My Laptop got stolen, so Im in the market...

[Manicompression]

Hey dudes, Some jerkoff walked into my house and stole my laptop, its a long story but suffice it to say Im in the market for a new computer, and I would like to use it primarily for music stuff. I do still have my external hd, so storage isnt an issue. I really have no idea about what specs I should be looking for really. What Ive gathered from searching a bit is that I need 2 gigs plus of ram, and that dual and quad cores are the way to go, but im really unsure about which processors are good, or how certain specs relate to one another, and which features to avoid. Im looking to spend less than a grand and closer to 500ish if possible. Im using a firepod which I recall needing this certain firewire port, a TI i believe, i dunno. Point me in the right direction, give me some pointers, any info would be great

 

[Unavailable]

I'd say stick to intel processors. The more RAM the better as well.

Here's a decent list: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...8471,410:10743,410:10742&bop=And&Order=RATING

Basically, the higher cpu clock speed and the more RAM the better off you'll be for recording. Make sure the laptop has a firewire port, and probably some time of expansion slot, in case the firewire chip in the laptop doesn't agree with the firepod.

 

[beyond dead]

intel macbook!!! use mine with fp without a hitch. more than enough power to run a daw, and you can install up to 4 gb of ram.

 

[Metaltastic]

Yeah, I use a Firewire expresscard that has a TI chipset, so you don't need to worry about one being built in.

 

[Manicompression]

Yeah, I use a Firewire expresscard that has a TI chipset, so you don't need to worry about one being built in.

Is this like an external connector thing, Im not sure I understand. Thanks for the replies guys, highly appreciated.

 

[Metaltastic]

No problem dude! This is a good example; there are two standards for connectivity these days, Cardbus (or PCMCIA, or the big one) and expresscard (or PCIe, or the little one) - I assume expresscard is faster, but the inherent problem, at least with the firewire one that I have, is that it has absolutely no room for anything to secure it once it's in place! I'm serious, the slightest tug could remove this thing (and I tried it in two laptops), so I have to be super careful; Cardbus by comparison is nice and snug, and I doubt the speed would be an issue seeing as how it's only FW 400 you'll be using for any interface south of the Fireface 800 (which doesn't even require using FW 800). The one I linked above is cardbus, btw.

 

[Manicompression]

i see, fuckin sweet dude, well thats one less thing i have to fret over.

 

[seditz740novaprospect]

some dont work with some interfaces i had a huge problem with a hundred different fire wire chip sets and my different interfaces.. i found one that works with everything and never gave me a problem ..reasonably affordable as well http://www.rainrecording.com/1-877-MIX-RAIN/store/product.php?productid=16260&cat=270&page=1

 

[Manicompression]

well, this is all cool, but my main focus is what kind of puter i should get at this point, I dont neccasarily need a laptop, hell I was thinking about hitting up shane on that mac g5, Im just unsure what the best call is concerning the firepod and all the freeware awesome vst's that im used to using, how fast a processor is fast enough, are the amd x2 chips competitive with the intel duo chips, xp vs vista vs I dont have any knowledge of the prefernces of Mac platforms for music production, things like tiger and lepord are completely unknowns to me. Im just feeling victamized

 

[beyond dead]

mac is the way to go. get an imac, awesome value there. used mine with fp for years. i would never go back to windows os, cause i like things simple and i like not getting viruses. the thought of buying a pc makes me cringe. might not be compatible with all free vst`s, but dont be cheap, if ur making money for projects, go buy some decent plugs!!!

 

[Metaltastic]

some dont work with some interfaces i had a huge problem with a hundred different fire wire chip sets and my different interfaces.. i found one that works with everything and never gave me a problem ..reasonably affordable as well http://www.rainrecording.com/1-877-MIX-RAIN/store/product.php?productid=16260&cat=270&page=1

Hell yeah, that's the one RAIN included with my Livebook I bought this summer (see sig), works great but do you find it's not secure AT ALL in the slot? Cuz as I mentioned above, that's been my experience on two laptops (my Livebook and my old Compaq).

 

[seditz740novaprospect]

Hell yeah, that's the one RAIN included with my Livebook I bought this summer (see sig), works great but do you find it's not secure AT ALL in the slot? Cuz as I mentioned above, that's been my experience on two laptops (my Livebook and my old Compaq).

its not secure in the slot at all, my laptop sits on a desk shelf closed all day, i have too many usb's, external hd's etc. connected to it to use it as a laptop anymore..i had way too many instances where someone accidentally bumped it and the red light of death comes on in the middle of a session killing valuable creative time...


lcd monitor, wireless keyboard-mouse and a desk shelf took care of that, and has been smooth sailing ever since. my control room is tiny so space is a concern when there's 5 ppl crammed into a 11x12 room.. i condensed my studio to the bare min as far as outboard goes to still get the quality i need.. i had like 2 60u racks filled, im down to 2 16u racks of outboard