Laptop

[gorham]

im THINKING about getting a laptop for christmas. it would mainly be for school work (no games or anything). but i had the thought of using it for recording purposes as i have nothing to record myself with at the minute. would it have to be a GOOD laptop for recording music or just a standard one? what price range would i be looking at? what sofware would i need? i have cubase but it dont work on my PC for some reason. will that be a good software choice to use?

any information would be much appreciated...

Jack.

[gtrhrcane]

Such a broad question... wow where to start. I guess most lap tops that come stock nowdays would probably handle recording duties just fine, especially if you don't have a lot of peripheral hardware or softare running. Some things to get in addition to the lap top though for recording, a direct box and a good set of speakers. It really sucks trying to listen to stuff and mix it through onboard sound or a soundcard.

Software - There's a lot to choose from out there, Audacity is free. There's Cakewalk, Sonar, Cubase and all them are not free, but I've never used any of them to any extent. I wasn't real keen on PC mixing, but my PC is a pile too so that's part of it.

I guess I'd be more partial to pro tools, but there's standalone hardware that works with that which is more $$$.

I'm personally a fan of a standalone mixer with either a built in burner or line out to run to a soundcard. Good luck with it all.

[Les Bill]

if you get a laptop to record you are going to have to upgrade the ram if you want to use a lot of tracks. I have an apple laptop and it can only handle so many tracks simultaneously, maybe 5 or 6. I have 512 mb of ram. 512 is a good start, and if you want to speed up the computer, just add more ram.

[sumx4182]

yea, i just upgraded to 1.25gb RAM, runs like a dream with a 2.6Ghz P4

[gorham]

hmmmff PC's are confusing.

so...
if i get a middle-of-the-line laptop and upgrade to more RAM and a better procsser i should be able to run the programme, and deal with tracks fine? thats what i gathered.

im guessing the laptop would need a fairly good sound card for recording?

if i buy some good speakers, not necesserily designed for computer use, i will be able to use them on a laptop?

how would it work using an external recording unit (like an 8 track or sumfin) with a computer?

anybody have answers to any of these?

[mishmannah]

hmmmff PC's are confusing.

so...
if i get a middle-of-the-line laptop and upgrade to more RAM and a better procsser i should be able to run the programme, and deal with tracks fine? thats what i gathered.

im guessing the laptop would need a fairly good sound card for recording?

if i buy some good speakers, not necesserily designed for computer use, i will be able to use them on a laptop?

how would it work using an external recording unit (like an 8 track or sumfin) with a computer?

anybody have answers to any of these?

it would work fine, but feom experience of ten years of computing, lemmie tell ya this...

A desktop would be better. The hard drive is more reliable, there is a lot more stability within a desktop...my father is a programmer, and he has gone thru three laptops in two years (he needs a mobile unit because if the nature of his job...)

Upgrades are always hard with a laptop, because of lack of space.

when comparing the workings of a hard drive on a desktop, the analogy would be a jet plane hovering a few meters above the ground...just imagine how hard it would be to pilot that thing!

Even more so with a laptop.

There are some fantastic offers out there with desktops made to your specs.

[gorham]

i was really wanting it compact though because i havent got much space in my bedroom, but im still thinking about it

[gorham]

also a laptop would be a lot better for college work as well.

[gorham]

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/033877 im guessing this is the type of think i need to upgrade the RAM. can you put any upgrade in a laptop, or do you have to get special ones for laptops and desktops?

[mishmannah]

I aint gonna plaigerise, so here's the link...

http://howtobuyalaptop.com/3111-laptop-memory.htm

see what you think.

And in the meantime, I'll e-mail my Dad and ask him about reliable laptops...
I'll get back to you within a day or two.

[FrEtboaRDonFIRE]

Well, you generally can't replace the processor in a Laptop, but I'm pretty sure you can upgrade the ram. I would advise a desktop as well though.

-=FoF=-

[gorham]

im growing on the idea of a desktop but a laptop would be the most convenient. grrr this is annoying as hell.

[mishmannah]

im growing on the idea of a desktop but a laptop would be the most convenient. grrr this is annoying as hell.

I know its flippin frustrating, and I have used the most crappy brand computers known on earth. Trial and error, and also the need to take your time and ask around friends and others...(not salespeople!!!!!)

I have two...one is a put-together from a company thats gone bust, and it roars like a jet plane (although its a stable system, its nearly three years old, and the hard drive only needed formatting once!!)

The other is a Dell, and its nearly as powerful, but quiet as a mouse, which is needed for music production.

I have found Dell to be a very very good computer company.

