Computerz

[metalhead3ecr]

So i need a mobile recording rig/ school computer for college. Please recommend me a good one....cuz I just bought a Sager and it has had 6 BSoD already. I returned it needless to say!

Budget is 1500 (mac or pc)

 

[electricred]

I'm using a Mac Mini Server and a 14" USB portable Lenovo display for portability.

 

[metalhead3ecr]

hmm interesting! I would like to just have one piece though. Any laptop suggestions??

Some specs I would like
i5
8gigs of RAM
15-15.6 display.

 

[Jrich4967]

i have an asus u43f with 6 gigs of ram, but the computer only cost me 700(with free xbox!) and it is an i5, 500 gb hdd, intel hd gfx. it runs really well with a shit ton of plugins, and can track just fine if you are gonna be mobile. you can easily upgrade the ram for like 40 bucks, just buy some more

 

[oroinvictus]

You could get a decently stocked macbook pro if you're looking for an apple laptop, but you'd have to shell out some extra coin if you want more than 4GB of ram in it, and the ram isn't user-serviceable in the latest models to my knowledge. Asus, samsung and toshiba are top-tier windows laptops in my experience/opinion for their internal meat power, quality and relative cost.

 

[neptunian]

The latest Retina Macbook Pro (the highest end model) has soldered RAM, but the other 2012 Macbook Pros still have user-upgradeable RAM slots. New, the 15" 2012 MBP start at $1800 so that's already over your budget.

Personally, I'd go for a refurbished 2011 MBP from the online Apple store, add 8GB of third party RAM via newegg, and if you get the 13" for portability then you have enough left for an external monitor like a Dell Ultrasharp U2311h for enhanced workflow back home.

I don't have anything against PCs, but prefer my Mac just because it seems more plug-n-play and stable for audio production.

 

[metalhead3ecr]

Thanks for all the feedback!

is there any way to get a new 15" MBP without the retina display and with an i5?
I'd be interested in that

 

[metalhead3ecr]

I don't have anything against PCs, but prefer my Mac just because it seems more plug-n-play and stable for audio production.

That's totally how I feel right now after buying a brand new PC and it crapping out.

I will stick with PC for desktops, but I'm thinking mac is better for on the go power and stability.

 

[SwambA]

A lot more bang for the buck than you will get with a mac

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-G75VW-AS71-17-3-Inch-Laptop-Black/dp/B007MW73C2/ref=pd_cp_pc_0[/ame]

 

[nervirasme]

Just to prove that you don't need a machine with ultra-high-latest-whatever-specs - I'm using late-2008 Macbook (not the Pro!) and I'm recording 14 channels of 44.1/24 audio at once with no latency issues whatsoever. Recently I've tracked drums this way and it all went smooth (here's the link: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/...ck-song-indiscipline-festival-mutilation.html)... However, I'm a strong supporter of OS X - a friend has a Windows-based laptop with almost the same specs, and he really struggles with latency and stability, especially with high track count... (and I'm not saying this because I'm apple's bitch - I use hackintosh at home )
Hope that helps!
Good luck with shopping.

 

[nakash]

Personally, I'd go for a refurbished 2011 MBP from the online Apple store, add 8GB of third party RAM via newegg, and if you get the 13" for portability then you have enough left for an external monitor like a Dell Ultrasharp U2311h for enhanced workflow back home.

I don't have anything against PCs, but prefer my Mac just because it seems more plug-n-play and stable for audio production.

This.

I just bought a 2011 MPB 13" i5 2,4 GHz (http://store.apple.com/it/product/FD313T/A) for 990€ at In Town, official reseller in Italy. Next step: big external monitor.

 

[MatrixClaw]

A lot more bang for the buck than you will get with a mac

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-G75VW-AS71-17-3-Inch-Laptop-Black/dp/B007MW73C2/ref=pd_cp_pc_0

Not really.

You might get better specs, yes - But the biggest drawback to new Windows laptops now is, 99% don't come equip with FireWire ports, which most good interfaces use. Unless you're only recording a few tracks via USB, or you're running something like a Fireface UFX, you're not going to be able to use most multi-channel interfaces with a new Windows laptop, which makes them pretty much useless for audio work.


