Laptop Search

[Noosh]

So in the next couple of months im hoping to get a new laptop to use for recording. I mean, the one i have right now works fine, but the 1Gb of RAM and 160 Gb hard drive just isnt gonna cut it.
I would love to get a macbook, but their just so damned expensive. plus im already familiar and am very comfortable with the windows format.
As far as recording goes im using Pro Tools LE7.4 right now, And plan to keep it that way ;].
but anyways, the main issue im having at the moment is, as far I know, Pro Tools is not compatable with windows vista 64 bit. but every laptop i can find that has a decent size hard drive and 3-4Gb of RAM [preferably 4], has Vista Home Premium 64 Bit.

so my question is, will pro tools run on 64 bit vista? I wonder this because the packaging of my Mbox also says that pro tools is only compatable with vista business and ultimate. but i currently have home premium and it works fine, well except for the obvious problem of it being extremely slow when i start to build a session with more than 4 or 5 tracks.

so... anyone know anything abou this? or any suggestions of other laptops to look into? im probably looking at anything in the $1000 or so range.

[DocBop]

Pro Tools is the pickiest program I've ever seen for what they support both hardware and OS. But people do run it on other OS's and hardware knowing they will get no support from Digi sources.

Everyone here's the marketing hype about 64-bits. 64-bit does address more memory and more mathematical accuracy for doing high finance or scientific app's. But you need 64-bit versions of your app's to take advantage of the extra bits. Some app will slow down because the extra cpu cycles for handling the bits. There is a cost to 64-bits both $$$ and possible performance loss for some app's.

For you your talk about buying a low-end laptop with 4GB, 64-bits isn't going to help. If you have plug-ins for Pro Tools you will need to buy 64-bit versions and the difference in sound is barely audible except to those with really trained ears.

If your PT system is slowing down after 4-5 tracks you got some serious config issues with your current rig. PT shouldn't slow down till track counts go into the teens.

[Noosh]

well yea, i wasnt saying i was wanting to get a 64 bit version, i would actually prefer 32, either way. apparently if you buy a new laptop with 4gb ram, it is going to be 64 bit, but if you buy one with 3 gb or less, its usually 32 bit. its not that it slows down, its just that it gives an error saying something about it held off interrupts for too long suring playback, or something like that. im not sure, i was running protools with reason in rewire. i dont know if that makes much of a difference or not. but either way, i found a couple of comps that i like with 3 gb that are 32 bit. as far as my protools setup goes, ive got alot to learn, any suggestions on site that can help with maximizing performance for something like that?

[TheWolf]

Pick up a Sony Vaio... Costs a little more but will last you years compared to other disposable brands and all the Vaios have four pin Firewire included

[zandar]

I don't think PT supports 64bit Windows yet (check out duc.digidesign.com for their support forum).

4GB RAM sounds nice, but I wouldn't say it's necessary for Pro Tools (at least, it isn't on a Mac). I do fairly intensive (40+ tracks with liberal plug-in use) sessions with 2GB RAM. The really important factor, especially when using a laptop, is going to be using an external HD.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from getting a new laptop...but it might be worth considering a cheaper laptop with 32bit Vista and a nice big external HD.

[Noosh]

o yea, like i said earlier, i actually prefer 32 bit. im looking at a laptop with 3 Gb RAM and 320 Gb hard drive, and then getting a 1Tb external hard drive, for all my storage and recording needs.

and as far as the PC Vs. Mac thing, what the big deal about Macs, and why does everyone bash PC's for recording?

[zandar]

Oh hey, I totally wasn't trying to get into the mac/pc thing, I just mentioned that I was on a mac in case there was a big difference in memory use between host platforms.

BUT, as someone who uses both macs and pcs daily (I'm typing this on a macbook pro running windows vista), I can at least try to be unbiased...

Historically macs have a reputation of having fewer issues running certain types of applications, including audio and video editing software. This is likely because Apple makes both the hardware and the operating system, and therefore has more control over all the variables that can cause issues. For example, for PC audio, you will still find people discussing firewire chipsets that will or won't work with Pro Tools, or audio driver issues with the newest version of Windows. For the most part, these types of concerns do not come up in the Mac world.

...but sometimes they still do. Anyone who has had their Pro Tools rig busted by allowing a Mac system update to happen without first checking the support forums to see if it works with Pro Tools knows that there are plenty of things that can go wrong on a Mac too.

I think the PC platform gets beat up a little too much, and the Mac gets a little too much credit. Having said that, I still prefer to do audio on a Mac because it's what I'm used to...in your case I'm sure the PC will be fine too.

