I've been using an IBM think pad since 2002. I bought a cheap, used spare and I've only needed it once. The hard drive on my main Think Pad started making a grinding noise (sure sign it was going to fail) so I cranked up the spare. I replaced the HD the next day and it's been playing ever since.

And I play music for a living, doing one-nighters. So the ThinkPad bounces around on a keyboard stand a few times per week, gets hauled around in the van twice as many times (to and from the gig), sometimes plays outdoors where it is hot, or indoors where it can be very cool, and has outlasted a couple of iPods that I use to play tunes in the car. Whatever you use you need a spare, and IMHO using the computer is the easiest way to go. And I've tried everything from feeding disks into a player to using the computer.

Whether it is an iPod or computer, sooner or later the hard drive will fail. Even a CD player will eventually go (the laser on my home CD player got weak, and it cost more to replace the unit than to replace the laser).

Here is my setup
1) IBM ThinkPad with over 500 .mp3 files that I made myself
2) Edirol USB-Audio interface
3) Samson Mixer
4) BBW Sonic Maximizer
5) QSC Amp
6) Carvin Speakers

The full instructions on how I make and use the backing tracks on stage can be accessed here http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.html

It's a bit long and many here have read it already, so rather than re-typing each time someone asks, I've written the web page. Feel free to link to it if you find it worthy.

It's also the result of years of experience, I've been in a sequenced duo since 1985 and this is the easiest and most reliable method I've found.

Insights and incites by Notes

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks