Old 02-27-2012, 06:40 AM   #1
moon
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Default Which laptop ?

Heloo,

I've never run a laptop so I'm in need of advice.

I'm off to Oz to do some recording with online buddies and I want to take a laptop with all my software on it . I'll also take my Roland Quad-Capture external USB sound card. The lappy will need lots of CPU power and memory as it will have to run Omnisphere, Jamstix, Guitar Rig and a heap of other stuff. Any ideas appreciated. I've got a few months to obtain one and get it set up.
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Old 02-27-2012, 06:54 AM   #2
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Make sure the cpu benchmarks high at cpubenchmark.net for starters. At least over 3000
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Old 02-27-2012, 09:06 AM   #3
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Do manufacturers provide any such specs ?
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Old 02-27-2012, 09:14 AM   #4
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yeah, they tell you the cpu model like an I7 980x. look that up on the site and make sure it benchmarks above 3000 at least the bottom right section allows you to search by cpu
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Old 02-27-2012, 09:49 AM   #5
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OK , so an AMD Phenom quad core , such as the HMX940HIR42GM , rates over 3500

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

I've always used AMD.
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Old 02-27-2012, 09:50 AM   #6
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i've used many laptops for audio. the most disappointing of all was my short foray into macbook pro land - mainly due to the Logic DAW, which i just hated as totally non-intuitive. the macbook, as a piece of hardware, is quite fantastic however.

at any rate, i recommend the thinkpad T-series very highly. i have had perhaps 20 thinkpads over the years, and every one has been an example of the best available technology. i am currently running a pair of thinkpad T-410 i7 machines - both have been flawless and completely stable. it is important with any laptop to do a proper audio configuration - turn off all networking, all wireless adapters, remove ALL extraneous software including any kind of antivirus software. my t-410 machines boot in around 22 seconds on windows 7 pro.
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Old 02-27-2012, 09:51 AM   #7
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i only do intel but amd might be fine. anyone here with amd exp?
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Old 02-27-2012, 01:21 PM   #8
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Yes, AMD is my personal preference. It's a long-standing foible.

I've just looked at a couple of custom laptop sites and their pricing is astronomical. I've noted a few ' essentials ' for an off-the -peg machine and they are;

AMD
Quad core
8GB RAM
USB 3

Anything out there ? Any big solid state drives available yet ?

This will be a Reaper/Windows DAW, incidentally.
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Old 02-28-2012, 01:00 AM   #9
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Anyone using a solid state for booting along with a platter for storage ?
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Old 02-28-2012, 12:32 PM   #10
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Just switched from laptop(s) back to a desktop as the last three I've used just have too much electronic noise. No matter how much I tried I couldn't get a clear or clean line. At least my current desktop just generates mechanical noise and I've got a long XLR cable!! Looking at possibly moving to a Mac Mini or a quiet/silent mini PC.
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Old 02-28-2012, 03:54 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bingethink View Post
Just switched from laptop(s) back to a desktop as the last three I've used just have too much electronic noise. No matter how much I tried I couldn't get a clear or clean line. At least my current desktop just generates mechanical noise and I've got a long XLR cable!! Looking at possibly moving to a Mac Mini or a quiet/silent mini PC.
I know what you mean about the line noise. I kind of wish that I had went for a desktop over a laptop.
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