VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

KathyB · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:07 am Post subject: Favorite laptops

Hi All!

I am going to buy a new laptop for a couple of reasons. First of all, I have to admit that I want my family out of my studio and away from my equipment. So I'm looking into setting up wifi and getting a laptop. I'd also like to have it ready as a backup to my current system, so I'll want to put adobe audition on it.

I'd like to know what other people are happy with. Also I'd like to spend less than a grand--preferrably 7 to 8 hundred dollars. What factors do you consider to be important considerations when shopping?

Thanks in advance.

Kathy

louzucaro · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:10 am Post subject:

Especially with laptops, I typically recommend people spend a bit more if they want to be happy with the laptop for a longer period of time, due to a laptop's inherent inability to have the majority of its components easily upgraded.

That said, you can always find good deals on laptops here and there.

I've been very happy with several HP laptops I've had. I've had two Sony's that were nice, but overpriced. I had one Gateway that I wasn't thrilled about (it was very cheap and very slow, but built well otherwise).

If you're running Audition 2.0, stick with Windows XP. If you're running Audition 3, go with Vista.
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"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:14 am Post subject:

i have an hp someone got for me, which was nice, but i'd rather have had the chance to get it myself, custom, or something near to that.

the one thing i'd consider is the size. mine's too big! if you're going to lug it around, whether to the corner bagel joint (see 'bagel marketing theory Wink

) or on an airplane, consider exactly how much you want to lug around. mine's a 17"
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louzucaro · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:16 am Post subject:

Definitely...my old 17" HP laptop was like 9.5 lbs, which sucked. They have 17" ones now that are like 6-7 lbs. which is much nicer.
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Lou Zucaro
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"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:21 am Post subject:

particularly if you're backpacking Confused

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KathyB · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:44 am Post subject:

Thanks for your input. I'm using AA 2.0 and the size and weight are important considerations.

Kathy

louzucaro · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 11:22 am Post subject:

Kathy, what kind of audio interface do you use? Or do you plan on using with the laptop?
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Lou Zucaro
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"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

Yoda117 · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 11:43 am Post subject:

Of them all, I preferred my Alienware Area-51.

Not for the casual user, but worked great as a mobile system once you got past the weight (I'm a big guy so it never phased me). Expensive as hell, but if you needed that kind of power you were willing to pay it.

That was then. Now they've overpriced Dells IMO.

Of them all, right now I'm liking the Panasonic Toughbook (for professional reasons unlrelated to VO), HP, Lenovo (depends on the model), some of the Dells, and Fujitsu (which was a bit of a surprise to me).

Follow Lou's advice. It's dead on regarding proper notebook selection.

also www.notebookforums.com (tell 'em Yoda sent you Wink

)
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todd ellis · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

i am on my 2nd HP and could not be happier. very solid. no problems at all.
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KathyB · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject:

Here's my current set up;

c-1 mic to Symetrix528-E to E-mu0404 to
my compaq fs7600 using adobe audition 2.0.

Thanks for the info everyone. Tomorrow is shopping day for me! It'll be fun!!!

Kathy

louzucaro · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

Is your E-MU 0404 the PCI or USB version (a card inside your Compaq or a box that connects via USB)?
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Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

KathyB · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject:

Lou~~ It's a USB
Kathy

louzucaro · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject:

Kathy, I think you may have a tough time going out to a store and finding a laptop that has XP pre-installed.

I know some manufacturers, such as Dell, have some that can be purchased with XP, but Microsoft is ending the ability for manufacturers to pre-install XP, so I think the pickins might be slim.

For instance, I'm not sure Best Buy even stocks laptops running XP anymore.
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

KathyB · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject:

Lou

I'm cringing as I type this ..... but what are the problems with vista and my set up?

Kathy

louzucaro · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 7:04 pm Post subject:

Well the only thing is that I'm not sure how well Audition 2 will run under Vista. Audition 3 is the first version that Adobe supports under Vista (I have it on this machine, which is Vista, and it runs great).

E-MU released a Vista driver for the 0404 in Feb., but I was told some 5 or 6 weeks ago that E-MU has been shut down, so if there are driver issues with the v1.3 driver they released, it's doubtful that there will be an update.

There seems to be no "official" word on this (I was told this by a Creative employee after failing to reach E-MU by telephone), but there's also nothing new on the E-MU website since February it seems.
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"