Hi
 
I'm thinking about upgrading my mobile rig a with beefy laptop computer, but I'm overwhelmed by all the models that are out there. So I'd appreciate your help on what to buy (because you had good personal experience with the component(s)) and what to stay away from (e.g. graphic cards that won't work).
 
I'm aiming at something in the range of what studio cat sells as "pro laptop" (http://www.studiocat.com/3/index.php/Pro_Laptop) but I live in Europe, so I reckon importing a laptop from studio cat would be too much hassle (tax, warranty, etc).
 
Has anybody had any experience with Dell Alienware M17x style laptops? They seem to be pretty strong for the price they sell ...
 
Any suggestions welcome!
 
Rob
 
 
 
 
 
 

Out of the box my wife's IBM Lenovo T420 runs Sonar. WITHOUT disabling anything the DPCLAT was in the green and very low. This is an off the shelf laptop that was under $1,000 Can. I think modern computers are so powerful now that the day's of custom building a laptop is in the past. IBM seems to put together a nice package that has become a best seller.

 The schools have finally given up on Mac.s and all the teachers have Think Pads now. Our tech friend say's the components are well matched and not just hobbled together like brands like Dell and Acer do. 

Her's is just an i5 with 6 Gigs of RAM so upgrading to the models with i7 and More RAM and your good to go. The Hard drive can always be upgraded easily too.  

Whats your budget?
What are your needs?
What software are you running?
How many USB ports will you need? Do your run drum pads, MIDI controller ect.?
For $1000+ go mac book pro ( install windows 8 on it if you need to). Or maybe an ultrabook or hybrid tablet (e.g. lenovo think pad or Microsoft Surface Pro)

Under $1000 you should look into a laptop with an intel processor (preferably a core i5 or i7). A good ATI or Nvidia graphis card is fine. Something in the ATI 6000-7000 series. For Nvidia a Geforce 500 or 600 should be what you aim for. If you are going with on-board graphics then make sure you are getting the latest 3rd generation intel processor. Don't get an APU from AMD. You need as much raw cpu power for music and APU split up the APU power between cpu and gpu. Graphics cards do not matter as much in your situation but you still need a good graphics card, plus it makes your system for flexible down the road.


Make sure your OS for windows is Windows 8. Windows 8 has much less latency problems than 7.

Answer the first three questions and I will be able to narrow down my recommendation for it. BTW, do you have a portable USB audio interface? You should if you are using a laptop for live.

Thanks, gat19g

Whats your budget?
 

 I'd go up to 2000 EUR, a little higher if needed. So we're talking about a serious laptop.

What are your needs?
 

I'm aiming at being able to track live sessions with a track count of 20 (but some headroom in case I need more later)
The machine should also work at low enough latencies for running several soft synths / samplers in a creative session outside the studio bounds, (or maybe even a live performance)

 
What software are you running?
 

Basically what's listed in my signature: Sonar X2a, ProChannel modules, IK plugs, various other plugs, various NI Kontakt player instruments, some older IK soft synths ...

How many USB ports will you need? Do your run drum pads, MIDI controller ect.?
 

2x USB for USB interface, plus 2-3x more for mouse, MIDI controllers (but those could go via a hub).
Potentially also a firewire port (as I'm still tempted to swap my VS-100 for a Focusrite interface with ADAT I/O)

For $1000+ go mac book pro ( install windows 8 on it if you need to).
 

Never thought of that option. Would that be a dual boot thing or would it mean removing all of the mac world (sorry, but so far I haven't owned a mac, so regarding macs I'm a total noob)

 
Or maybe an ultrabook or hybrid tablet (e.g. lenovo think pad or Microsoft Surface Pro)
 

Any suggestions welcome. I'd appreciate if you'd copied some specs here because I would have to track down the model in Europe which may mean I might not be able to get the same one and have to search for a similar one ...

Under $1000 you should look into a laptop with an intel processor (preferably a core i5 or i7). A good ATI or Nvidia graphis card is fine. Something in the ATI 6000-7000 series. For Nvidia a Geforce 500 or 600 should be what you aim for. If you are going with on-board graphics then make sure you are getting the latest 3rd generation intel processor. Don't get an APU from AMD. You need as much raw cpu power for music and APU split up the APU power between cpu and gpu. Graphics cards do not matter as much in your situation but you still need a good graphics card, plus it makes your system for flexible down the road.

 
Now, this is my biggest concern as I did have problens with the graphic card in my new desktop DAW. Nvidia 6xx just didn't work (caused audio drop outs after 2-3 mins)

Make sure your OS for windows is Windows 8. Windows 8 has much less latency problems than 7.

Answer the first three questions and I will be able to narrow down my recommendation for it. BTW, do you have a portable USB audio interface? You should if you are using a laptop for live.

 
I currently own a VS-100 and an Octa-Capture, but might change that either to 2x Octa-Capture (as the VS-100 is not rack mountable and there's only 14 INs w/ VS-100 and Octa-Capture) or some other solution where I swap both for something with ADAT I/O options ...
 
