Hi everyone! My ASUS ZENBOOK (2019) i5 , 16 g ram, 512 g hard drive has given up the ghost. I need a new laptop to run BIAB 2022. My ASUS often produced distorted sound from my BIAB 2022 and sometimes crashed…. Any recommendations for upgraded hardware or specs ? I like the 2-in-1 format for using the pc on a music stand, but could adapt if the recommendation is a trad laptop design. Thanks in advance for your help!
Brian

Practically all modern computers will do just fine.

HOWEVER....

You need to invest in an interface such as the Focusrite Scarlett or something similar. Distorted sound and other glitches such as pops, clicks, audio drops, latency, and crashes are symptomatic when you use the factory sound card and the default driver in a laptop or, for that matter, a desktop. Running an interface that uses the native ASIO driver will give you the best performance from any computer when you're working with audio and midi synths in the manner that we do with BB and other DAWs.

"My ASUS often produced distorted sound from my BIAB 2022"
Sounds like buffer/driver issue. While I use ASIO interface, BIAB works more stable for me, when I select WAS (Wasapi) mode, in upper tab Audio->Audio Drivers/Settings (instead of native ASIO).

A number of people here mentioned that selecting MME is most stable (in that BIAB Audio driver settings)

Your computer should handle BIAB just fine. Try selecting different driver mode combinations, whatever works. Even an onboard Realtek sound chip, if you don't have dedicated interface, should handle BIAB OK.

I agree with Guitarhacker.
I would just add that in my opinion and per my understanding a desktop will give you more options in terms of number and type of USB ports, number of internal hard drives and maybe memory expandability.

The way I think about this is that in terms of design tradeoffs, you are giving something up in favor of obtaining the miniturizing and portability of the laptop form factor.

But if you absolutely need the laptop form factor, then you need it.

https://www.techradar.com/news/laptop-vs-desktop-which-should-you-buy

Another point is that unless you are a computer specialist, you might consider purchasing the premium tech support from the manufacturer. I recently purchased a Dell desktop and have needed to call for tech support a few times.

Laptops are a poor choice for a whole host of reasons including poor cooling and extremely limited USB ports. Unless you really need to be mobile you are better off with a desktop.

Me, even if I was mobile, I would still get a desktop and rack mount it.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I will look into the sound card alternatives - and I have a better idea of tech specs for my next computer.

Cheers
Brian

I can't really agree, Byron, unless you mean,



In that case, oh yea, 100%.

Too many people running impressive studios off of laptops nowadays — but they're hooked up to hubs and peripherals that give desktops a good run for the money.

My desk has a powerful, up to date desktop computer and my mobile rig is powered by an 11 year old laptop that is rock solid and doesn't do anything else.

Again, I do agree with you. An inexpensive, new desktop usually has lots of ports and slots for expansion. If not powerful enough when one gets it home, expansion is easy (talking Windows, not Mac, of course). Here in the Silicon Valley, it was a sad, sad day when Fry's closed.

So then what's the point of having a laptop when it is tied down to a desk like that?

Easy answer: Unhook the laptop and take it on the road — as many producers do. Those producers aren't I, however—nor you, either.

I already stated that I do not agree with that practice.