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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60 |
Looking for comments on anyone using a laptop with the AMD processor. Have you had any problems running BIAB and RealBand?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Posts: 38,502 |
I've been happily running BIAB/PT/RB and a lot of other music programs for over four years now on my HP "business model" nx-series AMD powered laptop, XP Pro.
That said, I think that just about *any* of today's brands and models that are "mainstream" should be able to do the job for you. John even speaks very highly of the smallish Acer laptop and BIAB, plus I know of at least one other fellow that speaks the same for his HP mini of the same size. I think both of those run the Intel Atom processor, though, but it goes towards how compat BIAB is.
I'd recommend stearing clear of 64 bit OS, simply because aftermarket soundcard drivers for 64 bit Vista are still kind of iffy. 32 bit would be the way I'd go right now.
And PLENTY of ram. On the subject of physical ram, it is often a better deal to simply purchase a lappy at the better price, not being all that concerned about ramcount and then immediately purchase aftermarket ram upgrade and stick it in there than it is to purchase a laptop that comes from the factory with a lot of ram. But you have to evaluate each deal separately on that count, there are some loaded values out there.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493 |
I don't think anyone will have a problem running BIAB and RB due to an AMD processor being used (unless you are buying a very old and slow used system). You should be more interested in the memory on board, hard drive space, I/O options and audio capabilities than the processor. The operating system is also something to consider as there are some issues with various flavors of Windows, which are well documented elsewhere on the forum so I won't repeat them.
Just about any new laptop, even the small netbooks, should run the programs just fine with adequate hardware.
Good luck.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
Watch for refurbs from Micro Center. I got a Toshiba Satellite L305-S5937 with Intel T3400 dual-CPU, 4 Gb RAM, 300 Gb HD and Vista Home Premium (okay) 64-bit (definite issues per Mac's description) for less than $450. I think that was about half the price of the new machine. Most other machines in that range had a max 3 Gb; it was a major factor in selecting that machine. XP machines can be had from $300-350 up. One sales-related issue: MC WILL NOT ship refurbs as they insist on seeing your physical plastic (credit/debit card). Read: You have to go to the store, or know someone who can. But they give plenty of information online, so it is easy to make an informed decision. I get 90 days of support for the machine and Windows through Toshiba. R. P.S.: Yes, they have AMD-fueled machines, too.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60 |
Thanks for the great info everyone. That makes the buying decision a lot easier.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199 |
I purchased an HP laptop at WalMart, $498. It has an AMD Dual Core, 250gb hard drive, 3GB of RAM, DVD burner, 15.4" LCD screen, it had Vista Home Premium on it, but I put Windows 7 RC on it. It runs BIAB with Real Tracks just fine.
The ONLY issue I have with it is that I have an external D/A converter connected by USB. The Vista and Windows 7 USB Audio produces very bad crackling and static noise which is near to impossible to get rid of. It also does this on my main computer.
I have an Acer Aspire One, with the 1.6gHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 160 GB of hard drive space, and it will also run BIAB with Real Tracks, albeit a lot slower than my HP. However, it has Windows XP and DOES NOT have the static and crackling issue. That is a problem with Vista and how they redesigned the USB Audio.sys for it.
One of these days, I'm going to experiment with it, and see what happens when you replace the new usbaudio.sys with the file from XP, which I've read you can do.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
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Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
WalMart is now selling laptops that come with a Win7 upgrade.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199 |
John,
WIth a firm release date for Win7, it's expected that everyone is getting the free upgrade, which is pretty standard for MS these days. I just bought a new Compaq for the office, and it has a coupon for the free upgrade as well.
I bought my laptop before that was released, so I didn't get it, but I had the RC, so it was easy anyway. Besides, I have a source inside MS, so I'll get the full versions anyway when they come out.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60 |
Thanks for all the great advice.
I plan on running BIAB/RB from the harddrive I got with the upgrade and buying an additional small 80g one to put all the BIAB songs on.
If I do that, would the music sound better if I also bought an edirol or ketron sd2? Is there a difference between them?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 612
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 612 |
Quote:
Thanks for all the great advice.
I plan on running BIAB/RB from the harddrive I got with the upgrade and buying an additional small 80g one to put all the BIAB songs on.
If I do that, would the music sound better if I also bought an edirol or ketron sd2? Is there a difference between them?
I sold my Edirol and bought a Ketron Sd2, then immediately put it on eBay and upgraded to the SD-4. The Edirol was king of the hill for many years, but the SOUNDS of the Ketron are FAR superior. The Saxes alone were enough to switch. I think the Italians just sample better instruments played by better musicians than the Japanese.
Unfortunately the SD-2 has no built-in USB interface like the Edirol, so you will need some kind of MIDI adapter for your PC. The SD-4 has one, but is much larger and much more expensive, but can be used on gigs without a PC tethered.
Both the Edirol SD-20- and Ketron SD2 have only the most bare-bones controls.... not even patch change without a PC..
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The SD-2 shares many of the patches that the more expensive SD-4 has in it.
SD-2 works well with PGMusic products and sounds superior to the majority of other MIDI synth options out there right now IMHO.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60 |
Thanks for the advice from everyone. After I buy my laptop I look into getting the sd-2.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60 |
Thanks for the advice everyone. After I buy the laptop I will look into getting the sd-2.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 189
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 189 |
I'm also 'dreamin' of moving to a laptop instead of my present desktop PC.
One concern in my mind (i.e. re choosing a laptop) would be that I wouldn't want find myself with the scroll glitches I continue to have with long pieces on the deskop PC - yeah, yeah, probably video driver issues.
Any recommendations / awful warnings in this recpect ?
Ian G.
Late-developing enthusiast for jazz / blues. Principally pianist
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