Ableton Forum

A laptop needs to be projecteted into the future.
Applications they always go to require more resources from your computer while developing and delivering the performances and features that you love so much.

Therefore, buy a laptop today that is ready to resist for at least 4 years.

That mean: forget about i5, go for i7 CPU. It must be quad-core. Check the cache memory. The higher the cache, the higher the performance of CPU. MacBook Pro 15" with i7 quad-core works at 2.7Ghz, turbo boost 3.6Ghz and 8Mb cache...

RAM memory, that's something that more you have, better it is. You can buy a laptop with a basic ram of 4gb and upgrade later, but check on the specs of the MBP if and how much ram your laptop can support.
The today's up to date ram banks for laptop are the DDR3 1600hz so-dimm.
You should be able to upgrade your laptop at least untill 16gb.

Storage memory, you definetely start with basic HD running at 5400rpm, but as soon as possible change it with an SSD... You have not idea how its gonna speed up your total performance on your computer.
The 6gb/s transfer SATA combined to the close to zero reading speed, make the SSD one of the "must do" upgrade!
Not only for using Ableton, just any use of the notebook. Even browsing in Internet it fasten up almost 5X...
It also doesn't create any noise and very little heat, as not mechanical parts are moving inside the memory.

I'd highly recommend to go for the non retina MacBook Pro 15" with high specs. Yes, it's pricey, but it will last you very long! With not viruses or other Windows style pain in the ass like reformatting, defragmentation, register cleanings, bugs and all the bollocks of Microsoft.
And it doesn't cost much over what a non Apple computer will cost with same specs.

You can check also Sony Vaio, http://www.portableone.com/config.asp?c ... SVS1511EGX
But I'm not sure it support the DDR3 1600 hz ram banks.

Wow. Thank you all for the advice. I didn't really have SSD on the radar at all. Does anyone else have an opinion on refurbs? Specifically macs? I can't help but have the "it's refurbed for a reason" thought. But I hear apple has awesome customer support with defective/problematic products.

Thanks again!

You get the same warranty as with a new one (and I think you can still buy Applecare for them?) so I don't really see any downside.

.....so much bullshit around....

400 mp3 files and i had issues.....that's not the speed of the disc, that's the fragmentation....

on an 4 year old mac book pro you can run at least 40 stereo tracks in 44,1 from the internal hard drive with 5400 rpm....no issues...

if you want a desktop...you can choose a pc....
but when it comes to laptops....sorry.....mac is always the better deal....

and if no one would tell you it's a refurbished, you'd never realise....
they look bandnew...they even smell brandnew...

and even 2 year old machines can easily compete with all your pc suggestions....

go for at least 4gig of ram and then you can already stop thinking 'bout configurations...

never ask yourself again...will this graphic board will cause issues if whatsoever....
does that windows version of samsung model 28273)/92 or this windows version for model dell3834 or this version of windows from acer for model 392&3837:)37292!: will do the job?

stop thinking in benchmarks...just start making music....

and buy an external hd straight away...'cause no pro really scrubs endless audio files on an internal system hd...