Core Duo Laptop

[axis69]

Hi, I'm a newbie looking for a good way to start. I would primarily like to record demos but would desire high quality non-miked audio tracks (e-guitars, e-violins) and MIDI for later "serious" studio work. So, no planned huge arrangements, zillions of audio tracks, no mastering.

I need a notebook PC for my dayjob (basically a Word processor and a bit of www), otherwise I intend to keep the machine clear of software and data, so that I could use it for the above recording purposes. My future interface will be the E-MU 1616m. So, my question is: would this HP notebook do it for me?

- Procesor Intel Core Duo (1.66GHz) L2 2MB, FSB 667MHz, 945GM chipset
- RAM: 512MB DDRII 667MHz; I intend to buy 1 GB extra
- 80.0GB SMART SATA HDD (5400 rpm)
- DVD+/-RW , (SM,DL)
- Intel Media Graphics Accelerator 950 up to 224MB shared
- 15.4'' TFT WXGA screen 1280 x 800 + WVA
- 2x USB 2.0, 1x modem RJ11, RJ45, VGA, 2xAudio
- Firewire 1394, 1x PCMCIA Type I/II/III

I do realize that the HDD is a bit on the low side, so I'll invest in an external 7200 rpm drive. Is this ok? Are the Intel Core Duo (at 1.66 GHz) processors really light years ahead of a Pentium m 750 at 1,83 GHz? Or is it still too much of a compromise and I REALLY have to spend a fortune for that Powerbook? (I do have to be MOBILE, can't go with a desktop).

Thank you!

Urban from Ljubljana, Slovenia.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Yup. Ive been making music for years on less hardware than that.

It should be fine. The biggest deal is typically the 5400rpm drive. You get better performance with an external 7200 firewire drive. You're right on track- this separates the system drive from the audio drive, as well- good idea.

The core duos are pretty fast. I don't know the specs but I'm really happy with the Macbook Pro- even running XP in a Parallels virtual machine its pretty snappy. I'd imagine the PC's with the Duo are pretty snappy as well.

The only thing I'd make sure of is that the machine is compatible with the software you want to use. Pro Tools is the only picky program out there that I know of, so if you aren't planning to use PT then you should be fine. Doesn't hurt to check, though.

take care,
Chris