Laptop recording setup

[tyromusic]

So I'm looking into getting a new computer for recording. I primarily record from my keyboard (1/4" stereo) or my synth (same connection). I also use a fair amount of midi. I'm looking at getting a laptop mainly because of the portability (currently I have a desktop). I'm definitely a PC-guy. I'm wondering if anyone has any opinions on the type of PC and the type of external soundcard to get. My understanding is that processing speed and memory are my top priorities.

I've priced out a couple of different models:

Lenovo Thinkpad T61p 15.4" Widescreen:
Intel Core 2 Duo T7800 (2.6 GHz, 800MHz, 4MBL2)
4GB DDR2 SDRAM
200GB Hard Drive (7200 rpm)
Windows XP

$2,984

Dell Inspiron 1720 17" Widescreen
Inte Core 2 Duo T7700 (2.4 GHz, 800MHz, 4MB cache)
4GB DDR2 SDRAM
160GB Hard Drive (7200 rpm)
Windows Vista

$2,199

My main concern with the Dell model is Windows Vista (XP was not an option on the website). I'm not sure how well it would cooperate with my current audio software and with any external soundcard I decide to buy. Is anyone currently using this on their recording setup? The Dell model does come with a better internal soundcard (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio), which looks like it would have enough power that I could do some editing/mixing while I was on the road and without my external soundcard.

As far as external soundcards go, I've been looking at Edirol UA-25. It looks like it has all the features I need with good reviews.

Any comments on either the laptop or the external soundcard would be appreciated.

 

[Toddskins]

I know exactly what you are dealing with

Hey,

I just went through all those emotions and judgments the past few weeks, and after MUCH research, bought this a few days ago:


Asus G1S-B2 - a 15.4" display with Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 2.4 Ghtz chip
(This is a top notch chip for a laptop, at this price!)
Windows XP SP2 OS
4 GB fast RAM
200 MB SATA 7200 RPM Hard Disk
NVidia GeForce G8600M GT 256MB GDDR3 up to 1G/DX10
and more.

Comes with backpack and $100 headphones, too.

Price: $1997 and free shipping


You can customize which Operating System you want, and other elements. I had to pay $95 extra for the XP OS. Isn't that a riot? Oh well, we both know why we want XP. This company gives you the option where others do not.

www.gentechpc.com


Here's one review and lots of photos:

http://www.notebookreview.com/defau...ASUS+G1S+B2+-+Core+2+Duo+T7700+2.4+GHz+-+15.4

Also, it comes with 4 USB 2.0 ports and a Firewire port, too. So take your choice on which Audio device you want to buy.

Asus, is a huge company and just recently bought out Gateway computers (the cow branded co.). They have a great reputation, and their prices are very reasonable. But extremely important for me, was getting a system with XP on it.

BTW, I researched this company via many PC review sites, and they had all thumbs up. I should be taking delivery on mine next week, after they have installed the XP over the Vista. I get to keep the Vista OS, should I ever wish to install it.

This Laptop is primarily for Audio recording. I have not yet decided upon which USB MIDI Sound device to buy. But one with ASIO drivers, of course.

I typically swear by Dell computers, of which I own 3 myself. But Dell did not offer on the Inspiron, a chip beyond the T7500 (2.2 Ghtz), raping people for RAM ($500 to upgrade to 4 GB!!!) and Dell's Shipping dates are getting pretty bad, like average 6 weeks before you can take delivery.

You can get a 17" Asus laptop from this company, and if you really want one, then I would. But I think you might wish to reconsider the size and weight of a 17" laptop. You might think it's cool, but I look at them every time I go to a computer store or Dell Kiosk, and I just cannot imagine anybody being happy with such a big laptop. Very cumbersome.

