recommend me a laptop PC

[Bob Ross]

Arrgghh...well, it's time to bite the bullet and buy a PC of my own.

Been using Macs in the studio for 20+ years, but have been doing a lot of acoustic consulting & calibration lately that requires portable PC apps, and frankly my partners are getting tired of me borrowing their laptops!

But as long as I'm getting a laptop, I might as well get one that I can also use for remote recording. Thinking about one of those Presonus Firepods or whatever the 8-ch mic pre/interface gizmos are called. Just need it to run a DAW well enough for multichannel capture, I'll be porting the audio files into the Mac as soon as I get back to the studio.

So...is there anything specific I need to look for (or stay away from) in terms of Operating System, CPU type, brand names...? I wouldn't know an Intel from an AMD if it bit me in the ass, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've seen some HP Pavillion series laptops that look pretty swanky: Intel Core 2 Duo running Vista Home Edition. Work, or Teh Suk?

[PinnacleProdUK]

Why don't you get a Mac Book Pro Or even a Mac book and run Boot camp?

Then you can use your laptop for more than just your calibration tasks and incorporate it into your existing studio running mac's!

Whats your budget?

If your sticking with PC then i would recommend something from Red Sub

17" Red Sub Audio Laptop at Gear4Music.com

I would also stick with XP for the time being!



£1,223.21 inc. vat

This 17" Laptop workstation has been qualified by Red Submarine for use with music production hardware and software. Powered by Intel Core 2 Duo technology and independent graphics your audio projects will be a breeze.

More Details:
This system is suitable for all mobile recording and production needs. Harnessing the power of Intel Core 2 Duo technology you will see faster performance, more virtual instruments and effects.
Red Submarine recommend the specification below as providing optimum performance at a spectacular price! You can use the recommended specification below by simply clicking the 'BUY IT' button. Or tailor the specification to your own requirements using our 'Configurator' - just click on the 'EDIT THIS PACKAGE' button.
This system is configured by Red Submarine specifically with Audio applications in mind, and is guaranteed to be compatible with the audio hardware and software we supply. Each system is individually configured to your requirements, then thoroughly tested with all hardware and software purchased to ensure trouble free operation from day one.
Standard Specification Includes:
17" TFT Screen, 1440x900 WXGA
512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600MGS PCI Express
2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 6MB cache CPU (T9500)
2GB DDR2 800MHz Laptop Memory
320GB SATA 7200rpm Hard Drive
DVD/CD-RW Optical Drive
Windows XP Professional, SP3
56K Modem and 10/100 Network Card
External Monitor DVI and HDMI connection - Laptop screen and external monitor are independent
ExpressCard 54(34) Slot, 4 x USB 2.0 Ports
Intel Azalia audio card with built-in stereo speakers, subwoofer and microphone
Built-in Trackpad, Smart Li-Ion Battery
Dimensions 397(W) x 294(D) x 44(H)mm - 3.8Kg with Lithium-ion battery

[mattafact]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Arrgghh...well, it's time to bite the bullet and buy a PC of my own.

Been using Macs in the studio for 20+ years, but have been doing a lot of acoustic consulting & calibration lately that requires portable PC apps, and frankly my partners are getting tired of me borrowing their laptops!

But as long as I'm getting a laptop, I might as well get one that I can also use for remote recording. Thinking about one of those Presonus Firepods or whatever the 8-ch mic pre/interface gizmos are called. Just need it to run a DAW well enough for multichannel capture, I'll be porting the audio files into the Mac as soon as I get back to the studio.

So...is there anything specific I need to look for (or stay away from) in terms of Operating System, CPU type, brand names...? I wouldn't know an Intel from an AMD if it bit me in the ass, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've seen some HP Pavillion series laptops that look pretty swanky: Intel Core 2 Duo running Vista Home Edition. Work, or Teh Suk?

You could probably get by with one of those $300 netbooks. I had a MSI wind for a bit and it was more than usable. My roommate liked it so much he got one for himself for general web use.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by PinnacleProdUK

Why don't you get a Mac Book Pro Or even a Mac book and run Boot camp?

Because as long as I'm being forced to concede to the Dark Side and use PC applications, I might as well concede to the one benefit that the Dark Side has offered for all these years: Cheaper hardware.

I wound up ordering an HP with a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 3GB RAM, two 250GB 7200rpm SATA drives, 17" display, DVD+/- RW, blah blah blah...for ~$1500 less than the equivalent MacBook Pro would cost me. That $1500 can go towards another audio interface, and still leave enough left over for all the ****ing IT tech support I'll need when I start pulling my hair out from dealing with PC issues.

[jcschild]

google "pro audio laptops"

[7rojo7]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

IT tech support I'll need when I start pulling my hair out from dealing with PC issues.

Are you sure about this?
Trust is the best defense.

[ScottTunes]

I'm still having problems with the firewire connection... Some laptops have TI (Texas Instruments), and some don't - including some recent Macs. I hear Mac is back to the TI connector now, however...

I bullied Dell into replacing my Latitude D630 MB, hopefully with one that includes a TI IEEE 1394 connection... If it comes back with the same intermittent problems as before, I guess I'll be shopping for a new notebook myself!

Point being, be sure if you are going to use firewire for recording to your notebook, the only one that works, as far as I know, is TI. Make sure your new laptop is stable ASAP, so you can return it if it is not.

BTW, I like my Presonus Firestudio 2626.