What to look for in a laptop?

[Pokey]

I was pretty skint when I got my laptop so I had a look on Amazon warehouse, its all the stuff that people send back to Amazon wither because they don't like it or its broken (if this is the case then the get the manufacturer to refurbish it). I got a great deal on an Acer Aspire with 3GB ram and a 2.3 GHz processor which enough to run Ableton Live with plent of VST effects but it does get a bit hard to run with loads of VST instruments (I resample loads anyway so this isn't a problem for me). The sound drivers on my laptop were absolute poop though. I suggest getting free ASIO drivers like ASIO4ALL or getting a cheap external soundcard which will come with ASIO drivers to begin with and maybe get a better soundcard when you have more money.

[Kreepr]

a Big ass screen!

[MnilinM]

... he works with a cracked windows version...

Cracking?

Now, if you just meant 'modified', then disregard me but, 'cracking' or using 'cracked' software is software which is using a license key that doesn't belong to that person. Often, cracking involves reverse engineering the software and removing the software's need for a license key.

[Rmonik]

Oops :3

[Gastly]

When buying a laptop, you should smack yourself and get a desktop and a PHAT monitor

[DayOne]

Build a desktop and get a good CPU and a soundcard. simple

[MTracerStudios]

Hmmm. It's a good idea, I need to know how you usually perform with a tower though, do you have a case with a battery, or...?


/sarcasm...

[Rmonik]

What to look for in an laptop? Waldo.

[runemopar]

[J4P4S]

Well, if you're not much of a pc freak, then Mac is indeed your best bet. And if money's the issue, you better save up or become a geek.

My roommate has a MacBook Pro (the i5 @ 2.45Ghz one) & I got a cheap ass Acer (also i5 @ 2.45) & I pretty much outrun or evenly run any of the music development software. But that took me lots of time to configur. But well worth the 600 euro I didn't have to spend. His Mac does kick my ass when it comes to battery life. This also has to do with screen size & such but that's not the point, he still pretty much doubles my battery lifespan.

Asio4All is indeed a must, and even then not perfect. I dont have a slight clue about the Mac drivers (as I dont really care either :$), but those seem to work fine out of the box. It also seems like he has a firewire port, which could be really useful.

I've no experience with live performing (YET!), so I have no clue about that. There's most likely a reason that all 'professional' artists use a Mac. But they're artists, not IT'ers, so I would have no idea on that part. I'd really love to do live performing with a PC in the future.

I'm not a Mac hater, I just prefer Windows (or even Ubuntu, but not for producing/performing/gaming).