I will be constructing backing tracks to take into a jam room. Tracks will contain audio for all instruments and voices which I want to run from x3 (as opposed to a pre-mixed mp3, etc) so I can mix them and drop instruments as needed. So if the bass player isn't coming to the session, we have it on the x3 track, drums will always be from x3.
That will be the main use, any recording will only be for fun and undertaken in my home. Someone has explained drum tracks, constructed using bfd, can be bounced to track, I presume this save resources? I would do the same to any keyboard parts.
Most songs will have around 10-15 tracks of audio. I presume this is light work for a laptop daw and I shouldnt' be looking at the top spec DAW laptops described here and elsewhere.  
Can someone please advice me on what I should be looking for spec wise given the the needs outline above. My needs will not change.
 
Many thanks.
 
 
 
 

Hi. I can tell you that I run X2b on a HP G6 2235tx, which is based on an i7 processor. Comes in various formats for other hardware, but usually 4gigs of Ram (upgrade to 8) , a 500 or 750 gig harddrive. one USB 3.0 and 2 USB 2.0 ports, plus you can run a dual monitor setup without adding anything else. You have to follow a lot of advice which you can easily find on this forum for tweaking them up, namely disabling a lot of stuff and getting rid of unwanted software, but once done, trouble free. The best part is, you can pick them here in Australia, for around $600, so I imagine, still pretty cheap in most other parts of the world. It's been very reliable to date. Only issues I've had was with interfaces, which is more Sonar I think. I've had a Fast Track, then a MobilePre, then a  Mackie Blackjack, and now run a Focusrite Sapphire, which has been perfect.
 
I run light to moderate projects, with a number of synths, dozens of audio tracks, and usually a bucketload of plugins.
 
Hope this helps.