Laptop Buying Tips

lesterdiamond · Post by **lesterdiamond** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:53 am

I am looking to upgrade my sytem and have about 2000 to spend on a computer. I am planning on upgrading my ram on whatever I purchase to 2 gb. Any suggestions on a processor? Pentium 4 vs. Pentium M ? suggestions on buying the best possible laptop system would be helpfull.
thanks

djmjd · Post by **djmjd** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:44 am

might need to save up a bit more, but these guys design laptops for audio production http://www.pcaudiolabs.com/daws_laptop.asp?cat=comp

fsk · Post by **fsk** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:59 am

u dont need an x800 gfx card if you're only planning on doing music on ur laptop, them pc's are overpriced, altho thats just a guess Im from London. My laptop cost me £800 and is excellent.

MrSleep · Post by **MrSleep** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:02 am

i' keep sayin & i'll keep sayin again. amd sempron!!! the best bang for ur oily buck.

Lowride · Post by **Lowride** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 9:48 am

I bought a P4 last year - not a centrino. Though it is good with plenty of performance, the battery life is hellish. It means that if you gig, and inadvertently your power cable disconnects (like mine did) there is less chance of your set going down (like mine did). Besides Centrinos are also cooler, and as a result you have less use of the fans, so should also be abit quieter (this is because they run at a lower voltage - less power requirement). I would therefore go for a Centrino if I was going down the Pentium route. They are more expensive in terms of peformance per pound/dollar/whatever, but if you have a 2000 grand budget (is that pounds or dollars???) you should be able to get a class machine. I had to get the P4 because I didn't have the dosh to buy a soundcard, speakers, laptop bag, cables, and a decent Centrino system so opted for the cheaper P4. I'm not dissapointed by my purchase.

However, if I was buying a laptop today, I reckon I wuld probably buy a 64bit based AMD system. They seem to have sorted out their overheating issues, and the bang for buck seems to be better with the AMDs.
Ultimately, it's all about finding the best deals, but whatever you do, don't scrape on your components. Make sure you have a half decent graphics card in it. A crap graphics card can slow your system right down.

Lowride

Gyro · Post by **Gyro** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 10:18 am

Ive been looking into buying a tablet laptop. The convience of not needing a mouse sounds great. The only problem I've come up against is the short battery life, but I guess that's expected:
http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27250

lesterdiamond · Post by **lesterdiamond** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:41 pm

as of now I am leaning towards this one, I have a satellite widescreen now and it is a bit bulky http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?Sku=5615936

lesterdiamond · Post by **lesterdiamond** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:42 pm

any good sound cards on this site? I get a discount on here! http://www.pcconnection.com/Search?CatI ... st+Popular

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:45 pm

yeah, the M-audio audiophile:
Item#: 5070315

not a lot of info though

subterFUSE · Post by **subterFUSE** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:46 pm

djmjd wrote:might need to save up a bit more, but these guys design laptops for audio production http://www.pcaudiolabs.com/daws_laptop.asp?cat=comp

Take a look at those PCAudioLabs laptops, and then go visit http://www.metechlaptops.com

Observe the cases, and you'll see they are the same. Only the M-Tech won't cost as much. You can get a top-end Pentium M 15.4" laptop from M-Tech for $2,000 easy.