Upgrade Setup - D-Tools Forum

06-19-2007, 05:16 PM

Okay, I know everyone has their preferences but I am hoping for something simple (I am a newbie so I'm looking for something that won't fry my brain trying to setup).

I am upgrading my setup and want to expand to two monitors. I will be purchasing a new laptop and probably tower.

With SI5 coming out Vista shouldn't be a problem

UH, but should I wait?

Sooo.....what would be the optimum but easy setup for this? I would like to use my laptop on the road but come back and use my desktop (does that work well?)

Currently have an older HP and am running SI4, I am new to it but I am working on it

. Oh, any useful tips that will get me through until DTU? or would the MIT classes be better?

Jack Frost · 06-25-2007, 04:33 PM

Hi. I'm a bit newish to SI myself so I won't comment on that but my background is in IT and PC support so I'll shoot for the hardware side:

If you're using these PCs for business I'd hold off on Vista unless there are specific features you find compelling (and no Aero doesn't count

).

Vista, w/ Aero especially, is a memory and resource hog and you may find that it nullifies your gain in new hardware (e.g. it's no faster than your old PC would be). As always YMMV.

As for using your laptop on the road, you might be needing to go to a Lansync type setup in D-tools, and have a separate license for each machine. Talk to D-tools about that.

If you're not using d-tools extensively in the field you might consider a remote access solution for the desktop (something like a VNC or GoToMyPC type solution) and just remote the desktop when you're on the road. Depending on your desire for security, you may or may not justify installing a VPN and the overhead that goes w/ it for that.

In the end there are a number of ways to skin this cat.

Feel free to PM me or run this thread if you need/want more info.

J.

JoseM · 06-28-2007, 01:48 PM

Hardware wise, I would recommend a Core2 Duo 6600 or higher with 2GB of RAM if you are using XP PRO SP2 or 4GB of RAM if you go with Vista. Performance wise, the Core2 micro chips simply destroy the competition.

I've been using Vista Ultimate since the first BETA release on a test machine and I've yet to find a good reason to move away from XP Pro Media Center SP2. I would recommend waiting until a service pack is released from Windows. Just like XP, at first it was a headache, but after SP1 things got better.

Right now, Vista reminds me of Windows ME. I can't even run my HT Pro 550 (not properly) due to driver issues from both ATI and Windows. I’ve had many more compatibility issues with both hardware and software. I won’t even get into the issues with old routers. I’ve had to create macros that disable certain functionality in Vista in order for it to work with my router and the rest of the network. It all comes down to what you do though, some people love Vista and have no complaints.

BTW – Those specs I gave you are not the “minimum requirements for D-Tools”. Just a recommendation for an enhanced user experience.