Best PC for running Live?

[atopthepyre]

The question is pretty self-explanatory. I've never owned a laptop before, and I was raised on (and am best at operating) PCs, so that is really one of my only guidelines at the moment. I'd like to keep it within a $1,000 price-range, and the primary use for the computer will be Music Production (with Ableton Live), Internet access, and Microsoft word. I'd also like to find something with a pretty good amount of USB ports as well if that helps at all.

Pretty simple question I think; right now, I'm using an HP Pavilion a6700y Desktop PC, and running Windows Vista. Any responses, opinions, suggestions or ideas are greatly appreciate, so feel free to chime in!

Thanks everyone.
AtopThePyre

[Jeshua]

Macbook Pro! jkjk

I haven't owned a PC in five years or so, but as always processor power, ram, and hard drive space (along with your USB ports) is a must. Try http://www.newegg.com, they always have great deals.

[atopthepyre]

Thank you much!

Keep 'em Comin' everyone! I'm NO Gearhead and I've never even been on the hunt for a laptop before, so feel free to insult my intelligence with all the knowledge you have.

Also, do you think I should have any interest in switching to Mac if my past with computers is entirely PC-based?

[Jeshua]

Macs can be expensive investments but are typically more reliable than PCs. Since Apple has its hand in all of the hardware within the product it feels and typically functions like a well manufactured instrument. Though it's all preference and you do have to consider that you will be learning a new operating system if you do buy a macbook.

[dentaku]

Well, any modern PC will come with 64bit Win7 (which is nicer than Vista). I still prefer stuff with Intel processors in them. You can probably get a laptop with a quad core Core i7 processor in it for a pretty good price now but not the absolute newest generation i7 because you always pay way more for the newer ones and it won't be the lightest thing if you get a 17" model but I would say power is more important than portability in your case.
Get something with at least 6GB of ram. don't expect to use the onboard sound of course. I'm assuming you already have a USB audio interface.
Lots of expensive computers cost extra because of the video card. Since 3D/video isn't important for you don't need to pay extra for it. Unfortunately you have no choice with a laptop because you can't just omit the fancy video card and use something cheaper like you can when you build a desktop PC.

Something similar to this HP Pavilion dv7t Quad Edition series is plenty powerful enough for running Live.http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopp ... tqe_series

Because every PC is slightly different and the hardware isn't made by the same company that makes the OS there can always be stuff that just doesn't work well with Live but things have been going pretty well since Widows 7 came out. It's works fine for me and many other people.

[Jeshua]

Yeah, I have heard good things about Windows 7.