laptop vs. desktop
- Thread starter faderbug
- Start date
Uncle Roel
Member
Are you planning to get a laptop or desktop, or do you just want to know? If you want a reason why we use either a laptop or desktop, let us know, you fellow belgian!
no, i've made up my mind long time ago and went for the laptop since i do gigs as well (not many but still...). i was just curious about it since no one on hr.com ever seems to mention laptops. i had the impression it's all about studio buffs with their massive desktop setups but the results so far seem to tell something different (even though 3 out of 6 is hardly statisticly significant).
allways nice to meet other belgians abroad
btw you gave up the secret hiding place
allways nice to meet other belgians abroad btw you gave up the secret hiding place 
FattMusiek
New member
I'm no expert on laptobs, but they suck.
Thanks, bye.
Thanks, bye.
Paul Garvin
New member
Both
I use both. I'll be taking my laptop with me on an airplane this weekend. Can't do that with a PC. My laptop has a 2.2 Athlon chip, 40 gig HD, and 512 megs of memory. I can fit my laptop, my layla, my preamps and my mics/cables in a carry on bag, and take it anywhere.
Paul Garvin
I use both. I'll be taking my laptop with me on an airplane this weekend. Can't do that with a PC. My laptop has a 2.2 Athlon chip, 40 gig HD, and 512 megs of memory. I can fit my laptop, my layla, my preamps and my mics/cables in a carry on bag, and take it anywhere.
Paul Garvin
christiaan
Active member
Desktop.
Won't be switching to a laptop any time soon, even if I would start recording on location.
Proper preamps, cables, mic stands, AC power (you can't have it all draining your laptop battery or it's dead before the thing has finished booting), you need to add those to any rig. And a proper soundcard for laptops inevitably comes with some kind of breakout box.
Then a (rackmounted) PC + TFT screen don't add that much to carry around.
Add to that the advantages of a desktop compared to a laptop (cheaper, better upgrade paths etc.).
If you already have a laptop, sure, why not use it. But I wouldn't buy a laptop just like that to set up a recording rig.
Won't be switching to a laptop any time soon, even if I would start recording on location.
Proper preamps, cables, mic stands, AC power (you can't have it all draining your laptop battery or it's dead before the thing has finished booting), you need to add those to any rig. And a proper soundcard for laptops inevitably comes with some kind of breakout box.
Then a (rackmounted) PC + TFT screen don't add that much to carry around.
Add to that the advantages of a desktop compared to a laptop (cheaper, better upgrade paths etc.).
If you already have a laptop, sure, why not use it. But I wouldn't buy a laptop just like that to set up a recording rig.
Uncle Roel
Member
I'd prefer a laptop. If you do only big recording gigs, it doesn't matter. But if you just go track a few tracks, for ex some sax lines or something, you don't need all that. Just take the laptop, and a small rack with the external soundcard and some pres. One micstand, a mic and cables and you're set...
I'm also gigging with my laptop. A rackmounted PC would be workable, but you can't just put that on top of your keyboard rig... And, having a pc rackmounted in a decent flightcase that would allow you to take it on the road, would cost you just as much or more as you'd pay for a laptop instead.
As for upgrading; if you have an external soundcard like the hamerfall, upgrading would be getting more A/D and micpres. Memory is more expensive, but it won't kill you. Another HD would have to be an external HD. Which would be more carrying around, but if you have a big HD fitted, you can record on that, leave the external drive in the studio and move it there when you get home. Not that much extra trouble.
If you're gonna upgrade your processor etc, you don't have any options with a laptop. But once you get a decent laptop, you don't need upgrades right?
A laptop is handy for more things btw. Just take it along and you can show stuff you've recorded to other people. Take it along and bounce files over the network, ... With the prices of laptops these days, it's really coming down to what you are planning to do with it. If you cannot think of a situation that requires moving our rig, go desktop. Otherwise, I'd consider a laptop right away.
I'm also gigging with my laptop. A rackmounted PC would be workable, but you can't just put that on top of your keyboard rig... And, having a pc rackmounted in a decent flightcase that would allow you to take it on the road, would cost you just as much or more as you'd pay for a laptop instead.
As for upgrading; if you have an external soundcard like the hamerfall, upgrading would be getting more A/D and micpres. Memory is more expensive, but it won't kill you. Another HD would have to be an external HD. Which would be more carrying around, but if you have a big HD fitted, you can record on that, leave the external drive in the studio and move it there when you get home. Not that much extra trouble.
If you're gonna upgrade your processor etc, you don't have any options with a laptop. But once you get a decent laptop, you don't need upgrades right?
A laptop is handy for more things btw. Just take it along and you can show stuff you've recorded to other people. Take it along and bounce files over the network, ... With the prices of laptops these days, it's really coming down to what you are planning to do with it. If you cannot think of a situation that requires moving our rig, go desktop. Otherwise, I'd consider a laptop right away.
tvaillan
New member
Both
I get at worst 6ms latency with the laptop.
The band uses the laptop to record our jams with an audiophile USB.
Then I take it home and transfer to PC then make some EQ cuts and what have you while listening on the monitors that are hooked up to my amp & PC.
Laptop is a great tool man, but the serious work I do on the PC.
I get at worst 6ms latency with the laptop.
The band uses the laptop to record our jams with an audiophile USB.
Then I take it home and transfer to PC then make some EQ cuts and what have you while listening on the monitors that are hooked up to my amp & PC.
Laptop is a great tool man, but the serious work I do on the PC.
Uncle Roel
Member
Re: Both
Wtf? What is it that a PC has that a laptop doesn't have? A laptop IS a PC. And my laptop is more powerfull than the PCs my friends have.
A laptop is a great tool, but your PC is no greater tool than any laptop. You make it sound like you are recording on one of those freaking palm-puter-thingies. Jee...
tvaillan said:
Wtf? What is it that a PC has that a laptop doesn't have? A laptop IS a PC. And my laptop is more powerfull than the PCs my friends have.
A laptop is a great tool, but your PC is no greater tool than any laptop. You make it sound like you are recording on one of those freaking palm-puter-thingies. Jee...
ChristopherM
New member
My desktop machine is an ever-evolving creature. Couldn't do that as easily with a laptop.
L'espion Noir
Member
couldn't agree more......
dual to triple monitors
get to keep your generic soundcard along with your professional one
boot up from different HD, among other things
and of course this is all available for your preferred laptop with our recommended adapters... Easy
christiaan
Active member
tvaillan said:
You know what PC stands for?
Your mother is more right than you think, dude.