Hey guys.
Just the thread I needed to see.
I purchased the Dell XPS 8100 2 months ago and only had a week to experience its ability due to an unexpected financial reason. ( I returned it)
Now that I have no financial issues I am ready to purchase it again but, I want newest model. ( Dell XPS 9100).
Within the one week I had the XPS 8100 I did come across the issue with the TI chipset for the firewire card with my Motu 828.
I went back and forth with Steinberg and Motu to find out what the problem was and finally it was the chipset issue as mentioned in this thread.
I must make mention that everything else worked flawlessly. Supper quite machine, couldnt tell if it was on until I moved the mouse to wake up the monitors. My two Gateway HD monitors viewed very crisp and clean I might add. I’ve always knew they were HD 1080p but” WOW” the picture was so sharp. I watched an off the market DVD (Bootleg) and the picture was still so clean. I had these monitors for a little while and never had the chance to hook them up with a digital connection (DVI).
One of the monitors started flickering and I tried to update the drivers from Gateway and it worked but keep in mind I only had the XPS 8100 for a week so I don’t know if that was a permanent fix.
Again, for the short time I had the unit the only complaint I had was the fire wire card and that I couldn’t get a true experience of working with Cubase because I am still on CB 5
.
I guess my question(s) here would be:
Does Dell sell or can they install a firewire card with the TI chipset?
Can I use my old firewire (PCI) card in the new unit?
Can I purchase a firewire card from (bestbuy etc.) and install it myself?
Did anyone have an issue with their monitors?
Most important; Is there anyone out there using this machine foe music production?
So far that would be my main concerns based on my short experience with the XPS8100 so if anyone has any additional technical expertise to share before I buy XPS 9100 unit please unleash!!!
Thanks for posting this thread. It was exactly what I was looking for.
Happy producing!!!