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Joined: Jul 2006
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Hi Folks Greetings. I am wanting a good laptop to set up my mini home studio. Thinking of running Ableton and Cubase 5. My budget is approximately $650.00. Take a look at this laptop, y'all and tell me what y'all think. Should I get this? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...d=1218121202535Also too, do I go Windows Vista or 7? I would appreciate some advice here. tHANKS much
Jacobins
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I would want a FireWire port, but it is not absolutely necessary.
You should be investigating which aftermarket sound device you want to pair with any laptop, its interface type (for example, this particular laptop has no pcmcia slot, also no FireWire port, so you would be locked into USB sound device only).
Onboard soundcards and laptops aren't the greatest thing, most don't even have a Line Input, only a hole for the ubiquitous computer voice mic, not the best thing for recording music.
As for which OS, out of the two given, once again you should look into that sound device, find one that has known working drivers for which OS. Of course, Win7 is likely to be the future-proof choice here, but if there are no drivers available and proven for any USB sound device you might want, that would be a kill.
Research online thoroughly, do your homework before spending your money.
Tip: Check out the M-Audio Fast Track USB audio device.
--Mac
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Mr Mac,
Thanks much for your reply. You mentioned about FIRE WIRE for the laptop and this is an important observation you made. A question I have in this regard is this. Can't I get a card or something to hook up to it? you also mentioned about a pcmcia slot. What are your overall thoughts about this very same hP laptop? I have a lexicon oMEGA usb interface so I will be using it.
Reply soon
Jacobins
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If you already have your intended audio interface (Lexicon Omega USB) then you should be scouring the website for any information regarding that device and this particular laptop -- or any that seem close to it in design. Start with any Lexicon forums and lurk, use the search feature, maybe even post a question. Also use a good websearch engine and enter the mfr of the laptop plus the make and model of the soundcard, take a look at the first page or two returned, visit any places where there appears to be troubles reported.
And take any reports with the proverbial grain of salt. One complaint does not make a trend, there could be other reasons that some one person cannot get a sound device to work properly with their laptop. Several reports that sound similar are another thing entirely.
I cannot tell you anything about that model laptop since I've never laid hands on one. What I can tell you is that I personally use HP laptops, BUT -- I buy the HP "Business" laptop series, which you can find on the HP website. They cost a bit more. Are also not always found in outlets that do large buys and cut prices. This is not to say that you cannot make a fine home DAW out of the consumer grade HP laptops, mind you, for I'm sure many have and are happy. But each new model from any manufacturer can be a whole new ball of wax as far as compatability with things like sound devices. There are both hardware and software (driver) issues to contend with here, that is why we must do our homework thoroughly before buying anything. The web is full of complaints from those who bought first and tried later...
--Mac
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I have two laptop DAWs and they are both HP. The newest one is an EliteBook. I use the TASCAM US-122 USB Audio/MIDI interface as a soundcard. No problems here (under XP Pro)
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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I have Ableton and Cubase 5 both running fine on Windows 7 32 bit. I can't tell you how 64 bit will work. From what I have read Lexicon does not have 64 bit drivers for the Omega so drivers could get dicey. That HP Laptop only has 4 gigs of memory anyway so you may want to think about upgrading to Windows 7 32 bit and not 64 bit. No matter what, ditch that Vista junk.
Don't worry about firewire unless you need an interface to record multiple simultaneous inputs. USB is fine for most home recording.
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