I am new to this.

[mjsinc6]

I also just got a new laptop and I was wondering if it will work for any recording program.

Toshiba Satellite A105-S4324

Processor:
Processor Type - Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed - 1.60 GHz

Operating System - XP Media Center 2005

Memory Size - 1536 MB

Hard Drive Size - 160 GB

Hard Drive Speed - 4200 rpm

...and I need recommendations on what other equipment I will need. (in general)

 

[therage!]

What kind of recordings are you going to do?

How many tracks do you plan on recording?

How many plugins do you plan to run?

What is your budget?

That HD speed is slow but depending on what you want to achieve it may work. You could run something like this..http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/CardBus/IndigoIO/index.php
or you could run a USB device something like this....http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--LEXOMEGA

You will usually get recording software like Cubase LE when you buy a product like this and that will get you going. Firewire seems to be the way most people are going these days but do a search here on USB devices and you will get a lot of info.

 

[Anomaly Design]

That HD speed is slow

Absolutely, and I don't think it will work. I tried to run a firepod on my laptop with 5200rpm and it broke.

 

[therage!]

Absolutely, and I don't think it will work. I tried to run a firepod on my laptop with 5200rpm and it broke.

Yeah, that's why I mentioned that. I did run a 5200 drive in a el cheapo Dell box for awhile but that was with my Delta 1010. It ran OK but not at real low latency settings.

Best thing mjsinc6 could do here is build up a decent desktop.

 

[Anomaly Design]

Best thing mjsinc6 could do here is build up a decent desktop.

Agreed. Otherwise forget about making any recordings of even somewhat decent quality.



....Unless you want to invest in a new 7200rpm hd for yours, then it could be possible.

 

[mjsinc6]

if i were to get a harddrive with 7200 rpm, will i be perfect for recording or will i still get less quality than with a desktop?

 

[therage!]

if i were to get a harddrive with 7200 rpm, will i be perfect for recording or will i still get less quality than with a desktop?

The H.D. isn't going to change sound quality. Your signal chain is what will change sound quality. That said, you can record more tracks and run more plugins with a faster drive therefore you have more options.

Yes, get a 7200 RPM drive.

But you should still go back to my previous questions and think things over. You can get started with what you have but Firewire seems to be more preferred than USB. But then there are people using USB based systems with no problem.

You can get a lot of help here, but it helps to know what you want to achieve.