If I could get a new laptop I'd buy a . . .

schmidtc · Post by **schmidtc** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:53 pm

So I'm in a nice spot right now of getting myself a new laptop. It's not often this happens and so I want to do it right, ideally around 1K USD. Problem is, I get really lost when I try and do anything on a Mac, and I know it's unconventional, but I think a PC may be best for me. I'm certain there's a good reason most ableton users seem to be using macs though. Maybe one of the new Macs that run Windows?

I'm never gonna watch a dvd or even connect the thing to the internet. I've got an older computer that does everything I want beside music making. Latency, and crashing. . . always crashing. A sampler, sequencer and cd burner would almost do everything I need. People at Dell tell me they make cheap laptops with internal midi sound cards. But I'm searching for a stripped down, dedicated midi computer to run ableton, and do nothing else. Is there a company that let's you build from scratch, so I could max out processor, memory, hardrive and soundcard with no other frills? Any advice on sound cards and laptop models? If I was you I'd . . .

mikemc · Post by **mikemc** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:09 pm

...tell everybody how much you want to spend.

mbenigni · Post by **mbenigni** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:10 pm

This is outside the price point specified, and certainly not the most bang for the buck, but I went with a Sony SZ-160 Core Duo laptop and I love it. Fast, light, reliable, even ships w/ ASIO drivers installed for the on-board sound (not that I use them often.) Really good stuff.

For whatever that's worth...

schmidtc · Post by **schmidtc** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:14 pm

researching now. . . working budget is around $1000 US

ejectorset · Post by **ejectorset** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:19 pm

find that extra 99 bucks and get a macbook.

if you can use live well enough to need a new computer, you can definately use os x.

from the ground up with core audio, core midi and all that os x is built to be audio machines. video too if you need it.

if you are thinking about wanting a mac, don't let being unfamilar with os x keep you away. it is seriously easy. in fact, its too easy. you use the dock. your icons are there. if it has icons you don't need, and you are sitting there wondering how you get rid of them, you are over-thinking it. you simply drag them off the dock and with a puff of smoke, they are gone. need new icons on the dock, simply drag it there.

i made the switch 2 years ago and couldn't be happier. i am still stuck using (and hating) pcs at work, but i love my ibook.

mikemc · Post by **mikemc** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:27 pm

ok, sorry, I see the 1K US. Here's what I'd do:

Windows based system is best bet for that price point.

Start with these reqs:
1 GB RAM
7200 rpm disk drive at least 60GB.
at least one IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port
USB 2.0 ports.
At least 15.4" screen

Go to

http://mtechlaptops.com

Look at the models they have. Note that these don't come with an operating system, so you'll need to add/subtract features. You should be able to choose from several that have the above specs with the fastest possible affordable processor choice for that model. They've got one for about $1100 with a 2 GHz core duo.

Then that is a target set of specs. Now you want to check for best price. Go to the bigger brands, http://hp.com http://dell.com http://gateway.com and look for similar specs. Also look at compusa and best buy for specials on similar specs. Basically, any site that has a 'build your own' type setup that you can plug in your target specs. When you find one or two providers with a good match, then ask around about which company is better to go with.

there you go.

wait, forgot: enter your specs (processor + above) into google and find other providers than the big names.

schmidtc · Post by **schmidtc** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:54 pm

Thanks everyone. here's what I've found so far:

MacBook, 13.3" screen, 1.83 GHz, 60GB 5400 RPM = $1199
Sony VGN-FS8900, 15.4" screen, 1.73 GHz, 60GB = $1109
HP DV5000t, 15.4" screen, 1.73 GHz, 80GB 5400 RPM = $829
Dell E1505 , 15.4" screen, 1.86 GHz, 60GB 7200 RPM = $776
Dell Inspiron B130 , 15.4" screen, 1.73 GHz, 60GB 5400 RPM = $625

There's of course some important criteria missing from the above list, notably the warranty. I didn't try gateway because I'm convinced they use cheap motherboards that fry in a few years. There are tons of companies which build desktops from scratch, but I still haven't found one for laptops, just these customizable deals that come with useless software I can't remove. Still searching. . .

mbenigni · Post by **mbenigni** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 6:30 pm

Are the Intel boxes all Core Duo? If so, wow the prices have really dropped! If not... be careful you're not comparing apples to oranges. A single-core Centrino will be much, much slower than a Core Duo at the same clock rate.

gomi · Post by **gomi** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:00 pm

mbenigni wrote:Are the Intel boxes all Core Duo? If so, wow the prices have really dropped! If not... be careful you're not comparing apples to oranges. A single-core Centrino will be much, much slower than a Core Duo at the same clock rate.

if those sub 1000$ ones are core duo then the rest of the compenents must be
made of paper mache..

seriously, get the macbook, you will NOT regret it.

you can run windows on it as well.

mbenigni · Post by **mbenigni** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:06 pm

I won't get into a Mac vs. PC debate... it's a moving target anyway and I say to each his own. But I will say: get a dual core CPU no matter what you buy. It's night and day.

schmidtc · Post by **schmidtc** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:57 pm

Good call. Thanks.

