Can any of the current lineup of digital rack mixers be controlled with a laptop or are they all iPad only?
I've got a Presonus 16R that I control with MacBook Pro. No built-in wireless capabilities, connectivity is via Ethernet or USB-C (or Thunderbolt 3). You could also use Ethernet to connect to a router - then use whatever wireless device you choose. Software is available for MacOS or Windows. I don't see tablet options.
All of the Behringer X-Air line has the X-AIR-Edit program with versions for Windows, MAC and Linux. I prefer the X-AIR-Edit program to the tablet apps.
Since those that do require a direct connection to the console, sort of defeats the purpose of having remote access, and I would only use as a backup, not primary controller! Most work fine with an external router and tablets.
X32 can be controlled from a laptop over wifi. I know someone that does this with a touch screen PC as a mixing surface. I personally like to use this for quickly typing in scribble strip names and other console setup tasks.
True.. done that myself, but I don't want to lug around a laptop and find space for it at FOH or on stage. I can do what I need to do from a tablet, mixing FOH (when doing that) and mixing my IEM's when playing. True, both can be done via laptop.. but.. tablet is so much easier, cuz I don't want to walk a crowded venue with a laptop! YMMV
The Soundcraft UI stuff can be run by anything with a web browser. We have a Chromebook hooked up to one at an install, in case the wifi gets dodgy. Works fine. Allen and Heath appear to offer the Mixpad app for the SQ mixers for both Windows and OSX, as well as iPad and Android. Never tried but that's a really great mixer and the iPad app is very nice.
And it works well. Also, the Mackie DL16 series has an app for Mac OS that works great. Like their iOS app.
I have a X32 Rack that I run on a MS Surface. The Surface is like a tablet but with the full Windows software OS. The X32 Edit laptop controller software is different than the IPad version. The laptop version of the software looks more like a real mixing desk. You have access to more of the controls on the main screen. X32 Edit on laptop {} X32 Edit on IPad {}
Soundcraft Ui is amazing on any platform with a web browser. I’m sure other brands are as good, I just don’t have experience with them.
i'm willing to bet you won't find a new digital mixer that can't be run by a laptop all i can think of is the now aging mackie DL1608
Most every MI digital console I have worked with over the past few years have been able to be controlled by tablets and PC’s. @walterw’s DL1608 and maybe the QSC TM8(?Silly usb dongle) are the only ones I recall.