Hi Ed. I hope you get fast, reliable Internet to go with your new computer.

In very general terms, the parts of a computer most important to running BIAB are the CPU and the disk drive. Less important are RAM, the graphics system, and believe it or not, USB3 (USB2 is fine for audio).

The most important thing I would have on your list is the SSD drive especially if it's the only one in the laptop. Your audiophile BIAB will run fine from the supplied USB drive. An SSD drive mounted inside a laptop is noiseless, and generates less heat than a mechanical drive so the internal fan will turn on less often.

In addition, get a decent USB soundcard and don't use the internal sound.

For the other programs you listed, RAM becomes more important because they will likely be 64-bit and plugins use lots of RAM (in a DAW, for example).


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.