If you want to save money, 2 gigs of RAM is plenty to get started. Laptop RAM is pricey, and 2 gigs is a LOT.

Having a big hard drive is important, and with Ableton a 15" or larger screen is going to be a big help as well. Make sure it has a decent assortment of USB and firewire ports as well.

You might want to stick with Windows XP if you can. Vista is still in progress as far as audio work goes, and not everything is certified.

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Originally posted by XxchristopherxX I am currently purchasing a laptop for basically ableton use...nothing expensive, basic. I did a search but i thought i would reopen the subject and see if thoughts on the subject have changed. I am going with 4 gb of ram and a 250 hardrive but what else should i be looking at? PCI-Express card interface data streams important? (5gbps?) I am going the pc route....i have never used a mac and i am not sure if i want to take a chance with a product i have never used? thanks for the advice....

bro trust me, go the mac way! They are more stable and reliable, although there hardware isn't cheap you can get new os's as they come out for a fraction of the price that you would pay for windows.

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Originally posted by bas we're just rolling in that sweet sweet Beatport chedda SON. I PUT DIAMONDS IN MY SALT SHAKER SO I CAN HAVE CRUSHED DIAMONDS ON MY FOOD...it makes my dookie twinkle!!!

i was thinking of a 13.3 widesceen display, do you think that might be a little small? (My everyday laptop is a widescreen 17) In terms of hard drive speed, would it make that much difference in going with a higher storage 5400 rpm vs a 7200 rpm drive? How many usb's would you recomend?

2 gigs of laptop ram is like $70. Buy it from newegg or somewhere similar though because manufacturers overcharge for extra memory.

Also don't listen to people saying you need a mac. I really don't see what the big deal is with Apple.

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a 13 inch screen might be too small, but it depends on where you place it, i would recommend a 15 inch screen atleast. I have a laptop with a hdd thats 5400rpm and its fine, the copy copy times of large items might get annoying but its cheaper than 7200rpm. You should get atleast 4 usb,i currently have 4 and they are all being used.

Also check this site out for cool laptop deals http://www.deals2buy.com/delldeals.htm

I know i post it all the time, its not my site, i am not advertising, its just an awesome site for daily money saving deals.

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quote:

Originally posted by bas we're just rolling in that sweet sweet Beatport chedda SON. I PUT DIAMONDS IN MY SALT SHAKER SO I CAN HAVE CRUSHED DIAMONDS ON MY FOOD...it makes my dookie twinkle!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Zild 2 gigs of laptop ram is like $70. Buy it from newegg or somewhere similar though because manufacturers overcharge for extra memory. Also don't listen to people saying you need a mac. I really don't see what the big deal is with Apple.

I def will go that route..i built my own desktop and saved alot of money installing my own hardware so that isnt a problem....i use the crucial memory tool to see what it compatable with what system and you can order right from them....i upgraded my dell xps memory for 60 bucks...

Make sure to get rid of Vista and slap on XP.

You will need an external sound card, and if you go with one that is Firewire (the best choice IMO) you will need a solid firewire chipset. This is by far the most important but least expensive but most often overlooked feature. MAKE SURE you get a lappy with a Texas Instruments 1394 Chipset, NOT a RICOH or OHCI Compliant Chipset.

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Damn, those 2 gig SO-DIMM's got CHEAP.

quote:

Originally posted by Zild 2 gigs of laptop ram is like $70. Buy it from newegg or somewhere similar though because manufacturers overcharge for extra memory. Also don't listen to people saying you need a mac. I really don't see what the big deal is with Apple.

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Originally posted by Max Thomson You will need an external sound card, and if you go with one that is Firewire (the best choice IMO) you will need a solid firewire chipset. This is by far the most important but least expensive but most often overlooked feature. MAKE SURE you get a lappy with a Texas Instruments 1394 Chipset, NOT a RICOH or OHCI Compliant Chipset.

Thanks..those are the little things i was hoping people would remind me off...

The 13" screens are a bit small, and can be really annoying after staring at them for too long. I have a 13" laptop and it's a bit small for extended use. on the other hand, the 15.4 screens are pretty satisfying.

Go for one with a matte screen. The glossy stuff is just silly.

Be sure you can get XP loaded on whatever laptop you choose. Some vendors don't supply XP drivers anymore. You don't want to get stuck on Vista poo, although you can often find XP drivers from 3rd party sources. But it's best to avoid that trouble..