jackstpaulUHS
New member
I'm going to buy a laptop to use as my sole pc. Have desktop now. I'm a very low-end hobbyist. Using CEP 2.1a for 5 years now, have only done 1 audio track at a time. Looking to move into midi a bit, some more advanced effects, some other advances, but for self-/friends use. Never expect to record more than 2 tracks at once. Music audio is lower priority, but since I’ve narrowed my focus to a specific Dell and a specific Sony model, it’s now the biggest question mark.
From what I know at my limited level of knowledge they look indistinguishable except for Dell being cheaper. Without music software in my decision-chain, I’d buy Dell.
I will be buying audio new software--undecided yet. Maybe some version of Cubase, Sonar, Adobe Audition. No other use of the laptop would be beyond normal use, i.e. no graphics/video/etc. Since I’m at a point of being decided unless there are important advantages/disadvantages for audio stuff, I’m paying more attention to it.
Looking for comments on these 2 models I'm deciding between and relevance to audio recording of my low-end level.
Dell Inspiron 1525-122B $595
Vista Home Premium SP1; 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5750; 3072MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz , chipset --Intel GM965 250GB Western Digital 5,400rpm. DATA: 4 USB 2.0, mini FireWire, multiformat memory card reader EXPANSION : ExpressCard/54 NETWORK Modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi 128MB Mobile Intel 965GM Express;
Sony Vaio VGN-NR498 E/W $695
Vista Home Premium SP1; 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5750; 3072MB DDR SDRAM 667MHz;; 250GB Seagate 5,400rpm, Intel GM965 Express, 4 USB 2.0, mini-FireWire, MemoryStick, SD card readers, ExpressCard/54, Modem, Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
There's a lot of overlap in parts. My knowledge isn't much deeper than harddrive, memory, single/duo/quad core, some of speed, processing issues. Chipsets, diff. manufactures where there are differences—it’s lost on me. I've read many things here recently.
Limits of laptops I've read: Inability to install non-factory components--diff. soundcard, processors. Thermal issues.
The interesting thing for both is that they have "mini-firewire." I'm not seeing firewire on many models--what is "mini?" Will it work the same with interfaces as like with desktop?
I'll be getting an external hard rive for sure--don't know which yet.
I like Cubase as maybe my choice, but if there are significant issues that the different laptop models present, there’s' some interactivity on my part. Limited audio capability for given software might swing me to specific laptop model and vice-versa.
If anyone sees anything of real significance in the Dell and Sony for audio software in general or relating to one of the software I'm looking at it would be appreciated. Thanks.
p.s. I had no idea how big and upscale Best Buy had gone with music—instruments, software, lot of accessories, etc.
From what I know at my limited level of knowledge they look indistinguishable except for Dell being cheaper. Without music software in my decision-chain, I’d buy Dell.
I will be buying audio new software--undecided yet. Maybe some version of Cubase, Sonar, Adobe Audition. No other use of the laptop would be beyond normal use, i.e. no graphics/video/etc. Since I’m at a point of being decided unless there are important advantages/disadvantages for audio stuff, I’m paying more attention to it.
Looking for comments on these 2 models I'm deciding between and relevance to audio recording of my low-end level.
Dell Inspiron 1525-122B $595
Vista Home Premium SP1; 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5750; 3072MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz , chipset --Intel GM965 250GB Western Digital 5,400rpm. DATA: 4 USB 2.0, mini FireWire, multiformat memory card reader EXPANSION : ExpressCard/54 NETWORK Modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi 128MB Mobile Intel 965GM Express;
Sony Vaio VGN-NR498 E/W $695
Vista Home Premium SP1; 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5750; 3072MB DDR SDRAM 667MHz;; 250GB Seagate 5,400rpm, Intel GM965 Express, 4 USB 2.0, mini-FireWire, MemoryStick, SD card readers, ExpressCard/54, Modem, Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
There's a lot of overlap in parts. My knowledge isn't much deeper than harddrive, memory, single/duo/quad core, some of speed, processing issues. Chipsets, diff. manufactures where there are differences—it’s lost on me. I've read many things here recently.
Limits of laptops I've read: Inability to install non-factory components--diff. soundcard, processors. Thermal issues.
The interesting thing for both is that they have "mini-firewire." I'm not seeing firewire on many models--what is "mini?" Will it work the same with interfaces as like with desktop?
I'll be getting an external hard rive for sure--don't know which yet.
I like Cubase as maybe my choice, but if there are significant issues that the different laptop models present, there’s' some interactivity on my part. Limited audio capability for given software might swing me to specific laptop model and vice-versa.
If anyone sees anything of real significance in the Dell and Sony for audio software in general or relating to one of the software I'm looking at it would be appreciated. Thanks.
p.s. I had no idea how big and upscale Best Buy had gone with music—instruments, software, lot of accessories, etc.