Hi ,
  The laptop vs desktop topic is not new to this forum but is worth reconsidering with the passage of time. I am planning on a upgrade from a 5 yr old dual core running X1 to something that can take more load..esp scoring for videos. I need some suggestion on whether to go for a laptop or a desktop and comments on the configuration that is in my mind.

Also is it time to move on to windows 8 or it too early ?

Windows 7 or 8 ?
Intel i5 with 8GB RAM ( what is the limit on windows 7 vs 8)
500GB HDD (with additional external drive)
Already have a dual monitor so will continue using that one.
Sonar X1.

I typically work on medium sized projects with around 10 instrument tracks and 3 to 5 vocal tracks. I have started scoring for short videos ( 30sec to 30min) and my dual core is not able to take the load (3gb RAM).

This forum has always helped me make decisions. Thanks in advance !!

Rishi

Desktop all the way. Load it up with RAM (1600Mhz DDR3) and get a FAST 4-6 Core 8-12-thread CPU. If you want 5 years of work out of it, this is the best option. Even the fastest of laptops are still under-clocked to keep them cool. I use a 2012 Mac for some things, and it does "OK", but it's buss is still too slow for my needs. MAC OS is good at Multi-tasking, but when it chokes, it chokes hard on a laptop. 

Laptops aren't engineered for Professional DAW or Video work. That's not their primary target. Mac Pro desktop is, however. Windows 7 64-Bit is my recommendation for Windows. I'm not confident in Windows 8 yet.

Desktop is still the best platform.  As Brian sez load it up - disk drives and memory is cheap (I usually transfer old HDs to the new computer if possible, saving more money).

I haven't moved to windows 8 yet.  No touchscreen, no need.  But from posts here and elsewhere 8 is almost there.  Drivers are still a problem and one usually shouldn't upgrade until the first fix comes out.  On the other hand, if you start w/ 8 you won't suffer any glitches if you put it over 7 and won't have to reload all your software w/ a new install.

@

  I'm using a desk top running Windows 8 x64. All of my hardware is working fine. My Frontier Design transport is working under comparability mode.
  I don't notice a major improvement in performance vs. Windows 7. I really did the update because I wanted the touch capability and the intro offer on 8 was cheap.  Some people hate the Metro start screen. I love it. 
  If your not planning on going mobile, I would recommend a desktop over a laptop. I build my own PCs. When I feel like upgrading I can often reuse the case, the power supply, the video card, the memory. It may be a matter of just a motherboard and processor  swap or adding another drive. 

+1 on upgrades. I have a D/A interface that's well over 10 years old. It's still rock solid. I also have a video card over 6 years old. I can honestly say that being able to upgrade hardware over time is priceless. Plus, I fried my CPU recently (my own stupidity, albeit), and only needed to replace that device, not the whole unit. That's beneficial. RAM upgrades are profound in comparison. You can't get near the RAM in a laptop that you can in a desktop of the same year's build. Add additional hard-drives? No problem. The case and SATA ports I have now allow me to load up to 6 additional hard drives in my case. 

Anyway, there's tons of benefits. The only drawback that I'm aware of is that you can't sit on a bus, plane, or train and do editing in a session. I do that occasionally on a laptop, but rarely do I take a bus or train anywhere, and flying has been reduced for me. Mobile tracking is great, too, but I don't mind packing my desktop and a small monitor to do that. I have road cases.

I agree that a desktop is best, simply because you can easily upgrade components with the larger and faster chips, etc. However, laptops have come a long way and in recent years have much greater capability.  I currently have an ASUS G55VW laptop (i7 3930QM CPU with thunderbolt and Win8) and loaded it with 16Gb RAM and three SSD drives (one is an mSATA and another in place of the optical drive).  This laptop kicks ass and is completely operational/capable and portable (without need for external drives).  The big plus is having the thunderbolt ("TB") port for even more peripherals with the highest transfer rate available (i.e., hard drives).  Also, TB is compatible with USB, and firewire (solving the dilemma of finding a FW equipped laptop) and capable of driving two external video monitors with an audio interface and other peripherals running simultaneously.  There is a larger laptop from ASUS, the G75VX which is a 17+" and is even easier to upgrade than the G55.   For your needs, either laptop will serve you well.  Having a smaller footprint than a desktop and portability, it's worth checking out. 

Kind regards,

Living Room Rocker

I have a desktop loaded with memory and a fast processor, running Windows 8 64-bit.  It ROCKS.

You MUST do your homework on drivers for whatever audio interface you plan to use with whatever computer you plan to pick up, as some interfaces definitely do NOT have drivers for Windows 8, and some do not even have them for Windows 7.  You must also check that the drivers cover 64-bit too.

If your interface is using USB 2.0, then you will most likely want to make sure you have one or more USB 2.0 ports on the new computer, as some interfaces freak out when they are plugged into a USB 3.0 port.  

Other than the above considerations, both Windows 7 and Windows 8 are FABULOUS for running Sonar.  Windows 8 has been quite stable for me, and Win 7 was as well.  There IS a bit of a learning curve if you move to Windows 8, but it is really no big deal, although some folks meltdown dealing with the Metro UI.  I actually like Windows 8 a lot now.

Good luck - get lots of memory and a fast processor and pick up at least 2 drives if you can, to split the OS and programs from projects and samples, and if a 3rd drive is available split the projects from the samples as well.  You might want to also pick up a USB 3.0 external drive for backups too.

Bob Bone

I dunno guys. I think time and tech has progressed to where a well-spec'ed laptop is just fine.

A quad core i7 with 8gb of RAM and an SSD will perform every bit as good as a similarly spec'ed desktop from 2ish years ago.  

I have an 8-core, 12GB, SSD desktop and a 4-core, 8GB, SSD laptop and the laptop can run every project just fine, but the screen is cramped. I'm considering migrating to a slightly beefier laptop with a 1080p screen. 

I swore of the laptop advantages until I learned the word upgrading ment buying a whole new computer when it comes to laptops.

BCnSTL


I dunno guys. I think time and tech has progressed to where a well-spec'ed laptop is just fine.

A quad core i7 with 8gb of RAM and an SSD will perform every bit as good as a similarly spec'ed desktop from 2ish years ago.  

I have an 8-core, 12GB, SSD desktop and a 4-core, 8GB, SSD laptop and the laptop can run every project just fine, but the screen is cramped. I'm considering migrating to a slightly beefier laptop with a 1080p screen. 

yes, I have no disagreement on comparing performance. laps have come a long way.
 
its more about portability.
more important its about upgrades and monitors.
most laptops only support 2 screens,the one on the laptop and an external, using the built in vga port.
I use 3 monitors, on a laptop youd need a docking station which needs its own independent port hub.
 
most peeps buy a computer and then down the road, even 3 or 4 years down the road look at upgrading it, parts of it.
a laptop...your very limited.
 
but as far as making a good computerin a small folding box. laptops are great now a day with great performance.