Choosing a computer (for dumnmies)

[mslaurenyoung]

I know this question has been answered over and over... but I'm a total tech dummy and still am not clear. Perhaps I can ask in my simple way and get a simple answer!

I currently have an okay laptop but I want a dedicated desktop to continue recording the best I can. I know nothing about how recording works, etc. I just plug things in and go.

I use pro tools m-powered, and currently I have an old mobilepre USB which I am going to switch out for another m-audio interface (I'm thinking fasttrack pro or something?) so I can continue to use Pro Tools M-powered and record in 24 bit, as this old mobilepre only does 16. (Yeah, I have no idea what that even means.)

So, what the heck do I say when I go to buy a computer? What "specs" do I tell the salesman I need in my computer? I have a low-level buzz problem with my current laptop. Don't know why, but the exact same setup with my previous laptop before this one never had a problem. I'm hoping a new desktop won't do this. I don't have any idea what it is.

Anyway, does audio card matter, or is that taken care of with the m-audio interface?
See, I'm a real dummy. So, just tell me exactly what I need to be concerned with for my new desktop, and if there is any other part I need to address. And remember, type VERY slowly for me.

 

[ivanyoung]

The 16 and 24 are the bit depth, meaning the number of bits recorded for each sample, so its the resolution of each sample.
Its something like the resolution of a photo taken by a digital camera.....the bigger the number is, the better and smoother the quality will be.
But, even the interface nowadays can let you record in 24 bit, and up to 96kHz sample rate, common CD's that we listened to everyday are all recorded in 16 bit and 44.1kHz sample rate, because that's how much a CD can handle. DVD can support to 24 bit tho....
Fastrack Pro is a great interface within the price range, I'm very recommend it !
As for the computer, couple important things for audio recording are the processor, RAM, and the hard drive.
If you got the budget, you can get newer quad core Intel processor like the Core i5 or Core i7 (quad core means it got 4 processor running simultaneously, its like having 4 brains thinking together )
RAM is the memory for you computer to store data temporarily, the bigger the RAM, the more things your computer can handle. So, if your computer gets slower when you open a lot of applications (surfing internet, listen to music, chatting msn, antivirus, downloading stuff, etc....), that means your computer needs more RAM.
I strongly advice you put at least 4GB of RAM (if can, 8GB or even 16GB) to let you record thing smoothly and using more plug-in.
As for hard drive, well....1TB if you can, so you can store more files, but make sure you get a 7200rpm spin speed hard drive, it can let you record smoothly too....
Nowadays computer got onboard sound card on their motherboard, so you don't need to worry about it. cuz you won't use it, just plug your interface, it will replace your soundcard....

Hope my info can help you, and sorry for my poor english....