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Review: page 3 of 3 |
| Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M60 Prev 1 2 3 |
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 An unusual feature that I found myself quickly getting used to was the D/View stand Dell included with our test unit (see graphic at left). When I first took it out of the box, I had no idea what it was, but after looking at the easy-to-follow documentation I realized that it was an ingenious holder for the port replicator that doubles as a stand to bring the notebook up to the same eye level a monitor would be. And, the docking port of the M60 is on the bottom, so you can run all the mouse, keyboard, FireWire, USB (1.x or 2.0), monitor or network cables out the back of the machine, which certainly proved to be an ergonomic innovation when we started testing all kinds of connectivity options with the system.  Then, on the back of the port replicator (see picture at right), there is a DVI I/O port in addition to lots of others including standard VGA, which lets you use dual monitors with this system, a feature that every digital video editor knows is a significant workflow enhancement. I can't think of a better notebook on which to run Sony Vegas, Pinnacle Edition, Avid Xpress DV or Adobe Premiere Pro, all of which take advantage of processor power for real time effects, and some of which are starting to use OpenGL acceleration as well. And if all that I/O isn't enough, there's a port that also lets you connect an external bay for even more devices. Then when you're ready to go, you just push one button and your M60 springs free, ready to fly. This feature makes it so easy to replace an entire desktop system with a notebook, I can understand why so many users are doing just that. And, with its stellar performance, now you can replace a desk-bound digital video editing workstation with this slinky, swanky notebook. [an error occurred while processing this directive] Summing up, I was blown away by this notebook. It feels faster than any other computer we have here at the Midwest Test Facility, and we have all the fastest PCs and Macs that are capable of editing digital video. The M60 includes Dell's workstation-class support, it's great-looking and its benchmark numbers are remarkable, especially for a notebook. I'd highly recommend it without reservations.  Digital Media Net Executive Producer Charlie White has been writing about new media and digital video since it was the laughingstock of the television industry. A technology journalist and columnist since 1994, White is also an Emmy-winning producer, video editor, broadcast industry consultant and shot-calling television director who has worked in broadcasting since 1974. Talk back -- Send Chazz a note at cwhite@digitalmedianet.com.Read Charlie White's editorials by clicking here. Prev 1 2 3  Related Forums: Related Sites: • Animation Supplement • AV Video • Broadcast Newsroom • Content Mastering • Digital Post Production • Digital Producer • Digital Video Editing • DTV Professional • DV Format • IBC News • Presentation Master • Presentation Supplement [an error occurred while processing this directive] |
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