Need help choosing a studio laptop for around $1,500

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asmit421
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2016/06/19 11:26:07 (permalink)

Need help choosing a studio laptop for around $1,500

I am currently looking to buy a new laptop that will be dedicated for recording. I have not researched a whole lot yet but have found two options. I am looking to spend around $1,500 (may be able to spend more if truly worth it). Any recommendations or suggestions are welcome. 

Option #1: PC Audio Labs Rok Box MC M7 (w/ 16GB RAM) - 
 
Option #2: ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501VW - 
 
The ZenBook to me seems to have better specs, however the PC Audio Labs is built with recording in mind. Not sure which is best?
 
The laptop will be used for my home studio. I will be focusing on Christian music (acoustic/rock). I am also interested in doing EDM type stuff so we need the PC to handle a lot of Synths/VSTs. Most of the time I will probably be recording one/two tracks at a time (currently using a Scarlett 18i8) and using programs for drums but hope to be able to record real drums in the future. I am running Sonar Platinum and FL Studio 12. 
 
Thanks for your help! 
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    JonD
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    Re: Need help choosing a studio laptop for around $1,500 2016/06/19 21:26:42 (permalink)
    Does it have to be a laptop?  You'll get way more bang for your buck with a desktop.
     
    If so, here's another laptop to consider (From Jim Roseberry's Studiocat):
     
    http://studiocat.com/opencart2/index.php?route=product/product&path=68_70&product_id=60
     

    SonarPlat/CWbBL, Win 10 Pro, i7 2600K, Asus P8Z68 Deluxe, 16GB DDR3, Radeon HD5450, TC Electronic Impact Twin, Kawai MP11 Piano, Event ALP Monitors, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro, Too Many Plugins, My lucky hat.
    #2
    asmit421
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    Re: Need help choosing a studio laptop for around $1,500 2016/06/20 06:01:07 (permalink)
    I will be using the computer for a recording project in Kosovo. I will primarily be recording in my home but may need to travel at times, I think using a desktop will be to restricting. It will also be much easy to bring a laptop with me when I travel from the States than a desktop, however I am open to desktop suggestions as well. 
    #3
    Westside Steve Simmons
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    Re: Need help choosing a studio laptop for around $1,500 2016/06/20 06:51:20 (permalink)
    +1 on purchasing from Studiocat.
    WSS
    #4
    asmit421
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    Re: Need help choosing a studio laptop for around $1,500 2016/06/20 11:31:36 (permalink)
    Any reason why the Studiocat is better than the PC Audio Labs?
    #5
    Westside Steve Simmons
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    Re: Need help choosing a studio laptop for around $1,500 2016/06/20 11:46:26 (permalink)
    Yes indeed. The owner of the company, Jim Roseberry.
    I bought my desktop from him and he has been invaluable as a technician and consultant.

    I realize that's anecdotal but what else is there?
    ;-)
    WSS
    #6
    JonD
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    Re: Need help choosing a studio laptop for around $1,500 2016/06/20 12:43:00 (permalink)
    Yep, Jim's the man.  Knows his stuff, and he's a regular presence in these forums.

    SonarPlat/CWbBL, Win 10 Pro, i7 2600K, Asus P8Z68 Deluxe, 16GB DDR3, Radeon HD5450, TC Electronic Impact Twin, Kawai MP11 Piano, Event ALP Monitors, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro, Too Many Plugins, My lucky hat.
    #7
    eikelbijter
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    Re: Need help choosing a studio laptop for around $1,500 2016/06/20 13:56:49 (permalink)
    Just remember that for sustained loads on those laptops your i7 will probably run at 2.6GHz only. If you're concerned about CPU performance, thin laptops are NOT the way to go. You should look into "desktop replacement" systems that use desktop CPUs. Remember, an i7 6700K runs at 4Ghz all day long, which is more than 50% faster...

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    Dell XPS 13, i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB 840EVO SSD, Zoom UAC-2, Sonar Platinum

    http://www.RicoBelled.com/

    #8
    synkrotron
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    Re: Need help choosing a studio laptop for around $1,500 2016/06/20 16:16:53 (permalink)
    I went laptop based a good few years ago and haven't looked back. I can set up my studio anywhere I can get a 230v power supply. And more recently I have been using my laptop in the middle of nowhere in my motorhome which uses solar power to charge its leisure batteries.
     
    I would never go back to desktop... Too limiting... For me anyway

    http://www.synkrotron.co.uk/
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    #9
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