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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 236
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 236 |
Hey everybody,
I am ready to purchase a new laptop that will be used only for BIAB/RB/recording. I am (for once, I promise (myself)(hehe)) going to keep it pristine and clean. I know this is a wide open and previously discussed thread but just want any brand/configuration recommendations you may have. I currently have a woefully inadequate Dell that was a castaway from work.
Todd
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Hi Todd.
Everyone is going to have their own preferences, but basically get the best on you can afford. Multiple cores and as much RAM as possible are the things that will make the difference.
If by "pristine and clean" you mean not connected to the internet, that means you can strip out all the anti-virus which will probably be installed, together with all the trial software which you won't need. It also means that if your operating system is working ok, you don't need automatic up-dates, so your machine will behave in the same way every time you boot it. This really is the way to go if you can do it.
ROG.
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I'll weigh in again with what I say every time and wait for the critics to pounce on it.
Buy a DESKTOP to record on. Do your tracking, recording, editing, mixing, etc... on a DESKTOP. Do your playback on the laptop when you take it out to gig (if you do that). That's why god invented thumb drives. To move your files from your production computer to your convenience computer. Laptops are made with light duty parts to keep them light. They are a great convenience but they are not as durable as desktops.
Remember that it doesn't take much horsepower to play back. It is ONE program executing and reading ONE data file. Similar in concept to people who think servers must have the fastest processor in the known universe. 180 degrees wrong. Servers can run on lower end hardware. They do no computing. They just serve files to clients like your server at lunch delivers your food. (Thus called client/server relationship. Client asks, server delivers. Done.)
Everybody has their story about how their off-brand laptop is just as good as a name brand, how it was run over by a tank, fell 40,000 feet from a plane and landed in salt water, was rescued from a fire and it still works fine..... and most of the time, they have that particular laptop for no other reason than it was what the store had when they went to buy a laptop. The problem is that everybody's idea of "works fine" is different depending on knowledge of a computer and amount of experience. Budget is a concern, of course, and if you skimp at all your laptop won't measure up.
Just as one of those "This is how I did it" FYI comments, when I still did live work that used sequenced stuff, I took a desktop with me to gigs. For the 6:12 seconds longer it took to set it up..... I can't stand that "I will sacrifice the sound because I want to move less gear and tear down fast to get the hell out of there as fast as possible when I finish" mentality.
And get me started on cheap bands who won't hire horns but want to do Earth, Wind and Fire music..... "Oh we'll just leave the horns out!" Of EF&F music??? LOL!!
Bottom line is that if this was me, I would format that laptop clean, load it back up with an OS and BIAB ONLY, and buy a new desktop to work your music magic on.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Yeah, I was going to say that as well. Desktop v laptop. No contest.
ROG.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
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Joined: Dec 2003
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If negative recommendations are helpful...my wife had a Dell that required three hard drives before they would no longer honor the one-year warranty. It needed number four. Their idea of customer support was to send a 70 year old lady used replacement drives with stripped out mounting screw holes so the drive bounced around when she used or moved her laptop.
She also had endless issues with a Gateway laptop. My wife uses a laptop for email. Definitely not a power user.
She now has a Toshiba that has been trouble-free for over six months, FWIW.
As our beloved Mac might say, YMMV.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 204
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12 months and a few weeks ago I purshased an HP Pavilon dv7 lap top from Staples. I burned a spot in the screen 3 inches in diameter near the camera lens. Since I didn't buy a damage extended warranty, I was out of luck. Staples said sorry,but. One week before the one year factory warranty expired I returned it to Staples for a keyboard replacement. When HP returned the Lap Top to Staples it had a new keyboard and totaly new screen,bezel and camera lens. That is around $700.00 in repairs on a $900.00 lap top, which had only 5 days of warranty left. I have switched from Sony to H.P.  Leon
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