Laptops with Firewire

[audiokaos]

My current laptop is a Sony, 2 years old, I use for basic recordings...school and web surfing....I was able to record 12 channels of audio with no problems(after tweeking).

The laptop which I used to have was a Toshiba. Once again no audio problems.

Both laptops used TI chipsets for the FW.

[Dysanfel]

Thunderbolt is Firewire with a $29 adapter. Works great too.

[Jeff D.]

Originally Posted by Dysanfel

Thunderbolt is Firewire with a $29 adapter. Works great too.

Yep. 26 inputs @96khz through the Apple Firewire>Thunderbolt adapter, no problems here.

[Masaaki]

Originally Posted by audiokaos

My current laptop is a Sony, 2 years old, I use for basic recordings...school and web surfing....I was able to record 12 channels of audio with no problems(after tweeking).

The laptop which I used to have was a Toshiba. Once again no audio problems.

Both laptops used TI chipsets for the FW.

Do you need 12ch input recording all the time? If not, consider USB2.0 interfaces from RME, and not to buy a new laptop. UCX might be in your price range, if you save a little more. To me, 2yrs old laptop with UCX should make a wonderful recording/mixing rig.

[audiokaos]

Originally Posted by Masaaki

Do you need 12ch input recording all the time? If not, consider USB2.0 interfaces from RME, and not to buy a new laptop. UCX might be in your price range, if you save a little more. To me, 2yrs old laptop with UCX should make a wonderful recording/mixing rig.

I typically use 10-12 channels to record drums. Yes I know it can be done with fewer mics...however I,ve had lots of luck mic'ing each drum piece and even used them as samples on other recordings.

Do you think we'll see thunderbolt on lower ( Midrange??) end laptops??? say in the $700 -$900 range?

[Masaaki]

Originally Posted by audiokaos

I typically use 10-12 channels to record drums. Yes I know it can be done with fewer mics...however I,ve had lots of luck mic'ing each drum piece and even used them as samples on other recordings.

Do you think we'll see thunderbolt on lower ( Midrange??) end laptops??? say in the $700 -$900 range?

TB for $700-900 PC laptops? I don't think that happens soon, unless PC makers switch to the new TB (optical version) quickly and change everything.

Your requirement which is 12ch micing can be accomplished by RME UFX via USB2.0 (you need 8ch mic pre, though). As long as the 2yr old laptop is tweaked well (no offending DPC latency, no bloatware etc), I'm sure the UFX will work. It's $1800 to $1900, but think about it as a possibility.

[Dysanfel]

Originally Posted by Masaaki

TB for $700-900 PC laptops? I don't think that happens soon, unless PC makers switch to the new TB (optical version) quickly and change everything.

PC industry has already kind of accepted display port and its the same form factor. It might not catch on with low end mobos, but that would be a shame because it is REALLY nice.

I built myself a 128 gig SSD external TB audio drive with a Goflex enclosure. Its amazingly fast.