Time for a new windows laptop for Ableton

[wwzeitler666]

Obviously win7/64. Since Ableton is still 32bit I'm thinking 6 gigs of RAM is fine (a couple gigs for the OS--leaves 4 gigs for the 32bit RAM space). Type A USB ports so they can power other devices. Laptop will be dedicated to Ableton so all the extra software dookie they install will be uninstalled. I'll be using it for live performance.

(Not interested in Macs. They are perfectly good machines, but I've been using Windows since 3.1 and just know it well.)

Suggestions? Experience?

[Ub373NNN]

Obviously win7/64. Since Ableton is still 32bit I'm thinking 6 gigs of RAM is fine (a couple gigs for the OS--leaves 4 gigs for the 32bit RAM space). Type A USB ports so they can power other devices. Laptop will be dedicated to Ableton so all the extra software dookie they install will be uninstalled. I'll be using it for live performance.

(Not interested in Macs. They are perfectly good machines, but I've been using Windows since 3.1 and just know it well.)

Suggestions? Experience?

GET A MAC

[Bagatell]

Get a life.

Anyone using Rain, Scan or Alienware?

[matthews]

Lenovo has always served me well. Either go thinkpad or even a properly spec'd out ideapad.

[UltimateOutsider]

So far, my Alienware M14x performs with Live every bit as well as my 2-year old custom DAW desktop. I've noticed no difference when playing the same project on either system, and CPU usage is identical (although I'm not sure how meaningful that metric is). Anyway, if you perform live, this thing has backlit keys, which could prove helpful in a dark room, and the case is gorgeous.

The specs of my Alienware:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 2670M 2.2GHz
• RAM: 6GB DDR3
• Screen: 14.0” 900p/1600x900
• Video: NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M with 3GB DDR3
• Storage: 750GB 7200RPM
• WiFi: Intel Advanced-N WiFi Link 6250 a/g/n with WiMax
• Optical: Slot-load Dual Layer DVD burner
• OS: 64-bit Windows 7 Home

I should note, however, that it doesn't have a FireWire port or a Cardbus/PC Card slot. Plenty of USB ports though.

This is what it looks like.

[Bagatell]

Anyway, if you perform live, this thing has backlit keys, which could prove helpful in a dark room, and the case is gorgeous.

So you haven't gigged with it? I was wondering how useful the backlit keys were.

[Chriszat]

Any laptop gathering...

Core i7 2670M,
6+GB of RAM
a wide screen resolution
and most important, a SSD!

...will do the trick. The rest is not that important. Don't connect it to the internet, get a good soundcard and you're all set.

[wwzeitler666]

Core i7 2670M,

Near as I can tell the main difference between i5 & i7 is that i7 does hyperthreading. I'm doubting that (still 32bit--thus a bit behind the technology curve) Ableton Live supports hyperthreading.

I'm thinking i5 and use the money saved for more RAM or SSD or something else that will actually be used?

[wwzeitler666]

and most important, a SSD!

What does a SSD really buy you for Live?

[UltimateOutsider]

Near as I can tell the main difference between i5 & i7 is that i7 does hyperthreading. I'm doubting that (still 32bit--thus a bit behind the technology curve) Ableton Live supports hyperthreading.

Hyperthreading support is disabled by default, but you can enable it in Options.txt. People have definitely seen it do its job when enabling the feature (in that it does employ all cores).

I haven't enabled it yet though, because hyperthreading isn't always the best thing since some core resources are shared, and hyperthreading can actually introduce inefficiencies depending on whether both threads on a core need those resources. I need to go back and read which types of operations suffer from HT. If you're just doing simple media streaming it's great- but DAWs typically do a lot more than just play back a raw stream of audio, with VSTs and realtime effects and all.

[McQ714]

well since you don't seem to have a maximum dollar amount you'd like to spend...
at least this is what I'm assuming since you asked for opinions yet didn't state anything about money.

go for an HP elitebook workstation with an intel i7-2860qm like i did.. get the 17" full hd with backlit keyboard and with (2) 750gb hard drives and an optical drive. overload it with 16gb of ram and a webcam that you'll never use but take out that dial up modem. slap in an amd workstation graphics card because you'll be able to connect a docking station and use 6 monitors at once. also, you'll want to load in windows 7 professional 64-bit because i don't think you speak 26 languages so you don't need ultimate.

and hey, one last thing...

[wwzeitler666]

I'm thinking I should be able to do the job for about $1000, +-.

[Ub373NNN]

one off the thing i wish i could go past back in time is to go buy the pc laptop with on good speakers. is so because i go take my laptop with me on the campus and no care for headphone.
i do have the macbook which have good speaker but i too scare to take anywhere because someone can go and beat me up and take it. i lock it inside the room.

so morals of the story is good speaker is someone to take into consider.

[GeoSuPhat]

tough campus

[McQ714]

I can understand not going the mac route given they are fairly over-priced still, but i don't understand the mentality of completely skimping on what is the centerpiece of your setup.

not knocking your decision to go i5 or windows pc. just saying you should spend more than $1K if you want a good performing machine with plenty of power to the usb ports.