One last thing: I cannot stress this enough - buy a USB Portable Hard Drive (i.e. Western Digital Passport), and Norton Ghost backup software - and after you buy your system and have all your software configured (BEFORE YOU USE THE INTERNET), make a complete backup image of your hard drive so you can restore it in a matter a 10 minutes using Ghost! This is a most critical step to take, and you will thank me for many years if you just follow this simple advice, BEFORE disaster happens!

 

[TimOBrien]

Big Hint #1: NEVER buy a laptop that doesn't have a TexasInstruments firewire chipset.

ALL of the soundcard interface manufacturers require it for proper performance.

You'll be cussin and spittin (then installing a PCMCIA or expresscard) if you get anything else....

 

[shackrock]

I gotta be honest, the cost/value ratio of the 2.4 and especially 2.6 Ghz chips vs. the 2.2Ghz chips is just not worth it IMO.

2.2 to 2.4 GHZ you're probably paying an extra $250, to 2.6 you probably are talking about $550.

Either wait a month or so and get that for half the price, or grab the 2.2GHZ and spend the money on a mic or extra HD or something else useful. That's just my 2 cents though.

 

[tyromusic]

Big Hint #1: NEVER buy a laptop that doesn't have a TexasInstruments firewire chipset.

ALL of the soundcard interface manufacturers require it for proper performance.

You'll be cussin and spittin (then installing a PCMCIA or expresscard) if you get anything else....

How can you tell if it has the TI firewire chipset? How is this different than having a firewire port?

 

[tyromusic]

Hey,

I just went through all those emotions and judgments the past few weeks, and after MUCH research, bought this a few days ago:


Asus G1S-B2 - a 15.4" display with Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 2.4 Ghtz chip
(This is a top notch chip for a laptop, at this price!)
Windows XP SP2 OS
4 GB fast RAM
200 MB SATA 7200 RPM Hard Disk
NVidia GeForce G8600M GT 256MB GDDR3 up to 1G/DX10
and more.

Comes with backpack and $100 headphones, too.

Price: $1997 and free shipping


You can customize which Operating System you want, and other elements. I had to pay $95 extra for the XP OS. Isn't that a riot? Oh well, we both know why we want XP. This company gives you the option where others do not.


Here's one review and lots of photos:

Also, it comes with 4 USB 2.0 ports and a Firewire port, too. So take your choice on which Audio device you want to buy.

Asus, is a huge company and just recently bought out Gateway computers (the cow branded co.). They have a great reputation, and their prices are very reasonable. But extremely important for me, was getting a system with XP on it.

BTW, I researched this company via many PC review sites, and they had all thumbs up. I should be taking delivery on mine next week, after they have installed the XP over the Vista. I get to keep the Vista OS, should I ever wish to install it.

This Laptop is primarily for Audio recording. I have not yet decided upon which USB MIDI Sound device to buy. But one with ASIO drivers, of course.

I typically swear by Dell computers, of which I own 3 myself. But Dell did not offer on the Inspiron, a chip beyond the T7500 (2.2 Ghtz), raping people for RAM ($500 to upgrade to 4 GB!!!) and Dell's Shipping dates are getting pretty bad, like average 6 weeks before you can take delivery.

You can get a 17" Asus laptop from this company, and if you really want one, then I would. But I think you might wish to reconsider the size and weight of a 17" laptop. You might think it's cool, but I look at them every time I go to a computer store or Dell Kiosk, and I just cannot imagine anybody being happy with such a big laptop. Very cumbersome.

One last thing: I cannot stress this enough - buy a USB Portable Hard Drive (i.e. Western Digital Passport), and Norton Ghost backup software - and after you buy your system and have all your software configured (BEFORE YOU USE THE INTERNET), make a complete backup image of your hard drive so you can restore it in a matter a 10 minutes using Ghost! This is a most critical step to take, and you will thank me for many years if you just follow this simple advice, BEFORE disaster happens!

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely check out that company. And yeah, the more I look into it, the more I'm thinking I want XP. I figure I can always upgrade later if I'm sure all the drivers I need are available and etc...