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I'm looking to buy a new Windows laptop that will run BiaB. Any recommendations? I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to inquire on.
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My laptop is a pretty old Toshiba so I’ll let others recommend current ones. My only recommendation is, don’t skimp on the CPU.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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The only laptop I'll buy is a ThinkPad. They are almost bulletproof. I'm still using a 2002 model on stage.
I can't give you details, but I always go for the biggest HD and the most RAM they offer. These are the kinds of things you can't have too much of.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  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
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Since you're purchasing new and want one primarily to run Band-in-a-Box my suggestions are:
1) If you can choose between a desktop or a laptop, choose the desktop. You may be able to use your existing monitor, speakers or other accessories thus saving some upfront costs. Desktop parts are cheaper than their laptop counterparts and MUCH easier to swap if there is a need to in the future.
2) Buy a name brand you trust. Dell, Lenova, HP, Toshiba and Acer all have well designed and configured products. I prefer Dell just because I've used a lot of their stuff, the website product support is easy to navigate and is very comprehensive, the included hardware diagnostics are good and you can download user, parts and service manuals.
3) The two main cpu processor manufacturers are Intel and AMD. While both work well I prefer Intel because the Intel cpu support chips seem to perform better in audio tests than AMD. I would look for i3, i5 or i7 cpu chips. The higher the number, the more powerful the Intel cpu.
4) Buy as much ram as you can afford with 8 GB as a minimum and 16 GB or higher desirable.
5) Buy as large of a primary storage drive as you can afford.
6) If you must choose between cpu, amount of ram or storage drive size I'd want more ram first, upgraded cpu second and storage third.
6) Finally, The two main versions of Microsoft Windows are Home and Pro. Get Pro because Pro has more configuring options you may need later on since you're working with audio.
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If you're looking for a laptop, consider a USB to audio output device to drive external speakers, rather than the 3.5mm plug on the laptop. The USB connection will be much more reliable.
The speakers in laptops leave a lot to be desired, and you'll need an external sound system. (You may have this already.)
Definitely go for Intel chipset, and my recommendation is i5 as a minimum (i7 preferred)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Definitely agree with VideoTrack on the Intel chips and the i5 or i7 recommendations. Have helped several others set up DAW audio systems, those that went with i3's were sadly disappointed early on due to speed and processing capabilities.
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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And I agree with VideoTrack on the USB to audio interface.
The USB connection is more reliable and the bandwidth is probably wider (depending on the computer) so the fidelity would be better.
Choose the outboard amp and speakers well. There are a number of near field powered monitors that should do the job nicely. Of course the better they sound, the more they generally cost, but choose your point of diminishing returns.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton 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
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Thanks for the tips!
I'm wondering if a gaming laptop would be the way to go, since it is more powerful.
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A gaming laptop will have better graphics, and possibly sound, and probably more RAM.
Definitely you want to be checking processor (i5 and preferably i7), RAM (8Gb and preferably more, like 12 or 16), and disk drive capacity (like 1Tb plus). Check screen size that it is large enough for your viewing purposes.
Other things to check are the number of USB ports (and that USB-3 is included).
Touch screen might be a nice-to-have.
Does it have Bluetooth, wireless etc? (nearly everything now does).
What operating system is included? Windows Home(basic) or Windows Professional(more features).
Whatever you get now needs to last for hopefully a long time, so don't marginalize your purchase. Newer software features will come along to use up at least some of your spare resources.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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I'm wondering if a gaming laptop would be the way to go, since it is more powerful. No need to have powerful gaming PCs -> BiaB runs swiftly even on somewhat dated PCs. I have BiaB running smoothly here on an i5 8GB Surface Pro with an affordable 400GB SD card. It's a perfect combination. You may even put the tablet easily on some music stand.
Martin
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PG Music Staff
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Most laptops that are new out on the market that have these minimum requirements are going to be able to run Band-in-a-Box (keep in mind these are the bare minimums): https://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.requirements.htmAs far as my own personal opinion goes, if you want a smoother performance, I'd personally recommend a minimum of 6-8GB of RAM, and I've had nothing but good experiences with an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor. The latest i7 chips offer up to six cores and 12 threads, making them better suited for advanced multitasking.
Cheers,
Ember
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The only laptop I'll buy is a ThinkPad. They are almost bulletproof. I'm still using a 2002 model on stage.
I can't give you details, but I always go for the biggest HD and the most RAM they offer. These are the kinds of things you can't have too much of.
Insights and incites by Notes Lots of good tips here, but I'll add a +1 for Lenovo ThinkPads. I'm on my second one now (a P17) and love it. An additional point to consider. Expansion I/O ports. Get as many as you can afford. If possible, select a laptop like my P17 that offers an I/O expansion. Mine connects via Thunderbolt3 and includes USB, HDMI and other kinds of ports. In the music world, ports are gold. Audio interface. MIDI keyboard controller. External SSDs. MIDI foot controller (like the Behringer FCB1010). My specific suggestions: 1) the fastest CPU you can afford, 2) at least 16 GB for RAM and 3) an external SSD for BiaB and other instruments and samples. With an external SSD, you can get away with a 500 MB internal SSD. On my P17, I have a 1 TB internal drive and 3 external SSDs: one 2 TB Thunderbolt3 SSD for BiaB and other VSTi instruments and their samples, and two USB3.2 2 TB drives, one for work files and one for backups. A basic laptop with a 500 MB internal SSD and one 2 TB external USB 3.2 (make sure the laptop provides USB 3.2 support!) for BiaB would be a great place to start. Or finish. I use Samsung external SSDs. Check out the Samsung T7 USB 3.2 drives. They're about 9x faster than a high speed spinner. A 1 TB T7 is $120 and a 2 TB T7 is $220. Samsung T7 1 TB Samsung T7 2 TB
Last edited by TheMaartian; 03/21/22 10:32 PM.
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra
Studio Pro 8; Tonalic Studio 1; Reaper v7; Bitwig Studio 6; Melodyne Studio 5
Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
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Perhaps something else to look into: an SSD hard drive. I installed BIAB on one and the difference is like night and day. Just my 2 cents worth.
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Perhaps something else to look into: an SSD hard drive. I installed BIAB on one and the difference is like night and day. Just my 2 cents worth. +1 I think many laptops now come with SSDs by default.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Could not agree more about the SSD. They can even make slow computers fast again.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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i'm all in on m2 ssd's both internal and external. love em' on my new mini pc. its like a speed demon running biab/rb/reaper music software. heres a very interesting site with a long list of laptops (and mini pc's) and their tested dpc latencies/reviews. the lower the dpc obviously the better for music production imho. https://www.notebookcheck.net/DPC-Latency-Ranking-Which-laptops-and-Windows-tablets-offer-the-lowest-latency.504376.0.htmlimho anyone anticipating buying a new lappie should assess the chosen lappies dpc. hn year to all. om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 01/11/23 01:58 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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