Laptop Purchase |
Laptop Purchase |
Feb 22 2010, 09:15 PM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Staff Alumni Posts: 7,063 Joined: Jul 2008 Member No: 670,288 |
My friend is looking for a laptop and his budget is 600 dollars. The primary use of the laptop is for recording/mixing and for live sets when he performs. He uses a lot of heavy-weight music programs. Any help?
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Feb 22 2010, 09:26 PM
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#2
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
If budget includes shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16834200028
If budget doesn't include shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16834146611 If budget can be expanded a little: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16834114791 If budget can be expanded a lot: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16834152178 Personally, I think the Toshiba would be most worth it. But if he can get the extra money for the MSI, then I'd say that's definitely the way to go. If he's doing any gaming (except some really light gaming, like peggle light), then all of these are a no-go, due to the IGP instead of a dedicated graphics card. |
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Feb 22 2010, 11:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Official Designer Posts: 5,880 Joined: Nov 2007 Member No: 593,382 |
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16834146735
I'm a big thinkpad fan. It's only 2GB ram, but it's DDR3 and it's fast. Also, for 50$ more, there is this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16834146628 Which isn't a huge improvement besides more ram. Also, the first one runs windows xp professional, and the second one has windows 7. so if you kept the os that each one has, the first one would outperform the second. |
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Feb 23 2010, 11:19 AM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Official Member Posts: 1,574 Joined: Aug 2007 Member No: 555,438 |
I used to do sound recording because I was in a band in high school. If he's going to be doing sound recording then he doesn't want a laptop. He wants a desktop. Here's why:
A bare minimum desktop solution would cost him about 600 dollars provided he had the recording software. Seeing as how he wants to be on a budget I recommend purchasing a prebuilt computer from a manufacturer. I recommend ASUS or Lenovo because they have quality hardware. I realize the processor isn't crazy powerful, but it's dual core so it's good enough. Partition the hard drive on the first drive and mirror that partition to the second. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16883220032 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136073 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16829121120 He'd still have to upgrade a few things eventually. I would personally upgrade to at least a 400 watt powersupply. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817371029 Eventually I would put in a video card that supported dual monitors so I could work off of two screens and increase preformance. Make sure you utilize passive colling though. Less sound = better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814127458 I'd probably purchase two of these since dell can make some really nice budget monitors: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/product...jYAADHyNY4AAAFv It's also important that he eventually purchases larger desktop speakers that can produce high quality sound... as an entry lv speaker I would suggest: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16836127010 |
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Feb 23 2010, 05:07 PM
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#5
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
as an entry lv speaker I would suggest: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16836127010 I would do this instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16836196002 It's only a few bucks more, and the sound quality is beast. I've got a pair hooked up to my studio rig. |
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Feb 23 2010, 05:09 PM
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#6
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Senior Member Group: Official Member Posts: 1,574 Joined: Aug 2007 Member No: 555,438 |
I would do this instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16836196002 It's only a few bucks more, and the sound quality is beast. I've got a pair hooked up to my studio rig. Thats fine to, I was just suggesting an entry lv speaker. Either way, this guy is wasting his time if he's purchasing a laptop for studio recording. If he's that hungry for a laptop he should purchase a netbook afterwards. |
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Feb 23 2010, 05:54 PM
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#7
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
Thats fine to, I was just suggesting an entry lv speaker. Either way, this guy is wasting his time if he's purchasing a laptop for studio recording. If he's that hungry for a laptop he should purchase a netbook afterwards. I have to agree with you there. It's not like he's going to be moving the laptop around much while playing. |
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Feb 24 2010, 09:30 PM
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#8
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Member Group: Human Posts: 12 Joined: Mar 2009 Member No: 718,189 |
I used to do sound recording because I was in a band in high school. If he's going to be doing sound recording then he doesn't want a laptop. He wants a desktop. Here's why:
A bare minimum desktop solution would cost him about 600 dollars provided he had the recording software. Seeing as how he wants to be on a budget I recommend purchasing a prebuilt computer from a manufacturer. I recommend ASUS or Lenovo because they have quality hardware. I realize the processor isn't crazy powerful, but it's dual core so it's good enough. Partition the hard drive on the first drive and mirror that partition to the second. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16883220032 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136073 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16829121120 He'd still have to upgrade a few things eventually. I would personally upgrade to at least a 400 watt powersupply. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817371029 Eventually I would put in a video card that supported dual monitors so I could work off of two screens and increase preformance. Make sure you utilize passive colling though. Less sound = better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814127458 I'd probably purchase two of these since dell can make some really nice budget monitors: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/product...jYAADHyNY4AAAFv It's also important that he eventually purchases larger desktop speakers that can produce high quality sound... as an entry lv speaker I would suggest: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16836127010 Thats fine to, I was just suggesting an entry lv speaker. Either way, this guy is wasting his time if he's purchasing a laptop for studio recording. If he's that hungry for a laptop he should purchase a netbook afterwards. I have to agree with you there. It's not like he's going to be moving the laptop around much while playing. Hey, I'm his friend who's looking to purchase a laptop haha. Anyways... All of you, thank you so much for your responses and help, I really appreciate the suggestions given. However, there are a few things that I need to clear up. I am looking for a "music" laptop, "studio", but not really for a studio that you may be thinking of. Most of my music is electronic based, dealing with plugins and midi. The other recordings I do of hardware instruments is not very intensive. The laptop would not be for just a "studio", although I would use it there, this is why a desktop would be a problem: I am going to be using it a lot for gigs and performances. Thus, I need a laptop so I can be mobile, as I will be moving around a lot, which is why a desktop is out of the question. Any other intensive recording we do with a friend who has a good setup. This laptop is more for shows, etc. Thanks again though everyone. |
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Feb 24 2010, 10:19 PM
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#9
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
So what are you going to do? Pick up the laptop and dance around while you're mixing? You'll still have a better time with a lightweight desktop.
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Feb 24 2010, 10:22 PM
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#10
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
Also the biggest thing, you're going to need nice speakers no matter what. Laptop speakers are all really tinny. They push no bass. As I'm sure you're aware, electronic music needs bass.
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Feb 25 2010, 04:58 PM
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#11
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Member Group: Human Posts: 12 Joined: Mar 2009 Member No: 718,189 |
So what are you going to do? Pick up the laptop and dance around while you're mixing? You'll still have a better time with a lightweight desktop. No. I am not going to be mixing with it live, it is going to be running backing tracks and a midi instrument. I don't know if you've ever played gigs, but trust me, you'll look pretty weird if you're using a desktop on stage instead of a laptop. That, and that venue staff are pretty damn tight about getting your stuff on stage, having it set up and ready to go, and getting your stuff off stage, really fast. Setting up and lugging around a desktop setup up and down stairs/ramps is much more difficult than a laptop, especially when I already have to worry about lots of other gear. Also the biggest thing, you're going to need nice speakers no matter what. Laptop speakers are all really tinny. They push no bass. As I'm sure you're aware, electronic music needs bass. For live shows, we use the venues system, so I don't need any speakers. I have played shows with my current laptop, I'm just looking to upgrade. And for at home, I already have large JBL studio control monitors. I'm all good on the speakers/interfaces/etc, all I'm looking for is a laptop...thanks Once again though, thanks for your help, I appreciate it, really. |
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Feb 25 2010, 05:25 PM
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#12
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
Where the f*ck are you playing? I've never played a show that supplied anything more than monitors. And I always get at least fifteen minutes to get my shit set up/put away.
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Feb 25 2010, 06:43 PM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Official Member Posts: 1,574 Joined: Aug 2007 Member No: 555,438 |
Hey, I'm his friend who's looking to purchase a laptop haha. Anyways... All of you, thank you so much for your responses and help, I really appreciate the suggestions given. However, there are a few things that I need to clear up. I am looking for a "music" laptop, "studio", but not really for a studio that you may be thinking of. Most of my music is electronic based, dealing with plugins and midi. The other recordings I do of hardware instruments is not very intensive. The laptop would not be for just a "studio", although I would use it there, this is why a desktop would be a problem: I am going to be using it a lot for gigs and performances. Thus, I need a laptop so I can be mobile, as I will be moving around a lot, which is why a desktop is out of the question. Any other intensive recording we do with a friend who has a good setup. This laptop is more for shows, etc. You say this laptop wouldn't just be for "studio"... well that means you're going to do more with it. Which probably means you'll need it to be even more powerful. Which probably means you need to spend more than 600 dollars. What else do you want to do with it? Dude, if you just want a laptop go purchase one. You have our recommendation. Purchasing a laptop for this stuff is just a big fat waste of money. Especially if you only have 600 dollars. I love how you're suggesting you want to upgrade your current setup and we're telling you that you need to purchase a desktop so that you don't have to spend 600 dollars to upgrade your setup in the future. This is not enough for even an entry level studio setup based around a laptop. Chances are that a laptop that costs 600 dollars will be able to do just as much as the one you have. 600 dollars is not enough. Maybe you should wait until black friday. |
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Feb 27 2010, 02:07 PM
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#14
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Member Group: Human Posts: 12 Joined: Mar 2009 Member No: 718,189 |
Where the f*ck are you playing? I've never played a show that supplied anything more than monitors. And I always get at least fifteen minutes to get my shit set up/put away. Haha every venue I've ever been to has a PA system. What venue have you been to that doesn't have its own PA system with a sound guy and board? We use the venue's PA and mics. When have you seen a band bring their own PA system? And their own sound board and hook all that up, hanging PA speakers from the ceilings and what not? That makes no sense, the venue provides all of that. You say this laptop wouldn't just be for "studio"... well that means you're going to do more with it. Which probably means you'll need it to be even more powerful. Which probably means you need to spend more than 600 dollars. What else do you want to do with it? Dude, if you just want a laptop go purchase one. You have our recommendation. Purchasing a laptop for this stuff is just a big fat waste of money. Especially if you only have 600 dollars. I love how you're suggesting you want to upgrade your current setup and we're telling you that you need to purchase a desktop so that you don't have to spend 600 dollars to upgrade your setup in the future. This is not enough for even an entry level studio setup based around a laptop. Chances are that a laptop that costs 600 dollars will be able to do just as much as the one you have. 600 dollars is not enough. Maybe you should wait until black friday. Yeah, you're right. I've seen a few Dell's (laptops) for 599$ that are better than what I currently have though. And by more than studio, I mean I'm going to use it in live applications too. Some of you guys have been suggesting other equipment, which I appreciate, or saying that with $600 and just buying a laptop, my "studio" is basically going to be terrible. Trust me when I say all I'm looking for is a laptop, and I have all my other necessary equipment that I want (mixers, monitors, audio interfaces, rack gear, instruments, etc.). Thanks again all for your suggestions. |
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Feb 27 2010, 02:49 PM
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#15
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
Everyplace around here makes you supply your own PA system. They'll usually have a sound board, but sound guy is rare.
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