - Introduction to Computer DJing & CPS!
Yeah, that’s one of the many downsides to owning laptops, after a few years of regular use and abuse, they tend to fall apart rather quickly (and expensively)! Motherboards crack, CPUs fry, ports go on vaction then things really get bad…
My sincerest recommendation to you however - especially since you are looking to do video as well as possibly adding DMX/intell control software would be to consider the alternatives to laptops that will offer you much better options in the realm of video capabilities, internal storage space and most importantly - airflow/heat handling. Since you are in the planning stages of your transition to a new computer, I would also strongly urge you to get a copy of my book, as the planning guides therein would be very helpful to you in looking at your options, sorting things out and making the best choice for you and your business.
Another issue that tends to pop up - especially with Dell laptops - is that of ground loop hum. It would seem that a number of the various models of laptop power supplies that come with Dell laptops are notorious for causing an annoying ground loop hum that can be heard rather loudly through most DJ systems. Without having the schemtics of them or more precisely, having one to tear apart and see what is causing the ground loop, I would venture a guess to say that they are using sub-standard power supplies and/or they use cheap or no shielding at all.
Last but far from least, Dell - like so many other laptop retailers - sell their machines with all sorts of extra installed programs that gobble up precious resources like system memory and processor time, making them less than ideal for mixing music much less videos and DMX control. Although on the other hand, a laptop can easily handle the work load of running DMX controlled lighting or even something like a remote request package sperately from any music and video mixing that you may be doing.
Copies of my book are available through mall.prodj.com or you may order directly from my website at CharlesESnyderIII.com/store
PS: Be sure to keep an eye on the DJ Idea Sharing Podcast Network for a new series of me talking about all the fun stuff with computers, the multitude of evils with laptops and so much more.
Tags: computer dj, cps, dell, digital dj, dmx, laptop dj, laptops suck