MacBook, 13.3" screen, Duo Core 1.83 GHz, 60GB 5400 RPM = $1199
Sony VGN-FS8900, 15.4" screen, Pentium M 740 1.73 GHz, 60GB = $1109
Dell E1505 , 15.4" screen, Duo Core 1.83 GHz, 60GB 7200 RPM = $974
HP DV5000t, 15.4" screen, Solo Core 1.73 GHz, 80GB 5400 RPM = $829
Dell E1505 , 15.4" screen, Solo Core 1.86 GHz, 60GB 7200 RPM = $776
Dell Inspiron B130 , 15.4" screen, Pentium M 735 1.73 GHz, 60GB 5400 RPM = $625

Haven't tried Mtech yet. Their website won't let me in to customize for some reason.

muscleandhate · Post by **muscleandhate** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:16 pm

Hi there,

My MacBook arrived the other day, it's Intel Core Duo running at 2.00ghz. This is my first Mac and it's amazing, the only problem is that you can't really unlock it's potential yet until the software developers catch up.

Powerwise the machine seems very fast, and benchmarks just as quick as the MacBook Pros (which retail at £1400) accept for 3D capabiltiy. For example I just powered it up and went into LIVE. Using the latest version of Ableton and a UB (Universial Binary) compliant copy of Albino (demo version), I had four of them running and I was hardly pushing 15%, so I layered several reverb units on the master channel and pushed the feedback to 100% on each unit, my CPU useage never exceeded 25%. All this is with just 512RAM...

Coming from a Dell and having used VIAO's and ACER's, the build quality of the MacBook is many times better than those other systems. The MacBook is full of clever little things, such as the lid that shuts using magnets as opposed to latches, hence no lids that don't shut propley.

As for OSX, then granted it's taking me a little while to get used to, but already I'm certain it's much better than Windows.

I'd go for the Mac so long as you can handle the wait for the new VSTs etc to be released. Stay away from Dell laptops, they are oversized bricks.

mikemc · Post by **mikemc** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:45 pm

schmidtc wrote:Good call. Thanks.

MacBook, 13.3" screen, Duo Core 1.83 GHz, 60GB 5400 RPM = $1199
Sony VGN-FS8900, 15.4" screen, Pentium M 740 1.73 GHz, 60GB = $1109
Dell E1505 , 15.4" screen, Duo Core 1.83 GHz, 60GB 7200 RPM = $974
HP DV5000t, 15.4" screen, Solo Core 1.73 GHz, 80GB 5400 RPM = $829
Dell E1505 , 15.4" screen, Solo Core 1.86 GHz, 60GB 7200 RPM = $776
Dell Inspiron B130 , 15.4" screen, Pentium M 735 1.73 GHz, 60GB 5400 RPM = $625

Haven't tried Mtech yet. Their website won't let me in to customize for some reason.

that's weird, try this link:

http://www.discountpcsales.com/cgi-bin/ ... MTECHm660n

I'd have to say 'on paper' that the specs for the E1505 duo core are good at the price point. Are you pricing with 1GB ram?

Also, I'm not anti-mac, just going by the specs. People are saying good things about the duo core macbook and Live, screen is smaller, ram is less than what you get on a windows-based system. I'm guessing you will likely get better comments on the Apple brand than on Dell.

chris vine · Post by **chris vine** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:53 pm

I'd wait just a little bit longer and get a Laptop with a duo core 2 processor, because (so I am told here and other places) they are "improved" versions of the Duo Core proc and also they are 64 bit. Seeing as 64 bit will be the norm once Vista gets rolling................please correct me: any informed geeks out there.

I looked at 2 laptops with AMD Turion 64 x2 Cpus a few weeks back with really low prices - and discovered that the manufacturers (Asus and HP) dont have any 64bit drivers for their machines.........how wierd is that? Also read that "HP has no intention of releasing these drivers in the future".......
So I am waiting.

2 cents.

Concept · Post by **Concept** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:33 am

Hello
I'm also about to buy a laptop and now i found this one.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/gene ... R1002_USEN

What do you guys think about it?