Buying a Laptop for DJing, Please Help.

onglueme · Post by **onglueme** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:41 am

I am planning on buying a business class ThinkPad to DJ with Ableton.

Something like this: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... 19644D3694

I was wonder if you guy can help me with some of the details I should aim for while constructing this notepad.

I know that the only way to get 4gb of ram to run is if I get Vista64, is that a smart move for live performing?

I plan to store all music in an external HD, any suggestions or advice?

I will also run a audio/midi interface, any suggestions with that?

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.

nate_D · Post by **nate_D** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:32 am

http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic. ... highlight=

here's a thread on the same thing. the first response breaks down what you need to get started as far as system requirements and what not. good luck

adventurepants_ · Post by **adventurepants_** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:43 am

you dont need to run Vista64. imho 64 bit OS are not ready for the consumer desktop just yet. they work, but there are lots of driver and software incompatibilities so you should look at all the software and hardware you want to buy beforehand to make sure its x64 compatible.

or you could just run XP32 and get solid stable performance with 3 gb ram and a good interface.

onglueme · Post by **onglueme** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:37 pm

Say, if I was going to run this with Korg Zero8 would it be smart for me to avaid getting any type of soundcard and should I settle for something like the RME HDSP Cardbus to speed things up?

Thanks in advance.

adventurepants_ · Post by **adventurepants_** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:53 pm

the zero8 already has a soundcard and the RME is another type of soundcard. so you wouldnt need anything other than the zero8.

onglueme · Post by **onglueme** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:00 pm

ok, since i'm getting a thinkpad, it naturally comes with only a usb port and Zero8 is a firewire, should I just get a generic firewire card?

partition_function · Post by **partition_function** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:08 pm

thinkpads do have firewire ports, at least most of them ive seen do...its the 4 pin one though which means you cant power external devices with it, you have to plug them in to their own outlet

rishi · Post by **rishi** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:18 am

onglueme wrote:ok, since i'm getting a thinkpad, it naturally comes with only a usb port and Zero8 is a firewire, should I just get a generic firewire card?

Dont buy a Firewire device unless your laptop has a dedicated 6-Pin firewire port. The 4 pin sockets dont hold the cable securely and are prone to coming out. I would consider buying a different laptop if the IBM doesnt have a Firewire port.

adventurepants_ · Post by **adventurepants_** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:21 am

rishi wrote:
onglueme wrote:ok, since i'm getting a thinkpad, it naturally comes with only a usb port and Zero8 is a firewire, should I just get a generic firewire card?
Dont buy a Firewire device unless your laptop has a dedicated 6-Pin firewire port. The 4 pin sockets dont hold the cable securely and are prone to coming out. I would consider buying a different laptop if the IBM doesnt have a Firewire port.

dont agree. im using a firewire interface with a 4 pin cable. fits fine. if im going to gig with it, then i gaff the cable down, like you would with anything that is possible for someone to knock out accidentally.

Olga · Post by **Olga** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:11 am

onglueme wrote:I am planning on buying a business class ThinkPad to DJ with Ableton.

Something like this: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... 19644D3694

I was wonder if you guy can help me with some of the details I should aim for while constructing this notepad.

I know that the only way to get 4gb of ram to run is if I get Vista64, is that a smart move for live performing?

I plan to store all music in an external HD, any suggestions or advice?

I will also run a audio/midi interface, any suggestions with that?

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.

Heres my advice. Get a stock Macbook with stock 2Gb ram <non pro> for the same price and connect a Presonus firebox thats firewire powered to it and never look back. No need for an external drive either. Go Dj the World with zero issues with that combination.

nate_D · Post by **nate_D** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:03 pm

Olga wrote: Heres my advice. Get a stock Macbook with stock 2Gb ram <non pro> for the same price and connect a Presonus firebox thats firewire powered to it and never look back. No need for an external drive either. Go Dj the World with zero issues with that combination.

i don't think this guy is trying to hear that. not sure what the big deal is about lenovo or why they're special. my mom has one and pretty much hates it/always complains about it. but she's not using it to dj. just for internet/work. and thats with XP. i can't imagine having to deal with vista on there.

i've got the macbook you speak of and the part about zero issues is almost true. i love having it for serato but on 2 occassions (out of many) i've had usb dropouts. once i figured out not to use that specific usb port i haven't had that problem anymore.

mikemc · Post by **mikemc** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:32 pm

you want to think in terms of a lenovo, go with this configuration with the following upgrades:

[edit] stupid link wasn't right, removed it

don't be cheap on CPU, do the 2.5 gHz/
2GB ram minimum for vista.
7200rpm HD
Get the combo DVD drive for the extra 15 bucks.

About $US 1550

onglueme · Post by **onglueme** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:10 am

Thanks for all the advice guys, really!

My reasoning behind the Thinkpad is that it seems like a lot more bang for the buck, plus i've been a pc person pretty much all my life and know my way around. I have been using Ableton on my desktop that i've built and I have no complaints. I have never had a laptop and so i was natural for me to choose a Thinkpad. I was also advised to go with a turnkey system like adkproaudio but I'm just not sure of the quality and stability of their laptops.

Can someone please elaborate on all these issues about the Zero8?

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:57 am

From stage use point of view Thnkpad is much better build then Macbook Pro (which looks nice but once bent or dented you cannot fix it) not to mention Macbook which is consumer line and really fragile. Performance wise DJing is not so demanding but in case you run something CPU heavier the IBM has better cooling then any other notebook.
It has PCMCIA - go for such audio card otherwise though there is 4 pin FW better then in most consumer notebooks OK for connecting camera occasionally for regular use - PCMCIA with 6 pin.

Patch · Post by **Patch** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:14 am

rishi wrote:Dont buy a Firewire device unless your laptop has a dedicated 6-Pin firewire port. The 4 pin sockets dont hold the cable securely and are prone to coming out. I would consider buying a different laptop if the IBM doesnt have a Firewire port.

Agree 100%. 4-pin sucks. I'm (still...) considering getting a PCMCIA card with 6-pin and a PSU. $-pin couses me no end of trouble.

Buying a Laptop for DJing, Please Help.

Buying a Laptop for DJing, Please Help.

Re: Buying a Laptop for DJing, Please Help.

Re: Buying a Laptop for DJing, Please Help.