Is this new Rain laptop anygood?

mjmedik · Post by **mjmedik** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:06 pm

There was a laptop featured in the new Remix mag that sparked my interest. I am a PC person, but I was seriously considering purchasing a powerbook until I saw these babies. Does anybody on here own one or know somebody that owns one. They sound kick-ass.

http://www.rainrecording.com/livebook

treysmith · Post by **treysmith** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:36 pm

I'm trying to figure out what's different w/ this laptop versus any other laptop:
* Intel® Pentium® M 1.6G (2M) 730J 533MHz Centrino
* Intel® 915GM/PM + ICH6-M Chipset
* 512 -533 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (Single Chip)
* Windows XP Pro
* SONAR LE
* 15.4" Wide XGA TFT display; 1280 x 1024 resolution; 16.7 million colors
* Intel Graphics 915GM /PM integrated graphics memory controller
* AC '97 and High Definition Audio, 5.1 / 7.1 Channel Surround Sound, Two Stereo Speakers
* 60GB 5400 RPM 8MB buffer IDE hard disk
* Optical Drive 24X10X8X +24X Combo CD-RW+DVD
* 56K Soft Modem, V.90/92 support
* Ethernet 10/100 Base T on-board
* 5-in-1; supports SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, and Secure Digital and xD-Picture memory card formats
* PCMCIA 2.1; supports one Type II card
* Touch pad with four-way scroll function; two-click buttons and one scroll button
* 86/87/88 full-sized keyboard with 19 x 19 mm key caps, 2.5 mm travel; Microsoft Windows function keys; and palm rest
* I/O Ports: 1 - FireWire®(IEEE 1394 TI7411 Chipset), 1 - Microphone-in, 1 - Line-in, 1 - Headphone-out, 1 - VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor, 4 - USB 2.0 Ports, 1 - S-Video Out, 1 - Parallel Port, 1 - RJ11 Modem Connector, 1 - RJ45 Ethernet Connector
* Lithium Ion, 8-cell, 2400mAh, 65Wh battery pack Approx. 4.5 hours; charging time 2.5 hours (power off), 3.0 hours (power on)
* Dimensions: 14.3 x 10.5 x 1.3 inches (W x H x D)
* Weight: 6.0 lbs.
* One year limited warranty

Not trying to crap on the thread, just not sure if I think you couldn't get a much better laptop for less than 2199:

price $1,703.99 *
instant rebate − $100.00
mail-in rebate − $50.00
price after rebate $1,553.99
you saved 8.8%
as low as $48/mo+

Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional for $29.99
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 640 w/HT Technology, 3.2GHz
17.0" WXGA+ BrightView Wide Viewing (1440x900)
1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM, 533MHz (2x512MB)
80 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
128MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) X600
Integrated 56K Modem + 10/100 Ethernet LAN
12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

http://www.hp.com

inis · Post by **inis** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:44 pm

that thing looks like a bunch of gimicky crap. THere is nothing special about it for that much money. lol, and people tell me my apple is over-priced.

Sloth_uk · Post by **Sloth_uk** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:22 pm

The LiveBook is designed to handle sustained levels of intense hard drive and CPU utilization of 90%. Rain President Bill Paschick explained: "The system demands of multi-track audio production far exceed those of typical office and graphics applications for which most generic laptops were designed. The risk of overheating is compounded by the inferior conditions of typical mobile environments. Particularly with audio production, system failure carries a very high cost. By using properly balanced, low power components and generous convection cooling, the LiveBook provides the best performance possible while making stability a priority."

The modularized component design offers generous airflow cooling through the LiveBook's four vents, and also makes field serviceability a straightforward process. LiveBook components such as the hard drive, memory, keyboard, and CPU are easily user-replaceable. Bill Paschick commented: "Warranties are great, but when you need a system fixed in two hours, the modular nature of the LiveBook makes it possible to replace key components with readily available parts so that you can make it through a gig."

