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  • Thread starter Thread starter danny.guitar
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danny.guitar

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I want my next DAW computer to be a laptop. I like being able to use PCI interfaces but I guess I can go for FireWire.

I'd like to be able to hook up my existing monitor and mouse to it.

Doesn't need to be 'state of the art' or anything as I get by okay with my very old PC (AMD 1.2GHz). Right now I'm just recording 2 tracks at a time but I wanna move up to 4. Don't think I'll ever need anymore than that.

Not sure about the processor since those have changed so much in the past 6 years. 1GB RAM is plenty. 80GB hard drive is good (I can always get an external). And of course it needs a firewire card in it. And a LAN/network card for cable internet.

I don't know shit about laptops...where to get them, where to take them if I have problems, etc. I'm open to any suggestions. It will be awhile before I can afford it but I'd like to have something to start saving up for.
 
were having all sorts of problems with our presonus fs + dell laptop setup

firewire sure is a PITA so far for me
 
pipelineaudio said:
were having all sorts of problems with our presonus fs + dell laptop setup

firewire sure is a PITA so far for me
Click to expand...

do you know about the texas instruments fw chipset recommendation?
 
Also, pipeline, is the issue with the power supply? I know that Dell power supplies can be an issue due to noise (and you don't want to ground lift it, but there are some other workarounds as I recall).
 
Freddy said:
Also, pipeline, is the issue with the power supply? I know that Dell power supplies can be an issue due to noise (and you don't want to ground lift it, but there are some other workarounds as I recall).
Click to expand...

I'm interested in hearing about the workarounds.
 
danny.guitar said:
I want my next DAW computer to be a laptop. I like being able to use PCI interfaces but I guess I can go for FireWire.

I'd like to be able to hook up my existing monitor and mouse to it.

Doesn't need to be 'state of the art' or anything as I get by okay with my very old PC (AMD 1.2GHz). Right now I'm just recording 2 tracks at a time but I wanna move up to 4. Don't think I'll ever need anymore than that.

Not sure about the processor since those have changed so much in the past 6 years. 1GB RAM is plenty. 80GB hard drive is good (I can always get an external). And of course it needs a firewire card in it. And a LAN/network card for cable internet.

I don't know shit about laptops...where to get them, where to take them if I have problems, etc. I'm open to any suggestions. It will be awhile before I can afford it but I'd like to have something to start saving up for.
Click to expand...

Whats your budget? I bought a Toshiba A105 core 2 duo 1.66ghz 200gb HD 2gb RAM 17" LCD only like $1400 with $200 rebate. Firewire, and all the other stuff on it. Wireless connection built on of course etc... Anyways, you will easily find what your looking.
 
I purchased a refurbished laptop with a P4 2.0 gHz, 80gb hd, dvd writer, 1g ram for $500. It's a Compaq Evo. I purchased a firewire PCMCIA card for $29.98 and the Firebox interface. I could not be happier. Great sound, not latency issues at all.
 
Well for us, the problem is mostly the sorriness of the presonus firestudio driver. It seems the problems I have are across the board, this is our second unit now, and across many PC's and setups the same problems happen, the worst of which is either the monitoring dropouts or the insane round trip latency, but I have a feeling this will all be adressed

and SOON!

The firepod was an excellent unit, hopefully the firestudio will be soon as well

The laptop, with its onboard fw/usb card just exacerbates the problems. Using a TI chipped SIIG card helps, but dells bios doesnt allow the correct powersaving scheme to run the expresscard firewire card correctly

blah

BELKIN is supposed to have one soon that will work though, crossing my fingers

The motu, RME, and even the firepod are fine on this laptop....and the firestudio works almost ok on my nforce 4 pc which is definitely NOT reccomendd by presonus

the world is nuts
 
Thanks for all the replies. I was considering a Dell for a laptop (wouldn't go that route for a PC) because they have good deals. As far as which firewire interface I have no idea. Right now my setup is:

DMP3 -> M-Audio 24/96

I just need an interface so I can record 4 separate tracks and one that will at least have the same quality as what I have now. My stuff is pretty entry level so I'm pretty sure most firewire interfaces are just a good or maybe better.

sajs said:
I purchased a refurbished laptop with a P4 2.0 gHz, 80gb hd, dvd writer, 1g ram for $500. It's a Compaq Evo. I purchased a firewire PCMCIA card for $29.98 and the Firebox interface. I could not be happier. Great sound, not latency issues at all.
Click to expand...

That sounds perfect, especially for $500. Where'd you get it?

Also, I'll be using a MIDI keyboard, so USB is something I'll need. Although I think most laptops come with USB especially nowadays.
 
Freddy said:
Do other drivers help. The CEntrance one, for example?
Click to expand...

They dont have a Firestudio driver yet, but as soon as they do Im jumping on it! CEntrance is a class act, seems to be very smart dudes, aiming right at a niche
 
pipelineaudio said:
They dont have a Firestudio driver yet, but as soon as they do Im jumping on it! CEntrance is a class act, seems to be very smart dudes, aiming right at a niche
Click to expand...

It may be worth contacting them. I bought their driver, even though I had a different device (though from the same family and manufacturer) than one of the ones they listed as compatible.

My mistake entirely. However, they were able to make it work for me.. worth a try?
 
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