Gateway 172x Help

I am a DJ and am getting into DJing music Videos. I wanted something portable and I think this computer is what I need. My local best buy does not have the p-6180 on display or I would have tested it out there. I have a program that i will be using and I want to make sure this laptop can handle it. Is anyone willing to take the time to test this out for me? I know this sounds strange but I dont want to spend $1300 and it not work.

I dont want to buy the laptop from best buy just to test it then return it lol would feel kinda wrong for doing something like that and the 15% restocking fee would make it senseless as well. lol

 

What is the program?

You might want to look at the smaller 6850 FX (which should come to the us pretty soon) it would be a much more portable machine versus this one.

 

the program is virtualdj and it requires a hefty graphics card such as what is in the 172x and 6860. When i say portable I dont expect small. I know this is a pretty big laptop but it beats carring around a desktop, monitor, and keyboard along with my other equipment.

 

Judging from the recommended requirements, it looks like you would need an upgraded processor if you get the 6860FX or 172X FX as well.

 

The recommended configuration to mix video is:

* Dual Core 2 GhZ CPU
* dual output ATI or nVidia video card with 1Gb of on-board memory (no integrated laptop videocard)
* 2048 MB RAM


the 172x has a 2.0 CPU.

I am currently using an old Toshiba with 1.4 pentium processor, 1 gig of ram, and ati videocard with only 128 mb of shared memory. This laptop works great for audio only but cant handle the video. I need a laptop with a video card where i can output the video to another screen and be able to handle the graphics load. Seems this Gateway has just that but this would be my only use for the laptop. I do not want to invest $1300 just to find out it cant handle it.

 

The 172X FX certainly has a 2.0, but I would go for the P6860FX if it goes on sale again. It will work out to be about 1400 with tax. Toss in another T7500 for another 150-200, it will add up to about 1600+.

4 GB RAM
320 GB HDD
2.2 Ghz
8800M GTS
Bluetooth
Tray drive

Compared to the 172S FX
3GB RAM
160 GB HDD
2.0 Ghz (Slower model as well, in both clock and FSB speed)
8800M GTS
Bluetooth
Slot drive DVD
1500+ with tax/shipping.

You could call Gateway and get about a 10% discount, which would make it about 1400 or so.

Your pick.

 

decisissions decissions desicissons.... This is alot harder than expected. If the sale was still going on I could definetely see the 6860fx advantages but who knows when the next sale will be. Slot drive now this has me worried! is this pretty easily upgradable or replacable as a tray would be?

I apreciate your knowledge and help dtwn83

 

Slot/Tray drive aren't different.

The main difference is if anything goes wrong, getting it out of the slot is going to be tough, whereas getting your disk out of the tray will be easier, there's usually a manual release spring somewhere around.

And regarding the actual drive, they have the same level of difficulty for removal/installation as the actual drive is the same size.

 

Has anyone loaded Vista 64bit on their P-171x fx or P-172x fx? I need to figure out how to get the finger print reader software to work, I loaded the driver, and installed the software, but it does not work.