The LiveBook's 15.4" widescreen offers almost as much screen space as a 17" screen while allowing much better portability. The internal hard drive boasts an 8 meg buffer—four times the amount of most generic laptops, and a more important factor than just spindle speed in preventing audio engine bottlenecks that cause dropouts, stops, or lock-ups. Other features include wireless b/g, and a built-in 5-in-1 media card drive. To increase hard drive versatility, Rain also offers the Storm Drive Pocket external drive, which provides the same LiveBook hard drive performance in a shock- mounted USB 2.0/FireWire enclosure.

I do think its optimized to handle audio in a better way then a standard laptop. But if you have alittle bit of know how, I think you'll be able to do all the things yourself and not pay a premium for it.

telekom · Post by **telekom** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:26 pm

I would have thought if they were aiming this laptop at the audio market they would have included a 7200rpm hard drive as standard rather than 5400. And I hardly think it's much of an attraction that you can put the same 5400 hard drive in an external box. You'd probably be getting a 7200 minimum as your external HD, no?

Sloth_uk · Post by **Sloth_uk** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:47 pm

I've had laptops with both 5400 and 7200 and to be honest there wasnt a noticeable difference. The only problem I have with these so called 'Music specialist companies' who produce laptops, is the premium prices they charge. I'm sure they are slighty better then normal laptops because they are primarily made to produce music etc.

I do wonder where all the good reviews are? Most companies brag about them on their homepages. These seem absent from this companies

drush · Post by **drush** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:55 pm

...By using properly balanced, low power components and generous convection cooling, the LiveBook provides the best performance possible while making stability a priority."

low power components.... like, say, Centrino chips? eurkea!

lol. it's marketing. unless they are hiding some breakthrough system spec from the people they are trying to sell to.

Patrick DSP · Post by **Patrick DSP** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 11:22 pm

build your own laptop. www.asus.com

but whatever you get just follow the instuctions on this site, and you'll be smoking fast no matter what you get...

www.musicxp.net

good luck.

ishimaru · Post by **ishimaru** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 11:28 pm

Sloth_uk wrote:
The LiveBook is designed to handle sustained levels of intense hard drive and CPU utilization of 90%. Rain President Bill Paschick explained: "The system demands of multi-track audio production far exceed those of typical office and graphics applications for which most generic laptops were designed. The risk of overheating is compounded by the inferior conditions of typical mobile environments. Particularly with audio production, system failure carries a very high cost. By using properly balanced, low power components and generous convection cooling, the LiveBook provides the best performance possible while making stability a priority."

The modularized component design offers generous airflow cooling through the LiveBook's four vents, and also makes field serviceability a straightforward process. LiveBook components such as the hard drive, memory, keyboard, and CPU are easily user-replaceable. Bill Paschick commented: "Warranties are great, but when you need a system fixed in two hours, the modular nature of the LiveBook makes it possible to replace key components with readily available parts so that you can make it through a gig."

The LiveBook's 15.4" widescreen offers almost as much screen space as a 17" screen while allowing much better portability. The internal hard drive boasts an 8 meg buffer—four times the amount of most generic laptops, and a more important factor than just spindle speed in preventing audio engine bottlenecks that cause dropouts, stops, or lock-ups. Other features include wireless b/g, and a built-in 5-in-1 media card drive. To increase hard drive versatility, Rain also offers the Storm Drive Pocket external drive, which provides the same LiveBook hard drive performance in a shock- mounted USB 2.0/FireWire enclosure.

All I know is that if a spyware/webvirus gets on your overpriced music laptop then your fucked.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:13 am

ishimaru wrote:All I know is that if a spyware/webvirus gets on your overpriced music laptop then your fucked.

what a load of crap...

Jonsama · Post by **Jonsama** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:43 pm

Yeah straight up gimmick. Still waiting for an "audio laptop" that has a decent SOUND CARD. I meen hello!!! WTF are these people thinking? This laptop has absolutely nothing in it that is engineered for sound- and its got intergraded graphics. Next...