[sumx4182]

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/033877 im guessing this is the type of think i need to upgrade the RAM. can you put any upgrade in a laptop, or do you have to get special ones for laptops and desktops?
that is desktop RAM and it's NOT the same as notebook RAM, generally, desktops use DDR ram and notebooks use SoDIMM ram, go to crucial rams website and put in the model laptop you are looking at getting and it will give you compatible RAM modules...and i wouldnt buy a laptop and plan on upgrading the processor. If n e thing, get one that has the processor you want and upgrade the other stuff...and dont listen to people that say it's hard to upgrade laptops. It used to be this way, back in the day, you had to completely open up the laptop to replace stuff. Now, there are windows on the bottom of most laptops that with the removal of 1 screw, you can access all the major components (internal wireless card, RAM, hard drive)

[mishmannah]

that is desktop RAM and it's NOT the same as notebook RAM, generally, desktops use DDR ram and notebooks use SoDIMM ram, go to crucial rams website and put in the model laptop you are looking at getting and it will give you compatible RAM modules...and i wouldnt buy a laptop and plan on upgrading the processor. If n e thing, get one that has the processor you want and upgrade the other stuff...and dont listen to people that say it's hard to upgrade laptops. It used to be this way, back in the day, you had to completely open up the laptop to replace stuff. Now, there are windows on the bottom of most laptops that with the removal of 1 screw, you can access all the major components (internal wireless card, RAM, hard drive)

But would you agree, that laptops are less stable? I aint moshing you, I find this thread interesting. :)

[sumx4182]

But would you agree, that laptops are less stable? I aint moshing you, I find this thread interesting. :)
my Dell has been VERY stable...i find that it's easy to get them to overheat because the fan is on the bottom instead of the back(like on a desktop tower), thus they become blocked easily, especially if it's sitting on the carpet, it can overheat. But if you keep it cool, they are stable. Mine runs for weeks at a time without being shut down. I usually get my physics book and put it under my laptop if it's on the floor, and place it so that the book isnt under the fan, that way, there is a good 4 inches between the fan and the floor...it stays cool that way

[gorham]

i find it interesting as well, im learning from it a great deal. so would it be cheaper to buy a fairly crap laptop and upgrade ot buy a good one and dont upgrade?

SUMX whats crutial ram's website?

[mishmannah]

my Dell has been VERY stable...i find that it's easy to get them to overheat because the fan is on the bottom instead of the back(like on a desktop tower), thus they become blocked easily, especially if it's sitting on the carpet, it can overheat. But if you keep it cool, they are stable. Mine runs for weeks at a time without being shut down.

I stand back, I have been pwnd. :)

I have a Dell Desktop...not a laptop.

[sumx4182]

www.crucial.com and use the crucial RAM selector i think it's called...i got my Dell refurbished from the Dell Outlet at Dell's website, and it's a 2.66Ghz processor with 512mb of RAM (upgraded to 1.25gb), a CD-RW/DVD combo drive for less than 1000 bucks...laptops will ALWAYS be more expensive than desktops, i could have gotten the same specs in a desktop for about 600 bucks, but i wanted the portability and ease of use for college...

[gorham]

about DELL PC's, ive heard that you need to buy upgrades straight from them, and cannot purchase them in shops, thus making them more expensive?

[sumx4182]

nope, that's not true either, you can get upgrades from whereever you want, just make sure they are compatible, many people think this is true because dell recommends it and they offer alot of upgrades from them, but they do charge more than most other places...but you dont HAVE to buy from them...it's recommened if you dont know about computers and arent sure if you are getting the right part, because they have a record of your computer on file and will make sure you get the right parts

[FrEtboaRDonFIRE]

The problem with Dell desktops though is that they have a special power supply put in all their cases so that you can't use any other power supply in the computer except the Dell one, so if you ever want to get a better motherboard/cpu combo, you're out of luck because the power supply connectors only work with Dell stuff. Also, from what I have seen, Dell's desktop pc cases are generally cramped inside and are not very well designed. Just my 2 cents.

-=FoF=-

[sumx4182]

^i also have a Dell Desktop PC and i've never felt the need to replace the motherboard/cpu, so i dont know about that, but as for beeing cramped, it may be a little tight, but i managed to install a zip drive and a second CD burner in addition to the first CD drive and the original floppy disk with no problem, so it's workable...

[FrEtboaRDonFIRE]

Yeah, it would be workable I guess...you can build your own for cheaper than buying one though.

-=FoF=-

[sumx4182]

^this is true, but you also need more experience to do that...you need to know about Processor/Motherboard compatibility and that sorta stuff...

[FrEtboaRDonFIRE]

There are also many places to research that, and motherboards usually come with processors...but this is pointless to argue about because there are so many variables in choosing what kind of computer to get and whether to build one or not it boggles the mind. Lol. How about gorham tells us what he would prefer to do. :)

-=FoF=-

[sumx4182]

haha, yea man, i wasnt arguing with ya...just like to throw out alllll the options for a fellow jammer....

[FrEtboaRDonFIRE]

Yeah I know you weren't arguing with me I think I was the arguable one...I confuse myself.

-=FoF=-

[sumx4182]

lol, it happens...

basically, the kind of laptop you buy has to reflect what you need it to do...if you want it to play mad games, they have 2500 dollar laptops with hyperthreaded processors and crap like that...bit not everyone needs that

[FrEtboaRDonFIRE]

Precisely...I bet you could even find ones for $5000 if you were so inclined.:p Otherwise, your average joe laptop with the ram upgraded should suffice, and if you want a good recording laptop, get a nice set of external speakers and perhaps a recording interface, along with some software, and you'll be set.

