laptop questions
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nankervis |
Hi i want to get a new laptop - not expensive (dont want to spend more than A$ 2000). I've been reading some of the threads around but I'm still a bit confused. The first question is about sound cards. One sound card that keeps getting mentioned on here is the M Audio 2496 ASIO. But is this soundcard good for a laptop? On one of the other threads someone wrote that you can't use normal headphones with this card unless you get an adapter. Two other cards that are mentioned a lot are Echo and
E-MU. I use FL with VSTs, is a pro sound card essential? Or do you only need one if you are going to record vocals / instruments onto your computer? Also, would a Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor 2.8Ghz with 1Gb Ram be sufficient for FL studios with VSTs?
Thanks in advance. |
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echosystm |
You need to research this a lot better
Audiophile 2496 interfaces use a PCI slot, laptops don't have PCI slots. Therefore you can't use that card on a laptop :P
If you want to buy an interface for use with a laptop you are limited to USB, PCMCIA (CardBus), or Firewire (if the laptop has this). The Audiophile Firewire is the laptop equivalent of the 2496, with a few extra outputs and slightly better fidelity. Theyre a great option, except they don't have balanced ins/outs, so for recording they arent fantastic, but just for busting out choonz they should do the job fine :P
USB interfaces have big overheads which results in high latency, which is obviously not what you want. There are a few good USB interfaces, but you pay alot for them :D
CardBus is the best, you get the lowest latency of all 3 interface types. But, cardbus cards are expensive again, and it doesnt sound like you have the budget for it.
A "pro" sound card is essential. You won't get anywhere with inbuilt laptop sound cards because they are utter crap weather you are recording or "tracking" (if thats the right word for it) :)
Lastly! You won't be able to find a new P4M 2.8ghz, or if you do it will be severly out dated. All the new processor types are of the Pentium-M/Centrino/Donthan make. Something around 1.73ghz with 1gb of ram should be plenty (give you a little bit of room for growth too).
Also, many laptops have a noise problem when they are connected to an AC adapter. To avoid this people generally recommend sticking to Toshiba. Dell are house don't even think about buying one. Acer are gaylord too - unless you buy a high end one, all the sub $2,000 models are made of like 3rd grade components. Asus are cool but they apparently have bad noise problems. Samsung i'm not too familiar with, but theyre not big players in the laptop scene so I wouldnt bother looking into them anyway - only benefit is 3 year onsite warranty. NEC, fujitsu, LG and so on are all in the same category as Samsung.
I think that just about sums it up.
Also, don't listen to computer salespeople, they dont know . If you want good advice, someone at a music store like Derringers or a pro audio shop can probably help you out.
good luck (Y) |
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Zeiter |
quote: | Originally posted by echosystm
You need to research this a lot better
Audiophile 2496 interfaces use a PCI slot, laptops don't have PCI slots. Therefore you can't use that card on a laptop :P
If you want to buy an interface for use with a laptop you are limited to USB, PCMCIA (CardBus), or Firewire (if the laptop has this). The Audiophile Firewire is the laptop equivalent of the 2496, with a few extra outputs and slightly better fidelity. Theyre a great option, except they don't have balanced ins/outs, so for recording they arent fantastic, but just for busting out choonz they should do the job fine :P
USB interfaces have big overheads which results in high latency, which is obviously not what you want. There are a few good USB interfaces, but you pay alot for them :D
CardBus is the best, you get the lowest latency of all 3 interface types. But, cardbus cards are expensive again, and it doesnt sound like you have the budget for it.
A "pro" sound card is essential. You won't get anywhere with inbuilt laptop sound cards because they are utter crap weather you are recording or "tracking" (if thats the right word for it) :)
Lastly! You won't be able to find a new P4M 2.8ghz, or if you do it will be severly out dated. All the new processor types are of the Pentium-M/Centrino/Donthan make. Something around 1.73ghz with 1gb of ram should be plenty (give you a little bit of room for growth too).
Also, many laptops have a noise problem when they are connected to an AC adapter. To avoid this people generally recommend sticking to Toshiba. Dell are house don't even think about buying one. Acer are gaylord too - unless you buy a high end one, all the sub $2,000 models are made of like 3rd grade components. Asus are cool but they apparently have bad noise problems. Samsung i'm not too familiar with, but theyre not big players in the laptop scene so I wouldnt bother looking into them anyway - only benefit is 3 year onsite warranty. NEC, fujitsu, LG and so on are all in the same category as Samsung.
I think that just about sums it up.
Also, don't listen to computer salespeople, they dont know . If you want good advice, someone at a music store like Derringers or a pro audio shop can probably help you out.
good luck (Y) |
what about apple laptops? |
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evo8 |
quote: | Originally posted by Zeiter
what about apple laptops? |
wouldnt be much use to him as he is running FL Studio... |
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