2012-08-18, 11:06 PM
(This post was last modified: 2012-08-18, 11:12 PM by mvallevand.)
After many years of being a dedicated desktop type I finally decided to try a laptop as my primary workstation as well as an NPVR client (simple i7 with HD4000 graphics), it was ok but I found I really wanted a real keyboard and mouse for power desktop-like use. I searched the web and found this Toshiba device http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4708/to...ndex1.html and while the other reviews around the internet were pretty well mixed, I got one anyway @ $130 CDN. I have used it extensively yesterday and today and it has been more than met my expectations.
Right now, I am using the same keyboard, mouse, DVI monitor and external speakers and have the wire for GigE network all connected into the dock and it is the same experience I had only much better with the nearly silent laptop drive and my NextPVR server waiting to wake to record. The laptop is sitting case closed on the destkip
When I leave to watch TV, I unplug the USB cable and power and I'll be all set until I bring it make it back here tonight.
If you are curious how NextPVR runs through it, I was testing with both HDMI and DVI monitors connected to the dock plus my laptop monitor enabled and I was running 3 separate full screen sessions with PIP running on all of them and I was at 20% CPU. In normal use with 1080i it is around 5%. I didn't try a fourth HDMI monitor into the laptop itself, because I'm not that crazy.
The limitation with the system is missing Blu-Ray w/ HD audio but I have other devices for that.
Martin
Right now, I am using the same keyboard, mouse, DVI monitor and external speakers and have the wire for GigE network all connected into the dock and it is the same experience I had only much better with the nearly silent laptop drive and my NextPVR server waiting to wake to record. The laptop is sitting case closed on the destkip
When I leave to watch TV, I unplug the USB cable and power and I'll be all set until I bring it make it back here tonight.
If you are curious how NextPVR runs through it, I was testing with both HDMI and DVI monitors connected to the dock plus my laptop monitor enabled and I was running 3 separate full screen sessions with PIP running on all of them and I was at 20% CPU. In normal use with 1080i it is around 5%. I didn't try a fourth HDMI monitor into the laptop itself, because I'm not that crazy.
The limitation with the system is missing Blu-Ray w/ HD audio but I have other devices for that.
Martin