PC laptop recommendations for Pro Tools LE

K5000 · 25th August 2010

Hey,

I'm looking at options for a laptop based editing system - mostly for bread-and-butter editing TV shows, dialogue for films etc etc. Most probably it would at some point be also used for mixing/premixing stuff once I got a proper space for it (then again at that point I might have a Macbook Pro).

So, any suggestions? I'm looking for a PC because of the bang-for-buck aspect. So. Fast, quiet, affordable and with both USB and FireWire connections, as well as a connection for an external display. Obviously, the processor and memory wouldn't have to handle six 5.1 reverbs or anything like that, but run Pro Tools LE smoothly with your typical load of EQs, comps etc. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt if it was on the cheaper end of the spectrum. A netbook-type size would really be a bonus. Smaller display but way easier to take with you.

Appreciate any suggestions!

Lipflap · 26th August 2010

Whatever you choose, make sure you have a numeric keypad on the PC. You will go mad otherwise, since postproduction can be number-intensive. This will result in a larger notebook than you're imagining, but small is not necessarily the most important attribute if you plan to spend thousands of intimate hours with a workstation.
And are you sure about this netbook idea?

K5000 · 27th August 2010

Well, they're way easier to take with you than a large laptop, and nowadays you really start having netbooks with laptop-grade specs - dual core CPUs, 2 or 4 gigs of RAM and whatnot. Anyways, while working at home I would of course have a USB keyboard and an external display hooked up.

edit: BTW, great book, John. Cheers for that!

Vytis · 27th August 2010

I'm in search for one too.
Been looking at the 13 inch models such as HP Probook 4320s / 5320m and Dell Vostro 3300. Both come with the new Intel core i5 processors and 7200rpm hard drives. At 1.8 kg they seem very portable. And not underpowered like most netbooks.

Would love to hear from somebody using Pro Tools LE on an i5/i7 PC laptop.

25th August 2010	#1
K5000 Gear nut Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 76 Thread Starter	PC laptop recommendations for Pro Tools LE Hey, I'm looking at options for a laptop based editing system - mostly for bread-and-butter editing TV shows, dialogue for films etc etc. Most probably it would at some point be also used for mixing/premixing stuff once I got a proper space for it (then again at that point I might have a Macbook Pro). So, any suggestions? I'm looking for a PC because of the bang-for-buck aspect. So. Fast, quiet, affordable and with both USB and FireWire connections, as well as a connection for an external display. Obviously, the processor and memory wouldn't have to handle six 5.1 reverbs or anything like that, but run Pro Tools LE smoothly with your typical load of EQs, comps etc. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt if it was on the cheaper end of the spectrum. A netbook-type size would really be a bonus. Smaller display but way easier to take with you. Appreciate any suggestions!

26th August 2010	#2
Lipflap Gear addict Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 310	Whatever you choose, make sure you have a numeric keypad on the PC. You will go mad otherwise, since postproduction can be number-intensive. This will result in a larger notebook than you're imagining, but small is not necessarily the most important attribute if you plan to spend thousands of intimate hours with a workstation. And are you sure about this netbook idea? __________________ John Purcell author of Dialogue Editing for Motion Pictures: A Guide to the Invisible Art (Focal Press)

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27th August 2010	#3
K5000 Gear nut Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 76 Thread Starter	Well, they're way easier to take with you than a large laptop, and nowadays you really start having netbooks with laptop-grade specs - dual core CPUs, 2 or 4 gigs of RAM and whatnot. Anyways, while working at home I would of course have a USB keyboard and an external display hooked up. edit: BTW, great book, John. Cheers for that!

27th August 2010	#4
Vytis Gear addict Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Vilnius Posts: 427	I'm in search for one too. Been looking at the 13 inch models such as HP Probook 4320s / 5320m and Dell Vostro 3300. Both come with the new Intel core i5 processors and 7200rpm hard drives. At 1.8 kg they seem very portable. And not underpowered like most netbooks. Would love to hear from somebody using Pro Tools LE on an i5/i7 PC laptop.