Old 10-14-2021, 01:04 PM   #1
snatchman
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Default Best PC Laptop For Recording..?

Hello..Question if I may: I have a friend that's trying to get started with recording with a laptop.I don't use one ( use desk top), but I told him I would post here and ask you guys if you are using a laptop or know one, which would be the best music production PC that won't break the bank..? Thanks..!
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Old 10-15-2021, 12:25 AM   #2
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Honestly, if it's only for recording. Then pretty much anything will do, as long as he has an audio interface, then the actual laptop does not really matter. Anything newer than 10 years old would work fine.

Are there anything else he would like to do? If not, then yeah.... it doesn't really need that high a spec. Probably just would want at least 4 GB ram to be safe.

Just be careful if he's using linux. But if he was, then I think he'd not need any help.
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Old 10-15-2021, 12:29 AM   #3
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A base line M1 Macbook Air is easily the best laptop for this today...if open to macs.
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Old 10-16-2021, 10:41 AM   #4
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I've been in the same boat: I'm a Windows desktop user who's been asked by friends... Based TOTALLY on web-window-shopping and anecdotal evidence from others, recording audio doesn't require much of anything beyond making sure that it doesn't have a chronic DPC latency problem. I tinkered with a Dell Inspiron a number of years ago that had this problem, and (after much wailing and gnashing of teeth) it was truly unfixable.

And yeah, Mac would be a way to go, except it's a deal breaker for me that they solder everything down and you can't fix/replace/upgrade any of the components. If the right to repair movement ends up leading to consumer protection laws that have teeth in this area, I would then and only then revisit Apple.

For serious DAW work with VIs and FX, I would be inclined to look at well-reviewed and highly regarded gaming laptops, since they seem to be the only mainstream laptops that favor power & heat dispersion above anorexic slimness and ultra-portability. For Intel, I would get an "H" series rather than a "U" etc.

The best (but also most expensive) way to go would likely be to have one made by one of the audio PC specialist companies, and if I needed a DAW laptop I would probably prioritize doing whatever I needed to do to afford this.
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Old 10-16-2021, 11:48 AM   #5
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If all you want to do is recorded a few tracks in WAV format and add a handful of effects then you may even get away with a new i3, and certainly a new i5.

However the entire user experience will be more slick with an i7, and an i7 will have a longer shelf life as inevitably your expectations rise in terms of adding FX, increasing the number of effects, the realism improvements in the FX over the years, but those lesser processors will still work well.

If on the other hand you want to work with multiple virtual instruments then I suggest you look towards an i7 or i9 processor. If a good mix of both then you could get an i5.

It's a tough call at the moment. If I was looking at a new PC at the moment I would be considering the Apple M1 options too. Mac's have never been genuine hardware competition before, let alone better bang for buck! (you bought them for style, or bought them because you wanted the osx operating system). M1 processor has changed all that.
However the M1 options are more money than the entry level PC options.
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Old 10-16-2021, 04:53 PM   #6
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Reaper will run and record on a Compaq Presario. It's that stable. Just don't expect to add f***-off plugins.
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Old 10-16-2021, 09:14 PM   #7
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Ok..Thanks guys..!..I'll pass along the info and see what he want to do..Thanks..
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Old 10-17-2021, 10:10 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlprod View Post
A base line M1 Macbook Air is easily the best laptop for this today...if open to macs.
I already have an older Mac Mini Server, but I thought I would check out your suggestion.
A 13" screen for me would be pretty much useless for anything other than the most basic, minimal recording/mixing projects.

That is why I have a Mini & share a 30" monitor with three video input channels between my desktop PC and the Mini.... and my little i5 laptop with a 15.6" screen that I generally use when I am away from home.
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Old 10-17-2021, 03:16 PM   #9
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In that case an M1 mac mini then
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Old 10-17-2021, 08:53 PM   #10
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The best one your money can afford.
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Old 10-18-2021, 01:23 AM   #11
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AMD vs Intel.
What is the current status?
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Old 10-18-2021, 01:32 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Naji View Post
AMD vs Intel.
What is the current status?
Once you get passed entry level prices and enter mid price hardware both AMD and Intel have been soundly beaten by Apple's M1 processor. With the classic CPU manufacturers you pay more to get slower performance, much more heat and power consumption.

Other than that between AMD and Intel you have to look on a case by case basis as it's too close to call.

AMD and Intel still outperform the M1 at the very high end, but at great cost in terms of efficiency as described.
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Old 10-18-2021, 02:22 AM   #13
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I'm assuming the laptop is for

-Recording
-Overdubs
-Nothing else (not mixing).

In that case, any laptop (one that's light and quiet). Put your money into

-Room-treatment,
-Mics (and stands. Don't make my mistake of thinking you can hang everything -With duct-tape. Mic positioning is the most crucial aspect, and so good stands are very important).
-Interface (avoid Tascam).

Run LinuxReaper using ArcOS. While overdubbing, make sure any effects are disabled and buffer is low.


If you want to mix on the same laptop you record with, I recommend Clevo. This is a Clevo reseller. They'll undervolt and over-clock your CPU. Unvervolt is more important IMO, you can run things cooler and thermals are the most important factor in a laptop CPU. However, it will be thick, heavy, and the power-cable sticks straight out, very annoyingly, and requires support, because the weight of the power cable will break the input and ruin your expensive machine; but better to buy a desktop for mixing.

https://www.hidevolution.com/evoc-cl...ng-laptop.html
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Old 10-18-2021, 01:14 PM   #14
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I use a 2016 i5 HP with 8 gb ram and it's all good.
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Old 10-18-2021, 10:24 PM   #15
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A $900 Mac M1 will do everything he needs. Get the most RAM he can afford.
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