Great Remote Recording Laptops (for Firewire, ieee 1394 interfaces)

[Unbound]

I don't know if this list exists but I just started doing some research I'd like to contribute.

Apple Powerbook 15" 1.67Ghz (has FW 800 and FW 400 6-pin)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Powerbook-...QQcmdZViewItem

Acer 1662WLMi 15" 3Ghz (has 4-pin and 6-pin FW 400)

http://cgi.ebay.com/HOT-Acer-1660-P4...QQcmdZViewItem

ASUS Z71V 15" 1.86Ghz (has FW 800)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Z71V-ASUS-15-4-W...QQcmdZViewItem

eMachines M6810 15" 2Ghz (has 4-pin FW 400)

http://cgi.ebay.com/eMachines-M6810-...QQcmdZViewItem

I have found all these to either be tested, or to have been listed in a discussion as working well with a recording interface.

I like that the Acer has both types of Firewire 400 connections, I also like that the powerbook has 800 and 400.

Just sharing some info!
Aaron

[Don S]

Don't mess around - get a MAC. You'll waste lots of $$ trying other less stable machines. I have complete confidence in my powerbook, and when you're in the field thats invaluable.

[T.RayBullard]

I have a dell laptop that has served me very well..3 years and running..

The Army uses them for important data storage, and portable workstations.

The Army Audio engineers use Dell laptops as well. That says something about their ruggedness and dependability.

I have no problem reccomending a pc laptop..I guess it depends on which software you are comfortable with. I like Wavelab and Sequoia, so PC is my thing.

Hey Mr. S !thumbsup How you doing Sir, I sent you an email or 2.

Teddy

[Unbound]

Yeah I looked at the Dells, and from tests I've seen, they just haven't stood up in the plug-in department compared to some of the AMD computers.

I currently use a Powerbook G4, but was looking to get a back up, and a secondary computer to use more for business stuff, and was looking at PCs.

Oooh, I've always wanted to use Sequoia, it loks sweet.

Aaron

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by Don S

Don't mess around - get a MAC. You'll waste lots of $$ trying other less stable machines. I have complete confidence in my powerbook, and when you're in the field thats invaluable.

Oh no. Here we go again.

Yeah, stability. I have a client who had 2 mac 17" Powerbooks go down on her in one week.

Now we've got that out of the way.

I use an m6805. But the entire series of emachines AMD64 based laptops are excellent value for your money, and will run rings around any Mac laptop.

The newer ones made under the gatweay name are the same.

Now, if you really want somehtign great, the new Dualcaore laptops are being released, and if ZI wanted to spend the money, for me it would have to be a 17", Dulacore with dual 7200 rpm internal harddrives.

For now, I have a complete portable set-up on wich I also mix using my cutdown 4-slot magma chassis and 4 UAD-1 cards and a firebox.

The whole set-up fits in 2 small briefcases.

[Don S]

Originally Posted by Henchman

Oh no. Here we go again.

Yeah, stability. I have a client who had 2 mac 17" Powerbooks go down on her in one week.

Now we've got that out of the way.

The whole set-up fits in 2 small briefcases.

You're right - sorry


To be completely fair, there are reliable PC laptops. I ran into 1 big problem, as well as anyone else who tries. By the time one is found that works, manufacturers change it! A pyramix rep descibed it best as "a moving target". What worked perfectly on last months model does not work on this months newer design.
Also, if you are PC savy, you can research, test and experiment. I just wanted to hit the record button.
Again - sorry to bring this up again - I just lost lots of money going the PC laptop route and hope to save others the money and frustration.

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by Don S

Again - sorry to bring this up again - I just lost lots of money going the PC laptop route and hope to save others the money and frustration.

You should have checked the DUC. As PT's is the most demanding when it comes to what you can use. It's very pickey regarding hardware.
It just happens that the emachiens/gateway amd64 laptops are among the most recommended ones there. Also pretty much the most affordable.

I run PT's M-powered with the M-Audio Transit and Nuendo with my Presonus Firebox all without a hitch, and no special tricks on install.

I bought my laptop for $1k last year on ebay, new. And it's been 100% troublefree.