USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 with E-SATA & Power Share?

[Nicole B]

Well, on both I have USB 3.0, even though on ASUS I have only 1x USB 3.0 against 2x USB 3.0 on DELL plus USB 2.0 with E-SATA & Power Share

Going with the ASUS, can a USB 3.0 hub solve it?

Or is the DELL's 2x USB 3.0 plus USB 2.0 with E-SATA & Power Share a whole different world?

ASUS
http://www.electronicexpress.com/catalog/20294/Asus-X53SVRH71

DELL
http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-17r-n7110/pd?p=inspiron-17r-n7110&ref=aInspR3T

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Nicole B]

Here is a previous thread:


http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?66724-notebook-with-i7-2630QM-or-2670QM-processors-for-editing-and-grading

[Elsie N]

Nicole, I only did a cursory inspection of the two computers you linked to, but my first impressions were:

The Asus has the advantage of the i7 processor over the (upgrade from i3) i5 of the Dell. Assuming you are to be using this computer for RED workflow work, that might prove to be a noticeable advantage, but I doubt it would prove to be an overriding factor.

The Dell immediately jumped out at me with the larger 17 inch screen and the 2 GB memory dedicated graphics video option. If you are going to be using Adobe software, the graphics card is king... if it is an Nvidia CUDA card, that is. For now, Redcine Pro is CPU centric, but they have intimated that as the program progresses, it will utilize the GPU more. (Not sure if that will be Open CL or CUDA, but either type should help the program work better is my guess.

It appears the Dell is far superior in number of USB 3.0 connectors, and I especially like that it has the eSATA/USB 2.0 connector. I couldn't quickly find the specs on the ASUS so I don't know exactly what their full range of connectors might include. For me, the eSATA connector is most important because I will be offloading camera footage onto my laptop in the field;

(currently using an HP i5 first generation processor with the hybrid USB 2.0/eSATA connector and a number of USB 2.0 connectors. (pfffffffttttt on the USB 2.0s)

and eSATA is one of the fastest options widely available at present. The USB 3.0 is getting faster, I'm reading, so I would value those as well if I were buying new at present. Noticed the DELL computer has a 640 GB 5400 RPM HDD. The ASUS has 750 GB but didn't say what the rotational speed is. I would not let the 640 GB 5400 RPM drive in the Dell be a deal breaker. The smaller 2.5 inch notebook drives with smaller platters are actually quite fast even at 5400 RPMs due to needing less travel distance for the arm to cover the smaller platters. Besides, larger, faster, even hybrid (flash memory combined with mechanical platters) drives aren't that expensive and aren't that difficult to install as a replacement for your OEM drive.

MY FILTERS

We all have filters that we use to make judgements and mine are definitely slanted toward Dell because I have 4 Dell computers (two that I've abandoned) 2 homebuilts using AMD CPUs, and one HP laptop that was a gift, but that I am happy with. I've never owned or even used an Asus AFIK. But back to one of your original questions, I don't really know if a USB 3.0 hub will solve the lack of USB 3.0 ports on the Asus. There's the possibility that there is just so much bandwidth and you wouldn't be getting the needed throughput if using more than one USB 3.0 device at once. This is a question better answered by someone like Jeff Kilgroe or others with similar knowledge.



EDIT: Just read your link to another post and I see you have already taken some of my points above into account. Hopefully someone with a more intimate understanding of your concerns will chime in.

[Elsie N]

Here is a previous thread:... (extracted)

I cannot trade the internal disk without losing the manufacturer warranty.
I'll be using only the internal disk for programs, using USB 3.0 external drives for footage....

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?66724-notebook-with-i7-2630QM-or-2670QM-processors-for-editing-and-grading

I did not know that about the warranty.

But like you said, you will only be using the internal disk for programs. This is just intuitive thinking, but it seems to me the 5400 RPM internal HDD should be as fast or faster than whatever you can get through the pipe using the USB 3.0 external HDD for footage.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I guess I'm not sure what the real question is here. (Nicole, I got your PM).

The ASUS is the clear winner by specs. The Dell does have that additional port, however I'm unsure if it is a second port on a second header or not. If it is indeed on a second header, then both ports will be capable of full bandwidth simultaneously. If it's two ports linking off the same header, then it's really no better than having a single port with a hub. I'm of the impression that it's on a single header, just can't seem to find confirmation.

There are other systems to consider here. I'm not so sure either of those two systems would be at the top of my shopping list..

I would never buy a system that voids the warranty for replacing a hard drive. Even the "hardware Nazis" at Apple don't do that.