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What Windows Laptops are Y'all Using to Record These Days?

Wissen

Wissen

Nov 11, 2007
438
524
Central PA
#1
I might possibly be looking at a laptop upgrade come Christmastime, and I would like to choose a laptop I can use for mobile recording and some video editing*. My DAW of choice is Ableton Live 10.

I am trying to resist the urge call of the Apple Side. I have a firm understanding of specs from my former life in IT, but unfortunately the market seems to be so complicated that I'm not going to be able to figure this out on my own. So I turn to the TB community.

What Windows laptops are y'all using for your recording setups these days? I don't need a specs list to look for. I know I want 16GB RAM, at least 512 GB SSD and a discrete graphics card. I am asking for specific models that are doing work in the field so I don't end up sifting through 50 options for the next six months and making a dart throw of a decision.

Take it sleazy, folks. And thanks in advance for your info.



*I don't need a video editing powerhouse because I don't know what I'm doing and I'm not likely to learn any time soon. Just an option for the back pocket if things change.
 
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#3
I did a bit of research on this before buying a dedicated laptop this summer. I am running Pro Tools 2021. I hope the following helps.

Important Considerations:
  • Quiet
  • Powerful
  • Lots of memory
  • Good sized SSD
  • Fast CPU (you have to be really careful here and look at test results)
  • Decent GPU
  • Solid build
  • Good screen (even though I am using a large second monitor)
  • OS choice (get Win10 Pro, not home)

After my research, I saw that good GAMING laptops fit the bill. I have never used an Apple computer and never will. That is just me (I worked for IBM for 13 years when this was a cultural issue (80s & 90s)). I am a MS/Intel/Lenovo (or home build) guy all the way. Also having a good GPU takes that much less load off the system. Sounds silly for sound editing, but it is important.

Here is what I got ($1,112.99):
Lenovo Legion 5 15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Gaming Laptop PC, Intel Hexa-Core i7-10750H, Nvidia GTX 1650Ti, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 10 Home 64 bit, Black

The 10750H is a screamer. The integrated Nvidia GTX 1650Ti handles the two monitors without blinking (pun intended). The 512GB SSD is nice, even though all my recording goes to an external SSD. It is solidly build and does not feel cheap.

The only thing I had to 'Fix' was the weak-ass Windows 10 Home. I wiped everything and installed Windows 10 Pro. Why? The home addition has so much bloatware attached to it that slows it down. Some people claim it doesn't bother them, but I have been using Pro Tools on various laptops for a few years now and the only systems I have not had crash problems on has been with Windows 10 Pro. Also, I have procedure for gutting and completely deleting the Windows Defender (antimalware) which itself is as bad and resource stealing as a real virus. I also disable all updates.

I don't have anything installed on this box that is not related to my studio. Specially no Cloud software that runs apps and checkups in the background - regardless of telling them not to (Adobe software comes to mind here as well as things like iCloud, Dropbox, etc).

It took a full day to prepare the Legion for my studio, but it has been worth it. I can easily record and process at 64 buffer with no buzzes or clicks. It doesn't crash except sometimes I need to power-off and reset by External USB Hub. Not sure what is up with that, but sometimes if the system is left on unattended for days something in my USB chain needs power cycling.

Anyway, this is what works great for me. YMMV. For what it is worth, my 12 year old keeps eyeing the system because he wants it for its originally marketed purpose (gaming). I keep a close watch on it!
 
#4
Basslice said:
I did a bit of research on this before buying a dedicated laptop this summer. I am running Pro Tools 2021. I hope the following helps.

Important Considerations:
  • Quiet
  • Powerful
  • Lots of memory
  • Good sized SSD
  • Fast CPU (you have to be really careful here and look at test results)
  • Decent GPU
  • Solid build
  • Good screen (even though I am using a large second monitor)
  • OS choice (get Win10 Pro, not home)

After my research, I saw that good GAMING laptops fit the bill. I have never used an Apple computer and never will. That is just me (I worked for IBM for 13 years when this was a cultural issue (80s & 90s)). I am a MS/Intel/Lenovo (or home build) guy all the way. Also having a good GPU takes that much less load off the system. Sounds silly for sound editing, but it is important.

Here is what I got ($1,112.99):
Lenovo Legion 5 15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Gaming Laptop PC, Intel Hexa-Core i7-10750H, Nvidia GTX 1650Ti, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 10 Home 64 bit, Black

The 10750H is a screamer. The integrated Nvidia GTX 1650Ti handles the two monitors without blinking (pun intended). The 512GB SSD is nice, even though all my recording goes to an external SSD. It is solidly build and does not feel cheap.

The only thing I had to 'Fix' was the weak-ass Windows 10 Home. I wiped everything and installed Windows 10 Pro. Why? The home addition has so much bloatware attached to it that slows it down. Some people claim it doesn't bother them, but I have been using Pro Tools on various laptops for a few years now and the only systems I have not had crash problems on has been with Windows 10 Pro. Also, I have procedure for gutting and completely deleting the Windows Defender (antimalware) which itself is as bad and resource stealing as a real virus. I also disable all updates.

I don't have anything installed on this box that is not related to my studio. Specially no Cloud software that runs apps and checkups in the background - regardless of telling them not to (Adobe software comes to mind here as well as things like iCloud, Dropbox, etc).

It took a full day to prepare the Legion for my studio, but it has been worth it. I can easily record and process at 64 buffer with no buzzes or clicks. It doesn't crash except sometimes I need to power-off and reset by External USB Hub. Not sure what is up with that, but sometimes if the system is left on unattended for days something in my USB chain needs power cycling.

Anyway, this is what works great for me. YMMV. For what it is worth, my 12 year old keeps eyeing the system because he wants it for its originally marketed purpose (gaming). I keep a close watch on it!
Click to expand...

I saw your post in another thread as I was looking around for some previous discussion on the matter. I'm glad this is working out for you, and it definitely helped me focus my search. I think gaming PC will be the way to go. I was originally thinking productivity Ultrabooks, but gaming is much closer to video editing and recording than "business productivity" is.
 
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#5
Wissen said:
I saw your post in another thread as I was looking around for some previous discussion on the matter. I'm glad this is working out for you, and it definitely helped me focus my search. I think gaming PC will be the way to go. I was originally thinking productivity Ultrabooks, but gaming is much closer to video editing and recording than "business productivity" is.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have tons of business Lenovos (T-series). I am typing this message on a T490s. I have used this laptop up to when I got the Legion. Not even the same league. Seriously. Huge noticeable difference in performance.
 
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#6
I'm using a Dell XPS 15 7590. Intel i7-9750 six core CPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 500GB SSD, NVidia GTX1050 video card and Windows Home 10.

I run either Reaper or Ableton Live 10, and I rarely run more than 10 tracks at a time ... usually more like 4-5. So I'm definitely not using this system very hard.
I also use the free Process Lasso tuning tool to help improve general performance and reduce the impact of Windows process interrupts.

works great!
 
Last edited:
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#7
works for me: ThinkPad x390.

what would work for you? check latencymon tests (notebookcheck.net publishes them when reviewing a model).

also please note that for DAW you don't really need a discrete video card.
 
#8
I recently bought one with similar considerations.
The last three were:
Dell XPS
Lenovo ThinkPad
HP Pro Book

XPS because of overall quality, the fastest RAM and the display.
ThinkPad because of the keyboard (these things matter to me)
HP Pro Book because AMD

I use the laptop for work, too - so work bought it for me - in the end I went with the Dell and must say that I'm happy so far. I get at least 8 hours of battery life out of that thing.
 

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