[bThumper38]

My horror story this summer was that of trying to get my protools to run with Vista. I spent two weeks just trying to get P.T. to fire up, and when i did it would crash constantly. I've been a P.C. person my entire life, and couldn't see myself converting. I was told by everyone that P.T. was compatible with 32-bit vista ultimate, and tried to no end to make it work. after Downloading all compatible drivers and spending hours upon hours for a month, I still could not get Protools to fire up. As far as I know there isn't a new P.C. on the market that has a compatible Chip Set to run protools. So after giving up on my battle to run P.T. and $1500 dollars later, I said F&%$ IT and bought a MACBOOK. When I got home and loaded up the software THE PEARLY GATES OF PROTOOLS OPENED AND LET ME ENTER THE RECORDING BLISS, AND MUSIC HEAVEN RETURNED TO MY LIFE.............................................. ...................BUY A MAC AND SAVE YOURSELF THE MISERY THAT I ENDURED...............OR SUFFER=)

[seamonkey]

Just like bass gear, major brands and stores let you try out the PC for a while and return it if it doesn't work out. Too many variables to say what will or won't work for you, but there are tools you can use to benchmark systems so you can get a good idea if they will work out long term:
For example DPC Latency checker:
http://www.thesycon.de/eng/latency_check.shtml

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by seamonkey

Just like bass gear, major brands and stores let you try out the PC for a while and return it if it doesn't work out. Too many variables to say what will or won't work for you, but there are tools you can use to benchmark systems so you can get a good idea if they will work out long term:

That is the issue with PC's in general there is not a definitive PC so very hard for software developer to write and test for. Too many possible combos of hardware and software to even scratch the surface. Then you get Pro Tools which is basically and RT audio OS riding on top of the PC OS so all sorts of potential driver and system conflicts. Apple only makes a few models of Mac and they make the OS so it is a well defined environment and easier for developers to write an d test for.

If you like PC's get one but be ready to spend time working out compatibility issues. If you want more of an install and get to work the extra $$$ for a Mac is worth it. I've been in computer field for over twenty years and used ever type of OS and hardware at one point or another. I got tired at home of having to work on my computer before I could work with my computers, so I have gone all Mac at home. I make my money supporting PC, Unix, and Mac boxes, but for my own stuff I use Mac.

[Noosh]

Originally Posted by bThumper38

My horror story this summer was that of trying to get my protools to run with Vista. I spent two weeks just trying to get P.T. to fire up, and when i did it would crash constantly. I've been a P.C. person my entire life, and couldn't see myself converting. I was told by everyone that P.T. was compatible with 32-bit vista ultimate, and tried to no end to make it work. after Downloading all compatible drivers and spending hours upon hours for a month, I still could not get Protools to fire up. As far as I know there isn't a new P.C. on the market that has a compatible Chip Set to run protools. So after giving up on my battle to run P.T. and $1500 dollars later, I said F&%$ IT and bought a MACBOOK. When I got home and loaded up the software THE PEARLY GATES OF PROTOOLS OPENED AND LET ME ENTER THE RECORDING BLISS, AND MUSIC HEAVEN RETURNED TO MY LIFE.............................................. ...................BUY A MAC AND SAVE YOURSELF THE MISERY THAT I ENDURED...............OR SUFFER=)

well, hate to burst your bubble, but it says on the digidesign site that protools isnt compatable with vista ultimate. i know for a fact it is compatable with vista home premium 32 bit. as i am using that right now. the problem is, my comp doesnt have enough RAM to run things smoothly. and i would love to get mac, dont get me wrong their great, but, i cant afford one, and as i have no problems other than the RAM issue, i see getting a newer Windows laptop a much better option for me at the moment.

[22pauld22]

does protools run on xp? I assume it would but the version you are using is it compatible .. I too have been working in computers for years and still haven't been able to get vista to run anywhere near as quickly as xp .. I remember reading in sound on sound magazine a while back that they had sat and stripped down vista 32 to make it as efficient as they could and basically ended up with xp again .. their conclusion was that until all the software you needed was up to scratch on vista 64 that it was of no real use

xp won't access as much memory as vista but when you think about how much memory vista sucks up all by itself you could be saving yourself some cash on ram

if laptop speed is what you are looking for the external hard drive is a big thing you will find on alot of laptops that the hdd can spin as slow as 4500 you should look for something in the 7200 range .. i've been gassing after a new laptop for a while .. I only run ableton at home at the moment but I think the new hp dv series looks very nice with the front side bus of 1066 which is as fast as we have gotten so far most of them also have the new esata port which will make your external hard drive run well I'm not sure if they are called the same thing in the US but they are the hp dv4 and dv5 series over here in aus referring to 14 and 15 inch screens

I'm not completely up to date on apple stuff but I'm pretty sure even their latest stuff at the lower end of the price range isn't running 1066 fsb and I'm not sure where they stand on esata either .. so thats some cuttying edge s*&t as far as laptops are concerned

hope that helps

[22pauld22]

i was just down at the computer shop and noticed that some of the toshibas had 1066 fsb but I didn't see a laptop with a 7200 rpm disk .. I have seen them and I know they are around but it might be a worthwhile upgrade if you really want speed .. or look into the solid state drive thing .. although they are small they are fast and really you don't need the hugest drive internatlly since you are storing your projects on an external drive you are only accessing windows and your applications off your internal drive ..

there you go another 2 cents

[mkrtu9]

you said you would like a macbook and you have a grand, therefore get a macbook. You can get in one for a grand then upgrade the memory to 4gb at newegg for 50 bucks.

good luck
matt

[blondmix3]

I use both platforms daily, and can say from TONS of experience, that you'll have a more solid audio experience with a Mac... ESPECIALLY if you want to stay portable. It's a much more efficient and robust system... SO much smoother. Anyway, you can definitely find deals on Macbooks right now since a lot of people are going to the new aluminum non-Firewire models. If you're interested, I've got my (practically unused) backup unit up for sale
Good luck with your search!