I need to replace a laptop. I need a big bang for the buck here.
I will record using Pro tools or Abelton
I will need sound card and graphic cards advise.
I want firewire.
HDMI
and do i need rca outputs?

I will use it for live settings to run sound tracks with.
I don't foresee using it for projector use tho.
i will use it for internet and need wi fi.
iwill facebook, youtube etc.
and lastly need word processing software.

I don't expect this to be a thread aobut mac versus windows and turn it into a fight. I just need help sorting out the needs and the wants.
Thanks,

mike

First, what do you use now ?
Apple or Microsoft ?

Are you happy with ?

My fried laptop was a toshiba. The Abelton lite software didnt work on it al all. the asio and driver issue wasn't able to be resolved so that i didnt like about it.
And it didnt have hdmi to stream video to flat screen tv.

So you are a Microsoft user. This is a good starting point.

I don't know Asio but I just read it have some problem working on Microsoft Vista.

if you have an "old" Toshiba ( with Vista ) this could be the problem . And if you get a new one you'll probably alright.

Let's wait for some more answer from forum's members.

Myself I don't use computer for music recording and I use a Mac for home.

How much are you planning on spending?

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Rated "M" for meaty.

So far no help on here! lololol.
Any one want to tell me what they are using?
How good it works?

CHIPSHOT0701, I use a dell product, very powerful multi-use machine. If you are state-side, that company is always running promotions, almost as good/bad as guitar center . You are going to have some fun when you're set-up, let us know what you get.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

for my next laptop, i want the blonde down the street...... oh wait, sorry, i forgot we were talking computers

I use a HP dv7 laptop which is an older model by now. The models change so quickly nowadays. It has HDMI out, vga out, 3 core AMD processors@2100MHz, 1080p resolution, and so on. Everything I need, but no firewire.
I like it very much and purchased a year or so back as a final clearance item for about 1/3 the original cost.
As SBLS said, Dell makes good laptops with what you want, as well as a number of other vendors.
Stratele52 is also quite right in that a proper O/S makes all the difference. I avoided Windows Vista as it had many problems (though worked ok for many, but those people weren't using the programs that were incompatible with Vista.
Win7 has been very good overall, so if you get a laptop from a reputable supplier (good warranty) and with the features you want, you should be fine.
I haven't seen laptops with rca connectors, though.
cheers,
Alex

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......it's a topsy-turvy world when noses run and feet smell...

Hi Chipshot,

basically, this gives the impression that you are a complete novice to audio recording - which is not a bad thing.
If you have FireWire (and are using that as a port for your sound card), you will not be needing rca onboard. All your Ins and Outs will be covered through that external device.
WHICH will, by the way, have to be a recording sound card, not your run-of-the mill soundblaster (shivverrrrr me timmberrrrs) due to latency issues. Which is probably why you couldn't get Ableton Lite running properly.

I see we still need your budget information, without that there's really no sensible input to be expected from anyone, even on the Fender Forum!

And last (but not least): ProTools OR Ableton? Ahhmmm... make up your mind- those are two very different horses. Even though Ableton is by now a very handy software for lots of things around the studio, I think you need to do much more research about ProTools. It's gonna influence the choice of hardware, for sure.

Perhaps some reading will help. I remember this as a friendly and helpful forum, take a surf through their waters and get their opinions, too. It will seriously help.

In my opinion: MacBook Pro with OSX and MS Windows (probably XP Pro since it's by now quite reliable ) on two partitions. Then some FW or USB recording soundcard, a couple microphones (one large and one small diaphragm condenser), leads, stands, popkillers, studio monitors (KRK or perhaps the Yamaha HS80), and lastly, loads of spare time. You'll need it.
It's really not as simple as just one laptop. All the components work as a whole.

Oh, needless to say that setup might actually be able to let you use Facebook as well!

So: we need a budget!

And also: what are you going to record with this setup? A full band? just your guitar? An orchestra?

Hope this helps a bit... it's really not a simple question you're asking us, and there is no straight answer. As Paul sang: The Long and Winding Road....

Cheers -

Nutter

Edit: Getting rid of Ron of The Mill

Me I like mac's though there are 3 pc's in the house I prefer my Mac any time and the next new one will be a mac for sure.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I'd say look at the HW you want to use and find the OS SW that will run it.
You have to find the match which will work for Either MAC or PC.

Most folks use a MAC for the ease it setting this stuff up but I'm sure a PC can be configured to run the SW you are looking for as well.

Have you gone to any music stores to see what they have/recommend?
Or web sites of the HW you want to use for Support Groups they may have so you can read what the folks using it have found?

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-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield

My home entertainment/media center pc and my workshop/recording pc are both from www.Cyberpowerpc.com they are geared more towards gaming, but they make video editing and mixing as smooth as clockwork. some of this modern audio software is fairly demanding. they have great audio cards available and HDMI outputs pretty much standard. they are especially fast if you get a solid state HD, it will merge multiple tracks in the blink of an eye. basically you tell them what to put in it and they do.

give em a call and tell them what you need it for and they will help, just be careful
for fun i went through and built the most expensive model with everything i could throw in it and the total was $16,380 yea ...........I didn't order that one

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lol I've done that with Dell and Alienware with similar results. It's fun to dream.

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this place puts them to shame try it out.. wayyyyyyy more options

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