mixmkr
we don't need rest!!
They look pretty inexpensive. ...add a 2nd hardrive...seems like a good solution for under $500. Win xp home... I've already got an extra Layla.
Opinions?
Opinions?
anyone using a new cheapie 2400 Dell computer for recording (the $450 one)
ocnor
Lord Of The Thighs
I've heard plenty of horror stories from people that tried to upgrade their Dell only to find out that their new soundcards and video cards don't fit.
mixmkr
we don't need rest!!
it would seem odd that my PCI Layla card wouldn't fit...but I suppose it might not. I have found that on all the computers I've had, the only thing I've upgraded has been the RAM (when the prices were low) and dead components like drives. Therefore, I am just looking for a cheapie computer as my current one seems like it is about used up! ..and I don't feel like dropping $2500 (again and again) for another one. My wife got a 2400, so I ought to just open it up and take a look and see what some of the physical dimensions look like inside. It is a tiny bugger...but it is working great for her photoshop stuff.
bennychico11
...
Looking at the Dimension 2400 it only comes with 128MB of ram...upgrade to 512 is $130. One hard drive...not SATA...although you could live with that, no floppy drive. Pentium 4 has a 533 FSB though. Also you need to be careful at what quality of components they put in there (as far as the motherboard, brand of hard drive and CD drive, etc). There probably is no firewire too. After adding a new hard drive, more memory, a DVD drive, etc....you'd probably still be better off building your own (if you have the know-how to)...or getting one customized somewhere else. Here's some that I like and am considering buying soon: http://www.adkproaudio.com/systems/Digital_audio_workstation.cfm 
ssscientist
Info you can use...
mixmkr said:
They way I understand it, those are precisely the corners they cut to deliver them @ the 'price point' --- non-standard card slots and fixed-in-place video cards that can't be upgraded without changing the mother board which is, of course, impossible because of the size of the box.
Remember 'consumer' vs 'pro' DAT machines of the early 1990's? The consumer ones were stuck @ 48k sample rate while the pro ones were capable of 44.1k. I have the feeling this is much the same artificial handicap -at the time the DAT thing went so deep that for years CD manufacturing plants were refusing 48k DAT masters because it meant that you hadn't ponied up for professional studio time...
bennychico11
...
oh, also look at http://www.pcprodirect.com
I just configured a computer to the specs I would like and the total came to about $600. Not bad with 2 hard drives, Athlon XP 2600, 512MB of PC3200, CDRW and a dual head video card to name a few. Probably a TON better than what you would get with Dell too. They also can install it for you or send it to you and let you do it. Of course, I think this is without an OS, monitor, mouse and keyboard....but these things you probably can find lying around somewhere or cheap online. One problem with the configuring though is that I'm not sure what quality the fans are and how quiet they are. The CPU fan/heatsink rated 38dBA. However, they do let you add other items to your cart from another part of the store and they will add it to your computer. I like that feature. Anyway...food for though.
I just configured a computer to the specs I would like and the total came to about $600. Not bad with 2 hard drives, Athlon XP 2600, 512MB of PC3200, CDRW and a dual head video card to name a few. Probably a TON better than what you would get with Dell too. They also can install it for you or send it to you and let you do it. Of course, I think this is without an OS, monitor, mouse and keyboard....but these things you probably can find lying around somewhere or cheap online. One problem with the configuring though is that I'm not sure what quality the fans are and how quiet they are. The CPU fan/heatsink rated 38dBA. However, they do let you add other items to your cart from another part of the store and they will add it to your computer. I like that feature. Anyway...food for though.
A
AumStudioBrian
New member
I am using a Dell Dimension 4500 and it ROCKS!!! I'm running Pro Tools LE with no problems. I've upgraded my computer to P4 2.6Ghz, 1GB ram, and 2 HD's, and its been great!
Dell's get a bad wrap nowadays because they are the new "mainstream" computer. But the truth is, they've gotten so big for a reason. VERY reliable. Dell uses the highest quality parts in every aspect of thier computers. And quite speedy as well. My brother an I like to test the "spunkyness" of our Dell's VS. other computers and it loads faster than most. Very snappy. I use Dell in my recording studio, 2 Dell's in my home, and a Dell laptop for class and I love them all! And they're all extremely reliable too. Thats my experience though.