-=FoF=-

[fretflyer]

yea, i just upgraded to 1.25gb RAM, runs like a dream with a 2.6Ghz P4

i still have 512 :(

[sumx4182]

i had 512 before, two sticks of 256 and i bought a 1gb stick on newegg for a lil over 100 bucks...so i replaced one of the sticks and left the other in there...runs like a champ

[fretflyer]

i got an hp laptop with 1.6 ghz centrino processor and it has wireless and such, i now wish id gotten something a bit faster and upgraded my memory

[ab500]

Go with the laptop. I recommend something along the lines of the HP zv6000. Great bang for your buck. Now to clear a few issues that have caused me to register an account to reply to this thread.

Laptops are just as reliable as desktops, if they were used the same way desktops were.

When was the last time you threw your desktop in a bookbag and tossed it in a locker? When was the last time you even moved your desktop? The reason why laptops generally don't last as long as desktops is because they are put through more extreme conditions. If you are going to leave the laptop at a desk most it's life it will last just as long as a desktop.

As for recording. If you want multitrack recording your going to have to put down some money. In fact if you want even good quality recording you will have to put down some money. Onboard audio is crap in most all cases, go out and find something that uses an interface such as firewire or usb (laptops don't have PCI slots) and is specialized for recording if you want to do professional stuff. I recommend Adobe Audition for recording software, formally called Cool Edit Pro. I use a card for creative for light recording but mainly for powering my 5.1 system.

As for upgradability. Laptops are surprisingly upgradable. Right now in my laptop I could upgrade everything (including hard drive, processor, and memory) except the motherboard and display. It is a little bit harder to take apart a laptop but most small upgrades (such as memory) have easy access panels that make it easier then upgrading a desktop in some cases.

Laptop's use a different sized memory module then desktops but other then that memory works the same way.

I would recommend a laptop.

[fretflyer]

i had 512 before, two sticks of 256 and i bought a 1gb stick on newegg for a lil over 100 bucks...so i replaced one of the sticks and left the other in there...runs like a champ

yes newegg is the greatest, if i ever get around to getting the money, im building a custom desktop with everything :)

[sumx4182]

i got an hp laptop with 1.6 ghz centrino processor and it has wireless and such, i now wish id gotten something a bit faster and upgraded my memory
yea, i've heard that the P4 beats the Centrino hands down...but i dunno how much truth there is to that...never used the Centrino

[sumx4182]

yes newegg is the greatest, if i ever get around to getting the money, im building a custom desktop with everything :)
shipping was supposed to be three days, i got it in 2...nothing is EVER delivered early, i was impressed

[sumx4182]

Go with the laptop. I recommend something along the lines of the HP zv6000. Great bang for your buck. Now to clear a few issues that have caused me to register an account to reply to this thread.

Laptops are just as reliable as desktops, if they were used the same way desktops were.

When was the last time you threw your desktop in a bookbag and tossed it in a locker? When was the last time you even moved your desktop? The reason why laptops generally don't last as long as desktops is because they are put through more extreme conditions. If you are going to leave the laptop at a desk most it's life it will last just as long as a desktop.

As for recording. If you want multitrack recording your going to have to put down some money. In fact if you want even good quality recording you will have to put down some money. Onboard audio is crap in most all cases, go out and find something that uses an interface such as firewire or usb (laptops don't have PCI slots) and is specialized for recording if you want to do professional stuff. I recommend Adobe Audition for recording software, formally called Cool Edit Pro. I use a card for creative for light recording but mainly for powering my 5.1 system.

As for upgradability. Laptops are surprisingly upgradable. Right now in my laptop I could upgrade everything (including hard drive, processor, and memory) except the motherboard and display. It is a little bit harder to take apart a laptop but most small upgrades (such as memory) have easy access panels that make it easier then upgrading a desktop in some cases.

Laptop's use a different sized memory module then desktops but other then that memory works the same way.

I would recommend a laptop.
i'm not putting you down or n e thing, but please read most of the previous posts before you post, cuz these issues were all dealt with already...

[fretflyer]

yea, i've heard that the P4 beats the Centrino hands down...but i dunno how much truth there is to that...never used the Centrino

centrino is made for laptops, lower frequency, and it saves battery power, im guessing your battery lasts about an hour, mine lasts about three, but i wish i got AMD for laptops, AMD runs at a lower frequency but it does everything as if it were alot faster of a frequency, especially the new dual core chips, which i want

[fretflyer]

shipping was supposed to be three days, i got it in 2...nothing is EVER delivered early, i was impressed

most of the time newegg is always early :)

[sumx4182]

my battery lasts 4 hours, lol, but i paid a lil more for a better battery when i ordered it from dell, the original battery was 2 hours

[fretflyer]

my battery lasts 4 hours, lol, but i paid a lil more for a better battery when i ordered it from dell, the original battery was 2 hours

ah you got a 12 cell, i want one of those, ill get 6 hours :) , but my friend has a hp with a desktop processor AND a high end ATI graphics card and his battery lasts under an hour, thats why i thought itd be pretty low

[sumx4182]

yea, it all depends too...if i'm doing word-processing, it lasts forever, but if i were to be playing Half Life or something, i would be on AC power for sure