Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Punky921 · Post by **Punky921** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:06 pm

Hey folks,

I'm currently running a digital vinyl system on a Macbook, and I'm thinking about picking up a second laptop to run Ableton and midi sync the two of them. I haven't been on PC for three years, so I'm a little out of touch with how Ableton performs on PC hardware.

I'm guessing I should avoid Vista like the plague, but at the same time, it'll let me run more RAM. But then again, it'll eat up more system resources. And then there's Windows 7 coming out... Maybe I should wait for that to come out, then work out the bugs?

Anyone got any advice on this? I'm hoping to spend less than $700 to $800.

Justin

creature · Post by **creature** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:26 pm

I recently upgraded to a new pc, core2 quad with 4 gig of ram and running vista. Personally I have not had any problems at all with vista both on this machine and on my laptop which has had vista on for over a year now. On the new machine I have thrown lots of plugins at live as a test and barly got the cpu bar over 30%

I guess it depends on wether your machine has decent vista capable hardware inside it. If there are any weak drivers in place for some other components then this could cause a problem, but I made sure I got all decent branded kit with good vista drivers.

I am sure I will get flammed into the pits of hades for sayign this.

Steve

Punky921 · Post by **Punky921** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:37 pm

What are the specs on your laptop, if you don't mind me asking?

creature · Post by **creature** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:42 pm

fairly old pentium mobility 1.8ghz, 2 gig ram.

Punky921 · Post by **Punky921** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:01 pm

Huh. Single core? Really?

creature · Post by **creature** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:32 pm

yeah in only use it for tinkering on when I am away from home, but it works fine. I dont tend to run lots of synth vsts together though. I normally record what I want and bounce down to audio which is just force of habit really, but it give more milage out of the machine.

Punky921 · Post by **Punky921** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:46 pm

Interesting. I think I want to get at least a dual core 2.0 ghz just to get something at least equivalent to what I've got now.

Agent G · Post by **Agent G** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:57 pm

before i got my second mac i bought a dell vostro for cheap to run live because it could be convert from vista to xp its dual core and ran live very well...2g pross wit 2gig ram and my old mi4 sound card ...but with the times i would pick up a used mac and midi over lan ...i run serato witch has no midi clock but tap tempo is good enough for me ...if u got tracktor or torq u got midi clock and im jealous....

Punky921 · Post by **Punky921** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:24 pm

I have Traktor and Torq actually. They're pretty cool pieces of equipment. I'd love to get a Macbook Pro, but I really can't justify the ludicrous price.

J

Tweaking Knobs · Post by **Tweaking Knobs** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:29 pm

Punky921 wrote:Hey folks,

I'm currently running a digital vinyl system on a Macbook, and I'm thinking about picking up a second laptop to run Ableton and midi sync the two of them. I haven't been on PC for three years, so I'm a little out of touch with how Ableton performs on PC hardware.

I'm guessing I should avoid Vista like the plague, but at the same time, it'll let me run more RAM. But then again, it'll eat up more system resources. And then there's Windows 7 coming out... Maybe I should wait for that to come out, then work out the bugs?

Anyone got any advice on this? I'm hoping to spend less than $700 to $800.

Justin

Man, Dont buy a PC, PC means windows, Vista really really sucks, you will regret so much, buy a mac, if possible a mac book pro.

Punky921 · Post by **Punky921** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:36 pm

From what I know of, it's not too tough to get Vista optimized and running Ableton fine. I really can't justify the cost, unless someone can find me a Macbook Pro for $700-$800.

Agent G · Post by **Agent G** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:30 pm

yeah i got lucky and got my MB pro for 900 on craigslist.....when i start working again i want to try tractor my homie got the audio 8 interface and i was impressed ... good luck mayne

Punky921 · Post by **Punky921** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:36 pm

The A8DJ is pretty cool. It's a really solid interface - I use it for my production work as well as Traktor Pro (though I use my Korg Zero4 more for that now).

I'd probably settle for a MBP for $900 on Clist. I just don't like buying things second hand.... then again I got my MB off Clist that way.

zigzag · Post by **zigzag** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:45 pm

Its pretty easy - get a usb stick, get the dpc latency monitor tool on it, go to the store, ask to run the tool and see how the hardware is doing with vista. in a few seconds you will know. and they will understand if you tell them why you do this test. not all drivers are the same under vista. that's all.

Punky921 · Post by **Punky921** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:01 pm

Ah interesting! Sounds like I could dodge some serious nightmares like this. Cool. Link?

Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?

Re: Good specs to run Ableton on PC?