Laptop Recommendations?

[matt_macfarlane]

Hello,

i'm looking to take the plunge & get my first laptop, partially for recording on location, but mianly to edit & mix. My mixes tend to get pretty huge and involve juggling mountains and mountains of small .wav files or large ones cut into tiny pieces, all in CoolEdit Pro 2.0, so I know I need a fast processor, a lot of RAM and a 7,000+ RPM hard drive. I also use Ableton Live and Reason 3.0, but so far those have not slowed down my current desktop PC (AMD Duron, 1-1.5 GHZ or so, w/ 512 MB ram). This system I have now is all right, but gets bogged down when working with so many small files in CEP2 and also the MIDI latency times in Reason are unacceptable.

I am new to the laptop world, and want to spend whatever it takes to get a great (not good or decent) product that will do what I want now and be able to take on future projects & requirements without breaking a sweat. Does anyone know any good companies that manufacture laptops specifically for music/audio? or multimedia in general? i heard Alienware makes fantastic stuff, but I hate all the Alien decor they put all over their shit (not that that would stop me if they're the only people manufacturing what I need).

Any recommendations or info on good places to start?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Folkie]

I can't help you exactly--I know of no music specific laptops, although the computer mags I read do rate Alienware highly, and there are a few others out there in that same vein. I don't use a laptop for music right now, so I can't say from experience.

You might try going to a local computer store--not CompUSA, but a smaller, "mom & pop" type oputfit--and presenting your requirements to them. They might be able to build you one that fits the bill. If nothing else, they may be able to refer you on.

Reading computer magazines (I read PC World, PC Magazine and Maximum PC regularly--not music related but they seem reasonably trustworthy on computers) to see what the latest in laptops are. All of them put out their "top 10" sort of lists that include laptops.

Recording magazines may also have some insight as to good laptops. At the least, they may have interviews with folks doing what you want on their laptops. Also advertisements (never a definitive answer--like asking the barber if you need a haircut) may give you some brand names to research.

Musician's Friend and other music stores (including, I would imagine, pro-sound places) sometimes have reviews from users (not the stuff their writers put out--too close to advertising) who have purchased their products. If they have laptops for sale, you might get an idea of their worth.

Regardless, do your homework--google searches, various forums, etc. Even e-mailing the companies whose software you use might get you some help.

Good luck!

 

[DogFood]

The guys at the local used computer shop recommended a Toshiba built laptop. I have not regretted it one second. I haven't have a moment of trouble wif it.
When I bought it I looked at the Protools web page and followed their recommeded build up. Pent 4 mucho speed and 512mb ram...plenty of flexibility. I had planned on buying an M-box, that was before I started lurking round these parts.

 

[Grizzly]

Hello,

i'm looking to take the plunge & get my first laptop, partially for recording on location, but mianly to edit & mix. My mixes tend to get pretty huge and involve juggling mountains and mountains of small .wav files or large ones cut into tiny pieces, all in CoolEdit Pro 2.0, so I know I need a fast processor, a lot of RAM and a 7,000+ RPM hard drive. I also use Ableton Live and Reason 3.0, but so far those have not slowed down my current desktop PC (AMD Duron, 1-1.5 GHZ or so, w/ 512 MB ram). This system I have now is all right, but gets bogged down when working with so many small files in CEP2 and also the MIDI latency times in Reason are unacceptable.

I am new to the laptop world, and want to spend whatever it takes to get a great (not good or decent) product that will do what I want now and be able to take on future projects & requirements without breaking a sweat. Does anyone know any good companies that manufacture laptops specifically for music/audio? or multimedia in general? i heard Alienware makes fantastic stuff, but I hate all the Alien decor they put all over their shit (not that that would stop me if they're the only people manufacturing what I need).

Any recommendations or info on good places to start?

Thanks,

Matt

If I were in the market for a new laptop for recording I would go for the G4 MAC. The Prices arn't bad and the dependability is amazing, and they don't crash like a windows machine. Also they are easy to operate and now there are a lot of USB devices that come with both MAC and Windows drivers. I have played with a couple of G4's and found that I need to sell my IBM A31 XP Pro machine and get a Mac. Check them out at www.apple.com

Griz