I used to run 2 Echo Layla Soundcards before my Pro Tools days and they worked with no problem as well. Werid that you guys have had so many problems, or heard bad things about these computers? Go Dell and Ebay it up!!!
Dell's get a bad wrap nowadays because they are the new "mainstream" computer. But the truth is, they've gotten so big for a reason. VERY reliable. Dell uses the highest quality parts in every aspect of thier computers. And quite speedy as well. My brother an I like to test the "spunkyness" of our Dell's VS. other computers and it loads faster than most. Very snappy. I use Dell in my recording studio, 2 Dell's in my home, and a Dell laptop for class and I love them all! And they're all extremely reliable too. Thats my experience though.
mixmkr said:
I used to run 2 Echo Layla Soundcards before my Pro Tools days and they worked with no problem as well. Werid that you guys have had so many problems, or heard bad things about these computers? Go Dell and Ebay it up!!!
J
Jase
New member
Well the original question was referring to the 2400 model, which is definitely a cosiderable step down from the 4500, now 4600 or 4700. It's possible you could have more limitations in the base model than in the mid range model. I noticed that you are offered the option of a graphics card with the 4600 model but not with the 2400 model, maybe the motherboard wouldn't allow you to disable the onboard shared graphics. And the 2400 could have a problem with soundcards that the 4600 doesn't have. I think where these big companies skimp is on the lower end models, but the mid-high end models will probably work fine.
ssscientist
Info you can use...
Jase said:
Hmmmm. Where have I read that before?
mixmkr
we don't need rest!!
just a good news note...
I bought a inexpensive Dell 2400(actually my 2nd one)... added some RAM up to 512 and got a 2nd optical drive (48x CDrom and 48x CDrw)... a floppy drive....oh and got the Pentium 4 processor too, rather than the Celeron......about $600 after rebates (no monitor, but free shipping).
There IS space to add another drive, but Dell doesn't offer that in this line.
3 PCI slots and 2 RAM slots (I got one stick of 512, so another 512 can be easily added)
I installed my Layla....worked great. No problems.
I installed Cool Edit Pro (need to get the new Adobe Audition)... NO Problems.
I could open sessions with files networked on my other computers...everything worked great, right out of the box. I ran a session with about 25 tracks..no hic-cups, and the files where still on another computer too.
If the computer lasts a couple of years, I'll be thrilled at this rate.
Just wanted to report back....
oh ...btw. Ordered it late Saturday night and I got it delivered Tuesday afternoon! Said they shipped it on Sunday the 18th.... didn't know UPS ran on Sundays... hhhmmm
I bought a inexpensive Dell 2400(actually my 2nd one)... added some RAM up to 512 and got a 2nd optical drive (48x CDrom and 48x CDrw)... a floppy drive....oh and got the Pentium 4 processor too, rather than the Celeron......about $600 after rebates (no monitor, but free shipping).
There IS space to add another drive, but Dell doesn't offer that in this line.
3 PCI slots and 2 RAM slots (I got one stick of 512, so another 512 can be easily added)
I installed my Layla....worked great. No problems.
I installed Cool Edit Pro (need to get the new Adobe Audition)... NO Problems.
I could open sessions with files networked on my other computers...everything worked great, right out of the box. I ran a session with about 25 tracks..no hic-cups, and the files where still on another computer too.
If the computer lasts a couple of years, I'll be thrilled at this rate.
Just wanted to report back....
oh ...btw. Ordered it late Saturday night and I got it delivered Tuesday afternoon! Said they shipped it on Sunday the 18th.... didn't know UPS ran on Sundays... hhhmmm
E
Ed Dixon
New member
I have a number of Dell 2400 models and they work well for me. No problems with upgrades.
I also have a Dell 8250, and in some cases the 2400 out runs the 8250.
Ed
I also have a Dell 8250, and in some cases the 2400 out runs the 8250.
Ed
J
Jase
New member
Ed Dixon said:
So what programs do you run on the 2400? what soundcards do you use?
I
imissthewar
New member
Go to www.gotapex.com. It'll show you how you can get a fairly nice 4600 system for under $500 if you act soon. You'd still need to bump up the RAM and the HD size, as you would with a 2400, I'd suspect.