Laptop for music production.

SideWinder · 21 Oct 2013 at 21:13

I need to upgrade my 5 year old Vostro...

Currently specced at:

Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2Ghz
2Gb RAM
8600GT
1680 x 1050.

I'm looking to start using software like Reason but i'm looking for a bit of advice. I think i need at least 4Gb perhaps more? But what about for the processor?

Also should i consider a MacBook?

Budget of around £700 maybe more.

Raddy · 24 Oct 2013 at 23:57

Get a second hand Macbook and you're sorted...

About the Ram and the processor... it really depends.

You see to run the DAW the minimum system requirements say 4gb...

But when you start layering Multiple layers of VST's during productions and start using heavy synth processing and compression, you want as much as horsepower as you can get >_<"...

The only reason I would suggest a Macbook is because it's a little more easier with the configuration.
(I use Cubase with windows on bootcamp because I am more comfortable with this os, but I cannot deny that Mac definitely bounces everything just a little more faster... it's teensy so I can afford the sacrifice)

processor wise... honestly the more speed the better as usual... but say that you have a 2.6 dual core vs a 2.3 quad core.... go for the quad core. (long explanation google it

) (anything above 2.3 is good

)

Also consider some options like do you think you're going to travel around with your laptop ??

One of the best music production tools I am using right now is an iMac I snagged off of eBay for like 500 quid... and upgraded the Ram.

This has become a BEAST for Music Production and anything in General and having a large screen just helps you view the entire workflow so much more efficiently.
The downside of course is that it's huge... and you can't lug it around unless you have a dedicated briefcase for it...

let me know if you have any more questions !!

SideWinder · 25 Oct 2013 at 10:30

Appreciate the reply - cheers!

Not so sure about Macs...although i think that's because i'm not used to them.

Laptop won't be moving around much so weight is fine. I know about Quad vs Dual Core but wanted a second opinion.

Sounds like i need a Quad Core with 6gb of RAM...

Raddy · 25 Oct 2013 at 19:33

Try Getting an 8GB config.

A matching 4 x 4 will definitely boost your speed up your mix down, mastering and help with the nasty Latency issues with certain VSTs

Rroff · 25 Oct 2013 at 19:55

If you look around a bit and get lucky with special offers you can potentially source a 3rd gen i7 i.e. 35xx/36xxQM and 8-16GB RAM for around that kind of money if your looking for non-gaming laptops - saw one similiar specced to the one in my sig for just under £800 recently (but with a lower spec GPU) but the offer has now ended.

SideWinder · 2 Nov 2013 at 15:32

Rroff said:
If you look around a bit and get lucky with special offers you can potentially source a 3rd gen i7 i.e. 35xx/36xxQM and 8-16GB RAM for around that kind of money if your looking for non-gaming laptops - saw one similiar specced to the one in my sig for just under £800 recently (but with a lower spec GPU) but the offer has now ended.

Cheers - will keep my eye out.

Brand doesn't really matter as much does it? Just as long as it's i7 and 8Gb + ?