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Posted by sr126 on Sep-05-2014 22:29:

Question about laptop specs

I'm starting to do some research on laptops for dj'ing, live performance/production.

My main question is what processor or processor class should I look at to give me roughly the same performance as my current desktop which is currently an amd 1100t? -I'm planning to max out the RAM, and use SSD like my current desktop.

Also are Lenovo think pads the best bet for something like this?
I remember reading that grounding is an issue w/PC based laptops when DJ'ing, and Lenovo ThinkPads were the best in this dept.

I'm trying to figure out how much I should budget, or at least figure out how much it will cost to match my current desktop. Then I can go up or down from there.

If anyone's curious it's just going to be Traktor, Sonar, Geist, and Komplete 7.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.

Please don't suggest mac. I don't like or own any apple products. Windows PC only.

Thx

Posted by djnitride on Sep-05-2014 23:14:

Intel is the way to go for CPU because they have the best per core performance which is important for many polyphonic synths with no voice spreading. They are generally the least power hungry which is also always a plus. If you can get an i5/i7 quad core that is your best bet for production. Depending on how complex your tracks are you may be able to get away with a dual core i5 and bouncing tracks, but if you can get a quad core.

I would also go for an SSD, preferably a PCIe based one for fast sample / plugin / DAW loading.

For Windows I would recommend 12GB+ of RAM. You likely could get away with 8 fine for most things but its cheap so why not.

As for the grounding issue yeah its a bitch. The only way you can know for sure if you are good is to test the laptop out and make sure its ground has the same polarization as your audio interface IIRC. Also you can use a 3 to 2 prong converter to cut the ground off and it fixes this problem.

In all honesty I would recommend a Macbook Pro as I asked the same question as you did a few months ago. I was unable to find anything that met all of those requirements 100% so I just went with the safe albeit more expensive option and I have been extremely happy with it.

Hope this helps!

Posted by echosystm on Sep-06-2014 01:09:

Re: Question about laptop specs

quote:
Originally posted by sr126
Please don't suggest mac. I don't like or own any apple products. Windows PC only.

Boycotting the right tool for the job is stupid. Be pragmatic. Buy a Macbook.

Posted by soulstar606 on Sep-06-2014 04:37:

you need like 1200$ for a solid i7 quadcore laptop....16 gig ram, ssd with like 2 terrabytes

Posted by PaULiN0 on Sep-06-2014 06:06:

and remember the bigger the ssd the more like vinyl it will sound like.

<--Hides from Palm.

Posted by tehlord on Sep-06-2014 10:42:

Re: Re: Question about laptop specs

quote:
Originally posted by echosystm
Boycotting the right tool for the job is stupid. Be pragmatic. Buy a Macbook.

wisdom

Posted by sr126 on Sep-07-2014 09:55:

Guys, thanks for the valuable insight. And the humor.

I'm planning to use NI's komplete audio 6 and traktor audio 10.

For the people suggesting macs, I know... It's not the first time, or will it be the last time someone will suggest I get one. My best friend bought one to get logic 7, since he was stuck w/ logic 5 on pc and nowhere to go. So I hear the same thing over and over on a regular basis.

I'm not going to say much more than I've disliked apple products since the apple IIc. I'm much happier being stupid and double plus un pragmatic by using hardware to make music, and turntables hooked up to a rotary mixer to play it.

Getting a macbook pro means not only do I need spend $700-800 more, but it also means I need to buy a new DAW since I'm on Sonar. Now I have to learn how to use a mac, a new daw and be ready to rock by spring? I don't think so. I'm at a point where I want to spend more time enjoying what knowledge and things I have, and apply them. I'm not interested in spending yet MORE time not making music or performing because I have a new tool/product to learn. I have to draw the line somewhere if I'm going to get anything done. Hence the "don't suggest mac" stipulation.

The main reason why I'm serious about buying my first laptop ever, is because I clicked w/Geist. That means I don't have to lug around my mpc, and other gear to perform. I aim to have about 12 songs ready to perform in the spring, so something like a Lenovo 440t (thanks robotrance on the heads up on the durability) fits almost perfectly into my plans, since I'm going do be rocking it outdoors more than anything.

Thanks Again.

Posted by djnitride on Sep-07-2014 17:25:

Its one of those things that is nice to have if you can afford it because you don't have nearly as many unknowns when it comes to low latency audio applications, overall stability, or build construction.

You don't absolutely need a Macbook, but its a very nice luxury to have one.

Whatever you end up getting be sure to post back and let us know how it works out for you!

Posted by tehlord on Sep-07-2014 17:33:

If you don't want a Macbook (and you make valid reasons) then the only way to go is to buy an audio laptop from a specialist manufacturer. It's the only way you'll be (almost) guaranteed to have no hideous DPC latency issues.

Posted by djnitride on Sep-07-2014 17:39:

Poor/Spiking DPC latency on Windows leads to loud popping noises in your audio playback. Macs don't have this problem.

Posted by tehlord on Sep-07-2014 18:54:

Windows doesn't inherently have this problem either. The issue is with cheap spec laptops that most people buy that utilise components not intended for the 'pro' market.

Posted by djnitride on Sep-08-2014 21:05:

quote:
Originally posted by Robotrance
uninstall network cards and antivirus, PC is fine.

In my experience its hit or miss due to DPC latency (which usually has nothing to do with network cards or antivirus)

I have had a $3000 Windows laptop that couldn't do any low latency audio task worth a damn and I have had budget laptops that were smooth as butter.

The point is the ones not intended for the pro audio market are hit or miss. You often don't know which until you actually get it and by then it is too late.

Posted by stewart.m on Sep-08-2014 21:30:

so cant the op just buy a halve decent usb audio interface to overcome lantcy issues?

Posted by djnitride on Sep-08-2014 21:35:

quote:
Originally posted by stewart.m
so cant the op just buy a halve decent usb audio interface to overcome lantcy issues?

DPC latency is the result of poor / misbehaving drivers and hardware on Windows systems that adds / spikes latency for all other devices on the system.

Using an external audio interface will not fix DPC latency UNLESS the cause of the DPC latency is with the integrated audio chipset and drivers.

Posted by stewart.m on Sep-08-2014 21:39:

oh right i see i never new

Posted by djnitride on Sep-08-2014 22:07:

Not sure if sarcastic, but DPC latency is not the same thing as audio latency.

This is the debugging process for trying to isolate DPC latency to a specific device / driver:

http://www.native-instruments.com/e...dio-processing/

The only way you can fix a system with unstable DPC latency is going through those steps. It doesn't matter how bad ass of an audio interface you buy, it will choke unless you fix the cause.

Posted by crazedonee on Sep-10-2014 02:00:

if your on a budget like i was a few years back when my Desktop died id say go for a Msi laptop. they are a no name company but you get more for less and lots of power. Id never buy a Ibm Lenovo Thinkpad thats just me.

Also dont worry about specs cause you can have the fastest most powerful laptop thats out there and you still will have latency issues and drop outs so just go with what you can afford and what you think is most powerful.