The i5 shouldn't hold you back as long as it isn't speed limited by a power saving mode. No USB3 will only be a potential problem if you are trying to use 24bit samples off of the external USB drive.
 
Since you mostly do midi and render when done, real time recording won't be an issue for you. But if you ever decide you need to start doing it, replacing your laptop's HDD with an SSD will work wonders. You can get a 1TB Samsung 850 EVO for $349 currently, which is as low as I've seen it.
 
I'd suggest trying the cloud subscription before spending on upgrades.
 
Regards,
Dan

Dan,  and others who have helped.  thanks.   I'm looking at the right time - certainly with Christmas sales for Ram and Drives.  Yes  The 1TB EVO is an excellent price.  I'll have to look for it. 
 
Is this ( using sound files, vs midi hardware )  tediously painful,  or do you pick instruments ( like a violin ) that sound most like what you're trying to achieve for most ( or all of your track )  and then add "articulation" vibrato, etc.  as needed on additional copied tracks?
 
Does anyone know of any YouTube or even decent training - tutor video/books that would help an "older person who is not totally technically inept,  but way behind times,  get a grasp on learning this a little easier.  
If not this specific software,  one that functions the same - but I understand you have to use their sample player... so that might be a good idea.
 
specifically,  the orchestral and symphony choir software would be my biggest interest to understand.
 
( I actually have some money for books and training left in my music budget and this might be well spent )
 
I agree with the cloud vs cash outlay to start.   As soon as I figure out if I like it - or am technically capable to use it,  I'll use the cloud version and establish what's within my capabilities, then I'll try to purchase what I really need at that point.
 
Thanks.
WG
 
 
 
 

if you join the Composer Cloud at the moment you get one month free access to the askvideo.com east west course, which I assume will do what you want...I am very tempted also by this as just finished paying off my stage piano and have enough cash floating around for the monthly subscription...

 
 

woodsglen
Is this ( using sound files, vs midi hardware )  tediously painful,  or do you pick instruments ( like a violin ) that sound most like what you're trying to achieve for most ( or all of your track )  and then add "articulation" vibrato, etc.  as needed on additional copied tracks?

As a former hardware junkie, I recommend using Sonar's synth rack to add an instance of a VST. Each instance is just like a multi-timbral hardware synth. Point up to 16 midi tracks to the VST (one per channel) and setup each receiving channel in the VST to load the appropriate instrument. Easy peasy.
 
The rest of your question is more nuanced because it largely depends on the VST instrument. For example, EastWest's Symphonic Orchestra uses a different instrument "patch" for each articulation. There are some that also use keyswitches, which are silent notes that "switch" the behavior of the patch (like adding slurs, vibrato, and so on). Hollywood Strings uses less "patches", but each "patch" loads multiple articulations and you switch between them using midi expression. IIRC, there are 5 layers in each "patch", plus specialty articulations (like trills) that are separate "patches". Throughout this, I've used the word "patch/patches" because that's how you would think of them on a hardware synth. In a VST, they are really instruments/samples.
 
Hope that all helps, lol.
 
Regards,
Dan
 
 

You're a teacher, Dan