Laptop advice required

gcoudert · Post by **gcoudert** » Thu May 29, 2008 5:22 pm

I don't know much about laptops but I am looking at purchasing a reasonably priced laptop with the following features to replace my old Win98SE desktop music machine.

1. Are the specs sufficient for average musical use (Reaper sequencer + a few low-CPU-consumption VSTi + basic FX + external MIDI via USB to MIDI cable)?

Chipset: Intel GL 960 Express Chipset
CPU: Intel Celeron M, Intel Pentium Dual Core
RAM: 1Gb upgradable to 2Gb
HD: 120Gb
DVD+/-RW
USB 2.0 x 4
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 with up to 358Mb shared video memory
Intel Clear Video technology
Enhanced 3D graphics performance
15.4" TFT screen, 1280 x 800 pixels
Windows Vista Home Premium

2. Incidentally, will software running under XP be compatible with Vista?

Thanks for your advice,

Gilles

Altitude · Post by **Altitude** » Thu May 29, 2008 8:54 pm

1. Might be ok, but definitely on the bottom as far as processors go though and it will probably be fairly slugish with vista. Shared video memory is also worrisome. Also AFAIK, there were no dual core celeron M processors so you may want to check on that. A single core celeron on vista wont be pretty. Unless u are getting this DIRT cheap, I would pass.

2. Generally yes. I have only had one issue and that was with a program (written for win95 mind you) that depended on ASPI which is no longer supported

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:40 am

If you can get one with XP then do, it will save you no end of pain, if not then you can get OEM copies of XP on ebay for reasonable prices. Dual core would be better, as would ATI graphics over Intel. All the other bits and pieces sound fine.

Shared Ram between video and the CPU is the norm, a dedicated chipset would push the price of you laptop to the high end.

Post by **meatballfulton** » Fri May 30, 2008 12:33 pm

I have a Toshiba laptop with similar specs (running XP) and it is a total dog for music software. Get a real Pentium and WinXP.

Tablets · Post by **Tablets** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:31 pm

Get a MAC!!!It's the best choice for music production and performance..

MarkM · Post by **MarkM** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:24 pm

For PC I recommend Sager. You can order one through PC Torque. They are used by many serious gamers.