Barebones confusion (Asus Z96Js and what chipset is used)

Ok, I am officially confused!

I am looking to buy/build a mobile recording/live music performance Laptop to be used for my stage show. I thought about getting a Mac but one of the programs I am thinking about using only runs on Windows (and to me, it's pretty pointless to pay a premium for a Mac and then run Windows on it). So I started looking around at boutique recording computers (Windows based) to see what they had to offer. I quickly realized that they are just selling the same ODM laptops that anyone can buy, and labeling them "special recording computer" so they can sell them for about 2x what they are worth. Here is one example:

http://www.rainrecording.com/1-877-MIX-RAIN/store/product.php?productid=16136&cat=271&page=1

To me, this looks like it is clearly just an Asus Z96Js with their logo tagged to it.

Upon further investigation though, I am finding it difficult to pin down what chipset the Z96Js uses! On the Rain recording site (from the example above) and on this site http://www.directron.com/z96js.html it is listed as Intel 945PM... but on R&J Tech and Excaliberpc they have it listed as the Intel 945GM chipset! To make matters even more confusing this article...
http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/Centrino_Duo_Whitebook_A_DoItYourself_Laptop1/

... on pg. 3 when it lists the specs it says Intel 945GM but then later on pg. 6 when it lists the specs again (to show the comparison between the lappy's it was tested against) it lists the chipset as Intel 945PM... WTF!!!

I read in a different thread on this forum that the difference between the two chipsets is that 945GM has integrated graphics and 945PM does not... but EVERY Z96Js I have seen comes with an ATI x1600 (256mb) graphics card... so how could it be a 945GM chipset?

This might seem like a nit-picky difference, but it is VITALLY important that it is exactly the same specwise as what the Rain computer is.... because while I believe that the Rain Livebook is overpriced, I am sure that they have tested it for compatability with lots of different recording interfaces and software (which is suprisingly important in recording based laptops when you are talking about how the computer handles system resources... one example: When talking about using a comp. for recording, if your comp. shares IRQ's for a bunch of different devices you could be in trouble... more so than if you are just using it to surf the net or play games). Check out this thread from another forum if you are curious about what I am blabbing on about...
http://www.audioforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17896

Every boutique recording computer that I have seen (which apparently have been tested and approved for audio use) uses the Intel 945PM chipset.... so to be safe, I want to get that chipset.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Oops!! I meant to say that http://www.directron.com/z96js.html has it listed as both (945gm at the top and bottom of the page, but 945pm in the middle!) and ASUS http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=23&l2=127&l3=0&l4=0&model=1443&modelmenu=2
has it listed as 945PM!

 

post this on the asus forum, they can help

 

cool thanks...

 

I have a Z96JS and it has a 945PM chip set and the dedicated Ati x1600 mobility card.

Jeff

 

The graphics chipset on the motherboard shouldn't be a factor in the functionality or compatibility of the notebook with *any* software package that might be used in the recording/DJ industry. However, the Z96 series has never shipped with an integrated gpu that I've ever heard of, so it would probably be safe to assume that any reference in spec sheets to a GM Igpu is a typo that wasn't caught.

I also wouldn't be so sure that Rain has tested the unit with as wide a range of software as you think, unless they confirm that for you directly; in my experience the majority of companies offering whitebox notebook units are in the assembly, not product testing/compatibility, business . The unit they list on their website through your link is a standard base Z96j model with upgrades just to cpu/mem/hdd, at a $600 premium for their name and 3 year support over someplace like BTOTech.com (when I ran a quick check over there just now) - nothing special about it other than the accessories that they're offering with the unit.

Save the money and get the unit from one of the trusted resellers on this forum that build them (BTOTech.com or Milestonepc.com). You'll be fine.

 

Ummm.... Z96 *does* have different versions. It's just that you rarely see the other one since it makes no sense pricing-wise! For only 200$ less... penny pinchers will not buy it since barebones usually ends up costing more than a cheap Acer or Dell, and you can go for the VBI version with the ATI graphics card already in it!

Z96J = Intel 945PM with X1600 GPU
Z96F = Intel 945GM with GMA950.

PM is the Intel chipset without a built-in GPU.
GM is the Intel chipset WITH a built-in GPU.

 

I stand corrected, then. thx.