I'm a BIG Windows guy and I will be the first to admit that if you're going to do mobile recording, a Mac laptop is probably the best idea. If you can stand to bring a tower, then it's really up to you, but that's not very portable.

 

[Josh Burgess]

Not really.

You might get better specs, yes - But the biggest drawback to new Windows laptops now is, 99% don't come equip with FireWire ports, which most good interfaces use. Unless you're only recording a few tracks via USB, or you're running something like a Fireface UFX, you're not going to be able to use most multi-channel interfaces with a new Windows laptop, which makes them pretty much useless for audio work.


I'm a BIG Windows guy and I will be the first to admit that if you're going to do mobile recording, a Mac laptop is probably the best idea. If you can stand to bring a tower, then it's really up to you, but that's not very portable.

Firewire is pretty much dead. It's disappearing from both PCs and Macs. Future interfaces will be USB 3.0 & Thunderbolt.

 

[P-E]

Try to look at the Lenovo Thinkpad range, loads of bang for your buck IIRC.

 

[metalhead3ecr]

alright, I am now between the New dell XPS 15 (looks like a MBP)

and the MBP itself.

new question: Is running windows on mac through Bootcamp worth it??

 

[MatrixClaw]

Firewire is pretty much dead. It's disappearing from both PCs and Macs. Future interfaces will be USB 3.0 & Thunderbolt.

Still doesn't change the fact that there's countless amounts of great Firewire units still out there, and very few upper range USB ones (let alone Thunderbolt), not to mention all the high end cameras and other electronics that use it. If the laptop had Thunderbolt, it'd be one thing - You can use a converter on Thunderbolt ports, to plug in Firewire devices, but you can't on USB 3.0.

So in other words, it makes sense to replace Firewire with Thunderbolt, but not Firewire with USB 3.0. If they would have kept express card slots, so you could add Firewire, it'd be a good compromise as well, but as far as I know, they've dropped that technology, too.

 

[SwambA]

Not really.

You might get better specs, yes - But the biggest drawback to new Windows laptops now is, 99% don't come equip with FireWire ports, which most good interfaces use. Unless you're only recording a few tracks via USB, or you're running something like a Fireface UFX, you're not going to be able to use most multi-channel interfaces with a new Windows laptop, which makes them pretty much useless for audio work.


I'm a BIG Windows guy and I will be the first to admit that if you're going to do mobile recording, a Mac laptop is probably the best idea. If you can stand to bring a tower, then it's really up to you, but that's not very portable.

I am running a RME Babyface/with a Focusrite Octo Pre(adat) on this and no problems! Recording something now that has about 18 tracks, all tracks with VCC/VTM/VCC on them not to mention all the other plugins I have on there, plus I have all my mastering plugins running the whole time. Maybe your right about other usb soundcards but unless I try something for myself, I can't pretend to know. Recording 10 tracks at a time, all day long no problem, so you might want to rethink. Soundcard, pres and laptop for the same price as you would pay just for the mac book pro.

Just looked up a mac book pro with similar specs, but no 17in screen (because mac doesn't make one) only 8 gig of ram instead of 16 gig(because mac only has 8 gigs) only 1 gig video memory instead of 2 gig (because mac only has 1 gig) and its 1000 dollars more!

I'm not trying to start a mac vs pc thing, because I think apple makes some pretty sexy stuff! But for me, I'd rather take that extra money and buy more stuff.

Thunderbolt will be on new pc's with win8 so you could go Thunderbolt to firewire aswell.

AND RME seems to think USB2.0 is fine.

 

[nervirasme]

new question: Is running windows on mac through Bootcamp worth it??

I'm sorry in advance because I'll be honest - but I still consider this practice the pinnacle of absurdity - You buy Macs because of the OSX, not the other way around. Macs have essentially the same hardware components as their PC counterparts (disassemble a Mac and see for yourself). I really can't understand people who buy a Mac and then install Windows on it because that way they spend almost twice as much money for the SAME specs!

 

[metalhead3ecr]

^ haha understandable. I was just checking. But seriously...someone should inform Sweetwater about that then...they are boasting that it's the only way. (prob. cuz they get more money)