Ableton Forum

I'd prefer it if this didn't become another Mac vs PC thread.

Maybe I'm just after some sympathy here and nothing else, dunno.

Here's my situation:

I have a PC laptop that is getting quite slow now. It's running XP. I'm totally Microsoft all the way in my computing. If I upgrade my laptop now I'll either be putting XP on a spanking new machine, invalidating the warranty, or braving the Vista situation. I use Vista at work and strongly dislike the workflow.
Alternative is I wait for Windows 7, but the wait for drivers could be 18 months to 2 years from now. That is too long.
Or I buy a Mac for 70% more money and go through the process of changing over. I am dreading this. For a start there is no native equal to Wavelab for Macs - correct?

Useful input please...

Cheers...

ms

You could always buy a new laptop with XP. Dell still do some machines (e.g. Vostro) which come with XP pro installed and they also supply Vista on a disc in case you want/need it at a later date. Not sure if any other mfrs do the same thing?

ollyb303 wrote:You could always buy a new laptop with XP. Dell still do some machines (e.g. Vostro) which come with XP pro installed and they also supply Vista on a disc in case you want/need it at a later date. Not sure if any other mfrs do the same thing?

Yup, I saw that but the Vostro seems a bit limited in spec.

Macrostructure wrote: For a start there is no native equal to Wavelab for Macs - correct?

Waveburner, Soundtrack pro, those adobe audio apps, peak, soundsoap,..

Saying there is no equal to wavelab is a bit strong. Sure these apps are all different, some may even be better or worse. Its al subjective anyway.

Macrostructure wrote:Yup, I saw that but the Vostro seems a bit limited in spec.

Really? Mine is Core2Duo 2.4GHz, 4Gb Ram, 250Gb HD, GeForce 8400 M GS, 4 x usb 2.0, 1 x Firewire 400... I use it for live gigs and serious studio projects and I've never seen my CPU go above 48% - runs sweet as a nut on XP pro.

Or were you looking for a quad core?

I think IBM and Dell are the only options, for many other you might have problem finding drivers since some never wrote for XP.
I was victim of anti Vista propaganda, so it was nice surprise witrh some adjustments it works fine for music and better for everything else. I installed XP after using Vista for a week and I wont go back to XP. Might do a performance partition- no network etc but I am not sure if I do it with Vista or XP.

A lot of companies have a business range that have a Vista with XP downgrade option. It's a better plan than just installing XP yourself on a new vista machine, as you can have all sorts of grief with drivers. Shouldn't cost you much more than getting a consumer model. Less than a mac anyway.

Even a shithole like PC World does it (UK):

http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/Computers/Laptop/Laptops

Tiny XP ....ftw

Warminstrel wrote:Tiny XP ....ftw

...dows

i see what you did there

hoffman2k wrote:

Macrostructure wrote: For a start there is no native equal to Wavelab for Macs - correct?

Waveburner, Soundtrack pro, those adobe audio apps, peak, soundsoap,..

Saying there is no equal to wavelab is a bit strong. Sure these apps are all different, some may even be better or worse. Its al subjective anyway.

More of an error than strong

ollyb303 wrote:

Macrostructure wrote:Yup, I saw that but the Vostro seems a bit limited in spec.

Really? Mine is Core2Duo 2.4GHz, 4Gb Ram, 250Gb HD, GeForce 8400 M GS, 4 x usb 2.0, 1 x Firewire 400... I use it for live gigs and serious studio projects and I've never seen my CPU go above 48% - runs sweet as a nut on XP pro.

Or were you looking for a quad core?

That sounds excellent, I will re-check. Thanks !

HTH

Dell Vostro 1510:
Components
BASE Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Business (SP1) with XP Pro installed and Vista & XP Media-English edit
LCD 15.4" Widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display with Anti-Glare Coating edit
BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION No Biometric Fingerprint Reader edit
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Glossy Black without Camera edit
MEMORY 4096MB (2x2048) 667MHz DDR2 Dual Channel edit
HARD DRIVE 250GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive edit
GRAPHICS CARD 256 MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS (64 bit) Graphic Card edit
OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software edit
PRIMARY BATTERY Primary 6-cell 56 WHr Lithium Ion battery edit
Services & Software
SUPPORT SERVICES 1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day Onsite - No Upgrade Selected edit

Accessories
MICROSOFT SOFTWARE Microsoft® Works 9.0 - English edit


CARRY CASES No Carrying Case edit
BLUETOOTH No Bluetooth® Card included edit
WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY Dell™ Wireless 1395 (802.11 b/g) MiniPCI Card edit
POWER SUPPLY 90W Power Adapter (3 Wire) edit
Also included with your system
Gedis Bundle Reference N1215112
Order Information Vostro Laptop 1510 Order - UK
Shipping Documents English - Documentation Vostro Laptop
Dell System Media Kit V1510 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)
Cables 1 Meter Power Cord (3 Wire) - UK
Keyboard Internal Keyboard - English (QWERTY)
Standard Warranty 1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day
Online Promotion Option for GEDIS Configs Dell Internet Order

£719.00 from Dell uk business store

I just jumped from using Wavlab for years to Wave Editor by Audiofile, works very well, though doesn't have all the features of Wavelab.

What are the specs for the PC you are running now? Bumping your memory up to 4GB and doing a reload may be a huge boost for performance. Especially if this is a machine you mulittask on.