Many thanks for all your input.

Hi,

I'm running X2a on a laptop, my specs are in my signature. I'm in the UK and I paid £1927 for my laptop. A bit over your budget, but I went for two SSD's which bumped the price up a bit.

Trouble is, I can't say for sure that it would be good enough for your needs as I have only recorded one track at a time up to now. All I can say is that when I am recording and paying back, the CPU and disk activity meters are barely being pushed.

From a VSTi point of view, which is my main use, I had a 20+ soft synth test track running, non frozen, and no drop outs were suffered at all and the CPU meter settled at about 30%.

My total round trip latency is about 11ms and I use a QUAD-CAPTURE.

The laptop itself is based around a CLEVO machine, which I believe are used by a number of different DAW workstation providers.

Good luck.

andy

The laptop itself is based around a CLEVO machine, which I believe are used by a number of different DAW workstation providers.

The top-end Clevo shells are heads and shoulders above the average "off-the-shelf" laptop.
The price reflects this...   

Where you get into issues with typical off-the-shelf units is when trying to run substantial loads below a 256-sample ASIO buffer size.  Just because a system's DPC latency is "in the green" does not mean it's capable of this.  "In the green" can be up to 500uSec... which is actually pretty poor performance.
ie:  A well configured SandyBridge-E/IvyBridge tower will have DPC latency that idles below 10uSec... with peaks ~24-28uSec.  You won't find that in *any* off-the-shelf laptop.
The smaller the ASIO buffer size you intend to (effectively) use, the more critical DPC latency becomes.

A typical off-the-shelf laptop is made for the general-purpose user.
This user is much more concerned with long battery life than achieving the utmost in performance.
It doesn't take a screaming machine to surf the Net, run MS Word/Excell, get on Facebook, and do light photo editing.
The power-management features in laptops is what causes higher DPC latency.
In most off-the-shelf units, there's little you can do to rein-in higher DPC latency.  
BIOS parameters are often hidden (not exposed) to simplify the machine... so a novice user doesn't foul it up.

Another thing to keep in mind:
An i7 CPU has four cores vs. the i5 which has two.
BUT... look at the clock speed of both CPUs.
A fast clocked i5 can outperform a slow clocked i7.

Unless you absolutely need the portability of a laptop (travel often via plane), I'd recommend a Cube.
All the speed of a full tower... with none of the limitations of a laptop.
You can get a small rolling padded case that holds the Cube, small monitor, and mini wireless keyboard.
A little more cartage than a laptop... but a whole lot more firepower.

I have a Rain PC for my studio and would really consider one of their laptops, they have a UK division as well http://www.raincomputers....tion-p/livebook_v3.htm

Hi Jim,

Just a quick question, if you don't mind, seeing as you recognised the CLEVO brand (as I thought you would). My CLEVO is the P150EM, would that class as a "high end" model?

Sorry doods... back on topic please :-D 

Considering the information you gave me I would consider a 13in or 15in (I know its inches I'm not from EU) Mac Book Pro without retina display with the highest configuration you could get. This gives you 2 USB 3.0 ports to work with, Fire Wire, and Thunderbolt (Which is a very good benefit). For the windows option you could either create a dual boot or install Parallels. Both are good options, though a dual boot would be better for latency. This is the most versatile option as it leaves you open to OS X's great audio management, Logic, and Mainstage. (And they are a rugged construction made out of aluminum for portability).

I forgot to ask you what form factor you would like but I will assume you will want the most power with the most portable with the most durable.
I would recommend an:

•  Asus Transformer Book http://www.asus.com/vivo/en/transformerBook.htm
• Hp Specter http://www.shopping.hp.co...tre-Ultrabook-14t-3200
• Hp Envy http://www.shopping.hp.co...dv6-7214nr-Notebook-PC
• Lenovo Think Pad http://www.lenovo.com/pro...hinkpad/w-series/w530/
• Rock Box (by PC Audio Labs) http://pcaudiolabs.com/rokbox_mobile.asp
• ADK Pro Audiohttp://www.adkproaudio.com/laptop3.asp
• I heard about Rain Audio laptops
• And this Might also help http://www.wikihow.com/Bu...er-for-Audio-Recording

This really comes down to needs and price. Make sure though, before buying any of these that you look at reviews and carefully consider the future proof of your machine. Apple is a good bet because they are renowned for their performance with audio. Windows does not handle audio in a parallel way with the hardware like OS X does. Thus windows naturally has more latency even with USB sound cards. Speaking of soundcards. Getting USB 3.0 ports and a thunderbolt really future proofs your laptop because soon audio interfaces will be released that work with these at amazing speeds. Soon the onbord audio wont even matter. 

Basically it sounds like you want a PC with a core i7 processor, 500+ GB HD, 3-5 USB ports, firewire, (I recommend thunderbolt), 8 gigs ram

Hope this helps. It sounds like you have a lot of researching to do. 

Thanks, gat19g

This is a lot of useful information. And yes, I still have an aweful lot of researching to do.